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.
vendredi 12 mai 2017
12 Luxurious Beauty Gifts to Pamper Your Mom With This Mother's Day
Maybe your mom is the one to thank for your obsession with makeup, or your passion for a solid skin-care regimen was instilled in you by her at an early age. Or, perhaps your mother is so low-maintenance, you're shocked you come from the same household.
Regardless, Mother's Day is fast approaching (May 14, for you procrastinators), and if you need a gift, there are few better ways to pamper your mama than with some sophisticated new beauty products. Ahead, we have the hottest hair tool on the market, the chicest bubble bath you've ever seen, and many more gifts for her that she'll adore almost as much as she loves you.
This Is the Coolest Thing You Can Do With Your Baby's Old Onesies
Onesies get their name due to the fact that they're one piece, but because babies grow so fast - seriously, why so fast?! - there's almost a double meaning to the name, as it may feel like your child only wore each one once before promptly growing into the next size. Babies go through a ton of clothes super quickly, but there are inevitably a few items that will end up meaning more than the others because of how you remember your little one looking in it, or because something monumental happened while they were wearing the article.
But once your child grows out of that adorable pair of pajamas or seriously cute onesie, there isn't much you can do with them besides keep them in a box along with their baby books and old toys - until now. The Etsy shop ImaginationAcresLLC advertises adorable, handmade stuffed animals made from your child's old clothes, and they're the coolest keepsakes. Whatever your reason for having one or two special outfits of your child's saved, rather than relegate it to an old, dusty box, give it new life by getting it turned into something that your child can actually play with and love.
Scroll through to see ImaginationAcresLLC's adorable stuffed animals - including before and after photos!
Michelle Obama Addresses the Melania Trump Gift Meme
One of the most talked about moments on Inauguration Day was a seemingly awkward moment between Michelle Obama and Melania Trump. But, according to Obama, the moment was more about trying to hold back her emotions than anything else.
In case you forgot, on Inauguration Day, when the new first lady and president of the United States arrived at the White House, Trump greeted Obama and handed her a gift. The moment was captured by ABC News and showed Obama's puzzled face as she wondered where to put the gift. The internet was quick to say Obama's face was a reaction to the incoming Trump presidency. But at the American Institute of Architects conference on April 27, Obama revealed what her actual emotions were. The former first lady said she was beginning to realize these were her last moments in the White House - a not-so-easy moment, especially for her daughters, who grew up there.
"So that moment of transition, right before the doors opened and we welcomed in the new family, our kids were leaving out the back door in tears, saying goodbye to people," she said at the event. Obama said she didn't want to have tears in her eyes to avoid any backlash. "I didn't want to have tears in my eyes because people would swear I was crying because of the new president," she said, according to Today.
At the conference, Obama told the audience that Sasha and Malia's last night at the White House involved a slumber party with friends. "They had a sleepover, because of course on Inauguration Day, because my girls are so normal, they're like, 'Well, eight girls are gonna be sleeping here because it's our last time, and we want pizza and we want nuggets.' And it's like, really?"
This was Obama's first public speaking appearance since Inauguration Day, and we're glad to see her back in the spotlight.
I Wrote a Romance Novel on a Train and Here’s What I Learned
Image Source: StockSnap / Denys Argyriou
Of all the strange and wonderful things I've done in my life, writing a romance novel on a train ranks chief among them.
In late January, I found myself sitting in a sleeper car on an Amtrak train, whizzing through the snow-blanketed Sierra Nevadas, sipping a cold beer and working on the final chapter of my romance novel, Constant Craving. I'd been one of 24 people chosen for the Amtrak Writers Residency, a program for creative professionals.
Most of the people chosen were literary fiction writers, playwrights, and poets. I think I was one of the only, if not the only, genre fiction writer. The purpose of the residency was to give artists a unique place to write; it was originally suggested by novelist Alexander Chee, who said in an interview that his favorite place to write was on a train.
When I was chosen for the program in the Summer of 2016, I was a bit incredulous. Me, a romance writer and reporter? I wasn't writing deep think pieces - in my day job, I write about tragedies, disasters, and alligator attacks in Florida. In my fiction life, I write about . . . well, sexytimes.
But I was chosen, and Amtrak did want me to ride the rails and write whatever I wanted, be it fiction or nonfiction.
So the gist of the program was this: I would ride around the country on a train for two weeks and follow my muse. Pretty sweet, right? I picked a somewhat circular route around the country to coincide with a writing conference in New York, overstuffed my little rolling suitcase, and asked my readers for their favorite snack recipes.
Off I went.
From my home state of Florida I headed to New York, then Chicago, west to San Francisco, south to Los Angeles, and then over to New Orleans. I stopped in each of those cities. I had dinner with writers in New York, pizza with my dad in Oakland, high tea with my critique partner in Chicago, and brunch with a friend in Los Angeles. Truly the stuff memories are made of.
There was also lots of alone time, something I craved.
During one of the few pockets of internet access (more on that later) I posted a photo to Instagram of the beer and the snow and my computer.
"This is also vacation," I wrote.
I turned to my computer and revised and rewrote a couple of pages, then paused to stare out the window at the incredible view. That's when it hit me: what was I doing, staring at a screen when immeasurable beauty was all around me? Why wasn't I acting like I was on vacation?
The train glided through sun-dappled valleys and forests covered in sparkling snow. As a Florida girl, I was captivated by the scenery. I closed my laptop.
An hour slipped by, then two. The light shifted to that golden, diffuse hue that only the West Coast can offer, and I allowed my mind to go blank.
I didn't get more writing done that day.
Although I was there to write, I ended up learning an invaluable lesson and accepted it for several days of the trip.
I did nothing.
For a chunk of my trip - from Reno to New Orleans - I was just an observer, and it felt amazing.
Doing nothing allowed me to eventually finish my novel soon after I returned from the train trip. Doing nothing gave me ideas for new novels. Doing nothing but move through the country in a giant metal car, through dusty Texas towns and past the shimmering Pacific Ocean, refilled my creative well.
Here are three things I learned while writing (and not writing) my novel on an Amtrak train.
It's healthy to occasionally reflect on how hard you work.
Since 2014, I've juggled both my journalism job and my fiction. During the day, I write news, then I come home, make dinner, walk the dogs, and spend an hour with my husband - and after all that, I write a thousand words of fiction. Every night. My particular superpower is focus, and I often overlook and ignore that I've accomplished a lot. Often I concentrate on what more I need to do: the next news article, the next milestone for my books sales, the next manuscript.
Being on the train and disconnected from my daily routine forced me to reflect on how far I've come. I think as women, we don't give ourselves enough credit for what we've achieved. We're often too busy planning for the next achievement. The trip was a reminder that I must celebrate the past achievements, too.
Always trust your gut.
In late 2014, after I wrote my first novel, I began another. It was about a newspaper publisher who is trying to save her dying family business. It's gone through various rewrites and revisions in over a two-and-a-half-year period. There were several points during that time that I could have tossed the manuscript in a virtual trunk - God knows I wanted to. An earlier version was rejected by some publishers, a judge in a contest hated one chapter, one editor questioned whether any romance fans would want to read about a female newspaper publisher. But I loved the book and the story. Now that it's finished, I think it's the best thing I've written and I'm going to trust in that feeling because I think readers will love it, too.
Sometimes, you need to do exactly what others tell you not to do, especially when it comes to following your creative muse.
The world will be OK without you for a while.
In my day job, I'm a journalist with the Associated Press in Florida. My days are busy, covering strange news, terrible natural disasters, and horrific tragedies. In 2016 I wrote little bit of everything: Hillary Clinton and female voters, the death of Fidel Castro, the Pulse nightclub shooting. I'm also an indie romance author, which means I tackle all aspects of publishing myself: the writing, hiring of editors and cover designers, and marketing. Plus, I'm married with two dogs. So, I'm always doing something. I'm always writing or reading or frantically checking my to-do list.
Going on the train and writing fiction meant I could focus on, well, me. I didn't travel with anyone, and while I've traveled alone around the world, I haven't in a few years. Relying only on myself to haul my luggage and get from one place to the next forced me to live in the moment.
Another bonus: for large swaths of the country, there was no WiFi or cell service. If I wanted to sleep late and not read the day's news, I could. If I wanted to day drink and not check my Amazon book sales, nobody cared. If I felt like staring out the window for hours, there was nothing to distract me.
I did all of those things and it felt decadent at first. Part of me was a little worried everything would fall apart while I slacked off. Guess what? Nothing happened. My job as a journalist was waiting when I returned. My fiction sales marched on without me. My husband and the dogs didn't starve to death.
I'm not saying to ignore all responsibilities forever, but unplugging and slacking can be good for one's soul. Essential, even.
Since returning home from my train journey, I've found myself longing for that unplugged solitude, and I've been researching trips. The train from Seattle to San Francisco might be just the thing I need.
You can check out Tamara Lush's work on her website at www.tamaralush.com or connect with her on Twitter @tamaralush.
How to Be the Ultimate Maid of Honor
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's look at the big picture. The maid of honor's primary purpose falls under three major categories: support the bride, manage the bridesmaids, and be available. Good organizational and communication skills are a plus, but a positive attitude is a must!
Supporting the bride means keeping her as stress free as possible and helping with the wedding planning in whatever capacity she needs it. (If she has a planner, you'll have less to take on, but the following duties include all that you might have to help with.) This also means emotional support. You need to be a good listener when she's having a meltdown about the planning process or cold feet about the marriage. You need to be honest and offer positive feedback when she asks for your opinions, but you also need to support whatever decisions she makes that you don't agree with.
Managing the bridesmaids includes making sure there is constant communication about where they need to be and when and what's expected of them. Most importantly, it's about being the go-between person for them and the bride, so that if they have issues about the cost of the bridesmaids' dresses, for example, you can help solve the issue without stressing out the bride.
Being available means making sure you can attend all the prewedding festivities - such as any bridal showers or bachelorette parties you may need to plan and host - as well as being available for guests to ask you questions and to take on last-minute DIY projects. Now let's look at the specific maid of honor responsibilities. And download the printable checklist here!
30 Meaningful Tattoos in Spanish You'll Want Immediately
Any tattoo-lover knows the secret behind great ink is the story. Tattoos can represent your passions and loves or mark an important moment in your life - or even remind you of a pretty crazy night when you were feeling spontaneous and maybe a little tipsy. But if you're considering getting new ink, why not choose a design that embodies your cultural identity? Whether it's a quote to honor your Latin roots or a simple word that speaks to you, a permanent mark in Spanish is just the perfect amount of mysterious and meaningful. We rounded up some ideas (and included the translations) that will undoubtedly inspire you.
14 Grocery Staples I Always Have as a 20-Something on a Budget
As a 24-year-old who has just started out in the professional world, I know how hard it can be to get your life together. You're supposed to find a job, live on your own, cook for yourself, and find the time to exercise, which, unfortunately, I don't think includes walking to the kitchen for snack breaks in between TV episodes. When you have so much going on - especially when you're on a budget - one thing that some people dread is grocery shopping. I personally love it, but it took a little practice to figure out a routine and a grocery list that worked for me. As someone who loves to cook, there are certain things I like to have on hand all the time. These are 14 budget-approved staples I always have stocked in my kitchen.
Melissa McCarthy Lip-Syncs "I Feel Pretty" Dressed as Sean Spicer
Melissa McCarthy has been making us laugh with her impersonations of Sean Spicer on Saturday Night Live all season long, but now she's back . . . as the show's host. Ahead of her episode this weekend, the actress kicked things off by doing two things she does best: impersonating politicians and lip-syncing. As she gets into makeup and costume, she can be seen prancing around the NBC studio as she performs a light-hearted rendition of "I Feel Pretty." Needless to say, we can't wait to see what else she will come up with during her hosting gig.
Michelle Obama Addresses the Melania Trump Gift Meme
One of the most talked about moments on Inauguration Day was a seemingly awkward moment between Michelle Obama and Melania Trump. But, according to Obama, the moment was more about trying to hold back her emotions than anything else.
In case you forgot, on Inauguration Day, when the new first lady and president of the United States arrived at the White House, Trump greeted Obama and handed her a gift. The moment was captured by ABC News and showed Obama's puzzled face as she wondered where to put the gift. The internet was quick to say Obama's face was a reaction to the incoming Trump presidency. But at the American Institute of Architects conference on April 27, Obama revealed what her actual emotions were. The former first lady said she was beginning to realize these were her last moments in the White House - a not-so-easy moment, especially for her daughters, who grew up there.
"So that moment of transition, right before the doors opened and we welcomed in the new family, our kids were leaving out the back door in tears, saying goodbye to people," she said at the event. Obama said she didn't want to have tears in her eyes to avoid any backlash. "I didn't want to have tears in my eyes because people would swear I was crying because of the new president," she said, according to Today.
At the conference, Obama told the audience that Sasha and Malia's last night at the White House involved a slumber party with friends. "They had a sleepover, because of course on Inauguration Day, because my girls are so normal, they're like, 'Well, eight girls are gonna be sleeping here because it's our last time, and we want pizza and we want nuggets.' And it's like, really?"
This was Obama's first public speaking appearance since Inauguration Day, and we're glad to see her back in the spotlight.
30 Meaningful Tattoos in Spanish You'll Want Immediately
Any tattoo-lover knows the secret behind great ink is the story. Tattoos can represent your passions and loves or mark an important moment in your life - or even remind you of a pretty crazy night when you were feeling spontaneous and maybe a little tipsy. But if you're considering getting new ink, why not choose a design that embodies your cultural identity? Whether it's a quote to honor your Latin roots or a simple word that speaks to you, a permanent mark in Spanish is just the perfect amount of mysterious and meaningful. We rounded up some ideas (and included the translations) that will undoubtedly inspire you.
14 Grocery Staples I Always Have as a 20-Something on a Budget
As a 24-year-old who has just started out in the professional world, I know how hard it can be to get your life together. You're supposed to find a job, live on your own, cook for yourself, and find the time to exercise, which, unfortunately, I don't think includes walking to the kitchen for snack breaks in between TV episodes. When you have so much going on - especially when you're on a budget - one thing that some people dread is grocery shopping. I personally love it, but it took a little practice to figure out a routine and a grocery list that worked for me. As someone who loves to cook, there are certain things I like to have on hand all the time. These are 14 budget-approved staples I always have stocked in my kitchen.
Cottage Cheese Has Been Here All Along to Help Your Weight-Loss Goals
Packed away, deep in your mental archives, are nostalgic memories of '90s health trends - 8-minute abs, fat-free everything, ephedra (yikes!), and . . . cottage cheese. Typically out of a cantaloupe.
Poor cottage cheese; eclipsed by the marketing glory of Greek yogurt and lumped in with health fads of yesteryear, it seems as though this long-lost friend of weight loss has been left alone on the shelves. But nobody leaves cottage cheese in the corner! Here are some reasons to add this supercheap superfood back into your modern-day diet.
- High protein. Whether you opt for full-fat or low-fat, you'll be getting a ton of protein. In a half a cup of whole milk cottage cheese, you'll get nearly 12 grams of protein.
- Low calorie. Despite being highly nutritious, cottage cheese won't add too much to your calorie count - but it will make you feel full! Depending on which kind you get, a half cup will run you 50 to 85 calories.
- Low sugar. While many yogurts seem healthy, they're often loaded with sugar. Not the case with cottage cheese, which isn't (typically) sweetened, meaning the only sugar comes from all-natural lactose. Win.
- Great base for smoothies. Whether you're going for strawberry milkshake vibes or you're more in the mood for a low-cal mango lassi, cottage cheese makes an awesome smoothie base. And when healthy foods are easier to make and quickly consume (read: smoothies), you're more likely to make better food choices.
- Nutritious breakfast. Getting a good amount of protein in the morning means you'll be less likely to snack on something less favorable later.
- Filling snack. Hitting an afternoon slump? Power through with a good balance of macronutrients. You'll feel satisfied and sated with cottage cheese, and you won't have to go through bags upon bags of office chips or cookies.
- Versatile. You can make so many recipes with cottage cheese, which means endless possibilities to add this nutritious food to your diet and more help toward your weight-loss goals.
Cottage Cheese Has Been Here All Along to Help Your Weight-Loss Goals
Packed away, deep in your mental archives, are nostalgic memories of '90s health trends - 8-minute abs, fat-free everything, ephedra (yikes!), and . . . cottage cheese. Typically out of a cantaloupe.
Poor cottage cheese; eclipsed by the marketing glory of Greek yogurt and lumped in with health fads of yesteryear, it seems as though this long-lost friend of weight loss has been left alone on the shelves. But nobody leaves cottage cheese in the corner! Here are some reasons to add this supercheap superfood back into your modern-day diet.
- High protein. Whether you opt for full-fat or low-fat, you'll be getting a ton of protein. In a half a cup of whole milk cottage cheese, you'll get nearly 12 grams of protein.
- Low calorie. Despite being highly nutritious, cottage cheese won't add too much to your calorie count - but it will make you feel full! Depending on which kind you get, a half cup will run you 50 to 85 calories.
- Low sugar. While many yogurts seem healthy, they're often loaded with sugar. Not the case with cottage cheese, which isn't (typically) sweetened, meaning the only sugar comes from all-natural lactose. Win.
- Great base for smoothies. Whether you're going for strawberry milkshake vibes or you're more in the mood for a low-cal mango lassi, cottage cheese makes an awesome smoothie base. And when healthy foods are easier to make and quickly consume (read: smoothies), you're more likely to make better food choices.
- Nutritious breakfast. Getting a good amount of protein in the morning means you'll be less likely to snack on something less favorable later.
- Filling snack. Hitting an afternoon slump? Power through with a good balance of macronutrients. You'll feel satisfied and sated with cottage cheese, and you won't have to go through bags upon bags of office chips or cookies.
- Versatile. You can make so many recipes with cottage cheese, which means endless possibilities to add this nutritious food to your diet and more help toward your weight-loss goals.
What to Wear to All of Those Spring and Summer Weddings Right Here
Wedding dress codes come with a lot of stipulations - don't go too short, don't go too flashy, and please, please don't wear white (ecru, eggshell, or cream!). But besides the obvious dos and don'ts, the "what to wear" to your friend's wedding isn't always an easy question to answer. Thankfully, we have 30 solutions - or rather, 30 perfect dresses for any number of Spring and Summer weddings already popping up on your calendar. From the casual backyard wedding to your fanciest black-tie nuptials, we've got you covered. Just scroll to shop your way through our favorites and solve your wedding-guest outfit drama now.
- Additional reporting by Nikita Ramsinghani
What to Wear to All of Those Spring and Summer Weddings Right Here
Wedding dress codes come with a lot of stipulations - don't go too short, don't go too flashy, and please, please don't wear white (ecru, eggshell, or cream!). But besides the obvious dos and don'ts, the "what to wear" to your friend's wedding isn't always an easy question to answer. Thankfully, we have 30 solutions - or rather, 30 perfect dresses for any number of Spring and Summer weddings already popping up on your calendar. From the casual backyard wedding to your fanciest black-tie nuptials, we've got you covered. Just scroll to shop your way through our favorites and solve your wedding-guest outfit drama now.
- Additional reporting by Nikita Ramsinghani
Ludacris Gave His Mom a Tear-Jerking Mother's Day Gift: This Stunning Home Makeover
After making us all giggle with his epic rap version of Llama Llama, superstar rapper Ludacris is back to make our tear ducts run dry. In a recent episode of My Houzz, Ludacris surprises his mother, Roberta, with the home make over of her dreams. With help from his wife, Eudoxie, and Atlanta-based designer, Rachel Oliver, Ludacris manages to transform his former Atlanta home, which he purchased after first becoming commercially successful, into a stunning abode for his loving mom to live in.
"When I was growing up, she was working two jobs and going to college at the same time. She's one of the people that first introduced to me hard work and dedication," Ludacris recalled about his childhood. The 39-year-old rapper and father of three says he wanted to remodel his mother's house so that his mother could finally feel like it was her own. To do so, Ludacris got hands-on with the project, which included personally selecting furniture and inspiration photos to inspire the renovation of Roberta's kitchen, dining room, living room, and office space.
Watch the heartwarming video above, and prepare to swell up with tears.
16 Last-Minute Mother's Day Beauty Gifts You Can Order on Amazon Prime
Quick reminder, Mother's Day is this Sunday. That means you only have a few more days to get your mom a gift that she'll love or experience some serious motherly wrath at family brunch. It's OK – don't panic. We also forgot but then had a genius idea: using Amazon Prime.
By using the service, you'll be able to get her a beauty gift she'll love that will arrive ASAP, so you don't have to worry about looking like a thoughtless offspring while your siblings try to stifle their giggles.
Whether your mom loves pampering or has a low-maintenance routine, these gifts are sure to make her feel appreciated. Read on to find out which mommy-pleasing gifts you should shop today.
Your Zodiac Sign Will Decide Which Candle You Should Splurge On
If you love candles, then you already know how many incredible options there are out there to choose from - especially when you're willing to drop a bit of extra cash to treat yourself. Next time you're on the hunt for the perfect indulgence for your home, don't spend hours sniffing candles and overwhelm your senses! Simply let the stars decide which way you should spoil yourself.
We've selected a perfect candle for every astrological sign, so whether you're a loyal Taurus or an adventurous Aries, you can spoil yourself rotten (and make your home smell divine in the process).
To the New Father Who Wonders What His Wife Does at Home All Day
This post, written by Micah Abrams, was originally published on one of our favorite sites, Fatherly.
Dear New Father Who Wonders What His Wife Does at Home All Day,
As the father of a 9-month-old daughter and the husband of a woman on protracted maternity leave due to being laid off while on her initial maternity leave (what? oh, no - it's totally legal), I can speak to questions about what your wife is doing at home all day with the infant, mainly because my wife has explained it to me in vivid - and loud! - detail what she is doing, and I'm guessing it's similar.
Here are a few things to consider about your wife's situation, as well as one to think about regarding your new reality together: first, the practical. Having a child tethered to you for the entire day is exhausting. It turns relatively simple things like grocery shopping, taking the subway, or getting in and out of cars into delicate, high-stakes balancing acts. It's also hell on the back, in addition to being mind-numbingly repetitive: feed, change diaper, play, nap, repeat. Do that three to six times a day, on a careful schedule that, if messed with, will result in even more random and unprovoked screaming than normal. Sure, you're free to do a variety of delightful things in between, so long as doing so doesn't mess with that schedule. Which it always will. So you can't. In the time it took me to type that, the kid just shit itself.
Second, the emotional. Your wife's entire sense of self has just been radically altered and not necessarily in the "Motherhood is the most rewarding thing I've ever done" kind of way. It's possible motherhood is simply "the most exhausting, bewildering, challenging, and nipple-shredding thing" she's ever done. It's also a thing that has taken her career, body, and social life from her. This might be temporary but it's just as likely forever - the answer to which won't be forthcoming anytime soon. That means she spends her days wrestling with those questions.
Now consider your situation: sure, you're sleep deprived and have probably lost regular access to a lot of the stuff that you feel makes you "you," but it's likely that at least one of the organizing principles of your life - work (provided you're not French) - is a steady constant. Imagine that the only reprieve from the above schedule of eating, sleeping, and shitting was to stare uncertainly into the abyss of a permanently changed self - and you can't even have more than a single, carefully timed drink.
You've likely heard this so many times that you've stopped hearing it, but having a kid changes everything. That means different things for different couples and different things for every individual, and it takes many months to begin to understand what it means for you and your wife. As the two of you work through all this, the best advice I can give is to be gentle with each other, because you're both fragile.
The other thing you've heard a million times? It gets better. But it does - wait 'til the kid laughs for real the first time. It will make every argument you and the wife have had vanish. For about 15 minutes. And then you'll start arguing again. I'm pretty sure that cycle will end before the kid goes to college.
I Never Thought Much of Mother's Day Until I Lost My Mom
It's hard to avoid all the commercials for last-minute gifts and flower bouquets, the drugstore aisles overflowing with greeting cards, but I've become an expert at looking away. Now an email stares out from my inbox touting "Mother's Day must haves" and I squeeze my eyes to prevent tears from coming out so my co-workers won't see. The only thing I want is for my mom to just be here. But she's gone.
My mom passed away completely unexpectedly last Summer, and while I feel stronger and more together than I thought was possible, most days I wake up in shock that my new reality is a life without my mom. I've learned how to navigate that deep pain a bit, having some control over when and how I want to think about it and experience it, but I have my triggers. It hurts when I hear people complaining about how their moms are "so annoying." It stings when I see a little girl and her mom holding hands. But tackling Mother's Day alone? Nothing prepared me for this.
This holiday always felt completely innocuous till now. In fact, my mom never liked us making a big deal over it. So I'm trying to remind myself that it's just a day, and not everyone is experiencing it like I am. But then it occurred to me - some are. And so, for those of you out there who have lost their mom, or are curious what this type of loss feels like, I feel compelled to share a voice that's not really heard. Mother's Day doesn't have to be just for celebrating; it can be for remembering. Here's how I've been getting through it so far.
Remembering the kind of mom she was
The toughest thing about losing your mom suddenly at a young age is that you never, not for a minute, thought she wouldn't be there. As a kid I'd call out her name in the darkness from my bedroom if I ever felt scared or ill. Sometimes I could only get out a whisper, but she'd appear instantly, as if she already knew. She taught me everything. How to draw, how to paint my nails, how to cram for a geography test, how to identify the coolest bands on the radio, how to believe in myself, and how to express myself. Rather than focus on what I've lost, I think about how lucky I am for all that I've gained. In the moment, when something I'm doing reminds me of my mom, I send her a smile and sort of thank her in my head. Even though she's not here, she's still a guiding light.
Reaching out to fellow grievers
Thanks in part to my journalistic instincts, I felt weirdly compelled to reach out to a few friends who had also lost their parents. My mission was twofold: one, to tell them how sorry I was for not even remotely understanding how devastating their loss was at the time, and two, to uncover where they found their strength. If you've lost someone yourself or you know someone who has, I can't express how helpful reaching out can be. My friends didn't really have advice about how they got through it, but they all revealed the same thing that gave me hope: whether their mom or dad had been gone for one year or 20, they still felt like they were there, and when they thought about them, it was more often with a smile instead of just tears. That became my new goal.
Doing what makes me feel good
Sometimes it's hard to figure out what this is, especially in the early stages of grieving. At first I couldn't eat for days, so if I felt like doughnuts, I got them. I swapped watching dramas and thrillers for a pretty steady diet of comedies and sitcom reruns before bed (I find nighttime is the hardest). As a natural nurturer, I found myself worrying more about others, so I stepped up to the plate to help my family, organizing arrangements, checking in daily with my dad and brother, and doing my best to make sure we were all moving forward in a healthy way. I decided to go back to work soon after my mom passed, because I felt I needed it. In part because it was a helpful distraction, but also because doing a good job at something I had control over made me feel really strong. Some days the only thing that felt good was binge-watching Netflix under a big blanket, and I told myself that was OK, too.
Asking for what I need
When coping with loss, you may want time for quiet reflection, you may want a hug from a friend, or you may want to be really social - and all of this may change depending on the day. Don't expect those around you to be mind readers or you might be disappointed. Sometimes I randomly want to talk about my mom or feel overwhelmed with sadness, and it feels weird to bring it up. I still struggle with this one, to be honest. My boyfriend and I have developed a routine where I'll sniffle a bit, he'll ask what's wrong, I'll say nothing, he'll ask if it's about my mom, I'll nod, and he'll ask if I wanna talk about it. Sometimes I'll share a memory, and other times I opt out, but it feels so good just knowing he gets it.
If you're feeling like you need support on Mother's Day - or any time - you may just need to text a friend and say, "Hey, I'm having a rough day." And if you know someone may be down, but you don't know what to say, you can always reach out and say, "Hey, I'm thinking of you today." You can't go wrong with opening the door and letting your friend know you are there.
Honing in on what's important
While I didn't change my lifestyle, you could say my priorities changed by truly learning the meaning of "life is too short." I may not be able to experience major life milestones with my mom, but I am determined to live a happy and fulfilling life with my loved ones. That translates to giving those I care about as much time and attention as possible. I wish I'd had more time with my mom to make just one more wonderful memory, but I'm so lucky that I have decades of them to conjure up whenever I please. Especially on Mother's Day.
To the New Father Who Wonders What His Wife Does at Home All Day
This post, written by Micah Abrams, was originally published on one of our favorite sites, Fatherly.
Dear New Father Who Wonders What His Wife Does at Home All Day,
As the father of a 9-month-old daughter and the husband of a woman on protracted maternity leave due to being laid off while on her initial maternity leave (what? oh, no - it's totally legal), I can speak to questions about what your wife is doing at home all day with the infant, mainly because my wife has explained it to me in vivid - and loud! - detail what she is doing, and I'm guessing it's similar.
Here are a few things to consider about your wife's situation, as well as one to think about regarding your new reality together: first, the practical. Having a child tethered to you for the entire day is exhausting. It turns relatively simple things like grocery shopping, taking the subway, or getting in and out of cars into delicate, high-stakes balancing acts. It's also hell on the back, in addition to being mind-numbingly repetitive: feed, change diaper, play, nap, repeat. Do that three to six times a day, on a careful schedule that, if messed with, will result in even more random and unprovoked screaming than normal. Sure, you're free to do a variety of delightful things in between, so long as doing so doesn't mess with that schedule. Which it always will. So you can't. In the time it took me to type that, the kid just shit itself.
Second, the emotional. Your wife's entire sense of self has just been radically altered and not necessarily in the "Motherhood is the most rewarding thing I've ever done" kind of way. It's possible motherhood is simply "the most exhausting, bewildering, challenging, and nipple-shredding thing" she's ever done. It's also a thing that has taken her career, body, and social life from her. This might be temporary but it's just as likely forever - the answer to which won't be forthcoming anytime soon. That means she spends her days wrestling with those questions.
Now consider your situation: sure, you're sleep deprived and have probably lost regular access to a lot of the stuff that you feel makes you "you," but it's likely that at least one of the organizing principles of your life - work (provided you're not French) - is a steady constant. Imagine that the only reprieve from the above schedule of eating, sleeping, and shitting was to stare uncertainly into the abyss of a permanently changed self - and you can't even have more than a single, carefully timed drink.
You've likely heard this so many times that you've stopped hearing it, but having a kid changes everything. That means different things for different couples and different things for every individual, and it takes many months to begin to understand what it means for you and your wife. As the two of you work through all this, the best advice I can give is to be gentle with each other, because you're both fragile.
The other thing you've heard a million times? It gets better. But it does - wait 'til the kid laughs for real the first time. It will make every argument you and the wife have had vanish. For about 15 minutes. And then you'll start arguing again. I'm pretty sure that cycle will end before the kid goes to college.
4 Secrets From a 28-Year-Old Retiree
Most people think "retirement age" means sometime around the age of 65, when hair is going white (or disappearing) and a Barcalounger has been procured. Not so for the writer of The Money Habit who goes by the pseudonym "JP" and who retired - in New York City, no less - when she was 28 years old.
According to Forbes, JP graduated from Harvard in 2009 and was soon offered a job with an investment firm where she earned a generous salary. What she did with that money and her lifestyle, however, made all the difference in her nest-egg goals. Although many of us probably can't follow in JP's footsteps, we can glean some wisdom from her journey to (very) early retirement.
41 Photos of Shakira and Gerard Piqué Proving They Are a Match Made in Heaven
Shakira and Gerard Piqué were destined to be together. The two are head over heels for each other, but that's not all. The couple shares a birthday 10 years apart, have two little ones, and are extraordinarily charitable people, making them a match made in heaven.
Gerard is a hottie with a body, and don't get me started on Shakira. Just take a moment to think about her belly dancing skills. We'll wait! Back? OK, time to look at the best photos of the hot couple. Keep scrolling to see these two lovebirds in action.
It Has Come to This: Your Nipple Color Is Your Perfect Lip Shade, Apparently
I'm spinning http://pic.twitter.com/urjZ8XfaZz
- cakedfacehijabi (@crayon_chomper) May 1, 2017
It's 2017, so this headline does not faze me. Maybe in 2014 I would be surprised to hear that the color of your nipple is a great hack for finding your perfect lip shade, but not today. We've seen it all: the Kylie Jenner shot glass challenge, using household items like a heel to contour, and one ballsy makeup-lover using her boyfriend's testicles to apply foundation. (Which I have so many concerns about. I don't want to smell like balls, thanks.)
Unlike these other internet trends, though, this one actually seems useful to me. I sit here, glancing at my nipple at the office while my co-workers look at me with genuine concern. Am I inspecting a mole? Did I drop a piece of food down my top? Did I just get pierced? No, my curious colleagues, I'm simply trying to decide if my nipple color is more of a Pillow Talk or an Angel.
This discussion began after someone tweeted a screenshot of an episode of The Doctors in which they discussed whether or not your nipple is your best lip shade. It was also reported that the color of your top lip is also the same shade as your nipple. This is enlightening, because I was of the opinion my bottom lip was also the shade of my top lip - apparently not!
The internet obviously felt some way about this.
just read that your nipple color is your most suitable lip shade and im kinda dumbstruck rn
- mellow chelle (@michellexgeorge) May 2, 2017
@crayon_chomper Someone create a lip line with products using every nipple color and make bank and bless up 🙌🏿
- Moyo 👑 (@movaughan97) May 1, 2017
I just saw that your nipple color is your best lip color...... so what do I do, whip out my tit in Sephora & say here match me?????
- Lacy Imry (@lacymimry) May 4, 2017
This paints a whole new picture when it comes to color matching. If I were in the market to make a beauty line, I'd create a slew of lip liners with names like "Are-hola," a bronzy-tan shade, "The Booby Trap," a pinky-beige, and "Simply the Breast," a deep mahogany.
Also, for what it's worth, may I kindly suggest you do not bust out your nips for the employees (and the free world) at Sephora? They have to deal with enough. No pictures either. If you must, blow up a photo of your nipple so you can only see the shade and it is does not look recognizable as your actual areola.
And in case you're wondering, turns out Pillow Talk is in fact my ideal shade. Thanks, Charlotte Tilbury!
These Are 23 of the Hottest Beauty Launches For May 2017
As you shop for Mother's Day gifts this month, make sure to pick up some beauty swag for yourself. May is bringing us tons of fantastic hair care, skin care, and makeup launches - from a sunscreen mousse to an edgy perfume (that comes in a skull-embossed case) and an ice-cream-inspired lip gloss. Keep reading to see which items POPSUGAR editors are loving and using right now.
What a Month of Superitchy, Horrible Skin Taught Me
The following post originally appeared on Medium.
Imagine being addicted to something and not even knowing it. That's what happened to me. And it's not even a somewhat glamorous addiction. I'm addicted to cream. Not whipped cream - the cream that you put on your skin. A steroid cream. Probably the lamest form of drug you can be addicted to.
When I was around 5, I was diagnosed with eczema - a skin condition where you get dry, itchy red patches on your body. It appeared on my hands, arms, back and legs.
The doctor said eczema was genetic and that they didn't really know why people got it. I was told that it was incurable. I would have eczema for the rest of my life. So they prescribed steroid cream as the solution.
Oh yes, the cream worked - I'd put it on and the eczema would go away. But it would always come back. And when it did, I'd just put on more cream. But the eczema would come back. Cream. Eczema. Cream. More Eczema. More Cream. Etc. This cycle went on for 16 more lovely years until one month ago, when I decided to stop using all steroid creams.
What made me decide to do this? Well, a couple months ago I was reading The Art of Seeing by Aldous Huxley. Huxley used unconventional methods to heal his eyesight. There was a quote about eyeglasses that stuck in my head:
"Suppose that crippled eyes could be transformed into crippled legs. What a heart-rending parade we would witness on a busy street! Nearly every other person would go limping by. Many would be on crutches and some on wheel chairs." - Matthew Luckiesh
True. Lots of people wear glasses. Lots of people with eczema use steroid cream. But not a lot of people walk around on crutches and never fix their broken leg. And that's when it occurred to me: my skin was broken, and the cream was a crutch! Why should I keep using the crutch when I could just heal my skin for good?
As I typed "how to heal eczema" into Google, I realized that I'd never actually done my own research before. I'd put 100 percent of my faith into what the doctor told me, and took her word as truth. (I don't think she had any evil intent. I think she was just doing what she thought was right - without realizing the damage.) Now I am not a doctor, and I'm not saying not to trust doctors, I just wish I had done my own research earlier.
I found something called topical steroid addiction. This is what I know so far - the steroids suppress your adrenal glands and make them lazy. The adrenal gland is responsible for producing cortisol, your body's natural anti-inflammatory. But when you start using steroid creams (cortisol creams), the glands stop doing their job because the steroids are doing it for them! Your body starts relying on the cream, and when you stop using it, the adrenal gland realizes it hasn't made cortisol for years . . . so your body cries out for the cream. It's explained very well in this video.
I found hundreds of stories of people just like me, who were using steroid cream for a long time . . . but no one was ever cured by it. In fact, it only made the eczema get worse and worse. People would get prescribed stronger and stronger steroids, and when it didn't help, some people even started taking oral steroids. But as I read these stories of people quitting the cream, I felt quite hopeful. I saw pictures of people fully healed and never having to use a drop of cream again.
At the same time, the journey to get there looked absolutely terrifying. Red, peeling, burning faces. People taking time off work and school. Being bedridden for months. Going through withdrawal took most people around 6-12 months. Some, even years.
Even though it looked scary, I knew I couldn't go on using the cream. I wanted to be cured, not on crutches. So I quit the cream. I went into what's called topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). And yeah, it is freaking painful; it's a total shock to your body. For the first three weeks, my arms burned bright red. They felt hot to the touch. It got so itchy I just wanted to rip my skin off. It's so depressing waking up, feeling ugly and disgusting, and seeing dead skin everywhere. I started everyday feeling like a crusty mummy coming out of the tomb after a million years. I avoided mirrors and I didn't go farther than five minutes from my house for three weeks.
I did try and go to doctors again. I told them about topical steroid withdrawal and about the red skin syndrome that follows . . . and they wrote me another prescription for steroid cream and said see you later. One doctor even told me to try oral steroids. None of the doctors would really listen.
I kept looking to the internet for answers. Since sleep was almost impossible, I started using night time as research time.
I've been hunting down every source on TSW I could find. I joined Facebook groups with people going through the same thing. Turns out there is a lot of us. Many people have similar stories, and many have it way, way worse than me. Even little babies are going through it. YEAH. BABIES. It breaks my heart to see all these people suffering, especially because this pain is preventable with just a little bit of research and caution.
What I didn't realize for so long is that eczema is only the tip of the iceberg. It's just a symptom of a much larger underlying problem.
Eczema was my body's way of firing off a warning sign saying "Something's wrong! Help!" But I just kept covering up that sign with more and more cream, because that's what I was told to do. I was just treating the symptom without curing the cause.
As it turns out, there is a huge link between your skin health and gut health.
It didn't even cross my mind that I might have issues with my digestion. But it does explain why I fart so much. So as I started to swim deeper down the iceberg, I discovered that the problem with my skin had to do with basically everything, including soaps and detergents I used, stress levels, and how much I exercised, but especially what I was eating.
Throughout this whole thing - there has been one especially inspirational dude I found named Rob Stuart. He used to have eczema too, and actually cured himself through diet and lifestyle changes. He explains how a whole food, vegan diet is the best for the body, skin, and digestion. It's not too big a transition, since I've been mostly vegetarian for about a year.
I don't believe in going too extreme any one way or another, so I took changing my diet slowly. I cut down a lot on eating meat, but I was still eating lots of cheese, eggs, and ice cream. I love ice cream. I never thought that dairy could be bad for my skin. My boyfriend is lactose intolerant and a while ago, he suggested for me to try cutting dairy out, because he used to have skin issues too when he ate dairy. This was even before I discovered steroid withdrawal and my gut issues . . . but now it all links together.
So to fix my skin and my gut, I've cut all animal products out, and trying to stay away from processed foods and refined sugars. I'm experimenting with what foods set my skin off - so far I'm not sure about nuts, tomatoes, and grapes. There are also foods high in histamines, which make you itch. There's a lot of information out there, but to really find out, I think I'm just going to have to slowly experiment on myself.
Two years ago I was the worst cook in the world. (Once I put a whole broccoli in the microwave and covered it with soy sauce for dinner.) I used to be terrified of cooking with more than two ingredients. Now I am cooking for myself almost every day, even using more than two ingredients. For anyone who's going to change their diet, I would definitely recommend an app called cronometer. It helps you make sure you're getting enough calories, proteins, & vitamins.
Even though going through steroid withdrawal is so painful and annoying, I'm glad it's happening. It's made me wake up. It got me to do research and question things, rather than believing everything I'm told. The fact that I thought eczema was incurable and genetic made me think that steroid creams were my only option. I never knew that diet had a connection with skin health. In school and on the TV, all I heard was that milk is a good source of calcium, and that it isn't a meal without meat. That meat = protein. The only source of protein. The meat and dairy industries have worked hard to get those messages in my head from a young age. They don't want people knowing the health consequences.
I didn't care what I was putting in my body. I just ate whatever, and my skin ate whatever. I didn't read labels on soaps or shampoos, or think about what the steroid creams were actually doing inside my body. I didn't think that not getting enough exercise would have an impact on my skin either. Turns out, everything is connected. The body, the mind, the environment.
The way you think about a problem affects the way you will treat it, and your surroundings change what options you think are available. When you walk into a grocery store and 60 percent of the store is dedicated to animal products, you assume it must be OK. When you go into the body care aisle or whatever and see all these products with a million chemicals in them, you assume they should be fine. Because it doesn't look like there are other options. But there are, you just have to look a bit deeper to see them. With the help of my mom I started making my own lotions, so I know exactly what is in them and can see how my skin reacts directly after.
It's been a month now, and since paying attention to what I'm putting in my body (both food and products), my skin has already improved so much. It's not perfect, I'm still eating processed foods like pasta, noodles, and soy sauce - but like I said I'm just doing the best I can for now. Amazingly, I had a full night's sleep last night. I know I'm not fully healed yet and that this is just the beginning, but at least I finally feel more in control of what goes on in my body.
All I wish is that someone had told me sooner to do my own research, rather than putting 100 percent of my trust into someone else. To look deeper and work on treating the root cause, rather than covering up the symptoms. I hope that anyone reading this who's suffering from eczema or any other skin problems will dig deeper. I know there's a lot of contradictory information out there - but when you start asking the right questions, you will find the answers.
What a Month of Superitchy, Horrible Skin Taught Me
The following post originally appeared on Medium.
Imagine being addicted to something and not even knowing it. That's what happened to me. And it's not even a somewhat glamorous addiction. I'm addicted to cream. Not whipped cream - the cream that you put on your skin. A steroid cream. Probably the lamest form of drug you can be addicted to.
When I was around 5, I was diagnosed with eczema - a skin condition where you get dry, itchy red patches on your body. It appeared on my hands, arms, back and legs.
The doctor said eczema was genetic and that they didn't really know why people got it. I was told that it was incurable. I would have eczema for the rest of my life. So they prescribed steroid cream as the solution.
Oh yes, the cream worked - I'd put it on and the eczema would go away. But it would always come back. And when it did, I'd just put on more cream. But the eczema would come back. Cream. Eczema. Cream. More Eczema. More Cream. Etc. This cycle went on for 16 more lovely years until one month ago, when I decided to stop using all steroid creams.
What made me decide to do this? Well, a couple months ago I was reading The Art of Seeing by Aldous Huxley. Huxley used unconventional methods to heal his eyesight. There was a quote about eyeglasses that stuck in my head:
"Suppose that crippled eyes could be transformed into crippled legs. What a heart-rending parade we would witness on a busy street! Nearly every other person would go limping by. Many would be on crutches and some on wheel chairs." - Matthew Luckiesh
True. Lots of people wear glasses. Lots of people with eczema use steroid cream. But not a lot of people walk around on crutches and never fix their broken leg. And that's when it occurred to me: my skin was broken, and the cream was a crutch! Why should I keep using the crutch when I could just heal my skin for good?
As I typed "how to heal eczema" into Google, I realized that I'd never actually done my own research before. I'd put 100 percent of my faith into what the doctor told me, and took her word as truth. (I don't think she had any evil intent. I think she was just doing what she thought was right - without realizing the damage.) Now I am not a doctor, and I'm not saying not to trust doctors, I just wish I had done my own research earlier.
I found something called topical steroid addiction. This is what I know so far - the steroids suppress your adrenal glands and make them lazy. The adrenal gland is responsible for producing cortisol, your body's natural anti-inflammatory. But when you start using steroid creams (cortisol creams), the glands stop doing their job because the steroids are doing it for them! Your body starts relying on the cream, and when you stop using it, the adrenal gland realizes it hasn't made cortisol for years . . . so your body cries out for the cream. It's explained very well in this video.
I found hundreds of stories of people just like me, who were using steroid cream for a long time . . . but no one was ever cured by it. In fact, it only made the eczema get worse and worse. People would get prescribed stronger and stronger steroids, and when it didn't help, some people even started taking oral steroids. But as I read these stories of people quitting the cream, I felt quite hopeful. I saw pictures of people fully healed and never having to use a drop of cream again.
At the same time, the journey to get there looked absolutely terrifying. Red, peeling, burning faces. People taking time off work and school. Being bedridden for months. Going through withdrawal took most people around 6-12 months. Some, even years.
Even though it looked scary, I knew I couldn't go on using the cream. I wanted to be cured, not on crutches. So I quit the cream. I went into what's called topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). And yeah, it is freaking painful; it's a total shock to your body. For the first three weeks, my arms burned bright red. They felt hot to the touch. It got so itchy I just wanted to rip my skin off. It's so depressing waking up, feeling ugly and disgusting, and seeing dead skin everywhere. I started everyday feeling like a crusty mummy coming out of the tomb after a million years. I avoided mirrors and I didn't go farther than five minutes from my house for three weeks.
I did try and go to doctors again. I told them about topical steroid withdrawal and about the red skin syndrome that follows . . . and they wrote me another prescription for steroid cream and said see you later. One doctor even told me to try oral steroids. None of the doctors would really listen.
I kept looking to the internet for answers. Since sleep was almost impossible, I started using night time as research time.
I've been hunting down every source on TSW I could find. I joined Facebook groups with people going through the same thing. Turns out there is a lot of us. Many people have similar stories, and many have it way, way worse than me. Even little babies are going through it. YEAH. BABIES. It breaks my heart to see all these people suffering, especially because this pain is preventable with just a little bit of research and caution.
What I didn't realize for so long is that eczema is only the tip of the iceberg. It's just a symptom of a much larger underlying problem.
Eczema was my body's way of firing off a warning sign saying "Something's wrong! Help!" But I just kept covering up that sign with more and more cream, because that's what I was told to do. I was just treating the symptom without curing the cause.
As it turns out, there is a huge link between your skin health and gut health.
It didn't even cross my mind that I might have issues with my digestion. But it does explain why I fart so much. So as I started to swim deeper down the iceberg, I discovered that the problem with my skin had to do with basically everything, including soaps and detergents I used, stress levels, and how much I exercised, but especially what I was eating.
Throughout this whole thing - there has been one especially inspirational dude I found named Rob Stuart. He used to have eczema too, and actually cured himself through diet and lifestyle changes. He explains how a whole food, vegan diet is the best for the body, skin, and digestion. It's not too big a transition, since I've been mostly vegetarian for about a year.
I don't believe in going too extreme any one way or another, so I took changing my diet slowly. I cut down a lot on eating meat, but I was still eating lots of cheese, eggs, and ice cream. I love ice cream. I never thought that dairy could be bad for my skin. My boyfriend is lactose intolerant and a while ago, he suggested for me to try cutting dairy out, because he used to have skin issues too when he ate dairy. This was even before I discovered steroid withdrawal and my gut issues . . . but now it all links together.
So to fix my skin and my gut, I've cut all animal products out, and trying to stay away from processed foods and refined sugars. I'm experimenting with what foods set my skin off - so far I'm not sure about nuts, tomatoes, and grapes. There are also foods high in histamines, which make you itch. There's a lot of information out there, but to really find out, I think I'm just going to have to slowly experiment on myself.
Two years ago I was the worst cook in the world. (Once I put a whole broccoli in the microwave and covered it with soy sauce for dinner.) I used to be terrified of cooking with more than two ingredients. Now I am cooking for myself almost every day, even using more than two ingredients. For anyone who's going to change their diet, I would definitely recommend an app called cronometer. It helps you make sure you're getting enough calories, proteins, & vitamins.
Even though going through steroid withdrawal is so painful and annoying, I'm glad it's happening. It's made me wake up. It got me to do research and question things, rather than believing everything I'm told. The fact that I thought eczema was incurable and genetic made me think that steroid creams were my only option. I never knew that diet had a connection with skin health. In school and on the TV, all I heard was that milk is a good source of calcium, and that it isn't a meal without meat. That meat = protein. The only source of protein. The meat and dairy industries have worked hard to get those messages in my head from a young age. They don't want people knowing the health consequences.
I didn't care what I was putting in my body. I just ate whatever, and my skin ate whatever. I didn't read labels on soaps or shampoos, or think about what the steroid creams were actually doing inside my body. I didn't think that not getting enough exercise would have an impact on my skin either. Turns out, everything is connected. The body, the mind, the environment.
The way you think about a problem affects the way you will treat it, and your surroundings change what options you think are available. When you walk into a grocery store and 60 percent of the store is dedicated to animal products, you assume it must be OK. When you go into the body care aisle or whatever and see all these products with a million chemicals in them, you assume they should be fine. Because it doesn't look like there are other options. But there are, you just have to look a bit deeper to see them. With the help of my mom I started making my own lotions, so I know exactly what is in them and can see how my skin reacts directly after.
It's been a month now, and since paying attention to what I'm putting in my body (both food and products), my skin has already improved so much. It's not perfect, I'm still eating processed foods like pasta, noodles, and soy sauce - but like I said I'm just doing the best I can for now. Amazingly, I had a full night's sleep last night. I know I'm not fully healed yet and that this is just the beginning, but at least I finally feel more in control of what goes on in my body.
All I wish is that someone had told me sooner to do my own research, rather than putting 100 percent of my trust into someone else. To look deeper and work on treating the root cause, rather than covering up the symptoms. I hope that anyone reading this who's suffering from eczema or any other skin problems will dig deeper. I know there's a lot of contradictory information out there - but when you start asking the right questions, you will find the answers.
15 Offbeat Summer Date Ideas
Summer is undeniably the season of romance, flings, and love. Maybe it's the warm weather or the availability of more activities; whatever it is, we love it all. One thing we can say though is that the most fun can be had this time of year, especially with a special someone. But instead of wasting the days away with plain ol' dinners and movies, introduce yourselves to unique date plans that will make this Summer one to remember. Get inspired by these 15 offbeat ideas.
All the Times William Was Prince Charming . . . and Prince Cheeky
The duke and duchess of Cambridge look great together, clearly adore each other, are the best of friends, and are happy parents to Prince George and Princess Charlotte - but when it comes to the glue that holds them together, it seems it's all about keeping the perfect balance between teasing and tenderness. Prince William usually seems to be the main culprit instigating both, so we're taking a look at all the times he's been Prince Charming for Kate Middleton vs. the times he's been more like Prince Cheeky.
Last-Minute Gifts: $15-or-Less Mother's Day Etsy Finds
If you're still searching for the perfect gift for your mom, we've found a few budget-friendly gifts that will make her feel loved. From sparkling jewels to heavenly scented soaps, these handmade gifts from Etsy crafters are a unique way to show Mom she is special. And these gifts are also inspiration for Mother's Day DIYs that are easier than you think to pull off. What are you waiting for? Keep reading to find the perfect gift for your mom!
This Silky Mineral Sunscreen Doesn't Leave a White Cast - and I'll Never Turn Back
Not to brag or anything, but I have pretty good skin. I frequently get complimented on my complexion, which I appreciate, especially because I work hard at keeping my skin healthy. Whenever I get questions from friends regarding what they can do for better skin, I always mention two cardinal beauty rules that I never break: don't go to bed with makeup on, and always wear sunscreen.
My obsession with sunscreen is almost comical, and many of my friends look at me like a psychopath while I'm screaming at them for tanning. Despite my dogmatic sunscreen habits, I'm also incredibly picky about sunscreen formulas. Luckily, the Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Sun Screen SPF 30 ($36) passed my test, and I have a new favorite item to add to my skin-care routine.
The tinted product is a broad-spectrum SPF with mineral sunscreen, meaning that its ingredients physically block your skin from being hit by the sun's rays. This is different from chemical sunscreens, which use active ingredients that absorb UV rays. This creates a chemical reaction that changes into heat, releasing it from the skin.
Many people try to avoid chemical sunscreens because they are potentially irritating to the skin, clog pores, and cause skin discoloration. However, chemical sunscreens also are typically thinner and more comfortable to wear than their physical counterparts.
The problem with physical (sometimes called mineral) sunscreens is that the main ingredient, zinc oxide, tends to leave a white cast on the skin and have a chalky formula. Somehow, Drunk Elephant has found a way around this pitfall with Umbra Tinte. The physical tinted sunscreen contains 20 percent zinc oxide but manages to have a soft texture and matte finish and is a great base for the rest of your makeup. It's not the least bit chalky and leaves behind no white residue or strong sunscreen smell.
The product comes out of the tube a beige hue but can be blended into the skin easily and is flattering on light-medium to deep skin tones. We tested the formula on both medium-light skin and deep skin, and the sunscreen blended in flawlessly on both. The lotion gives the wearer a glowy, filtered appearance with a light amount of coverage. If you have a very light complexion, Drunk Elephant recommends its nontinted version, Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 ($34).
In addition to sun protection, the cream is also packed with antioxidants to benefit and moisturize your skin. It contains sunflower shoot extract, raspberry seed oil, and marula oil, which help moisturize and prevent premature aging.
This is a great choice for those of us who prefer more natural beauty products, and I can't wait to replace the white-tinted sunblock in my medicine cabinet with this one.
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This Silky Mineral Sunscreen Doesn't Leave a White Cast - and I'll Never Turn Back
Not to brag or anything, but I have pretty good skin. I frequently get complimented on my complexion, which I appreciate, especially because I work hard at keeping my skin healthy. Whenever I get questions from friends regarding what they can do for better skin, I always mention two cardinal beauty rules that I never break: don't go to bed with makeup on, and always wear sunscreen.
My obsession with sunscreen is almost comical, and many of my friends look at me like a psychopath while I'm screaming at them for tanning. Despite my dogmatic sunscreen habits, I'm also incredibly picky about sunscreen formulas. Luckily, the Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Sun Screen SPF 30 ($36) passed my test, and I have a new favorite item to add to my skin-care routine.
The tinted product is a broad-spectrum SPF with mineral sunscreen, meaning that its ingredients physically block your skin from being hit by the sun's rays. This is different from chemical sunscreens, which use active ingredients that absorb UV rays. This creates a chemical reaction that changes into heat, releasing it from the skin.
Many people try to avoid chemical sunscreens because they are potentially irritating to the skin, clog pores, and cause skin discoloration. However, chemical sunscreens also are typically thinner and more comfortable to wear than their physical counterparts.
The problem with physical (sometimes called mineral) sunscreens is that the main ingredient, zinc oxide, tends to leave a white cast on the skin and have a chalky formula. Somehow, Drunk Elephant has found a way around this pitfall with Umbra Tinte. The physical tinted sunscreen contains 20 percent zinc oxide but manages to have a soft texture and matte finish and is a great base for the rest of your makeup. It's not the least bit chalky and leaves behind no white residue or strong sunscreen smell.
The product comes out of the tube a beige hue but can be blended into the skin easily and is flattering on light-medium to deep skin tones. We tested the formula on both medium-light skin and deep skin, and the sunscreen blended in flawlessly on both. The lotion gives the wearer a glowy, filtered appearance with a light amount of coverage. If you have a very light complexion, Drunk Elephant recommends its nontinted version, Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 ($34).
In addition to sun protection, the cream is also packed with antioxidants to benefit and moisturize your skin. It contains sunflower shoot extract, raspberry seed oil, and marula oil, which help moisturize and prevent premature aging.
This is a great choice for those of us who prefer more natural beauty products, and I can't wait to replace the white-tinted sunblock in my medicine cabinet with this one.
Is Copper the Eye Shadow Color of the Summer? This Trendy Palette Suggests So
Natasha Denona worked as a makeup artist at both the editorial and celebrity level for over a decade before launching her own eponymous makeup line - so you know her stuff is legit. Though she's known for her extensive eye shadow palettes, you might also recognize her popular Face Glow Cream Shimmer, which has a coveted five-star rating on Sephora. Now, Natasha is launching a gorgeous, summery palette that's been met with much excitement.
The Sunset Eyeshadow Palette consists of 15 different shades that range from copper, warm brown, burnt orange, and more. The shadows also vary in their finishes, with some of them being matte and others having a glittery metallic finish.
Now, this palette is definitely a splurge. At $129, it is pricier than other eye shadow palettes. The quality and range of shades, however, do make it a worthwhile investment if you're looking to find that one product to transform your makeup collection this Summer. Ahead, scope out the product before its official launch on May 12.
The Real Reason Princess Diana Had a Public Funeral
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
Princess Diana's tragic death is one of the most heartbreaking news stories of the century; the 36-year-old former Princess of Wales was killed in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, and seven days later, she was honored with a public funeral that remains one of the most watched events in history. An estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide viewed or listened to the funeral, while another three million crowded the streets of London to follow the route of Diana's coffin from Kensington Palace to her final resting place at the Spencer family home in Althorp. While the event brought in many well-wishers - and celebrity guests like Tom Cruise, Hillary Clinton, Anna Wintour, and Steven Spielberg - Diana's funeral was originally intended to be a private affair attended only by members of the royal family and her closest relatives and friends. So how did it go from a personal event to a history-making phenomenon?
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
Just hours after Diana's death, her ex-husband Prince Charles arrived in Paris with her sisters, Lady Sarah McCorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes, to take her body back to the UK. Her passing was met with an extraordinary outpouring of love and grief from the public, and Londoners began leaving tributes of flowers, candles, photos, and personal notes outside her home at Kensington Palace. But the reactions from the royal family had a different impact: they were at their Summer residence at Balmoral Castle at the time of Diana's death, and their initial decision not to return to London (nor to mourn the princess publicly) led to much criticism.
There was also allegedly a very heated discussion about Diana's funeral arrangements. Britain's Channel Four news reported that Queen Elizabeth II had insisted that Diana's ceremony be private, but that Charles put up "ferocious resistance." A senior official close to the circle said that it was "made very clear to Prince Charles" that Diana's body "was on no account to be brought to any of the royal palaces," adding, "The queen's desire was for her to be taken to a private mortuary and then to a private funeral." But when Charles traveled to Paris to pick up Diana's body, he spoke to then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the two agreed that Diana should be laid out at St. James's Palace with a public funeral held at Westminster Abbey. Between Charles's tenacious argument, the obvious emotion from people around the world, and an intervention from Tony Blair, Elizabeth eventually relented. Five days after Diana's death, she came back to London and acknowledged the public's outpouring of grief in a live video from Buckingham Palace, and the following day, Diana's public funeral took place.
Starting at 9:08 a.m. from Kensington Palace, Diana's coffin was taken on a route through the streets of London, along Hyde Park to St. James's Palace, where thousands waited in line to sign a public condolence book and where Prince Harry and Prince William joined the procession alongside their father, grandfather, and uncle, Earl Spencer. The coffin, accompanied by eight Welsh Guards, passed Buckingham Palace, where members of the royal family waited outside; Queen Elizabeth II bowed her head as it went by.
Image Source: Getty / AFP
Diana's ceremony at Westminster Abbey began at 11 a.m. and was attended by government officials, foreign dignitaries, and Hollywood celebrities. Elton John performed "Candle in the Wind," which was rewritten for Diana by Bernie Taupin, who originally penned the song in 1973 to honor Marilyn Monroe. Just six weeks before her death, Diana was photographed comforting Elton at the funeral of their friend, fashion designer Gianni Versace. Diana's brother, Charles, gave an infamous eulogy in which he admonished both the royal family and the global press for their treatment of his sister.
Diana was buried privately later that day. The only people present were a close friend, her mother and siblings, Prince Charles, William, Harry, and a clergyman. She wore a black dress by Catherine Walker and held on to a rosary given to her by Mother Teresa (who, sadly, died the same week as Diana). She was laid to rest on a small island in the middle of a lake at Althorp, her family's estate. Charles Spencer decided that her gravesite was better off there than at their family vault in the local church, because it could be more easily cared for and offered better privacy for William and Harry to visit. The island where Diana's grave sits is accessed by a path of 36 trees - one for every year of her life - and black swans and white roses float in the water. Despite the drama surrounding Princess Diana's funeral plans, the public event still has an impact on all of those who watched and attended it and speaks volumes about her influence around the world.
Believe the Hype: Glossier's New SPF Is Seriously Amazing
Glossier has achieved what I had believed to be impossible: created excitement around wearing sunscreen.
SPF has traditionally been a less-than-fun product to wear. It's typically greasy (making it a challenging base for makeup), chalky (not ideal for women of color), and all around dissatisfying to use. And because of these characteristics - and despite the horrifying risks of skin cancer - many women have opted to skip applying it for years. I am one of those women, and I feel guilt every single morning because of it.
But now, I have absolutely no excuses. That's because after a great deal of speculation from its fans, Glossier released its very first SPF, Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen+ ($34). Just like the rest of the items in the millennial beauty brand's lineup, it was carefully developed - over the course of two years! - and its launch painstakingly planned, resulting in hype from fans around the world even though it's only available in the states. I've been watching redditors on the /r/SkincareAddiction subreddit posting about it for a while, getting excited about the product's prospects and theorizing about the formula. It seems to me that most will be deeply satisfied by Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen+, as I am.
Its purpose is two-fold. It features broad spectrum SPF 35 protection with chemical sunscreens to provide defense from UVA/UVB rays. However, it's also loaded with tons of antioxidants, including vitamin E, vitamin P (flavonoids), broccoli, and aloe leaf extracts to shield your skin from free radicals and pollution.
The benefits are obviously stellar, but it's the formula itself that makes it stand out. It's a completely clear gel that feels silky upon application but absorbs practically immediately, leaving no residue or tint behind. This is great news for women with deeper complexions – no chalkiness to speak of, here! Bonus: that same silky texture lends itself beautifully to layering makeup on top.
As a packaging junkie, I'm also really pleased by the container Glossier chose for Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen+. It's a lightweight tube with an airless pump with a completely opaque exterior, so no external factors like air, sunlight, or bacteria can get inside and spoil the formula.
If you are looking for a completely odorless SPF, this formula is not it. Invisible Shield has a subtle citrus aroma that fades as quickly as the product dries, leaving behind a classic (albeit light) sunscreen smell. It's also a little on the pricey side, however, its texture and feel are so satisfying that I doubt its scent will keep you from buying it. I personally plan on using this Glossier launch all Summer long and hope that a full-body formula is in the works!
You can buy Glossier Invisible Shield Daily Sunscreen+ ($34) now on Glossier's website.
Is Copper the Eye Shadow Color of the Summer? This Trendy Palette Suggests So
Natasha Denona worked as a makeup artist at both the editorial and celebrity level for over a decade before launching her own eponymous makeup line - so you know her stuff is legit. Though she's known for her extensive eye shadow palettes, you might also recognize her popular Face Glow Cream Shimmer, which has a coveted five-star rating on Sephora. Now, Natasha is launching a gorgeous, summery palette that's been met with much excitement.
The Sunset Eyeshadow Palette consists of 15 different shades that range from copper, warm brown, burnt orange, and more. The shadows also vary in their finishes, with some of them being matte and others having a glittery metallic finish.
Now, this palette is definitely a splurge. At $129, it is pricier than other eye shadow palettes. The quality and range of shades, however, do make it a worthwhile investment if you're looking to find that one product to transform your makeup collection this Summer. Ahead, scope out the product before its official launch on May 12.
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