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.
dimanche 4 décembre 2016
Some Parents Are Urging Others Not to Give Expensive Gifts From Santa - Do You Agree?
VERY interesting take on gifts from 'Santa'
Between parents hoping to outdo their own childhood and those caught up in the holiday magic, it's easy for many to get carried away while holiday shopping. And while what one parent spends on his or her own child is nobody else's business and shouldn't be judged, some across the internet are urging those high-cost items not to be gifted from Santa.
In a screenshot of a Facebook post with the user's name blurred out that has been shared across the social media platform as well as Imgur, one anonymous user explains why spending a lot on your child, and giving Santa credit, could be doing more damage than you realize. "Not all parents have a ton of cash to spend on making their kid's Christmas special, so it doesn't make sense to have Santa give your kid a Playstation 4, bike, and an iPad while his best friend at school gets a new hat and mittens from Santa," the user wrote.
Instead, he or she advises that parents be modest with their gifts from Santa and label the more expensive presents from them. "You can explain the value of money to kids, but you can't explain Santa's discrimination to a heartbroken kid," the user wrote. "Keep that in mind this year and always."
I Tried the Viral Red Wine Spaghetti Recipe, and Here's What Happened
Since both cooking spaghetti in tomato sauce and Martha Stewart's one-pot pasta hack turned out to be total failures, I had to see if the same was true for Food and Wine's spaghetti cooked in red wine. Spoiler alert: it was the opposite. Thousands of people, like me, were intrigued by the publication's recipe video that went viral on Facebook, so I had high hopes that the pasta would taste as delicious as it looked. The verdict is in, and all I can say is this fast and easy dish will no doubt be added to my regular dinner rotation.
The recipe involves simple pantry staples (salt, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley, walnuts, and parmesan), but the red wine adds a slightly sweet, rich flavor that's unlike anything you've had before. I used Cabernet because that's what I like drinking, but you could use any dry red wine. You boil an entire bottle of wine (plus a little more from a second bottle) with a few cups of water before cooking the pasta al dente. The fascinating part is the noodles transform colors as they cook. What starts as regular spaghetti quickly develops a deep, purplish red as it absorbs the liquid. Many of our tasters mistook the noodles for whole-wheat spaghetti and even soba.
As a hardcore pasta-lover, I was pleasantly surprised how light, flavorful, and sophisticated this pasta dish turned out. I'm obsessed, but I'm not the only one. Other taste testers (aka my co-workers) made comments like, "I love this. I can't get enough." "Simple and tasty." "Literally amazing."
So, without further ado, it's your turn to try this amazing technique.
Get the recipe: spaghetti cooked in red wine
17 Latin Cookbooks Any Chef in Training Will Want to Find Under the Christmas Tree
We all have that friend who loves to host parties just so she can whip up all those crazy-intense recipes she's been practicing for months. Yes, that friend who says she's just going to "cook something quick" and then serves a multicourse meal worthy of a Michelin star that involved making dough from scratch, sourcing rare ingredients, and even using a tool you're not sure what it's for. For her (or, hey, him!), there's this list of 17 Latin cookbooks. Whether she has already mastered tamales, ceviches, and empanadas or is just getting started, her eyes will light up when she unwraps one of these on Christmas Day.
17 Dance Workouts That Feel More Like a Party Than Exercise
Let's DANCE! These workouts make exercising more fun, less painful. You'll be sweating away to your very own dance party, whether you choose a 30-minute jam sesh or a 3-minute quickie. And we're not talking about low-intensity workouts, guys - this is heart-pounding, calorie-torching cardio!
17 Dance Workouts That Feel More Like a Party Than Exercise
Let's DANCE! These workouts make exercising more fun, less painful. You'll be sweating away to your very own dance party, whether you choose a 30-minute jam sesh or a 3-minute quickie. And we're not talking about low-intensity workouts, guys - this is heart-pounding, calorie-torching cardio!
Kylie Cosmetics Is Getting Sued For Copyright Infringement, and Here's Why
Los Angeles-based makeup artist Vlada Haggerty plans to sue Kylie Cosmetics over the images the company has used to promote its products. According to a statement the artist's lawyer gave Women's Wear Daily, the copyright infringement lawsuit will be filed early the week of Nov. 28.
This is not the first time Vlada has expressed an issue with Kylie Cosmetics's marketing images. Previously, the artist took to Instagram to discuss an image she collaborated on with photographer Julia Kuzmenko McKim in September, which resembles an image used to promote Kylie's Holiday Collection. Additionally, the Jenner sister's iconic "dripping lips" logo closely parallels an artistic style Vlada had popularized prior to the company's launch.
According to a statement from Vlada's lawyer to WWD, the logos cause public confusion. "Kylie Cosmetics sells its products under a logo that is so similar to the dripping lip art style that symbolizes Ms. Haggerty's makeup artist brand that she receives daily inquires as to whether she is associated with Kylie Cosmetics," said Stephen McArthur of the McArthur Law Firm.
Photographer Julia Kuzmenko McKim, who frequently collaborates with Vlada, recently wrote a blog post where she outlined the history of similarities between Vlada's and Kylie Cosmetics's images. Julia claims that the same day she posted the holiday image that Kylie Cosmetics allegedly mimicked, she also posted another image in which she tagged photographer Marcelo Cantu. Marcelo shot the Kylie Cosmetics holiday image in question, and Julia implies in her post that he must have seen the image and used it as inspiration.
Julia also addresses the frequent comment that the lips in the two images are very different. (Julia and Vlada's image contains a glossy lip while Kylie Cosmetics's image features a matte look.) The photographer includes an image of another piece of Vlada's work from September with a lip that looks similar to the lip in Kylie Cosmetics' photo.
Kylie's representative did not respond to requests for comment. Vlada and her lawyer have been reached for comment and this article will be updated as new information becomes available. In the meantime, read on to see the images in question for yourself.
The Fashion-Based Theory From The Walking Dead That No One Is Talking About
We'll have to wait until October for The Walking Dead to return, but that won't stop us from trying to solve every mystery from the show - including ones we discover all on our own, after hours of binge-watching the suspenseful series. For instance: have you noticed that the majority of female walkers roam around in maxi dresses? What's the deal there? Was there a shortage of pants before this virus spread, forcing them to rock the next-best comfy staple? We really need to know!
In reality, it's probably easier for the costume department to rip up and "walker-fy" a single piece rather than a full outfit. But we'll still hold out hope that one day, our question will be explained. Until then, take a look at the maxis taking over this apocalyptic world. Then see what life was like before walkers were everywhere.
3 Workout Rules That Lead to Weight Loss
It can be frustrating to feel like you are logging hours in the gym without seeing the efforts manifest on your body. What gives? You may be doing it wrong, says fitness trainer and healthy chef Katy Clark, a former contestant on Food Network Star. She shared with us her top tips for ramping up your workouts to see results; check out her advice below.
- Reassess your workout: It's time to ask yourself - are you really working out to make a change? A good workout will leave you feeling one of three ways, Katy says. "You need to be sweating, you need to be breathing heavy, or you need to be sore the next day," she advises. "If you didn't hit any of those three, it wasn't a good workout."
- Be consistent: Find something you like so you'll stick with it, Katy says. "Anything you do consistently is going to bring about change," she says. "Challenge yourself, grab a friend, but nonetheless, just get out there." If you think you're too busy to fit in a workout, Katy says to think of it this way: "One hour of your day is just four percent of your day. Everyone's got four percent of their day to get a workout in."
- Use weights: Katy believes the best results come from weight training with weights heavy enough to fatigue muscles at 10 reps. "Whatever weight you're bearing - if you're doing five pounds, if you're doing 10 pounds - if you're not tired by [rep] number 10, then you need to go a little bit heavier. If you are consistently doing that, you're going to see changes in your strength and in your muscle mass." An added bonus? "It's empowering when you are in that weight room and you're the chick rocking it," Katy says.
3 Workout Rules That Lead to Weight Loss
It can be frustrating to feel like you are logging hours in the gym without seeing the efforts manifest on your body. What gives? You may be doing it wrong, says fitness trainer and healthy chef Katy Clark, a former contestant on Food Network Star. She shared with us her top tips for ramping up your workouts to see results; check out her advice below.
- Reassess your workout: It's time to ask yourself - are you really working out to make a change? A good workout will leave you feeling one of three ways, Katy says. "You need to be sweating, you need to be breathing heavy, or you need to be sore the next day," she advises. "If you didn't hit any of those three, it wasn't a good workout."
- Be consistent: Find something you like so you'll stick with it, Katy says. "Anything you do consistently is going to bring about change," she says. "Challenge yourself, grab a friend, but nonetheless, just get out there." If you think you're too busy to fit in a workout, Katy says to think of it this way: "One hour of your day is just four percent of your day. Everyone's got four percent of their day to get a workout in."
- Use weights: Katy believes the best results come from weight training with weights heavy enough to fatigue muscles at 10 reps. "Whatever weight you're bearing - if you're doing five pounds, if you're doing 10 pounds - if you're not tired by [rep] number 10, then you need to go a little bit heavier. If you are consistently doing that, you're going to see changes in your strength and in your muscle mass." An added bonus? "It's empowering when you are in that weight room and you're the chick rocking it," Katy says.
The Reason This Grumpy Grandpa Learned to Use Instagram Will Make You Sob
Sometimes, begging a senior to learn about "newfangled" technology can feel like a chore . . . and that's exactly how New Yorker Ji Lee felt about teaching his father, an elderly Korean man living in Brazil, to use social media. But after the eldest Lee's grandchildren moved out of the country, he became depressed, feeling uninspired artistically and lonely. This predicament gave Ji an idea for helping his father connect with his globetrotting descendants.
In the video about his dad above, Ji explains that his father feared he would never know his grandkids the way he wished to. So when Ji suggested that his dad begin painting and drawing for the kids to see, the "grumpy old man" embraced technology and learned to use Instagram. Now he paints a new scene every day - often of his grandkids or events around his Brazilian home that he'd like to share with them - and uploads them to Instagram with captions translated into English and Portuguese by his NYC- and Korea-dwelling children.
Lee's Instagram account, Drawings For My Grandchildren, has more than 34,000 followers at the time of writing, and the sale of his prints go to fund airfares so that he can visit his grandkids. Who says that you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Check out some of the grandfather's incredible work ahead, and you'll be inspired to help the elderly folks in your life find their niche online.
Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Shakes During Delivery
I felt prepared to give birth. I'd read my books, I'd taken my classes, and my friends shared a few too many gory details prior to the big day - but they didn't share everything.
Heading into my C-section, I was confident and full of anticipation. I knew what the procedure entailed and how long it would take. I knew the schedule for the baby afterward and had a plan so my husband would follow our baby as soon as he left the operating room. But once my son arrived, they came too - the shakes. Nobody warned me about the shakes. And these weren't just a little shiver felt throughout my body, but full-on, uncontrollable shaking that probably made me look like I was convulsing to the untrained eye. I honestly don't remember much about them - I was probably so pumped up on endorphins that they've been erased from my memory - but I do recall having trouble getting a full sentence out of my mouth because my teeth were chattering so hard. The whole "episode" probably lasted the total of an hour, and, like I said, it isn't anything I would have remembered, except that it happened again when my second son was born.
This time around, with a scheduled C-section on the books, I braced myself for some postpartum shaking prior to entering the operating room. My body, however, seemed to have something else in mind.
After receiving a spinal block and lying down on the table, I began to feel cold - like polar-vortex cold. I asked the operating-room staff to raise the temperature in the room, at which point my husband told me that the room was already very warm - he was sweating. Before I could say anything else, the shakes set in, and this time they were uncontrollable! Whether it was nerves (sometimes it's actually worse to know what to expect) or a side effect of the painkillers, I'll never know. But, thanks to a thoughtful anesthesiologist, my upper body was covered with an air-warming blanket that looked like it came out of Big Hero 6, which provided me some comfort and heat throughout the surgery. Before long, my second son was in my arms and the shakes were the furthest thing from my mind.
But consider this your warning. The shakes are real, and they're normal. They are part of your body's recovery (or in my case preparation) and nothing to worry about - unless they're accompanied by a fever. Because heck, you know you wanted your newborn to have an interesting first feeding session.
Did you have the shakes during your delivery?
21 Vegetable Dishes You'll Actually Lust After
One of the most basic, tried-and-true methods for cooking vegetables is roasting them. You're automatically set up for veggie success when you start with a preheated oven, olive oil, and salt and pepper. From there, you can go as basic or as creative as you want, adding things like lemon, parmesan, and/or breadcrumbs. These 21 recipes offer a variety of vegetables and additional ingredients that combine to make perfect side dishes to any meal.
All of Queen Letizia's Best Outfits of 2016 Had This 1 Thing in Common
If you're looking for new outerwear this season, look no further than to Queen Letizia of Spain's wide collection. The stylish royal must have the biggest coat close - we assume her palace has the space - because just this year alone she has worn more than 15 outstanding pieces.
We saw Letizia wear some of her favorite oldie-but-goodie jackets earlier in the year, including plenty of Felipe Varela and even a Zara cape, but as the year draws to a close, we're spotting some new additions to the queen's wardrobe. We don't blame her! We too also desperately want her Hugo Boss colorblock gray, brown, and red jacket and Carolina Herrera gray cape. Scroll ahead to check those out, and find 14 more jackets that left a lasting impression.
This Vintage Video of Face Powder Being Made Is the Coolest Thing You'll See All Day
I've always had a deep interest in vintage beauty products. It's partially the fact that I'm a beauty editor, but it's likely also due to the charm and mystique surrounding retro Hollywood icons. (After all, who is Marilyn Monroe without her signature red lip?) Formulas like cake mascara and cream blush have long, fabled histories, and now, thanks to the glory that is YouTube, I know all about how pressed powder was made back in the 1950s.
The video above demonstrates how employees of Charles of the Ritz - a now-discontinued brand that was once owned by Revlon - mixed up various pigments to create a custom powder shade for their clients. You'll definitely learn something from the brief clip, but I advise that you ignore the heartily sexist narration as you watch ("From tram lines to lines women at least are more concerned about, the lines on their faces . . . " Really, dude?).
As the brand representative mixes shades of green, crimson, and lilac to create a soft beige, it's clear that she has an excellent eye for color . . . and that color correcting is a technique that has been utilized for decades. After all, blending those hues not only results in a flattering skin-tone tint but also works to even out the wearer's complexion. (Green cancels out redness, lilac negates sallow skin, and red adds life into a dull face.)
If you're dying to get your hands on a bespoke pressed powder of your own after viewing the above video, know that Three Custom Color, a brand known for whipping up custom cosmetics, can do this for you. Or you can actually snag one of Charles of the Ritz's Loose Powders ($5) online.
14 Emerging Fashion Brands You Need to Add to Your Follow List
We all have our favorite designers, but that doesn't mean we're not constantly searching for fresh brands to follow. As we begin to hear about rising new talent in the industry, it's our duty to let you know right away. That way, you can lust after (and later shop) their creations.
Thanks to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards, we're already acquainted with some of the need-to-know designers of the year, but we've also compiled a few others every girl should keep her eyes on. Scroll through to see which designers you recognize, and if you don't already stalk them on the 'gram, make sure to hit that follow button immediately.
Welcome to the 20 Stages of the Christmas Season If You're a Parent
The Christmas season, while full of beautiful twinkling lights and fun traditions, can be truly overwhelming - for anyone. Once you have children, though, the true stress of Christmas becomes blatantly apparent. There are gifts to buy, glass ornaments to be hidden away for the foreseeable future, Santa stories to, well, embellish, and this is all done with the understanding that neither you nor your partner has slept since the birth of your first child (no matter how old the kids are now).
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, sure, but it's also a roller coaster of emotion for moms and dads. If you have kids, you'll be all too familiar with these 20 stages of the Christmas season as a parent.
25 Adorably Geeky Stocking Stuffers Under $25
It doesn't take much money to make your friends and family smile! This holiday season, gift something adorable - yet functional - that won't drain your wallet. From mini DSLR flash drives for your photographer BFF to a floral-printed iPad sleeve for your stylish Secret Santa, we've got 25 picks under $25 that are sure to please everyone on your shopping list.
-Additional reporting by Ann-Marie Alcántara
10 Food Editor-Approved Picks to Make Your December the Coziest Yet
December is a time for cozy sweaters and even cozier foods. This year, our editors are lighting spiced candles, pouring mugs of gourmet hot chocolate, and indulging in our favorite red wines and olive oils. Look no further than the following 10 items if you need a little inspiration to make your December the best one yet.
Lea Michele Was Invited to a Glee Wedding, So She Borrowed This Trick From Rachel Berry
Lea Michele's wardrobe may be a tad sexier than that of her Glee alter ego Rachel Berry, but that's not to say the two haven't shared a styling hack or two - especially when the occasion calls for it. Attending the wedding of good pal and old costar Becca Tobin, Lea showed up in a dress that was silky, red, and pretty revealing. But it wasn't the Switch Boutique number that gave us flashbacks of the show: it was the polished, collared jacket she wore over it, aiming to keep warm in the Wyoming snow.
Rachel, too, happened to be a lover of layers, completing outfits with cardigans and blazers, giving them that extra bit of flair. And while Lea's topper wasn't nearly as bright or colorful as her character's picks, we still count it as a subtle, and likely subconscious, nod - not to mention a genius tip for Winter weddings.
Scroll through to see Lea's guest look in full, then shop a jacket option to layer over fancy looks, during wedding season and the holidays, too.
I Made These 3 Changes at Dinner and Started Losing Weight
Not sure why this happened every day, but admittedly, it did. I ate healthy most of the day, with my green protein smoothies for breakfast, perfectly packed mason jar salads for lunch, and fresh fruit and nuts for snacks. I felt like my diet up until 5 p.m. belonged on a frickin' Pinterest board. But for some reason, as soon as I came to that last meal of the day, I just let loose. Which made my pants fit not so loose. It was time to make some changes, and these four adjustments helped me get back on track and lose the weight I had gained from enjoying my supersize free-for-all suppers.
You Eat What You Get
Most of my meals were healthy - the biggest problem for me was that I couldn't stop eating them. I'd divvy myself a serving, then 100 percent of the time, I'd go back to the kitchen for more. Then, of course, since I didn't want food to go to waste, I'd finish off the scraps on my kiddos' plates. A few extra noodles here and some pizza crust there made for a lot of extra fluff around my waist. It had to stop. So once dinner was made, I gave myself a properly portioned serving, and if there were any leftovers, I put them away in the fridge. If it was out of sight, it couldn't tempt me. And I started having the kids bring their own plates to the kitchen and pour any extras into the compost bin. This was probably the hardest change of all to embrace, but after a week, this new habit felt much easier. And I felt lighter and more energetic, too.
Cheese Is Not a Food Group
As a vegetarian, I ate so much dairy. Cheese was a part of every single dinner I made, and because of that, my go-to meals - like pizza, paninis, homemade mac and cheese, and quesadillas - were not so healthy. So when I gave up dairy, it forced me to make new, healthier options that were veggie-based like stir-fries, roasted veggies with rice and beans, soups, and amazing salads. It increased the fiber intake of my dinners, so I actually felt more full and satisfied after those meals than I ever did after a few slices of pizza. No dairy meant eating lower-calorie dinners, and that made a huge difference on the scale.
Dinner and Done
For some reason, I couldn't stop eating once I started eating dinner. Even after that second helping and devouring my kids' extra bites, I always sat down to a little dessert. A little bowl of soy ice cream with sliced bananas or some chocolate chips with almonds was my favorite. I started serving fresh fruit with dinner so after finishing our avocado pasta and tomatoes with sauteed tofu or sweet potato and black bean burritos, we could nosh on some sweet melon, strawberries, or grapes and satisfy that sweet tooth. So once I started putting the leftovers away at dinnertime, and we finished eating and the dishes were done, the kitchen was closed.
I Made These 3 Changes at Dinner and Started Losing Weight
Not sure why this happened every day, but admittedly, it did. I ate healthy most of the day, with my green protein smoothies for breakfast, perfectly packed mason jar salads for lunch, and fresh fruit and nuts for snacks. I felt like my diet up until 5 p.m. belonged on a frickin' Pinterest board. But for some reason, as soon as I came to that last meal of the day, I just let loose. Which made my pants fit not so loose. It was time to make some changes, and these four adjustments helped me get back on track and lose the weight I had gained from enjoying my supersize free-for-all suppers.
You Eat What You Get
Most of my meals were healthy - the biggest problem for me was that I couldn't stop eating them. I'd divvy myself a serving, then 100 percent of the time, I'd go back to the kitchen for more. Then, of course, since I didn't want food to go to waste, I'd finish off the scraps on my kiddos' plates. A few extra noodles here and some pizza crust there made for a lot of extra fluff around my waist. It had to stop. So once dinner was made, I gave myself a properly portioned serving, and if there were any leftovers, I put them away in the fridge. If it was out of sight, it couldn't tempt me. And I started having the kids bring their own plates to the kitchen and pour any extras into the compost bin. This was probably the hardest change of all to embrace, but after a week, this new habit felt much easier. And I felt lighter and more energetic, too.
Cheese Is Not a Food Group
As a vegetarian, I ate so much dairy. Cheese was a part of every single dinner I made, and because of that, my go-to meals - like pizza, paninis, homemade mac and cheese, and quesadillas - were not so healthy. So when I gave up dairy, it forced me to make new, healthier options that were veggie-based like stir-fries, roasted veggies with rice and beans, soups, and amazing salads. It increased the fiber intake of my dinners, so I actually felt more full and satisfied after those meals than I ever did after a few slices of pizza. No dairy meant eating lower-calorie dinners, and that made a huge difference on the scale.
Dinner and Done
For some reason, I couldn't stop eating once I started eating dinner. Even after that second helping and devouring my kids' extra bites, I always sat down to a little dessert. A little bowl of soy ice cream with sliced bananas or some chocolate chips with almonds was my favorite. I started serving fresh fruit with dinner so after finishing our avocado pasta and tomatoes with sauteed tofu or sweet potato and black bean burritos, we could nosh on some sweet melon, strawberries, or grapes and satisfy that sweet tooth. So once I started putting the leftovers away at dinnertime, and we finished eating and the dishes were done, the kitchen was closed.
25 Fudge Recipes That Will Make Everyone Worship You
Fudge is one of the richest, most crowd-pleasing desserts that also happens to be really easy to make. Don't believe us? Take a look at these insane flavors from cookie dough to peanut butter swirl.
Your Inner Girlie Girl Will Flip For These Pink Gifts
Pink is not a girlie color! OK, maybe it is . . . but we still love it. Season after season, you'll find it popping up on the runways or on the latest It accessories - plenty of reasons we're not saying bye to this color anytime soon. To get you right back to your pink-loving days, we've picked out 42 items that look oh so lovely in the bright hue. You won't want to settle for any other shades after you're done browsing the options ahead.
See What Too Faced's Magical "Unicorn Tears" Lipstick Looks Like on Different Skin Tones
Too Faced's iridescent lipstick came out months and months ago, but it seems that unicorn-beauty-lovers are just starting to fall in love. The magical Unicorn Tears shade ($22) boasts a holographic, bluish shimmer that is transcendent whether worn alone or layered on top of another shade. (Even better, pair it with Anastasia Beverly Hills's Moonchild Glow Kit on cheekbones for a mythical highlight.)
Though Halloween has long since passed, true #UnicornTribe members know that dedication to fantastical beauty is a year-round passion. Before you snag this gorgeous product, read on to see swatches and how it lights up different skin tones.
Explosive advances in DNA testing raise hope, ethical questions
A Calgary author and university professor says advances in DNA testing available to the average person are taking off, but along with that comes ethical questions Canadians will be forced to address.
Explosive advances in DNA testing raise hope, ethical questions
A Calgary author and university professor says advances in DNA testing available to the average person are taking off, but along with that comes ethical questions Canadians will be forced to address.
Natalie Portman's Best Maternity Style Moments Happened Right in Front of the Cameras
On a day-to-day basis, Natalie Portman's maternity look is super casual and laid-back. Roll out the red carpet, however, and this expectant mama transforms into what we call a total style goddess. She's worn floor-sweeping gowns, body-hugging minis, and a variety of printed dresses - all looks perfectly complementing her baby bump. Natalie was even one of the first stars to wear coveted Spring '17 designs like a custom Brandon Maxwell ruffle minidress.
She clearly knows what works for her silhouette, and we're only glad the cameras were there to capture all her best maternity style moments. And since she's not due until Spring, a tidbit she revealed to Jimmy Fallon, it's a sign Natalie's got many more red carpet style snaps to come. Scroll on to see some of her best looks so far.
You'll Definitely Feel Better About Your Life After Hearing What Kids Look Forward to When They Grow Up
Image Source: Flickr user Dark Dwarf
Oh, to be a kid again. It's hard not to feel a little nostalgic for the simpler times of childhood when you are dealing with a micromanaging boss, paying a late fee on a past-due electric bill, or cursing your 5:45 a.m. alarm clock.
But YouGov, a British-based news site, surveyed 2,000 children, ages 8 to 15, to find out what are the best things about being a grown-up . . . according to kids.
Turns out, the best parts of adulthood are pretty great. More than half of kiddos long to stay up late and visit friends whenever they want. Next on the list? Living alone in their own self-decorated house, choosing their job, and buying a pet!
Oh, and there's more:
Image Source: YouGov
That doesn't mean these children were itching to grow up too fast. The site also surveyed the same group on the worst aspects of being an adult, and a whopping 64 percent named paying bills first. Another 32 percent were bummed about missing out on school holidays, 25 percent were concerned about wrinkles, and 16 percent weren't looking forward to having to get themselves places.
Image Source: YouGov
All that said, it's clear being an adult has plenty of perks. So the next time you're having a bad day, remember that you can dye your hair any color you want (a dream held by 16 percent of these kids), and feel great about your grown-up life.
"Immigrants (Get the Job Done)," the New Track in The Hamilton Mixtape, Is Your 2017 Empowering Anthem
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the mastermind behind Broadway's hit Hamilton, is giving you the powerful song you'll turn to every time you're feeling down in 2017. Included in the new and highly anticipated Hamilton Mixtape, featuring tunes from the show sung by Usher, Sia, Jimmy Fallon, Ashanti, and Ja Rule, among others, Lin-Manuel included a new track called "Immigrants (Get the Job Done)." The song features Latina rapper Snow Tha Product, who opened up to POPSUGAR Latina about her parents immigration story for Hispanic Heritage Month, as well as Residente, K'Naan, and Riz MC.
With powerful lyrics like "Los que quieren buscan / Pero nos apodan como vagos / We are the same ones / Hustling on every level / Ten los datos / Walk a mile in our shoes / Abróchense los zapatos" and "I'll outwork you, it hurts you / You claim I'm stealing jobs though / Peter Piper claimed he picked them, he just underpaid Pablo," there's no doubt the song resonates in today's political landscape. Sign into your Spotify account to listen to the track below.
This Fantastic Beasts Theory Reveals How Dementors and Obscurials Could Be Related
Source: Everett Collection
Spoilers ahead for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
For Harry Potter fans, it's thrilling to once again be immersed in the wizarding world in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, but it isn't all Strudels and Nifflers - the movie gets dark very quickly with the arrival of a new dark force, an Obscurus. Now the question is: what if there was more to this evil entity than meets the eye? What if it explains the creation of Dementors?
Source: Warner Bros.
An Obscurus is the bottled-up, dangerous energy of a child with magical powers (known as an Obscurial) who isn't allowed to practice his or her magic. It comes out in full force and wreaks havoc when the child is asked not to perform any magic. In Fantastic Beasts, we see how Credence is an Obscurial whose Obscurus can rip up streets and kill people when he is abused. In the Harry Potter books, we learn that Professor Dumbledore's little sister, Ariana, couldn't control her magic, making her a possible Obscurial. This would explain how she and her mother died. Now, after watching Fantastic Beasts, it's clear just how dark this magic is.
Source: Warner Bros.
Dementors, as we know them from the Harry Potter books, are creatures that float around, creating a cold environment wherever they go and removing any happy thoughts from the people around them. Back in 2000, J.K. Rowling told The Canadian Press that Dementors don't breed, they "grow like a fungus where there is decay." Since we saw in the movie that it is possible to keep an Obscurus alive, it's totally reasonable to think that an Obscurus could be turned into something more evil like a Dementor. If anything, it has similar properties to a Dementor, meaning this energy and creature might be more closely related than we think.
10 Gifts That Will Make Any Shakira Fan Shake Their Hips in Excitement
For Shakira fans, this year has been quite exciting thanks to new music - read: three new singles! - and the launch of the Colombian-born singer's latest addition to her fragrance empire, Dance. For that reason, we're sure anyone whose hips don't lie will certainly want to send 2016 off with a few Shakira-inspired items under the tree. From a little black journal full of "Chantaje" to a bike like the one from the "La Bicicleta" music video and even a purchase that gives back to one of Shakira's favorite charities, UNICEF, keep scrolling to shop our list of picks that will please just about any fan.
A Cheese Advent Calendar Exists, and It's Everything You've Ever Wanted in Life
You might never go back to a traditional Advent calendar after you try a - wait for it - cheese Advent calendar. Annem Hobson, the London-based blogger behind So Wrong It's Nom, created the most amazing cheese Advent calendar that allows you to count down to Christmas in the best way possible: by eating a different piece of cheese every day in December. While plenty of people opt for edible takes on the seasonal calendar, like chocolate Advent calendars and wine Advent calendars, this is unlike any you've seen before.
You can DIY your own cheese Advent calendar with Annem's step-by-step tutorial, which includes cutting out cheeses like blue cheese and gouda with various mini cookie cutters and making your own box that has a slot for each piece of cheese. The good news for the cheese-lovers who aren't crafty or patient enough to make their own is the original cheese Advent calendar will be sold to the public in 2017. "Sadly there's only one prototype at the moment, but the retail version will be available in 2017," Annem explained on her site. If you'd rather skip the Advent calendar altogether, eating cheese straight from your fridge every day leading up to Christmas is perfectly acceptable, too.
24 Secret Santa Tech Gifts That Any of Your BFFs Will Love
Secret Santa is always a little harder than a white elephant gift exchange. You know who you're getting a gift for, but it needs to be a little more perfect and a better fit for their personality. If you're having trouble picking something out, get them one of these tech products that they'll use over and over again.
The Best Pictures of Prince Harry in 2016
Prince Harry has been taking 2016 by storm. In addition to kicking off the Invictus Games in Florida and being the first British royal to visit Nepal since 2008, Harry has been killing it with his slew of swoon-worthy appearances and hilarious antics. In June, he and singer Joss Stone spent the day bonding with a children's choir from South Africa, adding to his long list of utterly adorable encounters with kids. And most recently, his new romance with Suits actress Meghan Markle was revealed. While Harry has already accomplished so much this year, he certainly isn't done yet. Read on for a look at Harry's best moments from this year so far, then here's proof that he's a real-life Prince Charming.
Ruthie Lost 15 Pounds in 6 Months by Doing This at Dinner
When it comes to losing weight, one truth remains the same: if you don't understand your daily habits, especially your relationship with food, it's very challenging to create long-term change. For Ruthie, gaining that understanding is exactly what helped her not only lose 15 pounds in less than 24 weeks, but also keep it off for over a year.
She teamed up with motivational coach Ricki Friedman, founder of Break the Weight, to discover what was weighing her down, physically and mentally. The six-week program offers a unique approach to changing your lifestyle by focusing on creating healthier daily habits through accountability, support, and motivation. Break the Weight focuses on making really small changes - the things you do on a daily basis.
Ruthie Before
Ruthie says the program helped her transform the way she thought about food. "I'm not dieting; I'm just living," she writes in an email to POPSUGAR. "Thinking of food as fuel. If I have a craving, I satisfy it. If I want pizza, I eat it. However, I just don't necessarily eat the whole pie, or even more than a slice or two. I can recognize when I'm hungry and when I'm full."
Ricki says it's essential to ask yourself the right questions: "It's all about understanding the voids you're trying to fill. Am I hungry? Am I bored? Am I lonely?"
She credits Ruthie for doing the work internally. "Ruthie and I worked together as a team," Ricki shares via email. "She really started to understand her routines and why she was eating even when she wasn't hungry."
Ruthie goes on to explain her own personal struggles with weight loss, saying, "I used to think that I had to be restrictive to lose weight. Not eat a lot or just work out for the goal of weight loss. In a nutshell, I struggled a lot."
Ruthie After
Self-forgiveness played a huge role in Ruthie's success. She says, "I've learned through BTW to forgive myself when I have off days. I dust myself off and move on. Before BTW, if I had a slip up in my diet, I would be incredibly hard on myself, I would take a 'f*ck it' attitude and go downhill and fast. Ricki has helped me recognize that this is a process and a bad day doesn't make or break my progress."
Changing her mindset has helped Ruthie find some peace of mind. Ruthie writes, "I have changed my relationship with food. It's only right to quote Ricki here: 'food is fuel.' I didn't used to think of it that way. I love to eat, but I have learned that food used to be more than fuel for me - it was an emotional outlet I used to satisfy me when I was bored, sad, happy. Now, while I still enjoy eating, I recognize it is to fuel my body, not my emotions."
Ruthie's Diet and Workout Plan
Breakfast: I have a chocolate Shakeology shake with peanut butter and almond milk practically every morning. It is like dessert for breakfast, and I'm still getting a ton of nutrition. I love it, and it fills me up!
Lunch: I usually end up getting a big salad for lunch with shrimp or tofu, and I love getting fruit in it.
Dinner: I try to plan in advance every Sunday, and I love experimenting with recipes. Lately I have been really into spiralized zucchini or butternut squash and some riced cauliflower recipes. When I don't get to plan or need something quickly, my go-to is scrambled eggs with veggies and cheese, which I always keep on hand.
Ruthie walks 10,000 steps a day, which is a requirement in the program.
"I walk. A lot. When I first kicked things off with Ricki less than a year ago, I got a Fitbit and tracked my steps without making any changes, just to see what my starting point was. I was not even getting 7K a day on a regular weekday (excluding the gym). I changed my commute (less subway, more blocks), I always opt for the long way, and I take walks around meals. One time, I had a flight delay while I was in the Denver airport and I just walked up and down the long terminal rather than sit around all day."
She also eats between 1300 to 1500 calories a day and aims to make dinner her smallest meal of the day, something she learned from the program. Ruthie says, "Change is hard, especially when you're trying to lose weight, but it's not about being mean to yourself or quitting or saying screw it. It's about learning from your mistakes, being a little kinder to yourself, and moving forward. People need to understand this. It needs to be talked about more. The ebb and flow of motivation and how to deal with setbacks, because that's really what throws people off or why they quit."
Ruthie continues: "The past is the past and I try very hard to leave it there. Setbacks are a part of life and human nature. I try to go back to the basics right away. I don't wait for the next week or the next month to reset. I shake it off and hit the reset button as soon as possible. I forgive myself and I look forward."
The Best Gifts For Tweens
Not little kids, but not quite teens, tweens can be a difficult group to please when it comes to holiday shopping. But with our list of gifts, you're sure to get a smile from the biggest kids (but don't call them that!) in your life. From gifts for music and book fans to mini fashionistas, these presents are perfect for your middle schooler who can't wait to grow up but still can't resist a cool toy or two.
Ruthie Lost 15 Pounds in 6 Months by Doing This at Dinner
When it comes to losing weight, one truth remains the same: if you don't understand your daily habits, especially your relationship with food, it's very challenging to create long-term change. For Ruthie, gaining that understanding is exactly what helped her not only lose 15 pounds in less than 24 weeks, but also keep it off for over a year.
She teamed up with motivational coach Ricki Friedman, founder of Break the Weight, to discover what was weighing her down, physically and mentally. The six-week program offers a unique approach to changing your lifestyle by focusing on creating healthier daily habits through accountability, support, and motivation. Break the Weight focuses on making really small changes - the things you do on a daily basis.
Ruthie Before
Ruthie says the program helped her transform the way she thought about food. "I'm not dieting; I'm just living," she writes in an email to POPSUGAR. "Thinking of food as fuel. If I have a craving, I satisfy it. If I want pizza, I eat it. However, I just don't necessarily eat the whole pie, or even more than a slice or two. I can recognize when I'm hungry and when I'm full."
Ricki says it's essential to ask yourself the right questions: "It's all about understanding the voids you're trying to fill. Am I hungry? Am I bored? Am I lonely?"
She credits Ruthie for doing the work internally. "Ruthie and I worked together as a team," Ricki shares via email. "She really started to understand her routines and why she was eating even when she wasn't hungry."
Ruthie goes on to explain her own personal struggles with weight loss, saying, "I used to think that I had to be restrictive to lose weight. Not eat a lot or just work out for the goal of weight loss. In a nutshell, I struggled a lot."
Ruthie After
Self-forgiveness played a huge role in Ruthie's success. She says, "I've learned through BTW to forgive myself when I have off days. I dust myself off and move on. Before BTW, if I had a slip up in my diet, I would be incredibly hard on myself, I would take a 'f*ck it' attitude and go downhill and fast. Ricki has helped me recognize that this is a process and a bad day doesn't make or break my progress."
Changing her mindset has helped Ruthie find some peace of mind. Ruthie writes, "I have changed my relationship with food. It's only right to quote Ricki here: 'food is fuel.' I didn't used to think of it that way. I love to eat, but I have learned that food used to be more than fuel for me - it was an emotional outlet I used to satisfy me when I was bored, sad, happy. Now, while I still enjoy eating, I recognize it is to fuel my body, not my emotions."
Ruthie's Diet and Workout Plan
Breakfast: I have a chocolate Shakeology shake with peanut butter and almond milk practically every morning. It is like dessert for breakfast, and I'm still getting a ton of nutrition. I love it, and it fills me up!
Lunch: I usually end up getting a big salad for lunch with shrimp or tofu, and I love getting fruit in it.
Dinner: I try to plan in advance every Sunday, and I love experimenting with recipes. Lately I have been really into spiralized zucchini or butternut squash and some riced cauliflower recipes. When I don't get to plan or need something quickly, my go-to is scrambled eggs with veggies and cheese, which I always keep on hand.
Ruthie walks 10,000 steps a day, which is a requirement in the program.
"I walk. A lot. When I first kicked things off with Ricki less than a year ago, I got a Fitbit and tracked my steps without making any changes, just to see what my starting point was. I was not even getting 7K a day on a regular weekday (excluding the gym). I changed my commute (less subway, more blocks), I always opt for the long way, and I take walks around meals. One time, I had a flight delay while I was in the Denver airport and I just walked up and down the long terminal rather than sit around all day."
She also eats between 1300 to 1500 calories a day and aims to make dinner her smallest meal of the day, something she learned from the program. Ruthie says, "Change is hard, especially when you're trying to lose weight, but it's not about being mean to yourself or quitting or saying screw it. It's about learning from your mistakes, being a little kinder to yourself, and moving forward. People need to understand this. It needs to be talked about more. The ebb and flow of motivation and how to deal with setbacks, because that's really what throws people off or why they quit."
Ruthie continues: "The past is the past and I try very hard to leave it there. Setbacks are a part of life and human nature. I try to go back to the basics right away. I don't wait for the next week or the next month to reset. I shake it off and hit the reset button as soon as possible. I forgive myself and I look forward."
samedi 3 décembre 2016
The Viral Story of an Abandoned Dog Found in a Garbage Bag Will Make Your Heart Cry
Malissa Sergent Lewis was driving through her hometown of Harlan, KY when she noticed a black garbage bag moving along the side of the road. Curious, Lewis went to inspect the bag only to find an abandoned puppy inside of it. Though the puppy had a collar, it didn't have a tag.
In an interview with The Dodo, Lewis explained the unexpected and horrifying discovery. "I could hardly wrap my mind around that," she said. "Something was alive in that bag, and I just knew I had to get whatever it was out." As one might imagine, the dog was relieved to be found. "As soon as I opened it up, and he saw light, he just started wagging his tail. He knew he was OK," she said.
Lewis has yet to figure out the circumstances surrounding the dog's abandonment, but investigators are reportedly looking into it. Lewis did share the miraculous story on Facebook in a series of videos that have gone viral with close to 20,000 shares. Accompanying the videos is a caption that states, "If this is your puppy, let me know. If you are the scoundrel who put it in a garbage bag and tossed it on the side of the road . . . you're a sicko."
Lewis is currently trying to find a permanent home for the dog, but she will continue to foster it until that happens. Perhaps one of those 20,0000 viewers might be interested?
These 9 Brazilian Models Left Their Mark on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Runway
We thought 2015 was the year of the Brazilian model, but right as 2016 is wrapping up, bam - Brazilian models own the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and claim another year for the history books. Get ready for this: nine Brazilian beauties walked the shimmery Victoria's Secret catwalk at the Grand Palais in Paris in 2016. Yes, nine!
If right about now you're thinking, "Seriously, who?," keep reading to find out. We've rounded up their best photos from the show and given you the 411 on them and their VS history.
5 Reasons You Wake Up Tired Every Day
Do you constantly wake up feeling like you could sleep for another three hours? Not everyone's a morning person, but when you wake up so tired you have a pounding headache, pour orange juice into your cereal, or practically fall asleep while checking your morning emails, then something's not right. Keep reading to find out what might be preventing you from waking up energized.
5 Reasons You Wake Up Tired Every Day
Do you constantly wake up feeling like you could sleep for another three hours? Not everyone's a morning person, but when you wake up so tired you have a pounding headache, pour orange juice into your cereal, or practically fall asleep while checking your morning emails, then something's not right. Keep reading to find out what might be preventing you from waking up energized.
See All the Sweet Photos of Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna's Daughter, Dream
Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna welcomed their daughter Dream on Nov. 10, and it didn't take long for the couple and their social media-savvy friends and family to share sweet photos of the little one. It's easy to see how much baby Dream looks like her father and her grandfather, the late Robert Kardashian - and it's especially heartwarming to see how excited and proud Rob is to be a dad. Since Dream's birth, he has posted snaps of her along with messages of gratitude for her safe arrival, and his family members have also gushed about the new Kardashian in their life. In addition to emotional posts, Rob and Chyna also took time to have some fun during the delivery by getting in on the latest viral Mannequin Challenge. Scroll through to see all the photos of baby Dream we've seen so far.
Is This Pesky Beauty Problem Ruining Your Favorite Powder Products?
There are a lot of factors that could derail a morning beauty routine - a sudden breakout, a pesky chin hair, or shattering your favorite product - but one of the most inconvenient can be located on the surface of a pressed powder formula. It's that weird, hardened film that sometimes takes up residence on blush, bronzer, setting powder, and even eye shadow. This makes the product far less pigmented, rendering it almost unusable. I've been plagued by these shiny patches for years, but truthfully thought I was the only one. I've never known what they are or how to resolve them until Nick Lujan, Make Up For Ever pro educator, came to the rescue.
"[They're caused by] oil transfer from skin to the tool then onto the powder," he explained to POPSUGAR via email. "Essentially this could be from natural oils on the skin or from moisturizer use." So when you double dip your brush (as one is wont to do when loading on a favorite cheek color) it's picking up a bit of grease. You're then rubbing it into your favorite powder, where said grease takes up residence in the form of a hard film.
It's easy to remove without wasting precious product. Don't scrape - this could result in a sad, gouged hole. Instead, Lujan recommends that you use a piece of packing tape to carefully lift off the affected layer. Should you be hyper concerned about harming your makeup (we can't blame you, especially if it's pricey or limited edition!), try pressing the tape against your skin a few times to reduce the stickiness before salvaging the powder.
Though you might not have dealt with it before, this beauty issue is bound to come up at some point in your life, even if you're cautious about hygiene. Thankfully, that scaly surface doesn't mean your product is contaminated or needs to be thrown out. "It is a sign of needing to clean brushes or get a new sponge," Lujan remarked. Learn how to properly wash your makeup brushes.
The Freshest Gifts For Your Sushi-Loving Friend
We all have that friend who has an unwavering love for sushi. No matter how many unique rolls they've consumed in their lifetime, their craving for sushi will never be satiated, and these gifts are the perfect way for them to showcase their love for the Japanese cuisine. While some people may steer far away from sushi because of the raw fish, your friend lives for the freshest raw seafood any day of the week (and turns their nose up at people who say you shouldn't have sushi on Sundays).
From sushi phone cases to Christmas tree ornaments and the essential sushi-making tools, this gift guide is the answer to your holiday shopping woes, because uni and nigiri don't fare well in wrapping paper.
36 Times Kylie Jenner's Bikini Body Made You Do a Double Take
It's no secret that Kylie Jenner enjoys flaunting her famous figure, and who could blame her? Whether she's strutting her stuff at Coachella or just hanging out poolside, there's no denying that Kylie looks damn good in a bikini. In honor of all the times she's steamed up our phone screens, we're looking back at Kylie's sexiest swimsuit moments. Brace yourself, because it's about to get hot in here.
24 Magical and Beautiful Pieces of Fan Art Inspired by Fantastic Beasts
Harry Potter fans are no strangers to designing and creating amazing fan art. Some of it literally paints us a picture of a scene in the books, and others just give us a magical, cozy feeling. With Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them out, fans are creating similar amazing works of art. Some of it bridges the worlds of Harry Potter and Newt Scamander, while another focuses on the magical beasts. Either way, fans' imaginations are growing with this new magical world we know little about. Take a look ahead at some of our favorites - it might make you wonder what could happen in the next four movies!
Ranking the Best Butterbeer at Harry Potter World Orlando
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando has not one but six butterbeers to try across the parks. You may be familiar with the beverage line (cold, frozen, and hot), but there are also three butterbeer treats: fudge, ice cream, and potted cream. These butterbeer treats are on the expensive side, so what's worth trying? Here's the ranking from best to worst.
The Beautiful Truth About Size 16 Bodies
This woman's love letter to her body is major inspiration for women of any size, via Rebecca Jane Stokes at YourTango.
What I wish someone had told me years ago . . .
I am a size 16.
In a week I could be a size 14, briefly, but then the week after that, I'll be a size sixteen again . . . there is nothing wrong with that.
My body is a size 16 and my body is beautiful.
I haven't always treated my body with very much respect.
Throughout my adolescence, I tried every diet under the sun, trying to transform my body into something it just wasn't designed to be.
My weight dropped and then skyrocketed and the sizes of clothing I wore changed with it.
My closet was filled with clothing that would fit an army of differently sized women.
My self-esteem suffered.
I had, somewhere along the line, learned that a skinny body is the only kind of body that can beautiful.
It's true that skinny bodies are beautiful - but so is my fat body, and nobody ever told me that.
Even when I was a size 10, counting the calories of everything I ate, my head looking oversized on my body, my self-esteem was in the toilet.
I wasn't skinny enough, so I wasn't beautiful enough, so I wasn't good enough.
Here is a secret nobody knows: I was born beautiful. So were you. You have always been beautiful.
You were born a small, squalling infant with a squished face slick with amniotic fluid and your mother looked at said "she is beautiful."
Nothing has changed. You are still beautiful, you are still good, you still have worth.
You still deserve to be here.
Sometimes I fight with my size sixteen body. I squint in the mirror imagining it is something else, something sleeker, tighter, easier to accept.
Sometimes I scowl at my upper arms. Sometimes I hate my belly.
But then I remember the thing that the world insists on making girls and women forget: that belly I hate is part of me. Those arms I detest? They are part of me too.
Every single soft curve is a piece of the whole that is who I am.
I have bad days and good days. I lift other women up while tearing myself down.
I have a fat body. My fat body is good. My fat body is beautiful.
My fat, size 16 body inspires men to terrorize me on Twitter. It turns well-meaning friends into enemies who say things like "well it's not really healthy."
Here is the part where I tell you about my weekly exercise in a bid to rationalize my weight to strangers.
I don't need to do that.
My size 16 body is beautiful. It is mine. It takes up space in a world that tells women to make themselves small.
It bumps into tables, it bruises, it carries infants on its hips, it twirls, it shudders with laughter, it embraces friends and family, it reminds the people around it that I am here.
I am here.
I exist.
I am a size 16 and I am beautiful.
More Inspirational Links
- How to Totally MASTER the Art of Being Happy In 6 Steps (Or Less!)
- How to Take Sexy-As-Hell Selfies (As Explained by Naked Barbie)
- 20 Quotes Every Strong Woman Needs to Hear (And Memorize!)
- 11 Totally Awesome Reasons to Love Your Big Boobs
- 55 Inspiring Quotes That CAPTURE Your Wacky, Wonderful Friendships
The Beautiful Truth About Size 16 Bodies
This woman's love letter to her body is major inspiration for women of any size, via Rebecca Jane Stokes at YourTango.
What I wish someone had told me years ago . . .
I am a size 16.
In a week I could be a size 14, briefly, but then the week after that, I'll be a size sixteen again . . . there is nothing wrong with that.
My body is a size 16 and my body is beautiful.
I haven't always treated my body with very much respect.
Throughout my adolescence, I tried every diet under the sun, trying to transform my body into something it just wasn't designed to be.
My weight dropped and then skyrocketed and the sizes of clothing I wore changed with it.
My closet was filled with clothing that would fit an army of differently sized women.
My self-esteem suffered.
I had, somewhere along the line, learned that a skinny body is the only kind of body that can beautiful.
It's true that skinny bodies are beautiful - but so is my fat body, and nobody ever told me that.
Even when I was a size 10, counting the calories of everything I ate, my head looking oversized on my body, my self-esteem was in the toilet.
I wasn't skinny enough, so I wasn't beautiful enough, so I wasn't good enough.
Here is a secret nobody knows: I was born beautiful. So were you. You have always been beautiful.
You were born a small, squalling infant with a squished face slick with amniotic fluid and your mother looked at said "she is beautiful."
Nothing has changed. You are still beautiful, you are still good, you still have worth.
You still deserve to be here.
Sometimes I fight with my size sixteen body. I squint in the mirror imagining it is something else, something sleeker, tighter, easier to accept.
Sometimes I scowl at my upper arms. Sometimes I hate my belly.
But then I remember the thing that the world insists on making girls and women forget: that belly I hate is part of me. Those arms I detest? They are part of me too.
Every single soft curve is a piece of the whole that is who I am.
I have bad days and good days. I lift other women up while tearing myself down.
I have a fat body. My fat body is good. My fat body is beautiful.
My fat, size 16 body inspires men to terrorize me on Twitter. It turns well-meaning friends into enemies who say things like "well it's not really healthy."
Here is the part where I tell you about my weekly exercise in a bid to rationalize my weight to strangers.
I don't need to do that.
My size 16 body is beautiful. It is mine. It takes up space in a world that tells women to make themselves small.
It bumps into tables, it bruises, it carries infants on its hips, it twirls, it shudders with laughter, it embraces friends and family, it reminds the people around it that I am here.
I am here.
I exist.
I am a size 16 and I am beautiful.
More Inspirational Links
- How to Totally MASTER the Art of Being Happy In 6 Steps (Or Less!)
- How to Take Sexy-As-Hell Selfies (As Explained by Naked Barbie)
- 20 Quotes Every Strong Woman Needs to Hear (And Memorize!)
- 11 Totally Awesome Reasons to Love Your Big Boobs
- 55 Inspiring Quotes That CAPTURE Your Wacky, Wonderful Friendships
The Best Pictures From Prince Harry's Caribbean Tour - So Far!
Prince Harry officially kicked off his Caribbean tour when he touched down at the V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua on Nov. 20. Upon his arrival, Harry was welcomed by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and a large banner that read, "Antigua & Barbuda Welcomes Prince Henry of Wales." The following day, the young royal let his hair down with a group of kids at a youth sports festival at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. On Monday night, he met with Miss Antigua and island beauty queens at a reception hosted by Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, before paying a visit to Holy Trinity Primary School and Nursery on Tuesday. He also got his hands dirty when he gutted a fish at Sir McChesney George High School. On Wednesday, Harry arrived in St. Kitts and Nevis, where he chatted with school children, was greeted by cultural dancers at Brimstone Fortress during a youth rally, planted a tree, and released baby turtles into the sea. On Friday, he looked especially gorgeous while playing a rousing game of cricket at a stadium in Castries, Saint Lucia. He then mingled with the public and drank from a coconut.
After his stop in Saint Lucia, Harry visited the Botanic Gardens in Kingstown on Saturday and also dropped by the Turtle Conservation Project in Colonarie, where he appeared to have an absolute blast as he played with children. Two days later, the handsome royal showed off his competitive side when he got really into a game of cricket at Queen Park Ground in St. George's, Grenada. On Nov. 29, Harry paid a special visit to the Nightingale Children's Home in Barbados and was as cute as can be as he met with a handful of kids. The following day, Harry attended the Toast to the Nation event to commemorate the island's 50 years of independence, where he finally got to meet legendary pop princess Rihanna. The two then linked up again for the Man Aware campaign, where they each got a blood test in honor of World Aids Day. On the 13th day of his visit, Harry visited Guyana, where he was presented with a traditional headdress by a couple of dancers in Sumara Village.
Harry will be visiting a total of seven different countries throughout his 14-day trip and will attend several independence anniversary ceremonies. He will also spend some of his time focusing on the environment by learning about turtle conservation projects, replanting coral reefs, and spending six nights on a Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Knight vessel that is used for disaster relief.
Our Favorite Gift Ideas That Grandparents Will Actually Love
Whether it's their first year as Grandma and Grandpa or they're old pros at the job, the major role that grandparents play in your kids' lives means they deserve an extraspecial holiday gift. Forget the cliché "World's Best Grandpa" t-shirt and ho-hum mug - this year, surprise them with the unexpected. Here are some of our favorite gift ideas that are sure to make Grandma and Grandpa smile.
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