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 8 juin 2017
Openly, Honestly, Publicly: How We Live Our Lives With Pride
Matt Dallas: When it comes to my upbringing, I have a very large family. We're kind of a very motley crew as it is, and I was very fortunate that I was just . . . comfortable. I was raised to be very much who I was. I always found myself off with my female cousins, whether that meant dressing up, having dance parties, or whatever. That was the world that I immersed myself into, and I think I was lucky that I didn't have a father who was trying to pull me out of it.
The Summer before my freshman year of high school, I made two guy friends. They were gay, and I basically just spent that Summer hanging out with them, and that was when I realized like, "Oh, gay is a thing. That's what's happening here." That's when I knew I was different, and as I entered into high school, it all started really clicking and making a lot more sense.
Blue Hamilton: As for me, I grew up in a very small town called Florissant in Colorado. I think, even today, the town has like 100 people in it. It's a very small community up in the Rockies, and so there was no LGBTQ community to speak of. I literally only remember one woman there that we suspected was a lesbian. I didn't have the resources. The internet wasn't there.
Yeah, but you know what's really interesting? I've been a huge Madonna fan my whole life, because my sisters were into her and, you know, it was the '80s. She was a huge influence on my life, because I was a big fan. And I mean, look at who her audience is.
It's just funny to me that I had the power of an artist with a voice - and the impact that she made in my life - when I didn't have anybody else. To bring it back to what Matt and I do as far as being out there and being visible, that's another reason I feel like it's really important. Even though the internet's out there and the world is a great big open oyster now, there are kids in towns who don't have those people around them. So at least they have these resources to go out and look at.
MD: In terms of Pride, I've been to two, and they were both in San Diego. I have to be really honest, I was really turned off by LGBTQ Pride, even in my early 20s. It just didn't feel like it necessarily represented me. Don't get me wrong, it was cool to see everybody coming together. I remember I saw Cyndi Lauper, and to have someone who's that famous that's there and supporting us was very meaningful to me. But as I got older, I just started to feel conflicted.
I celebrate my pride in a different way. Pride is something that we live every day.BH: I've been to a couple, and I have to echo you. I think that the Pride festivities that I've been to do represent a specific portion of the community, but they didn't necessarily represent me. I went in LA, and it was years ago. It was fun, and I didn't really see anything that I was appalled by, but I didn't feel like I fit in. What I took out of it was that pride, for me, was not going to a parade. I celebrate my pride in a different way. Pride is something that we live every day and I don't need to go to a parade. That's how I felt at the time. To me it means to just being true to who you are and living by example.
MD: Of course, I want to say that I don't mean to pass any sort of judgment on somebody who enjoys Pride. You should be who you are and do what makes you happy, but that just wasn't me. I obviously feel the same way as Blue: my pride is about living openly and honestly and publicly and living by example.
That being said, I do think there's something very powerful in like a giant mass of people coming together, like the Women's March. That sent a huge message, and I think that that's very impactful. So, I think a Pride parade sends a very loud, important message, and it's a very powerful tool. But I also think it's time that we reconsider what that looks like in the context of Pride.
I think a Pride Parade sends a very loud, important message.I will say I regret that I wasn't able to be at a Pride after the Pulse nightclub shooting. I wanted to be able to be a part of that. To come out and show the support and say, like, "We, as a community, are coming together to say that we will not stand for this."
Like I said, though, my pride is in my life. I felt the best when I came out publicly. I had spent so many years so afraid of coming out. It had been about 10 years that I spent really conflicted about who I was and being open and honest publicly. When I did come out, I remember sending the tweet and then just like refreshing. Like, "Oh, there's no taking it back now." Even though there was like fear and nervousness in the moment, there was a huge release, and I felt very proud of myself that I was able to fight back and take a stance for who I was. It really was a moment of "Wow, I did something really cool and I'm really proud of myself." It felt special to get to be a part of something, to stand up for something that I had been so afraid of, that I had been hiding for so many years.
BH: I mean, there's nothing that necessarily comes to mind for me, nothing that big. But there's one huge memory that sticks out for me. We were at Disneyland last year waiting in line. A 13-year-old kid came up to us with his mom, and they basically told us that this kid came out and feels comfortable because of watching us on YouTube.
MD: And it was the mother's reaction!
BH: I mean, yeah, but I guess it was more the kid for me. But the mom was very emotional and, like, teary-eyed and was just super appreciative and nice. It was her story, I guess, but it was about the kid.
MD: For me what I thought was cool was that the mom was saying that, as supportive as she was of her son, she was just always so fearful for what his life might look like, and she just was afraid that he wouldn't be able to find happiness, but when he made her sit down and watch our videos, she was like, "Oh, my son will be able to have this life and will be able to have the life I always dreamed he would have." And she felt like she didn't have to be afraid anymore.
As much as I've shared to the contrary, I am excited for Pride this year. I feel more open and honest with who I am than I ever have been in my life, and I feel like we are at such a crossroads in our society. I mean, we've had so many breakthroughs. You see this real shift in society, so it is exciting to see where the next Pride Months over the next few years are going to take us. I think it's an exhilarating time because it can go any direction, and I think there are now so many voices that it can be something really interesting and special.
BH: I'm actually excited for it. I feel I'm more aware of it than I've been in the past, and I feel we're able to make an influence and be a part of it on a different level than before. It's time to get started.
As told to Ryan Roschke
4 Places Men Shouldn't Touch During Sex (Unless She Tells You To)
A woman's body is a wonderland - one that should be explored when and how she wants you to. Dr. Fran Walfish, a Beverly Hills family and relationship psychotherapist, author of The Self-Aware Parent, and costar on We TV's Sex Box, tells us the four places men should avoid unless women give them explicit permission to explore.
Great sex is all about spontaneity and exploration - assuming, of course, you have her consent - but there are a few parts of her body you shouldn't touch willy-nilly. Here are four such spots you're better off avoiding (unless you've agreed to go there with her):
1. Her cervix.
If you reach her cervix during sex, recognize that something is wrong. Remember, this is the narrow canal that connects the vagina to the uterus - where babies grow. That isn't a place you want to go, so don't knock on the door. For starters, it's painful for her to have something rammed against her cervix, and it could be a sign that you need to shift for a position with shallower penetration. But it could also mean that she isn't warmed up enough. Her uterus will actually "lift" upward when she's sexually aroused, making her vaginal cavity a few inches deeper than when she isn't turned on. So don't skimp on foreplay, and don't service her cervix.
2. The head of her clitoris.
This might seem counterintuitive, but the clitoris - which is full of supersensitive nerve endings - can sometimes feel too intense when it's stimulated directly. Touching the clitoris head-on, especially if she's really aroused, can feel too severe. Think about that feeling when you gulp an ice-cold beverage and your teeth start to tingle - it's just not pleasant. Instead, try going for the shaft of her clitoris or rubbing circles around it, which will engage the nerve endings without overstimulating her. We won't tell you to never touch her there, but it's worth checking in with your partner to see if she has a sensitive C-spot.
3. Her feet.
Especially if she's sporting socks. A study from Johns Hopkins University showed that wearing socks in the sack can increase orgasm potential, for both men and women. One potential reason: in order to orgasm, women need to be totally relaxed and anxiety-free, and cold feet can interfere with their ability to really get into sex. Though we usually recommend knocking her socks off, leave them on this time.
4. Her anus.
Unless you're all lubed up, that is. Anal play can take plenty of warming up, but even when she's totally aroused and ready to get it on, nothing should go in there without a generous helping of lubricant. The anal opening is small enough that even a finger can feel uncomfortable. While you've got the KY bottle handy, you should probably go ahead and use it for all other acts. A study from the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women rate their sexual satisfaction much higher when lube is involved.
I Tried a Cleanse After a Half-Marathon So You Never, Ever Have To
My most recent half-marathon was at Disneyland, so needless to say, I ate my bodyweight in grams of sugar. Lightsaber churros? Of course (anything for the 'gram!). Beauty and the Beast cakes topped with mousse? Absolutely. Pineapple cotton candy? How could I not?!
I also didn't hold back from my post-race Disneyland brunch of bananas foster French toast and chocolate milk, so by the time I was heading home and back to real life, my gut felt like it was filled with cement. "Perfect time to cleanse!" I thought to myself. Wrong. That is incorrect.
I eagerly accepted an offer to try a three-day meal plan, which to be honest, was a beautiful set of food. Blue magic cashew milks, pineapple turmeric shots, delicious veggie pho, and hearty veggie salads . . . it was great. And even though I really, really don't like green juice, I was ready for a cold and refreshing bottle of green goodness to help my body feel healthy again. So I went into this a bit unawares and very excited.
After setting aside my day of meals for day one, I realized that I might need some more calories - especially protein! According to this cleanse's guidelines, you're allowed to add in pastured eggs and pastured chicken, so I figured with my first green juice, I'd make myself two eggs. "Off to a great start!" my optimistic brain continued.
The food was great, but not filling enough for me; I was feeling famished. I added in some plain, air-popped popcorn as an afternoon snack. I got home, made the veggie pho, and still didn't feel great, so I added half a chicken thigh. I continued to tell myself that the intense hunger was normal, and I just needed to have some self-control. "People go on cleanses all the time! This is fine! You're fine. Everything's fine."
The next morning, I met with my personal trainer (Liz Letchford, MS, ATC) for our weekly session, and she was, eh . . . not pleased with me. You know when your parents are like, "I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed?" It was like that. For the second day, I again added an egg to my breakfast juice, but Liz recommended even more food - specifically some oatmeal, so I listened and ate some of that, and yet still, I felt totally famished by the end of the day.
By day three, I was actually nauseous. You know when you get "mouth sweats" - runny saliva and chills that indicate you're about to barf? That was me . . . in the POPSUGAR office. Halfway through my salad, my co-worker looked over at me and said, "God you look terrible," and I knew I needed to evacuate the premises immediately before things got awkward. I won't get into it because I don't know you or your tolerance for graphic details, but what I can say is, thank God I made it home shortly thereafter.
I asked Liz what the deal was with postrace nutrition, and she had this to say: "Your body had just worked hard to complete those 13 miles, so it needed nutrition to rebuild damage muscles, replace stored muscle glycogen, and recover neurologically from the race. Without adequate calories, you risk overtraining syndrome and muscle breakdown - the last thing you want when training." Essentially, I was doing the nutritional equivalent of skipping many, many rest days.
Not only that, but my body had likely used up most of the sugar and carbohydrates I inhaled enjoyed the day before, so I didn't need to cleanse, and when my digestive tract received things like dandelion greens and excess probiotics, it did the digestive-system version of slapping me in the face.
So there you have it - it's probably OK to cleanse away on a normal week, when you haven't completed an endurance event, and only when you really, really need a caloric reset. And if you're going to do a cleanse, the one I did actually offered delicious food! But if you're doing a half-marathon or race anytime soon, please - for everyone's sake - please don't do a cleanse afterward. PSA over.
10 Ways to Soothe a Child's Sunburn
So you slathered on sunblock, but somehow, someone in your family still baked like a lobster? Try these 10 great remedies for soothing a sunburn, all recommended by our readers. Many of them require only ingredients you already have somewhere in your home.
1. Aloe Vera Gel
Well known as a skin soother, aloe is one of the most commonly recommended and effective sunburn remedies. "Aloe, aloe, aloe, and more aloe," Jennifer M. recommends, and Kellie T. agrees, "Aloe vera gel would be the best!"
2. Vinegar
Vinegar for sunburn? Absolutely! Numerous readers recommend applying a vinegar-soaked cloth (often apple-cider vinegar) to sunburned skin to ease the heat and sting. As Jodi K. shares: "I swear by vinegar! I know it sounds nasty and painful, but every time I've gotten a sunburn, I dab on white vinegar with a washcloth. It takes the sting off the burn - the heat of the burn - right out of your skin! It will also keep you from blistering or peeling if you haven't already. Seriously, give it a try!"
3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is an easy at-home remedy for sunburn, as Cara S. shares: "When my husband had a really bad sunburn, I sponged him down with a washcloth filled with oatmeal. The oatmeal soothed the pain and stopped the itch." Rori C. adds, "If you have any Aveeno Oatmeal Bath packets on hand, those are great."
4. Vitamin E
"You might want to try some vitamin E," recommends Jessica K., one of several moms who advised that vitamin E in various forms can aid your skin's healing process. Either pop open a vitamin E gelcap and apply it to the area, or find a cream with vitamin E at the drugstore.
5. Baking Soda
Yet another of baking soda's many household uses is relieving itchy skin caused by a sunburn. Corena U. relays, "A bath with baking soda and/or [a] cold shower can be helpful when the itching starts."
6. Yogurt
Who knew that your favorite cheap snack could double as a sunburn soother? Elaine E. explains: "Plaster it on, and let it dry, and then wash off with warm water. The yogurt draws the heat of the burn. It does work, and it's cheaper than lotions."
7. Noxema
"I found Noxzema works the best for sunburns," says Iris H., one of many moms who recommend this trusty face cream for sunburn relief. "Just put it on, and let it dry, wash it off, and do it again," advises Ashleigh L. "It saved me from second-degree sunburn when nothing else would."
8. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is yet another sunburn remedy you probably have right in your cupboard. "Cornstarch feels great on sunburned skin," shares Jenna B. "It dries the moisture [and also] cools it and soothes it."
9. Cucumber
Another natural remedy for sunburn is cucumber. As Bethany E. advises: "Keep a cucumber in the fridge, and keep slicing bits off and smoothing over your burns with the cool slices. Get some more once it warms up."
10. Pain Reliever
If you or your child is badly burned, you may want to supplement other natural remedies with a pain reliever for more comfort. Dawn K. advises, "Give her some Tylenol or Motrin to help her pain at bedtime, so she can sleep."
I Tried a Cleanse After a Half-Marathon So You Never, Ever Have To
My most recent half-marathon was at Disneyland, so needless to say, I ate my bodyweight in grams of sugar. Lightsaber churros? Of course (anything for the 'gram!). Beauty and the Beast cakes topped with mousse? Absolutely. Pineapple cotton candy? How could I not?!
I also didn't hold back from my post-race Disneyland brunch of bananas foster French toast and chocolate milk, so by the time I was heading home and back to real life, my gut felt like it was filled with cement. "Perfect time to cleanse!" I thought to myself. Wrong. That is incorrect.
I eagerly accepted an offer to try a three-day meal plan, which to be honest, was a beautiful set of food. Blue magic cashew milks, pineapple turmeric shots, delicious veggie pho, and hearty veggie salads . . . it was great. And even though I really, really don't like green juice, I was ready for a cold and refreshing bottle of green goodness to help my body feel healthy again. So I went into this a bit unawares and very excited.
After setting aside my day of meals for day one, I realized that I might need some more calories - especially protein! According to this cleanse's guidelines, you're allowed to add in pastured eggs and pastured chicken, so I figured with my first green juice, I'd make myself two eggs. "Off to a great start!" my optimistic brain continued.
The food was great, but not filling enough for me; I was feeling famished. I added in some plain, air-popped popcorn as an afternoon snack. I got home, made the veggie pho, and still didn't feel great, so I added half a chicken thigh. I continued to tell myself that the intense hunger was normal, and I just needed to have some self-control. "People go on cleanses all the time! This is fine! You're fine. Everything's fine."
The next morning, I met with my personal trainer (Liz Letchford, MS, ATC) for our weekly session, and she was, eh . . . not pleased with me. You know when your parents are like, "I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed?" It was like that. For the second day, I again added an egg to my breakfast juice, but Liz recommended even more food - specifically some oatmeal, so I listened and ate some of that, and yet still, I felt totally famished by the end of the day.
By day three, I was actually nauseous. You know when you get "mouth sweats" - runny saliva and chills that indicate you're about to barf? That was me . . . in the POPSUGAR office. Halfway through my salad, my co-worker looked over at me and said, "God you look terrible," and I knew I needed to evacuate the premises immediately before things got awkward. I won't get into it because I don't know you or your tolerance for graphic details, but what I can say is, thank God I made it home shortly thereafter.
I asked Liz what the deal was with postrace nutrition, and she had this to say: "Your body had just worked hard to complete those 13 miles, so it needed nutrition to rebuild damage muscles, replace stored muscle glycogen, and recover neurologically from the race. Without adequate calories, you risk overtraining syndrome and muscle breakdown - the last thing you want when training." Essentially, I was doing the nutritional equivalent of skipping many, many rest days.
Not only that, but my body had likely used up most of the sugar and carbohydrates I inhaled enjoyed the day before, so I didn't need to cleanse, and when my digestive tract received things like dandelion greens and excess probiotics, it did the digestive-system version of slapping me in the face.
So there you have it - it's probably OK to cleanse away on a normal week, when you haven't completed an endurance event, and only when you really, really need a caloric reset. And if you're going to do a cleanse, the one I did actually offered delicious food! But if you're doing a half-marathon or race anytime soon, please - for everyone's sake - please don't do a cleanse afterward. PSA over.
A Dramatic Roundup of Everything Katy Perry Has Said About Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood"
Like death, taxes, and the fact 2017 is a raging trashfire, there's something else we can always rely on: Katy Perry and Taylor Swift's feud will never die. As we're all painfully aware at this point, the drama began when in Taylor's infamous 2014 Rolling Stone interview, she claimed another female artist (who literally everyone quickly deduced was Katy) had stolen backup dancers away from her and therefore deliberately sabotaged her upcoming tour, and then wrote her diss track, "Bad Blood," about said artist. The two have shared a few not-so-subtle barbs back and forth ever since, but it's safe to say it's all out on the table now thanks to Katy's publicity tour for her upcoming album, Witness. See everything she's said about the situation over the past few months below.
"Don't come for me."
In early May, Katy sat down with Entertainment Weekly for a discussion about Witness, which inevitably led to a question about what she thinks of "Bad Blood" and if she believes it's about her. "Well, that's not my question to answer - if it's about me," she replied. "I think [my new album] is a very empowered record. There is no one thing that's calling out any one person." She also made it clear that nobody should mistake that silence for not saying anything at all. "One thing to note is: you can't mistake kindness for weakness and don't come for me. Anyone. Anyone. Anyone," she explained. "And that's not to any one person and don't quote me that it is, because it's not. It's not about that. Honestly, when women come together and they decide to unite, this world is going to be a better place. Period, end of story. But let me say this: everything has a reaction or a consequence, so don't forget about that, OK, honey . . . If people want to connect and be healed and feel vulnerable and feel empowered and strong, God bless and here it is."
Although she denied she had any diss tracks of her own in the works, she released "Swish, Swish" not long after her interview, which sure sounds like it's a shot at Taylor.
"She started it, and it's time for her to finish it."
The "Chained to the Rhythm" singer was completely candid about why she and "the Regina George in sheep's clothing" have beef during her Carpool Karaoke video with James Corden in May. Katy fully admitted that "There's a situation. [Taylor] started it, and it's time for her to finish it." She added that she never "stole" backup dancers from Taylor and then opened up about her reaction to "Bad Blood." "I do the right thing any time that it feels like a fumble. It was a full shutdown, and then she writes a song about me," she said. "And I'm like, 'OK, cool, cool, cool. That's how you want to deal with it? Karma!'" She also made sure to note that she's "ready for that BS to be done."
"There are three sides of every story: one, two, and the truth."
In an interview with NME (which doesn't fully drop until June 9), Katy tried to explain why she brought up the feud at all with James Corden. "Well, [Late Late Show host] James Corden makes me and the whole world feel very safe," she said. "No one has asked me about my side of the story, and there are three sides of every story: one, two, and the truth." The 32-year-old also wanted to reiterate her previous assertion that no one should "come for" her. "I mean, I'm not Buddha - things irritate me. I wish that I could turn the other cheek every single time, but I'm also not a pushover, you know? Especially when someone tries to assassinate my character with little girls [her fans]. That's so messed up!"
Another layer to the "Bad Blood" drama was that Taylor hired Katy's longtime collaborator Max Martin to help write the song, which Katy had yet to address until her chat with NME. "I can't speak for [Max], but he didn't know [who "Bad Blood" was about]," she said. "I'm not supposed to tell him what he can and can't do. I'm very fair; I'm super-duper fair, and I'm not one of those people who's like, 'You can't do that because I don't like that person'. Just, like, you do you, make your own choices . . . I'm not his mother."
If You Try 1 New Trend This Summer, Make it the Gingham Dress
You don't have to look very far to see this season's biggest trend in action. We're talking about gingham print, and whether you focus in on footwear or apparel, the checked pattern is everywhere. If it has piqued your interest, you're not alone - it has a strong hold on us as well. Join us as we devour Summer's biggest selection of gingham dresses yet.
A Dramatic Roundup of Everything Katy Perry Has Said About Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood"
Like death, taxes, and the fact 2017 is a raging trashfire, there's something else we can always rely on: Katy Perry and Taylor Swift's feud will never die. As we're all painfully aware at this point, the drama began when in Taylor's infamous 2014 Rolling Stone interview, she claimed another female artist (who literally everyone quickly deduced was Katy) had stolen backup dancers away from her and therefore deliberately sabotaged her upcoming tour, and then wrote her diss track, "Bad Blood," about said artist. The two have shared a few not-so-subtle barbs back and forth ever since, but it's safe to say it's all out on the table now thanks to Katy's publicity tour for her upcoming album, Witness. See everything she's said about the situation over the past few months below.
"Don't come for me."
In early May, Katy sat down with Entertainment Weekly for a discussion about Witness, which inevitably led to a question about what she thinks of "Bad Blood" and if she believes it's about her. "Well, that's not my question to answer - if it's about me," she replied. "I think [my new album] is a very empowered record. There is no one thing that's calling out any one person." She also made it clear that nobody should mistake that silence for not saying anything at all. "One thing to note is: you can't mistake kindness for weakness and don't come for me. Anyone. Anyone. Anyone," she explained. "And that's not to any one person and don't quote me that it is, because it's not. It's not about that. Honestly, when women come together and they decide to unite, this world is going to be a better place. Period, end of story. But let me say this: everything has a reaction or a consequence, so don't forget about that, OK, honey . . . If people want to connect and be healed and feel vulnerable and feel empowered and strong, God bless and here it is."
Although she denied she had any diss tracks of her own in the works, she released "Swish, Swish" not long after her interview, which sure sounds like it's a shot at Taylor.
"She started it, and it's time for her to finish it."
The "Chained to the Rhythm" singer was completely candid about why she and "the Regina George in sheep's clothing" have beef during her Carpool Karaoke video with James Corden in May. Katy fully admitted that "There's a situation. [Taylor] started it, and it's time for her to finish it." She added that she never "stole" backup dancers from Taylor and then opened up about her reaction to "Bad Blood." "I do the right thing any time that it feels like a fumble. It was a full shutdown, and then she writes a song about me," she said. "And I'm like, 'OK, cool, cool, cool. That's how you want to deal with it? Karma!'" She also made sure to note that she's "ready for that BS to be done."
"There are three sides of every story: one, two, and the truth."
In an interview with NME (which doesn't fully drop until June 9), Katy tried to explain why she brought up the feud at all with James Corden. "Well, [Late Late Show host] James Corden makes me and the whole world feel very safe," she said. "No one has asked me about my side of the story, and there are three sides of every story: one, two, and the truth." The 32-year-old also wanted to reiterate her previous assertion that no one should "come for" her. "I mean, I'm not Buddha - things irritate me. I wish that I could turn the other cheek every single time, but I'm also not a pushover, you know? Especially when someone tries to assassinate my character with little girls [her fans]. That's so messed up!"
Another layer to the "Bad Blood" drama was that Taylor hired Katy's longtime collaborator Max Martin to help write the song, which Katy had yet to address until her chat with NME. "I can't speak for [Max], but he didn't know [who "Bad Blood" was about]," she said. "I'm not supposed to tell him what he can and can't do. I'm very fair; I'm super-duper fair, and I'm not one of those people who's like, 'You can't do that because I don't like that person'. Just, like, you do you, make your own choices . . . I'm not his mother."
10 Ways to Soothe a Child's Sunburn
So you slathered on sunblock, but somehow, someone in your family still baked like a lobster? Try these 10 great remedies for soothing a sunburn, all recommended by our readers. Many of them require only ingredients you already have somewhere in your home.
1. Aloe Vera Gel
Well known as a skin soother, aloe is one of the most commonly recommended and effective sunburn remedies. "Aloe, aloe, aloe, and more aloe," Jennifer M. recommends, and Kellie T. agrees, "Aloe vera gel would be the best!"
2. Vinegar
Vinegar for sunburn? Absolutely! Numerous readers recommend applying a vinegar-soaked cloth (often apple-cider vinegar) to sunburned skin to ease the heat and sting. As Jodi K. shares: "I swear by vinegar! I know it sounds nasty and painful, but every time I've gotten a sunburn, I dab on white vinegar with a washcloth. It takes the sting off the burn - the heat of the burn - right out of your skin! It will also keep you from blistering or peeling if you haven't already. Seriously, give it a try!"
3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is an easy at-home remedy for sunburn, as Cara S. shares: "When my husband had a really bad sunburn, I sponged him down with a washcloth filled with oatmeal. The oatmeal soothed the pain and stopped the itch." Rori C. adds, "If you have any Aveeno Oatmeal Bath packets on hand, those are great."
4. Vitamin E
"You might want to try some vitamin E," recommends Jessica K., one of several moms who advised that vitamin E in various forms can aid your skin's healing process. Either pop open a vitamin E gelcap and apply it to the area, or find a cream with vitamin E at the drugstore.
5. Baking Soda
Yet another of baking soda's many household uses is relieving itchy skin caused by a sunburn. Corena U. relays, "A bath with baking soda and/or [a] cold shower can be helpful when the itching starts."
6. Yogurt
Who knew that your favorite cheap snack could double as a sunburn soother? Elaine E. explains: "Plaster it on, and let it dry, and then wash off with warm water. The yogurt draws the heat of the burn. It does work, and it's cheaper than lotions."
7. Noxema
"I found Noxzema works the best for sunburns," says Iris H., one of many moms who recommend this trusty face cream for sunburn relief. "Just put it on, and let it dry, wash it off, and do it again," advises Ashleigh L. "It saved me from second-degree sunburn when nothing else would."
8. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is yet another sunburn remedy you probably have right in your cupboard. "Cornstarch feels great on sunburned skin," shares Jenna B. "It dries the moisture [and also] cools it and soothes it."
9. Cucumber
Another natural remedy for sunburn is cucumber. As Bethany E. advises: "Keep a cucumber in the fridge, and keep slicing bits off and smoothing over your burns with the cool slices. Get some more once it warms up."
10. Pain Reliever
If you or your child is badly burned, you may want to supplement other natural remedies with a pain reliever for more comfort. Dawn K. advises, "Give her some Tylenol or Motrin to help her pain at bedtime, so she can sleep."
See How Hot Urban Decay's Naked Heat Palette Looks on Different Skin Tones
Exactly 24 hours after the embargo dropped on Urban Decay's sizzling newest product, the Naked Heat palette ($54), we wrote this article. And in just a day, the #NakedHeat hashtag on Instagram was already flooded with over 1,000 posts featuring the 12 red-toned shades.
Some shared images of the product, while those lucky enough to get their hands (and makeup brushes!) on it ahead of sales showed how gorgeous it looks swatched on skin or smoked out on eyes. Even influencers like Patrick Starr and celebrity makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes participated.
Ahead, we've shared looks from a diverse group who have already brought the fiery shades to life on their faces. The results are stunning and prove red, copper, and burnt orange look good on everyone, no matter your complexion or eye color. Can June 12 - the official launch date - come any sooner?
If You Try 1 New Trend This Summer, Make it the Gingham Dress
You don't have to look very far to see this season's biggest trend in action. We're talking about gingham print, and whether you focus in on footwear or apparel, the checked pattern is everywhere. If it has piqued your interest, you're not alone - it has a strong hold on us as well. Join us as we devour Summer's biggest selection of gingham dresses yet.
Here's What Britney Spears's "Toxic" Sounds Like Without Auto-Tune
Britney Spears's "Toxic" is an iconic pop song with an even more iconic music video - but what if you stripped away the Auto-Tune? This week, unedited audio of the hit 2003 song has gone viral, with Britney's breathy vocals hitting all the right notes. Listen to the clip above to hear the unedited version of the song, which continues to inspire die-hard fans and flight attendants alike. May this serve as a friendly reminder of why Britney Spears is truly a pop queen and we are all blessed.
Remember When Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens Were Disney Channel's King and Queen?
If you grew up watching Disney Channel in the early '00s, then you probably had (and still have) strong opinions about Zanessa (aka Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens). In 2006, Zac and Vanessa, who were respectively 17 and 16 at the time, sang their way into our hearts with their roles in High School Musical, and it wasn't long after that they took onscreen romance to real heights. With their movie franchise propelling them to superstardom, it didn't take long for them to become the It couple of the Disney Channel. While we all held a candle for Zac and those gorgeous blue eyes, the pair's giggly dates to basketball games and lovey-dovey, PDA-filled red carpet appearances, made their young love hard to resist. Even though their relationship came to an end in 2010, their romance will always hold a special place in our tweenage hearts.
Lizzie McGuire's Butterfly Hair Clips Are Back and Better Than They Were in the '90s
Growing up, there was rarely a day I left my house without one (or, like, five, if we're being honest) of my go-to butterfly clips securely fastened in my hair. I had quite the nifty collection of the creature-inspired accessories: an oversize glittery rainbow one (obviously my favorite), a sparkly silver option, a light blue one, and a whole stash of those smaller multicolored plastic clips that were perfect for holding back my bangs. As someone who wore uniforms to school every day, butterfly clips were a way for me to stand out in the crowd and add my own personal flair to things.
My love for these insect-like adornments only grew stronger as I saw some of my favorite leading ladies sporting them on TV. Most notably, Hilary Duff (aka one of my childhood idols) regularly rocked butterfly clips while in character as Lizzie McGuire, the ultimate '90s babe. Plus, not one but two cast members on The Princess Diaries appeared in the film with these clips in their hair. Mandy Moore's cool-girl character had a few fastened in her hair when she belted out "Stupid Cupid" in the beach scene, while Lilly Moscovitz also wore them in her cropped 'do, thus proving any gal could rock them, popular or not.
Image Source: Disney
Fast forward to 2017, and my sacred butterfly clips that were once practically glued into my strands are unfortunately most likely buried in a landfill far, far away. But man, do I wish I had those babies in my bathroom drawer right now, because it looks like the clips are officially back on the beauty scene. That's right, ladies. Thanks to a sweeping obsession with all things nostalgic, butterfly clips, much like hair scrunchies, have been gloriously resurrected, and they're even better than they were in the '90s.
A prime example of this hair accessory's comeback? Vanessa Hudgens sported a handful of DIY-ed butterfly clips at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards, proving that they'll make anyone look like a glamorous boho goddess rather than a little girl stuck in her preschool days.
A handful of retailers like Free People and Urban Outfitters noticed this throwback trend bubbling up again and have started selling a few chic options to let '90s babes revel in the nostalgia. But today's iterations aren't just those cheaply made plastic ones you used to buy at the drugstore - these new and improved versions are more modern and sleek representations of the elegant insects.
Ready to dive (or shall I say, flutter) back into our favorite decade and decorate your 'do with cute barrettes galore? Read on for the chicest, festival-season-approved butterfly clips that are now on the market. This one's for you, Lizzie McGuire.
Remember When Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens Were Disney Channel's King and Queen?
If you grew up watching Disney Channel in the early '00s, then you probably had (and still have) strong opinions about Zanessa (aka Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens). In 2006, Zac and Vanessa, who were respectively 17 and 16 at the time, sang their way into our hearts with their roles in High School Musical, and it wasn't long after that they took onscreen romance to real heights. With their movie franchise propelling them to superstardom, it didn't take long for them to become the It couple of the Disney Channel. While we all held a candle for Zac and those gorgeous blue eyes, the pair's giggly dates to basketball games and lovey-dovey, PDA-filled red carpet appearances, made their young love hard to resist. Even though their relationship came to an end in 2010, their romance will always hold a special place in our tweenage hearts.
When Your Healthy Day Doesn't Go as Planned
The first step out the door is the hardest, right? Well sometimes all the steps afterward can make staying on the healthy path impossible. Like spilling your kale, kiwi, banana smoothie on the floor. Keep reading to see more #fails - have these happened to you?
When Your Healthy Day Doesn't Go as Planned
The first step out the door is the hardest, right? Well sometimes all the steps afterward can make staying on the healthy path impossible. Like spilling your kale, kiwi, banana smoothie on the floor. Keep reading to see more #fails - have these happened to you?
7 Honest Reasons Women Cheat
As a disclaimer, I'm just going to say that I am not writing from experience, but writing from the sidelines. Writing from the heart. As someone who has watched many relationships crumble from all sides of the fence, including mine, cheating is a hot topic and a wicked demon that hurts so many of us.
Whether you found your husband or wife cheating on Match.com or you found your wife hanging out with your best friend in a compromising position, cheating can wreck trust and hope.
A lot of the times, though, people don't stop to think why the person is cheating. Instead, people blame themselves. Sure, the disintegration of any marriage or relationship contributes to affairs. Sure, you as a person may have done things as a partner to turn your wife, fiancée, or girlfriend away from you and into someone else's arms, but the bottom line is the cheater decides to cheat.
And news flash? Women who cheat (as well as men) are often cheating because of issues within themselves.
Here are seven honest reasons women cheat.
1. Low Self-Esteem
Yep, you're not the reason - although, perhaps, you're not being a loving and supportive partner, but that's another story. She might cheat because her self-esteem is so low, she needs more than one person to boost her. This affair of hers might have made her feel like she is sexy or wanted, because inside, she doesn't feel either sexy or wanted.
2. Boredom
I don't mean to say this flippantly, but she just may be bored with her life. She may be feeling restless internally. Dissatisfied at work. Jaded over motherhood. Jaded over growing older. Jaded about life after college. Feeling empty inside can lead to bad choices. This doesn't make it a good excuse - no, none of these are "good excuses," but rather reasons that led to cheating trouble.
3. Romance
Women crave romance. We just do. OK, maybe not every woman on the planet-- I won't be reductivist here (is that even the right word?) - but many women crave romance. When a relationship has none, a woman might just bark up the tree of another partner who's got a song, dance, and poem in their heart for the lady.
While she could decide to talk to her partner and ask, "Hey, why are we lacking romance?" sometimes, a woman might just cheat for the romantic thrills and affection of another.
4. Distraction From a "Sick" Spouse
I've heard this story many times both from man to woman and woman to man. Spouse is using drugs or drinking - the other partner escapes in an affair. If she's cheating it may be do to this or . . .
5. Addictive Behavior
Or she may be using substances or just addicted. Addicted to sex, attention, shopping, gambling, whatever the case may be. If there are signs of impulsive behavior, it may be because there's a mental health issue present.
6. Midlife Crisis or Hormonal Shutdown
She might be having a midlife crisis. Men aren't the only ones who panic over getting older. Many of us do. Perhaps she's feeling drained after having a baby. Maybe she's got a severe case of postpartum depression and is losing herself day by day.
7. Feeling Shut Out
If you as her spouse are shutting her out, ignoring her, or retreating into your own job and outside life, she may go to someone to find that connection and intimacy.
The reality is cheating is not usually simple. It's usually a long line of missed communications, issues, and situations that lead a person further and further away from the primary partnership. And truly, most of the times someone cheats, it is due to his or her dissatisfaction with his or herself.
It's because inside, there are holes this person is dying to fill. In the desperation to fill loneliness, doubt, anxiety, addiction, or what have you, there rises the magical "affair" that seems to present itself as the answer and almighty cure to all those problems listed.
The truth? An affair is not the solution but in fact is just the diversion from truly finding answers that will bring peace, love, and harmony to the individual and the marriage/relationship.
Sometimes, though, it's easier to find a "quick solution" than do the hard work, or so it seems. Bottom line is an affair may seem like an easy answer, but it will only create more work and hardship. Don't do it.
Why I'm Totally Setting the Parenting Bar Low This Summer
Some parents have their kids' Summers all mapped out, jam-packed with activity and awesomeness. They've already gotten their precious peanuts signed up for t-ball, enrolled in swim lessons, and registered for camp. They've set reminders for all their community happenings - fairs, festivals, and fireworks displays. They're making an effort to ensure that their children have a fun, memorable break.
Unfortunately for my kids, I am not one of those parents. The fliers containing crucial sign-up information for summer sports and other activities got lost amid the 16 tons of crap they brought home on the last day of school. Sure, I want my kids to have an enjoyable break, too. But the beauty of Summer is that it's a stretch of unscheduled time.
Keyword: unscheduled.
As in, the routine we so rigorously followed during the school year can be shelved for a few months. No more racing the clock to get the kids into bed (as they act like I'm trying to get them into the electric chair). No more racing the clock to get them up and ready and out the door by a certain time (as they act like drunken, semicombative sloths). Basically . . . no more racing the clock. And to a mom who has spent the entire school year struggling to keep everything tightly scheduled and running like a well-oiled machine, that sounds like absolute bliss.
So this Summer, our break is going to be a break from all the things we feel obligated to do a certain way during the school year. Including, but not limited to:
When they sleep. I know my kids are tired of my strict in-bed-by-8:45 policy, especially now that it doesn't get dark until nearly 10 o'clock. So screw it. They can go to sleep whenever they get tired - it's not like they'll last past 11 p.m. anyway. Because this Summer, I also don't care about . . .
When they wake up. I'm not holding my breath that my kids will master the fine art of sleeping in - not yet, anyway - but I'm definitely not in any hurry to get them out of bed at any certain time. If they're even in bed, that is. They could actually be anywhere, because as of right now I'm unconcerned with . . .
Where they sleep. I will never understand why you'd prefer a hard floor with a teeny-tiny blanket over an actual bed with actual bedding, but my kids are forever begging me to let them sleep somewhere else. During the school year, I make them sleep in their beds (and they'd better be there at 8:45!). But summertime is a different story. I don't care if they sleep on the couch. I don't care if they sleep on the floor in the hallway. I don't care if they sleep in a fort in the living room or in a tent outside. If they think they'll be comfy there, fine. Just as long as they've had their baths first. Ha! Just kidding! Because another thing I'm gonna let slide this Summer is . . .
When they bathe. Don't get me wrong, they're still going to get baths (sometimes). Nobody's going to be running around here looking like they could grow potatoes in their ears. But let's be real: I don't care right now if they're squeaky clean every night. When they're in school, they've got to look like they have a conscientious parent who makes them bathe regularly - uh, I mean, they've got to look presentable. Which brings us to the next thing I'm not caring about for the next few months . . .
What they wear. My son just came in from a bike ride. He's wearing red and blue Superman shorts (his little brother's, from last year, because kids think that if they can squeeze into an item of clothing that "it still fits, Mom") and a blindingly bright orange t-shirt that says "ALL I DO IS WIN" across the front. His stylish ensemble is capped off with navy blue Crocs. It's an outfit that I would swiftly veto during the school year, but now, all I do is wave as he rides off in his ridiculous mismatched threads. I didn't have to pick them out, and I didn't have to be on top of the laundry to make sure he had a decent outfit clean, so I call that a win. Besides, I wouldn't want his good clothes to get all Popsicle-stained, because I'm also not worried about . . .
What they eat. Hey, I buy sugar-free Popsicles, OK? But I buy them in bulk. Because they fuel my kids' Summer adventures. Those and cereal, which they would happily eat at every meal. And it doesn't bother me a bit right now because to tell you the truth, planning nutritionally complete meals on the daily is exhausting. If I can have a couple nights a week when I pull the "too hot to cook" card and they get PB&Js or some ramen noodles or something, hey, that's fine by me. That's why I give them multivitamins. Normally I'd be busy stressing myself over whether their food intake is enough to keep them sharp and focused at school, but for the next little bit, that's entirely off my radar. Because it's summertime and they don't need all that much brainpower, seeing as I'm also temporarily taking the restrictions off . . .
How much screen time they get. As a kid, I spent much of my summertimes outside. But I also spent a ton of time parked on the couch ogling the dudes of Saved by the Bell (I'm team Slater, BTW) and watching Judge Judy give the people in her courtroom the verbal smackdown. Both were fun. I know my kids are going to have plenty of active play, so I'm not going to bust their chops for being on the tablet or the computer a little longer than usual. That's the great thing about Summer: there's time for everything.
If it's 7 o'clock in the morning and breakfast consists of a pudding cup, whatever (calcium, right?). If it's 10:30 p.m. and the fireflies are just getting into their full, sparkly swing outside, we'll stay out and catch some. If afterward they still haven't had a bath, I'll just toss them a baby wipe and tell them to swipe over the important parts and call it good. And if they're still lounging on the couch in their PJs watching YouTube at noon, I might just grab a Popsicle of my own and watch with them.
Because they don't call it Summer "break" for nothing.
Why I'm Totally Setting the Parenting Bar Low This Summer
Some parents have their kids' Summers all mapped out, jam-packed with activity and awesomeness. They've already gotten their precious peanuts signed up for t-ball, enrolled in swim lessons, and registered for camp. They've set reminders for all their community happenings - fairs, festivals, and fireworks displays. They're making an effort to ensure that their children have a fun, memorable break.
Unfortunately for my kids, I am not one of those parents. The fliers containing crucial sign-up information for summer sports and other activities got lost amid the 16 tons of crap they brought home on the last day of school. Sure, I want my kids to have an enjoyable break, too. But the beauty of Summer is that it's a stretch of unscheduled time.
Keyword: unscheduled.
As in, the routine we so rigorously followed during the school year can be shelved for a few months. No more racing the clock to get the kids into bed (as they act like I'm trying to get them into the electric chair). No more racing the clock to get them up and ready and out the door by a certain time (as they act like drunken, semicombative sloths). Basically . . . no more racing the clock. And to a mom who has spent the entire school year struggling to keep everything tightly scheduled and running like a well-oiled machine, that sounds like absolute bliss.
So this Summer, our break is going to be a break from all the things we feel obligated to do a certain way during the school year. Including, but not limited to:
When they sleep. I know my kids are tired of my strict in-bed-by-8:45 policy, especially now that it doesn't get dark until nearly 10 o'clock. So screw it. They can go to sleep whenever they get tired - it's not like they'll last past 11 p.m. anyway. Because this Summer, I also don't care about . . .
When they wake up. I'm not holding my breath that my kids will master the fine art of sleeping in - not yet, anyway - but I'm definitely not in any hurry to get them out of bed at any certain time. If they're even in bed, that is. They could actually be anywhere, because as of right now I'm unconcerned with . . .
Where they sleep. I will never understand why you'd prefer a hard floor with a teeny-tiny blanket over an actual bed with actual bedding, but my kids are forever begging me to let them sleep somewhere else. During the school year, I make them sleep in their beds (and they'd better be there at 8:45!). But summertime is a different story. I don't care if they sleep on the couch. I don't care if they sleep on the floor in the hallway. I don't care if they sleep in a fort in the living room or in a tent outside. If they think they'll be comfy there, fine. Just as long as they've had their baths first. Ha! Just kidding! Because another thing I'm gonna let slide this Summer is . . .
When they bathe. Don't get me wrong, they're still going to get baths (sometimes). Nobody's going to be running around here looking like they could grow potatoes in their ears. But let's be real: I don't care right now if they're squeaky clean every night. When they're in school, they've got to look like they have a conscientious parent who makes them bathe regularly - uh, I mean, they've got to look presentable. Which brings us to the next thing I'm not caring about for the next few months . . .
What they wear. My son just came in from a bike ride. He's wearing red and blue Superman shorts (his little brother's, from last year, because kids think that if they can squeeze into an item of clothing that "it still fits, Mom") and a blindingly bright orange t-shirt that says "ALL I DO IS WIN" across the front. His stylish ensemble is capped off with navy blue Crocs. It's an outfit that I would swiftly veto during the school year, but now, all I do is wave as he rides off in his ridiculous mismatched threads. I didn't have to pick them out, and I didn't have to be on top of the laundry to make sure he had a decent outfit clean, so I call that a win. Besides, I wouldn't want his good clothes to get all Popsicle-stained, because I'm also not worried about . . .
What they eat. Hey, I buy sugar-free Popsicles, OK? But I buy them in bulk. Because they fuel my kids' Summer adventures. Those and cereal, which they would happily eat at every meal. And it doesn't bother me a bit right now because to tell you the truth, planning nutritionally complete meals on the daily is exhausting. If I can have a couple nights a week when I pull the "too hot to cook" card and they get PB&Js or some ramen noodles or something, hey, that's fine by me. That's why I give them multivitamins. Normally I'd be busy stressing myself over whether their food intake is enough to keep them sharp and focused at school, but for the next little bit, that's entirely off my radar. Because it's summertime and they don't need all that much brainpower, seeing as I'm also temporarily taking the restrictions off . . .
How much screen time they get. As a kid, I spent much of my summertimes outside. But I also spent a ton of time parked on the couch ogling the dudes of Saved by the Bell (I'm team Slater, BTW) and watching Judge Judy give the people in her courtroom the verbal smackdown. Both were fun. I know my kids are going to have plenty of active play, so I'm not going to bust their chops for being on the tablet or the computer a little longer than usual. That's the great thing about Summer: there's time for everything.
If it's 7 o'clock in the morning and breakfast consists of a pudding cup, whatever (calcium, right?). If it's 10:30 p.m. and the fireflies are just getting into their full, sparkly swing outside, we'll stay out and catch some. If afterward they still haven't had a bath, I'll just toss them a baby wipe and tell them to swipe over the important parts and call it good. And if they're still lounging on the couch in their PJs watching YouTube at noon, I might just grab a Popsicle of my own and watch with them.
Because they don't call it Summer "break" for nothing.
16 Swatching Instagram Accounts You Need to Follow Right Now
Whenever a brand drops anything new, the first thing we want to see are the swatches. Swatching has changed the makeup game, and a lot of people (me included) refuse to buy a new product without seeing a swatch or review first. These strips of color on a forearm or a lip tell beauty bloggers and subbies (re: subscribers) alike whether a new palette, collection, or launch is worth the money and attention.
16 Swatching Instagram Accounts You Need to Follow Right Now
Whenever a brand drops anything new, the first thing we want to see are the swatches. Swatching has changed the makeup game, and a lot of people (me included) refuse to buy a new product without seeing a swatch or review first. These strips of color on a forearm or a lip tell beauty bloggers and subbies (re: subscribers) alike whether a new palette, collection, or launch is worth the money and attention.
The Drama Behind Grey's Anatomy's Biggest Character Departures
Plenty of characters have left Grey's Anatomy over the years. On the show itself, there are two ways you can go. You can have a tragic death like Derek Shepherd, or in the case of most recent departure, Stephanie Edwards, you can find a way to see yourself out. Regardless of how a doctor leaves on screen, though, the story is always vastly different behind the scenes. In the same vein as the show, though, there are two options: to leave or to get fired. Many of the stars over the years have had pretty amicable exits. In the case of Stephanie, actress Jerrika Hinton simply wanted to move on. And then there are the other cases where some serious sh*t goes down and a bridge gets burned.
The Drama Behind Grey's Anatomy's Biggest Character Departures
Plenty of characters have left Grey's Anatomy over the years. On the show itself, there are two ways you can go. You can have a tragic death like Derek Shepherd, or in the case of most recent departure, Stephanie Edwards, you can find a way to see yourself out. Regardless of how a doctor leaves on screen, though, the story is always vastly different behind the scenes. In the same vein as the show, though, there are two options: to leave or to get fired. Many of the stars over the years have had pretty amicable exits. In the case of Stephanie, actress Jerrika Hinton simply wanted to move on. And then there are the other cases where some serious sh*t goes down and a bridge gets burned.
Kansas Law Requires Abortion Doctors to Give Patients Their Resumes - in a Specific Font
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback continued his anti-abortion crusade on June 7 when he signed his 19th piece of legislation infringing on women's reproductive rights since taking office in 2011.
The new law will require doctors to give women seeking abortions physical printouts of their resumes, including biographical information, malpractice insurance, and educational history - and they must do it in black ink, on white paper, in 12-pt, Times New Roman font. Not only are the instructions ridiculously archaic (who even prints things anymore?), but the document must be distributed to a woman at least 24 in advance of her abortion. Notably, delaying women's ability to access abortion via state-mandated waiting periods has been a key tactic of abortion opponents nationwide in their efforts to chip away at reproductive rights.
The legislation is so aggressive that even some of Brownback's colleagues who are opposed to abortion are publicly speaking out against it. "I don't like abortion, but this bill is just harassment," Sen. Lynn Rogers told the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Laura McQuade, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, framed the bill as a distraction in a statement shared with POPSUGAR. "It is no coincidence that Governor Brownback signed SB 83, an extreme piece of legislation that unfairly targets abortion providers, one day after the Kansas Legislature overrode the Governor's veto of a tax reform plan."
The Kansas law is both representative of the increased rollback of reproductive rights on the state level in recent years and of Brownback's self-proclaimed mission to make Kansas the "leading pro-life state in America."
The law goes into effect July 1. Eleven of Brownback's fellow Kansas lawmakers joined him for the signing ceremony. All of them were men.
You've Got to See This Mom's Amazing Reaction to Having a Baby Boy
Neely Ker-Fox of Ker-Fox Photography has photographed over 100 births over the past six years, but says she just photographed the best reaction to a birth from a mom, maybe ever, with Dara Crouch. As a Labor and Delivery nurse, Dara says that surprise gender births have always been her favorite, which is why she's left the gender of both her babies a total surprise. Despite the outcome being 50-50, there hadn't been a boy born on her side of the family in over 50 years (!), so she was pretty convinced she was destined to have another girl.
"My husband thought from the beginning that it was a boy. I was not so convinced. I had this weird connection to my daughter's clothes, and since their birthdays would only be three weeks apart, I knew I could reuse them," Dara told POPSUGAR. "It never really set in that this baby could be a boy until just a few minutes before he was born. I started freaking out because I had never been around a little boy and didn't know much about raising one. When my midwife, Melissa, held him up, I was in complete shock! It was a boy, and I lost it! I was so excited, and so in love! I couldn't imagine it being any other way!"
Neely also touched on how clear it is from the second a baby is born the unconditional love that she's then able to capture in her photos. "In my over 100 births I've photographed, I see all kinds of reactions. Some of the most heart-warming, soul stirring, tear-filled moments," she told POPSUGAR. "But when Dara looked over at me, and I captured this reaction knowing the innocent and very real worries we have when our second child comes into the world (boy or girl), I busted into tears behind the camera. All of that anxiety and worry vanished in blink of an eye. And no matter what we have, the love we have for our kids is instantaneous and overwhelms every cell in our bodies."
We can't get over how priceless and beautiful this mom's reaction was to her baby boy being born - surprise gender births may just be our new favorite thing, too.
Kansas Law Requires Abortion Doctors to Give Patients Their Resumes - in a Specific Font
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback continued his anti-abortion crusade on June 7 when he signed his 19th piece of legislation infringing on women's reproductive rights since taking office in 2011.
The new law will require doctors to give women seeking abortions physical printouts of their resumes, including biographical information, malpractice insurance, and educational history - and they must do it in black ink, on white paper, in 12-pt, Times New Roman font. Not only are the instructions ridiculously archaic (who even prints things anymore?), but the document must be distributed to a woman at least 24 in advance of her abortion. Notably, delaying women's ability to access abortion via state-mandated waiting periods has been a key tactic of abortion opponents nationwide in their efforts to chip away at reproductive rights.
The legislation is so aggressive that even some of Brownback's colleagues who are opposed to abortion are publicly speaking out against it. "I don't like abortion, but this bill is just harassment," Sen. Lynn Rogers told the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Laura McQuade, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, framed the bill as a distraction in a statement shared with POPSUGAR. "It is no coincidence that Governor Brownback signed SB 83, an extreme piece of legislation that unfairly targets abortion providers, one day after the Kansas Legislature overrode the Governor's veto of a tax reform plan."
The Kansas law is both representative of the increased rollback of reproductive rights on the state level in recent years and of Brownback's self-proclaimed mission to make Kansas the "leading pro-life state in America."
The law goes into effect July 1. Eleven of Brownback's fellow Kansas lawmakers joined him for the signing ceremony. All of them were men.
You've Got to See This Mom's Amazing Reaction to Having a Baby Boy
Neely Ker-Fox of Ker-Fox Photography has photographed over 100 births over the past six years, but says she just photographed the best reaction to a birth from a mom, maybe ever, with Dara Crouch. As a Labor and Delivery nurse, Dara says that surprise gender births have always been her favorite, which is why she's left the gender of both her babies a total surprise. Despite the outcome being 50-50, there hadn't been a boy born on her side of the family in over 50 years (!), so she was pretty convinced she was destined to have another girl.
"My husband thought from the beginning that it was a boy. I was not so convinced. I had this weird connection to my daughter's clothes, and since their birthdays would only be three weeks apart, I knew I could reuse them," Dara told POPSUGAR. "It never really set in that this baby could be a boy until just a few minutes before he was born. I started freaking out because I had never been around a little boy and didn't know much about raising one. When my midwife, Melissa, held him up, I was in complete shock! It was a boy, and I lost it! I was so excited, and so in love! I couldn't imagine it being any other way!"
Neely also touched on how clear it is from the second a baby is born the unconditional love that she's then able to capture in her photos. "In my over 100 births I've photographed, I see all kinds of reactions. Some of the most heart-warming, soul stirring, tear-filled moments," she told POPSUGAR. "But when Dara looked over at me, and I captured this reaction knowing the innocent and very real worries we have when our second child comes into the world (boy or girl), I busted into tears behind the camera. All of that anxiety and worry vanished in blink of an eye. And no matter what we have, the love we have for our kids is instantaneous and overwhelms every cell in our bodies."
We can't get over how priceless and beautiful this mom's reaction was to her baby boy being born - surprise gender births may just be our new favorite thing, too.
I Will No Longer Apologize For My Son's ADHD
When my son was in kindergarten his class came equipped with stability balls. These were used as a way to help the kids do their best work while getting the wiggles out. My son sat on his ball and did his work like everyone else. But unlike the rest of the class, he became consumed with what was inside the ball.
One afternoon his curiosity got the best of him and he shoved his pencil directly into the top of the ball. He had no malicious intent. He just wanted to see how much air was inside and how quickly it would escape. He realized that it was very fast as almost immediately he found himself on the floor. We were informed that the ball needed to be replaced and that it would cost around $30. The next day he marched into school with the money in an envelope along with a letter to his teacher that said he was sorry. This destruction of school property and subsequent purchase of a new ball was, unbeknownst to us at the time, our first foray into the crazy world of ADHD, and our first big apology.
Unbeknownst to us at the time, our first foray into the crazy world of ADHD, and our first big apology.
At the time, he was only 5 years old and we figured that it was an isolated incident, so we moved on quickly. As his educational career progressed, more and more red flags began to pop up. First it was his chattiness in class. He comes from a family of social people and was himself a very early talker, so this seemed natural. "Gosh I'm sorry he's talking so much, we'll talk with him." Then it was his disorganization (it's hard to keep track of a backpack and a folder and your lunch when you're little, right?). "Yikes, we'll work on that at home. Sorry!" Soon, we were getting nearly weekly emails from teachers asking for school supplies because he had lost them or broken them. Emails were returned with another, "I'm sorry," and the promise to make things better.
It wasn't until Fall parent teacher conferences in his second grade year that we realized how serious things were. We were given examples of his work that were nearly illegible. Even he couldn't read his own handwriting. He was struggling to pay attention and would often miss entire lessons as he counted ceiling tiles and gazed out the windows. Daily grades weren't great, but standardized test scores told a different story. He was off the charts in some areas, teetering around the G-word. I never like to say "gifted" because it makes me feel like I'm bragging about my son's intelligence. Don't get me wrong, he's an incredibly smart kid and his fact recall is like nothing I have ever seen, but I like to think that he's just like the other kids.
The thing is, he is totally not. At the end of the conference, I fell apart. I apologized profusely with tears in my eyes. I was running out of hope and I'm sorrys.
I like to think that he's just like the other kids. The thing is, he is totally not.
As time passed, we noticed that everything in his life began to move very quickly. He talked fast, he moved fast, he wrote fast. It was like he was traveling the world at warp speed. It wasn't necessarily distracting or incredibly obvious all the time, but it was affecting his school work.
Fine motor skills were always an issue, but as he got older he had an extremely difficult time with keeping his handwriting consistent and neat. We went to doctors and therapists and it wasn't until recently that it was explained in a way that my non-clincal mind understands. His hands cannot keep up with the speed of his brain, so everything comes out rushed and a blur. This carries over to speech, eating, and all sorts of activities. He is often the first one finished, but speed comes at a price. His grades have suffered and I have had lengthy correspondence with teachers explaining how sorry I am for his work and that we would talk to him, yet again, about our expectations for him in the classroom. Although he agreed that he will work harder, things hadn't changed much.
Life at school and home continued to worsen, and we felt helpless. My husband and I decided that it was time to seek professional help to figure out what was really going on. We had a long talk with his pediatrician and were referred to a child psychologist who gave us the official diagnosis of ADHD. After talking, praying, and a heck of lot of soul searching for me and my husband, we decided that medication was the next logical step.
Before the world starts a debate about whether or not you should medicate a 7-year-old, please understand that this was a personal decision, one that was not taken lightly, and that in our situation it was the right decision. Almost immediately after starting his meds he was able to focus more, to control his frustrations, and to better respect his things. We were pleased with his progress and hoped that it would continue long term. I no longer felt sorry for the way that he acted or felt a need to explain his behavior. The relief was palpable.
Here we are 18 months later and settled into our new normal. He has been blessed with a fantastic teacher and a compassionate principal who both get him, and he is thriving. There has been so much progress. His handwriting is improving, his frustration is subsiding, and his love of learning is growing. Don't get me wrong, life isn't perfect. There are still emails from teachers about disruptive behavior and messy work. His pencils are still chewed up and his school uniform is always covered in something. Things at home aren't always perfect, but I find myself taking more deep breaths and yelling less. I have come to understand that this is who he is. And guess what? I will not apologize for that. I will not say that I am sorry for any part of who he is. He is a work in progress, just like all of us.
I will not say that I am sorry for any part of who he is. He is a work in progress, just like all of us.
The world shouldn't condemn kids for being kids, even if they are kids who come with a bit more baggage. When you unpack the extra suitcase that he is carrying you will find all kinds of wonderful things. There is messy handwriting coupled with a wealth of knowledge that he can't write down quick enough. There is daydreaming that looks like he's distracted, but he can hear and is listening to what you are saying. There is anger and frustration, but if you listen hard enough, you will hear that he is asking for help and wants to be like everyone else. But the most important things in that bag are a giant smile, a loving heart, and a thirst for knowledge that I hope is never quenched. And for all of those things, both good an bad, I am thankful.
And if you don't like that, I'm sorry.
The 8 Dramatic Stages of Telling My Latina Mom About My Tattoos
I had been wanting a tattoo of a heart on my wrist since I was a teenager, so on Feb. 14, 2015 (I didn't realize it was Valentine's Day), while I was away in college, I decided I was going to take the plunge. It cost me $20, and five minutes later I was officially "branded," as my mom would say, for the rest of my life.
My mom didn't see my tattoo until a month later when I was home for Spring break, but when she did, she practically fainted and then went in for the kill. The Dominican slayer in her came out instantly, because she was pissed - and I mean, pissed.
Eventually, she got over it, and when she spotted my second tattoo years later (a small elephant I got on a whim while on vacation in Thailand.), it wasn't as bad. Though she did call me a heathen - I'd like to point out, both of them are smaller than the size of a quarter.
If your mom is Latinx and you love getting inked, you probably relate to my struggle. There's a reason memes and videos of Latinx telling their moms about their tattoos are popular. If that's the case, keep scrolling for eight dramatic things that happen when you tell your mom you got a tattoo.
The 8 Dramatic Stages of Telling My Latina Mom About My Tattoos
I had been wanting a tattoo of a heart on my wrist since I was a teenager, so on Feb. 14, 2015 (I didn't realize it was Valentine's Day), while I was away in college, I decided I was going to take the plunge. It cost me $20, and five minutes later I was officially "branded," as my mom would say, for the rest of my life.
My mom didn't see my tattoo until a month later when I was home for Spring break, but when she did, she practically fainted and then went in for the kill. The Dominican slayer in her came out instantly, because she was pissed - and I mean, pissed.
Eventually, she got over it, and when she spotted my second tattoo years later (a small elephant I got on a whim while on vacation in Thailand.), it wasn't as bad. Though she did call me a heathen - I'd like to point out, both of them are smaller than the size of a quarter.
If your mom is Latinx and you love getting inked, you probably relate to my struggle. There's a reason memes and videos of Latinx telling their moms about their tattoos are popular. If that's the case, keep scrolling for eight dramatic things that happen when you tell your mom you got a tattoo.
I Will No Longer Apologize For My Son's ADHD
When my son was in kindergarten his class came equipped with stability balls. These were used as a way to help the kids do their best work while getting the wiggles out. My son sat on his ball and did his work like everyone else. But unlike the rest of the class, he became consumed with what was inside the ball.
One afternoon his curiosity got the best of him and he shoved his pencil directly into the top of the ball. He had no malicious intent. He just wanted to see how much air was inside and how quickly it would escape. He realized that it was very fast as almost immediately he found himself on the floor. We were informed that the ball needed to be replaced and that it would cost around $30. The next day he marched into school with the money in an envelope along with a letter to his teacher that said he was sorry. This destruction of school property and subsequent purchase of a new ball was, unbeknownst to us at the time, our first foray into the crazy world of ADHD, and our first big apology.
Unbeknownst to us at the time, our first foray into the crazy world of ADHD, and our first big apology.
At the time, he was only 5 years old and we figured that it was an isolated incident, so we moved on quickly. As his educational career progressed, more and more red flags began to pop up. First it was his chattiness in class. He comes from a family of social people and was himself a very early talker, so this seemed natural. "Gosh I'm sorry he's talking so much, we'll talk with him." Then it was his disorganization (it's hard to keep track of a backpack and a folder and your lunch when you're little, right?). "Yikes, we'll work on that at home. Sorry!" Soon, we were getting nearly weekly emails from teachers asking for school supplies because he had lost them or broken them. Emails were returned with another, "I'm sorry," and the promise to make things better.
It wasn't until Fall parent teacher conferences in his second grade year that we realized how serious things were. We were given examples of his work that were nearly illegible. Even he couldn't read his own handwriting. He was struggling to pay attention and would often miss entire lessons as he counted ceiling tiles and gazed out the windows. Daily grades weren't great, but standardized test scores told a different story. He was off the charts in some areas, teetering around the G-word. I never like to say "gifted" because it makes me feel like I'm bragging about my son's intelligence. Don't get me wrong, he's an incredibly smart kid and his fact recall is like nothing I have ever seen, but I like to think that he's just like the other kids.
The thing is, he is totally not. At the end of the conference, I fell apart. I apologized profusely with tears in my eyes. I was running out of hope and I'm sorrys.
I like to think that he's just like the other kids. The thing is, he is totally not.
As time passed, we noticed that everything in his life began to move very quickly. He talked fast, he moved fast, he wrote fast. It was like he was traveling the world at warp speed. It wasn't necessarily distracting or incredibly obvious all the time, but it was affecting his school work.
Fine motor skills were always an issue, but as he got older he had an extremely difficult time with keeping his handwriting consistent and neat. We went to doctors and therapists and it wasn't until recently that it was explained in a way that my non-clincal mind understands. His hands cannot keep up with the speed of his brain, so everything comes out rushed and a blur. This carries over to speech, eating, and all sorts of activities. He is often the first one finished, but speed comes at a price. His grades have suffered and I have had lengthy correspondence with teachers explaining how sorry I am for his work and that we would talk to him, yet again, about our expectations for him in the classroom. Although he agreed that he will work harder, things hadn't changed much.
Life at school and home continued to worsen, and we felt helpless. My husband and I decided that it was time to seek professional help to figure out what was really going on. We had a long talk with his pediatrician and were referred to a child psychologist who gave us the official diagnosis of ADHD. After talking, praying, and a heck of lot of soul searching for me and my husband, we decided that medication was the next logical step.
Before the world starts a debate about whether or not you should medicate a 7-year-old, please understand that this was a personal decision, one that was not taken lightly, and that in our situation it was the right decision. Almost immediately after starting his meds he was able to focus more, to control his frustrations, and to better respect his things. We were pleased with his progress and hoped that it would continue long term. I no longer felt sorry for the way that he acted or felt a need to explain his behavior. The relief was palpable.
Here we are 18 months later and settled into our new normal. He has been blessed with a fantastic teacher and a compassionate principal who both get him, and he is thriving. There has been so much progress. His handwriting is improving, his frustration is subsiding, and his love of learning is growing. Don't get me wrong, life isn't perfect. There are still emails from teachers about disruptive behavior and messy work. His pencils are still chewed up and his school uniform is always covered in something. Things at home aren't always perfect, but I find myself taking more deep breaths and yelling less. I have come to understand that this is who he is. And guess what? I will not apologize for that. I will not say that I am sorry for any part of who he is. He is a work in progress, just like all of us.
I will not say that I am sorry for any part of who he is. He is a work in progress, just like all of us.
The world shouldn't condemn kids for being kids, even if they are kids who come with a bit more baggage. When you unpack the extra suitcase that he is carrying you will find all kinds of wonderful things. There is messy handwriting coupled with a wealth of knowledge that he can't write down quick enough. There is daydreaming that looks like he's distracted, but he can hear and is listening to what you are saying. There is anger and frustration, but if you listen hard enough, you will hear that he is asking for help and wants to be like everyone else. But the most important things in that bag are a giant smile, a loving heart, and a thirst for knowledge that I hope is never quenched. And for all of those things, both good an bad, I am thankful.
And if you don't like that, I'm sorry.
What Happened to This Baby's Head During Birth Will Make Your Jaw Hit the Floor
Nikki went into labor with her second child on Valentine's Day morning, four days after her due date. She waited a few hours before going to the hospital, but then progressed much faster than anyone expected. Within an hour of being admitted, she was already nine centimeters dilated.
By the time her birth photographer, Kayla Reeder, arrived, Nikki was getting ready to welcome her baby into the world. "Her daughter came in for a kiss before it was time to push and you could tell how much it encouraged mama," Kayla told POPSUGAR. "Little man was a bit sideways so mama had to work a little harder but no additional interventions were necessary."
Nikki pushed for about an hour before finally meeting baby Graham and had immediate skin-to-skin contact with her newborn. "The love, adoration, relief that he was finally here radiated through the family and Graham was perfect in every way. Right down to his little cone head," Kayla said.
The bones throughout a newborn's head are not only soft but also flexible with spaces between them and Penn State Hershey Medical Center explains that are many reasons why babies born vaginally don't come out with a round head like babies born via C-section or breech positioning. "When a baby is born in a head-first position, pressure on the head in the birth canal may mold the head into an oblong shape," their website states. "Fluid and blood collection in and around the scalp is common during delivery. It will most often go away in a few days."
According to Kayla, the molding of Graham's head was "extra dramatic" during delivery because of his position. "His head was tilted a bit to the side so the molding isn't centered and it caused his mama to push for a bit longer than if he would have been in a better position," she said. "Soon after birth the molding went down and by the time he was a few days old, he had a perfectly shaped head. It's no cause for alarm or concern in this case and his birth was in no way traumatic because of it."
25 Sexy Rib Tattoos That Will Inspire You to Get Inked
When it comes to sexy tattoos, it's all about placement. Body areas like below your breasts are undeniably hot and gorgeous, but the ribs are just as fierce, if not more, because they're slightly less obvious. The best part is that it's up to you when and how you want to show it off - keep it hidden as your little secret or flaunt the piece with low-side tanks and tops. From small and sexy to be bold and beautiful, we've found 25 rib tattoos for women that will make you want to follow suit. See them ahead!
We Can All Learn Something From These 10 Incredible Drag Queens on Instagram
If any group of people understands the transformative power of makeup, it's definitely drag queens. Through contouring, intense cut creases, and a healthy dose of makeup, these men transform themselves into glamorous divas ready for any performance.
A lot of these beauties are incredibly talented with makeup and have large followings on Instagram, filled with people awaiting their next beauty look. Since the performers frequently change up their hair and makeup, following them never gets boring.
Keep reading to find out which 10 drag queens you should follow on Instagram for their amazing makeup skills.
What Happened to This Baby's Head During Birth Will Make Your Jaw Hit the Floor
Nikki went into labor with her second child on Valentine's Day morning, four days after her due date. She waited a few hours before going to the hospital, but then progressed much faster than anyone expected. Within an hour of being admitted, she was already nine centimeters dilated.
By the time her birth photographer, Kayla Reeder, arrived, Nikki was getting ready to welcome her baby into the world. "Her daughter came in for a kiss before it was time to push and you could tell how much it encouraged mama," Kayla told POPSUGAR. "Little man was a bit sideways so mama had to work a little harder but no additional interventions were necessary."
Nikki pushed for about an hour before finally meeting baby Graham and had immediate skin-to-skin contact with her newborn. "The love, adoration, relief that he was finally here radiated through the family and Graham was perfect in every way. Right down to his little cone head," Kayla said.
The bones throughout a newborn's head are not only soft but also flexible with spaces between them and Penn State Hershey Medical Center explains that are many reasons why babies born vaginally don't come out with a round head like babies born via C-section or breech positioning. "When a baby is born in a head-first position, pressure on the head in the birth canal may mold the head into an oblong shape," their website states. "Fluid and blood collection in and around the scalp is common during delivery. It will most often go away in a few days."
According to Kayla, the molding of Graham's head was "extra dramatic" during delivery because of his position. "His head was tilted a bit to the side so the molding isn't centered and it caused his mama to push for a bit longer than if he would have been in a better position," she said. "Soon after birth the molding went down and by the time he was a few days old, he had a perfectly shaped head. It's no cause for alarm or concern in this case and his birth was in no way traumatic because of it."
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