Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
lundi 16 mai 2016
7 Costly Wedding Traditions to Ditch
When wedding bells ring, chances are your pocketbook is trying to block out the sound. After all, the costs of a wedding can add up if you stubbornly stick to expensive traditions. Since we're living in the 21st century, it's time to cast aside the uneconomical wedding customs and only keep the ones that work with our budgets. Read on to find out what age-old practices you should drop when you're planning your big day.
Source: Bonnallie Brodeur Photographe
If You're Vegan, These Are Must-Eat Foods to Get Your B Vitamins
I saw a t-shirt once that said, "If you've never been asked 'How do you get enough protein?' than you're not truly a vegan. We love how people are genuinely concerned about our diets, because we also get asked, "How do you get your B vitamins?" While it's true that meat, dairy products, and eggs are popular sources, there are tons of other healthy, plant-based foods that offers all the B vitamins anyone would need. Check out the chart below and make sure to include these foods in your diet and you've got nothing to worry about.
| Vitamin | Benefits | RDA for women 19-50 years old | Food Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | Helps the body convert carbohydrates and fat into energy; essential for normal growth and development; helps to maintain proper functioning of the heart and the nervous and digestive systems | 1.1 mg/day | Rice, black beans, acorn squash, sunflower seeds, oatmeal, corn, barley, apple, fortified breads, pasta, and cereal, nutritional yeast |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | Required by the body for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins; helps with cellular processes | 1.1 mg/day | Oatmeal, mushrooms, almonds, quinoa, spinach, apple, kidney beans, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, rice, fortified bread, pasta, and cereal, fortified non-dairy milk, nutritional yeast |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | Necessary for energy metabolism in cells; DNA repair; produces several sex and stress-related hormones that are produced by the adrenal gland; helps remove toxins and chemicals from the body | 14 mg/day | Broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, dates, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, avocados, nuts, whole grains, beans, mushrooms, nutritional yeast |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | Required to sustain life; is critical in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins | 5 mg/day | Corn, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, avocado, legumes, lentils, split peas, peanuts, soybeans, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, whole-grain breads and cereals, wheat germ |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine and Pyridoxamine) | Help enzymes do their job in the body; helps the nervous and immune systems function properly; necessary for overall good health | 1.3 mg/day | Chickpeas, potatoes, bananas, tomato sauce, bulgur, winter squash, rice, nuts, raisins, onions, spinach, tofu, watermelon, fortified cereal, nutritional yeast |
| Vitamin B7 (Biotin or Vitamin H) | Used in cell growth; the production of fatty acid; metabolism of fat; plays a role in the Krebs Cycle in which energy is released from food; helps with the transfer of carbon dioxide; helps maintain a steady blood sugar level; found in many cosmetic products to help with your skin and hair | 30 mcg/day | Almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, nut butter, soybeans and other legumes, whole grains, cauliflower, bananas, mushrooms |
| Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) | Helps the body make healthy new cells; taken before and during pregnancy can help prevent major birth defects of the baby's brain and spine | 400 mcg/day | Spinach, black-eyed peas, green peas, rice, asparagus, enriched pasta, Brussels sprouts, Romaine lettuce, avocado, broccoli, kidney beans, peanuts, wheat germ, oranges and orange juice, papaya, banana, cantaloupe, fortified soymilk, fortified cereal, nutritional yeast |
| Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | Necessary for the synthesis of red blood cells, the maintenance of the nervous system, and the growth and development of children | 2.6 mcg/day | Nutritional yeast, spirulina, fortified soymilk, and fortified cereals |
Here are some vegan recipes feauturing food rich in B vitamins:
Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo Listed Their Not-So-Baby-Friendly NYC Loft
Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine and Victoria's Secret model Behati Prinsloo are moving out of their 2,800-square-foot loft in New York City. Centered in SoHo, the spacious home is being left behind after being occupied for nearly two years since the couple got married in July 2014. We're guessing they're opting for a more kid-friendly space for their first baby.
For $5.5 million - slightly higher than the $4.4 million it was purchased for - you can enjoy an open kitchen with black granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, elevator entrance, and a 60-foot living room that features exposed brick walls. The 13-foot ceilings add a ton of breathing room while six columns are spaced throughout the stylish one-bedroom, two-bathroom loft. The pair is also offering to include the furniture for an additional price.
While the living room area boasts an urban-chic vibe, the master bath is sleek with marble flooring and walls. Exposed brick continues on the walls of the bedroom, which also enjoys abundant natural lighting and a spacious walk-in closet.
For a full tour, check out the photos ahead!
What You Really Want to Know About The Pioneer Woman
Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman has made us all feel like we're part of the family with her ultracomforting recipes. If you're a huge fan, you probably already know she's the mother of four and a city girl who's completely in love with her country life. But do you know what she studied in college (hint: it's not culinary arts) or what her first Food Network appearance was? These questions and more are answered right here.
Related:
10 Kitchen Organization Tips From The Pioneer Woman
Get a Behind-the-Scenes Look at The Pioneer Woman's New Restaurant!
The 10 Best Kitchen Hacks From The Pioneer Woman
The Pioneer Woman's Ingenious Egg Hack
15 Punny Graduation Caps That Are Downright Genius
C'mon, everybody loves a good pun. If you want to be especially clever for graduation this year, decorate your cap with one of these punny ideas. It's a gauranteed way to stand out in the crowd.
How to Temporarily Disable - Not Delete! - Your Instagram Account
I have a love/hate relationship with my Instagram. There are a lot of things about it that I find #superf*ckingannoying, but from a photography standpoint, I do love following people with beautiful shots. And keeping up with my friends is cool, too. I'll often push Instagram away when I need some space, but like an ex I just can't quite quit, it will come creeping back into my life, and before I know it, I'm obsessed all over again and chronicling every detail of my #blessed life. Sometimes I just need a breather from social media in general, but I don't want to lose my prized portfolio of cat glamour shots and book porn in the process.
The solution? Disable, don't delete. Like with Facebook, Instagram users can temporarily suspend their accounts and return to them without losing their photos, comments, "likes," or information. Here's how to take a break without throwing away all your memories.
First penis transplant in U.S. performed on cancer patient
A cancer patient has received the first penis transplant in the United States, a Boston hospital said Monday.
Snape Wasn't a Good Person - WAIT, Let Me Finish
Snape was . . . a huge asshole. He was cunning, and brilliant, and dynamic, and he was a HUGE asshole. I love him, yes. He is one of my favorite characters in the Harry Potter series. But I also have never quite understood the ease with which we all went from hating Snape to raising him up on a pedestal that he simply doesn't belong on. Here's the thing: no one belongs on one, Snape least of all.
Severus Snape teaches us the ultimate lesson: that just because we've done bad things, it's never too late to seek and find redemption and forgiveness. His unwavering love for Lily is a testament to the power of the sentiment, to the mountains it can move, and to the lasting effect it can have on one person, and on the world as a whole.
But Snape was also a bully. He was cruel to Harry. He spent most of his childhood and adolescence on a dark path that culminated in his initiation as a Death Eater. Part of why he lost Lily's friendship in the first place is because he sought the company of future Death Eaters at Hogwarts.
In the epic Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Prince's Tale chapter, so much about Snape's past is revealed, and not all of it is pretty. This conversation from Lily and Snape's days at Hogwarts showed their friendship unraveling.
". . . thought we were supposed to be friends?" Snape was saying, "Best friends?"
"We are, Sev, but I don't like some of the people you're hanging round with! I'm sorry, but I detest Avery and Mulciber! Mulciber! What do you see in him, Sev, he's creepy! D'you know what he tried to do to Mary MacDonald the other day?" Lily had reached a pillar and leaned against it, looking up into the thin, sallow face.
"That was nothing," said Snape. "It was a laugh, that's all -"
"It was Dark Magic, and if you think that's funny -"
Harry kept his distance this time . . . He watched as Lily joined the group and went to Snape's defense. Distantly he heard Snape shout at her in his humiliation and his fury, the unforgivable word: "Mudblood."
This moment still makes my stomach turn. Yes, Snape was hurt, and yes we all say and do things that we don't mean in that state. But his deep-seated disrespect for "lesser" people wasn't present only in his moments of frustration; it showed in the countless choices he made as he grew up, and in who he chose to cultivate relationships with - as in, future Death Eaters and Voldemort himself.
He took out his hatred for a grown man (who was long dead) on his son - an 11-year-old boy who was completely innocent. Neville Longbottom's boggart was Snape, for god's sake. He laughed in Hermione's face when she was cursed and openly belittled her intelligence for years. He constantly allied himself with the likes of Slytherin students like Malfoy whose sole purpose was to make others miserable. He sat idly by while Voldemort murdered Professor Burbage for the crime of teaching Muggle Studies. You can't tell me that we can blame all of this on the mere fact that he had it out for James Potter. Nor can you convince me that all of this was to maintain the guise that Snape was indeed still loyal to Voldemort. No, Snape wasn't a terrible person, but he certainly had darkness within him, and without someone like Lily Potter to keep it in check, that fire was fueled further. Snape's hatred of James and his friends coupled with his utterly unrequited love for Lily twisted him into something that, in many ways, was terrible. Even when he knew that Lily's entire family - a baby included - was targeted by Voldemort, he thought only of Lily, and in turn, only of himself:
"You disgust me," said Dumbledore, and Harry had never heard so much contempt in his voice. Snape seemed to shrink a little, "You do not care, then, about the deaths of her husband and child? They can die, as long as you have what you want?"
Snape said nothing, but merely looked up at Dumbledore.
"Hide them all, then," he croaked. "Keep her - them - safe. Please."
And so Dumbledore did keep Harry safe. And so Snape used his love for Lily as a reason for protecting Harry, and he put everything he had into doing just that. His devotion to this promise is incredibly admirable, and it is this service to her memory that often paints him as a martyr of sorts among fans. But this doesn't mean he was kind. It doesn't mean he did what he did happily, because Harry was, after all, James Potter's son. He begrudgingly, and yes, bravely, upheld his bargain to Dumbledore and to the woman he loved. More than anything, Snape was very brave.
"Karkaroff intends to flee if the Mark burns."
"Does he?" said Dumbledore softly, as Fleur Delacour and Roger Davies came giggling in from the grounds. "And are you tempted to join him?"
"No," said Snape, his black eyes on Fleur's and Roger's retreating figures. "I am not such a coward."
"No," agreed Dumbledore. "You are a braver man by far than Igor Karkaroff. You know, I sometimes think we Sort too soon . . . "
The idea that Hogwarts Sorts too soon is important, because I really believe that a lot of who Snape became is due to where he came from and who he fell in with in Slytherin. Maybe if he'd been in Gryffindor with Lily's goodness to guide him, everything would have been different. But he wasn't, and who he was is due in large part to this. Maybe he never really had the chance to foster the part of him that could love the way he loved Lily. Maybe, like Tom Riddle, Snape is yet another character who proves that had someone given them love they so desperately needed (and deserved), something else entirely would have come to pass.
Whatever his reasons for protecting Harry were, he didn't waver in his task once he agreed to it. Above everything, I think this is what I admire most about him. He did whatever it took to keep Lily's son alive. And in the end, I do believe he cared for Harry. Somewhere along the way, Snape was able to throw off the cloak of cold hatred he had wrapped himself in years before and objectively see that Harry wasn't so much like James after all, at least not in the ways he always expected to find, and therefore saw. The moment I realized that it wasn't only about Lily anymore was when he found out Dumbledore's devastating plan.
"I have spied for you and lied for you, put myself in mortal danger for you. Everything was supposed to be to keep Lily Potter's son safe. Now you tell me you have been raising him like a pig for slaughter -"
"But this is touching, Severus," said Dumbledore seriously. "Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?"
"For him?" shouted Snape. "Expecto Patronum!"
From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe. She landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office, and soared out of the window. Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.
"After all this time?"
"Always," said Snape.
Stubborn until the bitter end, Snape still couldn't bring himself to admit that what he did was for anyone but Lily. And maybe that's true. Maybe his motives were selfish, and maybe he's an overall sh*tty guy whose attempt at fulfilling a promise in honor of the memory of a woman he loved just happened to, by default, have wonderful results. I don't think so. But maybe it doesn't really matter why he did what he did.
No, I don't think Snape was a great person, but I certainly think Snape did great things. Snape is one of my favorite characters because he was so imperfect. His motives were never pure, he was majorly flawed, he was born and raised in darkness and could have clung to it - and in many ways did. But somewhere deep down he realized - I think in part because of his relationship with Dumbledore - what it truly meant to fight on the side of good. Despite everything he'd been through in his rather bleak life, he was capable of a love so deep, it literally changed the tide of a war. He played his part in saving Harry's life, and in turn, he played his part in saving the wizarding world from something far more terrible than the decades-old grudge of a sad and lonely man.
I think we romanticize Snape, we raise him up on that pedestal - one he can't ever live up to because the stains of his past will always be a part of him. But I love Snape, stains and all, because he epitomizes what these books stand for. The strength of bravery, the reality of failure and the hope of forgiveness, the importance of perseverance, the beauty of unwavering loyalty, the reassurance that light can and will drive out the darkness. And most of all, the monumental power of love. Always, love.
Start Losing Weight Now With These 100 Tips
Losing weight is a journey made up of a million healthy choices we make each day. So keep these 100 tips in mind to continue on that healthy path, little by little.
Here's a Sneak Peek at More Products From the Selena x MAC Collection - You Might Want to Sit Down
It's no secret that we're impatiently waiting for the new MAC x Selena makeup collection to hit stores this October, and while the cult brand has kept details about the products secret - only releasing one photo of a fuchsia lipstick called Como La Flor back in early April - we're finally (finally!) getting the first real sneak peek at some of the products you'll soon be fighting for at a nearby store.
The brand's Instagram previewed a snap of eye shadows in purple and pink, lipsticks in fuchsia, red, and brown, and a gorgeous dual-toned bronzer embossed with the Tejano singer's signature. All items feature names inspired by Selena and her songs and were carefully curated and created by her sister Suzette Quintanilla. Scroll ahead to get a closer look at the collection, then get to know Selena even more with these litle-known facts.
5 DIY Avocado Face Masks That Guarantee Glowy Skin in Minutes
You are probably already well versed on the many benefits of eating avocado - and the many delicious ways to do so - but did you know that all those '80s and '90s movies featuring scenes of teens at sleepovers with the fruit slathered on their skin were actually up to something?
"The fatty acids in avocado are really amazing, helping to keep skin persistently hydrated without irritation. In fact, they're great for sensitive skin, calming inflammation rapidly," says Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Skin Care Collection and Salon, located in New York City. And, while Joanna says you can reap some of the skin benefits by eating avocado every day (or throwing half an avocado into your morning smoothie), DIYing a mask has the most potential to leave your skin glowy and soft. So, hit the market for a few avos, and scroll ahead for five beautifying recipes.
Revitalizing Mask
If your skin texture and type is normal but could use a little love, this mask is for you. "The yogurt in this mask is anti-inflammatory but also has exfoliating lactic acid," says Joanna. "Avocado has lots of B vitamins and fatty acids, so it's essential to keep the skin hydrated."
Ingredients:
1/2 cup yogurt
1/2 avocado, mashed
1/4 cup honey
Easy peasy: Just mix everything together, apply the mask to skin, and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Moisturizing Mask
The omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B in avocado help to bring back moisture to superparched skin. "Honey is great because it's hydrating without risking a breakout, and the mango is loaded with vitamin C, which brightens the skin," says Joanna. Adding a bit of olive oil gives this mask an even stronger hydrating power.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons avocado, mashed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 mango, mashed
Mix all ingredients, then apply to face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse.
Detoxifying Super Green Mask
Wheat grass juice in this recipe makes it deep cleansing. "The juice stimulates lymphatic drainage and adds a boost of nutrients to skin," Joanna says.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup yogurt
1/2 avocado, mashed
2 tablespoons oat grass juice or wheat grass juice
Combine all the ingredients, then apply to face carefully - the juice can make the mask a little runny, so protect your clothes - and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing.
Antibacterial Avocado Mask
This mask is great for those with mild acne and combination skin. "You get the hydration of avocado but also the antibacterial and soothing properties of both coconut oil and aloe vera," says Joanna.
Ingredients:
1/2 avocado, mashed
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon aloe vera
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. Apply to the face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse with a warm cloth.
Brightening Avocado Matcha Mask
For face or body, this mask is a DIY antiaging dream. "Matcha is an extremely powerful antioxidant, while the honey and avocado deliver hydration, and the brown sugar exfoliates gently," Joanna adds.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon matcha powder
1/4 avocado, mashed
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Apply a thin layer to the face (or body), scrubbing gently in circular motions and avoiding the eye area. Leave on for 10 minutes, and rinse with a warm cloth.
dimanche 15 mai 2016
18 Signs Your Game of Thrones Obsession Is Borderline Too Much
There's loving Game of Thrones, and then there's living for Game of Thrones. And you know what, if you fall into the latter camp, we really don't blame you. How could you not freak out over Jon Snow's return? What kind of crazy person can resist diving into all those wild Reddit theories? Keep reading for 18 signs your passion for the show has become a full-blown obsession, then check out the 16 types of Game of Thrones fans - which one are you?
11 Stuffed Chicken Recipes That Make Dinner Way More Exciting
If you can't possibly eat another baked chicken breast (we feel you), it's time to switch things up by stuffing your chicken. Stuffed recipes are way more fun for obvious reasons, and chicken is an easy way to get in on the trend - you can stuff it with just about anything (cheese, veggies, compound butter) - and it'll be a success. These 11 recipes might convince you there's no better way to eat chicken for dinner.
These Iced Tea Recipes Are the Very Definition of Refreshing
There's just something about adding ice to tea that makes it so . . . much better. Especially during the warmer months, it doesn't matter if you're spending a lazy day indoors or vacationing by the water, iced tea will instantly leave you feeling refreshed. And since it has much lower levels of caffeine (sometimes none at all), it's also a lot easier on your body than, say, iced coffee. Ready to get your brew on? Read on for some thirst-quenching recipes, and then keep the cooldown party going with agua fresca.
You Won't Believe These Lego Instructions From the 1970s
Update:
Lego sent us an email confirming the message's authenticity. "Yes, the text is from 1974 and was a part of a pamphlet showing a variety of LEGO doll house products targeted to girls aged four and up from the 1970s," said spokesperson Roar Rude Trangbæk, who added that the text remains relevant to this day across every LEGO product.
Original story:
Recently, a photo of a Lego message to parents in the 1970s went viral on Reddit. Mostly because it looks so different from Lego's gender marketing of today.
Source: Reddit user fryd_
Inspiring, isn't it? Some commenters have questioned the letter's authenticity, blaming poor formatting and font choice, but the poster alleges that it's real, and we've reached out to Lego for verification.
The letter reminds us of a wonderful Lego ad from the early '80s. Can we please have more like this and less like the sexist Barbie programming book?
This Easy Formula Is the Key to Weight-Loss Success
The 80/20 principle is no diet - it's a lifestyle change that can lead to sustainable weight loss. Folks who have suffered on rigid, limiting diets in the past find that this new rule teaches them about balance and moderation, a concept that never exists in a fad diet. When you practice 80/20, you have the space to go out socially and enjoy a meal (or a cocktail!) with friends, but most importantly, it makes the whole clean-living thing feel doable for the long run.
The breakdown is simple: 80 percent of the time you focus on eating clean, good-for-you foods, and 20 percent of the time you have the freedom to indulge as you please. Don't be concerned about the math, but it's simple: if you eat three square meals a day, three of those meals every week are your 20 percent cheat meals; if you eat five small meals a day, then seven of those small meals are up for grabs.
If you're worried about loosening the reins, look to Hollywood for 80/20 success stories. When we spoke to Jessica Alba's trainer Yumi Lee, Yumi credited the 80/20 rule when it came to Jessica's ability to maintain her healthy weight. She explains, "You can't be 100 percent all of the time, but you can be 80 percent all of the time." Yumi recommends small, frequent meals throughout the day, aiming to make healthy choices 80 percent of the time.
Supermodel Miranda Kerr has also explained how the 80/20 rule has done wonders for her relationship with food. Without guilt or conditions placed on meal choices, Miranda says, "Food is my friend, and consistency is the key. I believe that everything in moderation is best." We could not agree more.
Snow White and Prince Charming Are Living Their Own Fairy Tale in Real Life
Throughout Once Upon a Time's five seasons, Snow White and Prince Charming have been through a lot. They've lost and found each other and both of their children, died or nearly died a few times, and been through too many other traumatic things to count. At the end of the day, they always find each other and are now more in love than ever. In honor of the upcoming season finale, we're celebrating all the reasons we love Snow and Charming (and their Storybrooke counterparts) Mary Margaret and David - in GIFs, of course.
25+ Tostada Recipes That'll Leave You Licking Your Fingers
Tostadas really bring together the best of Mexican food. The crunchy tortilla base is small and easy to handle with your hands, which reminds us of delicious and snackable tacos. But its toppings are usually elaborate and copious, which is reminiscent of a burrito. What we're saying is, tostadas are the perfect balance and there's no reason you shouldn't love them and eat them as much as possible.
You can enjoy pulled pork, tinga chicken, shrimp ceviche, chorizo, refried black beans, even veggie-only options if you look ahead for more than 25 scrumptious recipes. Once you've picked your menu for the night, find a tequila cocktail to pair it with.
Read a Heartbreaking Excerpt From Orange Is the New Black's Diane Guerrero's New Memoir
The following excerpt comes from Diane Guerrero's new book, In the Country We Love: My Family Divided, on sale now, which tells her family's immigration story. Learn more about Diane from our exclusive interview.
The entry way was dark. Papi's boots, the pair he wore whenever he did yard work, sat muddy and unlaced near the door. I heard none of the sounds I'd usually hear after school. No noise from the tele vi sion. No voices chattering in Spanish. No salsa blasting from the radio. I lowered my book bag to the floor next to my father's boots and noticed the light on in the kitchen. I darted toward it, my heart pounding with each pace.
"Mami!" I called out. "Papi! Are you here?"
I stood at the kitchen entrance and looked around. A plate of sliced plantains rested on the countertop; a pot of uncooked rice was on the stove's back burner. The faucet, which Papi had been trying to fix that week, leaked into the sink. Drip. Drip. Drip. On the table, that morning's newspaper laid next to a half-filled cup of coffee. Mami's apron, which she always folded and put away after preparing a meal, was dangling from a chair back. I pivoted to the hall and dashed to my parents' room. Could they be sleeping?
"Where is every one!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. "Mami, Papi - I'm home!" I pushed on their bedroom door. It was stuck. "Are you guys here?" I yelled, banging on the wood with my fists. "Open up!" When I didn't get a response, I wedged the toe of my Adidas into the door's lower right corner, leaned into it with my full weight to force it open, and stumbled in. The room was bare. Mami's address book was open atop her nightstand; Papi's reading glasses laid near the foot of their bed. With my entire body shaking, I rushed to the bathroom. Then into my room. Then back to the kitchen. And finally, with a prayer that they might be outdoors, into the backyard.
All empty.
Right then, the doorbell rang. I stopped. Could it be them? In the shadows of the hall, I tiptoed to the front of the house. At the door, I stretched up to look into the peephole. There stood the neighbor who lived on the other side of our two-family house, a squat middle-aged woman who hadn't ever been very friendly to us. Leaving the safety chain hooked, I opened the door only wide enough to see out.
"It's me, Diane," she said. "Unlock the door."
My hands quivered as I slid the chain left and unlatched it. With my face flushed and my stomach churning, I stepped into the vestibule. The woman stared at me like I had three eyes.
"Your parents have been taken," she said glibly, as if she was reporting the weather forecast.
"Um, what?" I blustered. My head felt like it was about to fall off my shoulders, tumble to the ground, and burst open right there in front of her. "What do you mean?"
"I mean the immigration officers came here and arrested them," she shot back. "They're gone."
I glared at her, all of a sudden feeling dizzy. The foyer began to spin, faster and faster, as if I was stuck in a washing machine. "No!" I wailed with my palms over my temples. I swayed forward, then back, and caught myself before falling onto the linoleum. "They're not gone!" I squealed. The woman didn't blink.
"Anyone you want me to call?" she asked. I was too distraught to answer. My moans turned to howls.
"Well," she said, realizing I wasn't going to respond, "let me know if you need anything, okay?" I didn't answer. I staggered into the house and slammed the door.
What am I going to do? My thoughts raced faster than my heartbeat. I need to call someone. I hurried to the living room and grabbed our cordless from its base. I dialed the number of my niece's mother, Gloria. Ring. Ring. Ring. She picked up.
"Hello, Gloria?" I whimpered.
She paused. "What's wrong, Diane?"
"My parents have been taken!" I shouted into the receiver. Hot tears escaped from my lids and splashed onto my T- shirt.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"The police came here and arrested them!" I hollered.
Dead silence.
Even in my hysteria, I was already trying to find a way to fix things - to line up a new life for myself. "Can I stay with you?" I asked between gasps. "Maybe you can move in here. I can watch Erica for you. I'll go to school and get a job."
She sighed. "Diane, that's not a good idea," she said. "I don't think it would work."
I heard what she said, but I couldn't quite comprehend what it meant for me. "So what am I supposed to do?" I sniveled.
"For now," she said, "don't open your door for anyone. We don't really know what's happening yet. The police might return there. Stay out of sight until we can figure something out."
Beyond terrified, I scurried back to the front door to be positive it was chained and bolted. I turned off every light, closed all the blinds, went into my room, and locked the door. With the cordless in hand, I got on the floor and scooted all the way under my bed. Our house had never felt more quiet or scary.
I cried as softly as I could, my dad's words reverberating in my head. "If anything ever happens to us," he'd often told me, "you've gotta be strong." But I didn't feel strong; I felt weak and abandoned. I put the phone's dial pad right up to my eyes so I could see the digits in the dark. I called another lifeline - Amelia, the mother of my friend Gabriela.
"Amelia?" I whispered.
She picked up on my distress. "What's going on, sweetie?" she asked.
In hushed tones, I told Amelia all that had happened, from my discovery that Mami and Papi were gone. "Where are you?" she asked. "Under my bed." "Stay where you are," she told me. "Don't move. I'll be there as soon as I can."
Minutes later, the phone rang; I saw Amelia's name on the caller ID and picked up on the first ring. "It's me, Diane," she said on her cell. "I'm here. You can let me in." At the door, I looked through the peep-hole to confirm it was Amelia and not the police. After opening the door, I fell right into her arms. Gaby was there too. "It's okay, Diane," she repeated as she stroked my hair. "Every thing's going to be fine now. Gaby, go make some tea."
The phone rang again. It was my father.
"Hector?" she said. "Yes, I'm here with Diane." I listened intently to Amelia's side of the conversation and pieced together how the day had unfolded. My parents had been taken separately. Mami, who'd been making dinner, was arrested in the late after noon while Papi was on his way home from work. My father pulled into the driveway to discover that the
immigration officers had surrounded the house; they were waiting to put him in handcuffs. Papi was driven to a facility for men, Mami to one for women. My father was allowed to make one short call. This was it.
Amelia, shaking her head in sorrow at what she'd heard, handed the phone to me. "Your father wants to speak to you," she said. I pressed the receiver to my ear.
"Papi," I said with a scratchy voice, "where are you?"
"Listen to me, Diane," he said sternly. "Don't be afraid. You're a smart girl." My eyes filled with a fresh round of tears. "Don't cry, Diane. Do not cry. Now I need you to pay attention," he continued, "because I don't have much longer on the phone. Go in our room and pack our suitcases, one for me and one for your mother. We'll need some of our things in Colombia."
"What?" I shrieked. Mami and Papi had been in prison for less than twenty-four hours, yet my father was convinced they'd be deported. "But can't we do something to stop this?" I pushed.
"There's nothing we can do," he said matter-of-factly. The only way he and Mami might have a chance at staying, he explained, was if a top-level attorney took their case; even with Papi's stroke of fortune, he didn't have the money for a pricey lawyer. "I've asked Amelia if you can stay with her," he told me. I heard a guard ordering Papi to finish his call. "So you'll be with her, okay? I love you. I've gotta go now." Click. I put down the phone and sat there helpless.
These Photos of a Llama Traveling the World Will Bring Your Mind Some Peace
Sometimes, there are days where it's hard to wake up and feel content about anything. Get some more happiness in your life with this cute Instagram account of a llama traveling the world, spreading a smile one post at a time.
The account, called Llama With No Drama, is a project by Eylul Savas, a brand consultant who lives in LA. She created it as a way to document her travels and bring happiness to people. Savas noticed that you can't really escape the barrage of tragic news every day and this is one small way to break your mind from that. "Filtering positive and negative messages is almost impossible," she said to Mashable. "[I] wanted to start something with the purpose of putting smile's on people's faces."
This tiny stuffed llama toy will also encourage your wanderlust. Since it goes wherever Savas goes, the llama has traveled to a lot of places - and that's part of the bigger plan for the account too. Savas hopes the llama will encourage people to travel.
So far, the Instagram account only has around 4,000 followers, but we're sure that will change soon enough. Look ahead to see some of the llama's journeys, and if that's not enough to satiate your wanderlust, this Lego figurine that travels the world might.
Abused, Abandoned Puppies Find Comfort in Each Other
In April, three Pit Bull puppies, Chase, Klondike, and Haagen Dazs, were brought into the Washington Humane Society after being completely neglected by their owner. Klondike and Haagen Dazs, above, found comfort in each other when they first arrived at the vet to be assessed. The two were found to have nasty but treatable cases of mange. Chase, however, was much sicker than the other two. The good news is that things are looking up for all three dogs, according to BarkPost. Since arriving at the shelter, the dogs got healthier, and Haagen Dazs has even found a forever home. Klondike has a foster family, and Chase has a special foster family to continue nursing him back to top form. Scroll through to see the pups when they arrived at the shelter, and then see more recent photos of a much healthier Chase toward the end. His transormation is amazing!
15 Oreo Hacks You've Been Missing Your Entire Life
There's no doubt about it: Oreo is the queen of cookies. And while eating an Oreo (or 10) straight from the package is great enough to begin with, there's a whole world of hacks on the internet that are here to make our Oreo-eating experience even better. You can easily DIY Oreo-inspired concoctions like cookies and cream ice cubes, Oreo churros, and Oreo freeze pops, thanks to these step-by-step tutorials. Keep reading to watch every amazing Oreo trick your life has been missing - until now.
25+ Accounts That Every Disney Addict Should Follow on Instagram
If you're a hardcore Disney fanatic, there's a good chance your Instagram feed is already filled with mouse ears and movie quotes . . . but that doesn't mean you've found every must-follow Disney 'grammer. We've rounded up some of the accounts that get us most excited for park trips, new movies, and general Disney magic. You'll hit follow right away after visiting these Instagram profiles, from cast members at various Walt Disney resorts to Disney-themed fashion inspiration!
Exploring the Theory That the Game of Thrones Book Series Title Gives It All Away
Any devoted Game of Thrones fan, whether they also read the books or are show-only fans, is also up on the most relevant theories about the characters. While you might not subscribe to each and every crazy theory out there, it's gotten to the point that if you don't know the most basic theories, you're way out of the loop. One of these theories is the R + L = J theory, which we have explored here before, especially since it looks like this season is setting up the reveal of Jon Snow's parents. That parentage thread, along with the fact that we don't have all that many Game of Thrones episodes left after this season, has made us explore one of these big theories. It's about the end of the series and, essentially, who ultimately wins in the titular game of thrones - so if you don't want to know, turn back now.
The Theory: A Song of Ice and Fire Gives the Ending Away
The title Game of Thrones is the name of the TV series but not George R. R. Martin's book series. The first book is called A Game of Thrones, but the whole book series, comprising the already-published five books (and the two still to come), is called A Song of Ice and Fire. A lovely name, to be sure, but what if it's more than that?
What If Ice and Fire Signify Certain People?
What if this epic "song" is about how two characters - symbolized by ice and fire - come together in the end? The obvious characters are:
Jon Snow = Ice
Jon has pretty much been living in the icy cold of the Wall and beyond for six seasons.
Daenerys Targaryen = Fire
Not only has there been tons of fire imagery associated with Daenerys on the show, including her own "rebirth" in the first season in a funeral pyre for Khal Drogo and her dragons breathing fire, but the Targaryen words are also "Fire and Blood."
Therefore, A Song of Ice and Fire = A Song of Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen
A stretch? Could be, but consider the two characters who fans have an undying love for and who both seem destined for something more (Jon's resurrection being not just a major indication for this but also a distinct parallel to Daenerys's season-one storyline). Thus, we could be watching the story of how the Seven Kingdoms are destined for two rulers, not just one, and the Iron Throne will be cozily shared by Jon and Daenerys. Also, if the theory that Jon is a Targaryen comes true, you might be pointing out that that makes him and Daenerys related (technically, she'd be his aunt), but marrying within the family has always been a Targaryen custom. (It also seems relevant to point out that the R + L = J theory doesn't have to be true for this outcome to happen.)
And though I suppose other characters could fulfill the ice and fire symbols, it's almost too obvious. Need more? Also consider those Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke poses for Entertainment Weekly that preceded season three (interesting for characters who have never shared a frame on the show) and the three heads of the dragon theory that is also gaining traction.
Honestly, this "theory" doesn't feel so much like a spoiler but the kind of ending that feels right, in a show that often disappoints you with its character deaths and tragedies.
35 Laundry Tips and Tricks That Everyone Should Know
The words "laundry day" strike fear in even the bravest of hearts. Still, it simply has to happen - but it doesn't have so bad! We've rounded up the best DIYs, tips, and laundry hacks that will make laundry day the best it can possibly be.
The Caribbean Is Calling: What to Do in San Juan, Puerto Rico
If it's a Caribbean getaway you seek this Summer, look no further than sunny San Juan, Puerto Rico. Featuring a breathtaking mix of Colonial history (and the majestic buildings that came with it), tropical weather, and a melting pot of cultural influences, Puerto Rico's capital city is a must see.
Whether you plan to spend your days soaking up the sun on the beach or exploring the sites, we've compiled a comprehensive list of places you should totally keep on your radar. Read on to discover them all, and then - if you're feeling super adventurous - check out our guide to nearby Caguas.
33 Magical Disney Wallpapers For Your Phone
People who are obsessed with Disney aren't shy about hiding it - and they shouldn't be. The company brings people together through its films, parks, toys, and so much more. If you're a fan, it's time to show off your love of the company and its characters with some lovely wallpapers for your iPhone 6.
To download the wallpapers, just click on a photo and enter full-screen mode. Once you do that, just right click and save the image to your computer. On your actual phone? Just press on the image itself and hit "Save image." Then, set it as your new wallpaper.
Once you're done looking through these, check out the geeky wallpapers we've rounded up - you'll find plenty more to suit your interests!
A Necessary Look at the Hottest Daario Naharis Moments on Game of Thrones
Soon after Daario Naharis captured Daenerys Targaryen's attention on Game of Thrones, he captured ours too. Last season there were some seriously sexy scenes with Daario (Michiel Huisman) and Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), and we're eagerly awaiting more Daario scenes in season six. The handsome character has had more than a few swoon-worthy moments on the show, and he gets extra hot points for his wit and bravery. Check out some of the sexiest Daario GIFs out there, then see more hot pictures of Michiel and find out which Game of Thrones guy you should date!
Here Are the New 2017 Disney Cruise Itineraries!
We've already shown you just how amazing Disney cruises are - if you're crossing your fingers for an amazing 2017 itinerary, you're definitely in luck. The entertainment behemoth just announced where it's set to sail, and needless to say . . . the stops are pretty fantastic. See where Disney cruises are headed in the coming year (hint: their private island Castaway Cay will make a number of appearances), and book your ticket ASAP!
A Bunch of Skydivers Played Quidditch in the Air and It Looks Amazing
Harry Potter fans are known to do incredible things. While some fans spend their time creating amazing DIY's, others choose to play Quidditch - in the air, as they skydive.
In a video posted by The Independent, a group of skydivers took to the air and played a real game of Quidditch with brooms and a quaffle. People are super into it considering the post has more than 14,000 shares and 6,000 comments. Watch this amazing feat below.
Super cool, right? We kinda want to learn and try this ourselves!
Lose Weight With These 50+ Meals Under 500 Calories
No matter when you eat your biggest meal of the day, your calories should still work for you. These meals are jam-packed with nutrients - from energy-sustaining protein to disease-fighting antioxidants - while still ensuring you keep calorie counts low. Each of these comforting and filling meals is well under 500 calories, meaning you'll be full and satisfied afterward without sacrificing weight-loss goals. Check out the recipes below!
- Additional reporting by Michele Foley, Lizzie Fuhr, and Jenny Sugar
NASA's Kepler Mission Just Discovered a Whopping 1,284 New Planets
NASA has found yet another mind-blowing discovery in outer space. The Kepler mission announced on NASA's website that it has found 1,284 new planets, which makes it "the single largest finding of planets to date."
"This announcement more than doubles the number of confirmed planets from Kepler," said Ellen Stofan, chief scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "This gives us hope that somewhere out there, around a star much like ours, we can eventually discover another Earth."
The Kepler mission was first launched in March 2009 as an attempt to find potentially habitable Earth-size planets. Kepler monitors "150,000 stars in a single patch of sky, measuring the tiny, telltale dip in the brightness of a star that can be produced by a transiting planet."
Since the whole project began, Kepler has verified 2,325 new planet candidates from over 5,000. The latest exciting planetary findings from Kepler only prove that there is still much to learn about other planets out there.
"Drake's Beef" Is Your New Favorite Drake Song About His Heated Feuds
Drake has proven time and time again that he doesn't take himself too seriously, like when he spoofed his "Hotline Bling" video for a T-Mobile ad and when he read some shockingly Mean Tweets, but his latest Saturday Night Live sketch takes the cake. The artist hosted over the weekend, and he seems to have had some issues with the cast . . . and Lorne Michaels . . . and the maintenance woman. Please enjoy, and no, there isn't a direct Meek Mill reference in here.
The Intense Push-Up Variation That'll Change the Way Your Abs Look
Push-ups have got to be my all-time favorite upper-body exercise since they are so effective at targeting your chest and shoulders. There are so many variations to this basic exercise, so here's another one to add to your routine. Bonus: this move helps define your core, especially your obliques, the muscles on the sides of your torso that cinch your waist.
- Come into plank position (top of a push-up), with your hands under your shoulders, and your body in one straight line. If you can't do a push-up this way, just lower your knees to the floor (as shown in the second half of the video).
- As you bend your elbows out to the side and lower your torso toward the floor, bend your left knee and touch it to your left elbow.
- As you straighten your arms, come back to plank position with your left foot next to your right. Now lower your torso down and touch your right knee to your right elbow. Then return back to plank position.
- This counts as one repetition. Complete as many as you can, then stretch out your lower back and shoulders in Child's Pose for five breaths and then stretch out your pecs by doing Seated Heart Opener for five breaths.
All the Boy Band Songs to Play at Your Wedding, Because Your Love For Them Will Never Die
Let's face it, friends, we've grown up on boy bands, so obviously they belong at our weddings. Who else can recall roller-skating with friends to the tune of "I Swear" by All-4-One? Not to mention middle school dances with *NSYNC singing "Bye Bye Bye" while you and your crew dance along. Modern boy bands for us '80s and '90s babies will always have a special place in our hearts and should have a place of honor on your big day, and we have some suggestions for how to fit them into your wedding playlist.
As a bit of an expert on boy bands - because I loved them even before One Direction existed - I put together a playlist perfect for the wedding of any of my fellow millennials. So embrace your inner fangirl, look through to take a listen to all of them, and then politely inform your SO that this will be happening at your wedding - whether he or she likes it or not - because your boy band love is larger than life.
Every Look Selena Gomez Wears in the Revival Tour Is Sexy and Sparkly
Selena Gomez's Revival Tour kicked off in Las Vegas on May 6, and though the star had shared lots of previews of her onstage looks with her followers via Instagram, she still managed to surprise us all with her sexy choices.
After sporting a sweet yet rock-inspired Louis Vuitton look on the red carpet for the 2016 Met Gala, the "Hands to Myself" singer made a total 180-degree turn, wearing lots of sparkle and J-Lo-inspired leotards as she perform her biggest hits. Her performance style continued Selena's incredibly hot 2016, which has already included a topless photo shoot with GQ and lots of revealing dresses. Scroll ahead to check out all the looks from the tour and to see what she wore at the afterparty.
41 Recipes Meant For Anyone Obsessed With Garlic and Shrimp
Is the above photo of lemony, garlicky shrimp making you salivate? Good; you're in the right place, because you'll find the recipe for that plus 40 more recipes that highlight two of the greatest ingredients ever: garlic and shrimp. In this dinner-focused roundup, you'll find a variety of shrimp dishes - pastas, soups, grilled shrimp, and more - but the unifying factor is that not a single one skimps on the garlic or the flavor.
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Here's What Happens When You Attach a GoPro to Your Dog and Leave the House
Dog owners, this might turn you into a pile of mush. Titled "What my dog does when I leave," this YouTube video shows what happens when you attach a GoPro to your dog once you step out the door. The video has been viewed over 18 million times.
Kind of the opposite of the best use of a GoPro, when someone attached it to a bottle of Fireball at a wedding and passed it around.
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Your Favorite NBC Shows Are Shifting Around This Fall
NBC is the first network to unveil its Fall schedule! Blindspot is moving to the 8 p.m. slot on Wednesdays, The Blacklist is moving to 10 p.m. on Thursday nights, and new shows are sprinkled in all over the place. Meanwhile, there are plenty of shows we'll have to wait for until midseason, including The Blacklist's spinoff Redemption. For now, take a look at what to expect in the next few months, and check out all the new shows coming to TV this Fall!
MONDAY
8 p.m. - The Voice
10 p.m. - Timeless*
TUESDAY
8 p.m. - The Voice
9 p.m. - This Is Us*
10 p.m. - Chicago Fire
WEDNESDAY
8 p.m. - Blindspot
9 p.m. - Law & Order: SVU
10 p.m. - Chicago P.D.
THURSDAY
8 p.m. - Superstore
8:30 p.m. - The Good Place*
9 p.m. - Chicago Med
10 p.m. - The Blacklist
FRIDAY
8 p.m. - Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon*
9 p.m. - Grimm
10 p.m. - Dateline NBC
SATURDAY
8 p.m. - Saturday Dateline Mysteries
10 p.m. - Saturday Night Live (encores)
SUNDAY
7 p.m. - Football Night in America
8:20 p.m. - Sunday Night Football
*New show
14 Facts About How Teens Use the Internet That Will Make Your Jaw Drop
It's no secret that teens love their smartphones and boast about how much they use them in different ways. But we never imagined teens spend about nine hours a day looking at their phones to hear music, watch TV, go on social media, text, and more. That's why the team at Rawhide Boys Ranch decided to look at the data and examine exactly how teens use tech products and what every parent can learn from it.
As you'll see, teens use smartphones for most of their consumption - 46 percent total. It makes total sense, considering teens use their phones to text while studying, to watch TV while doing homework, and to post to social media while in class. Parents are totally worried, with one in three thinking about how this will affect their kids in regards to online safety, sleep deprivation, reduced physical activity, and sliding grades. Check out the full infographic below to learn more and see what you can do to help out your kid - like a smartphone detox challenge.
Tight Lower Back? Get on the Floor and Try This
Tight hips and a tight lower back are common complaints among runners and cyclists, so here's a relaxing stretch that will stretch both. It's similar to Half Happy Baby, but with this variation, both knees are bent at the same time.
| Sanskrit Name: Ananda Balasana English Translation: Happy Baby Pose Also Called: Dead Bug |
- Begin lying flat on your back.
- Bend both knees and hold onto the outside edges of your flexed feet with your hands. Keep your arms on the outsides of your legs.
- Gently use your upper body strength to equally press both knees to the floor below your armpits. Try not to tense your shoulders or chest, but keep everything relaxed.
- Stay like this for five deep breaths. To release, let go of your feet and straighten your legs to the floor.
11 Love Tattoos in Spanish You're Going to Want to Get
The great thing about love is that it comes in all shapes, sizes, and tattoo designs. But because we know you're looking for ink that'll be special and unique to you, we scoured Instagram to put together a list of photos featuring some of the most inspiring and empowering tattoos on love you'll ever see. The best part: they all nicely combine your connection to the Spanish language with your adoration for your significant other!
The Tron Roller Coaster at Shanghai Disney Is Everything We Imagined and More
Ever since we found out the official launch date for Shanghai Disney Resort (it's June 16), we've been dreaming about the new rides at the park. Specifically, the Tron-inspired roller coaster. Thanks to a guest who was at the soft opening of Shanghai Disney this past weekend, our very first glimpse of this anticipated ride was everything we dreamed of (and more). The Tron Lightcycle Power Run roller coaster takes passengers through a dark, twisting maze with brief moments of outside travel. The ride design is reminiscent of the animated scenes you see in Tron, proving that this roller coaster will completely transport you into a different world. Or, at least, that's how it feels.
8 Questions to Ask Yourself to Help You Declutter
Stop making excuses and clean up the clutter in your home! It'll make you feel better and make your living space look better as well! Ask yourself these questions and get rid of your items based on your answers. And when we say dispose of your clutter, we mean either sell it, donate it, recycle it, give it away to friends and family, or throw it away.
1. Have I used this in the last year?
If your answer is no, it's time to toss.
2. If I were shopping right now, would I buy this?
If the current you wouldn't buy this item now, why would you even keep it?
3. Is the only thing that's keeping me from disposing this item that I don't want to waste money?
Think of it this way: you wasted money when you bought an item you don't use.
4. Am I holding on to this for sentimental value?
Be strict and keep only a few of the items in a small memorabilia box. Then take a photo of items you are throwing away so you can keep them forever.
5. Do I have a similar item that serves the same purpose?
If yes, then get rid of one of them.
6. Do I have a realistic plan to use this?
Remember, don't lie to yourself about how perfect an item would be for Halloween. Make sure you have a concrete plan to use the item, and if you don't use it within the time frame you set for yourself to use it, then toss it.
7. Does it fit me or my living space?
You may love it, but do you have space for the item or does it even suit you now? Think hard on what to keep - your space is sacred.
8. Am I holding on to the broken item to fix in the future?
Fix it now, or if you don't get around to fixing in the next two weeks, then toss it.
This Harry Potter Wedding Is Every Witch and Wizard's Dream Come True
Some couples love Harry Potter so much, they make it a part of their wedding process somehow - or just make it the whole theme. Meet the couple who had the Harry Potter wedding theme from your dreams, complete with shoes, cufflinks, and a bouquet as odes to the books.
The married couple, Cassie and Lewis Byrom, had their wedding at Manchester Town Hall in the UK, a place that literally looks like the real-life Hogwarts. Every part of their wedding was touched by Harry Potter in some form, and they even held a reading from The Order of Phoenix at their ceremony. As you'll see from the photos, the wedding looks amazing, almost like it was put together by magic. It makes total sense, considering the couple got engaged at Harry Potter World.
Look ahead to see photos from the wedding and start copying ideas ASAP. Oh and yes, Cassie's bouquet is literally made out of pages from the books - check it out!
19 Insanely Cool Car Hacks You Should Try Out
Your trusty car has taken you on a lot of journeys, so check out these smart hacks that will make your car owner experience even better.
1. Use toothpaste to shine your headlights
Photo: Sarah Lipoff
This surprising household staple is very effective in shining headlights. Simply
buff the headlight with toothpaste smeared on a soft cloth, and it'll look brand new in minutes!
2. Cool a car down instantly without turning on the A/C
Your car can feel like an oven on a hot day, particularly if you don't park in shaded areas. There's a trick to cooling it down quickly. Roll down one window, and open and close the door on the other side five to six times. The hot air escapes through the door you're opening and closing, while the cool air enters through the window on the other side. What's great about this trick is that you're not wasting any gas by blasting the A/C.
3. Use a rubber band to hold your phone up
Source: Reddit user juririm via Imgur
Thread a rubber band through your A/C vent for a makeshift phone holder.
4. Put your car key fob on your chin to increase range
If you can't find your car, place the car key fob on your chin to increase the range of the car-retrieval signal. The fluids in your head turn it into an adequate conductor.
5. Paint your windshield cracks with nail polish
To slow the cracking of your windshield while you're taking it to the repair shop, paint over the crack with clear nail polish on both sides of the glass.
6. Look at the gas gauge to figure out which side to fill your gas
Source: Shutterstock
If you're driving a new car or a rental, there is usually an arrow on the gas gauge that will point to the side of the car the gas tank is on.
7. Take a photo of where you parked
You know you need to do this. Instead of trying to remember your parking spot, make it easier on yourself by taking a photo of where you parked your car with your cell phone.
8. Hang a shoe organizer on the back of a seat.
Source: Martha Stewart
Store your stuff in a shoe organizer - great for road trips.
9. Remove dents with a plunger
Use a plunger to suck out dents. It's best for medium-sized dents, according to Lifehacker.
10. Buff your car with conditioner
Wax your car with hair conditioner to give it an extra shine and prevent water streaks from forming.
11. Clean the interior with a coffee filter
Photo: Sarah Lipoff
Dab the coffee filter with a little bit of olive oil to clean your car with. If you don't want to use the oils, feel free to go without it or use another cleaning solution instead. The filters are much better as cleaners than dryer sheets, which are often recommended as well. That's because dryer sheets can contain a lot of chemicals.
12. Keep food hot with a seat warmer
Taking home some pizza? Place it on a seat with the seat warmer on, so it won't cool off on your way home.
13. Use the tennis ball trick to avoid banging your car against the garage wall
Source: I Dream of Clean
Hang a tennis ball from the ceiling so you'll know exactly when to stop backing up.
14. Melt the ice on your car with a vinegar-water mixture
Spray your car with a 2/3 vinegar and 1/3 water mixture to melt ice instead of scraping it off.
15. De-ice a frozen lock
Add hand sanitizer to your key when trying to get at a frozen car lock. The alcohol on the key will melt the ice.
16. Use a cereal container as a trash can
Source: Better Homes and Gardens
Convert a cereal container into a useful trash can for your car.
17. Unlock a car door with shoelaces
If you locked yourself out of your car, this YouTube video shows how you can get in with the help of a shoelace.
18. Open a key ring with a staple remover
Source: YouTube user alittletrickilearned
You won't hurt your fingers if you use a staple remover to help you add in more keys to your car key ring.
19. Store your quarters in a pill bottle
Photo: Emily Co
Upcycle an old pill bottle into a container to
9 Things You Never Knew About Whole Foods, Straight From an Insider Employee
I spoke to Whole Foods food editor Molly Siegler, who's based at the company's headquarters in Austin, TX, and learned a variety of interesting facts that made me an even bigger fan of the store. What's the return policy? Who makes all the food in the hot bar? Can you really try something before you buy it? If you've always wanted to know this - plus more - about one of the highest-quality grocery stores, read on for all the insider secrets.
1. You can taste anything before you buy it.
Seriously - anything! "The company has a Try Before You Buy policy," Molly said, and you can use it for packaged foods (like snacks), fresh produce, and even cheese. "If there's a new apple that comes out, you can ask someone in the produce section to cut you a slice."
2. You can return anything.
The return policy "is very Nordstrom-like - bring it back; we want you to be happy." Depending on your location's policy, you'll either get your money back or get store credit - you don't even need your receipt. "It's nice if you have it, but not really [necessary]." You can even return Whole Foods beauty and body-care products, but make sure you have the receipt for those.
3. The best day to shop for sales is Wednesday.
"Wednesday is the day that our sale cycle turns over, so it actually ends up being a day where there are twice as many sales, so that's sort of a fun, magic day to come in. In addition to those in-store sales, we have mobile coupons that are part of our app. These coupons are updated regularly, and you just have the cashier scan the barcode that's exclusive to you."
4. Everything in the hot bar, salad bar, and bakery area is homemade.
"There's a new team that's been formed around culinary and hospitality: the company brought in a top chef, Tien Ho, who's been working in the restaurant world for years. He is leading the charge for elevating our prepared foods - he's going to focus a lot more on that hot bar experience and salad bar experience. To say it's made fresh and by trained chefs is definitely accurate."
5. The butchers can debone, season, and/or steam any cut of fish for you.
At no extra charge. "A lot of people do that in our offices for lunch, or it's a really easy thing to do right before you head home for dinner. And it's not just salt and pepper - there's interesting rubs and spice mixes."
6. Employees get a really good discount.
Is your local Whole Foods hiring? Every employee gets a 20 percent discount to start out with, and there's a health-focused incentive that leads to a higher discount. The company does an optional annual screening that records factors like BMI and blood pressure that employees can use as a regular health check-in, in addition to getting an increased discount.
7. The best-selling seafood item is the responsibly farmed salmon.
Look for this in the seafood section - it's the number-one selling seafood item companywide. The salmon is free of antibiotics, growth hormones, pesticides, and GMOs.
8. Each Whole Foods location donates leftover food to local organizations.
Ever wonder what happens to all that leftover hot food at the end of the night? The exact policy varies by location, but all food is donated. "All of our stores have partnerships with local food banks and other local organizations that they can help donate the food to at the end of the day."
9. The company really does take ingredients seriously.
"Whole Foods Market has really high quality standards, but it's not an arbitrary thing. We have a whole team that's dedicated to using science and really heavy research to figure out what can and can't be in our stores. At a minimum, we have no artificial colors, no artificial preservatives, no artificial sweeteners, and no hydrogenated fats. Every single thing in our stores meets those standarsa, and often poeple don't realize that."
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Attention, Seafood-Lovers! These 18 Recipes Are What You Need in Your Life Right Now
Have you been picturing yourself enjoying a tasty and fresh fish dish while sitting out on your patio for the past few chilly months - maybe with a cold beer sitting nearby? We have, too. Seafood-lovers just can't help but impatiently await the peak of the Summer season, when everything from tilapia to shrimp tastes better.
For those people, there's this list of 18 Latin-inspired dishes that feature seafood center stage. Yes, you'll find ceviches, but we also went beyond and included seafood paella, salmon with avocado sauce, Brazilian moqueca, and much more. Scroll ahead to find the delicious recipes.
How to Save Hundreds of BBQ Calories
Doing a little grilling this holiday weekend? With tons of burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, and beer around, you don't want to go overboard on the calories. To avoid packing on the pounds this weekend, here are some ways to add a healthy spin to your barbecue.
- Bring a healthy dish: If you're invited to a barbecue, bring along your own healthy dish so you know you'll have something good to munch on. Wow your friends and family with one of these vegan side dishes or healthy burgers.
- Go for homemade guacamole instead of creamy dips: Avocados offer the healthy fats your body needs, which is a much better option than the saturated fats found in dairy-based dips. If you're worried about calories, then whip up some homemade low-cal salsa, and throw in some fresh pineapple and mango for added vitamins.
- Grill up some veggies: Use a grill basket, corn holders, or skewers, and choose a variety of veggies to grill to make these vegetarian dishes or to serve along with grilled lean meat. Load up your plate to fill you up and to help prevent you from overeating high-calorie dishes.
- Don't always choose beef: Veggie burgers made with whole grains, legumes, and vegetables and hot dogs made of tofu are delicious low-calorie and low-cholesterol options. If you're a meat eater at heart, then go for burgers, hot dogs, or sausages made from turkey, chicken, or salmon.
- Choose your buns wisely: Most are made with enriched flour, so you may have to check a bunch of labels before finding ones made with real whole-wheat four.
- Make substitutions: When it comes to recipes as well as the fixings on your burgers, find healthier substitutions. Choose raw tomato or salsa instead of ketchup, and try Greek yogurt instead of mayo for potato salad recipes.
- Go easy on the brewskis: Save calories by enjoying one of these lower-calorie beers, and for the rest of the evening, go for ice water, unsweetened iced tea, or chilled seltzer water flavored with lemon.
- Get moving: After your meal, step away from the food to avoid noshing out of boredom, and do something active like playing volleyball, badminton, or a round of bocce ball.
Related: 45 Grilling Tips, Tricks, and Recipes to Make Barbecue a Healthy Affair
6- and 7-Year-Olds Couldn't Solve This Math Test Question, and We're Not Surprised
The internet is having a field day figuring out what the real answer is to a simple math problem. Twitter user Louise Bloxham shared a math problem from a Year 2 (equivalent to the first grade in the US) workbook that asked, "There were some people on a train. 19 people get off the train at the first stop. 17 people get on the train. Now there are 63 people on the train. How many people were on the train to begin with?"
@MichaelRosenYes Have you seen this one? Year 2!! http://pic.twitter.com/TDVjccH8U4
- Louise Bloxham (@LouiseBloxham) May 7, 2016
If you try solving it yourself, you'll probably get this setup: X - 19 + 17 = 63. All you have to do is solve for x, which gives you 65 as the answer:
@rachelrossiter @LouiseBloxham @MichaelRosenYes It is 65. x - 19 + 17 = 63
Therefore x -2 = 63 ...x = 65. Algebraic solution for a y2 Q.- Robyn Duckworth (@DuckworthRobyn) May 8, 2016
But if you look further into the comments, users start arguing that the answer is 46, not 65.
@teach_well @carveresque on a teacher's FB group a teacher said it was on the mark scheme as Being 46
- Louise Bloxham (@LouiseBloxham) May 8, 2016
Someone even drew a detailed illustration of how they came to that number:
@LouiseBloxham @MichaelRosenYes http://pic.twitter.com/OqhMnG7Wwq
- かな、かな@困惑中 (@kanaoyudu) May 10, 2016
Other commentators became philosophical and said that the math problem fails to factor in the train driver and inspector:
@PotMoss @MichaelRosenYes @LouiseBloxham Husband says "66, because we've forgotten train driver". But that doesn't factor in inspector...
- Mrs Davison (@Mrs_Dav_I_Son) May 8, 2016
The situation apparently became too much for one person, who said that everyone was "looking at it algebraically for proof purposes," when it was really just a simple equation.
@LouiseBloxham @MichaelRosenYes Question is perfectly fine. We are looking at it algebraically for proof purposes but it's simple add + sub.
- Olachi Akin (@ixXAkinXxi) May 9, 2016
Although the math question has stumped some parents and young children, the main concern here is not whether or not it can be solved, but if 6- and 7-year-olds should've been asked it. That answer to that question is simple: if there's this much debate about it with adults, then it's not suitable for children.
All the Burning Questions the Season Finale of Grey's Anatomy MUST Answer
After 12 seasons of Grey's Anatomy, it seems like all our questions would be answered by now. But that's the beauty of this nighttime soap - it just keeps getting juicier and juicer, and we can always expect similar show fireworks to go off, especially in a season finale. As a result, we have questions for next week's finale. Big questions. Here are the major ones burning a Grey's-shaped hole in our hearts (a few not so burning but that still need answering).
What does the future hold for Calzona?
Remember the good ol' days when Arizona and Callie were our favorite lovebirds? And then when they were our favorite divorced couple? After last week's heart-wrenching court battle and Arizona's ultimate custody win, things look murky for the duo. Here's what we better find out:
Is Callie really gonna move to New York with nobody's favorite, Penny?
Is Arizona really fine with Callie's diminished role in Sophia's life? And - corollary to that - is Callie ready to just up and leave for the East Coast and leave her peeps behind, especially since she's only got Penny to keep her warm? (We hope not, by the way.)
Who is Meredith going to sex up?
Can she be done with the dreamy doctor who told her he'd . . . hold while we swoon . . . WAIT for her to be ready?
Now that DeLuca is back on the market, will she start sniffing around the McDreamy look-alike? (And will this be something that gets in the way of her sisterhood pact with Maggie?)
Mer and Alex have been getting super close lately, and Jo is super hesitant to put a ring on it. Is there an opening for some possible best-friend hookups in the near future? Will Jo use her gun to make Meredith pay for stealing her man?
Who's going to the chapel?
ABC has been teasing an upcoming proposal. Will Amelia finally get her head out of her ass and just be with Owen already? Without making it super weird and awkward, per usual?
And please, for the love all things holy, please let the finale resolve April and Jackson's relationship. Are they going to get over themselves and be a happy family, or are we going to have to start an angry letter-writing campaign to Shondaland?
When's it going to happen for our all-time favorite commitment-phobes, Jo and Alex? That ring in the drawer isn't getting any younger.
Who's going to croak?
It's not really a question of if, but really of who. It's not our first time at the rodeo with Grey's. We know what's up, and it's a safe bet somebody is going to die, big time.
Is it going to be Fez Kyle? He did leave it on a really sour note with Edwards last week, and knowing how the Rhimes universe functions, that would make for a bittersweet ending to his story.
Or will it be Edwards herself? The actress who plays Edwards, Jerrika Hinton, is slated to star in another Shondaland show, Toast. If the show gets picked up, Stephanie Edwards's fate may be sealed at Grey-Sloan.
Maybe it will be Penny. Please let it be Penny. At this point, she's just a liability, and she's just getting in the way of everything. Would it bring Calzona back together?
Ooooh . . . what if it is Ben, Dr. Bailey's husband? He's in so much crap right now. Is there really any way back for him?
13 Characters Who Are Nearly Identical in DC and the Marvel Cinematic Universes
There are only so many ideas in the word - just ask the creators behind these eerily similar movies. While there are hundreds of bona fide superheroes gracing the pages of comics as well as big and small screens, some of them may strike you as familiar. Why? Well, there are two major comic book companies: Marvel and DC. Each have their own stable of unique heroes and villains, but every so often, they create characters that are shockingly similar. Sure, it might be by accident, but it could also be because the companies have been in constant competition with each other for decades. Now that there are a handful of DC shows on The CW and a bushel of Marvel movies on the big screen (including the newly released Captain America: Civil War), it's a good time to take a look at a few characters who are undeniably identical.
Queen Máxima Just Found a Brand-New Way to Style a Simple Cardigan
We admire Queen Máxima of The Netherlands - she doesn't live by fashion rules; she makes them. The Argentina-born queen just schooled us all in the versatility of a simple beige cardigan by showing us one very easy styling trick.
At a climate conference in Rotterdam, the royal matched her bright orange dress to her accessories, wearing a cashemere knit over her shoulders, draped as a cape, and only buttoned at the top. That's it! So simple, yet so elegant and smart. Scroll ahead to check out more photos of the queen's clever trick, then take a look back at her impressive wedding gown.
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