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.
jeudi 9 mars 2017
The One Thing You Should Really Prepare For With Your Second Child
Recently, I had dinner with a friend who had just had her second baby a few months before, right around the time her business partner and close friend had given birth to her first. "Everywhere we go, people fawn all over her, asking how she's handling motherhood, how the baby is doing, praising her for getting back to work so quickly," she said. "I'm like 'Hey, over here? I have a newborn, too!' It's like no one cares."
The difference was so stark to my friend not only because she saw it so often at work events and meetings but also because she remembered being in her partner's shoes just a couple years before, when she had her first baby, who's now the 2-year-old toddler who makes handling her second baby so much harder than she expected. Shouldn't she get double the praise, well wishes, and empathy for having two children?!
Unfortunately, as pretty much every mom of more than one child knows, that's not how it works. When you have your first baby, everyone is interested. You get constant phone calls, texts, emails, requests for photos, offers of meals (and that's not even mentioning the presents, which will come from near and far). It's an overwhelming and surprising time, and you will realize then just how much people truly care that you had a baby.
And then you have your second, and it's pretty much crickets. Sure, your parents and best friends will check in on the day you deliver to make sure you survived and the baby is healthy, but don't expect a meal train, okay? Because it ain't happening.
In some ways, it makes sense. Having your first child is most certainly the biggest adjustment of any woman's life. Maybe you watched family members and friends go through it and thought, "That doesn't look so hard," but then you have your own and realize it actually is way harder than you ever could have imagined - and also way better - and it kind of blows your mind and changes your whole view of yourself and the world in general.
Everything is new, and you can't fathom that people have been doing this baby raising thing for hundreds of years without more of a fuss. But eventually you adjust, you forget about the sleep deprivation and how you were in a haze for months, and maybe you decide you're ready for round two.
By now, people expect that you have this parenting thing down. You've had at least a year (we hope) to get it together and embrace your new role and your new mindset as a mom, you already have all the baby gear, and you've figured out child care for your first that will probably transfer to your second. You're a pro. So why would you need the presents and the constant caring phone calls and the praise for doing such a good job?
But the thing is, you do need it, at least some of it. Some bows and pink would be nice if you had a girl after having a boy. A double stroller would help. However, what you really need is support because having two kids? It's no freaking joke.
You are still up all night with a newborn, whose preferences and personality you're still figuring out, and you're dealing with a toddler, who makes every task so much harder and ensures that you really can't sleep when the baby sleeps. And you deserve for someone to bring you a hot dinner and ask how you're coping. Just don't bank on it happening.
Lady Gaga Kisses Her New Man After a Party in LA
Lady Gaga is having one hell of a year so far. After absolutely crushing her Super Bowl Halftime Show performance (which her ex, Taylor Kinney, watched from the audience), the "Million Reasons" singer has announced her world tour, performed with Metallica at the Grammys, and partied with John Travolta. But career highs aside, Gaga has also started a new romance with her agent, Christian Carino. News broke in early February that the two were an item after he supported her at the Super Bowl and they attended a fashion show together, and the duo confirmed their relationship when they showed PDA while out in LA this week. Gaga and Christian were photographed sharing a sweet kiss after attending a party at the Sunset Tower Hotel on Monday night. While we still hold a candle for Gaga and Taylor, we love seeing her happy.
Lady Gaga Kisses Her New Man After a Party in LA
Lady Gaga is having one hell of a year so far. After absolutely crushing her Super Bowl Halftime Show performance (which her ex, Taylor Kinney, watched from the audience), the "Million Reasons" singer has announced her world tour, performed with Metallica at the Grammys, and partied with John Travolta. But career highs aside, Gaga has also started a new romance with her agent, Christian Carino. News broke in early February that the two were an item after he supported her at the Super Bowl and they attended a fashion show together, and the duo confirmed their relationship when they showed PDA while out in LA this week. Gaga and Christian were photographed sharing a sweet kiss after attending a party at the Sunset Tower Hotel on Monday night. While we still hold a candle for Gaga and Taylor, we love seeing her happy.
The Zumba Dance For Daddy Yankee's "Hula Hoop" Will Have You Working Out Instantly
Daddy Yankee's music always makes everyone want to get up and move so the reggaetonero listened. Yankee gave his fans what they wanted and partnered up with Zumba Fitness to create the choreography for his new single "Hula Hoop." The song is a remix of Yankee's hit song "Shaky Shaky," which featured the hula hoop hook. "My new single #HulaHoop has dropped - the whole world is going to be following the official Zumba Fitness choreography - get ready to dance and shake!," he captioned the video.
The song is very upbeat so it makes perfect sense that the workout will have you constantly moving. The choreography includes a lot of hip and lower body movements. You will definitely be able to get your waist and legs snatched up just in time for the hotter months. Grab some workout gear and get ready to make this your new workout video!
Do Crystals Actually Work? A Spiritual Healer Explains
Chances are you've been hearing about crystals or seeing them on your Instagram. Crystals are probably the trendiest wellness practice of the moment, but we wanted to learn more about them - sure, they're beautiful (just look at this water bottle!) . . . but what do they do? Do they work? Is there proof?
So many questions, so many crystals, so little time. Crystals purportedly can help with so many aspects of your mental and physical health, so let's get into it and explore what crystals actually do and how they can impact your well-being every day.
What Do Crystals Do?
According to crystal healer and therapist Mytrae Meliana, MFT, CHT, they do quite a bit, everything from improving your energy and mood to making you more creative and clearing your head for meditation. "Crystals are high-vibrational beings that work on multiple levels of your body: physical, emotions, mind, energy, and spirit," said Meliana. Among many things, crystals can . . .
- Improve energy. Crystals "are used to cleanse, rebalance, and activate your chakras (or energy centers)."
- Enhance happiness. "They amplify your thoughts and emotions, so when you think positive thoughts and feel positive emotions, they help you feel even better." Sounds wonderful, right?
- Better meditation. "When you meditate, crystals support your consciousness, so you rise effortlessly to your natural spiritual state," said Meliana.
- Heighten creativity. Writer's block? Drawing creative blanks? Try crystals. "When you create, they help you tap into your inspiration, flow, and focus."
- Reduce negative energy. Like air purifiers, but for your emotions. "As natural purifiers, they absorb negative energy and transmit positive energies so they're wonderful to have in your home or work space, as they bring lightness, peace, joy, and calm."
- Aid therapists and healers. "They also amplify a healer's natural healing abilities." Maybe consider bringing your massage therapist or psychologist a nice crystal for their office *wink.*
How Do They Work?
Using crystals for healing properties is not a new concept. "Crystals have been used in healing for centuries in ancient civilizations," said Meliana, specifically citing ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece.
Here's the idea behind it: crystals have a vibration, you have a vibration. Aligning those vibrations can have beneficial outcomes. "Since you are made of energy and vibration, crystals raise your vibration and energy and improve your health and well-being exponentially."
"The structure of crystals matches the crystalline structures in your body such as the water in your cells, interconnective tissues, collagen, and elastin," she said. "So [the crystals] are powerful transmitters and transducers of your intention for yourself, whether it's health, love, joy, abundance, or peace."
Does Science Back It?
Though Western medicine has not proven the efficacy of crystalline healing applied to the human body (there's no scientific backing to be found), modern science has used crystals in technologies we use today. "You use crystalline technologies every day if you use a laptop, laser, a clock, or an LCD (liquid-crystal display)," said Meliana. "Western science has researched crystals for their informational and storage capacities, so crystals are used in technologies to store and transmit vast amounts of information. However, science has yet to explore subtle technologies on the level of intuition and electromagnetism the way ancient civilizations did."
She noted that "it is easy to dismiss [these ancient practices] as primitive, but there are many areas that Western science is still young in, that it hasn't fully [explored] vibrational technologies" in its application to human health. "Quantum physics, however, with its study of energy, frequency, vibration, intention, and consciousness completely aligns with and affirms the electromagnetic and vibrational properties and capacities of vibrational technologies such as crystals.
Still doubting their healing powers? Think of it this way - it's SO subtle. "You cannot see subtle energies like music, a flower's fragrance, or the peace, relaxation, and healing you feel from being in nature," Meliana said. "Yet, you feel them. In the same way, try holding a crystal or walking into a crystal shop and see how you feel." At the very least, there's no harm in trying. While there aren't studies backing it in Western science, crystals can definitely have a placebo effect - and that is actually quite powerful and can still have a positive effect on your mood.
Do Crystals Actually Work? A Spiritual Healer Explains
Chances are you've been hearing about crystals or seeing them on your Instagram. Crystals are probably the trendiest wellness practice of the moment, but we wanted to learn more about them - sure, they're beautiful (just look at this water bottle!) . . . but what do they do? Do they work? Is there proof?
So many questions, so many crystals, so little time. Crystals purportedly can help with so many aspects of your mental and physical health, so let's get into it and explore what crystals actually do and how they can impact your well-being every day.
What Do Crystals Do?
According to crystal healer and therapist Mytrae Meliana, MFT, CHT, they do quite a bit, everything from improving your energy and mood to making you more creative and clearing your head for meditation. "Crystals are high-vibrational beings that work on multiple levels of your body: physical, emotions, mind, energy, and spirit," said Meliana. Among many things, crystals can . . .
- Improve energy. Crystals "are used to cleanse, rebalance, and activate your chakras (or energy centers)."
- Enhance happiness. "They amplify your thoughts and emotions, so when you think positive thoughts and feel positive emotions, they help you feel even better." Sounds wonderful, right?
- Better meditation. "When you meditate, crystals support your consciousness, so you rise effortlessly to your natural spiritual state," said Meliana.
- Heighten creativity. Writer's block? Drawing creative blanks? Try crystals. "When you create, they help you tap into your inspiration, flow, and focus."
- Reduce negative energy. Like air purifiers, but for your emotions. "As natural purifiers, they absorb negative energy and transmit positive energies so they're wonderful to have in your home or work space, as they bring lightness, peace, joy, and calm."
- Aid therapists and healers. "They also amplify a healer's natural healing abilities." Maybe consider bringing your massage therapist or psychologist a nice crystal for their office *wink.*
How Do They Work?
Using crystals for healing properties is not a new concept. "Crystals have been used in healing for centuries in ancient civilizations," said Meliana, specifically citing ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece.
Here's the idea behind it: crystals have a vibration, you have a vibration. Aligning those vibrations can have beneficial outcomes. "Since you are made of energy and vibration, crystals raise your vibration and energy and improve your health and well-being exponentially."
"The structure of crystals matches the crystalline structures in your body such as the water in your cells, interconnective tissues, collagen, and elastin," she said. "So [the crystals] are powerful transmitters and transducers of your intention for yourself, whether it's health, love, joy, abundance, or peace."
Does Science Back It?
Though Western medicine has not proven the efficacy of crystalline healing applied to the human body (there's no scientific backing to be found), modern science has used crystals in technologies we use today. "You use crystalline technologies every day if you use a laptop, laser, a clock, or an LCD (liquid-crystal display)," said Meliana. "Western science has researched crystals for their informational and storage capacities, so crystals are used in technologies to store and transmit vast amounts of information. However, science has yet to explore subtle technologies on the level of intuition and electromagnetism the way ancient civilizations did."
She noted that "it is easy to dismiss [these ancient practices] as primitive, but there are many areas that Western science is still young in, that it hasn't fully [explored] vibrational technologies" in its application to human health. "Quantum physics, however, with its study of energy, frequency, vibration, intention, and consciousness completely aligns with and affirms the electromagnetic and vibrational properties and capacities of vibrational technologies such as crystals.
Still doubting their healing powers? Think of it this way - it's SO subtle. "You cannot see subtle energies like music, a flower's fragrance, or the peace, relaxation, and healing you feel from being in nature," Meliana said. "Yet, you feel them. In the same way, try holding a crystal or walking into a crystal shop and see how you feel." At the very least, there's no harm in trying. While there aren't studies backing it in Western science, crystals can definitely have a placebo effect - and that is actually quite powerful and can still have a positive effect on your mood.
This Is What It's Really Like to Be in a Bikini Competition
With a background in fitness and nutrition and a hunger to set new goals for herself, trainer Carrie McMahon signed up for her first bikini competition more than three years ago. "I thought it would be a natural step in my journey," she told POPSUGAR.
The new goal was exciting for Carrie, but what actually manifested was less than what she had hoped for. "I hated the actual competition," she said. "And I definitely felt pretty bummed that I hated it so much."
"I had such high expectations that I would hit the stage, fall in love, and want to do it all over again," she said. "I had invested so much time and energy into it, so that was a hard pill to swallow."
We chatted with Carrie about the good, the bad, and the "ugly behind the scenes" that dissuaded her from competing again. If you've ever toyed with the idea of competing, definitely take Carrie's account into consideration - there were some positive things she learned, too!
Expectations and Preparation
"I loved the thought of having a goal like this that takes a lot of work . . . working toward it and then being able to achieve it. Nothing feels better then setting a goal for yourself and then actually doing it." Her goal with bikini competing? To place in the top five.
"Nothing feels better then setting a goal for yourself and then actually doing it."
"I had an amazing experience with diet and exercise while preparing for the competition," she said. "I began macro-counting, which completely changed my outlook on food and diets." Carrie told us that she "reverse dieted" - "Starting out, I was lean and actually didn't have enough muscle to compare to most of the bikini girls, so I actually gained five pounds of muscle for the competition through reverse dieting."
Reverse dieting is exactly what it sounds like - you eat more. "You slowly increase your intake by adjusting your macro totals for the day; I typically added about five to 10 grams of carbs to my daily macro count each week and about one to two grams of fat as well. So I was only adding about 30 to 50 calories to my daily total each week. It's a slow increase, but it's the best way to gain muscle and stay lean, as long as you pair it with a weight lifting program," (which she was doing).
"I was able to eat whatever I wanted as long as it fit into my macros!" she said. "I was eating 250 grams of carbs every day, only doing cardio two times per week, and I drank water and consumed sodium all up until the day of the show." She noted this specifically because her diet seemed to be the antithesis of what the other competitors were doing. Here's what Carrie ate (totaling around 2,100 calories per day):
- Breakfast: "Oatmeal with one scoop of protein power, one to two tablespoons of peanut butter, a drizzle of maple syrup, and some chocolate chips."
- Pre-workout: "Sliced apples (apples were easy to adjust when I had to add in more carbs, so the amount of apple slices increased each week) and one chicken breast."
- Post-workout: "Egg whites and sweet potato wedges (also easy to add in more sweet potato when I added in carbs each week) with ketchup."
- Lunch: "Usually a sandwich with whole wheat bread, chicken, a spread (I like to butter my bread - it's an English thing), cheese (one to two ounces) or 1/4 avocado, and carrot sticks."
- Dinner: "Some sort of meat, fat, and veggies combo (a favorite was roasted veggies with coconut oil and ground turkey with some blue cheese on top), although sometimes I ate protein pancakes with peanut butter and syrup because I wanted something sweet!"
- Dessert or Snack: "Cottage cheese and sweet potato chunks (roasted in syrup and cinnamon) with nut butter and chocolate chips and some sort of cookie like Oreos or Chips Ahoy! Sometimes I did an oatmeal bowl with similar toppings."
"Ugly" Politics and a Disappointing Experience
When the time to compete came around, Carrie noticed a distinct favoritism during the event, saying she got a feeling that the contest was more about who you knew and not how hard you worked. "It seemed that girls who worked with certain prep coaches (who had ties to the competition and judges) got placed ahead of those who had lesser known coaches," she told us. "The competition was very political. They always placed those who were working with [an important and well-known] coach in the top five, even if that person clearly wasn't as well prepped as the other competitors."
She told us that it was more than discouraging: "It felt like all the hard work you put in didn't really matter." She also said that though she met "some awesome girls" during her experience, she had different expectations of what the competition would feel like. She didn't realize how "weird" it would feel to be "completely judged on looks and how [she] was able to walk and present [her]self," telling us that it felt more like a beauty pageant on TV than a fitness competition.
"Bikini competitions look glamorous and fun, but there is a lot more 'ugly' behind the scenes . . . It doesn't live up to its hype. It didn't for me."
Behind the Scenes
She remembers chaos backstage: "rooms full of girls with insane tans and over-the-top makeup," a "supercrowded and messy backstage" environment, and "people running around with straighteners and self tanner to touch up," were just a few of the elements she described.
"I was horrified . . . They weren't drinking water, they weren't eating any carbs, they were slaves to cardio . . . it was so hard to hear."
Through her backstage chats, she also got an inside look at how not all women prepare for this kind of competition in a healthy way, and it left her with a sad, heavy feeling. "Women who do these competitions are not always healthy," she said. "A lot of them told me about their diets and workout routines to prep for the show, and I was horrified; they weren't drinking water, they weren't eating any carbs, they were slaves to cardio . . . it was so hard to hear," she said. "It was sad to learn what women put themselves through just for 20 seconds on stage."
She said her preparation was so much more enjoyable and sustainable. "Most of these women bounced way back after the show, because they had deprived themselves for so long," she said. "There are a lot of bad 'competition prep coaches' out there who do things that can really damage you, so you have to be smart about who you choose to work with and what practices they believe in." This realization also fueled Carrie to help other women through her coaching, using the knowledge she had gained through the conversations she had during the competition experience.
Things You Should Know
Some things you may not know about the cosmetic aspect: "You have to use boob and butt glue to hold your suit in place!" she said. And "the spray tans we get are thick and feel disgusting! It took a week for mine to fade, and it faded in a way that I was patchy for a while."
She also noted that you should be prepared for a full day, as this kind of event can try your patience. "On competition day, you are there ALL DAY. You have a call time on stage, so you wait around for that; then you have to wait for the award ceremony, which is the last call of the day. It is a VERY long day of waiting around."
Positive Takeaways
Though it's clear that she won't be back on stage for another round of competing, Carrie did tell us she experienced some seriously positive things - chiefly, her experience with macros, which is what shaped her diet, changed her life, and reframed her nutrition coaching for clients. "The tools I learned through my macronutrient-based diet and through my weight training have stuck with me ever since, and there are healthy aspects that I still implement into my lifestyle today."
"The tools I learned through my macronutrient-based diet and through my weight training have stuck with me ever since."
She also said she "loved gaining some muscle and feeling strong, lean, and toned!" Because she prepared in such a healthy way, she said, "My body had never felt so good in my life, and I was full of energy! I was so proud of myself and proud of how my body looked." Her key learnings for success on diet and exercise? Reverse dieting with weights and HIIT. "[I learned that] reverse dieting is amazing and the best diet to get a lean and toned body, and weight training plus HIIT is the best exercise formula to get that lean and toned look."
But the best part? "I felt really empowered, as I had achieved a goal I set for myself. That's the best feeling in the world." She says if you're looking to feel that sense of accomplishment, set a goal for yourself, then lay out the steps for how you'll achieve it. "You will make it there."
This Is What It's Really Like to Be in a Bikini Competition
With a background in fitness and nutrition and a hunger to set new goals for herself, trainer Carrie McMahon signed up for her first bikini competition more than three years ago. "I thought it would be a natural step in my journey," she told POPSUGAR.
The new goal was exciting for Carrie, but what actually manifested was less than what she had hoped for. "I hated the actual competition," she said. "And I definitely felt pretty bummed that I hated it so much."
"I had such high expectations that I would hit the stage, fall in love, and want to do it all over again," she said. "I had invested so much time and energy into it, so that was a hard pill to swallow."
We chatted with Carrie about the good, the bad, and the "ugly behind the scenes" that dissuaded her from competing again. If you've ever toyed with the idea of competing, definitely take Carrie's account into consideration - there were some positive things she learned, too!
Expectations and Preparation
"I loved the thought of having a goal like this that takes a lot of work . . . working toward it and then being able to achieve it. Nothing feels better then setting a goal for yourself and then actually doing it." Her goal with bikini competing? To place in the top five.
"Nothing feels better then setting a goal for yourself and then actually doing it."
"I had an amazing experience with diet and exercise while preparing for the competition," she said. "I began macro-counting, which completely changed my outlook on food and diets." Carrie told us that she "reverse dieted" - "Starting out, I was lean and actually didn't have enough muscle to compare to most of the bikini girls, so I actually gained five pounds of muscle for the competition through reverse dieting."
Reverse dieting is exactly what it sounds like - you eat more. "You slowly increase your intake by adjusting your macro totals for the day; I typically added about five to 10 grams of carbs to my daily macro count each week and about one to two grams of fat as well. So I was only adding about 30 to 50 calories to my daily total each week. It's a slow increase, but it's the best way to gain muscle and stay lean, as long as you pair it with a weight lifting program," (which she was doing).
"I was able to eat whatever I wanted as long as it fit into my macros!" she said. "I was eating 250 grams of carbs every day, only doing cardio two times per week, and I drank water and consumed sodium all up until the day of the show." She noted this specifically because her diet seemed to be the antithesis of what the other competitors were doing. Here's what Carrie ate (totaling around 2,100 calories per day):
- Breakfast: "Oatmeal with one scoop of protein power, one to two tablespoons of peanut butter, a drizzle of maple syrup, and some chocolate chips."
- Pre-workout: "Sliced apples (apples were easy to adjust when I had to add in more carbs, so the amount of apple slices increased each week) and one chicken breast."
- Post-workout: "Egg whites and sweet potato wedges (also easy to add in more sweet potato when I added in carbs each week) with ketchup."
- Lunch: "Usually a sandwich with whole wheat bread, chicken, a spread (I like to butter my bread - it's an English thing), cheese (one to two ounces) or 1/4 avocado, and carrot sticks."
- Dinner: "Some sort of meat, fat, and veggies combo (a favorite was roasted veggies with coconut oil and ground turkey with some blue cheese on top), although sometimes I ate protein pancakes with peanut butter and syrup because I wanted something sweet!"
- Dessert or Snack: "Cottage cheese and sweet potato chunks (roasted in syrup and cinnamon) with nut butter and chocolate chips and some sort of cookie like Oreos or Chips Ahoy! Sometimes I did an oatmeal bowl with similar toppings."
"Ugly" Politics and a Disappointing Experience
When the time to compete came around, Carrie noticed a distinct favoritism during the event, saying she got a feeling that the contest was more about who you knew and not how hard you worked. "It seemed that girls who worked with certain prep coaches (who had ties to the competition and judges) got placed ahead of those who had lesser known coaches," she told us. "The competition was very political. They always placed those who were working with [an important and well-known] coach in the top five, even if that person clearly wasn't as well prepped as the other competitors."
She told us that it was more than discouraging: "It felt like all the hard work you put in didn't really matter." She also said that though she met "some awesome girls" during her experience, she had different expectations of what the competition would feel like. She didn't realize how "weird" it would feel to be "completely judged on looks and how [she] was able to walk and present [her]self," telling us that it felt more like a beauty pageant on TV than a fitness competition.
"Bikini competitions look glamorous and fun, but there is a lot more 'ugly' behind the scenes . . . It doesn't live up to its hype. It didn't for me."
Behind the Scenes
She remembers chaos backstage: "rooms full of girls with insane tans and over-the-top makeup," a "supercrowded and messy backstage" environment, and "people running around with straighteners and self tanner to touch up," were just a few of the elements she described.
"I was horrified . . . They weren't drinking water, they weren't eating any carbs, they were slaves to cardio . . . it was so hard to hear."
Through her backstage chats, she also got an inside look at how not all women prepare for this kind of competition in a healthy way, and it left her with a sad, heavy feeling. "Women who do these competitions are not always healthy," she said. "A lot of them told me about their diets and workout routines to prep for the show, and I was horrified; they weren't drinking water, they weren't eating any carbs, they were slaves to cardio . . . it was so hard to hear," she said. "It was sad to learn what women put themselves through just for 20 seconds on stage."
She said her preparation was so much more enjoyable and sustainable. "Most of these women bounced way back after the show, because they had deprived themselves for so long," she said. "There are a lot of bad 'competition prep coaches' out there who do things that can really damage you, so you have to be smart about who you choose to work with and what practices they believe in." This realization also fueled Carrie to help other women through her coaching, using the knowledge she had gained through the conversations she had during the competition experience.
Things You Should Know
Some things you may not know about the cosmetic aspect: "You have to use boob and butt glue to hold your suit in place!" she said. And "the spray tans we get are thick and feel disgusting! It took a week for mine to fade, and it faded in a way that I was patchy for a while."
She also noted that you should be prepared for a full day, as this kind of event can try your patience. "On competition day, you are there ALL DAY. You have a call time on stage, so you wait around for that; then you have to wait for the award ceremony, which is the last call of the day. It is a VERY long day of waiting around."
Positive Takeaways
Though it's clear that she won't be back on stage for another round of competing, Carrie did tell us she experienced some seriously positive things - chiefly, her experience with macros, which is what shaped her diet, changed her life, and reframed her nutrition coaching for clients. "The tools I learned through my macronutrient-based diet and through my weight training have stuck with me ever since, and there are healthy aspects that I still implement into my lifestyle today."
"The tools I learned through my macronutrient-based diet and through my weight training have stuck with me ever since."
She also said she "loved gaining some muscle and feeling strong, lean, and toned!" Because she prepared in such a healthy way, she said, "My body had never felt so good in my life, and I was full of energy! I was so proud of myself and proud of how my body looked." Her key learnings for success on diet and exercise? Reverse dieting with weights and HIIT. "[I learned that] reverse dieting is amazing and the best diet to get a lean and toned body, and weight training plus HIIT is the best exercise formula to get that lean and toned look."
But the best part? "I felt really empowered, as I had achieved a goal I set for myself. That's the best feeling in the world." She says if you're looking to feel that sense of accomplishment, set a goal for yourself, then lay out the steps for how you'll achieve it. "You will make it there."
Harry Potter Actor Jim Tavaré Is in Critical Condition After Car Accident
Jim Tavaré was involved in a serious car crash on Monday. The Harry Potter actor - who played the owner of the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - was in a head-on collision that left him with several injuries, including 15 broken ribs, a broken neck, and a punctured lung. His wife, Laura, shared the news on his Facebook page on Tuesday, writing, "Now that his family have been informed, Jim has asked me to let you all know that he was involved in a serious car accident yesterday, a head on collision. He's currently in ICU intensive care. . . . He's had 2 blood transfusions so far and is about to go in for his first surgery. This is for real, not a movie role. Please hold some good thoughts for him as he fights his way out of this." While there are no further details at the moment, our thoughts are with Jim and his family.
Harry Potter Actor Jim Tavaré Is in Critical Condition After Car Accident
Jim Tavaré was involved in a serious car crash on Monday. The Harry Potter actor - who played the owner of the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - was in a head-on collision that left him with several injuries, including 15 broken ribs, a broken neck, and a punctured lung. His wife, Laura, shared the news on his Facebook page on Tuesday, writing, "Now that his family have been informed, Jim has asked me to let you all know that he was involved in a serious car accident yesterday, a head on collision. He's currently in ICU intensive care . . . He's had 2 blood transfusions so far and is about to go in for his first surgery. This is for real, not a movie role. Please hold some good thoughts for him as he fights his way out of this." While there are no further details at the moment, our thoughts are with Jim and his family.
Nicole Kidman Finally Explains Her "Awkward" Clap at the Oscars
One of the most talked-about moments from this year's Oscars (aside from that best picture snafu) was Nicole Kidman's interesting clapping technique. Turns out, Nicole has a simple explanation for it all. During an interview with Australian radio show Kyle and Jackie O, the Big Little Lies actress explained that she was wearing very expensive Harry Winston rings on her fingers that made it difficult for her palms to touch together. "It was really awkward," she said. "I was like, 'I wanna clap, I don't wanna not be clapping' - that'd be worse, right? Like 'Why isn't Nicole clapping?' So therefore I'm clapping, but it was really difficult because I had a huge ring on that was not mine - but it was absolutely gorgeous - and I was terrified of damaging it."
Nicole also commented on that now-infamous big picture mistake, saying, "It was bizarre. I wasn't sure what was going on. No one in the audience was. Then there was some shuffling, envelopes - and people rushing onstage . . . I was like 'What is going on?'" Nicole even thought someone needed medical attention. "I thought someone wasn't well and then I saw people's faces dropping." So there you have it.
Nicole Kidman Finally Explains Her "Awkward" Clap at the Oscars
One of the most talked-about moments from this year's Oscars (aside from that best picture snafu) was Nicole Kidman's interesting clapping technique. Turns out, Nicole has a simple explanation for it all. During an interview with Australian radio show Kyle and Jackie O, the Big Little Lies actress explained that she was wearing very expensive Harry Winston rings on her fingers that made it difficult for her palms to touch together. "It was really awkward," she said. "I was like, 'I wanna clap, I don't wanna not be clapping' - that'd be worse, right? Like 'Why isn't Nicole clapping?' So therefore I'm clapping, but it was really difficult because I had a huge ring on that was not mine - but it was absolutely gorgeous - and I was terrified of damaging it."
Nicole also commented on that now-infamous big picture mistake, saying, "It was bizarre. I wasn't sure what was going on. No one in the audience was. Then there was some shuffling, envelopes - and people rushing onstage . . . I was like 'What is going on?'" Nicole even thought someone needed medical attention. "I thought someone wasn't well and then I saw people's faces dropping." So there you have it.
This Heartbreaking Video Shows the Dangerous Risks of Giving Birth
Maternal mortality rates have more than doubled in the US since 1985, according to a 2013 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another report by the World Health Organization shows approximately 830 women die each day from childbirth- and pregnancy-related causes. Merck, an American pharmaceutical company, has pledged to combat the alarming rates with its $500 million initiative to eliminate pregnancy-related deaths around the world.
To bring awareness to the deadly issue, the company released an intimate and emotional new video that highlights the global maternal mortality crisis from the perspectives of expectant mothers in Cape Town, South Africa; India; and more. "Merck for Mothers is committed to combatting this epidemic," said Mary-Ann Etiebet, executive director of Merck for Mothers. "We hope the PUSH video sheds light on this growing problem and the extent of maternal mortality across the globe."
Watch the powerful video above.
Jennifer Lopez Is Reportedly Dating Alex Rodriguez
Jennifer Lopez may have a new boyfriend in her life. The Shades of Blue actress is reportedly dating Alex Rodriguez, People reports. "They have been dating for a few weeks," a source close to Jennifer confirmed to the publication. "She seems excited. He has been around her family and she really likes that he is a dad. She is aware, though, that he is a ladies' man too and is being cautious. For now, it's just fun. She is single and enjoys dating." The former MLB star's rep had no comment, while Jennifer has yet to respond. Both stars have kids from previous relationships; Jennifer shares twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony, and Alex is dad to daughters Natasha and Ella with ex-wife Cynthia Scurtis. Alex recently called it quits with 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki, while Jennifer famously dated Drake after her split from Casper Smart.
Jennifer Lopez Is Reportedly Dating Alex Rodriguez
Jennifer Lopez may have a new boyfriend in her life. The Shades of Blue actress is reportedly dating Alex Rodriguez, People reports. "They have been dating for a few weeks," a source close to Jennifer confirmed to the publication. "She seems excited. He has been around her family and she really likes that he is a dad. She is aware, though, that he is a ladies' man too and is being cautious. For now, it's just fun. She is single and enjoys dating." The former MLB star's rep had no comment, while Jennifer has yet to respond. Both stars have kids from previous relationships; Jennifer shares twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony, and Alex is dad to daughters Natasha and Ella with ex-wife Cynthia Scurti. Alex recently called it quits with 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki, while Jennifer famously dated Drake after her split from Casper Smart.
33 Delena GIFs That Prove Their Love Will Endure Forever
The Vampire Diaries series finale is only a few days away, and we can hardly stand the wait. While we're anxious to learn which main character will die, we're mostly excited to see Damon and Elena reunite. No matter what happens, I think we can all agree that Delena will always have the greatest love story on the show. Take a trip down memory lane before the final episode of the season, and remember their fairy-tale (sort of) romance.
A Sexy Guide to All the Vampire Diaries Hookups
Like many teen dramas, the characters on The Vampire Diaries hook up often and, it seems, in a lot of combinations. Things get especially weird when you factor in that one actress plays two main characters who have both hooked up with the same two brothers, and if that sentence confused you, don't worry. In preparation for the series finale, we're ironing out all the relationships and love connections on The Vampire Diaries with the help of some sexy makeout GIFs.
- Additional reporting by Kelsie Gibson
23 of Demi Lovato's Most Body-Positive and Confident Workout Pictures
Demi Lovato is known for her badass vocals, but her toned curves are just as noteworthy. The "Confident" singer has been open about her struggles with eating disorders and self-esteem in the past, and she's using her recovery story to promote a body-positive message on stage, on social media, and - of course - in the gym.
Whether she's simply warming up, mid-workout, or cooling down after a tough sweat session, Demi loves sharing her inspirational progress. Read on to see exactly how she stays fit, and then admire her striking Hollywood evolution.
Dwayne Johnson Celebrates Women's Day With a Post That Everyone Needs to Read
Stars wasted no time in celebrating International Women's Day on Wednesday. While many hit the streets to participate in rallies and protests, others showed their support for the holiday that seeks to honor the achievements of women on Instagram. One of those people was Dwayne Johnson. Along with a photo collage featuring mom Ata, girlfriend Lauren Hashian, and daughters Simone and Jasmine, Dwayne penned a touching note that reads as follows:
"Not a day goes by where I don't think about the women in my life, shake my head and consider myself the luckiest SOB on earth. I come from a family of beautiful, strong, diverse and intelligent women. They inspire and challenge me daily to become a better man, father and role model. My love and respect for them is boundless. The world's a better place because of you and I'm a very grateful man to be by your sides. To ALL the women out there of all ages and races.. THANK YOU. Lift you up and love you. #InternationalWomensDay."
Nicely said, Dwayne.
Here's Where You Can Get Your Hands on Hello Kitty Wine
Hello Kitty wine just might be the cutest way to get your buzz on. In case you weren't already aware, the official Hello Kitty Wine is made in partnership by Italy's Torti Winery and Sanrio, the Japanese company that created Hello Kitty. While it's been in distribution since 2007 in some European and Asian markets, fans are getting excited to taste the wine in a whole new way. An Italian restaurant in Santa Ana, CA, called Antonello Ristorante will exclusively sell Hello Kitty Wine by the glass and the bottle (and to go!). From Oct. 12 through Nov. 12 2016, the restaurant served a Hello Kitty tasting menu that included a salad with a watermelon shaped like Hello Kitty, pink pasta shaped like the iconic hair bow, and chocolate cake shaped like Hello Kitty.
We haven't gotten our hands on a bottle to taste it yet, but our LA-based video producer has. According to Nicole Iizuka, "The Rosé is very sweet, but not cloyingly so. It smells fruitier than it tastes, and the color is really pretty. The Hello Kitty Angel Wine is a very refreshing and easy to drink white that also had notes of sweetness but is very sippable chilled. It's good for Summer and would be nice with fish, or chicken, or loads of veggies."
If you're not one of the lucky ones able to dine at the Southern California restaurant, you can spot the wine at select specialty wine and grocery stores.
Liberal backbenchers defy cabinet wishes and vote to enact genetic discrimination law
Liberal backbench MPs joined forces with opposition parties Wednesday evening to reject attempts by the government to gut a genetic discrimination bill, overwhelmingly passing the legislation into law and defying the wishes of cabinet.
Dwayne Johnson Celebrates Women's Day With a Post That Everyone Needs to Read
Stars wasted no time in celebrating International Women's Day on Wednesday. While many hit the streets to participate in rallies and protests, others showed their support for the holiday that seeks to honor the achievements of women on Instagram. One of those people was Dwayne Johnson. Along with a photo collage featuring mom Ata, girlfriend Lauren Hashian, and daughters Simone and Jasmine, Dwayne penned a touching note that reads as follows:
"Not a day goes by where I don't think about the women in my life, shake my head and consider myself the luckiest SOB on earth. I come from a family of beautiful, strong, diverse and intelligent women. They inspire and challenge me daily to become a better man, father and role model. My love and respect for them is boundless. The world's a better place because of you and I'm a very grateful man to be by your sides. To ALL the women out there of all ages and races.. THANK YOU. Lift you up and love you. #InternationalWomensDay."
Nicely said, Dwayne.
Liberal backbenchers defy cabinet wishes and vote to enact genetic discrimination law
Liberal backbench MPs joined forces with opposition parties Wednesday evening to reject attempts by the government to gut a genetic discrimination bill, overwhelmingly passing the legislation into law and defying the wishes of cabinet.
You'll Never Look at Your Lipstick the Same Way After Seeing It Under a Microscope
When you buy a new lipstick, you probably note its color, texture, and longevity, but have you ever stopped to think about why your favorite lip products look and feel the way they do? Well if you have, Reddit user Amy Oyler (also known as The Scientific Mom) has some answers! Oyler swatched some of her favorite lip products from Tarte, Benefit, Wet N Wild, and more, then inspected them beneath a microscope. The results were a colorful, crystal wonderland!
Oyler's experiment revealed a seriously gorgeous side of makeup chemistry, and luckily for us she's not finished. She promised commenters in the Reddit thread of her microscope photos that she'll try eye shadow, highlighter, and blush next! We can't wait to see how our favorite shimmery highlights look close up - we're prepared for a magical, Frozen-esque wonderland.
Read on for some of Oyler's fascinating lipstick images and takeaways, then check out her full breakdown of the curious science of makeup production on her blog.
The 1 Change Prince William and Kate Middleton Made to Their Wedding Vows
Prince William and Kate Middleton said their "I dos" in a gorgeous ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London in April 2011. There were so many beautiful moments to behold from their big day, but one that really had us in tears was when the couple recited their wedding vows. While Will and Kate exchanged traditional wedding vows from the Book of Common Prayer, they made one slight tweak - they removed the word "obey." The first royal bride to drop the word was William's late mother, Princess Diana, who omitted it when she married Prince Charles in 1981. Check out their wedding vows in full below.
Archbishop: "William Arthur Philip Louis, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
Prince William: "I will."
Archbishop to Catherine: "Catherine Elizabeth, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"
Kate Middleton: "I will."
Archbishop: "Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?"
PW: "I, William Arthur Philip Louis, take thee, Catherine Elizabeth to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth."
KM: "I, Catherine Elizabeth, take thee, William Arthur Philip Louis, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth."
Archbishop: "Bless, O Lord, this ring, and grant that he who gives it and she who shall wear it may remain faithful to each other, and abide in thy peace and favor, and live together in love until their lives' end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
PW: "With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honor; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Archbishop: "Let us pray. O Eternal God, Creator, and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name; that, living faithfully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge; and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.For as much as William and Catherine have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen."
The 1 Change Prince William and Kate Middleton Made to Their Wedding Vows
Prince William and Kate Middleton said their "I dos" in a gorgeous ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London in April 2011. There were so many beautiful moments to behold from their big day, but one that really had us in tears was when the couple recited their wedding vows. While Will and Kate exchanged traditional wedding vows from the Book of Common Prayer, they made one slight tweak - they removed the word "obey." The first royal bride to drop the word was William's late mother, Princess Diana, who omitted it when she married Prince Charles in 1981. Check out their wedding vows in full below.
Archbishop: "William Arthur Philip Louis, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
Prince William: "I will."
Archbishop to Catherine: "Catherine Elizabeth, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"
Kate Middleton: "I will."
Archbishop: "Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?"
PW: "I, William Arthur Philip Louis, take thee, Catherine Elizabeth to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth."
KM: "I, Catherine Elizabeth, take thee, William Arthur Philip Louis, to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth."
Archbishop: "Bless, O Lord, this ring, and grant that he who gives it and she who shall wear it may remain faithful to each other, and abide in thy peace and favor, and live together in love until their lives' end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
PW: "With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honor; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Archbishop: "Let us pray. O Eternal God, Creator, and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life: send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name; that, living faithfully together, they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge; and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.For as much as William and Catherine have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen."
12 Dressings That Guarantee Your Salad Won't Suck
Eating a salad without dressing is like eating an ice cream sundae without fudge or caramel - you just don't do it! If your go-to dressing is store-bought or simple oil and vinegar, let these vinaigrette and creamy dressing recipes inspire you to upgrade your homemade salads.
What It's Like to Be Both Mexican and Jewish
Although you may think that all Latinos are Catholic, this is incorrect. I was born in Mexico City, and, like my parents, I was raised Jewish.
My life in Mexico was pretty simple; I lived in a Jewish bubble. I went to a Jewish day school, had only Jewish friends, and lived in a primarily Jewish neighborhood. While I was aware that I was a minority, it never really affected me. I loved participating in traditionally Mexican events. One of my favorite memories of Mexico is when my mom took me to the cemetery to join the Día de los Muertos festivities. I was amazed at all the unique and beautiful colors, food, and photos that decorated the graves.
I never felt ashamed of being Jewish and only later realized that some Mexicans didn't consider me a "real Mexican." One day, a local vendor walking around Mexico City's Centro Histórico called me a güera (blonde). He was basically calling me a gringa due to my pale skin. It caught me by surprise and probably hurt me more than I could even understand at that time.
My life changed when I moved to Miami when I was 8 years old. I no longer went to a Jewish school, most of my friends weren't Jewish, and the people I met were from all over Latin America. My Latino-Jewish friends understood my background and upbringing perfectly, and most of them were raised with similar experiences. Just like me, they had grown up in Jewish neighborhoods in places like Colombia or Venezuela and moved to Miami seeking a better and safer life. I also had a lot in common with my non-Jewish Latin friends. We bonded over food and culture, as well as our nagging Latino parents.
My first real culture shock occurred when an American-Jewish girl asked me if it was my dad who was Mexican and my mom Jewish, or the other way around. She couldn't fathom both my parents being Jewish and Mexican. Since then, I've probably gotten asked a variation of this question a million times. Even other Jewish people have a hard time understanding my background. People ask me, "If you're a Mexican Jew, then that has to mean you're Sephardic, right?" or "You can't be Ashkenazi, you're from Mexico" or even, "How are you white AND Mexican?"
Judaism includes several ethnic divisions, but Sephardic and Ashkenazi are two of the most common. A Sephardic Jew is someone whose family originates from places like Spain, Turkey, Portugal, and Greece; an Ashkenazi Jew's family originates from Central and Eastern Europe and Russia. A lot of people assume that because I'm from a Spanish-speaking country, my ancestors must have come from Spain, but I have no connection to Spain whatsoever. Three out of my four grandparents migrated from Russia, Lithuania, and Poland to Mexico after the Holocaust, making me three-fourths Ashkenazi. I'm also a fourth Sephardic because my paternal grandfather migrated from Turkey to Mexico in the 1900s.
On the Jewish sabbath, my family dines on Mexican-Jewish dishes like like gefilte fish a la Veracruzana or schnitzel with salsa verde.Another part of my upbringing that people are intrigued by is what food is served in my house. Sometimes, we eat traditional Mexican food like sopes and taquitos, and other times we eat Jewish food like matzah ball soup and kugel. Every Friday night on the Jewish sabbath, my family dines on Mexican-Jewish dishes like like gefilte fish a la Veracruzana (fish patties cooked in a spicy tomato sauce) or schnitzel with salsa verde. The only time my family can't enjoy traditional Mexican dishes is when they don't meet Jewish dietary laws and include food like pork and shellfish, which aren't kosher.
My Mexican-Jewish traditions didn't seem that unique to me until I moved to Boston for college. It was then that I realized I couldn't relate to many American-Jewish traditions. Many of my new American-Jewish friends had gone to Jewish schools, attended a Jewish sleepaway camp every Summer, and joined Jewish youth groups during the school year. I had never stepped foot in a sleepaway camp, and the last Jewish school I had attended was in Mexico.
However, it was the different song and prayer tunes they used in synagogue that really opened my eyes. Songs that I had learned in Mexico and Miami were completely different in Boston. I ultimately realized that these are differences that every foreigner deals with. College introduced me to people from different parts of the world, of different cultures and religions. Although some Latinos viewed me as a faux-Latina due to my religion, others saw beyond that and saw me as one of them.
If there is one thing that being a Mexican Jew has taught me, it is the importance of both my family and my heritage. I may not know what's ahead for me, but I do know this: my kids will be raised in a Spanish-speaking home with chilaquiles for breakfast, baklava for dessert, and Shabbat dinners every Friday night.
The 9 Things You Need to Know About Fashion Month
After the runways wrapped - and all along the way - we've been tuned into Fashion Month's reoccurring themes to zero in on the trends we'll be seeing everywhere come Fall. When the dust finally settled, we narrowed it down to nine major looks - from the coats that'll change up your look from the outside in to the color palette you'll see cropping up all over the racks, this is the list that'll guide your outfit planning and your shopping. Read on and soak it in - folks, this is the future of fashion.
Netflix's Powerful Tribute to Women Should Be a Wake-Up Call
Today. Every day. http://pic.twitter.com/ARsQW22fQi
- Netflix US (@netflix) March 8, 2017
Wednesday marks International Women's Day, and in honor of the A Day Without a Woman movement, Netflix has shared a short (but powerful) video. By stringing together clips from some of the most popular shows, Netflix highlights exactly what your streaming experience would be like if women weren't there - you can imagine how boring Orange Is the New Black would be.
All joking aside though, it's an important reminder that not only do we need women (of every diverse background) in front of the camera, but we also need them behind the camera, too. It's great that we're getting so many different stories on TV now, but Hollywood has barely made a dent in elevating female directors and producers; real progress is still needed.
Chrissy Metz: "I Do Want to Lose Weight, but Not Because Anyone Is Telling Me To"
From the moment we were introduced to Kate, Chrissy Metz's character on the new hit series This Is Us, we were moved by her candid struggle to lose weight. We've found ourselves rooting for her success episode after episode. Chrissy been very open about how her character's struggle to lose weight parallels her own personal life, and now she's discussing her realistic body goals and her fears about her weight. In a new interview with Marie Claire, the 36-year-old actress reveals that she may call herself a lot of things - e.g., "overweight," "big," and "plus-size" - but "fat" is not something she likes to think of herself as.
"I do want to lose weight," Chrissy said. "But not because anyone is telling me to do it." We recently learned that weight loss was in Chrissy contract for the show, but she's reiterating that it wasn't an "if you don't lose weight, you'll be fired" situation. "Nothing is mandated. It's not like, 'If you sign this contract you have to do this.' We haven't even talked about an actual number with Kate. Ever."
But in real life, Chrissy's goals are clear: "To be proportioned." She admitted that she wears a size 18 or 20 in pants and that she carries more weight in her stomach. "I just want to have . . . not even a number, but to have my body in a different shape," Chrissy explained.
While Kate has tried many different ways to lose weight, such as therapy and weight-loss camp on the show, Chrissy's real-life approach is a little "mellower" but a more rigid, all-or-nothing approach is not out of the question. "I would love to go on The Biggest Loser, where it's a concentrated thing," she explained.
"My father is a big guy," Chrissy shared. "He's had a quadruple bypass surgery, and that's scary. Those are real things that happen in families with overweight people, and I don't want that." It's incredible how open she is about her struggles and her goals to lose weight in a healthy way. We can't wait to see where Chrissy's journey takes her, both on the screen and off the screen.
Check out her full interview here.
Chrissy Metz: "I Do Want to Lose Weight, but Not Because Anyone Is Telling Me To"
From the moment we were introduced to Kate, Chrissy Metz's character on the new hit series This Is Us, we were moved by her candid struggle to lose weight. We've found ourselves rooting for her success episode after episode. Chrissy been very open about how her character's struggle to lose weight parallels her own personal life, and now she's discussing her realistic body goals and her fears about her weight. In a new interview with Marie Claire, the 36-year-old actress reveals that she may call herself a lot of things - e.g., "overweight," "big," and "plus-size" - but "fat" is not something she likes to think of herself as.
"I do want to lose weight," Chrissy said. "But not because anyone is telling me to do it." We recently learned that weight loss was in Chrissy contract for the show, but she's reiterating that it wasn't an "if you don't lose weight, you'll be fired" situation. "Nothing is mandated. It's not like, 'If you sign this contract you have to do this.' We haven't even talked about an actual number with Kate. Ever."
But in real life, Chrissy's goals are clear: "To be proportioned." She admitted that she wears a size 18 or 20 in pants and that she carries more weight in her stomach. "I just want to have . . . not even a number, but to have my body in a different shape," Chrissy explained.
While Kate has tried many different ways to lose weight, such as therapy and weight-loss camp on the show, Chrissy's real-life approach is a little "mellower" but a more rigid, all-or-nothing approach is not out of the question. "I would love to go on The Biggest Loser, where it's a concentrated thing," she explained.
"My father is a big guy," Chrissy shared. "He's had a quadruple bypass surgery, and that's scary. Those are real things that happen in families with overweight people, and I don't want that." It's incredible how open she is about her struggles and her goals to lose weight in a healthy way. We can't wait to see where Chrissy's journey takes her, both on the screen and off the screen.
Check out her full interview here.
We Know You've Been Wondering What Michelle Obama Has Been Up to Since Leaving the White House
When Barack Obama officially left the White House on Jan. 20, not only did we lose our beloved president but we also had to say goodbye to our fearless first lady, Michelle. On Inauguration Day, Michelle and Barack released a video detailing their plans for the coming months, which included getting some sleep, spending quality time with their family, and taking a break from social media - you know, normal stuff. While many of us are still reeling from their departure, it's safe to say that Michelle is doing just fine without us.
If You Experience Hormonal Breakouts, You'll Thank God For This Mask
I've yet to find a woman who hasn't encountered this issue: you're about to embark on that time of the month, and your skin appears to be mirroring just how annoyed, inflamed, and pissed off you feel on the inside. (If you haven't, please DM me immediately so I can paint a full picture.) But I've found something that has helped my skin during this monthly visit - premenstrual, if you will - and it doesn't require removing my uterus. Yay! In fact, it's a face mask, and it's going to be something you will wish they sold at Costco. Someone just get me a giant vat of this stuff.
The mask comes from Renée Rouleau, Demi Lovato's go-to esthetician and Texas native. She has helped me with two major skin care woes in my life, issues that have plagued me. First, she is the one who identified that I had melasma when I was 25. Mid-20s me thought the dark spots on my forehead and cheeks, which could appear to be shadows to the naked eye, were remnants of my self-tanner that I wasn't able to wash off. (To be young and naive.) It was during a facial at her Dallas location that she gently brought up that I had melasma and informed me of what triggered it: my birth control.
This changed my life. Seriously. I got off birth control, something I was able to do without worry at the time. I stopped upsetting my melanocytes - the cells that produce melanin, or pigment, in the skin - with heated, aggressive treatments. (For the most part.) I wore a hat to the beach and aspired to stay out of the heat in general, knowing the temperature could set my melasma off. And although there's a little bit on my forehead, it's less noticeable than it once was.
Then, a few years later, I had a breakout after leaving the Coachella Valley. God help me. My cheeks were ridden with red bumps and pustules, something I knew wasn't normal, and I realized they recurred each time I left Palm Springs. My (since dropped) dermatologist was quick to prescribe me pills to kill whatever it was, but wanting actual answers, I wrote Renée, who is now based in Austin. She asked me a variety of questions about my weekend that helped her pinpoint what I was experiencing: acne cosmetica. Spending long days in the dry climate with heavy winds and an oil-based foundation meant my pores were being blocked by my foundation and increased my oil production, resulting in what looks like a breakout. She made an easy suggestion: wear powder foundation on your next trip. And you know what? I haven't had a breakout in the desert since!
Now you know that I trust this woman. She dug deeper than my dermatologist bothered to in order to find the right solution. This is incredibly helpful when you're trying to fix any skin issue you have; it is invaluable.
Visiting Renée over Golden Globes weekend, I got a chance to receive a facial and learn about her new products. First, she told me I needed to "put the fire out of my skin." It was inflamed as hell, and I had several cysts that I hadn't battled with in some time. And truth be told, it kind of comes with the territory when you're testing skin care products regularly, but she reminded me that I must be gentle. She took a minute to give my skin a chill pill in the form of a rubber mask, then introduced me to her newest baby, an anti-breakout solution for hormonal acne that won't dry out your skin: the Rapid Response Detox Masque ($61).
Is it too good to be true? No. It works. I've tested it for a month, and I'm currently wearing the sheerest foundation I own - a compact from Laneige - if that gives you any indication. It works to help with clogged pores that result from travel, hormones, and even sleeping with makeup on. Renée suggests it for premenstrual acne to help "disrupt the acne cycle." This is mask is lightweight and dreamy; when it dries, it doesn't feel hard, sticky, or taut. Renée suggests exfoliating before applying the mask, so lightly scrub or use a peel to help get rid of dead skin. The mask itself is a golden, shimmery gel. Slather it on and let the following eliminate your future breakouts: tea tree leaf oil is antimicrobial and an anti-inflammatory that helps with acne bacteria. Helping to stop inflammation is key when it comes to getting rid of your breakouts, which is why she also included lichocalchone, or Chinese licorice, which helps soothe the skin. Manuka branch/leaf oil helps with the microbial - or bacteria - count on your skin's surface, and she included a salicylic acid complex to help exfoliate and reduce oil.
This mask doesn't include parabens, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, SD alcohol, or gluten, which my skin was thrilled about. I use it once a week, and it's recommended you leave on for about 15 minutes. (I tend to go over since I get distracted and forget I have it on.) Many masks take a few minutes to get off because they leave patches of product behind. This slides off the skin easily and leaves your with a glow afterward.
Investing in your skin, period, is always a good idea, but especially during that time of the month. My skin will take any help it can get!
We Know You've Been Wondering What Michelle Obama Has Been Up to Since Leaving the White House
When Barack Obama officially left the White House on Jan. 20, not only did we lose our beloved president but we also had to say goodbye to our fearless first lady, Michelle. On Inauguration Day, Michelle and Barack released a video detailing their plans for the coming months, which included getting some sleep, spending quality time with their family, and taking a break from social media - you know, normal stuff. While many of us are still reeling from their departure, it's safe to say that Michelle is doing just fine without us.
21 Times Olivia Pope Was So Perfect You Just Couldn't Deal
Now is the perfect time to take a look at some of the most badass, inspiring, and thoughtful Olivia Pope moments on Scandal. It's safe to say she's experienced her ups and downs, but whether she's dealing with an issue in her love life or in her career, one thing is for sure: it's handled. Still, despite that tough, sophisticated exterior, Olivia also has a soft side. Somehow, between her fierce one-liners, her impeccable style, and her deep, deep love for wine, Olivia manages to be both impossibly put-together and, in some ways, totally relatable. Ahead of this week's episode, take a look at perfect Olivia Pope moments you can't help but obsess over - in GIFs.
The Best Frozen Italian Foods From Trader Joe's, Hands Down
You might not realize that some of the best store-bought Italian foods can be found in Trader Joe's frozen aisle, but it's true. Whether you're in the mood for pasta, pizza, or dessert, there's a Trader Giotto's frozen item that's sure to satisfy your cravings within minutes - and on the cheap. Read on for our personal favorite frozen Italian foods from Trader Joe's, based on plenty of trial and error experiences with resorting to frozen dinners on busy nights.
Daenerys Targaryen Is Easily the Fiercest Badass in the Seven Kingdoms
It goes without saying that Game of Thrones really puts us through the ringer. Sometimes it leaves us emotionally scarred and broken, sometimes it bestows us with amazing quotes, and most of the time, it gives us too many butts to keep track of. When it really comes down to it, though, you have to admit that the character who gives us all the most life is Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, Mother of Dragons, and 2016 Emmy nominee. Keep reading to see why she's just so effing fierce.
16 Gina Rodriguez Quotes That Will Inspire You to Follow Your Dreams
The minute Gina Rodriguez, star of Jane the Virgin, finished that 2015 Golden Globes speech after winning the statue for best actress in a comedy series, she was named the "next big thing" in Hollywood. The Puerto Rican beauty is talented, beautiful, and so funny, but what captured our hearts was her shining smile, infectious charm, and delightful attitude, not to mention incredible self-awareness.
She often credits her parents and intense work ethic for making her childhood dreams come true and often gives advice to fans on how to do it too. She is not shy when it comes to discussing her upbringing and the industry's portrayal of Latinos on TV and in movies, saying in an interview with Cosmopolitan, "acting is how I'll be able to change how Latinos are viewed in media and change how little girls see and talk about themselves." But it doesn't end there - Gina is a fountain of inspiring words. Keep reading to get just a few empowering quotes that will make you love her even more, then find out what she said was the best advice she ever got.
This Little Boy Dressed as His Broadway Idol For Black History Month
Nine-year-old Brendan O'Brien absolutely loves theater, so when his fourth grade class had to choose icons for a Black History Month project, six-time Tony-winning actress Audra McDonald was a no-brainer pick for Brendan.
James Corden and His Wife Look Like 2 Teenagers in Love
James Corden and wife Julia Carey looked smitten when they stepped out in LA on Wednesday. The couple - who is nearing their fifth year of marriage - walked arm and arm and shared a sweet kiss during their sunny stroll. While their outing certainly wasn't as glamorous as the Vanity Fair Oscars party they attended in February, it was still incredibly cute. Hopefully this means we'll get to see more of the pair in the months to come - perhaps Julia will make a special appearance on one of James's Carpool Karaoke sessions?
This Little Boy Dressed as His Broadway Idol For Black History Month
Nine-year-old Brendan O'Brien absolutely loves theater, so when his fourth grade class had to choose icons for a Black History Month project, six-time Tony-winning actress Audra McDonald was a no-brainer pick for Brendan.
James Corden and His Wife Look Like 2 Teenagers in Love
James Corden and wife Julia Carey looked smitten when they stepped out in LA on Wednesday. The couple - who is nearing their fifth year of marriage - walked arm and arm and shared a sweet kiss during their sunny stroll. While their outing certainly wasn't as glamorous as the Vanity Fair Oscars party they attended in February, it was still incredibly cute. Hopefully this means we'll get to see more of the pair in the months to come - perhaps Julia will make a special appearance on one of James's Carpool Karaoke sessions?
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