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 6 avril 2017
This Mom's Hilarious Cartoons About Pregnancy Problems Will Be the Funniest Thing You See All Day
Nobody ever said that being a mom is glamorous. And although there's plenty of talk about that wonderful pregnancy glow, most moms can relate to the less seductive side effects that everyone experiences but few talk about. You get sick, you get hairy, and you get big.
Illustrator and mother of two Line Severinsen can't help but laugh at these "joys" of motherhood and started making hysterical cartoons of her real-life pregnancy problems. From pining over a glass of wine to judgmental strangers staring when you breastfeed in public, her relatable illustrations have developed with her motherhood experiences.
"I thought to myself that there is no way that no other people felt and looked like I did," she wrote. "So I wanted to create a counterpoint to help people like me to understand that they weren't alone and that it is OK to feel and act less than perfect sometimes."
While we don't know whether to laugh or cry at how spot-on some of these illustrations are, we're just glad to see that we aren't the only ones who've been there!
This Is the Diet to Go On If You Want to Lose Weight (According to Harvard Researchers)
If you want to lose weight, what's on your plate is often more important than the minutes you spend in the gym. And if you want to see the most change, a 2015 study from Harvard says you should be cutting carbs, not fat.
For the study, published in PLoS One, researchers from Harvard and Brigham and Women's Hospital reviewed 53 randomized trials of over 68,000 patients who had been assigned to either low-fat or low-carb diets. They found that low-carb diets were consistently better at helping patients lose weight than low-fat diets; the participants on the low-carb diets lost 2.5 pounds more than those on low-fat diets, with the average weight loss among all groups at about six pounds.
This latest study on the weight-loss benefits of a low-carb diet adds further evidence that if you want to lose weight, ditching bread - not olive oil - can help you see success. Another recent study, for example, showed that dieters who ate fewer than 40 grams of carbohydrates per day lost about eight pounds more than dieters who were put on a low-fat diet. Other studies have shown that high-carb diets may be the real heart-disease culprit, not saturated fat. All in all, this new review is a good reminder that if you want to lose weight, you should choose a diet rich in healthy fats, lean proteins, and fresh produce. Of course, not all fats are created equal - find out which healthy fats you should be incorporating into your diet here.
Do These 6 Things on Sunday to Lose Weight All Week Long
You know you should be eating right and exercising all week to reach your weight-loss goals, but when you're so rushed between work and family responsibilities, it's tough to have time to make it happen. A little planning goes a long way, so here are some things you can do on Sunday to ensure you stay on a healthy path all week long.
Plan Your Workouts
Don't just think to yourself that you'll squeeze in a run here and a trip to the gym there - plan it out. Sit down with your weekly calendar and jot down every workout just as you would doctor's appointments and meetings. Use this time to call your fitness buddy or trainer to make dates, check out studio schedules to find classes you want to take, and check the week's weather to figure out which days will be best for outdoor workouts.
Hit the Hamper
Nothing puts a damper on a workout more than not being able to find a clean sports bra, so do a couple loads before Monday, making sure you have everything you need, from your running tights to yoga tops to the towel you use to wipe sweat from your brow. Lay out your outfits for each day's workout so you're not running around the house Tuesday morning trying to find your missing sock.
Gather Your Gear
Collect whatever you need to work out - a yoga mat, sneakers, or earbuds - and make sure everything is set so you can easily grab the items throughout the week. Pack your gym bag, and put it by the door or in your car so you won't forget it when you leave for the day. If you exercise at home, put your favorite fitness video in the DVD player and lay out your dumbbells and resistance band. Sunday is also a great time to make a couple new playlists to inspire your kick-ass workouts (if you don't have time, subscribe to our workout playlists on Spotify).
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Jenny Sugar
Plan Your Meals and Snacks
Sit down and write out a weekly eating plan including all meals and snacks for the week. If you need a little inspiration, check out these healthy recipes. After making out a grocery list to include everything you'll need to whip them up, hit the health food store and stock up for the week. Since produce is best enjoyed within a few days of purchasing, note what fruits and veggies you'll want to pick up halfway through the week.
Make things even easier by prepping in advance: wash, cut, and store veggies to be used in dinner recipes, cut up fruit for smoothies or snacks, and cook up some whole grains and store them in the fridge. Cook some of these make-ahead breakfasts in advance, like a week of overnight oats, or turn on the crockpot to make something you can eat a few nights that week, like these under-400-calorie meals.
Pack It Up
If you'll be away from home during the day, cut down on the temptation to go out to lunch or grab a cookie by packing lunches and snacks from home. Making five salads for the week is easy and healthy, or you can whip up a big pot of soup and freeze small portions in glass containers to grab for lunch. Also set aside 10 snacks for the week (two per day), such as Greek yogurt, cheese sticks, and containers of carrots and hummus, or measure out 100-calorie portions of trail mix, whole-grain crackers, or cereal. It'll probably take about an hour to get it all ready, but it'll end up saving you time during the rest of the week.
Hit the Hay
Once everything is all set, take a nice hot bath, slip on your PJs, and hop into bed early. Unwind with an evening yoga sequence or a calming book, and you're more likely to have a good night's sleep and wake up refreshed for the week ahead.
Queen Elizabeth II Took the Throne at a Crazy-Young Age
Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, at Windsor Castle in July 1946. Image Source: Getty / Lisa Sheridan
Think back a moment to your mid-20s: you were likely just settling into postgrad life, landing your first adult job, and trying to balance fun nights out with paying back your student loans. Or maybe you're in your mid-20s right now, trying to navigate the world after college, on the prowl for a significant other, and trying to balance your desire to travel the world with the responsibility of paying rent on time.
Imagine at that time having the responsibility of running a country - wait, more like four countries - placed on your shoulders. That's exactly what happened to Queen Elizabeth II in 1952 when her father, King George VI, died and she was appointed to the throne. At the time, she was only 25 years old - a 25-year-old woman who, for all intents and purposes, was not expected to become queen; Elizabeth's uncle, Prince Edward, inherited the throne from King George V, and many assumed he would marry and have children of his own (that would knock Elizabeth down the line of succession). But in 1936, when Elizabeth was just 10, Edward abdicated the throne to marry his divorced mistress, American socialite Wallis Simpson, and George VI took over. For the first 10 years of her life, Elizabeth would have been just like today's Princess Beatrice: a distant heir to the throne. Nobody predicted that George would fall ill and pass away so soon - he was only 56 - but those royal duties quickly became hers.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arriving back in England to mourn the death of her father, King George VI, in February 1952. Image Source: Getty / Popperfoto
In early 1952, Elizabeth and Prince Philip, whom she had married four years earlier, set out for a tour of Australia and New Zealand with a stop in Kenya. While at their Kenyan home, Sagana Lodge, they got word that the king had died - and that Elizabeth was now queen. It was Prince Philip who broke the news to her, and when she was asked to choose a regnal name, she opted to "of course" remain Elizabeth. She and Prince Philip headed back to London and almost immediately moved into Buckingham Palace. In June 1953, Elizabeth was coronated at Westminster Abbey; Prince Charles and Princess Anne, who were just four and two at the time, respectively, were present for the big event.
Queen Elizabeth II on the Buckingham Palace balcony after her coronation in June 1953. Image Source: Getty / Hulton Archive
Since taking the throne, Elizabeth has become head of the Commonwealth (which currently includes 52 countries) as well as queen of another 12 countries that have become independent since her accession. In 2015, she broke an astounding record, becoming the UK's longest reigning British monarch (the previous record of 23,226 days was held by Queen Victoria). She's celebrated huge milestones with her Silver, Golden, and Diamond Jubilees, and in 2017, she became the first British monarch to commemorate a Sapphire Jubilee, marking 65 years of her reign. Elizabeth is certainly not your average 90-year-old, but the duties and challenges she's taken on since becoming queen can still inspire all women - whether you're in the throes of your 20s right now or looking back on those heady days with fondness.
This Lebanese Bride's Custom Wedding Dress Was So Magical, It Got Its Own Hashtag
Dana Wolley is a fashion influencer located in the Middle East, and she's got quite the eclectic taste. You can imagine, then, that her wedding dress was not typical. In fact, Dana didn't just have one gown, but three special pieces that she wore for various ceremonies when she married Samer Zayat. The couple's nuptials took place this past Summer, but Dana just 'grammed a throwback photo that reminded us how magical her Esposa Prive silhouette was. It wasn't white, but a champagne shade that was covered in ornate beading and complemented by Mouawad jewels.
Dana danced the night away in Nicholas Kirkwood platforms that she called "the most comfortable bridal shoe ever." Needless to say, we'd sacrifice a little comfort for a heel complete with a genuine hand-picked pearl too. As unique as all the little details might be, we were struck most by the process of designing a dress from start to finish, which Dana documented on Instagram. Read on to see how she finally arrived at her majestic look, and check out the other outfits she slipped into before the reception even began.
This Mom Wasn't Surprised by Strangers' Stares - but 1 Person's Comment Left Her in Tears
When Pam De Almeida took her 18-month-old daughter to Tim Horton's, she almost expected the stares and whispers.
Sophia was born with Down syndrome, and even though the pair are frequently met with prolonged glances from strangers, the women craning their necks for a better look on that particular morning really bothered Pam. Just as she was trying to keep the oblivious strangers from ruining her day, the Canadian mother-of-two saw another unknown couple approaching and steeled herself for the worst.
But instead of unkind questions or rude remarks, the man sweetly greeted Sophia with a high five and a handshake. His eyes filled with tears as he told Pam that he had a story he'd like to share with her but didn't know if he would be able to get through it without choking up.
"He told me that he had watched the news last night. There was an interview of a mother who had recently given birth to a child with a major disability," Pam shared on her Facebook page, Slice of Life. This particular mom was on the news defending her decision to keep her baby who had Down syndrome and not terminate the pregnancy despite her doctor encouraging her to do so.
"He said, 'The point is, you never know a person's impact on the world. You can never know what a person is able to do unless you give them a chance,'" Pam recalled. "He looked at me just before he turned to walk away and said, 'You are a beautiful person. Your daughter is beautiful. Congratulations!'"
Pam immediately started crying in the middle of the coffee shop not only because of the man's kind words but also because he was the first to ever say them. "That man was the first complete stranger to ever congratulate me on the birth of my daughter, Sophia," Pam reflected. "He was the first complete stranger to recognize her worth. Her value. Her beauty. In a world where my daughter's life is whispered about, where she is stared at, this man saw her importance."
This Is the Diet to Go On If You Want to Lose Weight (According to Harvard Researchers)
If you want to lose weight, what's on your plate is often more important than the minutes you spend in the gym. And if you want to see the most change, a 2015 study from Harvard says you should be cutting carbs, not fat.
For the study, published in PLoS One, researchers from Harvard and Brigham and Women's Hospital reviewed 53 randomized trials of over 68,000 patients who had been assigned to either low-fat or low-carb diets. They found that low-carb diets were consistently better at helping patients lose weight than low-fat diets; the participants on the low-carb diets lost 2.5 pounds more than those on low-fat diets, with the average weight loss among all groups at about six pounds.
This latest study on the weight-loss benefits of a low-carb diet adds further evidence that if you want to lose weight, ditching bread - not olive oil - can help you see success. Another recent study, for example, showed that dieters who ate fewer than 40 grams of carbohydrates per day lost about eight pounds more than dieters who were put on a low-fat diet. Other studies have shown that high-carb diets may be the real heart-disease culprit, not saturated fat. All in all, this new review is a good reminder that if you want to lose weight, you should choose a diet rich in healthy fats, lean proteins, and fresh produce. Of course, not all fats are created equal - find out which healthy fats you should be incorporating into your diet here.
Do These 6 Things on Sunday to Lose Weight All Week Long
You know you should be eating right and exercising all week to reach your weight-loss goals, but when you're so rushed between work and family responsibilities, it's tough to have time to make it happen. A little planning goes a long way, so here are some things you can do on Sunday to ensure you stay on a healthy path all week long.
Plan Your Workouts
Don't just think to yourself that you'll squeeze in a run here and a trip to the gym there - plan it out. Sit down with your weekly calendar and jot down every workout just as you would doctor's appointments and meetings. Use this time to call your fitness buddy or trainer to make dates, check out studio schedules to find classes you want to take, and check the week's weather to figure out which days will be best for outdoor workouts.
Hit the Hamper
Nothing puts a damper on a workout more than not being able to find a clean sports bra, so do a couple loads before Monday, making sure you have everything you need, from your running tights to yoga tops to the towel you use to wipe sweat from your brow. Lay out your outfits for each day's workout so you're not running around the house Tuesday morning trying to find your missing sock.
Gather Your Gear
Collect whatever you need to work out - a yoga mat, sneakers, or earbuds - and make sure everything is set so you can easily grab the items throughout the week. Pack your gym bag, and put it by the door or in your car so you won't forget it when you leave for the day. If you exercise at home, put your favorite fitness video in the DVD player and lay out your dumbbells and resistance band. Sunday is also a great time to make a couple new playlists to inspire your kick-ass workouts (if you don't have time, subscribe to our workout playlists on Spotify).
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Jenny Sugar
Plan Your Meals and Snacks
Sit down and write out a weekly eating plan including all meals and snacks for the week. If you need a little inspiration, check out these healthy recipes. After making out a grocery list to include everything you'll need to whip them up, hit the health food store and stock up for the week. Since produce is best enjoyed within a few days of purchasing, note what fruits and veggies you'll want to pick up halfway through the week.
Make things even easier by prepping in advance: wash, cut, and store veggies to be used in dinner recipes, cut up fruit for smoothies or snacks, and cook up some whole grains and store them in the fridge. Cook some of these make-ahead breakfasts in advance, like a week of overnight oats, or turn on the crockpot to make something you can eat a few nights that week, like these under-400-calorie meals.
Pack It Up
If you'll be away from home during the day, cut down on the temptation to go out to lunch or grab a cookie by packing lunches and snacks from home. Making five salads for the week is easy and healthy, or you can whip up a big pot of soup and freeze small portions in glass containers to grab for lunch. Also set aside 10 snacks for the week (two per day), such as Greek yogurt, cheese sticks, and containers of carrots and hummus, or measure out 100-calorie portions of trail mix, whole-grain crackers, or cereal. It'll probably take about an hour to get it all ready, but it'll end up saving you time during the rest of the week.
Hit the Hay
Once everything is all set, take a nice hot bath, slip on your PJs, and hop into bed early. Unwind with an evening yoga sequence or a calming book, and you're more likely to have a good night's sleep and wake up refreshed for the week ahead.
5 Minutes of Prep the Night Before = Tomorrow's Instant Breakfast
If you're looking for the quickest breakfast possible, one you can wake up and just instantly enjoy, then make one of these overnight recipes. They take about five minutes of prep the night before, but as soon as you're ready to eat in the morning, they're ready. They're healthy, filling, full of fiber and protein, and, most importantly, delicious!
Tarte's Friends and Family Sale Is Happening and Our Wallets Aren't Ready
It's the most magical time of the year, and we're not talking about Christmas. Tarte's annual friends and family sale is coming and it's the perfect time for makeup-lovers to stock up on old favorites (and try some new goodies out).
Beginning Monday, April 3, you can use the code FESTIVAL on tartecosmetics.com to enjoy 30 percent off of all of Tarte's products, including skin care and body care. There are only two exclusions: Shape Tape Contour Concealer and the Limited-Edition Magic Wands Brush Set.
Hear that? That's the sound of our wallets freaking TF out. The offer is only available through Thursday, April 6, so we suggest you build those carts fast. If you're not sure about what to shop, we've recommended a few of our favorites ahead. Keep reading, then set your alarms for April 3. Happy spending!
5 Minutes of Prep the Night Before = Tomorrow's Instant Breakfast
If you're looking for the quickest breakfast possible, one you can wake up and just instantly enjoy, then make one of these overnight recipes. They take about five minutes of prep the night before, but as soon as you're ready to eat in the morning, they're ready. They're healthy, filling, full of fiber and protein, and, most importantly, delicious!
You'll Never Eat Another Gummy Bear or Marshmallow Again After Hearing What It's Made From
If you look at the ingredients on a package of gummy bears - even organic ones - you'll see expected things like corn or brown rice syrup and sugar. But you'll also see something called gelatin. Seems innocent enough, but its source might surprise you. Gelatin is a yellowish, odorless, and nearly tasteless substance that is made by prolonged boiling of skin, cartilage, and bones from animals. It's made primarily from the stuff meat industries have left over - we're talking about pork skins, horns, and cattle bones. Ugh.
I guess if you're into the philosophy of using the whole animal, you'll be psyched about this. Plus gelatin contains 18 amino acids, so it does offer some nutritional benefits. But if you're vegan, you'll definitely want to skip the chewy candies and your great-aunt's Jell-O mold - it's made with gelatin, too. This animal-derived ingredient can also be found in some vitamins and medications, marshmallows (not Trader Joe's - they're vegan!), cheeses, yogurts, soups, salad dressings, jams and jellies, fruit snacks, and canned hams. If this tidbit of info grosses you out, you'll want to pay closer attention to these products' food labels.
What 1 School Included in a Student's Report Card Is Raising Eyebrows
Ah, report cards. Some students look forward to the day these arrive, while others would prefer if they never found their way into the mailbox again. But for parents, report cards are essential to knowing how their child is performing in school.
When Yeshiva Ketana, a Jewish school in Inwood, NY, sent out this report card in early January, a surprising sentence concluded the letter.
The last paragraph reads:
Since our goal is to share accurate information with the parents, and not to discourage or hurt a student, great discretion must be used before allowing your child to view his report card. Certainly, report cards should not be seen by students without parental permission and guidance. If after reviewing the enclosed report card, you would like us to develop a second version of this report card for your son with higher grades, please call . . .
While the concept of changing students' grades to maintain their confidence is presented with good intentions, many people are outraged that an institution would offer this option. The school has yet to make a statement.
This Mom's Hilarious Cartoons About Pregnancy Problems Will Be the Funniest Thing You See All Day
Nobody ever said that being a mom is glamorous. And although there's plenty of talk about that wonderful pregnancy glow, most moms can relate to the less seductive side effects that everyone experiences but few talk about. You get sick, you get hairy, and you get big.
Illustrator and mother of two Line Severinsen can't help but laugh at these "joys" of motherhood and started making hysterical cartoons of her real-life pregnancy problems. From pining over a glass of wine to judgmental strangers staring when you breastfeed in public, her relatable illustrations have developed with her motherhood experiences.
"I thought to myself that there is no way that no other people felt and looked like I did," she wrote. "So I wanted to create a counterpoint to help people like me to understand that they weren't alone and that it is OK to feel and act less than perfect sometimes."
While we don't know whether to laugh or cry at how spot-on some of these illustrations are, we're just glad to see that we aren't the only ones who've been there!
5 Minutes of Prep the Night Before = Tomorrow's Instant Breakfast
If you're looking for the quickest breakfast possible, one you can wake up and just instantly enjoy, then make one of these overnight recipes. They take about five minutes of prep the night before, but as soon as you're ready to eat in the morning, they're ready. They're healthy, filling, full of fiber and protein, and, most importantly, delicious!
You'll Never Eat Another Gummy Bear or Marshmallow Again After Hearing What It's Made From
If you look at the ingredients on a package of gummy bears - even organic ones - you'll see expected things like corn or brown rice syrup and sugar. But you'll also see something called gelatin. Seems innocent enough, but its source might surprise you. Gelatin is a yellowish, odorless, and nearly tasteless substance that is made by prolonged boiling of skin, cartilage, and bones from animals. It's made primarily from the stuff meat industries have left over - we're talking about pork skins, horns, and cattle bones. Ugh.
I guess if you're into the philosophy of using the whole animal, you'll be psyched about this. Plus gelatin contains 18 amino acids, so it does offer some nutritional benefits. But if you're vegan, you'll definitely want to skip the chewy candies and your great-aunt's Jell-O mold - it's made with gelatin, too. This animal-derived ingredient can also be found in some vitamins and medications, marshmallows (not Trader Joe's - they're vegan!), cheeses, yogurts, soups, salad dressings, jams and jellies, fruit snacks, and canned hams. If this tidbit of info grosses you out, you'll want to pay closer attention to these products' food labels.
7 Movies You Have to See in Theaters With Your Family This Summer
It's never too early to start planning air-conditioned escapes to the movie theater in preparation for the hot months, and lucky for all of us, the movies coming out for families this Summer actually look amazing. From second and third installments of movies your kids (and you!) already love to a new flick that is sure to become part of the usual rotation at home after its release, there's a movie or three on this list you'll want to mark on your family's calendar right now.
Scroll through to see trailers for each movie rolling into theaters between late Spring and Summer 2017.
How a Stranger Kept 1 Mom Alone With Twin Babies From Being Kicked Off a Flight
What was supposed to be a simple flight for Mackenzie Murphy turned into an incredibly long day, and this woman wasn't even traveling with an infant. But the mom sitting a couple of aisles in front of Mackenzie wasn't as lucky, as she was hit with multiple problems while trying to fly alone with her twin babies, who Mackenzie estimates were likely under 6 months old.
Mackenzie described the scenario, explaining that because the flight was packed, airline staff began taking carry-on luggage to store under the plane. "A gate worker took this woman's car seat, meaning she would now have to hold both babies since they weren't old enough to sit up on their own in a seat," Mackenzie shared with the Love What Matters Facebook page. "When she sat down on the plane, a flight attendant immediately told her she couldn't hold both babies, and would have to leave the flight."
Before this mom could gather her babies and her things, a stranger sitting in front of Mackenzie volunteered to hold one of the babies during the entire flight. However, before they could even start their 45-minute flight, the plane ended up being stuck on the runway for two and half hours.
"Without a complaint this woman fed the other woman's baby and burped him," Mackenzie wrote. "Her own daughter started crying. This mom, so calmly, went on to explain to her young daughter that 'Our job is to help other people. This mom is all by herself with no help, and really needs another mom to help.'"
This kind woman continued to restore Mackenzie's faith in humanity as she went on to sing the baby songs and snuggle him as he slept. "My heart still feels fuzzy," she wrote. "Moral of the story is when you see people needing help, do the right thing and help them."
I Lost My Husband 3 Days After Welcoming Our First Baby
There I sat, my 3-day-old infant in my arms, trembling in fear as chaos and horror played out in my living room. Muffled by my bedroom door were sirens, chattering voices, and screams that will forever haunt my dreams. Frozen and in a state of shock, all I could see in my mind was the lifeless face of the only man I ever intended to love, his lips white and his body lying on the floor in an unnatural state. "I couldn't feel a pulse, but he has to be alive," I told myself. A police officer slowly opened my door and disturbingly made his way to my bed. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the willing arms of family members reaching out for my infant son. As the words "He's deceased" came out of the officer's mouth, all went black.
A stray bullet is how the news reported the story, but we will never know the whole truth. The bullet that killed Justin went against pure logic and had a statistical probability of one in infinity. In a drunken stupor, my backyard neighbor fired his 9mm semi-automatic handgun. The bullet managed to travel through his screen door (dodging dozens of trees) over 200 feet to our home. It crashed through our glass door and blinds, continued across our living room, and finally stopped when it hit Justin in the head at the very second he jumped up from our sofa.
We tend to refer to the next day as "the day the music died." I had a 3-day old-baby and now a dead husband.It's been two years since that tragic day, and at 33 years old, I see myself a much sadder but wiser girl. Going through something so horrific and life-altering not only changes the way you see the world, it transforms it. Grief is a very personal thing, and while I would never claim to be an expert on coping, I do know firsthand how to live with it. I like to compare it to a scar. More specifically, an internal scar on your heart and in your mind that follows you everywhere. A dark cloud that hovers over everything good and beautiful for the rest of your life. For one to truly understand the full gravity of the situation, you have to know the story as a whole, not just the ending. Therefore, I must jump back 19 years.
I was barely a teen, a 14-year-old girl in the eighth grade, when I first met and fell in love with Justin Ayers. He could play the guitar like Jimi Hendrix and crack a joke like Jerry Seinfeld. He was a smart, talented, adorable, funny, passionate boy, and I took notice. As I think back on our love story, a specific song lyric comes to mind: "Each night I ask the stars up above, why must I be a teenager in love?" I would sob, "Why can't we just get married today?" My friends and family (with the exception of my mom) would chuckle at the idea, dismissing us as kids who would grow up and realize it's just the hormones. But I never once doubted. In 2003 (one year after I graduated high school), we finally tied the knot.
Over the next 10 years, Justin and I made our own rules in life. We had several goals we wanted to pursue, so we decided to wait to start a family, knowing we needed time to grow up. We formed multiple bands, traveled for leisure and work, and wrote and recorded an album together. It was definitely outside the norm, but it was our norm, and we savored it. Then one morning, I woke up and suddenly felt different. I wanted a baby! And Justin agreed. We'd been married for 10 years, and we both knew we were ready to become parents. We got busy between the sheets and in September 2013, I became pregnant with our son, Jax.
On June 14, 2014, I remember looking at my infant son and realizing, "I finally understand!" His hair was thick and silky, his lips were bright red, and his eyes were captivating. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, bringing a child into this world has to be one of the most incredible feelings a woman can experience in life. A few minor birthing complications cost us an extra day in the hospital, but on the third evening, we were released and went home to be a family.
We tend to refer to the next day as "the day the music died." I had a 3-day-old baby and now a dead husband. I was a brand-new mother and now a widow at only 31 years old. I never had a chance to tell Justin goodbye or tell him how much I loved him. I like to think he already knew.
We buried Justin on a Saturday, exactly one week after Jax was born. The day after his funeral, the crowds were starting to disperse, and my support system was dwindling down to a much smaller group. It seems incomprehensible to try to portray the level of darkness I slipped into. A darkness that is so scary, I wasn't "allowed" to be left alone for one second. Not even to take a shower.
Life is a series of choices, and this choice to live started with my decision to get up off the bathroom floor and feed my infant son."Jess, you OK in there?" my friend Casey hollered as she banged on the bathroom door, "Jax is crying and needs to eat. Do we need to break the door down?" Time seemed frozen as I realized it had been two hours since I'd snuck away to the bathroom, granting my first chance to be alone since losing Justin. I took it as my only opportunity to bask in my own misery. The light from the hall shone brightly under the door as I lay in a pool of tears staring at everyone's feet pacing back and forth. With the chill of the bathroom tile on my cheek being my only comfort from the pain, I decided in that moment that I was ready to completely give up. I wanted to die.
I could hear multiple voices in the hallway, all pleading for me to open the door. But in the distance I could hear a tiny voice that resonated in my heart. It was Jax, he was hungry, and I knew I was his source for food. "We are sending someone to the store for formula," my mom said to me. That was the defining moment when I had to make a choice, life or death. I realized that even though the life I'd worked so hard for was gone, I could try and start a new one. My son needed me to survive, and I needed him. It took me over 10 minutes to actually stand to my feet, but once I did, I felt a little hopeful. Life is a series of choices, and this choice to live started with my decision to get up off the bathroom floor and feed my infant son.
Over the next year, I was like a chameleon. I became so many different versions of myself that I didn't know who I was anymore. Was I Justin's wife or his widow? Was I a stay-at-home mom who used to be a musician or would I sing again? Would I ever have the opportunity to have another child? I had always wanted three. The endless questions and constant wonder consumed me from the inside out. For close to 10 months, I disappeared from any social scene, social media, or social circle that didn't include a few select people. I was hiding from the world and wasting away to nothing, a shell of my former self. Then it happened again. I looked at my now-10-month-old baby and felt ashamed. That hungry infant, once crying for mommy's milk, was now starting to talk, walk, and think. Looking at my gorgeous baby boy, I once again realized that it was time for me to make another choice between life or death.
Looking back on the last two years of my life, I realize how many choices and decisions I had to make to arrive where I'm at today. I needed to find "me" again, and that required throwing myself back into my biggest passion, which had ironically become my biggest fear: music. My love for performing and music was something I shared with Justin, and it was now something I was forced to explore on my own. By sheer circumstance, I reconnected with a former bandmate and was presented with the opportunity to fill in on a few gigs. With much hesitation, I accepted. Declining the opportunity and turning my back on what I used to love would have been the much safer bet. But I knew it would mean I would end up spending the rest of my life running away from the pain and the joy it would bring.
The roller coaster of emotions I go through during a live show are endless. However, I choose to face them every night because in the end, the good outweighs the bad. I maintain the idea though that the happiness I experience day to day is by my own choosing. Every single day I wake up like everyone else and I'm faced with a choice. Some days I hate life and choose to be sad, angry, hurt, scared, resentful, and lonely. Other days I feel blessed and choose to be happy, optimistic, thankful, forgiving, and compassionate. Each day is a new decision, and with each decision brings a new outcome. I can only hope I'm making the right choices for my future, especially for Jax's.
When I close my eyes at night, I like to tell myself three things: I will be eternally grateful for you, my mommy! I will forever worship you, my Justin! And I will always love you, my Jax!
Some of the greatest quotes in life come to us in the form of song lyrics. So, I will leave you with these words from Aerosmith: "Life's a journey, not a destination. And I just can't tell just what tomorrow brings."
Jessica Ayers recently founded a foundation for young widowed mothers. For more, visit her website, The Singing Widow, where she blogs about life, loss, and motherhood.
Why This Photo of a Little Girl Standing on a Toilet Will Keep You Up at Night
"I took this picture because initially I thought it was funny." That's how Michigan mom Stacey Wehrman Feeley began a Facebook post, centered on an image of her young daughter standing on their bathroom toilet.
But the instant her child told her what she was actually doing, Feeley broke down in tears.
"She was practicing for a lockdown drill at her preschool and what you should do if you are stuck in a bathroom," she wrote. "At that moment, all innocence of what I thought my three-year-old possessed was gone."
Feeley decided to post the powerful image with an accompanying message begging for more gun control and changes to the nation's current laws. It has more than 7,000 reactions and has been shared more than 10,000 times since she posted it last week.
Below, read an excerpt from her post, and click the image above to see it in its entirety:
Politicians - take a look. This is your child, your children, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren and future generations to come. They will live their lives and grow up in this world based on your decisions. They are barely 3 and they will hide in bathroom stalls standing on top of toilet seats. I do not know what will be harder for them? Trying to remain quiet for an extended amount of time or trying to keep their balance without letting a foot slip below the stall door?
You'll Never Eat Another Gummy Bear or Marshmallow Again After Hearing What It's Made From
If you look at the ingredients on a package of gummy bears - even organic ones - you'll see expected things like corn or brown rice syrup and sugar. But you'll also see something called gelatin. Seems innocent enough, but its source might surprise you. Gelatin is a yellowish, odorless, and nearly tasteless substance that is made by prolonged boiling of skin, cartilage, and bones from animals. It's made primarily from the stuff meat industries have left over - we're talking about pork skins, horns, and cattle bones. Ugh.
I guess if you're into the philosophy of using the whole animal, you'll be psyched about this. Plus gelatin contains 18 amino acids, so it does offer some nutritional benefits. But if you're vegan, you'll definitely want to skip the chewy candies and your great-aunt's Jell-O mold - it's made with gelatin, too. This animal-derived ingredient can also be found in some vitamins and medications, marshmallows (not Trader Joe's - they're vegan!), cheeses, yogurts, soups, salad dressings, jams and jellies, fruit snacks, and canned hams. If this tidbit of info grosses you out, you'll want to pay closer attention to these products' food labels.
7 Movies You Have to See in Theaters With Your Family This Summer
It's never too early to start planning air-conditioned escapes to the movie theater in preparation for the hot months, and lucky for all of us, the movies coming out for families this Summer actually look amazing. From second and third installments of movies your kids (and you!) already love to a new flick that is sure to become part of the usual rotation at home after its release, there's a movie or three on this list you'll want to mark on your family's calendar right now.
Scroll through to see trailers for each movie rolling into theaters between late Spring and Summer 2017.
The Secret to Fluffy Scrambled Eggs
The following recipe is from Joy the Baker Over Easy: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Leisurely Days by Joy Wilson.
Telling someone how to scramble eggs might be a bit like writing a recipe for boiling water. Eggs + pan + heat = rather fine scrambled eggs, no matter what you do to them. Fine eggs are one thing, but great eggs are slightly more elusive. There are some tricks, from seasoning to heating and stirring, that make all the difference. I consider very good scrambled eggs an important life skill. Great eggs are that serious.
Serves 1:
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon clarified butter
Small squeeze of fresh lime juice
Freshly cracked black pepper
WTF: A Woman Was Denied a Second Job Interview For Asking This Question
On Monday, March 13, Taylor Byrnes tweeted screenshots of the response she received from SkiptheDishes after asking about pay and benefits following her first interview at the food delivery service in Winnipeg, Canada. "Applied for a job at @SkipTheDishes. They cancelled my interview b/c I asked about wages/benefits," she wrote in a now-viral tweet.
Applied for a job at @SkipTheDishes. They cancelled my interview b/c I asked about wages/benefits @CBC @CBCNews @ctvwinnipeg #boycottSkip http://pic.twitter.com/CjBdnFvY1P
- . (@feministjourney) March 13, 2017
"Hi Victoria, I had another question that I wanted to ask you," Byrnes's initial email reads. "If I do end up filling this position, how much do you think I'll be getting paid an hour? Benefits will also be included, right? Sorry, I just thought I should ask now. Thanks for your time and have a lovely day," she concluded.
Screenshots show that Victoria responded, "Hello Taylor, your questions reveal that your priorities are not in sync with those of SkipTheDishes. At this time we will not be following through with our meeting this Thursday." In a follow-up email, Victoria called out qualities the company looks for in employees, including "hard work and perseverance in pursuit of company goals as opposed to focusing on compensation."
"For these reasons, questions about compensation and benefits at such an early stage is a concern related to organizational fit."
After the screenshots were posted and shared across social media, Byrnes received yet another response from the company, this time from its cofounder, who expressed disappointment with the way the situation was handled. The company also shared its screenshots on its Twitter page to rectify the backlash from people who were calling for a boycott of SkipTheDishes.
(1/2) The email to Taylor does not represent #SkipTheDishes team values. We have followed up to offer heartfelt apologies & a 2nd interview. http://pic.twitter.com/XKYWsHXj7P
- SkipTheDishes (@SkipTheDishes) March 14, 2017
(2/2) We do share compensation & it's OK to ask. We are coaching internally to ensure this doesn't happen again. @CBC @CBCNews @CTVWinnipeg
- SkipTheDishes (@SkipTheDishes) March 14, 2017
SkipTheDishes cofounder Joshua Simair addressed the controversy in an emailed statement to POPSUGAR, writing, "We are very disappointed in how it was handled. We do share a compensation package prior to hiring. As soon as we became aware of it on Monday, we reached out to Taylor to apologize for the email and reschedule her interview."
Simair also revealed that the company would be changing internal policies to make sure it doesn't happen again. "We've also addressed the email internally and will be providing additional training. We are very committed to our community, employees and continuing to grow and create employment opportunities in the Prairies."
Although Byrnes has received an outpouring of support for standing up for herself, there is still a dispute over whether or not her questions were appropriate to ask. Seeing as it's important for women to ask about pay upfront so that they get what they deserve, we'd say the answer is yes.
We've reached out to Byrnes for comment and will update this story if we hear back.
How a Stranger Kept 1 Mom Alone With Twin Babies From Being Kicked Off a Flight
What was supposed to be a simple flight for Mackenzie Murphy turned into an incredibly long day, and this woman wasn't even traveling with an infant. But the mom sitting a couple of aisles in front of Mackenzie wasn't as lucky, as she was hit with multiple problems while trying to fly alone with her twin babies, who Mackenzie estimates were likely under 6 months old.
Mackenzie described the scenario, explaining that because the flight was packed, airline staff began taking carry-on luggage to store under the plane. "A gate worker took this woman's car seat, meaning she would now have to hold both babies since they weren't old enough to sit up on their own in a seat," Mackenzie shared with the Love What Matters Facebook page. "When she sat down on the plane, a flight attendant immediately told her she couldn't hold both babies, and would have to leave the flight."
Before this mom could gather her babies and her things, a stranger sitting in front of Mackenzie volunteered to hold one of the babies during the entire flight. However, before they could even start their 45-minute flight, the plane ended up being stuck on the runway for two and half hours.
"Without a complaint this woman fed the other woman's baby and burped him," Mackenzie wrote. "Her own daughter started crying. This mom, so calmly, went on to explain to her young daughter that 'Our job is to help other people. This mom is all by herself with no help, and really needs another mom to help.'"
This kind woman continued to restore Mackenzie's faith in humanity as she went on to sing the baby songs and snuggle him as he slept. "My heart still feels fuzzy," she wrote. "Moral of the story is when you see people needing help, do the right thing and help them."
10 Fascinating Facts About Drew Scott's Fiancée, Linda Phan
Since Drew Scott announced his over-the-top engagement to girlfriend Linda Phan, Property Brothers fans everywhere have been wondering about the woman who stole the HGTV star's heart. We did a little digging and discovered that Linda is smart, fun, and the perfect addition to the Scott family, although it seems she's unofficially been a part of the clan for years now. Get to know Linda better by reading about her ahead.
I Lost My Husband 3 Days After Welcoming Our First Baby
There I sat, my 3-day-old infant in my arms, trembling in fear as chaos and horror played out in my living room. Muffled by my bedroom door were sirens, chattering voices, and screams that will forever haunt my dreams. Frozen and in a state of shock, all I could see in my mind was the lifeless face of the only man I ever intended to love, his lips white and his body lying on the floor in an unnatural state. "I couldn't feel a pulse, but he has to be alive," I told myself. A police officer slowly opened my door and disturbingly made his way to my bed. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the willing arms of family members reaching out for my infant son. As the words "He's deceased" came out of the officer's mouth, all went black.
A stray bullet is how the news reported the story, but we will never know the whole truth. The bullet that killed Justin went against pure logic and had a statistical probability of one in infinity. In a drunken stupor, my backyard neighbor fired his 9mm semi-automatic handgun. The bullet managed to travel through his screen door (dodging dozens of trees) over 200 feet to our home. It crashed through our glass door and blinds, continued across our living room, and finally stopped when it hit Justin in the head at the very second he jumped up from our sofa.
We tend to refer to the next day as "the day the music died." I had a 3-day old-baby and now a dead husband.It's been two years since that tragic day, and at 33 years old, I see myself a much sadder but wiser girl. Going through something so horrific and life-altering not only changes the way you see the world, it transforms it. Grief is a very personal thing, and while I would never claim to be an expert on coping, I do know firsthand how to live with it. I like to compare it to a scar. More specifically, an internal scar on your heart and in your mind that follows you everywhere. A dark cloud that hovers over everything good and beautiful for the rest of your life. For one to truly understand the full gravity of the situation, you have to know the story as a whole, not just the ending. Therefore, I must jump back 19 years.
I was barely a teen, a 14-year-old girl in the eighth grade, when I first met and fell in love with Justin Ayers. He could play the guitar like Jimi Hendrix and crack a joke like Jerry Seinfeld. He was a smart, talented, adorable, funny, passionate boy, and I took notice. As I think back on our love story, a specific song lyric comes to mind: "Each night I ask the stars up above, why must I be a teenager in love?" I would sob, "Why can't we just get married today?" My friends and family (with the exception of my mom) would chuckle at the idea, dismissing us as kids who would grow up and realize it's just the hormones. But I never once doubted. In 2003 (one year after I graduated high school), we finally tied the knot.
Over the next 10 years, Justin and I made our own rules in life. We had several goals we wanted to pursue, so we decided to wait to start a family, knowing we needed time to grow up. We formed multiple bands, traveled for leisure and work, and wrote and recorded an album together. It was definitely outside the norm, but it was our norm, and we savored it. Then one morning, I woke up and suddenly felt different. I wanted a baby! And Justin agreed. We'd been married for 10 years, and we both knew we were ready to become parents. We got busy between the sheets and in September 2013, I became pregnant with our son, Jax.
On June 14, 2014, I remember looking at my infant son and realizing, "I finally understand!" His hair was thick and silky, his lips were bright red, and his eyes were captivating. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, bringing a child into this world has to be one of the most incredible feelings a woman can experience in life. A few minor birthing complications cost us an extra day in the hospital, but on the third evening, we were released and went home to be a family.
We tend to refer to the next day as "the day the music died." I had a 3-day-old baby and now a dead husband. I was a brand-new mother and now a widow at only 31 years old. I never had a chance to tell Justin goodbye or tell him how much I loved him. I like to think he already knew.
We buried Justin on a Saturday, exactly one week after Jax was born. The day after his funeral, the crowds were starting to disperse, and my support system was dwindling down to a much smaller group. It seems incomprehensible to try to portray the level of darkness I slipped into. A darkness that is so scary, I wasn't "allowed" to be left alone for one second. Not even to take a shower.
Life is a series of choices, and this choice to live started with my decision to get up off the bathroom floor and feed my infant son."Jess, you OK in there?" my friend Casey hollered as she banged on the bathroom door, "Jax is crying and needs to eat. Do we need to break the door down?" Time seemed frozen as I realized it had been two hours since I'd snuck away to the bathroom, granting my first chance to be alone since losing Justin. I took it as my only opportunity to bask in my own misery. The light from the hall shone brightly under the door as I lay in a pool of tears staring at everyone's feet pacing back and forth. With the chill of the bathroom tile on my cheek being my only comfort from the pain, I decided in that moment that I was ready to completely give up. I wanted to die.
I could hear multiple voices in the hallway, all pleading for me to open the door. But in the distance I could hear a tiny voice that resonated in my heart. It was Jax, he was hungry, and I knew I was his source for food. "We are sending someone to the store for formula," my mom said to me. That was the defining moment when I had to make a choice, life or death. I realized that even though the life I'd worked so hard for was gone, I could try and start a new one. My son needed me to survive, and I needed him. It took me over 10 minutes to actually stand to my feet, but once I did, I felt a little hopeful. Life is a series of choices, and this choice to live started with my decision to get up off the bathroom floor and feed my infant son.
Over the next year, I was like a chameleon. I became so many different versions of myself that I didn't know who I was anymore. Was I Justin's wife or his widow? Was I a stay-at-home mom who used to be a musician or would I sing again? Would I ever have the opportunity to have another child? I had always wanted three. The endless questions and constant wonder consumed me from the inside out. For close to 10 months, I disappeared from any social scene, social media, or social circle that didn't include a few select people. I was hiding from the world and wasting away to nothing, a shell of my former self. Then it happened again. I looked at my now-10-month-old baby and felt ashamed. That hungry infant, once crying for mommy's milk, was now starting to talk, walk, and think. Looking at my gorgeous baby boy, I once again realized that it was time for me to make another choice between life or death.
Looking back on the last two years of my life, I realize how many choices and decisions I had to make to arrive where I'm at today. I needed to find "me" again, and that required throwing myself back into my biggest passion, which had ironically become my biggest fear: music. My love for performing and music was something I shared with Justin, and it was now something I was forced to explore on my own. By sheer circumstance, I reconnected with a former bandmate and was presented with the opportunity to fill in on a few gigs. With much hesitation, I accepted. Declining the opportunity and turning my back on what I used to love would have been the much safer bet. But I knew it would mean I would end up spending the rest of my life running away from the pain and the joy it would bring.
The roller coaster of emotions I go through during a live show are endless. However, I choose to face them every night because in the end, the good outweighs the bad. I maintain the idea though that the happiness I experience day to day is by my own choosing. Every single day I wake up like everyone else and I'm faced with a choice. Some days I hate life and choose to be sad, angry, hurt, scared, resentful, and lonely. Other days I feel blessed and choose to be happy, optimistic, thankful, forgiving, and compassionate. Each day is a new decision, and with each decision brings a new outcome. I can only hope I'm making the right choices for my future, especially for Jax's.
When I close my eyes at night, I like to tell myself three things: I will be eternally grateful for you, my mommy! I will forever worship you, my Justin! And I will always love you, my Jax!
Some of the greatest quotes in life come to us in the form of song lyrics. So, I will leave you with these words from Aerosmith: "Life's a journey, not a destination. And I just can't tell just what tomorrow brings."
Jessica Ayers recently founded a foundation for young widowed mothers. For more, visit her website, The Singing Widow, where she blogs about life, loss, and motherhood.
Why This Photo of a Little Girl Standing on a Toilet Will Keep You Up at Night
"I took this picture because initially I thought it was funny." That's how Michigan mom Stacey Wehrman Feeley began a Facebook post, centered on an image of her young daughter standing on their bathroom toilet.
But the instant her child told her what she was actually doing, Feeley broke down in tears.
"She was practicing for a lockdown drill at her preschool and what you should do if you are stuck in a bathroom," she wrote. "At that moment, all innocence of what I thought my three-year-old possessed was gone."
Feeley decided to post the powerful image with an accompanying message begging for more gun control and changes to the nation's current laws. It has more than 7,000 reactions and has been shared more than 10,000 times since she posted it last week.
Below, read an excerpt from her post, and click the image above to see it in its entirety:
Politicians - take a look. This is your child, your children, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren and future generations to come. They will live their lives and grow up in this world based on your decisions. They are barely 3 and they will hide in bathroom stalls standing on top of toilet seats. I do not know what will be harder for them? Trying to remain quiet for an extended amount of time or trying to keep their balance without letting a foot slip below the stall door?
10 Kitchen Organization Tips to Steal From Chip and Joanna Gaines
Not everyone is lucky enough to get a Fixer Upper home makeover from Chip and Joanna Gaines, but what everyone can do is steal a few tips from the experts themselves. If anyone knows how to create an organized kitchen, it's Joanna Gaines, and she often shares behind-the-scenes snaps of her home life and HGTV projects with her millions of fans on Instagram. With the following ideas in mind, you can create a clean and inspiring kitchen space that's both Gaines family- and Marie Kondo-approved.
Heather Dubrow's New Mansion Will Knock Your Manolos Off
On Bravo's Real Housewives of Orange County, viewers are gifted with a front-row view to Heather Dubrow's sophisticated and often enviable lifestyle. We have known her for years as an actress, a mom of four, and the wife to plastic surgeon Dr. Terry Dubrow. More recently, though, we have gotten to know her as a California mansion designer extraordinaire. Avid viewers of the show live for the little glimpses of her decadent new digs as her vision finally nears completion.
Knowing Heather, we are guaranteed to see plenty of perfection, over-the-top opulence, and exceptionally beautiful interiors when the time comes for the big reveal. But until then, her Instagram is luckily full of little snaps proving that every detail from her aired-in olive tree to the jaw-dropping master bath is going to wow us beyond belief. So grab a glass of Champagne and enjoy this inside look at the future Dubrow abode, and we promise, it does not disappoint.
Why Every Orange Is the New Black Inmate Is in Prison
Can't wait for Orange Is the New Black's fifth season? We don't blame you; Netflix's prison comedy is as great as ever, and we're already psyched about what's coming up. In the most recent season, we learned even more about how the characters end up at Litchfield through flashbacks. In case you missed anything, here's the definitive guide to exactly what each inmate did wrong - besides getting caught, obviously. Oh, major spoiler alert if you haven't seen season four!
-Additional reporting by Amanda Rosenberg
7 Questions That Will Knock the Socks Off Your Interviewer
"Do you have any questions for me?" is the inevitable question you'll hear at the end of any interview. You should always ask the interviewer questions at that point to show that you are truly interested in the job. Asking the right questions can impress the interviewer - it can make you look thoughtful and enthusiastic. And don't forget that interviewing is also a two-way street: it's your chance to find out if the company is the right fit for you.
1. Can You Tell Me About Your Experience at the Company?
This is a great question, as people love talking about themselves, which will make your hiring manager think more positively of your conversation. In fact, brain scans actually show that talking about yourself activate the parts of the brain related to the pleasure you get from things like food and sex. In short, giving your interviewer a chance to talk about themselves will make them happy. At the same time, her answer will clue you into what it's like to work at the company and how your career progression may look at the firm. Other variations of this question include, "What do you like most about working here?" or "What has kept you at the company for so long?
RELATED: 10 Ways You're Sabotaging Your Job Hunt
2. Why Is This Position Available?
Perhaps this position has been newly created or the person who had the job left for another company or another position within the same firm. This will help you figure out your expectations for the job. If the employee who held this position moved onto another position in the same firm, this shows that mobility and growth is possible within the company. If the person left, it could be that the position didn't offer the growth she was looking for or she got a better offer elsewhere.
If the position has just been created, you may be hitting the ground running once you start. This means you may have less guidance with this role, as it could be a position the company is unfamiliar with.
3. What Are Some Challenges the Team Is Facing, and How Do You Hope the New Hire Will Help in Those Obstacles?
This question shows that you're serious about doing what it takes to succeed if you get hired, and the interviewer's answer will help you get a better idea of what to expect at this role. This will also help give you a sense of current situation of the team and the company to see if your skills and experience match what they are looking for.
RELATED: 5 Rules For Following Up After an Interview
4. Other Than Learning the Ropes, What Should Be My Top Focus For the First Few Months?
With this question, you're not just asking the interviewer what they are looking for in a candidate - that's obvious from the job listing. You are getting to the specifics and finding out what they are hoping the new hire will accomplish at the start of the job. This shows your enthusiasm for doing a good job, and the answer will help you figure out if the company is a right fit for you.
If you get an offer and decide to take it, the interviewer's response will also help you come up with a game plan for the first few months that will impress your new employer.
5. How Would You Describe the Company Culture?
This is a good question because it not only shows your interest in fitting in, but you can also figure out if you'll be happy in the working environment.
RELATED: 10 Essential Steps to Take Before the Interview
6. From What I've Read, You Are Working on a New Venture X or Putting More Focus on Y. [Insert Specific Question About X or Y.]
This shows that you're paying attention and are interested in getting started. You will also learn more about the company and figure out if the direction that it's taking is in line with what you are looking for. And if you can't find information about the company, you should ask questions about projects it's are working on and goals it hopes to achieve this year.
7. [Insert Your Own Unique Question.]
Don't just repeat the questions you find on this list or others you find online. Come up with your own question based off the answers from your interviewer. This shows that you are paying attention and quick on picking up details - both great traits for an employee. Coming up with questions that are tailored to your conversation with the interviewer requires a lot of active listening, which you should be doing throughout the interview.
RELATED: Here's How to Craft an Email to Catch a Google Recruiter's Eye
And finally, don't forget to ask your interviewer what the next steps are, or you may be left hanging. Of course, if your interviewer doesn't give you a clear answer, you may be able to get more details after you send your thank-you email.
Need more help on your job search? Find out how to answer these 15 common interview questions.
This Bride Wore Nearly a Week's Worth of Gowns - and You'll Remember Them All
There's nothing easy about planning a wedding, especially an Indian wedding, where the happy occasion can last up to five days. The perfect example? When my older sister, Shefali, got married to the man of her dreams, Bhavesh. The wedding took place in Dubai in November 2015 at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, which has views of the iconic Burj Al Arab in the background.
The theme of the wedding was Once Upon a Time, pretty fitting since it was our family tradition to go to Disney World at least once a year, and she was marrying her Prince Charming. Read on to see each of the seven amazing outfits that truly made this a fairy-tale wedding.
The Ultimate Celebrity Bikini Gallery
Let's look back at some of the best celebrity bikini moments of all time! Now that the warmer months are finally here, we'll see more and more celebrities donning two-pieces and hitting the beach. Keep scrolling to see the top shots and, if you can't get enough of stars in swimsuits, be sure to check out them out in their one-pieces.
10 Kitchen Organization Tips to Steal From Chip and Joanna Gaines
Not everyone is lucky enough to get a Fixer Upper home makeover from Chip and Joanna Gaines, but what everyone can do is steal a few tips from the experts themselves. If anyone knows how to create an organized kitchen, it's Joanna Gaines, and she often shares behind-the-scenes snaps of her home life and HGTV projects with her millions of fans on Instagram. With the following ideas in mind, you can create a clean and inspiring kitchen space that's both Gaines family- and Marie Kondo-approved.
The Ultimate Celebrity Bikini Gallery
Let's look back at some of the best celebrity bikini moments of all time! Now that the warmer months are finally here, we'll see more and more celebrities donning two-pieces and hitting the beach. Keep scrolling to see the top shots and, if you can't get enough of stars in swimsuits, be sure to check out them out in their one-pieces.
Why Every Orange Is the New Black Inmate Is in Prison
Can't wait for Orange Is the New Black's fifth season? We don't blame you; Netflix's prison comedy is as great as ever, and we're already psyched about what's coming up. In the most recent season, we learned even more about how the characters end up at Litchfield through flashbacks. In case you missed anything, here's the definitive guide to exactly what each inmate did wrong - besides getting caught, obviously. Oh, major spoiler alert if you haven't seen season four!
-Additional reporting by Amanda Rosenberg
53 Moments From Obama's Presidency We'll Never Forget
It seemed much of the nation started missing President Obama before he was even out of office.
As our nation's first black president, he's already a hero to many. But he also passed historic health care reform with the Affordable Care Act, attempted to curtail our nation's troubles with gun violence through executive action, and was instrumental in making America energy independent. (Of course, his presidency faces plenty of criticism, too, like not closing Guantanamo Bay, failing to pass comprehensive immigration reform, and prematurely pulling out of Iraq.)
Perhaps his most admirable qualities, however, are his humanity: he comes across as relatable, authentic, funny, and down-to-earth. To appreciate his undeniable influence over the past two terms, check out the best photos of him through the years.
Jared Leto Talks Tattoos, Smelling Musky, and His Minimalist Hair Care
Any child of the '90s likely had a crush on Jared Leto (ahem, Mr. Jordan Catalano) and probably still does (I do!). Thankfully Jared is still acting and performing with his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars. And can we talk about the internet's obsessed with his ever-changing hair?!
The renaissance man is also the face of Gucci fragrances, and the campaigns are pretty steamy (see exclusive behind-the-scenes images here!). This Spring, he is fronting the campaign for Gucci Guilty Absolute (an earthy-woody scent). In the ads, photographer Glen Luchford shot Jared starring at his handsome reflection in the mirror. Since that was not enough Jared for us, we also got to interview him via email about his grooming and scent routine . . .
POPSUGAR: What does Jared Leto smell like in three descriptive words?
Jared Leto: I think I like heavier, muskier smells in general. I don't love flowery, powdery smells. I love kind of darker, stronger smells.
PS: What is your favorite scent memory?
JL: I've always had a strong sense of smell and I think smells for me, I remember when I was a kid, that the smell of a fireplace. This is gas, but the smell of a fireplace is always really powerful to me. A campfire, a fireplace, it always brings back memories.
PS: We are obsessed with your hair texture. How do you take care of it?
JL: I take a shower and shampoo and that's it.
PS: What is your guilty pleasure?
JL: Maybe I have a guilty indulgence with art and creativity because as an artist you can be indulgent, and it's important to be, in a way. To spend time thinking about your own creative desires.
PS: What is your skin care routine?
JL: I don't do any beauty routine, in my own personal life. I try to eat as good as I can, and I try to sleep. But for films, I would do whatever it takes. I made a movie in Budapest, Bladerunner, and it was a lot of makeup and big transformation. [For] another movie in Japan I had tattoos everywhere - all over my body, my whole body - it was crazy. Eight hours in makeup.
This Teen's Hilarious Reaction to Wild Animals Will Make You Giggle For Days
17-year-old Jalen Brooks could barely keep his composure in his zoology class as he watched a herpetologist display different wild animals in front of him. "I already knew it was going to be nuts," the high school senior from Riverside, IL, told BuzzFeed. His hilarious facial expressions were captured on video by his classmate, Jill Lojas, and uploaded onto the internet. The video now has over 142,000 retweets and over 253,000 "likes." Keep reading to see all of the hilarious memes that have been inspired by Jalen's hysterical reactions ahead.
What You Should Be Eating If You Want to Lose Weight
As we age and our metabolisms slow, it's easy to pack on a few pounds without realizing it. But a study has found that making consistent changes to your eating habits can lead to big weight-loss results over time.
The study, first published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, followed the dietary habits of over 120,000 people for 16 years and found that those who ate foods that had a high glycemic load (which includes refined grains, starches, and sugars) gained more weight than those who ate foods with a low glycemic load (foods such as nuts, dairy, and certain fruits and vegetables). This isn't surprising or new; other research has shown that going lower on the glycemic index (GI) scale will help you lose weight. What is interesting in the new study, however, is that other key habits can mean the difference between pounds on the scale. Check out what else the researchers found about weight gain and loss:
- Those who ate more yogurt, seafood, skinless chicken, and nuts lost the most weight; in fact, the more people ate of these foods, the less weight they gained.
- The researchers found, however, no difference in weight gain in those who ate low-fat vs full-fat dairy.
- Diets with more red and processed meat intake were associated with weight gain, especially when meat was paired with refined grains or starches.
- Eating meat paired with low-GI foods, however (like vegetables), helped reduce weight gain.
- Eating foods like eggs and cheese along with high-GI foods was linked to weight gain, while eating these foods with low-GI foods led to weight loss.
In general, the researchers found that the best diets for weight loss were high in protein-rich foods like fish, nuts, and yogurt, which helped prevent weight gain. Avoiding refined grains, starches, and sugars further helped, as did replacing red meat consumption with other protein-rich foods like eggs and cheese. It may seem like common sense, but taking the time to fill your plate with lean proteins and vegetables and other low-GI foods will help you lose or maintain weight throughout the years. Learn more about the glycemic load and how foods rank on the glycemic index here.
This Rainbow Baby's Birth Is Nothing Short of Beautiful
Some birth stories just touch you in a way you don't expect. When we came across photos of baby Liam's birth, we were originally taken with the images that Georgia-based photographer Rachel Smith shot. They're clean and crisp, and she captured every detail of the day so the family would have beautiful images to look back on as Liam grew. But it wasn't until we reached out to the photographer that we learned that Liam was a rainbow baby and that his birth was an extraspecial moment for his family.
Eighteen months earlier, Liam's parents, Erikah and Luke, were expecting a baby girl - Ailene Martina Messamer. Luke was deployed in Okinawa, Japan, when Erikah learned that baby "Ali" would be stillborn at 23 weeks and 3 days. The Red Cross worked to get Luke home in time for the birth, and after 33 hours of labor, Ali was born sleeping. A photographer from Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep captured photos of Ali and her parents so they'd have some memories to cherish.
Fast-forward 18 months and Erikah was nine months pregnant with baby Liam, whom she describes as "proof that there is life after loss." Read on to see the spectacular photos of Liam's birth and the look of pure joy on his parents' faces.
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