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.
mardi 24 mai 2016
Someone Finally Explains What That Extra Set of Shoelace Holes Is For
We all have them, and most of us just ignore them. I'm talking about that extra pair of holes on the top of our sneakers. Nope, they're not just for decoration! Try this shoelace tying trick called the "heel lock" to prevent the back of your foot from sliding up and down, which will prevent heel blisters. If you're a runner, this just may be the best thing you hear all day!
RELATED:
10 Ways to Be a Better Runner (Without Logging Miles)
How to Make That Long Run Feel Easier
Strengthen and Stretch! The 12 Moves All Runners Need to Do
150-Calorie Snack Packs Perfect For Traveling
One simple way to avoid an expansion of your waistline while traveling is to pack your own snacks. Here are 11 150-calorie snack-pack ideas perfect for any long car trip or flight. Just assemble your snack, bag it, and then pack it in your purse or carry-on. Not only will you save some calories, but you'll also save some dough.
Make These 3 Changes, Burn More Calories
Exercise is essential when it comes to dropping pounds. So if you're eager to lose the weight, then here are three everyday changes that will help increase your calorie burn.
Related: Start Your Day With a 300-Calorie-Burning Video Workout
Hello Sunshine
Moving workouts to early mornings may mean cursing your alarm clock, but here's the big payoff: morning exercisers burn more calories. And now that the sun rises earlier, it'll be easier to pull yourself out of bed than it was in the Winter. Research shows that people who exercise in the a.m. work harder and for longer periods of time, which may be because they're more alert and energetic and they don't feel as rushed as afternoon or evening exercisers. Getting into a morning routine will also help you stick with it, which will help even more with your weight-loss journey.
Related: Turn Any Staircase Into a Workout
Get Speedy
When it comes to cardio, running will help you lose more weight than walking since it burns more calories, but if you increase your speed just a little, then you'll burn even more. And don't stick to a consistent pace the entire workout. Adding sprinting intervals is an effective way to increase your calorie burn and has also been proven to reduce belly fat. Also be sure to swing those arms as you move, and you'll burn 15 percent more calories.
Related: Intervals For the Beginner: 30-Minute Treadmill Workout
Strength Train in the Ladies' Room
Muscle burns more calories than fat does, so the more muscle mass you have, the better it is for weight loss. Don't just hit the weight room at the gym. Include strength-training moves throughout your day, such as push-ups on the bathroom counter and this two-minute butt and thigh workout while brushing your teeth. You can also work your body by carrying a basket instead of pushing a cart, using the stairs whenever possible, and sitting on an exercise ball instead of a chair.
The CDC Finds That Public Swimming Pools Are Way Filthier Than We Think
While public swimming pools haven't always been regarded as shining beacons of immaculate sanitation, a recent study from the Center For Disease Control and Prevention finds that they may be worse off than we thought.
The CDC recently published a report that looked at public swimming facilities in Arizona, California, Florida, New York, and Texas in an attempt to assess pool-related disease outbreaks and other injuries. The findings were pretty dismal: about 80 percent of the pools they looked at violated proper inspection requirements, and some of them were so egregious they were forced to immediately close until further notice.
Some of the violations included faulty fences and gates to prevent younger children from falling in deeper pools, however, some of the more alarming violations included improper pH and disinfectant levels that are meant to stop the spread of diseases relating to fecal matter and parasites. This proved to be a particular problem in smaller children's pools that didn't have the correct levels to maintain sanitation, especially considering that little ones don't always have their bathroom skills down.
We're hoping that this semi-alarming report will call for some drastic improvements so that everyone can continue enjoying this summertime activity and fitness staple.
Runger Is Real! How to Deal With Insatiable Hunger When Marathon Training
I was so psyched last year when I decided to train for my first half marathon. I expected to slim down and get so ripped from all that running, but to my surprise, I ended up gaining weight. Folks, I was a victim of runger.
What is runger, you ask? It's the insatiable, undeniable, monstrous feeling of hunger you get after running. It can happen hours or a day after a long run and even follow you all throughout your months while training for a race. And it sucks. Especially if you're running to lose weight. Because while running for 60 minutes at a 10-minute pace does burn 540 calories, the two pieces of pizza (544 calories) and two beers (200 calories) you feel physically compelled to inhale aftward add up to 744 calories!
So how do you deal with running-induced hunger while training for a race without gaining weight? We've enlisted the help of three experts, certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD, of Whole Health Nutrition, and Stephanie Clarke and Willow Jarosh of C&J Nutrition, registered dietitians and authors of Healthy, Happy Pregnancy Cookbook, to share some expert advice.
Start Off Right
They agree that being proactive and eating the right foods is key to keeping hunger at bay. Leslie says it's important to fuel yourself before and during your long runs. Eat something that offers easily digestible carbs and a little protein about an hour or two before your run. Nosh on whole-wheat crackers or a piece of toast with almond butter, a small fruit smoothie, regular yogurt (not Greek), or a banana with a handful of almonds.
Keep It Going
Then for every 45 to 60 minutes of exercise, Stephanie says to "consume 25 to 60 grams of carbs" plus water. Or for really long runs, go for "10 grams of carbs every 20 minutes." Play around with what works for you. You'll need to keep an energy source on hand like Gu, Shot Blocks, or Honey Stingers, or keep your water bottle filled with a healthy sports drink like Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer. This will prevent your energy levels from "bonking."
Finish With This
Leslie, Stephanie, and Willow all agree to eat a post-workout snack within 30 minutes after your run to refuel and stave off hunger later. Choose something that offers a 2:1 ratio of carbs to protein. A granola bar, yogurt with berries, chocolate milk, a small protein smoothie like this one made with watermelon, whole-grain toast with avocado and a hard-boiled egg, or an apple with peanut butter are great options. And be sure to hydrate to replace lost fluids. Sometimes thirst can be mistaken for feeling hungry.
All Day Long
The rest of the day, a runner's diet should break down to 50 to 60 pecent carbs, 15 to 20 percent protein, and 25 to 30 percent fats. So if you're eating a 2,000-calories-a-day diet, that breaks down to 250 to 300 grams of carbs, 100 grams of protein, and 67 grams of fats. To ensure you get what you need, every meal should include a combo of these four things at every meal: protein such as beans, nuts, and lean meats; fiber such as fresh veggies; healthy fats like avocado, nut butters, and olive oil; and complex carbs like whole grains.
Remember that just because you're exercising a lot doesn't give you the green light to eat whatever you want, especially if weight loss is your goal. Use the hunger scale to determine when you need to eat - reach for something when you're at about a 3 (stomach starting to feel hungry) and stop at about a 7 (satisfied but not stuffed).
Throw These In
Staying ahead of your hunger before you feel famished will prevent you from wanting to eat your entire kitchen. This could mean that if you've always been a three-meals-a-day kind of gal that you start eating a couple snacks in between your meals. These should offer two out of these three macronutrients: proteins, carbs, and fats. And keep your snack to around 150 calories - this isn't a mini meal. A piece of fruit with a handful of nuts, veggies with hummus, or a few spoonfuls of avocado with sunflower seeds are healthy choices.
Unleash Your Inner Acrobat With an Aerial Hoop Workout
If you've ever watched a Cirque du Soleil show, you know how breathtaking aerial performances are. Thanks to the show's popularity, a number of acrobatic studios have popped up all over NYC, bringing aerial hoop workouts to the mainstream. The best part of aerial hoop classes is that you can participate regardless of your proficiency level. Hannah Bronfman stopped by NYC's Body & Pole, to try her hand at this acrobatic performance technique.
This Woman Looks So Much Like Angelina Jolie That You'll Have to Do a Double Take
Angelina Jolie can rest easy knowing that she has a Scottish twin who can step in for her at any time. Chelsea Marr from Aberdeen, Scotland, bears such a resemblance to the Oscar-winning actress that she's racked up over 115K Instagram followers. Chelsea took to Facebook in August 2015 to speak out about all the attention she has been getting for her looks. "I don't really see the resemblance myself to be honest," she wrote in a lengthy post. "I just see the imperfections in the mirror like most girls do . . . Despite what the articles say I am not a model. I work for an oil and gas recruitment company as an Operations Manager in the city so trying to get work done with all of this has been a bit of a strain as you can imagine."
She also admits to having had plastic surgery, including a nose job, breast augmentation, and lip fillers, but not to look like anyone in particular. "This wasn't to try and resemble anyone," she explained. "This was purely because I had absolutely nothing there before and it was something I was insecure about for years." Keep reading to see more photos of Chelsea, then check out these other celebrity look-alikes who will blow your mind.
Jessica Capshaw Tweets About Sara Ramirez Leaving Grey's, Makes Us All Cry
If you're sad about Sara Ramirez departing Grey's Anatomy, imagine how Jessica Capshaw feels. Nearly a week after the news broke that Ramirez would be leaving the show after 10 years, Capshaw addressed the news in a tweet: "Congrats on 10 incredible years! I wish @SaraRamirez the very best & I celebrate what Callie has given to all of us."
Ramirez, who has played the role of Dr. Callie Torres on the ABC series since 2006, announced the news in a statement on Thursday, the same day the medical drama's 12th season finale aired.
"I'm deeply grateful to have spent the last 10 years with my family at Grey's Anatomy and ABC, but for now I'm taking some welcome time off. Shonda [Rhimes]'s been so incredible to work for, and we will definitely continue our conversations! I send my love to Ellen [Pompeo], the rest of the cast and crew, and I look forward to always being a part of the Shondaland family!"
The show's creator, Shonda Rhimes, also issued a follow-up statement, saying, "Dr. Callie Torres came into our lives dancing it out in her underwear almost a decade ago, and I could not be happier or more proud of her journey. Sara Ramirez's performance inspired me as well as millions of fans each week. We wish her the best on her well-deserved time off." She added, "I will miss Callie tremendously, but am excited for what the future holds for Sara. She will always have a home at Shondaland."
We first got word that Ramirez may not be returning for the show's 13th season back in April, when the 40-year-old actress cryptically tweeted, "That's a wrap for Doctor #CallieTorres #Season13 #GreysAnatomy #ThankYou for an enriching & unforgettable #Rollercoaster ride!"
Neighbors 2 Proves It Still Too Often Takes Men to Get a Woman's Story Told in Hollywood
Much to my surprise, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising turned out to be a *gasp* feminist film . . . and I loved it.
It made my heart sing as I sat in the theater watching the story unfold, complete with plenty of "you go, girl" moments. Much like Trainwreck or Bridesmaids, these young leading ladies (led by Chloë Grace Moretz, Kiersey Clemons, and Beanie Feldstein) finally played just as dirty as the boys. From selling weed to launching used tampons, the girls embrace bad behavior as they fight for their right to party. But why are they fighting exactly?
"We don't throw parties here," a perky Selena Gomez tells her pledges at the beginning of the film. "In the United States, sororities are not allowed to throw parties in their own houses. Only frats can." She encourages everyone to google it. They do. This prompts Moretz's character and her friends to start their own sorority free of archaic rules.
I don't want to give specific jokes away, but a solid moment includes a comical exchange between Zac Efron and the Kappa Nus in which they discuss the fraternity system's traditional "bro and ho" theme parties. Perplexed, Efron's character considers their perspective and concedes that the parties are indeed sexist. It felt good to watch a movie that seemingly understood outspoken, complex, and, yes, sometimes raunchy young women.
But something kept gnawing at me once I returned home. The more I thought about it, the further it ate away at me - especially as I read one rave review after another. While it's great to see films starring women and surrounding female issues, why did it take five white male screenwriters to get such a "novel" idea - a sorority spin on the classic frat-pack film - made? Do you know how many scripts written by women, about women, and surrounding similar themes likely existed prior to this now (mostly) critically acclaimed sequel?
It truly was a brilliantly crafted film, containing my favorite blend of gross-out humor with heart, but my issue is this: according to a recent Los Angeles Times piece, Seth Rogen and Nicholas Stoller reportedly brought in female consultants Amanda Lund and Maria Blasucci and picked Moretz's brain as they wrote the script. But why didn't they consider hiring a single credited female screenwriter? Maybe even Rogen's wife, Lauren Miller, who wrote For a Good Time Call, one of my favorite films of 2012? Or perhaps that film's co-writer, Katie Anne Naylon, who still has but that one credit on her IMDB page to this day? Other talented writers who could have nailed the material include Maggie Carrey (The To Do List), Annie Mumolo (Bridesmaids), Leslye Headland (Sleeping With Other People), April Prosser (who landed on The Black List in 2014 for Plus One), or perhaps some other yet-to-be-discovered scribe (ahem, ahem).
For the record: I know I'm leaving out a ton of other talented, accomplished writers like Amy Heckerling (Clueless), Katie Dippold (who has the Ghostbusters reboot out later this Summer), and tremendously successful duo Kirsten Kiwi Smith and Karen McCullah, who wrote Legally Blonde, The House Bunny, and 10 Things I Hate About You.
If I sound jealous . . . damn right I am. We're all looking for our break.
It's not Rogen or Stoller's fault that they're male. And the film truly deserves to be celebrated; they nailed writing from a perspective beyond their own. But, in some ways, the movie is a missed opportunity. Judd Apatow took a chance on all of these writers early on. He's since gone on to help contribute to the careers of Lena Dunham and Amy Schumer. I'd like to see the Neighbors 2 gentleman pay that forward and do the same for others. After all, unless the industry pays closer attention to who's being hired behind the scenes, Hollywood will forever remain a boys' club where inclusion of the female perspective continues to be a "fresh" idea conceived by "genius" men.
Who Is Jake Pavelka From The Bachelorette?
The Bachelorette premiere started off with a bang on Monday night. Not only did JoJo Fletcher look incredible for her big return, but the men competing for her heart weren't so bad either. While there were certainly some weird moments (we're looking at you, "Damn, Daniel"), one of the weirdest had to be when former Bachelor Jake Pavelka showed up to cause some trouble. Even though some guys were visibly upset when he walked in, others had no idea who he was. In case you're still left confused, here's a refresher on who exactly he is and why he showed up.
Back in the fifth season of The Bachelorette, many men vied for Jillian Harris's heart, and the American pilot from Dallas was one of them. While he didn't even make it to the final three (he was eliminated in week six), he did win the hearts of America. So, in true Bachelor Nation fashion, he coincidentally became the next Bachelor.
Fast forward to season 14 of The Bachelor in all of its flying puns glory, Jake eventually fell for two women, Vienna Girardi and Tenley Molzahn. Although most viewers thought for sure he would pick the latter, he surprised everyone when he got down on one knee and proposed to the girl from Geneva, FL.
While the two seemed generally happy to have found each other, their relationship eventually crumbled before they publicly went on TV to announce their breakup, only three months after the finale aired. It was super emotional, especially for Vienna, as Jake tried to explain his side of the story and she wouldn't stop crying. Honestly, it was almost as bad as when Jason Mesnick broke up with Melissa Rycroft during the After the Final Rose taping.
Following the infamous breakup, Jake eventually did what a lot of former contestants do and signed up for Bachelor Pad. Obviously, that didn't work out for him either, but he did seem to find his calling with reality TV, appearing on other shows such as VH1's Famous Food, The CW's H8R, and Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off.
So, why exactly did he show up at JoJo's rose ceremony? Well, I'm glad you asked. While his decision to crash the party at that exact moment was probably in the name of ratings, his appearance wasn't completely random. As JoJo later pointed out, the two are actually family friends. Having been in her position before, he actually just wanted to wish her luck. The moment was sweet, but it definitely could have been said over the phone or through a text message. Oh well. Moments like these are just one of the many reasons we can't get enough of The Bachelorette.
The Bachelorette: Find Out Who JoJo Sent Home!
The Bachelorette kicked off on Monday night, and it was everything we could have hoped for. This season, JoJo Fletcher has quite the batch of suitors, ranging from an erectile dysfunction specialist (don't get me started) to a professional Canadian. There are some normal guys in there, too. It's basically every guy we've come to expect from a season of The Bachelorette, plus some wild cards. Even though some of the guys had an instant connection with JoJo, others weren't so lucky and were sent home. Find out who's still in the competition, where you can follow the contestants on social media, and why we think JoJo is the perfect Bachelorette.
Exclusive: Watch Stephen Amell Flirt and Fight His Way Through TMNT: Out of the Shadows
Stephen Amell admits taking on the role of Casey Jones in TMNT: Out of the Shadows was a "daunting" task - but this exclusive first look at the actor as the hockey-masked character seems to show he got comfortable pretty quick. Watch him flirt with Megan Fox's April O'Neil, hold his own with Shredder and Krang's minions, and - yes - somehow even make rollerblading seem cool. TMNT: Out of the Shadows hits theaters on June 3.
The New Trailer For Finding Dory Will Flood Your Heart With Emotions
She's back! Three years after Ellen DeGeneres announced the making of Finding Dory, the highly anticipated sequel to 2003's Finding Nemo, the movie is finally almost here. After Ellen debuted the first teaser back in November 2015, she shared a new trailer on her show on Tuesday morning, and it's a really good one. As the title suggests, this time it's Dory who needs to be found - but not in the way you'd think. After Dory is captured by a marine life institute, Marlin and Nemo set out on a quest to help her find her family. Check out the new trailer above and the movie's other teasers and poster below, and don't forget to just keep swimming until the official release in June.
It's almost here. Don't miss the exclusive first look of Finding Dory on @ellentube. Tomorrow. #justkeepswimming http://pic.twitter.com/BBAIS60Wqb
- Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) November 9, 2015
16 Things Only People Who Are Stressed Out All the Time Will Understand
I'M NOT STRESSED, YOU'RE STRESSED. Some of us just can't help it. We have a lot of sh*t to do, and we're basically in a constant state of worrying about when and if we'll get it all done. And may God have mercy on your soul if you try to A. tell us not to stress or B. cross us when we're on the edge of a nervous breakdown (which is almost always). If you're stressed out right now, join the freaking club. Here are the harsh realities of being a stressed-out person.
DIY Colorful Hand-Dotted Tumblers
Gather your friends for a fun afternoon of crafting while making these colorful and unique hand-dotted tumblers. Along with being easy to create, the finished tumblers cost around $3 each to make. Pick up tumblers from your local resale shop or dollar store for a serious deal. Use enamel acrylic paints from your local craft store for longstanding color, and you're on your way to festive gifts for everyone.
What You'll Need:
- Red, yellow, blue, and white enamel acrylic paint
- Glass tumblers
- Paper towel
- Cotton swabs
- Sheet pan
- Parchment paper
Directions:
- Gather the materials for creating the dotted tumblers. Use an enamel or all-surface acrylic for long-standing results. You can purchase small containers at your local craft store for around $1 a bottle.
- Fold a sheet of paper towel in half and then in half again. Squeeze out a small dollop of each color of paint and then mix together to create additional colors for your tumblers. You can create different tints of colors by adding white. Or experiment with mixing the primary colors to create greens, oranges, and purples. Place a length of parchment paper on a sheet pan, and then place the glasses upside-down on the pan.
- Press the end of a cotton swab in one color of paint, and dot around the base of the glass. Continue dotting with other colors to create a first layer of dots, and then let dry while working on the rest of the glasses.
- Continue working on the other glasses, experimenting with color combinations. Once the first layer is dry, go back and add more colorful dots, working from the base of the glass to the sides - staying clear of the edges of the tumblers.
- Let the finished dotted tumblers dry for an hour, and then flip them over on the sheet pan. Place in a cold oven and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes to set the paint. Turn off the heat and allow the glasses to cool in the oven for an hour before handling.
- Give a set to someone special, or gift individually as party favors after a holiday gathering. Although the hand-dotted tumblers are ready for wear and tear, they will last longer when gently hand-washed and allowed to air dry.
7 Simple Ways to Get Out of a Funk
You know those days when you're just feeling inexplicably weird? Nothing really excites you, you're kind of irritable, and bed just sounds really, really nice? You're not sad but you don't quite know what triggered it exactly or what the fix is - till now. Fortunately, there are simple remedies to quickly get you out of your funk. Look to the following seven tips and you'll get out of your slump in no time.
1. Handwrite a thank-you note to a friend, family member, or co-worker.
A handwritten note - not a text - is always more appreciated. Showing gratitude will be a nice pick-me-up for you and put things into perspective.
2. Look through old photos.
One of the best feelings is coming across an old memory that you completely forgot about. Nostalgia and possibly your next #TBT equal a double win.
3. Make a playlist and listen to it.
Shutting out the world with music can be therapeutic and taking the time to discover new favorites will have you feeling excited and inspired.
4. Do something active.
A little fresh air and sweat is one the most effective ways to bring you back to your normal self. So go for a run or a walk or try a new fitness class if you're feeling adventurous.
5. Unplug and take a bath.
FOMO, annoying Facebook rants, old acquaintances you should've deleted years ago - social media can feed your bad mood, so put it on "do not disturb" and soak in some bubbles.
6. Call an old friend or family member you haven't talked to in a while.
Reconnecting with somebody will get you back up to speed on their lives and remind you of fun times. It'll feel nice talking to them after some time of absence and you'll probably get some laughs out of it.
7. Take a nap.
Sometimes, all you need is a little break. Knock out for a quick power nap and wake up feeling refreshed.
Jennifer Garner Brightens Up London With Her Happy Outing
Jennifer Garner truly is a ray of sunshine. The actress showed off her infectious smile during a casual outing in London on Monday as she exited her home. After jet-setting to Paris earlier this month, she is currently enjoying some quality family time with her children while her estranged husband, Ben Affleck, films the Justice League movie. Could her perky appearance have anything to do with rumors that Ben wants her back? Only time will tell.
Angelina Jolie Is Joining the London School of Economics as a Professor
Angelina Jolie can now add one more thing to her already extremely long résumé! The actress, mother of six, and human rights activist is joining the London School of Economics as a visiting professor next year, where she will teach a year-long master's course on the impact of war on women. The course, which students can sign up for this Fall, is run by the school's Centre for Women, Peace and Security, which was launched by Angelina and and William Hague, Britain's former foreign secretary, in 2015. Students can expect to "[develop] strategies to promote gender equality and enhance women's economic, social and political participation and security." In addition to giving lectures "as often as [her] schedule allows," Angelina will also participate in workshops and undertake her own research.
The actress, who has been a UNHCR goodwill ambassador since 2001, says she hopes other universities will soon offer similar courses. "It is vital we broaden the discussion on how to advance women's rights and end impunity for crimes that disproportionately affect women, such as sexual violence in conflict," she explained. "I am looking forward to teaching and to learning from the students, as well as to sharing my own experiences of working alongside governments and the United Nations."
Brad Pitt Plays Hero For the Day, Helps Rescue a Young Girl From Getting Crushed by a Crowd
Just in case you were wondering, Brad Pitt is a real-life hero. The actor and father of six came to a young girl's rescue on Monday when she was mobbed by a crowd of fans on the set of his new movie, Allied. As he smiled and waved at fans lined up to see him on the street outside, he noticed the young girl getting pushed up against the fence. As his bodyguards helped her out of the crowd, he comforted her by rubbing her head and talking to her until the medics arrived. We already knew that he was a total sweetheart, but this moment is really tugging at our heartstrings!
28 Times Kanye West Only Had Eyes For Kim Kardashian
There has been no shortage of cute red carpet moments and PDA-filled appearances throughout Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's relationship, but one thing that has stuck out about Kanye's love of (and fascination with) Kim is how he always seems to be checking her out. Whether he's making sure her dress is hugging all the right places, like at the Met Gala, or just admiring the beauty that is her booty, Kanye has no qualms about ogling Kim when they're out and about together. Scroll through for 28 times Kanye couldn't keep his eyes off his wife.
Look Back at Kim and Kanye's Wedding by the Numbers
Source: Instagram user kimkardashian
Two years ago Kim Kardashian and Kanye West got married in an extravagant fete that spanned two cities and two days. The party started in Paris, where Kim and Kanye invited fashion's biggest names to kick off their wedding weekend at Valentino's Paris mansion, Chateau de Wideville. The day was topped off with a lavish private reception at Versailles. Afterwards, the whole gang moved to Florence, where the couple were set to say their vows at Forte di Belvedere, a 16th-century Italian fortress. In honor of the couple's wedding anniversary, we decided to break their nuptials down into simple figures.
552
The distance, in miles, that the wedding weekend spanned. The two started the party in Paris and then flew all of their guests to Florence for the official ceremony.
1
The number of Kim's brothers present at the wedding. Rob Kardashian and Kim's stepbrother, Brody Jenner, both skipped the bash. However, her other stepbrother, Brandon Jenner, did attend the event.
0
The number of Beyoncés at the wedding, as Queen Bey and Jay Z both opted out of the event to spend a quiet weekend in the Hamptons. Anna Wintour also reportedly declined Kim and Kanye's invitation to the event.
11
The number of times Kris Jenner used #HereComesTheBride on Instagram.
4
The total number of dress changes that Kim reportedly made. She had two outfits for her Paris bash and two dresses for the festivities in Italy.
9
On a scale of 1 to 10, the amount of cleavage Kris Jenner showed at the wedding.
20
The reported length, in minutes, of Kanye's speech during the wedding reception. During his speech, Kanye called Kim "the ideal celebrity . . . the ideal art" and said that the guests at his wedding were "the most remarkable people of our time."
13
The number of people present who starred in reality shows about their lives. This includes the Kardashian family; Jonathan Cheban, who starred in the Kim-produced The Spin Crowd; Brittny Gastineau, who was in The Gastineau Girls; Brandon Jenner, who appeared on The Princes of Malibu; and La La Anthony and Michael Eric Dyson, who starred in La La's Full Court Life.
$2.8 million
The estimated cost of Kim and Kanye's wedding ceremony and reception in Italy. (No, that doesn't include Paris!)
$3,282.72
The reported cost of one family dinner at Paris's Costes restaurant during the Kardashians' prewedding celebrations.
1595
The year Forte di Belvedere was opened in Florence.
$400,000
The estimated cost of renting Forte di Belvedere for a wedding.
2
The number of custom "Just Married" leather jackets that Kanye and Kim wore during their wedding reception.
250
The approximate number of teens who gathered outside Kim's wedding venue chanting Justin Bieber's name and hoping to catch a glimpse of the young pop star. Justin was not at the event.
200
The reported number of guests at Kim and Kanye's wedding.
0
The number of E! cameras recording the actual wedding ceremony. Kim said earlier this month that the wedding itself would not be featured on Keeping Up With the Kardashians but that they will show "everything leading up to and after" and share photos from the ceremony. By the looks of it, Kim and Kanye also banned guests from using cell phones during the ceremony.
4
The number of performances from big-time artists. Lana Del Rey performed at the couple's prewedding fete in Paris, while John Legend and Andrea Bocelli serenaded the couple in Florence. Kanye also reportedly performed a rap during the reception.
$136,170
The base cost of getting Andrea Bocelli to sing at your wedding. His cost of services can sometimes exceed $1.3 million.
0
The amount Lana del Rey said she was paid to sing at Kim and Kanye's prewedding party. It was initially reported that she was paid $2.8 million.
Kim Kardashian Celebrates Her 2-Year Wedding Anniversary With Kanye West With a Sweet Message
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West celebrate their two-year wedding anniversary on Tuesday, and the reality star couldn't help but take to social media to give her husband a sweet shout-out. Kim posted a cute photo of the pair staring lovingly into each other's eyes, with the caption, "Happy 2 year anniversary to the love of my life! You make me so happy! I love you so much!!!" She also shared a snap of her massive diamond ring from their red carpet outing in Rome over the weekend. "My ring shined so bright for our love in Rome while we celebrated our 2 year anniversary in Italy, the country we got married in! #Blessed," she wrote.
Just in case you forgot, the couple wed in a lavish ceremony in Florence in May 2014, which was slightly documented on Kim's show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians. While their daughter, North, was a part of their big day, their son, Saint, didn't come along until Decemeber 2015. Check out how their nuptials break down by the numbers, and then see all the times Kanye only had eyes for Kim.
Jessica Capshaw Tweets About Sara Ramirez Leaving Grey's, Makes Us All Cry
If you're sad about Sara Ramirez departing Grey's Anatomy, imagine how Jessica Capshaw feels. Nearly a week after the news broke that Ramirez would be leaving the show after 10 years, Capshaw addressed the news in a tweet: "Congrats on 10 incredible years! I wish @SaraRamirez the very best & I celebrate what Callie has given to all of us."
Ramirez, who has played the role of Dr. Callie Torres on the ABC series since 2006, announced the news in a statement on Thursday, the same day the medical drama's 12th season finale aired.
"I'm deeply grateful to have spent the last 10 years with my family at Grey's Anatomy and ABC, but for now I'm taking some welcome time off. Shonda [Rhimes]'s been so incredible to work for, and we will definitely continue our conversations! I send my love to Ellen [Pompeo], the rest of the cast and crew, and I look forward to always being a part of the Shondaland family!"
The show's creator, Shonda Rhimes, also issued a follow-up statement, saying, "Dr. Callie Torres came into our lives dancing it out in her underwear almost a decade ago, and I could not be happier or more proud of her journey. Sara Ramirez's performance inspired me as well as millions of fans each week. We wish her the best on her well-deserved time off." She added, "I will miss Callie tremendously, but am excited for what the future holds for Sara. She will always have a home at Shondaland."
We first got word that Ramirez may not be returning for the show's 13th season back in April, when the 40-year-old actress cryptically tweeted, "That's a wrap for Doctor #CallieTorres #Season13 #GreysAnatomy #ThankYou for an enriching & unforgettable #Rollercoaster ride!"
Neighbors 2 Proves It Still Too Often Takes Men to Get a Woman's Story Told in Hollywood
Much to my surprise, Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising turned out to be a *gasp* feminist film . . . and I loved it.
It made my heart sing as I sat in the theater watching the story unfold, complete with plenty of "you go, girl" moments. Much like Trainwreck or Bridesmaids, these young leading ladies (led by Chloë Grace Moretz, Kiersey Clemons, and Beanie Feldstein) finally played just as dirty as the boys. From selling weed to launching used tampons, the girls embrace bad behavior as they fight for their right to party. But why are they fighting exactly?
"We don't throw parties here," a perky Selena Gomez tells her pledges at the beginning of the film. "In the United States, sororities are not allowed to throw parties in their own houses. Only frats can." She encourages everyone to google it. They do. This prompts Moretz's character and her friends to start their own sorority free of archaic rules.
I don't want to give specific jokes away, but a solid moment includes a comical exchange between Zac Efron and the Kappa Nus in which they discuss the fraternity system's traditional "bro and ho" theme parties. Perplexed, Efron's character considers their perspective and concedes that the parties are indeed sexist. It felt good to watch a movie that seemingly understood outspoken, complex, and, yes, sometimes raunchy young women.
But something kept gnawing at me once I returned home. The more I thought about it, the further it ate away at me - especially as I read one rave review after another. While it's great to see films starring women and surrounding female issues, why did it take five white male screenwriters to get such a "novel" idea - a sorority spin on the classic frat-pack film - made? Do you know how many scripts written by women, about women, and surrounding similar themes likely existed prior to this now (mostly) critically acclaimed sequel?
It truly was a brilliantly crafted film, containing my favorite blend of gross-out humor with heart, but my issue is this: according to a recent Los Angeles Times piece, Seth Rogen and Nicholas Stoller reportedly brought in female consultants Amanda Lund and Maria Blasucci and picked Moretz's brain as they wrote the script. But why didn't they consider hiring a single credited female screenwriter? Maybe even Rogen's wife, Lauren Miller, who wrote For a Good Time Call, one of my favorite films of 2012? Or perhaps that film's co-writer, Katie Anne Naylon, who still has but that one credit on her IMDB page to this day? Other talented writers who could have nailed the material include Maggie Carrey (The To Do List), Annie Mumolo (Bridesmaids), Leslye Headland (Sleeping With Other People), April Prosser (who landed on The Black List in 2014 for Plus One), or perhaps some other yet-to-be-discovered scribe (ahem, ahem).
For the record: I know I'm leaving out a ton of other talented, accomplished writers like Amy Heckerling (Clueless), Katie Dippold (who has the Ghostbusters reboot out later this Summer), and tremendously successful duo Kirsten Kiwi Smith and Karen McCullah, who wrote Legally Blonde, The House Bunny, and 10 Things I Hate About You.
If I sound jealous . . . damn right I am. We're all looking for our break.
It's not Rogen or Stoller's fault that they're male. And the film truly deserves to be celebrated; they nailed writing from a perspective beyond their own. But, in some ways, the movie is a missed opportunity. Judd Apatow took a chance on all of these writers early on. He's since gone on to help contribute to the careers of Lena Dunham and Amy Schumer. I'd like to see the Neighbors 2 gentleman pay that forward and do the same for others. After all, unless the industry pays closer attention to who's being hired behind the scenes, Hollywood will forever remain a boys' club where inclusion of the female perspective continues to be a "fresh" idea conceived by "genius" men.
Who Is Jake Pavelka From The Bachelorette?
The Bachelorette premiere started off with a bang on Monday night. Not only did JoJo Fletcher look incredible for her big return, but the men competing for her heart weren't so bad either. While there were certainly some weird moments (we're looking at you, "Damn, Daniel"), one of the weirdest had to be when former Bachelor Jake Pavelka showed up to cause some trouble. Even though some guys were visibly upset when he walked in, others had no idea who he was. In case you're still left confused, here's a refresher on who exactly he is and why he showed up.
Back in the fifth season of The Bachelorette, many men vied for Jillian Harris's heart, and the American pilot from Dallas was one of them. While he didn't even make it to the final three (he was eliminated in week six), he did win the hearts of America. So, in true Bachelor Nation fashion, he coincidentally became the next Bachelor.
Fast forward to season 14 of The Bachelor in all of its flying puns glory, Jake eventually fell for two women, Vienna Girardi and Tenley Molzahn. Although most viewers thought for sure he would pick the latter, he surprised everyone when he got down on one knee and proposed to the girl from Geneva, FL.
While the two seemed generally happy to have found each other, their relationship eventually crumbled before they publicly went on TV to announce their breakup, only three months after the finale aired. It was super emotional, especially for Vienna, as Jake tried to explain his side of the story and she wouldn't stop crying. Honestly, it was almost as bad as when Jason Mesnick broke up with Melissa Rycroft during the After the Final Rose taping.
Following the infamous breakup, Jake eventually did what a lot of former contestants do and signed up for Bachelor Pad. Obviously, that didn't work out for him either, but he did seem to find his calling with reality TV, appearing on other shows such as VH1's Famous Food, The CW's H8R, and Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off.
So, why exactly did he show up at JoJo's rose ceremony? Well, I'm glad you asked. While his decision to crash the party at that exact moment was probably in the name of ratings, his appearance wasn't completely random. As JoJo later pointed out, the two are actually family friends. Having been in her position before, he actually just wanted to wish her luck. The moment was sweet, but it definitely could have been said over the phone or through a text message. Oh well. Moments like these are just one of the many reasons we can't get enough of The Bachelorette.
The Bachelorette: Find Out Who JoJo Sent Home!
The Bachelorette kicked off on Monday night, and it was everything we could have hoped for. This season, JoJo Fletcher has quite the batch of suitors, ranging from an erectile dysfunction specialist (don't get me started) to a professional Canadian. There are some normal guys in there, too. It's basically every guy we've come to expect from a season of The Bachelorette, plus some wild cards. Even though some of the guys had an instant connection with JoJo, others weren't so lucky and were sent home. Find out who's still in the competition, where you can follow the contestants on social media, and why we think JoJo is the perfect Bachelorette.
Exclusive: Watch Stephen Amell Flirt and Fight His Way Through TMNT: Out of the Shadows
Stephen Amell admits taking on the role of Casey Jones in TMNT: Out of the Shadows was a "daunting" task - but this exclusive first look at the actor as the hockey-masked character seems to show he got comfortable pretty quick. Watch him flirt with Megan Fox's April O'Neil, hold his own with Shredder and Krang's minions, and - yes - somehow even make rollerblading seem cool. TMNT: Out of the Shadows hits theaters on June 3.
The New Trailer For Finding Dory Will Flood Your Heart With Emotions
She's back! Three years after Ellen DeGeneres announced the making of Finding Dory, the highly anticipated sequel to 2003's Finding Nemo, the movie is finally almost here. After Ellen debuted the first teaser back in November 2015, she shared a new trailer on her show on Tuesday morning, and it's a really good one. As the title suggests, this time it's Dory who needs to be found - but not in the way you'd think. After Dory is captured by a marine life institute, Marlin and Nemo set out on a quest to help her find her family. Check out the new trailer above and the movie's other teasers and poster below, and don't forget to just keep swimming until the official release in June.
It's almost here. Don't miss the exclusive first look of Finding Dory on @ellentube. Tomorrow. #justkeepswimming http://pic.twitter.com/BBAIS60Wqb
- Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) November 9, 2015
lundi 23 mai 2016
12 Reasons You Need to Visit Rio de Janeiro
When it comes to travel bucket lists, the city of Rio de Janeiro on the southern coast of Brazil should exist somewhere in your top five bullets. The entire country has the power to blow you away, but Rio, specifically, will leave you speechless. It's no wonder the city is slated to host the 2016 Summer Olympics! Rio is also the No. 1 destination on Kayak's Trending Destinations list in this year's Travel Hacker Guide, seeing a 127 percent increase in flight searches from last Summer. Ahead are 12 reasons to visit in your lifetime (or, you know, ASAP).
B.C. hospital fails to warn woman of potential lung cancer for 11 months
A Vancouver woman is fighting for her life after it took 11 months for her to receive crucial X-ray results showing a suspicious nodule on one of her lungs.
The Bachelorette: Get to Know JoJo's Suitors!
The Bachelorette kicks off Monday night, and we could not be more excited. The contestants are here, and JoJo Fletcher has quite the batch of suitors, ranging from an erectile dysfunction specialist (don't get me started) to a professional Canadian. There are some normal guys in there, too. It's basically every guy we've come to expect from a season of The Bachelorette, plus some wild cards. Take a look, watch the trailer, and find out why we think JoJo is the perfect Bachelorette.
Who Is the New Red Priestess on Game of Thrones? The Night Is Dark and Full of Answers
Are you wondering about the new Red Priestess in town on Game of Thrones? Well, the night is dark and full of answers. The fiery new cleric is named Kinvara, and she's from the same religious order as everyone's favorite red woman, Melisandre. As Kinvara already proved when she aired Lord Varys's dirty laundry out in the Great Pyramid of Meereen, she's got great power - and, as she alluded in her first episode of the show, a massive web of influence amongst both citizens and the Red Faith.
According to her long-winded introduction by another servant of the Lord of Light, Kinvara's full title is "High Priestess of the Red Temple of Volantis, the Flametruth, the Light of Wisdom, and First Servant of the Lord of Light." The title of "first servant" may mean that Kinvara is even older than Melisandre, the original priestess of R'Hllor . . . and with experience comes power.
While we've only been briefly introduced to Kinvara, there are already rumors swirling that this new religious leader will be the one to cure Ser Jorah of his greyscale (and perhaps give him an arm with superstrength, which happens to another character in the books). It seems that Kinvara's character is poised to replace a notable character from George R. R. Martin's fantasy series, a male priest named Benerro who is covered in flame tattoos and believes that Daenerys is "one who was promised." If this proves true, we're in for a wild ride: Benerro's storyline reveals that he has the power to create flames and accurately predict the future, and because of this he is revered by thousands of devoted followers.
Because the show has outpaced the books, there's only so much that we can speculate, but suffice it to say that we're excited to see what comes next for Kinvara. It seems that she and Melisandre serve the same god but have very different ideas about who will save their world . . . or do they? Perhaps each Red Priestess is grooming one half of Westeros's salvation - Melisandre preparing Jon Snow (ice) while Kinvara mentors Daenerys (fire), before finally coming together to create a "song of ice and fire" that will fulfill the prophecy of Azor Ahai.
What's next? Only time will tell!
Game of Thrones: This Is What the Night's King Looks Like in Real Life
The Night's King made his grand entrance on Game of Thrones last season, officially earning a place in all of our nightmares. He has blue skin, the signature bright blue eyes of White Walkers, and a crown of horns atop his skull. You may take one look at him and assume it's all CGI, but according to Kit Harington, it's not. "Those White Walkers actually looked like that on set," he told Vulture last year. "With the eyes and everything. That's all prosthetic. It's not CGI at all." Say what? Upon hearing this, we had to investigate what the real guy who plays him actually looks like. So without further ado . . .
Pizza Hut Just Added the Most Amazing S'mores Dessert to Its Menu
S'mores-lovers are going to freak out over Pizza Hut's newest menu item: a Hershey's toasted s'mores cookie. It's the ultimate combination of a cookie cake and s'mores - a chocolate chip cookie cake topped with toasted mini marshmallows, chunks of Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, and graham cracker pieces. Basically, it's like a dessert pizza that's the perfect way to end your cheesy pizza meal. If you're already salivating thinking about it, you should act fast because it's only available for a limited time. Starting on May 23, you can order it when you dine in or get carryout or delivery at participating Pizza Hut locations around the country. It only costs $7 and is definitely the easiest way to get your s'mores fix without a campfire.
If These iPhone Rumors Are True, Everything Will Be Perfect
It feels like the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus just hit shelves, but the tech world is already abuzz with rumors about Apple's next installment, the iPhone 7. Much of the speculation is taking place on the Chinese version of Twitter, Weibo. While many possible features are great, one in particular isn't going over well with some people. Here's what you might be able to expect when the iPhone 7 comes around.
- Two cameras: The iPhone 7 Plus is rumored to come in two versions: a regular one with just a single camera and another with two cameras. One will be a wide angle lens and the other a telephoto one, says a report from Apple Insider. If both cameras exist on a single iPhone, you can expect to see better resolution and zoom.
- A better camera: A new leak that originally surfaced on Weibo show a prototype iPhone 7, reports 9to5Mac. The photo shows a larger camera lens that will most likely be able to take better pictures with poor lighting. The raised camera lens is still on the phone.
- Wireless charging: Start saying goodbye to chargers that bend and break. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple might introduce wireless charging for its smartphones in 2017. A charger would still exist but the iPhone could charge over the air. No word yet on how far you can be from a charger to do this.
- An iPhone without a headphone connection: Several sources are speculating that the next iPhone will no longer come with a headphone jack. Instead, people can either use earphones that can connect in the Lightning port or use wireless Bluetooth ones. Some people are extremely upset about this change and over 200,000 have even signed a petition against it.
- Bigger battery:: The new iPhone will comes with a battery that's bigger than current ones - a 3100 mAh battery to be exact, according to Chinese website MyDrivers . This doesn't necessarily mean longer battery life, but we can only hope.
- A 256GB storage option: Current iPhone models come in 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage options, so the 256GB model would be a nice option if the leak reported by MyDrivers is true.
- A completely waterproof phone: Mac Otakara also claims that early iPhone 7 prototypes are both dustproof and waterproof, reports Mashable.
- Liquid Metal body: Because Apple owns patents with Liquid Metal Inc., many rumors suggest that the next iPhone will skip plastic and aluminum bodies in favor of a new material.
- A completely flat LCD screen: Forget curved edges - Apple will reportedly stick to a classic, flat-screened iPhone model.
- A barely there home button: The home button you know and click, might go away for a more "touch-sensitive" one, according to 9to5Mac. The rumors, coming from Chinese site, Storm, state that the new phone would use haptic feedback (the same technology behind 3D Touch), to replace the home button.
- Smart connector: The popular feature on the iPad Pro might be coming to the larger iPhone 7 model. A new leak from OnLeaks shows the smart connector, which lets you transfer data and power between the keyboard and iPad Pro. If it's on the new iPhone, it opens up the possibilities of new accessories to use with it.
On top of the cool iPhone 6S features (like live photos) that we're still obsessing over, these changes would be pretty drastic. What do you hope Apple will change about the iPhone 7?
The Woman Who Tried On a Chewbacca Mask and Went Viral Got the Best Surprise Ever
Still laughing over Candace Payne trying on a Chewbacca mask in a Facebook live video? Don't worry - we are too. At this point, it's probably hard to find a person who hasn't seen the epic story of Payne trying on the mask and refusing to share it with anyone. Luckily for Payne, she won't have to, thanks to a grand gift from Kohl's.
Kohl's visited Payne at her house and brought her family Chewbacca masks and lots of Star Wars gifts. Payne also received $2,500 in Kohl's gift cards and 10,000 reward points. The video, posted to Kohl's Facebook page on May 21, has more than 30 million views, 700,000 reactions, and 400,000 shares. Most of the commenters are so glad Kohl's gave these gifts to Payne, since she brought so many people joy with her viral live stream. Check out the video from Kohl's below.
Here's a picture of Payne's family with their gifts from Kohl's.
Candace made the Internet's day, so we wanted to make hers. Chewbacca masks for the whole fam (plus a little extra)! http://pic.twitter.com/6qst1LZc5Y
- Kohl's (@Kohls) May 21, 2016
And if you're not Payne and dying to get your hands on the Chewbacca mask, you're out of luck. It's out of stock at Kohl's, Walmart, Target, and Toys 'R Us. At least we still have the video to watch over and over again.
Why Vegetarians May Want to Use Liquid Amino Acids on Everything
Have you ever seen a bottle of Bragg Liquid Aminos at the grocery store and wondered what it was all about? It's a great gluten-free alternative to soy sauce because of it's salty umami flavor, but it's also a vegetarian source of amino acids.
There are 20 standard amino acids that our bodies need to function normally. Twelve amino acids are manufactured by the human body, and nine, called essential amino acids, must come from our diets. You need all 20 amino acids because they are the building blocks of our organs and tissues. In order to obtain the essential amino acids your body doesn't make on its own, you need to consume protein. Animal sources of protein (milk, eggs, and meat) contain all the essential amino acids. Vegetarians or vegans can obtain all their essential amino acids (known as a complete proteins) by eating a variety of plant-based proteins - beans, whole grains, nuts, or seeds. Enjoy them together in one meal or the combination can be consumed over the same day.
By eating enough protein, you can get all the amino acids you need that your body doesn't produce. Your weight will determine how much protein you need per day. If you're not sure, just multiply your weight in pounds by .36, or your weight in kg by .8.
If you're using Bragg Liquid Aminos as a way to get your daily essential ammino acids, you should know that it only offers eight of the nine essential amino acids (doesn't contain tryptophan). It can't hurt to add this to your soups, casseroles, whole grains, tofu marinades, sauces, and dressings, but since Bragg Amino Acids only offers .5 grams of protein per teaspoon, make sure you're also getting enough protein.
B.C. hospital fails to warn woman of potential lung cancer for 11 months
A Vancouver woman is fighting for her life after it took 11 months for her to receive crucial X-ray results showing a suspicious nodule on one of her lungs.
Please Enjoy This Video of Ryan Gosling Giggling Uncontrollably
Ryan Gosling stopped by The Graham Norton Show last week to promote his new film with Russell Crowe, The Nice Guys, and to the surprise of no one, he ended up being his ridiculously charming self. While fellow guest Greg Davies told a hilarious story about an unfortunate incident he had at a school for hearing-impaired children, Ryan giggled uncontrollably while sitting next to him. Greg's story of getting drunk, eating Indian food, and unknowingly wearing his mother's underwear was just too much for Ryan to handle as he hid his face in his hand. Watch him lose it in the video above, then check out the dad of two talk about outings with daughter Esmeralda.
26 of the Cutest Billboard Music Awards Pictures
This year's Billboard Music Awards went down in Las Vegas on Sunday night, and they did not disappoint. Between Britney Spears's nostalgic red carpet arrival and epic performance of greatest hits and striking couples like Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, plus a heartbreaking speech from Celine Dion, the evening was full of truly memorable moments - many of which you probably didn't see on TV. Scroll through for the best pictures of stars on their big night at the Billboard Awards.
Kate Middleton Found the Power Color You Probably Didn't Think of Yet
It would be pretty predictable to show up to a flower show wearing florals, so Kate Middleton did just the opposite. Instead of playing off the pretty subjects at the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday, the duchess surprised the crowd in a bright kelly-green coat dress from London-based fashion house Catherine Walker, which she's worn before.
While it's certainly an appropriate color, conjuring up images of a lush garden and beautiful greenery, it serves another purpose too. The brilliant color makes a bold statement, the kind you might expect from a fiery red sheath. In fact, the green hue complements Kate's complexion and hair color perfectly, while making her look pop, proving that it might just be the power color we've all been missing. Read on to see Kate's lovely look in full.
My Kid Is Too Young to Go to Your Kid's Makeup Parties
I'm conflicted.
I am a walking contradiction.
I own probably seven shades of the "perfect red" lipstick/gloss. I know of almost every beauty trend that women over 30 can pull off without looking foolish. From cleansing oils and the latest trends in exfoliation - Korean rice enyzmes, anyone? - I love beauty!
As a child, I devoured my oldest sister's drawers, picking through and trying out her lipsticks. Wet n' Wild. Brucci. CoverGirl. Maybelline. From jingles to brand names regarding makeup, I knew them all. Besides, I grew up with four other women, and there was plenty of makeup to be had. Yet when I hear about all the makeup parties and clearly gendered "girls' parties" that kids have these days, I feel conflicted.
My daughter, who is 5, is much like I was: she took out my mascara the other day and "expertly" applied it to her eye . . . and cheek! When she was 3, she asked me why she couldn't wear red lipstick like me! (EGADS, CHILD: NO!) Her favorite birthday gift this year came from a grandparent and was a Barbie makeup kit. She is not much different than I was as a child, but still. The gendered parties. The makeup and dress-up. It doesn't start in elementary school, but rather as early as 3, 4, or 5. As a child, no one would have thought to have done such a thing. We might have asked someone to paint our nails or attempted it ourselves, but it wasn't part of the early childhood conversation, if you will.
It bothers me. And in bothering me, I feel like the worst hypocrite on the planet. There I am, the mom who always looks put together, getting "concerned and upset" over makeup parties for young girls. How can I challenge the idea if I cannot put down my own mascara wand?
1. For One Thing, I Am an Adult.
I wear makeup to look better. I don't overdo it unless it's a fun night out, but I wear enough to not look too tired and to feel a little brighter and more awake, something most moms can relate to.
If girls at three are already indoctrinated to believe makeup is an absolute part of being female, won't they then be asking us for makeovers and facials as early as 10 years of age?
If they spend a lot of time at the mirror now, does this mean that then they will spend their whole lives looking in the mirror too much?
2. Are We Moms Looking in the Mirror Too Much? Am I?
I need to put the mirror down sometimes. My Type A self is critical and could use a little letting go and easing up.
Is it a crime to love makeup? No. As a former actress and TV personality, to me, makeup is theater. It is play. It is creative. It can be art.
But perhaps my own desire to look in the mirror is beyond art and more about approval/disapproval.
Am I pretty? Am I good enough?
These questions labor me and really don't do anything productive for me.
I don't want my daughter to get to that point. If she starts out at age 5 with this habit of "the mirror," might she too end up constantly facing herself with those questions? If we start little girls with this ritual too soon, even in play, it can become more than ritual and more like "self-scrutinizing" hell.
I have to admit, when she was 1 and 2 I hadn't worried about my own appearance habits, but now that I have a parrot, well, I felt I ought to look closer.
3. Makeup as Theater, Not as Appearance
If we want little girls to explore their own curiosity about makeup, perhaps we can pose it as theater. As making ourselves look like a character, or as fun, rather than as an absolute must.
My daughter is theatrical like myself, and I already see a future in theater for her. This is wonderful! This is where makeup artistry becomes alive, a true craft.
So if your little girl is obsessed with combing through your makeup bag, can you make it about camouflaging faces into something cool and new? Can it be about color? About character? Does it always have to end in "pretty?"
4. The Difference Between Playing With Makeup and Gendering a Party
Playing with makeup at home is one thing.
Making it a focus of celebration at an early age is what I question.
For one, my birthday parties were not segregated by gender as early as they are today, and I suspect some of this comes from schools wanting all kids to be invited OR all girls or all boys. For me, it was cheaper to invite all the girls at least from my kid's school, although my friends and family members brought boys to the party. It was a bounce party - something kid-fun and friendly and easy, not enveloped in "princess culture."
And for me as a kid and for my daughter at all of her birthday parties thus far, there was a fun freedom in having birthdays with games, music, and food that did not revolve around "girl" or "boy" activities.
I just think we are so deep into this "princess culture" that we are finding a hard way to get back out.
I love a mani, a pedi, and a good facial more than the next woman, quite frankly, but when girls start all of this so young, there is only more to ask for, more to expect from us as parents . . . and more from them to expect from themselves as they grow into kids.
Are boys going to parties that elevate and speed up the growing up process like girls do? It's one thing to play dress-up and another thing to mimic exactly what Mom does. And keep in mind that Mom is significantly older than her daughter.
Boys may request a "video game" or paintball party to do what Dad does, but number one: they do this as they get older and not at such young ages.
Number two? Makeup is more than play and theater. It's also tied to image, appearance, and intrinsic value for many people. To start so young "making up?" It's starting off in the world too soon.
I love my makeup and don't ask me to breakup with Sephora, ever. But I only wish for people to let little girls slow down a bit. They are growing up before they even realize they are growing up. This is our fault as a generation. So how do we slow it down?
For me the answer is this: I put the mirror down more, I don't run a brush in her hair too often to "fix" her hair - instead I let it be, and I remind her each day when she asks why she can't wear makeup until she's an adult:
"Because you're beautiful, you don't need it, and when we do use it, it's art, it's theater . . . it's a little bit of whimsy."
Why Vegetarians May Want to Use Liquid Amino Acids on Everything
Have you ever seen a bottle of Bragg Liquid Aminos at the grocery store and wondered what it was all about? It's a great gluten-free alternative to soy sauce because of it's salty umami flavor, but it's also a vegetarian source of amino acids.
There are 20 standard amino acids that our bodies need to function normally. Twelve amino acids are manufactured by the human body, and nine, called essential amino acids, must come from our diets. You need all 20 amino acids because they are the building blocks of our organs and tissues. In order to obtain the essential amino acids your body doesn't make on its own, you need to consume protein. Animal sources of protein (milk, eggs, and meat) contain all the essential amino acids. Vegetarians or vegans can obtain all their essential amino acids (known as a complete proteins) by eating a variety of plant-based proteins - beans, whole grains, nuts, or seeds. Enjoy them together in one meal or the combination can be consumed over the same day.
By eating enough protein, you can get all the amino acids you need that your body doesn't produce. Your weight will determine how much protein you need per day. If you're not sure, just multiply your weight in pounds by .36, or your weight in kg by .8.
If you're using Bragg Liquid Aminos as a way to get your daily essential ammino acids, you should know that it only offers eight of the nine essential amino acids (doesn't contain tryptophan). It can't hurt to add this to your soups, casseroles, whole grains, tofu marinades, sauces, and dressings, but since Bragg Amino Acids only offers .5 grams of protein per teaspoon, make sure you're also getting enough protein.
13 Delicious Excuses to Eat More Queso Fresco
It's hard for us to trust anyone who doesn't like cheese and even harder to take someone who doesn't like queso fresco seriously. Call us crazy, but the salty taste of the Latin-American cheese is just too good to ever skip - who has that kind of will power?
So, because we can never find enough excuses to eat the delicious ingredient, we've rounded up 13 main dishes, dips, and snacks that taste better with a generous amount of queso mixed in or sprinkled on top. Scroll ahead for the scrumptious recipes, then check out a few strawberry cocktail ideas to sip with them.
19 Awesome Things to Do Alone
Sometimes we're so concerned with finding a way to fill every single minute of every day interacting with people that we forget to take a step back and give ourselves some quality "me" time. Spending time alone is a way to recharge your mental batteries and regroup - everybody needs to do it now and then! So get over your fear of missing out or your reservations about being seen somewhere solo, and embark on a mission to treat yourself to these 19 dates with yourself.
- Go to the matinee of a sad or embarrassingly bad movie. Feel no shame as you cry or swoon alone in the corner. Who cares? No one is there to see you!
- Travel somewhere new. When you travel with other people, you always end up making compromises on what sights to see, where to eat, and what activities to do. Traveling alone - even if it's just to the next town over - gives you the luxury of going at your own pace so that you're able to soak up everything about the trip that you want to.
- Take yourself on a dinner date. Bring along a book that you can't put down, and immerse yourself in good eats and good reads - really, what's better than that? Try to resist the urge to look at your phone and take your time as you enjoy ordering anything you want without anyone else asking for a bite.
- Tour a museum. Let's face it, a lot of your museum experiences probably involve a teacher, a tour guide, and a pack of rowdy kids. Set out to see every piece of art or history a local museum has, and spend time interpreting them exactly how you want to - not how the little paper pamphlet tells you to.
- Have a spa day, or get a massage. It's probably best for you to take on the steam room solo, anyway.
- Go to a bookstore and get lost. Spend hours exploring every genre of book known to the world. Better still, snag one off the shelf and plop down in a comfy chair. Close down the store trying to finish that book (hey, you'll save some cash), and leave only when the employees start giving you the side-eye.
- Binge on a TV show. There is always another show to catch up on or rewatch, and there's no one better to do it with then the one person who you know is just as excited as you are to plow through an entire series in a day.
- Go to a free concert. Find a band that you like playing in your area, or seek out someone new with a sound you like. You never know - they may be the next big thing, and you found them first. When you go to a concert alone, you spend more time listening to the music and less time worrying about everything else going on around you.
- Sing karaoke. Be bold! Pick a spot you never go to (that way you won't miss it if you can't show your face there again), and sing your heart out to a bunch of strangers. If you can do this, you can do pretty much anything.
- People watch. Go to a public place, like a park or the mall, sit back, and enjoy the show. People watching is always interesting, often hilarious, sometimes sweet, and every once in a while, it can even make you give some of the stuff you do a second thought, too.
- Indulge in some selfies. OK, as a general rule selfies should probably be taken sparingly, but every once in a while, it's healthy to get dressed in an outfit you love and shamelessly take photos of yourself that you actually like. Let yourself keep clicking until you get it right. No one is there to judge you, except maybe your dog.
- Complete a project you've been putting off. Make yourself go to a coffee shop, buckle down, and work. Update your résumé, put together a portfolio, finish your great American novel, apply to a new job or grad school, whatever. Just do it!
- Challenge your mind. Complete a crossword, sudoku, or, if you're feeling ambitious, a Rubik's Cube. If you finish them all by yourself, you get total bragging rights instead of having to share them with a partner.
- Take a hike. Spend some time with mother nature and see how the two of you get along when no one else is around. Stop and smell the roses, watch the sun set, embrace the quiet.
- Get experimental in the kitchen. If you try out new recipes on your own and mess up, the only hungry, disappointed person you have to deal with is yourself. You can work on perfecting the dish until it's just right - then serve up a flawless result the next time you're with friends, and act like it was your first try.
- Stargaze. Lay on your back and marvel at your complete and utter smallness in comparison to the rest of the universe.
- Try a new workout. Sometimes certain workouts (read: Zumba, Booty Barre, anything dance-related) can be a little bit embarrassing to learn in front of other people. Master one of these fitness skills alone, or at least work on them enough so that when you're in a class or doing it in front of your significant other, you look like you know what you're doing . . . sort of.
- Go shopping. Sometimes when you're on a shopping mission, having other people with you can slow you down or make you feel rushed. It's the worst when you're trying to be thorough to find the best deal or the perfect pair of jeans, while the person you're with is tapping their foot by the door.
- Take the longest, hottest bath of your life. Turn on some soothing music and enjoy a long soak with no fear of unwelcome interruptions.
13 Delicious Excuses to Eat More Queso Fresco
It's hard for us to trust anyone who doesn't like cheese and even harder to take someone who doesn't like queso fresco seriously. Call us crazy, but the salty taste of the Latin-American cheese is just too good to ever skip - who has that kind of will power?
So, because we can never find enough excuses to eat the delicious ingredient, we've rounded up 13 main dishes, dips, and snacks that taste better with a generous amount of queso mixed in or sprinkled on top. Scroll ahead for the scrumptious recipes, then check out a few strawberry cocktail ideas to sip with them.
100 Books to Read Before They're Movies
There are always going to be books that are being made into movies, and we love to read them before they get the big-screen treatment as much as you do. If you like being able to say the book was better (isn't it always?), then we have 100 novels to dive into. Click through and see which books you need to add to your shelf - before they get to the theater.
Who Exactly Is Euron Greyjoy? Here's What to Know About Game of Thrones' New Villain
We're getting to meet a ton of new characters on Game of Thrones this season, but Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbaek) might be the most sinister. He makes his first appearance on the second episode of the season, and what does he do within minutes of being on screen? MAJOR spoiler alert: he murders Balon Greyjoy like it's no big deal. Since then, he's taken the Iron Islands from Yara and vowed to murder her and Theon. Here are the basics of what you need to know about him.
- He is one of the middle Greyjoy brothers. Euron is older than Victarion and Aeron Greyjoy but younger than Balon, the now-deceased King. This makes him Yara and Theon's uncle.
- His nickname is Crow's Eye. In the books, Euron wears a patch over one of his eyes, though he does have an eye under there. According to Theon in The Winds of Winter, it's "a black eye shining with malice."
- In the books, he's banished from the Iron Islands. In George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, Balon bans Euron from the Iron Islands for raping the wife of Victarion, the Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet.
- He's basically a pirate. He and Balon briefly chat about this on the show, but Euron is the Game of Thrones version of a pirate. He's been sailing around on his ship, apparently going somewhat mad and cutting out the tongues of his crew. In the books, he rapes and pillages towns, and it sounds like the show is following the character laid out by ASOIAF pretty closely; Euron mentions to his brother that when people see his ship coming, they start praying.
- He has been mentioned before. Way back on the first season, Tyrion mentions Theon's uncles having fought in the Raid on Lannisport, one of the first battles of the Greyjoy Rebellion. He hasn't been mentioned since, and obviously we haven't met him until this season.
That's all we know for now, but we certainly haven't seen the last of Euron. Let's hope Yara and Theon can take him down before he gets to Daenerys!
Related Stories:
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- We Finally Learned Why Hodor Only Says "Hodor"
- How Can You Kill a White Walker on Game of Thrones?
- Game of Thrones Just Revealed Something Huge About the White Walkers
- Who Are the Children of the Forest on Game of Thrones? What You Need to Know
The Most Beautiful TV and Movie Weddings of 2016
Movie and TV weddings are always gorgeous, thanks to big budgets and production designers, but honestly, they're also beautiful because in a lot of cases, you've come to love the characters who are getting married so much. This year has brought us the unions of lots of our favorite TV characters, along with some equally wonderful movie nuptials. Check out all the sumptuous stills of 2016's onscreen weddings, and if you're getting married too, maybe there's some inspiration in here!
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