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
After Running For 15 Years, I Made This Change and Finally Lost My Belly
I started running after college to lose that freshman 40 I was holding onto. I learned a lot along the way, like what socks prevent blisters and how to shop for a sports bra so you don't have to wear two. But what I struggled with was losing weight, specifically belly fat. And after 15 years of running and experiencing two pregnancies, that still-pudgy pooch - although a sweet reminder that I was my kids' first home - was always the thing I pinched and poked when standing in front of a mirror.
So I signed up for a half marathon. I was convinced that all those training runs would surely slim my middle, but when I stepped on the scale, I was completely wrong. I was gaining weight because the hunger that came with those long workouts made me want to eat all the time. After the race, although I made some changes to my eating schedule to lose the weight I'd gained during training, my squishy belly wasn't budging, and it pissed me off. It wasn't like I was going to run more often or for longer distances. It was quite by accident that I figured out how running could help me ditch my mummy tummy.
One morning, I skipped the hour-long flat road run and turned into the woods near my house. I let my dog, Reuben, off leash, and we just started running. My pace was much slower because the terrain was so unpredictable. Rain had eroded away the path, creating holes, plus the slippery wooden bridges, the rocks and logs to leap over, and the hills - man, were there hills! I was huffing and puffing way more than on my previous runs, and my quads, calves, and butt were burning. I had to swing my arms more to get up those steep inclines, and trying to catch up to my dog added a little fire to my step. At the end of my 20-minute run, I felt like I did after running one hour.
After just two weeks of running those trails and those crazy hills, I felt an incredible sense of strength in my legs I hadn't experienced before in the 12 weeks I was training for the half. In the obstacle course that is the woods, my muscles were constantly guessing, since running in the woods is completely different than running on a sidewalk or a treadmill. It's like a dance because there's no monotony of movement. Every step is a little different, a little shift to one side or the other, a little shorter or longer than the one before.
Interval training had always seemed so forced when running through my neighborhood: I felt a little weird sprinting past my neighbor's house, so I skipped them and just stuck to my 9:00/9:30 minute-per-mile pace. But the hills forced me to switch up my pace, and I knew this type of training would be the key to ditching my tummy. Running this way was also really challenging to my mind. I felt a complete sense of calm afterward that I wasn't able to get to unless I did a long training run. Instant runner's high in just 20 minutes? I was floored.
And the added perk? My belly looked slimmer. I could see definition in my obliques - I had obliques! By no means am I saying I have a six-pack after a month of running in the woods, but I see now that I was pushing myself in the wrong way. I was working harder, not smarter. If you're struggling with a weight-loss plateau from running, the answer for you, too, might be found in the woods.
After Being Stared Down by a Couple in Cracker Barrel, This Dad Received a Note About Parenting
When Kevon Smith Sr. sat down for breakfast at Cracker Barrel with his son Kevon Jr. in Willoughby, OH, he had no idea he was going to make headlines just for being a good dad.
Kevon noticed a couple staring and smiling at him and his 3-month-old son, and although he was confused, he just went on with the meal. "I noticed this older couple over in the corner," he said. "They kept smiling at me and I was looking at my son like, 'What is going on?'"
But when Kevon left the restaurant, it all made sense, as he saw a note on his car from the couple praising his parenting along with cash to cover his breakfast.
"Today your meal is on my wife and me," it read. "Enjoy that baby as long as God intends. Keep doing what you're doing. The Masons."
These strangers were so amazed by Kevon and his relationship with his son, and he was just as moved by their generosity. "There's a lot of guys I know that aren't taking care of their kids," Kevon Sr. said, adding that he'll absolutely share the story with his son when he gets older to teach him that a little kindness can go a long way.
"I'm definitely going to make sure I'm paying it forward," he said. "I get blessed. I want to bless someone else."
After Running For 15 Years, I Made This Change and Finally Lost My Belly
I started running after college to lose that freshman 40 I was holding onto. I learned a lot along the way, like what socks prevent blisters and how to shop for a sports bra so you don't have to wear two. But what I struggled with was losing weight, specifically belly fat. And after 15 years of running and experiencing two pregnancies, that still-pudgy pooch - although a sweet reminder that I was my kids' first home - was always the thing I pinched and poked when standing in front of a mirror.
So I signed up for a half marathon. I was convinced that all those training runs would surely slim my middle, but when I stepped on the scale, I was completely wrong. I was gaining weight because the hunger that came with those long workouts made me want to eat all the time. After the race, although I made some changes to my eating schedule to lose the weight I'd gained during training, my squishy belly wasn't budging, and it pissed me off. It wasn't like I was going to run more often or for longer distances. It was quite by accident that I figured out how running could help me ditch my mummy tummy.
One morning, I skipped the hour-long flat road run and turned into the woods near my house. I let my dog, Reuben, off leash, and we just started running. My pace was much slower because the terrain was so unpredictable. Rain had eroded away the path, creating holes, plus the slippery wooden bridges, the rocks and logs to leap over, and the hills - man, were there hills! I was huffing and puffing way more than on my previous runs, and my quads, calves, and butt were burning. I had to swing my arms more to get up those steep inclines, and trying to catch up to my dog added a little fire to my step. At the end of my 20-minute run, I felt like I did after running one hour.
After just two weeks of running those trails and those crazy hills, I felt an incredible sense of strength in my legs I hadn't experienced before in the 12 weeks I was training for the half. In the obstacle course that is the woods, my muscles were constantly guessing, since running in the woods is completely different than running on a sidewalk or a treadmill. It's like a dance because there's no monotony of movement. Every step is a little different, a little shift to one side or the other, a little shorter or longer than the one before.
Interval training had always seemed so forced when running through my neighborhood: I felt a little weird sprinting past my neighbor's house, so I skipped them and just stuck to my 9:00/9:30 minute-per-mile pace. But the hills forced me to switch up my pace, and I knew this type of training would be the key to ditching my tummy. Running this way was also really challenging to my mind. I felt a complete sense of calm afterward that I wasn't able to get to unless I did a long training run. Instant runner's high in just 20 minutes? I was floored.
And the added perk? My belly looked slimmer. I could see definition in my obliques - I had obliques! By no means am I saying I have a six-pack after a month of running in the woods, but I see now that I was pushing myself in the wrong way. I was working harder, not smarter. If you're struggling with a weight-loss plateau from running, the answer for you, too, might be found in the woods.
What Happens in the Walking Dead Comic Books After Negan's Brutal Entrance
Image Source: AMC
Negan has been an unfortunate plague upon season seven of The Walking Dead. First, we watched him kill two major characters in the season premiere: Glenn and Abe. In more recent episodes, several more people fall victim to his sadistic killing streak. While the whole season has been a gradual introduction to his world, we do know how the rest of Negan's storyline plays out in the comic-book series. The Walking Dead TV series has veered from canon before, so we can't assume all of this will really go down on the show, though a lot of it already has.
At this point, you have to know that in the comic books, it's Glenn who Negan mercilessly beats to death with Lucille. So after all that ugliness, Negan and a group of the Saviors head to the Alexandria safe zone to take a bunch of stuff from Rick's people. Carl ends up hiding in the truck with Negan's men on the way back (this happens slightly differently on the show), and when he's found out, Carl uses an assault rifle to kill a bunch of the Saviors. Rather than killing him, Negan takes an interest in Carl. He shows Carl around his compound, the Sanctuary, makes a stop to torment one of his many wives, and forces Carl to remove the bandage from his eye socket. Negan even lets Carl hold Lucille while he burns the face of a man his "wife" slept with.
Days later, Negan goes by Alexandria and is approached by Spencer Monroe when Rick is gone. Spencer tells him that Rick is a bad leader and that he (Spencer) should be in charge. Negan kills him on the spot for his cowardice - RIP Spencer. Negan and Rick butt heads one last time before he leaves Alexandria, and on his way back to his compound, Negan is attacked by Rick and his crew. Negan basically laughs in his face, and Rick realizes that he's surrounded by Negan's army. There's a scuffle, but Negan ends up back at the Sanctuary to prepare for "All Out War." (This is a big deal in the comics, and it's about where we are on the show currently.)
Rick is actually the one who initiates a fight with Negan and his men. He tells Negan to clear the space of women and children, and when Negan refuses, Rick and his men open fire. Rick's army takes out a portion of the walls, allowing zombies to pour in and flood the courtyard. In the heat of battle, Negan catches one of his men about to rape a woman from Rick's side. Negan stabs him and apologizes to the woman. Despite having several wives, Negan does not approve of sexual violence. Part One of the war ends with Negan's men bombing Alexandria with grenades.
The next day, Negan comes up with a plan to cover Lucille and all of his men's weapons in zombie guts. That way, whoever they hit will be instantly infected. They attack Rick's colony, and Rick ends up getting shot with an arrow. Negan and his men temporarily retreat, and when they go to take over Rick's people, Negan is shocked to see that Rick is still alive. Rick manages to convince him that they shouldn't be fighting; they should be pooling their resources to fight the zombies - then he slashes Negan's throat. Don't freak out; Negan doesn't die.
Two years later, Carl goes to the basement in an unknown house and talks to a shadowy figure about a girl who showed him her boobs. (I'm not making this up.) The man asks Carl if he still wants to kill him, and Carl says, "Yes, Negan. You know I do." He's been living in the basement for two years! He and Rick have some loaded discussions about mercy and why Rick is really keeping Negan alive. Negan ends up escaping with a character named Brandon Rose. He's still alive in the comics, but he's missing in action.
And there you have it! That's Negan's storyline as far as we know. Let's see how closely the show sticks to the books.
A Catholic Nun Perfectly Explains the Major Hypocrisy of the "Pro-Life" Argument
A Catholic nun's explanation of the term "pro-life" from 2004 is resurfacing after recent antiabortion events. On PBS's Now With Bill Moyers, Sister Joan Chittister explained why being against abortion doesn't mean you're pro-life.
Here's the full quote:
"I do not believe that just because you're opposed to abortion that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would I think that you don't? Because you don't want any tax money to go there. That's not pro-life. That's pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the morality of pro-life is."
Chittister's position is not only informed by her faith, but also her academic experience: she's written over 50 books and has multiple degrees (including a doctorate).
The crux of Chittister's point is that there's a difference between advocating for birth and advocating for that child's entire life. If antiabortion proponents are truly "pro-life," then those same legislators would not argue for defunding programs like those that provide school lunches or health care. Many who oppose abortion also oppose access to contraceptives. Antiabortion congressmen have consistently also advocated for defunding Planned Parenthood, which provides women with birth control options.
Liberals have pointed to Chittister's quote as an argument for the social benefits that Republicans hope to limit without providing feasible options for women if they cannot obtain abortions.
Even Trump Supporters Can Admit This Protest Sign About Neil Gorsuch Is Pretty Epic
Hilarious sign at a Neil Gorsuch protest. from MarchAgainstTrump
On April 2, a Reddit user uploaded a photo of this hilarious sign spotted at a protest over President Donald Trump's Supreme Court pick, Neil Gorsuch. "Trump shouldn't get to appoint a Supreme Court justice in the final year of his presidency," the epic sign reads. This comes after there have been calls for Trump's impeachment by Congresswoman Maxine Waters and the recent bombshell of the FBI's ongoing investigation of Trump's alleged ties to Russia, giving some hope that this might be Trump's first and last year in office.
There's also the fact that Republicans basically blocked Merrick Garland from his Supreme Court appointment because he was nominated by former President Barack Obama in his last year.
In a surprising turn of events, many Trump supporters commented on the now-viral Reddit photo and admitted they also found the witty sign to be hilarious. "I'm a Trump supporter and I thought it was funny," Reddit user outfishin wrote. "I don't get why people have to be so offended all of the time. It's a clever sign whether or not I disagree with it," another Trump supporter wrote.
One can only imagine what the country would look like if both Democratic and Republican leaders in government would put aside their political discord in the same way these Reddit users did, even if just for a moment.
Lottery Horror Stories That Will Make You Think Twice About Buying That Ticket
Before you run out to buy a lottery ticket for the next Mega Millions drawing, there's something you need to know. The large prize could likely turn out to be a curse for whoever wins it. Most people have heard about lottery winners who lost it all, but sometimes these horror stories take especially calamitous turns. Below are nine blights you will avoid by not winning the lottery.
Divorce
Thomas and Denise Rossi were married for 25 years without any marital issues. Then, out of the blue, she asked for a divorce. Little did her husband know that days before filing, she had won $1.3 million, a secret she kept throughout the divorce proceedings. Once the truth came out, a judge found her guilty of violating California's disclosures law and awarded the entire winnings to her ex-husband.
Fire
Brits Roger and Lara Griffiths won about $3 million playing the lotto. She bought designer goods and he pursued a rock career, but soon it all went up in smoke. They lost money in bad investments, and their dream home, which they had borrowed against, burned down in a freak fire.
Murder
The story of Abraham Shakespeare is a truly tragic one. The Florida man had dropped out of school in seventh grade and could not read. At the age of 40, he won the $30 million jackpot. After he won, he couldn't say no to those who asked for money, even letting homeless people live in his home. That trust could have been his downfall. After Dorice Donegan "Dee-Dee" Moore "befriended" Abraham, he went missing. He was eventually found buried in a concrete slab at the home of Moore's boyfriend, and she was convicted of his murder.
Gambling
Evelyn Adams seemed lucky. She won the New Jersey lottery not once, but two times, raking up a prize of over $5.4 million. It didn't last long, though, as she squandered it on a gambling habit and ended up living in a trailer.
Hookers
If you win the lottery, beware of hookers. A love for cocaine and call girls cost Michael Carroll everything after he blew his $14 million winnings on the high life.
Thieves
Jack Whittaker won $314 million on Christmas Day. While Jack pledged 10 percent of his winnings to charity, the world wasn't so kind to him. Less than a year after he won, thieves broke into his car and stole $545,000 in cash. Another time, thieves stole $200,000 from his car (you would think he would find another place to keep his money). And if that wasn't enough, a strip club manager and dancer also conspired to drug him and take his money.
Suicide
It took Billie Bob Harrell Jr. 20 months to lose the $31 million he won in the Texas lottery. He quit his job at Home Depot and donated to charity, including 480 turkeys to the poor. But soon his spending got out of control, and people started to harass him for money. After he separated from his wife, his son found him dead from suicide.
Taxes
Tonda Lynn Dickerson worked at Waffle House. A generous regular gave the staff lottery tickets, and one day Tonda discovered that she had the winning ticket worth $10 million. While the rest of the employees alleged that they had all previously agreed to split a winning ticket, Tonda decided to keep it all for herself. They sued her and lost, but karma came back to bite Tonda when the IRS sued her for unpaid taxes.
Crack
Willie Hurt won $3.1 million in 1981. Two years later, he was broke after spending all his money on crack and was charged with murder.
Still think you could handle winning the lottery? There are some lottery stories that had happy endings, after all.
You'll Love Seeing Princess Diana and Kate Middleton With Their Kids, Side by Side
Though Princess Diana died tragically in August 1997, her spirit lives on through her two sons, Princes William and Harry. In addition to carrying on her legacy with their philanthropic efforts - Harry has said that his late mother is the "motivation" for his charity work - William is already keeping many of Diana's parenting traditions alive with his own children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Most recently, during William and Kate Middleton's royal tour of Canada, we saw the couple engaging with their little ones in ways that would make Diana so proud. Scroll through to see photos of William and Harry with their mom as kids along with William and Kate's cutest moments with Charlotte and George.
10 Fashion Bloggers Over 50 Who Completely Dominate the Style Game
With age comes grace, wisdom, and razor-sharp style. At least that's what we've gathered from senior fashion influencers like 63-year-old Lyn Slater. The university professor and social worker runs a blog called Accidental Icon and has an Instagram account that rivals any street style star.
Though her journey to becoming a fashionista was accidental - a paparazzi mistook her for a celebrity - Lyn's part of that special group of older women who naturally exude confidence. We guess it just comes with time. And she isn't the only stylish senior out there; we found nine more bloggers who prove great style knows no age limit.
You'll Love Seeing Princess Diana and Kate Middleton With Their Kids, Side by Side
Though Princess Diana died tragically in August 1997, her spirit lives on through her two sons, Princes William and Harry. In addition to carrying on her legacy with their philanthropic efforts - Harry has said that his late mother is the "motivation" for his charity work - William is already keeping many of Diana's parenting traditions alive with his own children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Most recently, during William and Kate Middleton's royal tour of Canada, we saw the couple engaging with their little ones in ways that would make Diana so proud. Scroll through to see photos of William and Harry with their mom as kids along with William and Kate's cutest moments with Charlotte and George.
What Happens in the Walking Dead Comic Books After Negan's Brutal Entrance
Image Source: AMC
Negan has been an unfortunate plague upon season seven of The Walking Dead. First, we watched him kill two major characters in the season premiere: Glenn and Abe. In more recent episodes, several more people fall victim to his sadistic killing streak. While the whole season has been a gradual introduction to his world, we do know how the rest of Negan's storyline plays out in the comic-book series. The Walking Dead TV series has veered from canon before, so we can't assume all of this will really go down on the show, though a lot of it already has.
At this point, you have to know that in the comic books, it's Glenn who Negan mercilessly beats to death with Lucille. So after all that ugliness, Negan and a group of the Saviors head to the Alexandria safe zone to take a bunch of stuff from Rick's people. Carl ends up hiding in the truck with Negan's men on the way back (this happens slightly differently on the show), and when he's found out, Carl uses an assault rifle to kill a bunch of the Saviors. Rather than killing him, Negan takes an interest in Carl. He shows Carl around his compound, the Sanctuary, makes a stop to torment one of his many wives, and forces Carl to remove the bandage from his eye socket. Negan even lets Carl hold Lucille while he burns the face of a man his "wife" slept with.
Days later, Negan goes by Alexandria and is approached by Spencer Monroe when Rick is gone. Spencer tells him that Rick is a bad leader and that he (Spencer) should be in charge. Negan kills him on the spot for his cowardice - RIP Spencer. Negan and Rick butt heads one last time before he leaves Alexandria, and on his way back to his compound, Negan is attacked by Rick and his crew. Negan basically laughs in his face, and Rick realizes that he's surrounded by Negan's army. There's a scuffle, but Negan ends up back at the Sanctuary to prepare for "All Out War." (This is a big deal in the comics, and it's about where we are on the show currently.)
Rick is actually the one who initiates a fight with Negan and his men. He tells Negan to clear the space of women and children, and when Negan refuses, Rick and his men open fire. Rick's army takes out a portion of the walls, allowing zombies to pour in and flood the courtyard. In the heat of battle, Negan catches one of his men about to rape a woman from Rick's side. Negan stabs him and apologizes to the woman. Despite having several wives, Negan does not approve of sexual violence. Part One of the war ends with Negan's men bombing Alexandria with grenades.
The next day, Negan comes up with a plan to cover Lucille and all of his men's weapons in zombie guts. That way, whoever they hit will be instantly infected. They attack Rick's colony, and Rick ends up getting shot with an arrow. Negan and his men temporarily retreat, and when they go to take over Rick's people, Negan is shocked to see that Rick is still alive. Rick manages to convince him that they shouldn't be fighting; they should be pooling their resources to fight the zombies - then he slashes Negan's throat. Don't freak out; Negan doesn't die.
Two years later, Carl goes to the basement in an unknown house and talks to a shadowy figure about a girl who showed him her boobs. (I'm not making this up.) The man asks Carl if he still wants to kill him, and Carl says, "Yes, Negan. You know I do." He's been living in the basement for two years! He and Rick have some loaded discussions about mercy and why Rick is really keeping Negan alive. Negan ends up escaping with a character named Brandon Rose. He's still alive in the comics, but he's missing in action.
And there you have it! That's Negan's storyline as far as we know. Let's see how closely the show sticks to the books.
23 Great Gift Ideas For 1-Year-Olds
Whether it comes in the form of crawling, scooting, or taking those first few steps, one thing's for certain - 1-year-olds are active little people! That's why it's important to provide them with toys that will satisfy their desire to explore the world around them and provide plenty of action. Check out our favorite picks, from push-along toys and blocks to shape sorters and more, for your baby's first holidays.
30 Clever Home Hacks For Decor-Lovers
Sometimes it's the smallest tweaks that make the biggest difference at home. These decorating hacks solve common dilemmas while also elevating your home's style - a double win! Trust us, you'll want to clear out your weekend schedule for these.
- Additional reporting by Angela Elias
7 Things You Never Knew About Chick-fil-A, Straight From an Employee
When you think of Chick-fil-A, the first thing that comes to mind is how all locations are closed on Sundays, and of course that drool-worthy sauce, but there are a lot of things we don't know about the fast-food joint. One employee just revealed tons of secrets about what it's like to work at Chick-fil-A in a Reddit AMA, and we're impressed. During the "Ask Me Anything" conversation, this teenage employee dished where the delicious chicken comes from, their thoughts on the chain being anti-LGBTQ, and why they always say "my pleasure" instead of "you're welcome." Read on for all of the Chick-fil-A insider secrets, straight from someone who knows best.
How "fresh" is the chicken?
It seems like fast-food chains are constantly competing with each other and saying that another chain's food comes frozen, but this employee is setting the record straight about Chick-fil-A's chicken. When asked if the chicken comes prebreaded and is frozen on site, the employee shut that down. "The chicken is FRESH and hand-breaded then fried on site," they said. "We're not lying to you."
The company has changed its anti-LGBTQ ways.
It's no secret that Chick-fil-A has been against LGBTQ rights and has even donated to anti-LGBTQ causes in the past, but this employee is explaining how the chain has changed and why it doesn't bother the employee at all. "As of late, they've actually made a turnaround and stopped donating to anti-LGBTQ corporations and apologized to the community," the employee said. "It's all about keeping a good name. I'm transgender and I know a gay guy who works there. I feel fine."
About that employee discount . . .
The employee said, "We get a free meal for 5 1/2 hours of work." This employee's favorite meal? "I'm a fan of the #1 (Just the chicken sandwich)," the employee shared. "CFA sauce and the mayonnaise they have is soooo tasty! Everything about the sandwich is perfect from the toasty buttery bun to the pickles. My location also serves mac and cheese and it's the bomb!!"
There's a reason they always say, "My pleasure."
Anyone who's been to Chick-fil-A can recognize within seconds that the employees don't say "you're welcome" and instead say "my pleasure." WHY?! "It's a courtesy thing," the employee said. "'You're welcome' seems too indifferent and we're told to use elevated language. Besides, we could get in trouble if we don't say it. Also, did you know that saying 'my pleasure' is not mentioned in the official training at all? It's a learned behavior."
The fries are highly ranked, but here's the truth behind them.
One Reddit user asked the employee how he or she feels about the fries and the fact that the crisped-to-perfection waffle fries just won the number one spot on The Ringer's best fast-food items list. "I'm very proud," the employee shared. "We don't make them in house though, they come in a box. Honestly, I think the Wendy's fries are better." OUCH!
The employees are legitimately trained to be super friendly.
When someone asked if friendliness was part of training because they "get diabetes every time I go to the local one because everyone is super sweet," the employee said yes! "We are literally told in training and reminded constantly to be 'aggressively courteous' there are literal steps on how to do it," the employee shared. "I won't tell you those steps so the sweetness remains genuine."
Fun fact: you can order Oreo pieces in any drink you want!
Yup! The employee shared that a big pet peeve is "people who order too quickly and then they MUMBLE. Also, if you have a huge milkshake order please please please call ahead!" But the most important thing here: "you can order Oreo pieces in whatever beverage you want."
If Your Child Is Sitting Like This, Here's Why You Need to Stop Them Now
My daughter's just over a year old, so there's really not much she's doing "wrong" yet. (Trust me, like all of us, she'll get there.) If she smacks our family pet, it's less hostility and more that she doesn't have full control of her arms. If she throws her food, it's not an act of insubordination but just her method of communicating that she's done eating. So, when a family member alerted me to something my child was doing that she needed to stop at once, I was taken aback. Especially because, at that particular moment, she wasn't stealing her playmate's toys or eating an expensive coaster as she's sometimes known to do. She was just sitting there.
Turns out, the way she was sitting - with each leg splayed at her side, knees in front and feet behind, to form a "W" shape - was all kinds of bad.
According to a vast majority of physical therapists, there are several key reasons why:
- W-sitting limits core strength because it gives kids a wider base of support. Because they don't have to engage their abdominal or back muscles in this position, kids often prefer it to more challenging, tiring positions, like with legs in front, at their sides, or crisscrossed.
- W-sitting causes muscle tightness, particularly in the legs and hips but also knees and ankles.
- W-sitting aggravates neurological issues such as low muscle tone, which means when kids aren't actively using their muscles, those muscles are floppier and softer and have a harder time holding their bodies upright.
What this all means, most therapists agree, is that prolonged W-sitting throughout childhood can lead to a delayed development in gross motor skills like coordination and balance. For those parents hoping to raise a star athlete, this position's effect on postural muscles can also be cause for concern.
Why do some kids sit like this? It's by far the steadiest way for children of all ages to sit, and aside from that innate tendency to achieve the most stability, it's also been attributed to time spent in infant carrier devices, like swings, bouncy seats, and car seats.
Seeing as my daughter had graduated from infancy, I was immediately concerned that the damage was already done. I had tried my best to limit her time in her baby swing and the oversize, overpriced ExerSaucer that I had bought under the assumption it was actually good for a baby's development, but here she was, W-sitting at every turn. I had never noticed it until now.
What can be done? Well, the somewhat alarmist recommendation is to get them to stop doing it immediately - that, whenever you see your child W-sitting, you either physically move their legs into a suitable position (if they're too young to understand) or tell them to do so.
So, with a watchful eye, I adjusted her legs every time she sat incorrectly, and my husband and I instructed our child's caretakers to do the same. Occasionally I'd correct her, and it'd be fine, but plenty of times, adjusting one of her legs would make her cry and most times, doing so annoyed her to the point that she was no longer interested in sitting and scooted off to go do something else.
She wasn't the only one getting fed up, and it had only been a week. I dug a little deeper and found that a few pediatric occupational therapists out there don't view this seated position as a problem necessarily. There's not much evidence that shows causation. That is, yes, children who W-sit often have orthopedic issues and muscle tightness. But W-sitting hasn't been proven to be the cause of those issues, which makes one wonder: could tight hamstrings and hip dysplasia lead to W-sitting, not the other way around?
One such unconvinced therapist, Rachel Coley, happens to be the mother to a W-sitter and maintains it's perfectly normal for kids to sit this way.
She notes that it's a simple sign of flexibility and aids in fine motor control because you need to assume the most stable seated position possible when engaging in tasks that require "coordinated, controlled movements of the hands and fingers." Coley also noted that, for babies in particular, W-sitting provides a convenient, "natural transition" from crawling or kneeling to sitting.
However, based on how strongly most certified therapists feel about W-sitting, I'm not taking any chances. I'm going to keep my eye on it, and I'll encourage other parents who were unaware of this issue to do the same, especially if they have older kids showing some of the negative side effects. But, if my child is having the time of her life smacking two wooden blocks together, I'm not going to spoil the fun if she happens to be W-sitting.
19 Things You Never Knew About HomeGoods
Few stores inspire devotion in their customers like HomeGoods. Treasures abound in HomeGoods locations across the country, and for that reason shoppers are seriously dedicated to the brand. In fact, news about an up-and-coming HomeGoods spin-off store has fans eagerly awaiting the next discount home retailer.
Still, shopping at HomeGoods makes me curious. Where do buyers find the merchandise? How do certain items end up at my local HomeGoods, and not elsewhere? I have so many questions, but so few answers.
It turns out I'm not the only one. The company is notoriously secretive about their corporate processes. Fortunately, some answers are out there if one does a little digging. If you'd like to know more about the magical store that is HomeGoods, then read on.
10 Fashion Bloggers Over 50 Who Completely Dominate the Style Game
With age comes grace, wisdom, and razor-sharp style. At least that's what we've gathered from senior fashion influencers like 63-year-old Lyn Slater. The university professor and social worker runs a blog called Accidental Icon and has an Instagram account that rivals any street style star.
Though her journey to becoming a fashionista was accidental - a paparazzi mistook her for a celebrity - Lyn's part of that special group of older women who naturally exude confidence. We guess it just comes with time. And she isn't the only stylish senior out there; we found nine more bloggers who prove great style knows no age limit.
23 Great Gift Ideas For 1-Year-Olds
Whether it comes in the form of crawling, scooting, or taking those first few steps, one thing's for certain - 1-year-olds are active little people! That's why it's important to provide them with toys that will satisfy their desire to explore the world around them and provide plenty of action. Check out our favorite picks, from push-along toys and blocks to shape sorters and more, for your baby's first holidays.
Here's What Barack Obama Has Been Up to Since He Walked Out of the White House - and Our Lives
Barack Obama officially left the White House on Jan. 20, and he did so faster than we could say, "Don't go!" Since his departure, Barack has been fulfilling his passion for adventure and settled into permanent vacation mode (really, though, can you blame him?). While many of us are still longing for his return, the sad truth is that Barack is gone and off living his best life.
If Your Child Is Sitting Like This, Here's Why You Need to Stop Them Now
My daughter's just over a year old, so there's really not much she's doing "wrong" yet. (Trust me, like all of us, she'll get there.) If she smacks our family pet, it's less hostility and more that she doesn't have full control of her arms. If she throws her food, it's not an act of insubordination but just her method of communicating that she's done eating. So, when a family member alerted me to something my child was doing that she needed to stop at once, I was taken aback. Especially because, at that particular moment, she wasn't stealing her playmate's toys or eating an expensive coaster as she's sometimes known to do. She was just sitting there.
Turns out, the way she was sitting - with each leg splayed at her side, knees in front and feet behind, to form a "W" shape - was all kinds of bad.
According to a vast majority of physical therapists, there are several key reasons why:
- W-sitting limits core strength because it gives kids a wider base of support. Because they don't have to engage their abdominal or back muscles in this position, kids often prefer it to more challenging, tiring positions, like with legs in front, at their sides, or crisscrossed.
- W-sitting causes muscle tightness, particularly in the legs and hips but also knees and ankles.
- W-sitting aggravates neurological issues such as low muscle tone, which means when kids aren't actively using their muscles, those muscles are floppier and softer and have a harder time holding their bodies upright.
What this all means, most therapists agree, is that prolonged W-sitting throughout childhood can lead to a delayed development in gross motor skills like coordination and balance. For those parents hoping to raise a star athlete, this position's effect on postural muscles can also be cause for concern.
Why do some kids sit like this? It's by far the steadiest way for children of all ages to sit, and aside from that innate tendency to achieve the most stability, it's also been attributed to time spent in infant carrier devices, like swings, bouncy seats, and car seats.
Seeing as my daughter had graduated from infancy, I was immediately concerned that the damage was already done. I had tried my best to limit her time in her baby swing and the oversize, overpriced ExerSaucer that I had bought under the assumption it was actually good for a baby's development, but here she was, W-sitting at every turn. I had never noticed it until now.
What can be done? Well, the somewhat alarmist recommendation is to get them to stop doing it immediately - that, whenever you see your child W-sitting, you either physically move their legs into a suitable position (if they're too young to understand) or tell them to do so.
So, with a watchful eye, I adjusted her legs every time she sat incorrectly, and my husband and I instructed our child's caretakers to do the same. Occasionally I'd correct her, and it'd be fine, but plenty of times, adjusting one of her legs would make her cry and most times, doing so annoyed her to the point that she was no longer interested in sitting and scooted off to go do something else.
She wasn't the only one getting fed up, and it had only been a week. I dug a little deeper and found that a few pediatric occupational therapists out there don't view this seated position as a problem necessarily. There's not much evidence that shows causation. That is, yes, children who W-sit often have orthopedic issues and muscle tightness. But W-sitting hasn't been proven to be the cause of those issues, which makes one wonder: could tight hamstrings and hip dysplasia lead to W-sitting, not the other way around?
One such unconvinced therapist, Rachel Coley, happens to be the mother to a W-sitter and maintains it's perfectly normal for kids to sit this way.
She notes that it's a simple sign of flexibility and aids in fine motor control because you need to assume the most stable seated position possible when engaging in tasks that require "coordinated, controlled movements of the hands and fingers." Coley also noted that, for babies in particular, W-sitting provides a convenient, "natural transition" from crawling or kneeling to sitting.
However, based on how strongly most certified therapists feel about W-sitting, I'm not taking any chances. I'm going to keep my eye on it, and I'll encourage other parents who were unaware of this issue to do the same, especially if they have older kids showing some of the negative side effects. But, if my child is having the time of her life smacking two wooden blocks together, I'm not going to spoil the fun if she happens to be W-sitting.
7 Things You Never Knew About Chick-fil-A, Straight From an Employee
When you think of Chick-fil-A, the first thing that comes to mind is how all locations are closed on Sundays, and of course that drool-worthy sauce, but there are a lot of things we don't know about the fast-food joint. One employee just revealed tons of secrets about what it's like to work at Chick-fil-A in a Reddit AMA, and we're impressed. During the "Ask Me Anything" conversation, this teenage employee dished where the delicious chicken comes from, their thoughts on the chain being anti-LGBTQ, and why they always say "my pleasure" instead of "you're welcome." Read on for all of the Chick-fil-A insider secrets, straight from someone who knows best.
How "fresh" is the chicken?
It seems like fast-food chains are constantly competing with each other and saying that another chain's food comes frozen, but this employee is setting the record straight about Chick-fil-A's chicken. When asked if the chicken comes prebreaded and is frozen on site, the employee shut that down. "The chicken is FRESH and hand-breaded then fried on site," they said. "We're not lying to you."
The company has changed its anti-LGBTQ ways.
It's no secret that Chick-fil-A has been against LGBTQ rights and has even donated to anti-LGBTQ causes in the past, but this employee is explaining how the chain has changed and why it doesn't bother the employee at all. "As of late, they've actually made a turnaround and stopped donating to anti-LGBTQ corporations and apologized to the community," the employee said. "It's all about keeping a good name. I'm transgender and I know a gay guy who works there. I feel fine."
About that employee discount . . .
The employee said, "We get a free meal for 5 1/2 hours of work." This employee's favorite meal? "I'm a fan of the #1 (Just the chicken sandwich)," the employee shared. "CFA sauce and the mayonnaise they have is soooo tasty! Everything about the sandwich is perfect from the toasty buttery bun to the pickles. My location also serves mac and cheese and it's the bomb!!"
There's a reason they always say, "My pleasure."
Anyone who's been to Chick-fil-A can recognize within seconds that the employees don't say "you're welcome" and instead say "my pleasure." WHY?! "It's a courtesy thing," the employee said. "'You're welcome' seems too indifferent and we're told to use elevated language. Besides, we could get in trouble if we don't say it. Also, did you know that saying 'my pleasure' is not mentioned in the official training at all? It's a learned behavior."
The fries are highly ranked, but here's the truth behind them.
One Reddit user asked the employee how he or she feels about the fries and the fact that the crisped-to-perfection waffle fries just won the number one spot on The Ringer's best fast-food items list. "I'm very proud," the employee shared. "We don't make them in house though, they come in a box. Honestly, I think the Wendy's fries are better." OUCH!
The employees are legitimately trained to be super friendly.
When someone asked if friendliness was part of training because they "get diabetes every time I go to the local one because everyone is super sweet," the employee said yes! "We are literally told in training and reminded constantly to be 'aggressively courteous' there are literal steps on how to do it," the employee shared. "I won't tell you those steps so the sweetness remains genuine."
Fun fact: you can order Oreo pieces in any drink you want!
Yup! The employee shared that a big pet peeve is "people who order too quickly and then they MUMBLE. Also, if you have a huge milkshake order please please please call ahead!" But the most important thing here: "you can order Oreo pieces in whatever beverage you want."
Reminder: Glenn's Death in the Walking Dead Comic Books Is More Disgusting Than You Could Possibly Imagine
The Walking Dead's writers chose to end their season six finale with a massive, frustrating cliffhanger that deprived fans of the knowledge of who the show's newest villain, Negan, brutally murders in the final seconds of the episode. We now know (for better or for worse) who is on the receiving end of the bat: Abe, then Glenn. Abe famously dies in the comics with an arrow through the eye, but since Denise takes that death instead on the show, his storyline has been a bit of a loose thread. The premiere sees Abe beat senseless first, before Glenn is tragically beat to a pulp. It's horrific, but let's be honest: the makeup job is insanely good. Glenn is the one who takes the beating in the comic books, and his death is still one of the most affecting moments for fans of the series. Months after the scene aired, we're still thinking about it. Take a look at the pages here to see how truly similar the death is in the books.
31 Ways Real People Make Extra Income
Earning income doesn't have to stop at your salary. There's no better way to learn how to make more money than from people who have actually done it - so read these true-life examples cited by Reddit users.
Here's What Barack Obama Has Been Up to Since He Walked Out of the White House - and Our Lives
Barack Obama officially left the White House on Jan. 20, and he did so faster than we could say, "Don't go!" Since his departure, Barack has been fulfilling his passion for adventure and settled into permanent vacation mode (really, though, can you blame him?). While many of us are still longing for his return, the sad truth is that Barack is gone and off living his best life.
Fastpass Distributions For Toy Story Mania at Disneyland Are Finally Here!
While the inevitably long waits for rides at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks are pretty much always worth it, they also can be a pain in the ass, especially on a hot day. Excited park-goers trying to cram in as much fun as they can in one day can get stopped up by wait times on rides that don't offer the option of Disney Fastpass, so fans collectively say the more Fastpass options, the merrier!
Well, Disney's wish is our command. The company announced in January that additional Disney Fastpass locations would be coming to Disneyland and California Adventure, and for fans of Toy Story Mania and Matterhorn Bobsleds, get excited for shorter waits on these rides, as they will soon offer Fastpass options. Toy Story Mania Fastpass distributions start April 6, 2017, so get your Disneyland tickets ASAP!
Disney is launching the Disney Maxpass, which, according to the site, "will allow guests to maximize their experience by providing unlimited downloads of their high-resolution PhotoPass images and by enabling the convenience of mobile booking and redemption of Disney Fastpass return times - all by using the Disneyland App." The Maxpass will be available later this year and will start at $10 per day. Annual passholders will have the option to buy the pass on a daily or yearly basis.
Find Out What's Happened to Your Favorite Food Network Stars of Yesteryear
Believe it or not, The Next Food Network Star has run for 12 seasons and counting! Ever wonder what happened to some of the previous winners you may have forgotten about? We're taking a look back at every winner of the popular Food Network show, starting in 2005, including famous hosts you might not have realized competed on the show, like Guy Fieri.
The 10 Best Bottles For Breastfed Babies
Breastfed babies don't only take their milk from the breast. While lactation consultants suggest waiting at least three weeks before introducing a bottle, breastfeeding mamas often abide by their own schedules. Finding a bottle that truly mimics the motion, flow, and feeling of the breast is often the hardest part of making the switch. We've put countless bottles to the test, and narrowed our list down to nine.
Check out our picks for the most breast-like bottles on the market, and let us know which one you (or your children) prefer.
Find Out What's Happened to Your Favorite Food Network Stars of Yesteryear
Believe it or not, The Next Food Network Star has run for 12 seasons and counting! Ever wonder what happened to some of the previous winners you may have forgotten about? We're taking a look back at every winner of the popular Food Network show, starting in 2005, including famous hosts you might not have realized competed on the show, like Guy Fieri.
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's Family Bond Is Country Strong
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are one of country music's most beloved couples, and their family is just as adorable. The pair tied the knot in 1996 and are parents to three beautiful daughters, Gracie, 19, Maggie, 18, and Audrey, 14. While they have both given us a glimpse at their sweet family life on social media, Tim has also brought his daughter Maggie as his date for various award shows. Whether they're singing along to Taylor Swift in the car or they're posing together on the red carpet, it's pretty obvious that their family bond is unbreakable.
1 Female Legislator's "White Male" Comment Sent These White Males Spinning
When Minnesota House members met to discuss a bill regarding harsh penalties for protesters that block major roads, Melissa Hortman, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor minority leader, noticed that some of her colleagues were missing. During the meeting, Democratic state Rep. Ilhan Omar gave a speech about the bill. She explained that if these harsh penalties were in order, movements like Black Lives Matter would not exist, but Hortman wasn't satisfied with lack of legislators on the floor.
Hortman pointed out that not only were her male colleagues not present to hear Omar's speech, but they also missed other amazing speeches made by women opposing the bill because they were in the retiring room . . . and she did not hold back with these thoughts. "I hate to break up the 100 percent white male card game in the retiring room, but I think this is an important debate," Hortman said.
As expected, her comment did not sit well with some of the male legislators, especially Republican Rep. Bob Dettmer. "I'm a white male," he said. "I respect everybody. But I really believe the comments that were made by the minority leader were really not appropriate. Minority leader, would you apologize to the body?" Hortman refused to back down.
"I have no intention of apologizing," Hortman said. "I am so tired of watching Rep. Susan Allen give an amazing speech, Rep. Peggy Flanagan give an amazing speech; watching Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn give an amazing speech, Rep. Rena Moran give the most heartfelt, incredible speech I've heard on this House floor as long as I can remember; watching Rep. Ilhan Omar give an amazing speech, and looking around to see where are my colleagues?"
She added: "And I went in the retiring room and I saw where a bunch of my colleagues were, and I'm really tired of watching women of color, in particular, being ignored. So, I'm not sorry." If we were there, this would be the moment we burst out into applause.
But Dettmer was not alone in feeling offended by Hortman's statement during the meeting. Republican Rep. Greg Davids told a local Minnesota publication that he believes she should resign for her "racist" comment. "I was greatly offended by Hortman's racist statement about white males," he told the Post-Bulletin. "I believe her comments have created a very hostile working environment."
Watch the video above to see how the House members handled Hortman's comment about sexism in the courtroom.
Toddler Shuts Down a Cashier Who Told Her to Pick Out a "Different" Doll
After Sophia successfully pooped on the potty for an entire month, she was allowed to pick out a special prize. Not surprising to her parents, Brandi and Nick, Sophia wanted a new doll.
As her mom explained, "the obsession is real" when it comes to dolls for this little girl, but a cashier at the store threatened to ruin her excitement - simply because of the color of her new toy's skin. While Sophia and Brandi were checking out, the employee asked the toddler if she was going to a birthday party. Both the mom and daughter gave the woman a blank stare. She then asked if Sophia picked the doll out for a friend.
"Sophia continued to stare blankly and I let the cashier know that she was a prize for Sophia being fully potty trained," Brandi shared on the Love What Matters Facebook page. "The woman gave me a puzzled look and turned to Sophia and asked, 'Are you sure this is the doll you want, honey?'"
Sophia found her voice and replied, "Yes, please!" but the woman still didn't back down. "But she doesn't look like you. We have lots of other dolls that look more like you," the cashier said, according to Brandi.
Brandi immediately became angry, but before she could say anything, Sophia began explaining all of the ways she and her new doll are alike. "Yes, she does. She's a doctor like I'm a doctor. And I'm a pretty girl and she's a pretty girl. See her pretty hair? And see her stethoscope?" Sophia told the stranger.
The cashier finally dropped the conversation, but the unexpected exchange had a lasting impact on this mom. "This experience just confirmed my belief that we aren't born with the idea that color matters," she wrote. "Skin comes in different colors just like hair and eyes, and every shade is beautiful."
Lose Yourself in 13 Reasons Why's Brilliant, Haunting Soundtrack
For much of 13 Reasons Why, Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) spends his time walking around the halls of his high school with a pair of headphones and a cassette player, listening to the 13 tapes left behind by Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), a former classmate who had committed suicide a few weeks earlier. After finishing the series, the first thing we wanted to do was reach for our own headphones, because the show's soundtrack could not be more perfect. With a great mix of indie hits (like Lord Huron's "The Night We Met," which plays at the school dance), pop covers (Selena Gomez's "Only You"), and vintage classics (get ready for The Cure and Joy Division), the dark drama becomes that much more hauntingly memorable. Minnette actually picked out many of the tracks himself, so you have him to thank while you enjoy the next 36 songs.
Jennifer Aniston's Already Wearing the Shoe of the Summer
In the Summer of 2016, Jennifer Aniston kept her Burberry wedges on repeat. She bought them in two neutral colorways, a promising move to make when you know you've found a style that's comfortable and versatile.
The actress, who always maintains effortless street style, stepped out in West Hollywood, CA, in a pair of boyfriend jeans, a fitted military jacket, and Soludos leather sandals with an espadrille platform. While these shoes are a few inches lower than her Burberry pairs, they're certainly more suitable for running errands on a relaxing afternoon.
Scroll to take a look, then shop Jen's pair along with similar options, before she scoops up every colorway.
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's Family Bond Is Country Strong
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are one of country music's most beloved couples, and their family is just as adorable. The pair tied the knot in 1996 and are parents to three beautiful daughters, Gracie, 19, Maggie, 18, and Audrey, 14. While they have both given us a glimpse at their sweet family life on social media, Tim has also brought his daughter Maggie as his date for various award shows. Whether they're singing along to Taylor Swift in the car or they're posing together on the red carpet, it's pretty obvious that their family bond is unbreakable.
3 Surprising Realities of Visiting Magnolia Market in Real Life
If you've ever dreamed about heading to Waco, TX, to check out Magnolia Market for yourself - and what Fixer Upper fan hasn't?! - then you're going to be interested in what blogger Rachel Teodoro has to say. She's a Chip and Joanna Gaines expert, having interviewed Fixer Upper cast members and visited the Silos several times. She recently shared 11 little-known facts about visiting Waco and was kind enough to let us share some of the most surprising revelations about Magnolia Market below. Whether you're planning a visit yourself or just curious about what it would be like to pose beneath the #milestomagnolia sign and play bean-bag toss on the Silos lawn, we encourage you to check them out below. Then, head to Rachel's blog for the full story.
Joanna's Mom Welcomes Guests
You're probably not going to run into Chip and Joanna while visiting Magnolia Market, but if you visit on a Friday or Saturday, you're likely to see Joanna's mom, who greets guests those days. She's as gracious and lovely as her daughter - and willing to pose for a picture with you, Rachel says.
They Have Their Own Prayer Team
It's no secret that faith is a huge part of Chip and Joanna's life, but what few fans know, Rachel says, is that Magnolia Market has its own prayer team. They take the prayer requests they receive seriously, praying over all of them. The prayer leader seems to be Joanna's mom, who is often spotted with her hand outstretched in prayer over the land the Gaines build and work on.
There Are Some Shopping Deals to Be Had
The experience of visiting the store in Waco is undeniably more exciting than browsing the website, but the goods and prices are identical. While you'll return home with the memories of visiting Magnolia Market in person, Rachel says you won't return with any special goods that you couldn't also buy online.
Update March 15, 2017: Magnolia Market reached out to POPSUGAR to clarify that while about 40 percent of the goods in their Magnolia Market store are available in their online shop, the other 60 percent can only be purchased at the physical location. "Joanna wants to make sure that our guests that are traveling to Waco are able to purchase unique items that are not found online," a rep told us.
8 Savvy Ways to Update Your Wardrobe Without Spending Tons of Money
The following post was originally featured on Nany's Klozet and written by Daniela Ramirez, who is part of POPSUGAR Select Latina.
The best way to start the new year is with a "new" closet. When you clean your closet, you also get rid of old (and bad) energy, and you will feel a big difference. Having an organized closet will help you find your favorite pieces quicker and make getting dressed each morning easier.
Do a Closet Clean-Out
Start by going through everything in your closet and get ready to have five piles: keep, fix, donate, throw away, and sell.
What should you keep?
Ask yourself, have I worn this in the past year? If the answer is no, you are probably not going to wear it ever again. Here's a fun trick to know if you have worn something in the past year: put your hangers backwards every time you do a clean-out. When you wear something, put it back as it should be hung normally. At the end of the year, you can clearly see what you haven't worn in a while.
Then think, why haven't I worn it? Is it damaged? Does it not fit anymore?
If it has a little hole or anything that can be fixable, put it in the fix pile. If not, throw it away. If the items are in good condition but have no significant value, donate them. If you think you can get a little money, sell them!
Forget about sentimental value (unless it's a piece of jewelry your grandmother gave you, of course). This includes that old prom dress you know you are never going to wear again or that cute dress you wore to your first date 10 years ago. Getting rid of them won't delete that amazing memory.
Remember to do a clean-out with your beauty bag, too - makeup has an expiration date, and anything older than a year should be thrown out. Wearing expired makeup can cause breakouts and allergic reactions.
Host a Wardrobe Exchange
Let's say you organized your closet and you realized you have a ton of clothes in mint condition that you never wear. What should you do? Host a wardrobe exchange with your friends.
How?
- Invite a group of close friends and encourage them to invite people as well. You want to keep the group relatively small, but it's a great way to meet and bond with friends.
- Tell them to bring X amount of items. Just be clear about the fact that the pieces must be in perfect condition - clean, no holes, or stains. I recommend bringing a minimum of five pieces.
- Make it fun with appetizers and champagne.
- As soon as the people start arriving, group items by type - dresses, shirts, accessories, etc..
- If you came in with five pieces, you can take five pieces home with you.
The more pieces they bring, the more variety! It's the perfect way to have "new" clothes without spending a dime!
Raid Your Mom's, Sister's, or Aunt's Closet
If you still live with your family, this is easier. However, you can even ask your crazy aunt if you can check out her clothes from the '80s and '90s - I'm sure you can find some amazing things hidden in the bottom of her closet. I did this once with my aunt and she was super excited to see me wearing something from 20 years ago. Also, think outside the box: it doesn't have to be a woman's closet, dare to borrow your dad's shirt or even your boyfriend's jeans.
Find a Tailor You Trust
If you have jeans you used to love but you truly kept that New Year's Resolution to lose weight, and they are too big now; if you want to transform a midi sequin dress into a mini dress, a tailor is your BFF.
Find someone in your city that you trust for all the wardrobe basics, including hemming your pants and making that sexy dress fit like a glove. Then you can ask him/her for a discount when you bring that big ole fix pile. They can transform that dress with the cute print but unflattering neckline.
Shop at Vintage/Thrift Stores
A lot of people underestimate the power of buying in thrift shops or vintage stores. First of all, everything comes back in style. Second, I love thinking that the pieces have a story, that they were carried around when the world was a different place. (Well, that might be just me. I'm a little crazy!) Third, there's a big chance nobody else will own it - vintage pieces are very unique.
I've found amazing items on vintage stores. I found a pair of D&G shoes for $20, a small vintage Coach bag for $15, and silk blouses for $5.
A couple of tips:
- Wash everything as soon as you get home (no bedbugs, please!).
- Go with comfy shoes, because finding those hidden gems isn't that easy. You really have to go through piles and piles of clothes, but it is worth it.
DIY
This is the best way to update your current pieces. I often see clothes on the runway that I think might be fun to DIY. And the best part? Saying you did it yourself when people ask you, where did you get that?
Sell, Sell, Sell
Why not make a little profit from cleaning out your closet? If you have pieces in perfect condition that are valuable, put them up for sale.
Some options:
- Local consignment stores: I personally don't like this option, but if you want to get rid of a lot of things quick, this is a good way to do it. They are going to offer you very little money and they are very picky. I went to one called "Plato's Closet," and they rejected more than half of the things I brought and only offered me $50 for a lot of things
- eBay
- Poshmark: This is my favorite app to sell clothes. It is very easy to use and you can make great money from it. Sign up using the code "HPFVV," and you will get $10 to shop.
Every month I challenge myself, and I try to sell more. The goal: only spend what I have sold.
When Going Shopping, Think "CPU" - Cost Per Use
Last resort . . . go shopping. You deserve it after cleaning, selling, swapping, and raiding.
Never go shopping without knowing what you are looking for, this leads to impulse buying (and most impulse buys end up with their tags on at the end of the closet).
Along the way, maybe you realized you needed a white blouse or a leopard scarf. So write them down. Make a list of the things you really need, and the ones you really want. We all deserve a little treat now and then.
No matter what you buy, always think CPU (cost per use): the cost of the item divided by the amount of times you will use it.
For example, let's say you find a classic LBD at Forever 21 for $30, and you only wear it twice because the fabric lost its stretch when you washed it. The CPU of the affordable dress is $15.
An even better option would be:
You save up a little more and buy an identical classic LBD for $150 that will last 5 years. Let's say you wear it five times per year (and that's nothing because you can even wear an LBD with a denim jacket for a BBQ). The CPU of this dress is $6.
Also, I have a rule that I never buy anything unless I can think of three ways I can wear it. It's all about versatile pieces you can have fun with.
5 Inexpensive Items That Make For Gorgeous Kitchen Backsplashes
The backsplash is by far the most fun design decision during a kitchen remodel - so why settle for standard tile or stone? Instead, turn an everyday collection into an unexpected backsplash display. The design secret here is the multiples: when small graphic items are arranged side by side, the result is a surprisingly cohesive, curated look. The best part? Not only will a DIY backsplash elevate you to Pinterest goddess status, but employing everyday items (instead of expensive marble or tile) will save you major renovation bucks, too. Win-win? We think so.
Read on for our favorite DIY kitchen backsplash ideas, and be sure to ask your local hardware store for installation tips before trying it at home.
Wine Corks
Memorialize your favorite Merlot by adhering the corks to a wet bar's backsplash in alternating horizontal and vertical pairs. Use the DIY project as an excuse to drink more vino (we won't tell anyone), or simply purchase used wine corks online. They're easy to find and usually super inexpensive.
Dominoes
Get your kitchen's game face on with dominoes. The classic black and white game pieces add a decidedly sophisticated touch when arranged in rows. Complement the look with the latest kitchen trend: dark gray cabinets and warm brass hardware.
Bottle Caps
Bottle caps, which look like colorful penny tile from afar, are right at home in the kitchen. Choose a color theme - only blue bottle caps, for example - or include all hues for the ultimate vibrant look. Enlist friends to collect, or buy bottle caps in bulk from Etsy sellers, like TorBearNC.
Coasters
Bar and restaurant coasters, bursting with fun fonts and graphic treatments, are an inexpensive way to replicate the look of ceramic tile but with an unexpected twist. Make a point to collect the coasters during travels, and you'll create a memory-filled scrapbook for your walls. Simply arrange the coasters as if you would square tiles and then cover them with a large glass plate for protection against cooking oils.
Plates
Channel your inner Antoni Gaudí and design a mosaic backsplash using smashed dinner plates and platters. Vintage varieties are a dime a dozen at antique stores and flea markets, usually costing a mere few dollars each. Pile the dinnerware in a cloth bag (to avoid flying pieces) before breaking them with a hammer. Then glue the roughly one-inch pieces to your walls in a pattern or at random.
10 Student-Teacher Relationships That Cross the Line
At what point does it become acceptable for a student to date a teacher? It's obviously a no-no if the student is underage, but some colleges have banned student-teacher sex completely, even between consenting adults. For years, the topic has fascinated filmmakers and viewers alike. Some are particularly racy takes on these scandals, like the film A Teacher, while other affairs are explained more easily - Drew Barrymore is an undercover reporter in Never Been Kissed, therefore technically fair game ( . . . still a little shady). Here are student-teacher liaisons that cross the line from cute to questionable.
The 10 Best Bottles For Breastfed Babies
Breastfed babies don't only take their milk from the breast. While lactation consultants suggest waiting at least three weeks before introducing a bottle, breastfeeding mamas often abide by their own schedules. Finding a bottle that truly mimics the motion, flow, and feeling of the breast is often the hardest part of making the switch. We've put countless bottles to the test, and narrowed our list down to nine.
Check out our picks for the most breast-like bottles on the market, and let us know which one you (or your children) prefer.
Dad Proves That His Love For His Kids Is More Important Than Any Issues With His Ex-Wife
On his ex-wife's birthday, Billy Flynn woke up early to buy flowers, cards, and gifts for his boys to give their mom. He then helped his two kids make her breakfast and surprise her with the treats.
Despite his kind actions, though, this dad still receives criticism on a regular basis, so he's explaining his actions to those who don't understand why he does nice things for his ex. "I'm raising two little men. The example I set for how I treat their mom is going to significantly shape how they see and treat women and affect their perception of relationships," Billy shared on Love What Matters Facebook page. "I think even more so in my case because we are divorced. So if you aren't modeling good relationship behavior for your kids, get your sh*t together. Rise above it and be an example. This is bigger than you."
This isn't the first time someone was confused by Billy being on good terms with his ex, so this dedicated dad realizes that he is setting the example both for his children and other adults. "Raise good men. Raise strong women," he wrote. "Please. The world needs them, now more than ever."
Unnecessary care in Canada tops 1 million tests and treatments a year
Canadians have more than a million tests or treatments a year that don't help patients and may be harmful, a new report suggests.
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