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 1 juin 2017
Golden Milk: The Antidepressant, Debloating, Weight-Loss-Boosting Wonder Drink
Ready to simmer down and give your body a boost before bedtime? We've got the perfect, healthy nightcap for you, and you may have heard of it: golden milk.
Used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, golden milk is a combination of the powerful spice turmeric, coconut milk, and sometimes coconut oil. Black pepper is often added (in small amounts) to increase the bioavailability of (i.e., your body's ability to absorb) the superspice turmeric. Creamy and spicy, soothing and warm - this delicious drink is more than just a tasty treat. Rich in electrolytes and digestive-aiding properties, your body is going to love every sip.
- Benefits of Turmeric: Turmeric's benefits are so good, one 2013 study said it's almost too good to be true. The anti-inflammatory spice has "shown therapeutic potential against a number of human diseases," including cancer and could even help with Alzheimer's. Because of the reduced inflammation, turmeric can also help with gas, bloating, and digestive discomfort, and some studies have mentioned its help with weight loss. Also, some studies and sites have shown that turmeric has antidepressant properties, leading to better moods, less stress, better sleep, and improved brain health.
- Benefits of Coconut Oil: Similarly, coconut oil can help with digestion and gut health, thanks to its antimicrobial properties (which come from good fatty acids, MCFAs). The healthy fats can also raise your good cholesterol, HDL.
- Benefits of Coconut Milk: Did you know that coconut milk can also help with digestion? It "nourishes the digestive lining" with natural electrolytes and healthy fats, which can improve gut health and help with IBS. Like turmeric, it can help reduce inflammation and even aid in weight loss. MCTs, another kind of fatty acid, are found in coconut milk and help with physical performance - allowing you to build muscle and lose fat.
Ready to mix up a batch? We like flavoring with a little honey or agave and sometimes a bit of vanilla bean or vanilla extract, cinnamon, and ginger. You'll be sweetly sipping your way to health in no time!
Golden Milk: The Antidepressant, Debloating, Weight-Loss-Boosting Wonder Drink
Ready to simmer down and give your body a boost before bedtime? We've got the perfect, healthy nightcap for you, and you may have heard of it: golden milk.
Used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, golden milk is a combination of the powerful spice turmeric, coconut milk, and sometimes coconut oil. Black pepper is often added (in small amounts) to increase the bioavailability of (i.e., your body's ability to absorb) the superspice turmeric. Creamy and spicy, soothing and warm - this delicious drink is more than just a tasty treat. Rich in electrolytes and digestive-aiding properties, your body is going to love every sip.
- Benefits of Turmeric: Turmeric's benefits are so good, one 2013 study said it's almost too good to be true. The anti-inflammatory spice has "shown therapeutic potential against a number of human diseases," including cancer and could even help with Alzheimer's. Because of the reduced inflammation, turmeric can also help with gas, bloating, and digestive discomfort, and some studies have mentioned its help with weight loss. Also, some studies and sites have shown that turmeric has antidepressant properties, leading to better moods, less stress, better sleep, and improved brain health.
- Benefits of Coconut Oil: Similarly, coconut oil can help with digestion and gut health, thanks to its antimicrobial properties (which come from good fatty acids, MCFAs). The healthy fats can also raise your good cholesterol, HDL.
- Benefits of Coconut Milk: Did you know that coconut milk can also help with digestion? It "nourishes the digestive lining" with natural electrolytes and healthy fats, which can improve gut health and help with IBS. Like turmeric, it can help reduce inflammation and even aid in weight loss. MCTs, another kind of fatty acid, are found in coconut milk and help with physical performance - allowing you to build muscle and lose fat.
Ready to mix up a batch? We like flavoring with a little honey or agave and sometimes a bit of vanilla bean or vanilla extract, cinnamon, and ginger. You'll be sweetly sipping your way to health in no time!
87 Books by Women You Should Read Before You Die
Without women, some pretty amazing things wouldn't exist. Book-lovers know best that women have changed the world in so many important ways - oftentimes, with their words. We've rounded up more than 80 novels, essays, poem collections, and memoirs written by female writers. Everyone should read these literary works in their lifetimes.
Republican Congressman Says "God Will Take Care of" Climate Change
Scientists have often dispelled the myth that climate change is not a real problem, but Tim Walberg, a congressman from Michigan, says there's a reason he's not worried about the drastic changes happening on earth. While speaking at a town hall in Coldwater, MI, recently, Walberg explained why he believes God, and only God, will be able to "take care of" climate change. Read his full quote ahead.
"I believe there's climate change. I believe there's been climate change since the beginning of time. I think there are cycles. Do I think man has some impact? Yeah, of course. Can man change the entire universe? No. Why do I believe that? Well, as a Christian, I believe that there is a creator in God who is much bigger than us. And I'm confident that, if there's a real problem, he can take care of it."
The problem with Walberg's theory is that it has been proven that humans are the main cause of global warming. If we don't take action to decrease the amount of pollution we add into the atmosphere, it could have disastrous effects for our planet. Maybe someone could give Walberg a copy of Leonardo DiCaprio's eye-opening documentary about climate change. Just a suggestion.
Watch his full spiel in the video clip above.
The Inspiring Ways Will, Kate, and Harry Spent Their College Gap Years
Image Source: Getty / Jeff Spicer
Many students decide to take a year off between graduating high school and attending college. The "gap year" is something of a rite of passage for young adults, who can opt to spend the 12 months before college working, interning, volunteering, or just chilling out. One of the most famous recent high school grads, former first daughter Malia Obama, is currently interning with film producer Harvey Weinstein in NYC before she begins classes at Harvard in the Fall. Royal family members have also been known to participate in gap year programs, enjoying breaks between high-end boarding schools and fulfilling their philanthropic duties abroad. Prince William, his brother, Prince Harry, and his wife, Kate Middleton, all took gap years before university. Read on to see how they spent them.
Prince William
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
Prince William spent his gap year traveling and volunteering in Belize, Chile, and several countries in Africa. In Chile, William helped build a playground in the coastal village of Tortel, painted houses, and helped local families with domestic responsibilities. He also worked on an English dairy farm, getting up before dawn to milk cows - and earning about $5 an hour.
Prince Harry
Image Source: Getty / Tim Graham
Like his brother, Prince Harry also took a gap year; after completing his exams at Eton College in 2003, Harry traveled to Australia to work on a cattle station and participated in the Young England vs. Young Australia polo match. He also went to the African kingdom of Lesotho, where he worked with orphaned children stricken with AIDS. While there, he produced the documentary The Forgotten Kingdom and aimed to "carry on" the things that his mother, Princess Diana, didn't get to finish after her death in 1997. After returning from Africa, Harry chose a military career, but his time in Lesotho stuck with him so strongly that in 2006 he founded Sentebale, a charity to aid children orphaned by HIV and AIDS.
Kate Middleton
Image Source: Getty / Pool
In September 2000, after finishing her studies at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, England, 18-year-old Kate headed to Florence, Italy, to study Italian and art history. She completed a three-month course at the British Institute of Florence in Palazzo dello Strozzino. She lived in a flat with three other girls, studied three hours of Italian a day, and honed her passion and talent for photography - today, Kate is known to snap professional photos of her kids for the public.
The second leg of Kate's gap year came in 2001, when she also went to Chile to volunteer; she worked with Raleigh International, an educational development charity, on environmental and community projects with underprivileged children. Little known to Kate, her future husband Prince William had completed the same program just weeks before she arrived. After her time in Chile, Kate moved to Scotland to study at the University of St. Andrews and lived in three areas of on-campus student housing. It was at one of them, St. Salvator's Hall, that she met Prince William. She went on to graduate with a master's degree in art history.
Screens 'not a toy:' Canadian pediatricians promote limits for kids 5 and under
Parents and caregivers of children aged five and younger should not only minimize screen time at home but use it mindfully themselves, the Canadian Paediatric Society says.
The Inspiring Ways Will, Kate, and Harry Spent Their College Gap Years
Image Source: Getty / Jeff Spicer
Many students decide to take a year off between graduating high school and attending college. The "gap year" is something of a rite of passage for young adults, who can opt to spend the 12 months before college working, interning, volunteering, or just chilling out. One of the most famous recent high school grads, former first daughter Malia Obama, is currently interning with film producer Harvey Weinstein in NYC before she begins classes at Harvard in the Fall. Royal family members have also been known to participate in gap year programs, enjoying breaks between high-end boarding schools and fulfilling their philanthropic duties abroad. Prince William, his brother, Prince Harry, and his wife, Kate Middleton, all took gap years before university. Read on to see how they spent them.
Prince William
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
Prince William spent his gap year traveling and volunteering in Belize, Chile, and several countries in Africa. In Chile, William helped build a playground in the coastal village of Tortel, painted houses, and helped local families with domestic responsibilities. He also worked on an English dairy farm, getting up before dawn to milk cows - and earning about $5 an hour.
Prince Harry
Image Source: Getty / Tim Graham
Like his brother, Prince Harry also took a gap year; after completing his exams at Eton College in 2003, Harry traveled to Australia to work on a cattle station and participated in the Young England vs. Young Australia polo match. He also went to the African kingdom of Lesotho, where he worked with orphaned children stricken with AIDS. While there, he produced the documentary The Forgotten Kingdom and aimed to "carry on" the things that his mother, Princess Diana, didn't get to finish after her death in 1997. After returning from Africa, Harry chose a military career, but his time in Lesotho stuck with him so strongly that in 2006 he founded Sentebale, a charity to aid children orphaned by HIV and AIDS.
Kate Middleton
Image Source: Getty / Pool
In September 2000, after finishing her studies at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, England, 18-year-old Kate headed to Florence, Italy, to study Italian and art history. She completed a three-month course at the British Institute of Florence in Palazzo dello Strozzino. She lived in a flat with three other girls, studied three hours of Italian a day, and honed her passion and talent for photography - today, Kate is known to snap professional photos of her kids for the public.
The second leg of Kate's gap year came in 2001, when she also went to Chile to volunteer; she worked with Raleigh International, an educational development charity, on environmental and community projects with underprivileged children. Little known to Kate, her future husband Prince William had completed the same program just weeks before she arrived. After her time in Chile, Kate moved to Scotland to study at the University of St. Andrews and lived in three areas of on-campus student housing. It was at one of them, St. Salvator's Hall, that she met Prince William. She went on to graduate with a master's degree in art history.
Why 1 School Put Students Through a Lunch-Shaming "Roll Call"
It seems like every week there's a new story on parents or kids being called out for the food packed in their lunchboxes or the lack of money in their accounts. But students are speaking out after one New Jersey school took things a step further by publicly giving students a serious ultimatum.
According to students at Fair Lawn High School, kids who owed lunch money were called out during an assembly and told they wouldn't receive their diplomas if they didn't settle their debt.
"Exactly like a roll call, and for [overdue library] books, the students called had to actually walk over to the stage and pick something up," Fair Lawn senior Benny Koval told The Daily Beast. "The first few names provoked a lot of laughter and name-calling."
My high school's having a name & shame for students who owe lunch and/or book money.
Admins say they won't graduate unless debts are covered http://pic.twitter.com/RTAdIpyeos- benny • בני (@bennykoval) May 31, 2017
After the school's assembly took the surprising twist, Koval posted a video on Twitter that quickly went viral. "My high school's having a name & shame for students who owe lunch and/or book money," Koval wrote. "Admins say they won't graduate unless debts are covered." After the video spread online, strangers offered to pay off the students' debts so they could walk on graduation day.
The principal's secretary, Diane Knudsen, spoke to The Daily Beast about the situation and said that the assembly's roll call of indebted students was "not a ceremony." Instead she explained, "It's their obligation."
Although states like New Mexico are officially making "lunch shaming" against the law, the issue is still rampant, even in elementary school. In Arizona, a boy was recently stamped with the words "lunch money" after the school fed him even though his lunch account had run low, leaving the child humiliated.
From Friends to Straight-Up Enemies: A Taylor Swift and Katy Perry Timeline
Of all of Taylor Swift's friendships, feuds, and flames, perhaps the most infamous is her seemingly ongoing rift with Katy Perry. And the juiciest part is that neither of them has ever mentioned each other by name. While Taylor and Katy's friendship dates back to 2008 and all the drama started around 2012-2013, the feud actually wasn't on our radar until Taylor Swift mentioned it in her Rolling Stone interview, back in August 2014. Since then, we've been following the drama, which resurfaced when Katy dropped "Swish Swish" in May. Ready to take it all back to the beginning? We're inspecting every aspect of their relationship, from square one.
From Friends to Straight-Up Enemies: A Taylor Swift and Katy Perry Timeline
Of all of Taylor Swift's friendships, feuds, and flames, perhaps the most infamous is her seemingly ongoing rift with Katy Perry. And the juiciest part is that neither of them has ever mentioned each other by name. While Taylor and Katy's friendship dates back to 2008 and all the drama started around 2012-2013, the feud actually wasn't on our radar until Taylor Swift mentioned it in her Rolling Stone interview, back in August 2014. Since then, we've been following the drama, which resurfaced when Katy dropped "Swish Swish" in May. Ready to take it all back to the beginning? We're inspecting every aspect of their relationship, from square one.
This Drag Artist's Look Is So Unique, It Makes Us Redefine Gender Entirely
"I have problems with gender dysphoria and this has pushed me to distorting my appearance because it's more comfortable for me to confuse people about my gender than have people see me as male," a drag artist known as Salvia told I-D. The male-born, English makeup artist is already gaining buzz on Instagram for rocking out-there, gender-neutral looks. Think: white clown face, eyes that look like hollow sockets, and exaggerated, distorted lips. It's many of the same makeup tricks we use during Halloween, except this is not a costume - it's a form of self-expression.
Not feeling like she fit into any category, the Salvia persona grew. "I named myself Salvia after the magical plant," she said in the interview. "I'm obsessed with flowers, and a common theme in my artwork is giving birth to yourself, and I think that flowers represent that. Mazatec shamans see it as an incarnation of the Virgin Mary and I find that very mystical and romantic. I am Salvia, she isn't completely a made up character."
While Salvia's looks may be more abstract than botanical, she definitely has skills when it comes to using makeup brushes. Keep reading to see more of her many gender-neutral faces.
Republican Congressman Says "God Will Take Care of" Climate Change
Scientists have often dispelled the myth that climate change is not a real problem, but Tim Walberg, a Congressman from Michigan, says there's a reason he's not worried about the drastic changes happening on Earth. While speaking at a town hall in Coldwater, MI recently, Walberg explained why he believes God, and only God, will be able to "take care of" climate change. Read his full quote ahead:
"I believe there's climate change. I believe there's been climate change since the beginning of time. I think there are cycles. Do I think man has some impact? Yeah, of course. Can man change the entire universe? No. Why do I believe that? Well, as a Christian, I believe that there is a creator in God who is much bigger than us. And I'm confident that, if there's a real problem, he can take care of it."
The problem with Walberg's theory is that it has been proven that humans are the main cause for global warming. If we don't take action to decrease the amount of pollution we add into the atmosphere, it could have disastrous affects on our planet. Maybe someone could give Walberg a copy of Leonardo DiCaprio's eye opening documentary about climate change. Just a suggestion.
Watch his full spiel in the video clip above.
Selena Gomez's New $2.25 Million Home Has a Massive Pool Perfect For Instagram Selfies
Selena Gomez is moving on. After putting her Texas mansion on the real estate market earlier this year, the 24-year-old singer and actress purchased a 3,188-square-foot house in Studio City, CA, that will serve as her new abode. The four bedroom, four bathroom home was built in 1951 and includes a massive pool, so we can (probably) expect to see more sexy bikini selfies from the "Bad Liar" singer this Summer. Read on to see photos of Gomez's new digs ahead.
Why You Should Stop Calling Kate Middleton "Princess Catherine"
Kate Middleton officially became the Duchess of Cambridge when she tied the knot with Prince William in April 2011, but she also received a few other titles you may not know about. While Kate is typically referred to as a duchess, she's also listed as a princess of the United Kingdom on Prince George's birth certificate. However, the royal family made it clear that Kate should not be referred to as Princess Catherine, but rather Princess William of Wales, or the female form of her husband's title (similar to the way a commoner would take her husband's last name).
Kate is also known as Countess of Strathearn when she is in Scotland because of William's Earl of Strathearn title. Same goes for when she's in Northern Ireland, where Kate is referred to as Lady Carrickfergus and William is the Baron of Carrickfergus.
Why You Should Stop Calling Kate Middleton "Princess Catherine"
Kate Middleton officially became the Duchess of Cambridge when she tied the knot with Prince William in April 2011, but she also received a few other titles you may not know about. While Kate is typically referred to as a duchess, she's also listed as a princess of the United Kingdom on Prince George's birth certificate. However, the royal family made it clear that Kate should not be referred to as Princess Catherine, but rather Princess William of Wales, or the female form of her husband's title (similar to the way a commoner would take her husband's last name).
Kate is also known as Countess of Strathearn when she is in Scotland because of William's Earl of Strathearn title. Same goes for when she's in Northern Ireland, where Kate is referred to as Lady Carrickfergus and William is the Baron of Carrickfergus.
I Tried That Viral Black Peel-Off Mask So You Definitely Don't Have To
If you've been on social media anytime in the past few months, chances are you've come across a monsoon-like flood of Instagram advertisements and YouTube reviews for the Shills Black Peel-Off Face Mask. The product has earned viral fame and developed a cult-like following of beauty mavens who praise its ability to banish blackheads with just one use. This skin-purifying mask promises to unclog pores of their impurities, leaving your face feeling smooth, exfoliated, and, most importantly, blackhead-free. Sounds pretty glorious, right?
As soon as I stumbled upon an ad about the Shills mask, so many questions came to mind: Does it actually work? How long does it take to show results? And on a scale of 1-10, how bad will it hurt? So I scoured YouTube to see what vloggers had to say about it, and it turned out the reviews were pretty evenly divided. Some admitted it was extremely painful and even caused a little inflammation, while others raved of its pore-cleansing effects and even featured up-close footage of their blackheads getting stripped of dirt and grime as the mask got ripped off.
It's those zoomed-in shots of the pore-stripping action that really drew me in.
I'm not gonna lie: it's those zoomed-in shots of the pore-stripping action that really drew me in. There's something so oddly satisfying about watching it, kind of like seeing Dr. Pimple Popper's blackhead-blasting adventures. (I know, I know; I'm weird.) My curiosity eventually got the best of me, so I decided to take one for the team and try the mask myself (naturally documenting my journey with a plethora of obnoxious selfies and Boomerangs, of course).
I have to preface things by honestly admitting I've been blessed with pretty decent skin. It's by no means a blackhead haven, but I do have tons of pesky clogged pores mostly concentrated around my nose that I've been itching to get rid of (and that I usually resort to squeezing out with my fingertips, despite my mom's best efforts to advise against doing so).
Before you sacrifice your precious pores and hop on the bandwagon, read on for the 11 tips and tidbits you need to know about the infamous Shills mask.
1. There appear to be two different Shills products on the market that people are mixing up
Shills isn't exactly a drugstore mainstay, so many of the brand's products are sold on Amazon. I ended up purchasing mine through a semisketchy website (see tip No. 2 for more details on that) and soon realized there are two different black peel-off masks that people are interchanging.
The two versions are the Purifying Peel-Off Mask and the Acne Purifying Peel-Off Black Mask. The first claims to "increase vitality" and is used by many beauty vloggers who have reviewed it on YouTube. The second claims to "increase complexion" and is sold at Walmart and on the official Shills website. I chose the Purifying Peel-Off Mask, because it's the first one I came across on social media. The difference in how well each of these products removes blackheads is a tad unclear, but it's definitely something to keep in mind if you're planning to purchase one.
2. If you're impatient like me, don't buy it through an Instagram ad
Being the millennial consumer I am, I simply couldn't resist clicking on an ad for the product on Instagram (especially when I saw the word "free" involved in the promotion). That ad took me to a website, which was offering the product for free (plus shipping costs). I paid $13 for it at the time - though the price appears to fluctuate daily because of the high demand. Purchasing it through a random website I'd never heard of was a rookie mistake on my end, because I had to wait three weeks for it to arrive, and when it did arrive, the packaging was pretty beat up. I suggest buying it from Walmart or Amazon, both of which offer quicker shipping times, if you're dying to try it ASAP.
3. Apply the mask using a brush, not your fingertips
Whereas some gals on YouTube excitedly slathered on the goopy liquid with their fingers, others opted for using a makeup brush to do so. This resulted in much cleaner, accurate coverage. I went for a basic foundation brush from the local drugstore and found that I was able to properly cover my face. It also helped me get in those hard-to-reach spots (like between my eyebrows, near my nostrils, and by my hairline). A soft, semitapered foundation brush is definitely the way to go, rather than a large powder brush.
Another upside of using a brush to apply the Shills mask? I didn't have to deal with furiously scrubbing my fingers to get any of the black color off afterward because the brush took the fall instead. I simply dabbed on some dish soap, rubbed it on my silicone brush cleaner, and voila! My brush was good as new again.
4. On that note, apply it very carefully - yet quickly
I'm admittedly a tad of a perfectionist, so I wanted to apply my mask evenly to allow for the best selfies possible (yes, I know that was painfully millennial of me to say). But I realized that the liquid starts to dry pretty quickly, so you have to move fast when slathering it on. That doesn't mean sloppiness is welcomed, as getting that full coverage is what you should be going for. Just make sure you get yourself in ninja-mask-applying mode beforehand.
5. If you do mess something up, I've got the perfect solution
A few times during application, I accidentally veered my brush too closely to my eyebrows and hairline (both of which should 100 percent be avoided). In a moment of panic, I glanced over at the Q-tips in my bathroom and the imaginary light bulb illuminated above my head. A damp cotton swab was the ideal tiny tool for easily wiping away excess mask goop before it was too late. Note: this is a helpful hack you can use with any face mask, not just the Shills one!
6. The mask goes on thick - like, super thick
I was honestly a bit surprised at just how thick the liquid mask is when I first applied it to my face. I assumed I'd need to smear on a few layers, but all I needed was one coat of it, and I was good to go. Now you know!
7. Set aside nearly 30 minutes for it to dry
The packaging advised leaving the mask for 20-30 minutes before getting down to peeling business. I set a timer for 25 minutes and found that to be the perfect sweet spot. By then, the mask was evenly hardened all around, whereas if I had started peeling away around the 20-minute mark, a few patches where I applied it in a slightly thicker coating wouldn't have been ready.
8. Take a deep breath before peeling - and prepare for some pain
I suggest treating it like a bandage - just rip it as quickly as possible to get it over with.One of the major caveats for this mask is just how painful it is to remove. Although I think this aspect has been a tad overhyped all over the internet, I can confirm that it hurt pretty freakin' bad. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the worst), I'd give it a solid 8. By far the most painful area for removing the mask was near my eyes. I'll just go ahead and admit that unintentional tears may or may not have rolled down my face while ripping it off my skin. I suggest treating it like a bandage in that area - just pull it as quickly (and carefully!) as possible to get it over with.
9. It didn't actually remove any of my blackheads
Lots of happy customers have walked away from their black mask experience with clean, unclogged pores, so I hoped for those results going into it. But I was pretty darn disappointed when I peered at my reflection only to see the same little dots all around my T-zone. (Maybe I should've played "Mask Off" while peeling it to summon Future's magical powers for good measure? Hah, kidding.) The mask did, however, have an unexpected result: it ripped away some of my "peach fuzz" and a few hairs from my upper lip, which you can slightly see in the photo below. So it was basically like a two-in-one facial wax . . . that I didn't exactly ask for.
10. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid this one
Like I said before, I prepped for the big day by binge-watching YouTube reviews of the Shills mask. One of the videos featured two fair-skinned gals whose faces were beet red in the aftermath. Personally, my face (mainly my cheeks) was red for about two hours after I removed it, and my skin felt all tingly for about 30 minutes after peeling it off. I'm no skin expert, but if yours is notably sensitive or prone to inflammation and flare-ups, I think it's probably best to skip out on the Shills hype. Something a little more mild may be more your style.
11. A few postmask tips you need to know
All in all, the mask came off my face pretty seamlessly, mostly in two large pieces. There were a few remaining pieces stuck on near my hairline, which I suggest removing with a damp washcloth. The product's packaging advises following up your peel-off session with some toner to "tighten and cleanse the pores." Although my pores weren't exactly empty caverns by the end of it, I still applied toner for good measure, and it really soothed my slightly aching skin.
My final thoughts
Although I'm glad I finally quenched my undying curiosity over this mask once and for all, it definitely wasn't as effective as I had hoped it would be. At the end of the day, I wouldn't recommend succumbing to the hype - unless you're looking for a quick way to get rid of peach fuzz sans a razor, that is. Onward to my next face mask adventure!
Why 1 School Put Students Through a Lunch-Shaming "Roll Call"
It seems like every week there's a new story on parents or kids being called out for the food packed in their lunchboxes or the lack of money in their accounts. But students are speaking out after one New Jersey school took things a step further by publicly giving students a serious ultimatum.
According to students at Fair Lawn High School, kids who owed lunch money were called out during an assembly and told they wouldn't receive their diplomas if they didn't settle their debt.
"Exactly like a roll call, and for [overdue library] books, the students called had to actually walk over to the stage and pick something up," Fair Lawn senior Benny Koval told The Daily Beast. "The first few names provoked a lot of laughter and name-calling."
My high school's having a name & shame for students who owe lunch and/or book money.
Admins say they won't graduate unless debts are covered http://pic.twitter.com/RTAdIpyeos- benny • בני (@bennykoval) May 31, 2017
After the school's assembly took the surprising twist, Koval posted a video on Twitter that quickly went viral. "My high school's having a name & shame for students who owe lunch and/or book money," Koval wrote. "Admins say they won't graduate unless debts are covered." After the video spread online, strangers offered to pay off the students' debts so they could walk on graduation day.
The principal's secretary, Diane Knudsen, spoke to The Daily Beast about the situation and said that the assembly's roll call of indebted students was "not a ceremony." Instead she explained, "It's their obligation."
Although states like New Mexico are officially making "lunch shaming" against the law, the issue is still rampant, even in elementary school. In Arizona, a boy was recently stamped with the words "lunch money" after the school fed him even though his lunch account had run low, leaving the child humiliated.
Golden Freckle Temporary Tattoos Will Complete Your Festival Look
While glitter freckles have been a popular Instagram beauty trend for a while, this new version makes it easier than ever to get festival-ready.
In the past, sporting this look involved spreading Vaseline across your face and patting glitter or shimmer on top of the jelly to adhere to your face. Not only is this a little impractical, but it can be uncomfortable to wear during warm weather.
The latest version smartly combines your childhood favorite temporary tattoos with this fun trend. The metallic tattoos work just like the ones you remember, but look way chicer.
To achieve your luminous freckled face, simply cut out the portion of the design you want from the tattoo sheet and remove the plastic. Next, place the design on your face and wet the back of it with a paper towel or sponge. After 30 seconds, you can remove the sponge and paper, revealing some magically metallic freckles.
When you'd like to return to your less-sparkly self, removing these dots is as simple as rubbing on makeup remover or baby oil and wiping them away. We can't wait to try out this trend at our next musical festival or Summer outing where we're sure to shine.
Read on to see where to pick up these cool freckle tattoos.
14 Times Joan Smalls Was the Workout Buddy of Our Dreams
We're calling it: Joan Smalls might be one of the fittest models out there. The Puerto Rican beauty - and Puma rep - maintains her svelte figure with an impressively dynamic workout routine that's pretty well-documented on her Instagram - much to the delight of her near two million followers.
From her high-intensity kickboxing sessions to low-key bike rides through Brooklyn, NY, Joan is pretty much our dream workout buddy - aside from, of course, Jennifer Lopez, who would swiftly kick our butts into shape. Look ahead for all the sweat-inducing proof you need.
14 Times Joan Smalls Was the Workout Buddy of Our Dreams
We're calling it: Joan Smalls might be one of the fittest models out there. The Puerto Rican beauty - and Puma rep - maintains her svelte figure with an impressively dynamic workout routine that's pretty well-documented on her Instagram - much to the delight of her near two million followers.
From her high-intensity kickboxing sessions to low-key bike rides through Brooklyn, NY, Joan is pretty much our dream workout buddy - aside from, of course, Jennifer Lopez, who would swiftly kick our butts into shape. Look ahead for all the sweat-inducing proof you need.
Trump Has Reportedly Asked World Leaders to Contact Him on His Cellphone
After traveling across the globe meeting with world leaders, the Associated Press reports that President Donald Trump has asked leaders to contact him on his cellphone.
BREAKING: President Trump has been urging world leaders to call him on his cellphone, raising security and secrecy concerns.
- The Associated Press (@AP) May 31, 2017
Trump asking heads of state to call him on his cellphone is both a "breach of protocol" and an incredibly insecure form of communication. As the Associated Press reports, calls usually occur on secure phone lines. Otherwise, "calls are vulnerable to eavesdropping, particularly from foreign governments, national security experts say."
However, the internet saw a silver lining: memes. The internet reacted to Trump's reported questionable request with some pretty hilarious tweets. Although we don't support his antics, nor do we support replacing sweater-wearing Drake with our POTUS in the "Hotline Bling" music video, we're enjoying the memes that sprung out of this situation.
…turns out there's already a gif for the Trump Hotline Bling joke re: telling countries to call him on his cellphone. http://pic.twitter.com/IJhflOYLRr
- Dianna E Anderson (@diannaeanderson) May 31, 2017
In translation: Trump has been giving his insecure cell phone # to every hostile intelligence service there is. https://t.co/S3enIVrz03
- Dan Murphy (@bungdan) May 31, 2017
@MaddowBlog http://pic.twitter.com/mS6mGZywdC
- Elizabeth Ferraro (@QBeeDew) May 31, 2017
yep http://pic.twitter.com/0Nilg15x7c
- nick (@nick_pants) May 31, 2017
TRUMP: Hello, this is Donald Trump's cell phone
MERKEL [disguising her voice]: Hello, this is THE ORB- Jason O. Gilbert (@gilbertjasono) May 31, 2017
He doesn't want transcripts or records of his conversations. He wants to hide his words even from his own administration. https://t.co/H5n869L7mY
- Rachel Joy Larris (@RachelLarris) May 31, 2017
13 Spellbinding Portraits of People With Albinism
After seeing images of Shaun Ross, a model with albinism, New York-based photographer Angelina d'Auguste was instantly inspired. For her senior thesis project at the Fashion Institute of Technology, she decided to spotlight people living with this genetic condition. According to the National Organization For Albinism and Hypopigmentation, approximately one in 18,000 are affected by albinism, meaning their hair, skin, and/or eyes lack melanin, the pigment that creates color.
Because of their ethereal appearance, people with albinism have been mistreated for centuries. They've been perceived as mythical beings in countries like Tanzania, and witch doctors have murdered them for their body parts, believing them to have magical properties. There have also been cases of albino women being raped in Zimbabwe, because of a false theory that sex with them can cure a man of HIV.
Though d'Auguste's project focuses on Americans with albinism, it is a powerful - and beautiful - reminder of people who are often unseen or maligned by society. Read on to see the stunning images, and then visit the photographer's Instagram for more of her work.
Tarte, Our Makeup Fairy Godmother, Is Launching a Magical New Palette
Another day, another exciting Tarte launch (and we're not complaining at all). The brand recently added a variety of clay-infused products to its lineup. Now, the Make Magic Happen eye shadow palette ($32) is coming to the Double Duty Beauty family.
The new launch features nine pans of matte and metallic shadows that work like, well, magic on your eyelids. It includes a variety of bronzed and copper hues, which are perfect for creating essential everyday looks, but also has deep plum and slate shades for when you're feeling bold.
Each shadow starts off with a creamy consistency that dries down to a silky powder finish so you can blend flawlessly (and quickly). The magic doesn't stop at the potent pigment and texture, either. The colors are infused with Tarte's Amazonian clay, mineral pigments, and vitamin E to replenish and protect your eyelids while making them sparkle. It's gorgeous and beneficial to use daily, which sounds like magic to us.
You can add the new palette to your collection when it launches online on June 1 at tartecosmetics.com and on June 25 at Ulta.com and in Ulta Beauty stores on July 9. It is limited edition, so we suggest you act fast! While you wait, get a better look at the palette ahead.
"Being Black in America Is Tough" - LeBron James After His Home Is Vandalized
Update: During a press conference for the NBA finals in San Francisco, CA, James addressed the racist graffiti spray painted on his Los Angeles home. FOX Sports basketball writer Dieter Kurtenbach described James's demure as clearly pained and frustrated; "He was livid," Kurtenbach wrote. James's comments, though clearly reserved, were not exactly an encouraging portrait of American society.
Lebron James: "No matter how much money you have, no matter how famous you are, being black in America is tough." http://pic.twitter.com/x94WzigGMA
- Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 31, 2017
"Racism will always be a part of the world, a part of America. Hate in America, especially for African-Americans, is living every day. Even though that it's concealed most of the time," James said. "No matter how much money you have, no matter how famous you are, no matter how many people admire you, being black in America is tough."
And the dagger: "We've got a long way to go for us as a society, and for us as African-Americans, until we feel equal in America," James added.
Original Story: LeBron James, arguably one of most recognized faces in basketball, was the target of a possible hate crime. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, James's Brentwood home was vandalized with a racial slur in the early morning on May 31.
If suspects who vandalized LeBron's home are caught & damage is at least $400, they can be prosecuted for felonies (up to 3 yrs in prison). https://t.co/0UgLhoQ9Nc
- Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) May 31, 2017
A spokeswoman for the LAPD, Patricia Sandoval, confirmed with POPSUGAR that police responded to a call from James's building manager that someone had spray painted the n-word on his private gate. "When officers arrived, the slur was painted over," Sandoval wrote in an email. According to USA Today, the graffiti is being investigated as a hate crime.
Throughout his career, James has addressed the systemic racism that pervades American culture, no matter who you are. "Racism, we know, exists," James said on May 3 referring to allegations that a Baltimore Orioles baseball player was taunted with racial slurs in Boston. "For me, I just try to be respectful, for one, be respectful to others, and I feel like if you do that consistently, then I believe the karma will come back to you."
James and his family were reportedly not home at the time of the incident, which occurred just hours before the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Golden State Warriors for the NBA Championship title.
13 Spellbinding Portraits of People With Albinism
After seeing images of Shaun Ross, a model with albinism, New York-based photographer Angelina d'Auguste was instantly inspired. For her senior thesis project at the Fashion Institute of Technology, she decided to spotlight people living with this genetic condition. According to the National Organization For Albinism and Hypopigmentation, approximately one in 18,000 are affected by albinism, meaning their hair, skin, and/or eyes lack melanin, the pigment that creates color.
Because of their ethereal appearance, people with albinism have been mistreated for centuries. They've been perceived as mythical beings in countries like Tanzania, and witch doctors have murdered them for their body parts, believing them to have magical properties. There have also been cases of albino women being raped in Zimbabwe, because of a false theory that sex with them can cure a man of HIV.
Though d'Auguste's project focuses on Americans with albinism, it is a powerful - and beautiful - reminder of people who are often unseen or maligned by society. Read on to see the stunning images, and then visit the photographer's Instagram for more of her work.
Who Has Selena Gomez Dated? Here Are All the Lucky Guys She's Been Linked To
From releasing a new addictive album, aptly titled Revival, to stepping up her fashion game to immeasurable heights to taking a hiatus from the spotlight to concentrate on herself, Selena Gomez has had quite the past few years. Though the former Disney star turned superstar singer has said she'll be sharing less about her personal life, it seems like the total opposite is happening, most recently publicly engaging in a steamy kissing session with The Weeknd.
So, since Selena is just keeping us on our toes when it comes to her love life, we're taking a look back at her rumored and confirmed flames - yes, beyond the undying memory of Justin Bieber. Keep scrolling to remember all the guys Selena has been linked to.
- Additional reporting by Alessandra Foresto
Pippa Middleton and James Matthews Take Their Honeymoon Down Under in Sydney
After an idyllic, fairy-tale wedding in the UK on May 20, Pippa Middleton and her new husband, James Matthews, jetted off to French Polynesia for an idyllic, fairy-tale honeymoon. Over the weekend, the couple was spotted on the beach in Tetiaroa, a chain of islands in French Polynesia that is basically paradise; they walked along the sand with books in hand, and Pippa showed off her toned physique in a bright blue bikini as they did some stand-up paddleboarding together. Pippa also slipped into a classic bridal white two-piece as she and James held hands during a sunny stroll. On Wednesday, the pair continued their adventures in Australia by boarding a seaplane in Sydney Harbor.
Pippa and James tied the knot on May 20 at St. Mark's Englefield in Berkshire, before treating guests to an evening reception at Carole and Michael Middleton's home in Bucklebury. The guest list included Pippa's older sister, Kate, who arrived with Prince William and tended to a group of young flower girls and page boys that included her own two kids, Princess Charlotte and Prince George. While we didn't get a glimpse of Prince Harry and his girlfriend, Meghan Markle, at the event, the couple reportedly met up before the reception - but due to Pippa's strict seating plan, they didn't get to sit together.
Who's Ready to Be Creeped Out by Troian Bellisario and Tom Felton as Twins?
You know how when one twin dies, the other one is haunted for the rest of their days, constantly starving to a slow death because their dead twin steals their food? No? OK, well that appears to be the premise of Feed, a new thriller in which Pretty Little Liars star Troian Bellisario and Tom Felton (aka Draco Malfoy) play way-too-close-for-comfort twins. He dies and she lives, but things get real weird, real fast. In case you're wondering, yes, I will 100 percent see this movie. Stay tuned for a release date!
Who Has Selena Gomez Dated? Here Are All the Lucky Guys She's Been Linked To
From releasing a new addictive album, aptly titled Revival, to stepping up her fashion game to immeasurable heights to taking a hiatus from the spotlight to concentrate on herself, Selena Gomez has had quite the past few years. Though the former Disney star turned superstar singer has said she'll be sharing less about her personal life, it seems like the total opposite is happening, most recently publicly engaging in a steamy kissing session with The Weeknd.
So, since Selena is just keeping us on our toes when it comes to her love life, we're taking a look back at her rumored and confirmed flames - yes, beyond the undying memory of Justin Bieber. Keep scrolling to remember all the guys Selena has been linked to.
- Additional reporting by Alessandra Foresto
The #BlackHairChallenge Highlights the Beauty and Versatility of Black Hair
You've probably noticed the #BlackHairChallenge taking over your social media feeds, but the empowering message behind the now-viral hashtag is also significant. Twitter user @melaninmamis created the social media challenge to encourage people of color to share photos of themselves rocking various hairstyles. Many black people used the hashtag as an opportunity to show off their natural hair, which is, frustratingly, still deemed "inappropriate" or "distracting" in some work spaces and in school settings. Others uploaded photos of their buzzed haircuts or their stylish braids to showcase the beauty and versatility of black hair. Keep reading to see a few examples of the #BlackHairChallenge that prove why this hashtag is so poignant.
Senator From Oregon Says Trump "Bears Responsibility" For "Wave of Violence"
It took President Donald Trump three days to speak about the Portland stabbing attack and even in doing so, he only tweeted out a sentiment. His behavior didn't go unnoticed, and Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon wants Trump to do and say more about this "wave of violence."
After holding a town hall in Clackamas, OR, on May 30, CNN spoke to Merkley about the Portland attack. Merkley expressed that the stabbing and other recent hate crimes stem from Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail. "You probably can't tie him directly to one particular act of violence. But to the wave of violence, yes, he bears responsibility," he said to CNN. The senator also touched upon the tweet sent from the POTUS account on May 29, stating that it "didn't sound like President Trump." You can see the tweet he's referring to ahead.
The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them.
- President Trump (@POTUS) May 29, 2017
Merkley wants Trump to go further with this tweet and talk to three families affected by the Portland stabbing. Then, "he should speak to the nation." Perhaps Trump could learn what Merkley means simply by reading his tweet about the attack.
Let's stand together to defy hate; show that spirit of good Samaritans is stronger than evil; & that compassion, courage & love will prevail
- Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) May 27, 2017
Senator From Oregon Says Trump "Bears Responsibility" For "Wave of Violence"
It took President Donald Trump three days to speak about the Portland stabbing attack and even in doing so, he only tweeted out a sentiment. His behavior didn't go unnoticed, and Senator Jeff Merkley from Oregon wants Trump to do and say more about this "wave of violence."
After holding a town hall in Clackamas, OR, on May 30, CNN spoke to Merkley about the Portland attack. Merkley expressed that the stabbing and other recent hate crimes stem from Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail. "You probably can't tie him directly to one particular act of violence. But to the wave of violence, yes, he bears responsibility," he said to CNN. The senator also touched upon the tweet sent from the POTUS account on May 29, stating that it "didn't sound like President Trump." You can see the tweet he's referring to ahead.
The violent attacks in Portland on Friday are unacceptable. The victims were standing up to hate and intolerance. Our prayers are w/ them.
- President Trump (@POTUS) May 29, 2017
Merkley wants Trump to go further with this tweet and talk to three families affected by the Portland stabbing. Then, "he should speak to the nation." Perhaps Trump could learn what Merkley means simply by reading his tweet about the attack.
Let's stand together to defy hate; show that spirit of good Samaritans is stronger than evil; & that compassion, courage & love will prevail
- Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) May 27, 2017
12 Adorable Bridesmaid Swimsuits For Your Summer Bachelorette Party
Is it really a bachelorette party if you don't force your whole squad to wear matching outfits? It's basically a requirement these days. If you plan on having a Summer celebration, these swimsuits will make for awesome pictures. All the bridesmaids can proudly make a scene in one of these cute picks. Take a look!
Why Rejecting the Paris Climate Agreement Is Such a Catastrophic Mistake
President Donald Trump's opposition to the Paris Climate Agreement was apparent from the moment he launched his campaign. Despite high-ranking officials in his administration (namely former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, who is now secretary of state) encouraging him to maintain America's commitment to the treaty, Trump has reportedly decided to pull out.
According to Axios and CNN, both citing anonymous sources within the White House, Trump is expected to withdraw from the historic climate agreement. When the United Nations-sponsored treaty was signed in 2015, it involved 147 countries and years of preparation. Prompted by evidence demonstrating human impact on climate change, the Paris Agreement set a goal of limiting the global temperature increase to two degrees Celsius over the next century - or no more than two degrees Celsius higher than the pre-industrial age average temperature. This would require a concerted effort to diminish reliance on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions drastically.
Based on climate models, if the global temperature rises by an average of more than two degrees, the damage done to the environment is likely irreversible. However, some critics contend that two degrees is already too high and the goal was more or less arbitrarily assigned to promote global participation.
The United States, Europe, India, and China are the world's leading carbon emitters. By pulling out of the agreement, Trump is not only gambling with America's future landscape but also the entire world's. Following reports of Trump's decision to reject the Paris Climate Agreement, the European Union and China are expected to reaffirm their commitment to curbing emissions under the terms of the agreement. Though it won't offset America's unbridled emissions completely, Germany, China, and India will surpass the objectives they set in 2015, according to a United Nations report released in May. India will obtain 40 percent of its energy from solar power - nearly eight years ahead of its 2020 goal - and China has reduced its reliance on coal-powered energy as well.
The report also offered a slightly reassuring theory: "The positive developments in India and China significantly outweigh the potentially negative effects on emissions from the Trump Administration's proposed rollbacks in the US, estimated at around 0.4 [gigatons of] CO2 by 2030."
The United States will join Syria and Nicaragua as the only other countries in the world who will not participate.
I Missed Out on Decades of Fitness Because I Hated Sports
After about 24 years of avoiding exercise of all kinds due to an aversion to sports, it finally dawned on me that I don't have to be a soccer captain, track star, or gymnastics prodigy to get healthy and start setting fitness goals.
Does that sound familiar to any of you? Are you nodding your head thinking, "OMG I HATE sports I suck at physical activities and also I have no hand-eye coordination and I'm not competitive in the slightest," . . . or is that just me?
If you have ever at any point had the thought "I'm not good at sports, so I couldn't possibly do ____ [insert any kind of physical activity here]," then listen up. You're wrong.
My parents put me in baseball and softball as a small child, and promptly realized I wasn't very invested in the game's outcome when they noticed baseballs would whiz by my daydreaming three-foot-tall stature in the outfield, and I wouldn't even flinch. And they perhaps also noticed my lack of athleticism when I got two black eyes from taking a baseball to the nose because "I didn't know what to do with my hands." In middle school I loved surfing, but was not at all good at it. I'm pretty sure my presence on the surf team roster was out of pity rather than an achievement I earned via physical merits. I went to every practice to hang out in the ocean with my friends, yet never partook in a single competition.
Did I mention I had exercise-induced asthma growing up? I kept that very well hidden . . . by never exercising. Even in PE in middle school, I would do a nice slow jog (walk) anytime running was a requirement. PE was pretty scarring, now that I think of it, but that might be another story.
I wrongfully assumed that you had to be into sports - and good at sports - to be an "athlete." Even when I first heard this famous quote from the co-founder of Nike, Bill Bowerman, "If you have a body, you're an athlete," I thought, "LOL yeah right, Bill!" I was cemented in an opinion of myself that I (and society, in part) had built over years, through experiences I had growing up, including but not limited to:
- Getting picked *last* for literally every PE team activity
- Turning purple during the timed mile in high school (and needing an inhaler after
- Being generally very, very slow
- Also being very small and weak
- Breaking a tooth in half while trying to play some kind of sport game with my brother
- Not having enough physical skill to meet audition requirements for cheer, the one sport I probably would've been into
- Being so disinterested in all team sports I never tried out for soccer or volleyball like all of my friends
"Sports can make you feel like you're not good enough; fitness makes you feel like you are enough."
So yeah, I dismissed Mr. Bowerman's assertions that everyone could be an athlete. I had a body, and I was certainly not one. In fact, I was 1,000 percent positive that I was the furthest thing from an athlete. So if I'm not an athlete, why would I exercise? That stuff is for athletes to get better at sports! Also wrong.
I thought all of these things for over two decades. If my mom hadn't forced me to do a 15K with her, I might still think those things. Even after I did that 15K, even after I did four or five half marathons . . . after I built strength, shortened my mile time, increased my endurance . . . I STILL didn't think I was an athlete. I laughed at the walls of SoulCycle that were painted, "ATHLETE. RENEGADE. ROCKSTAR." I brushed off comments in Barry's Bootcamp when my trainer referred to us as athletes and warriors.
One day it just clicked: that I am where I am, my body is on a journey, I'm getting healthy, and that's amazing in and of itself. That unlike PE or team sports, there is no level you have to get to, or threshold you have to reach to become an "athlete"; You're as much of an athlete at your three hour half marathon as you are at your three hour full marathon. And you're still an athlete even if you decide to never go that full marathon distance. You don't have to be "good" to be an athlete . . . who's making up the rules about what "good" is, anyway? Being an athlete is simply about making a choice to better your body and brain through physical movement.
In fact, if athlete still doesn't feel like a relatable term for you, then ditch it. Just know that not being good at or interested in team sports doesn't preclude you from getting fit - your inability to kick a ball has nothing to do with how much fun you'll have in a Zumba class, or how magical you'll feel after your first Spin session, or how much you'll enjoy Megaformer Pilates. Sports can make you feel like you're not good enough; fitness makes you feel like you are enough.
If you're like me, and you've gone through life hating sports, not feeling athletically competent, and either scared of or indifferent to exercise, then I challenge you to try one new thing. Take a yoga class. Do a dance video. Jog for a mile. Hike. Sign up for a race. Move! Because even though it took me a long time to believe it, Bowerman was right. If you have a body, you're an athlete.
I Missed Out on Decades of Fitness Because I Hated Sports
After about 24 years of avoiding exercise of all kinds due to an aversion to sports, it finally dawned on me that I don't have to be a soccer captain, track star, or gymnastics prodigy to get healthy and start setting fitness goals.
Does that sound familiar to any of you? Are you nodding your head thinking, "OMG I HATE sports I suck at physical activities and also I have no hand-eye coordination and I'm not competitive in the slightest," . . . or is that just me?
If you have ever at any point had the thought "I'm not good at sports, so I couldn't possibly do ____ [insert any kind of physical activity here]," then listen up. You're wrong.
My parents put me in baseball and softball as a small child, and promptly realized I wasn't very invested in the game's outcome when they noticed baseballs would whiz by my daydreaming three-foot-tall stature in the outfield, and I wouldn't even flinch. And they perhaps also noticed my lack of athleticism when I got two black eyes from taking a baseball to the nose because "I didn't know what to do with my hands." In middle school I loved surfing, but was not at all good at it. I'm pretty sure my presence on the surf team roster was out of pity rather than an achievement I earned via physical merits. I went to every practice to hang out in the ocean with my friends, yet never partook in a single competition.
Did I mention I had exercise-induced asthma growing up? I kept that very well hidden . . . by never exercising. Even in PE in middle school, I would do a nice slow jog (walk) anytime running was a requirement. PE was pretty scarring, now that I think of it, but that might be another story.
I wrongfully assumed that you had to be into sports - and good at sports - to be an "athlete." Even when I first heard this famous quote from the co-founder of Nike, Bill Bowerman, "If you have a body, you're an athlete," I thought, "LOL yeah right, Bill!" I was cemented in an opinion of myself that I (and society, in part) had built over years, through experiences I had growing up, including but not limited to:
- Getting picked *last* for literally every PE team activity
- Turning purple during the timed mile in high school (and needing an inhaler after
- Being generally very, very slow
- Also being very small and weak
- Breaking a tooth in half while trying to play some kind of sport game with my brother
- Not having enough physical skill to meet audition requirements for cheer, the one sport I probably would've been into
- Being so disinterested in all team sports I never tried out for soccer or volleyball like all of my friends
"Sports can make you feel like you're not good enough; fitness makes you feel like you are enough."
So yeah, I dismissed Mr. Bowerman's assertions that everyone could be an athlete. I had a body, and I was certainly not one. In fact, I was 1,000 percent positive that I was the furthest thing from an athlete. So if I'm not an athlete, why would I exercise? That stuff is for athletes to get better at sports! Also wrong.
I thought all of these things for over two decades. If my mom hadn't forced me to do a 15K with her, I might still think those things. Even after I did that 15K, even after I did four or five half marathons . . . after I built strength, shortened my mile time, increased my endurance . . . I STILL didn't think I was an athlete. I laughed at the walls of SoulCycle that were painted, "ATHLETE. RENEGADE. ROCKSTAR." I brushed off comments in Barry's Bootcamp when my trainer referred to us as athletes and warriors.
One day it just clicked: that I am where I am, my body is on a journey, I'm getting healthy, and that's amazing in and of itself. That unlike PE or team sports, there is no level you have to get to, or threshold you have to reach to become an "athlete"; You're as much of an athlete at your three hour half marathon as you are at your three hour full marathon. And you're still an athlete even if you decide to never go that full marathon distance. You don't have to be "good" to be an athlete . . . who's making up the rules about what "good" is, anyway? Being an athlete is simply about making a choice to better your body and brain through physical movement.
In fact, if athlete still doesn't feel like a relatable term for you, then ditch it. Just know that not being good at or interested in team sports doesn't preclude you from getting fit - your inability to kick a ball has nothing to do with how much fun you'll have in a Zumba class, or how magical you'll feel after your first Spin session, or how much you'll enjoy Megaformer Pilates. Sports can make you feel like you're not good enough; fitness makes you feel like you are enough.
If you're like me, and you've gone through life hating sports, not feeling athletically competent, and either scared of or indifferent to exercise, then I challenge you to try one new thing. Take a yoga class. Do a dance video. Jog for a mile. Hike. Sign up for a race. Move! Because even though it took me a long time to believe it, Bowerman was right. If you have a body, you're an athlete.
12 Adorable Bridesmaid Swimsuits For Your Summer Bachelorette Party
Is it really a bachelorette party if you don't force your whole squad to wear matching outfits? It's basically a requirement these days. If you plan on having a Summer celebration, these swimsuits will make for awesome pictures. All the bridesmaids can proudly make a scene in one of these cute picks. Take a look!
Would You Spend $800 on These Paint-Splattered Shoes? Because You Definitely Shouldn't
In an attempt to be avant-garde or inventive, designers and retailers alike have created a slew of campy, ridiculous, or just plain unwearable clothing. Do those perplexing clear plastic jeans come to mind? The latest comes from Maison Margiela, which recently released a distressed paint-splattered oxford shoe for nearly $800.
The purposefully dirty oxfords are currently being sold online by major luxury retailers like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barneys New York. According to the product description, the unisex shoe is made of charcoal calf suede that is then splattered with various white, yellow, and blue paint colors. Oh, but it gets weirder: in addition to the oxford, Maison Margiela also released other paint-splattered shoes, namely low-top and mid-top sneakers that are $595 and $685 respectively.
While this is all pretty hilarious, it isn't at all surprising given the French fashion house's colorful history. For example, it also recently released sneakers made in a paper-like texture. Now, you might be asking yourself, "Why?" Well, the sneakers actually come with a black pen so that owners of the shoe can just go to town and make them uniquely personalized. By the way, those sneakers are $655.
As you let all of this sink in, look ahead at pictures of the interesting oxford.
9 Ways to Make a Long Flight Less Boring
10+ hours in a metal tube in the sky. Your options for entertainment are relatively limited, but long flights across states, countries, and seas don't have to be as painful as you think - if you come prepared. From Netflix downloads to goodie bags and soundproof headphones, here are some tips from a recent Reddit thread to help make your next long flight less boring.
1. Figure out if you want to sleep on the flight or not. "Bottom line is - adjust to your destination's time zone ASAP. For instance, if you're taking an evening flight from Europe and landing in the US at night, try to sleep as little as possible." - Reddit user yo_name_is_TOBY
2. Bring soundproof headphones! "You wont believe how good you feel with those on, the difference is incredible, it as if you were covering your ears with your hands the whole flight. Then put on some audiobooks and learn something new." - Reddit user Snaaaaaaaaaake
3. Download a series or movies on Netflix. "Netflix just offers full downloads of everything for offline viewing now, the files are encrypted, but it's really convenient. YouTube with YouTube Red also allow download of any videos. I've used flights to catch up on game grumps and Netflix series." - Reddit user FurryWolves
4. Bring a paper book or magazine. "On long flights, my eyes get tired of the laptop and iPad screens, so just holding and reading a paperback makes me feel better." Reddit user jmdinbtr
5. Create a backlog of media you can watch. "For me this includes: podcasts, Netflix movies, and other movies on my computer." - Reddit user yo_name_is_TOBY
6. Load up your tablet or phone with things to read and watch offline. "Have a tablet with entertainment! Laptop is often checked in only." - Reddit user viking91.
7. Figure out if you want to get any work done, and break it down into chunks. "I have a pretty bad time focusing on planes. If I spend more than 30 minutes doing something, I start zoning out. Your mileage may vary, but based on what your attention span is, plan out your flight so that you cycle through discrete chunks of all your media. So in my case, that's 30 minutes of podcast one, 30 minutes of a Netflix show, 30 minutes of podcast two, 30 minutes of work, and then start the cycle over again. Depending on if you're flying with someone or not, talking with them or other sh*t will crop up in the flight that will also kill some time, which is great." - Reddit user yo_name_is_TOBY
8. Get an aisle seat so you can walk around. "16-hour flights are the worst when you sit at the window and you need a pee but the people blocking the exit are asleep." Reddit user ChefGamma.
9. Give yourself a whole goody bag of things to entertain yourself and space out each activity. "Try to get a variety of things so you don't get as bored. Obviously try to sleep as much as possible, but fill in the rest of the time with stuff: listen to podcasts or books on tape (so you can be mentally engaged but rest your eyes), download some classic movies you never got around to seeing, buy a puzzle book with crosswords, word searches, logic puzzles, etc. Bring along some favorite snacks but make yourself wait to eat them, like at eight hours in, 12 hours in. Buy a book on how to do origami and learn some of that. Bring along some trashy celebrity magazines that you would never buy but secretly love." - Reddit user fortnight14
Idris Elba & Kate Winslet Have Chemistry Even in Survival Mode in The Mountain Between Us Trailer
Leave it to Hollywood to come up with a scenario where I wouldn't want to be trapped with Idris Elba. In The Mountain Between Us, Elba stars alongside Kate Winslet as a pair of strangers stranded on a remote, snowy mountain range after their private plane crashes. With barely any food, no shelter, and hundreds of miles of forest (as well as a few mountain lions) between them and civilization, they have to team up to survive. It looks tense and terrifying, and I can only hope Leonardo DiCaprio gave his Titanic costar a few tips about how to properly deal with a bear attack before they started filming.
Star Wars: All the New Details We Have on Supreme Leader Snoke
Star Wars: The Force Awakens brought back a slew of our favorite characters, but it also introduced someone very important to the new trilogy: Supreme Leader Snoke. Little is known about the villain, who is allied with Kylo Ren, but we have a number of theories as to his true identity. Yes, he may be a completely new character, but what if he's actually Darth Maul? Or Mace Windu? While we're patiently waiting for The Last Jedi, let's review all the new information we've gotten about the villain; there have been some developments in the past few months!
1. He's Humanoid, but Not Human
As Star Wars expert Pablo Hidalgo pointed out in a tweet, the novelization of The Force Awakens actually describes Snoke: "Tall and gaunt, he was humanoid but not human." To fans who think that this may be a flexible description, Hidalgo followed up with the tweet, "Snoke's humanity is set in stone because that sentence got published."
2. He's Not a Huge, Looming Giant
Though he is projected to be a hulk of a figure in The Force Awakens, leaked images for LEGO's new set of Star Wars figurines told a different story. Though the images have since been pulled, the promotional materials showed Snoke to be the same size as the rest of the characters. He's not some abnoraml, hulking figure.
3. His Attire Hints at a Connection to a Kyber Crystal
As noted by a Star Wars fan site in April, Snoke is cloaked in beautifully woven golden robes. The concept art was confirmed by the Lego figures, which not only show the golden robes, but a giant black ring on one hand. The same fan site suggested that the ring could be a fraction of a black Kyber crystal. The ancient crystals are naturally in tune with the light side of the force and supposedly reject any users attempting to harness their power for dark purposes.
4. His Skin Isn't Blue
While he appears to be a sickly blue in The Force Awakens, Lego's leaked pictures show that Snoke actually has flesh-colored skin, like the rest of the characters.
5. He May Be in Communication With Luke
Thanks to one of the leaked images, there's a theory circulating that Snoke is communicating with a projected version of Luke Skywalker. We don't see the face of the person Snoke is chatting with, and it may very well be his buddy Kylo Ren, but something about the robes suggests that it could be Luke.
Camila Cabello Is the New Guess Girl, and the Photos Are Sultry
Camila Cabello is continuing her solo track with a major fashion campaign. It's been announced that the "Crying in the Club" singer is the new face of Guess Jeans' Fall 2017 alongside model, Alex Dellisola. As a Guess Girl, Camila is following the steps of big names, like Claudia Schiffer, Drew Barrymore, Adriana Lima, and Gigi Hadid.
"I couldn't be more excited to partner with Guess on this incredible campaign," Camila said in a press release. "I've grown up loving their aesthetic and not in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd be lucky enough to be a part of it."
In the black and white photos, Camila is modeling the women's collection, which will feature lots of oversize denim jackets, cutoff shorts, and high-waisted skinny jeans. Keep scrolling to see the rest of the photos that have been released so far.
40+ Life-Changing Books to Read This Year
Knowledge is king. The first step to creating change in your life is to know what you're doing wrong or why you need to change. We've picked out 41 books that will better your life in a dramatic way. Whether it's figuring out how to get out of debt, learning how to be happier, or trying to find ways to get a job, reading just one of these books this year is guaranteed to change your life for good.
The Ultimate Best Friends Bucket List
Your best friend is basically your soulmate. They're always down for the next ridiculous adventure, a much-needed vent, or a night in with a bottle of wine and hours of Netflix. Since you're obviously going to grow old together, this bucket list is full of things you should do between now and the time you're 80 and sitting on a porch together reminiscing about the good old days.
- Take an epic road trip
- Pull an all-nighter together
- People-watch at a park
- Talk in different accents for a day
- Volunteer together
- Get matching tattoos
- Marathon a TV series
- Spend a holiday with each other's families
- Travel abroad together
- Get manicures
- See an embarrassingly sexy movie
- Cook a fancy dinner
- Take underwater pictures
- Go on a spa day
- Prank call friends
- Spend a whole day shopping
- Carve your initials into a tree
- Give each other makeovers
- See your favorite musician in concert
- Take a beauty or fashion risk together
- Go on a camping trip
- Throw a surprise party for one another
- Go to Mardi Gras
- Go on a booze cruise
- Learn a language together
- Try an extreme sport
- Swap identities for a day
- Read the same book together
- Go out wearing coordinating outfits
- Make a time capsule
- Create special playlists for each other
- Visit a Disney park
- Plan out your futures
- Try a new DIY or craft
- Play hide-and-seek in a big store
- Go gambling
- Sing at the top of your lungs together
- Buy best-friend jewelry
- Ride a roller coaster
- Build a blanket fort
- Attend a music festival
- Take an exercise class together
- Go wine tasting
- Make up a dance routine
- Laugh until you cry
Would You Spend $800 on These Paint-Splattered Shoes? Because You Definitely Shouldn't
In an attempt to be avant-garde or inventive, designers and retailers alike have created a slew of campy, ridiculous, or just plain unwearable clothing. Do those perplexing clear plastic jeans come to mind? The latest comes from Maison Margiela, which recently released a distressed paint-splattered oxford shoe for nearly $800.
The purposefully dirty oxfords are currently being sold online by major luxury retailers like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barneys New York. According to the product description, the unisex shoe is made of charcoal calf suede that is then splattered with various white, yellow, and blue paint colors. Oh, but it gets weirder: in addition to the oxford, Maison Margiela also released other paint-splattered shoes, namely low-top and mid-top sneakers that are $595 and $685 respectively.
While this is all pretty hilarious, it isn't at all surprising given the French fashion house's colorful history. For example, it also recently released sneakers made in a paper-like texture. Now, you might be asking yourself, "Why?" Well, the sneakers actually come with a black pen so that owners of the shoe can just go to town and make them uniquely personalized. By the way, those sneakers are $655.
As you let all of this sink in, look ahead at pictures of the interesting oxford.
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