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.
mardi 8 août 2017
These Insanely Delicious Sundaes in a Pint Are Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Allergen-Free
Wow. We're a little stunned by how freakin' delicious these three pints from Perfectly Free are. The "bascially everything-free" ice creams wooed both us and our taste-testing colleagues, and we're already scrambling for another pint. While they're definitely not low-calorie (they're made from coconut cream and sugar - so, yum!), they're an exceptional option for anyone looking for a dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, peanut-free, tree-nut-free option.
If you've got dietary restrictions but love ice cream, this is a literal dream come true. Even our nonrestricted eaters liked this more than traditional ice cream!
When we opened the pints, we were enchanted by swirls and gobs of sundae topping. Each ice cream is a creamy vanilla coconut-based ice cream but topped with its respective flavor in an ooey, gooey sauce. Fudge Swirl, Caramel Café, and Strawberry Sundae were bringing serious scoop-shop vibes, with a cleaner edge.
"Best dairy-free I've had!"
Each pint's calories vary - a 1/2 cup serving brings in between 210 and 220 calories with 14 to 15 grams of sugar, 1 gram of protein, and 9 to 10 grams of fat. Unless you're not eating sugar, this is a treat that pretty much anyone with any dietary restriction can eat - and even if you have no restrictions (no rules!), you'll still enjoy it. Here's what everyone had to say about the flavors.
Fudge Swirl
- "Super creamy! Not overly sweet - the fudge swirls are SO good!"
- "Wow! The fudge is INSANELY good!"
- "Fudge on fleek."
- "Love it! Doesn't make my mouth or throat sticky."
- "A little *too* chocolaty."
- "Unlike other ice creams, there is enough fudge in this!"
- "I generally don't like chocolate in my ice cream (I know, I'm a freak), but this is great!"
- "Really good!"
- "Better than regular ice cream."
- "Obsessed with the fudge."
Strawberry Sundae
- "WOW! LOVE!"
- "Delishhhhhh!"
- "Not a fan of strawberry, but this is very refreshing!"
- "I don't like the smell of coconut, but I love this!"
- "Delish!"
- "Tastes like a shortcake!"
- "Legit tastes like ice cream! Love this so much!"
- "Yum, yum, yum. Best dairy-free I've had!"
- "Tastes like a perfect ice cream."
- "Just like the strawberry shortcake pops from the ice cream truck but better!"
Caramel Café
- "GIMME GIMME GIMME."
- "Love it, but wish it was just caramel (not coffee). Love the swirls, though!"
- "Wish there was a stronger caramel flavor."
- "Not too strong or sweet, but very refreshing."
- "Tastes like a latte!"
- "Tastes like a latte from Starbucks!"
- "Rich and creamy - on par with Halo Top!"
- "Has a bit of a coffee aftertaste . . . not loving this."
- "This had a strange aftertaste."
- "Really creamy and fab!"
- "Delicious!"
- "Wish it was more caramel and less Werther's grandma candy."
The Boston-based brand sells its delicious desserts at New England Whole Foods locations and supermarkets on the East Coast.
The Best Frozen Entrees From Trader Joe's, Hands Down
In case you haven't ever explored the magical place that is the frozen aisle at Trader Joe's, let us enlighten you. There's no shame in turning to frozen meals when you have zero time to cook, but if you're going to do it, you should know what's actually worth buying. Keep reading to find out which frozen meals POPSUGAR editors pick up and why, and look for them on your next Trader Joe's run.
Seven Magic Mountains Is a Colorful Destination That Stands Out in the Nevada Desert
Against the dull brown backdrop of desert sand sits a splash of color reminiscent of a rainbow. The Seven Mountains art exhibition, however, is man-made. Located in the desert outside of Las Vegas, NV, the installation created by Ugo Rondinone features seven 30- to 35-foot-high "dayglow totems" made of painted boulders.
The colorful piece of art can be see off of Interstate 15 and was designed as an imitation of travel destinations like Las Vegas. According to Rondinone, the location is "physically and symbolically mid-way between the natural and the artificial: the natural is expressed by the mountain ranges, desert, and Jean Dry Lake backdrop, and the artificial is expressed by the highway and the constant flow of traffic between Los Angeles and Las Vegas."
Travelers clearly enjoy capturing the bright boulders in the background of their photos; the spot is undeniably a prime one for Instagram-lovers and photographers. See the photos of the stunning installment ahead and stop by the totems the next time you're road tripping out West.
77 Snacks to Satisfy Hunger, All Under 150 Calories
There's so much more to snacking than cheese and crackers! Here are 77 different mouthwatering, hunger-curbing snacks to enjoy every day of the month (and then some!) - all at 150 calories or fewer.
11 Comforting Soups to Keep Stocked in Your Pantry All Fall
Fall could be called soup season, as lunch and light dinners consist of warming broths. If making homemade soup isn't happening for you on busy weeknights, our editors have shared their go-to prepackaged soups so you can stock up on the most comforting store-bought options available.
Mom Perfectly Sums Up the Moment a Teacher Finally Noticed What She's "Always Seen" in Her Son
When Meg Rowe made the difficult decision to put her 2-year-old son in preschool, she had no idea that the separation from Teddy wouldn't be the only struggle she'd have to endure.
"A couple months in, his teachers casually mentioned that he didn't talk," she wrote in a Facebook post. "I was so distressed because he was so loud at home. What was I doing wrong?"
A few months later, and those same teachers reported that he now only spoke in whispers: "Teachers said if they looked at him he went mute. Was I making him feel like he couldn't be loud? Like he would get in trouble? I spent hours at home going, 'IT'S OK TO SCREAAAAAAMMMMM!!!' and having him double over in hysterics."
It was painful for this self-proclaimed "inexperienced parent" to watch her kid act one way at home and then shut down at school.
After eight long months, both she and her husband, Kyle, happened to drop him off for the first time together. The teacher gave them an update on Teddy.
"The teacher says, 'Wow, Teddy. A big change! Not only does he talk, all the time, to everyone, but he is . . .' (pause for considering her words carefully) 'just a really good friend. The ultimate friend! To everyone here,'" Meg recalled. "Is there really a better compliment to be had for anyone, of any age?"
Like all the parents of shy children who can perfectly relate, Meg couldn't help but cry:
"So, you know, don't mind the tears of a mom at 8:30 in the morning standing in her preschooler's classroom when she realizes someone else - unbiased - sees what she's always seen."
An Easy Technique to Pack 5 Salads Tonight That Will Stay Fresh All Week
Eating a big salad at least once a day is a great way to maintain healthy habits. Don't have time to cut up a salad every single night? Here's a way to make all the salads you need for your workweek at once. Follow these simple salad-making rules, and your meal will taste just as fresh on Friday as it does on Monday!
This is just a general guide with lots of room for creativity. Even though you're making all five salads at one time, you can still make them all a little different with the types of toppings and dressings you use for each one. It's a great way to save time and money and ensure you're getting a dose of daily veggies for health and weight loss.
16 Pasta Recipes With a Latin Touch That Are Worth Every Calorie
If it involves spaghetti, tortellini, beans, avocado or chorizo, we're in. Now, if it involves a combination of any of those things, we're ready to lose our minds. From black bean noodle soups to lightened-up Mexican lasagnas, here are some seriously delicious pasta recipes that feature an irresistible Latin twist. You'll want to make these tonight - and possibly pair them with a delicious and refreshing cocktail.
The Seychelles Is the Gorgeous Travel Spot You Need to Add to Your List Right Now
When you think of stunning white-sand beaches, places like the Maldives or Bora Bora might come to mind, but the Seychelles, East Africa, is where it's at. The Seychelles is made up of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean with endless beaches, coral reefs, and nature reserves. Travelers are able to enjoy a warm, tropical climate all year long - making snorkeling ideal at any time - and the country is packed with culture and natural wonders unlike anywhere else. See five more reasons to make the Seychelles your next vacation.
10 Amazing Hot Springs Around the World You Can Actually Soak In
Get ready to see some of the hottest destinations around the world - and we don't mean the weather. Though Budapest is the only remaining capital city in the world with healing thermal waters (check out the stunning Gellért Baths), there are plenty of global hot spots that offer amazing soaking opportunities. Ranging from totally undisturbed and natural to more luxurious retreats, the hot springs ahead contain therapeutic waters sourced from nature itself (except for the Blue Lagoon). See 10 amazing destinations ahead!
17 Chicken Casserole Recipes to Add to Your Dinner Rotation
It doesn't get much easier than casseroles. Whether you're feeding a family or you want to freeze the rest for later, a casserole is a no-fail option that's guaranteed to be easy and crowd pleasing. These 17 chicken casseroles range from classic (chicken spaghetti) to inventive (chicken spinach pizza couscous casserole), and you're sure to find at least one you want to add to your dinner rotation.
I Made These 3 Changes at Breakfast, Which Helped Me Lose Weight
Despite eating (what I thought was) a wholesome breakfast every morning, the pounds weren't dropping. So why was I not losing weight? All the experts say breakfast is key to boosting metabolism, after all. I didn't realize I was making three huge mistakes, but once I changed them, I could see the difference in how my body looked.
Bye-Bye Granola
Cereal was my go-to breakfast all the way from elementary school through college. Although sweet, delicious, and easy, it was the worst breakfast for me. It's full of sugary carbs and not much fiber or protein. I even went for the healthy stuff like Kashi's GoLean Crunch, granola, and Raisin Bran, but cereal is cereal, and it's not the most nutritious choice on the menu. I started focusing on getting 13 to 20 grams of protein, at least six grams of fiber, and 10 to 15 grams of healthy fats. So I ditched the boxes for a blender and started sipping on smoothies. I also do overnight oats because it reminds me of cereal - I'm huge fan of the brownie batter and banana cashew.
What Time Is It?
Not sure where I heard that you're supposed to eat first thing in the morning and to never skip breakfast, but I followed that advice diligently. I ate within a half hour after waking up, around 7:30, even if I wasn't hungry (99 percent of the time I wasn't). I'm convinced it turned on my hunger because by 9 a.m., I was starving, which translated to eating two breakfasts, and that meant twice the calories. No wonder I wasn't slimming down! Now I wake up, get in a workout, and usually don't feel hungry until 9 or 10. Listening to my body's cues when it comes to breakfast has carried through to other parts of my day. I eat when I'm hungry, not when the clock tells me to.
Tablespoons Aren't Just For Baking
Another huge mistake? I never measured anything. When I was eating cereal, I grabbed a huge bowl - way bigger than your typical soup or salad bowl - and poured with abandon. I usually mixed three different cereals; added raisins, nuts, and blueberries or banana; and used Very Vanilla soy milk. Holy calories! No joke - my bowl was easily pushing 600. Same went for oatmeal, yogurt with fruit and granola, toast, or smoothies. I got out my cups and spoons and measured everything, making sure it was around 400 calories. To this day, I still measure everything to avoid accidentally eyeballing higher amounts.
Serena Williams Traveled Back to the '50s For Her Epic Baby Shower Celebration
Serena Williams threw a retro-themed baby shower celebration, because she's just that cool. The world-renowned tennis player, who announced her pregnancy with fiancé Alexis Ohanian earlier this year, partied like it was the 1950s with her sister Venus and her best girl pals Kelly Rowland, Ciara, Lala Anthony, Eva Longoria, and Angie Beyince. Serena also gave a tiny glimpse of her growing baby bump while rocking a black long-sleeved crop top and a yellow A-line skirt. The Wimbledon champion finished her '50s-inspired look with a red kerchief and white pearls. Check out all the best photos from the adorable day ahead!
18 Style Moments From Lollapalooza That We're Still Obsessing Over
Figuring out what to wear to a music festival can be a tricky game - do you go for that cute mesh top even if there's a chance it could be cold, or do you play it smart and layer up? Do you stay safe and wear the chunky rain boots you hate, or take a risk and bust out those new sneakers you've been dying to show off? Festival style is no joke, especially at Lollapalooza.
Despite the weather conditions at the Chicago-based event this year (which included a rainstorm so bad that everyone was evacuated, NBD), plenty of festivalgoers we bumped into managed to mix the best of both worlds. From the streets of Grant Park to a rooftop Lollapalooza soirée thrown by POPSUGAR, we managed to find the festival's coolest looks.
18 Style Moments From Lollapalooza That We're Still Obsessing Over
Figuring out what to wear to a music festival can be a tricky game - do you go for that cute mesh top even if there's a chance it could be cold, or do you play it smart and layer up? Do you stay safe and wear the chunky rain boots you hate, or take a risk and bust out those new sneakers you've been dying to show off? Festival style is no joke, especially at Lollapalooza.
Despite the weather conditions at the Chicago-based event this year (which included a rainstorm so bad that everyone was evacuated, NBD), plenty of festivalgoers we bumped into managed to mix the best of both worlds. From the streets of Grant Park to a rooftop Lollapalooza soirée thrown by POPSUGAR, we managed to find the festival's coolest looks.
Don't Forget What Happened Last Time Arya Saw Littlefinger on Game of Thrones
The following contains spoilers for Game of Thrones season seven.
Arya Stark is making a list and checking it twice, and her enemies can't hide if they're naughty or nice. Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish might not officially be on the youngest Stark daughter's list, but she certainly isn't pleased to hear that he's hanging around Winterfell when she finally returns home after six long years. To understand this reaction - especially after Arya has been on the run for so long - it's important to understand what happened the last time Arya and Littlefinger saw one another.
"It is my opinion that chaos breeds opportunity that is lost soon after."
Way back in season two, Arya Stark finds herself serving as cupbearer to Tywin Lannister at Harrenhal, which leads to a pretty interesting dynamic between the Lannister patriarch and the (secret) Stark daughter. During her stay at Harrenhal, Arya also becomes privy to several meetings between Tywin and cohorts as they plan war strategies. One of his visitors during this period is none other than Littlefinger, who is still acting on behalf of the Lannisters.
During his visit with Tywin, Arya witnesses firsthand that Littlefinger does not - despite his assurances to Catelyn and later Sansa - have the Stark family's best interests at heart. Arya overhears as Littlefinger plans with Tywin to enact revenge on the Starks and Baratheons through an advantageous alignment with the Tyrell family. "It is my opinion that chaos breeds opportunity that is lost soon after," Baelish tells Tywin during this scene, as Arya listens in. He later tells Tywin: "Perhaps that treason [by the Tyrells] should be punished, one day; but after Stannis, and Robb Stark."
It's clear that Arya notices this scheming against her family, which Littlefinger later claims to have supported nonstop. She doesn't outright add him to her list, but she definitely notes that Littlefinger is not to be trusted. And of course, once Arya learns of Sansa's sexual abuse and torture at the hands of the husband Littlefinger promised her to, she'll have even more reason to dislike and distrust him.
So now that Arya is back home with Sansa and Bran, it's likely that she will enact vengeance against Littlefinger. Between her own knowledge of Baelish's conniving ways and Bran's omniscient ability to observe his manipulation and backstabbing throughout time, there's no way Littlefinger will last at Winterfell much longer!
NASA Asked People What Message They'd Beam Into Space and It Turned Into a Trump Roast
Not all heroes wear capes; some tweet hilarious messages about President Donald Trump to NASA. The space agency is celebrating Voyager 1 and 2's 40th anniversary by asking the public to post a "short, uplifting message" on social media. In return, it might choose your message to beam into space on the anniversary of Voyager 1's launch. While some are using the opportunity to share kind and thoughtful words, others are taking the chance to roast Trump.
The idea of beaming a message to the Voyager comes from the spacecraft's Golden Record of Earth, which includes photos, sounds, and messages from the planet we live on. Both Voyager 1 and 2 carry this record. If you love the sound of this campaign, you need to post a message to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, and Google+ by Aug. 15 by 11:59 p.m. PT. From there, NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Voyager team will pick their favorites. The public will then vote on the winning message, which will be transmitted on Sept. 5 to Voyager 1 and arrive to the unit on Sept. 6.
Some took the campaign to heart and posted messages such as:
#MessageToVoyager If you happen to see Pluto out there, tell him he's a good boy; we didn't mean what we said #gishwhes
- Justin Hudes (@hudattack) August 6, 2017
#MessagetoVoyager Hi Voyager, stay safe and bon voyage. And who knows, we may cross your route in the future.
- Ed Boris (@edboris) August 28, 2015
@NASA Thank you, Voyager, for decades of fascination!#MessageToVoyager
- G. Lamar Wilkie (@WWWilkie) July 20, 2015
But many, many others used the opportunity to let Voyager 1 - and maybe the entire galaxy - know exactly what they think about Trump.
#MessageToVoyager Find a place where we can send Donald Trump so he won't hurt anyone #gishwhes
- GISHWHES🐼 // MJ🌈 (@casitstoobig) August 5, 2017
Dear Aliens, we're sorry about Donald Trump. Most of us aren't that stupid. Please don't destroy us. Sincerely, Humanity #MessageToVoyager
- Deadman Writing (@writingunit12) August 4, 2017
#messagetovoyager Trump lost the popular vote.
- Samantha Louise (@SamanthaSnail) August 2, 2017
The pee tape is real #MessageToVoyager
- xxxTechnician (@chrismorrisnyc) August 7, 2017
We're going to go ahead and guess that NASA isn't going to pick one of the Trump burns as the message it beams up to space, but for those of us on Earth, it's pretty damn hilarious. May NASA choose well; after all, as the agency wrote in a press release, "Since the spacecraft could last billions of years, these circular time capsules could one day be the only traces of human civilization."
How Becoming a Minimalist Can Help You Live a Happier Life
As a society, we've been taught to obsess over having the next cool thing. Whether it's through Black Friday sales, celebrities, or other influences, we're constantly fed both direct and subliminal ads for the next purchase we "need." America did grow on consumerism, after all, and as a result, "need" and "want" have become synonymous. How many of us have extra storage to fit all our belongings? When was the last time you bought something completely unnecessary? As much we love material possessions, ditching the excess and living like a minimalist can be key to being happier and, ironically, feeling more fulfilled.
What is minimalism? The definition of minimalism is "a style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity." But minimalists Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus define it as "a tool that can assist you in finding freedom" from guilt, overwhelming feelings, depression, and worry.
The pair's documentary, Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things, exposes society's downfall of never being satisfied. As Westerners, we're experiencing the highest standard of living in history, said neuropsychologist Rick Hanson in the film, and yet, it's not enough.
Before adopting minimalism, Ryan was successful in terms of how others viewed him. Though he had everything he wanted, he was miserable. "There was this gaping void in my life," he said in the documentary. "So, I tried to fill that void the same way many people do: with stuff, lots of stuff." He realized happiness couldn't be bought and was inspired to make a shift as he approached 30 after learning why his best friend, Joshua, appeared to be genuinely ecstatic about life. The two worked at the same corporation in their 20s earning six-figure salaries and were miserable together. When asked, "Why the hell are you so happy?" Joshua attributed it to minimalism. He explained that once he started to get rid of the hundreds of DVDs he owned, his closet full of expensive clothes, and other possessions, he felt "freer, and happier, and lighter." The only items he was left with were ones that served a purpose and added value to his life. Ryan and Joshua call themselves The Minimalists and have been spreading their belief of "living more deliberately with less."
Similarly, my own father, Sunny Yi, discovered the benefits of simplifying when my grandmother passed away. "The nurse handed me her entire life belongings in a single bag," he said. "That moment I realized we come with nothing and leaving with nothing! And at that moment, I decided I wasn't going to buy or need more sh*t."
The message of minimalism isn't to purge your life of all belongings. Minimalism simply helps shed light on what's important.
A core part of my childhood was spent shopping. I remember going to a different mall almost every weekend with my parents and thinking that that was where most families spent quality time together. It was where we bonded, where I learned about nice things, and I loved it. As much as I cherish those memories, it's also probably why I can't stop spending as an adult. Sunny now rarely shops, and when he does, it's only to purchase things out of need. He worked incredibly hard throughout my younger years and hardly had a work-life balance in order to provide a luxurious life for our family. But when he acquired everything he had ever wanted, he felt greatly disappointed, thinking, this is it?. He realized that the only reason we had a 6,000-square-foot home for three people was simply because we could. "Happiness is not connected to having more stuff," he said. After my parents split and I moved away for college, he downsized to a single apartment and still swears today that that was the most peaceful he had ever felt. "I got rid of all the excess that I don't wear or need, and I feel free!" he said. "Don't get me wrong, I still like nice things but today, I want few of those items for different reasons, not to cover up insecurities like makeup."
As much as my dad claims that letting go can benefit you emotionally, financially, and mentally, he also understands that it's not easy for everyone. Many of us define our successes through what we have and take great pride in the things we own. I for one am extremely attached to my clothes and can't seem to narrow my possessions down to those that "spark joy," as Japanese cleaning guru Marie Kondo of the KonMari Method would say. But the message of minimalism isn't to purge your life of all belongings. Minimalism simply helps shed light on what's important. Before you start throwing everything into a trash bag because you didn't feel a certain excitement holding the item, know that minimalism is more than that.
"A simple design that puts you at ease, a high degree of functionality that makes life simpler, a sense of rightness, or the recognition that a possession is useful in our daily lives - these, too, indicate joy," Marie wrote in her book, Spark Joy.
It doesn't matter what the item is or what it means to anyone else but yourself. If something has significance to you, that is reason enough to keep it. Becoming a minimalist might be a long journey (as it will be for me), but if you can recognize the different between importance and excess, you're already well on your way.
I Swapped My Expensive Foundation For This Drugstore BB Cream, and I'm Never Looking Back
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Macy Williams
I'm pretty lazy when it comes to my beauty routine, and for most of my life followed the motto "if it ain't broke, why fix it?" with beauty products. So, when my best friend during freshman year of high school shared her recommendation for a foundation, I tried it, liked it, and wore it every day for the next 10 years. Sure, it was expensive, but it worked, and I'm a creature of habit. I also had acne and oily skin when I was younger, so I still saw my skin as problematic and something to be covered up, despite the fact that as I got older it totally cleared up.
Then around five years ago, at the height of the BB cream craze, I decided to give this enticing new beauty trend a try. I headed over to my local drugstore and picked up three inexpensive brands to try it out, thinking if I loved it I'd splurge for something pricier. But what I thought would be a one-time fling turned into a long-term relationship.
The "one" ended up being L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Skin Beautifier B.B. Cream ($11). It comes out white, but as you rub it into your skin it changes to the shade you've selected (I wear the lightest shade, "fair," but it also comes in "light," "medium," and "deep"). It also has these little beads in it that lightly exfoliate before blending in. According to the description, these beads are "encapsulated pigments infused in an ultra-light lotion with antioxidants vitamin C and E," and the product promises to prime your skin, hide imperfections, hydrate, and even out your complexion.
I like that it's super light but still offers good coverage. I wear it every day to work, but I also wear it when I'm going out or to a special event. And I'll be honest, the beads and color-changing part are kind of fun. It also lasts forever. Seriously. Just when you think it's empty, you'll be able to get more out of it. I've been amazed at how long one of those little tubes can last.
As far as hydration goes, there are some who believe BB creams dry out your skin. I actually wear a light moisturizer under the BB cream - Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening SPF 15 Moisturizer ($38) - mainly for the SPF, but before I started doing that I didn't feel like my skin was dried out. If anything, I liked that I didn't have a shiny sheen or feel like my face had melted off by the end of the day.
I'm so obsessed with it, I even stock up every time I go to the drugstore JUST in case it gets discontinued someday. (Currently, I probably have three new tubes of it stashed away.)
If you're tired of spending a ton of money on foundation, I'd recommend giving this BB cream a shot - after all, for $11, what do you have to lose?
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Tara Block
Here Are the Gifts to Give Your Beauty-Obsessed Friends
Looking for a gift for a friend who practically lives at the makeup counter? It can be overwhelming to decide what to get your palette-loving friends, but we've tried and tested an array of products so we can recommend the very best for your loved ones.
Whether your friend is all about bold makeup looks or more about simple foundation and gorgeous hair, we've got the best products for you. You can prepare to have your beauty-addicted friend scream with glee (and whip out her phone to Instagram the moment) as soon as she opens her gift.
Keep reading to find out what to shop for your friends (and for you, too!).
Add Some Magic to Your Beauty Routine With These 10 Disney Princess Products
As a kid, we dreamed of having hair like Rapunzel's, shoes like Cinderella's, and brains like Belle's. Fortunately for us Disney-lovers, Hot Topic and sister brand Box Lunch carry an array of princess-themed beauty products that we would give up our voices (and fins) for.
Dinglehopper hair accessories, enchanted rose manicure tools, and even glass slipper perfumes are all available to make your beauty routine a little more magical. We've rounded up the best picks so you can pamper yourself with a little pixie dust.
Read on to see the enchanting products.
This Is the Best Ice Cream in the Whole Damn World, According to Me
In my decade of experience writing about food, I've tasted hundreds if not thousands of ice creams, and yes, I have a favorite. Jeni's Salty Caramel ($12) is almost always stocked in my freezer. I consider myself a pretty frugal grocery shopper, but I do have one vice, and that's Jeni's. The price tag is steep - really steep - but hear me out. First of all, Jeni's ice cream has the best texture I've ever encountered. It's creamy, not icy, and has a slight chewiness to it, like Turkish ice cream or mochi. And the flavor? It tastes like delicate cream (she uses grass-grazed cow milk) with a roasted, caramelized sweetness and clean, salty finish to balance out the richer flavors. I can easily polish off a pint in two sittings, and sometimes, I pair it with my second favorite ice cream in the world: Salted Peanut Butter With Chocolate Flecks.
Here's what makes the Salty Caramel ice cream even more amazing: the owner of Jeni's, Jeni Britton Bauer, invented the flavor in 1996, inspired by traditional French salted caramel candies. Rather than rely on flavoring, Jeni's Ice Cream toasts brown sugar in a big kettle over a fire and then blends the caramel with the cream and milk before churning it into ice cream. This flavor has been re-created countless times by famous ice creameries across the country, from San Francisco's Bi-Rite Creamery to Disney World's French Pavilion at Epcot. While the copycats are good, nothing can compare to the original Jeni's. Try it yourself and you'll see why the addiction is real.
I Gained Weight Because of These 3 Lunch Mistakes
Straight out of college and having lived off a diet of cereal, pasta, and bagels, I was having major stomach issues, so I thought gluten was the culprit. When I gave it up, I wanted to replace it with something that felt just as comforting as a bowl of noodles, so I turned to rice.
For lunch, I would cook up one cup of rice and add one can of beans. That was lunch for two days. TWO DAYS. Holy carb overload. You would have thought I was training for a marathon. I did this for about a year and ended up getting pretty chunky, when I was actually trying to lose weight! I wish someone had told me not to make these three mistakes.
Portion Control!
While rice and beans is full of fiber and protein, I was probably eating twice the amount I should have been. I should have read and followed the serving sizes suggested on the packages and divided that lunch into four containers instead of two.
No Veggies
Beans do count as veggies, but since they're high in calories and carbs, they definitely should not have been the only veggie in my bowl. I should have cooked those beans up with red peppers, carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, corn, and kale. Or maybe had a big salad and plopped a few spoonfuls of rice and beans on top to make it more filling. Or maybe I should have discovered veggie-packed alternatives and made this cauliflower rice and beans! Veggies are low in calories, high in fiber, and high in water content, so they would have satisfied my appetite without causing weight gain.
No Fat
For someone reason, I was convinced that eating fat would make me fat. But on the contrary, healthy fats can make you feel fuller longer, so they can help with weight loss. I should have added a few slices of avocado on top or added some dressing and sliced almonds to a side salad.
This Guardians of the Galaxy 2 Music Video Stars David Hasselhoff and It's Just . . . Wow
Up until this moment, I had no idea how badly I needed a music video starring David Hasselhoff and the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 cast in my life. Luckily the movie's director, James Gunn, did us all a favor by convincing the Hollywood powers that be to let him make one, and it's incredible. The gloriously cheesy, trippy video (directed by David Yarovesky) features a song titled "Guardians Inferno," as well as appearances from franchise stars Zoe Saldana, Sean Gunn, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, and Karen Gillan, all of whom are decked out in some hilarious '70s costumes (and really bad wigs).
Gunn briefly pops up in the clip himself, as does Jimmy Kimmel Live's Guillermo Rodriguez, Marvel legend Stan Lee, and, of course, Hasselhoff. The Baywatch icon belts out the song before closing the video with some sage advice ("Just remember, in these times of hardship: We. Are. Groot."). Gunn also wrangled Star Lord (aka Chris Pratt) for a breathless appearance at the end of the video, so check it out above to see if you can spot him!
Mariah Carey Has Been Working the Cameras Since 1992
Mariah Carey has been in the spotlight for quite some time now, but one thing has remained constant over the years: she loves all things glamour. Whether she's wearing a luxurious shawl on the red carpet or she's belting out her signature high notes on stage in a glittery unitard, the "We Belong Together" singer has proven time and time again that she's a true diva, and we love her for it. Look back at her most over-the-top gorgeous moments over the years ahead.
It's Time to Crown Hailey Baldwin the Queen of Bikinis
There are plenty of stars who have spectacular taste in swimwear, but one lady whose #bikinigrams always call for a double-tap? Hailey Baldwin. The model's a natural when it comes to beach and poolside style, rocking a handful of triangle options, embroidered sets, and the occasional Baywatch one-piece like a second skin. It's what earned her the title of Victoria's Secret's "sexiest bikini babe," and with each new post, we yearn to update our own collection. Check out all the times Hailey was most comfortable, cool, and confident in a two-piece ahead. Then, shop a few styles to steal her look.
- Additional reporting by Nikita Ramsinghani
10 Fall Cooking Tips to Trust From the Barefoot Contessa
If there's anyone whose cooking advice you should wholeheartedly trust, it's Ina Garten. And as Fall approaches and our minds are set on cozy recipes like soup, lasagna, butternut squash risotto, and roast chicken, we've turned to the Barefoot Contessa for her best tips and tricks. Thankfully for you and me, Ina loves sharing cooking advice on the "Ask Ina" section of her site, in interviews, and in her own recipes. Gear up for chillier days ahead and channel your inner Ina with these foolproof tips.
- Stuff roast chicken with herbs. There are a million roast chicken recipes out there, but Ina's perfect roast chicken is the most reliable one. Her secret is to stuff the inside of the chicken with salt, fresh thyme, lemons, and garlic, so that it's seasoned from the inside out.
- Prep butternut squash before you make risotto. Ina says that saffron risotto with butternut squash is one of her favorite last-minute dinners because she preps all the ingredients and roasts the butternut squash in advance. Then, all that's left to do is simmer the stock and cook the risotto on the stovetop.
- Never buy store-bought grated parmesan. Everyone knows Ina's famous motto is "store-bought is fine." When Time asked her if there's anything that's not OK to get store-bought, Ina responded, "grated parmesan." No surprise there; studies have shown grated parmesan cheese can contain wood pulp and other unpleasant additives.
- Roast butternut squash with thyme. While you can roast butternut squash with just olive oil, salt, and pepper, Ina's roasted butternut squash recipe kicks the flavor up a notch with the addition of fresh thyme.
- Turn your grilled cheese into croutons for soup. Transform your average tomato soup and grilled cheese into an even cozier meal. Grab a can of crushed tomatoes to make Ina Garten's tomato soup, and top it off with her gooey grilled cheese croutons.
- Freeze scone dough before baking. A fan asked Ina about the best way to freeze scones to save time before baking, and she advised, "I would roll out the dough, cut out the scones out, and freeze them before baking. Then, defrost and bake when you get there!"
- Add a little extra liquid when reheating soup. Regarding a question about reheating Ina Garten's Winter minestrone soup, she said, "The soup may need a little bit of extra liquid (stock or water) when it's reheated, but otherwise it should be totally fine."
- Freeze foods that have a lot of sauce. According to Ina, the foods that freeze well are "the ones that have sauces to keep the food from getting dry." She recommends soups, stews, pot pies, and baked pastas.
- Use Pinot Grigio in recipes that call for white wine. Recipes like lemon chicken and risotto tend to call for white wine, but what's the best kind to use? Ina suggests Pinot Grigio because it's "versatile and easy to find."
- Use Crisco shortening in pie crusts. Fall means baking all the pie, and Ina's secret to a flaky crust is shortening - Crisco, specifically.
Sad Songs That Will Actually Make You Feel Better
There's nothing like a sad, slow song to aid in a postbreakup cry or to be the soundtrack to a bad day. It's a well-known fact that music is made to bring out emotions in all of us, but what may come as a surprise is that sad music can have the opposite effect from what you would expect. Wallowing in sad songs can actually elicit positive feelings of "transcendence, peacefulness, and nostalgia," according to a recent study. It allows us to reflect and even feel a sense of consolation during bad times. Lucky for us, there are some really amazing sad songs out there - because what are life and love without a bit of heartache? Listen to our Spotify playlist for the saddest songs of all time, and prepare for an onslaught of emotion.
- "Someone Like You," Adele
- "Stay With Me," Sam Smith
- "The Heart Wants What It Wants," Selena Gomez
- "Skinny Love," Bon Iver
- "Hallelujah," Rufus Wainwright
- "Stay," Rihanna
- "Everybody Hurts," R.E.M.
- "Good Woman," Cat Power
- "Samson," Regina Spektor
- "Breathe Me," Sia
- "You Were Mine," Dixie Chicks
- "Hey Mama," Kanye West
- "A Man/Me/Then Jim," Rilo Kiley
- "Twilight," Elliott Smith
- "The Sounds of Silence," Simon & Garfunkel
- "Flightless Bird, American Mouth," Iron & Wine
- "This Year's Love," David Gray
- "I Will Remember You," Sarah McLachlan
- "Lost," Michael Bublé
- "Fix You," Coldplay
- "Heart," Stars
- "God Only Knows," The Beach Boys
- "Crown of Love," Arcade Fire
- "Say Something," A Great Big World featuring Christina Aguilera
- "Gloomy Sunday," Billie Holiday
- "Mad World," Gary Jules featuring Michael Andrews
- "I Will Follow You Into the Dark," Death Cab For Cutie
- "Wish You Were Here," Pink Floyd
- "Landslide," Fleetwood Mac
- "Guess I'm Doing Fine," Beck
- "Brick," Ben Folds Five
- "Unchained Melody," Righteous Brothers
- "Goodbye My Lover," James Blunt
- "Whiskey Lullaby," Brad Paisley featuring Alison Krauss
- "Something in the Way," Nirvana
- "River," Joni Mitchell
- "Creep," Radiohead
- "The Blower's Daughter," Damien Rice
- "All of Me," John Legend
- "The Needle and the Damage Done," Neil Young
- "I Can't Make You Love Me/Nick of Time," Bon Iver
- "Poison & Wine," The Civil Wars
- "If You Say So," Lea Michele
- "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.," Sufjan Stevens
- "Trouble," Cat Stevens
- "Make You Feel My Love," Adele
Just remember: you'll need to download the free Spotify software or app to listen to our playlists!
How Brienne of Tarth Is Still Fulfilling Her Vow to Catelyn Years Later
Listen up, peasants. All of us Game of Thrones fans are so focused on the biggest characters that we seem to have forgotten one crucial fact about the show. Some of the best and most loyal people in Westeros aren't even vying for the Iron Throne! Hold up while I shove Jon Snow and Cersei Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen to the side, because I'm here to talk about Brienne of Tarth. She is a warrior and woman of honor who never wavers from her personal loyalties. Over the course of the past seven seasons, she's proven herself to be one of the truest heroes on the show. And even after all this time, she's still honoring a vow she makes all the way back in season two.
Brienne's Humble Beginnings
As the last living member of House Tarth, Brienne carries with her an important legacy. Rather than marry into a fantastic union (and alliance) with another house, though, she decides to pledge her sword to Renly Baratheon. At one point, Brienne confesses she's always loved Renly, despite his exclusive attraction to men. They first met long before the events of the show, when Brienne's father attempted to marry her off. But all of her suitors saw her as a joke, which thoroughly shattered her confidence. It was Renly who swept her into a dance and told her not to acknowledge the trolls.
Her Sworn Allegiance to Catelyn Stark
Brienne and Catelyn meet when the latter comes to negotiate an alliance between Renly and Robb Stark. Together, they witness the tragic murder of Renly at the hands of Stannis Baratheon and Melisandre's shadow demon. Catelyn says Brienne will be blamed for the death, and they both flee.
After some time, Brienne swears her sword to Catelyn but makes it clear that her ultimate mission is to kill Stannis and avenge Renly. When Catelyn agrees to not stand in her way, Brienne takes her oath. "I am yours, my lady," she says. "I will shield your back and give my life for yours, if it comes to that. I swear it by the old gods and the new." We all know how this ends: Catelyn sends Brienne to escort Jaime to King's Landing in exchange for Sansa and Arya's safe return to Winterfell. Catelyn then dies in the Red Wedding.
Finding Sansa and Stannis
A lot of complicated things go down once Brienne gets to King's Landing. Basically, though, everything ends in Sansa's escape. Jaime sends Brienne after her, with a sword that of course Brienne decides to call The Oathkeeper, but Brienne's personal mission is clear. Since she pledged her sword to Catelyn, and since that initial mission from Catelyn was to return the Stark daughters to Winterfell, she stays true to her oath. Brienne pursues Sansa, but eventually gets side-tracked in her attempts to find Arya.
As you might remember, Arya is traveling with the Hound at this point. She rejects Brienne's help, and since the Hound seems intent on protecting Arya, he and Brienne engage in a pretty epic sword fight that devolves into a fist fight. Brienne wins, but since she's distracted, Arya manages to run away. Brienne continues on the road and accidentally stumbles upon Sansa in an inn; she also rejects Brienne's help, thanks to the counsel of Littlefinger.
Sansa continues and makes it to Winterfell, which is currently being held by the Boltons. Brienne stays true to her word. She sends a message to Sansa, instructing her to light a candle in her window if she's in trouble. Brienne watches until she gets word of Stannis's whereabouts. She swiftly avenges Renly's death, then returns to Sansa.
Loyal to the End
We all pretty much know the story from here, right? Brienne finds Sansa and again swears herself to a Stark. This time, Sansa accepts. Brienne brings her safely home. Then she hangs around, keeping her word to protect Sansa. Brienne even agrees to train Arya when she finally returns home to Winterfell in season seven.
And this is all because Brienne swears her sword to Catelyn in season two. Every single decision Brienne makes is a result of her honor, and what she believes is her duty. She even avenged Renly's death after swearing her loyalty to House Stark! And now, she's still on the side of the Starks, through and through.
When will your fave?
15 Gorgeous Selena-Inspired Tattoos That Will Leave You Wanting One, Too
Though it's been 22 years since her untimely and tragic death, Selena Quintanilla still holds a special place in her fans' hearts. With the release of her MAC makeup collection that took the world by storm and the posthumous honor of a shiny new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Selena's legacy lives on.
And what better way to honor the Queen of Tejano than with stunning new ink? If you're looking for a little tattoo inspiration, check out these 15 real-life Selena-inspired pieces that will make you want to book an appointment with an artist, stat. Then, turn up our ultimate Selena playlist.
- Additional reporting by Celia Fernandez
Treat Your Mom With One of These 15 Great Gifts
Moms are always taking care of everyone else, so it's important to make sure they feel appreciated. Whether you're looking for a birthday gift, a Mother's Day gift, or just a present to show her you care, we've picked out things she'll love. From robes to cheese plates, keep reading to find the perfect items for the mom in your life.
lundi 7 août 2017
11 Classic Italian Sauces Everyone Should Learn How to Make
Few things are more comforting than a good bowl of pasta, and what makes it even better is a killer homemade sauce. If you've yet to master classic Italian sauces like basic tomato sauce, bolognese, and vodka sauce, now's the time! You'll thank yourself for learning these recipes that you'll turn to again and again.
How to Talk Your Way Into Flying First Class
Flying first class is the ultimate indulgence in travel, but first-class tickets are usually exorbitantly expensive. When you board a flight, airlines love tempting you with empty first-class seats as you walk past to squeeze into your middle seat in coach. But there are ways to get into the hallowed grounds of first-class seating without paying first-class prices.
If you're the type of person who always finds a way to talk your way into a room upgrade in a hotel, use some of those similar skills to score better seats on your next flight. Know how the system works and make the most of any opportunity you get to justifiably request an upgrade.
There's no guaranteed method of getting a free first-class upgrade, but here are some tricks you can use to boost your chances next time you fly.
1. Take Advantage of a Full Flight
As headlines about recent unsavory events have clearly demonstrated, airlines often overbook flights in order to maximize the number of seats filled when passengers miss their flights. If coach seats on a flight are overbooked, the airline will be much more likely to upgrade passengers to empty first-class seats so that there is room to accommodate everybody with a coach ticket.
2. Offer Up Your Seat
If your flight is overbooked and you're not in a rush to get to your destination, offer to give up your seat in exchange for a first-class ticket on the next flight. You'll save the airline a headache, and they may treat you to a more luxurious trip for your troubles. Usually, you'll just be offered a voucher for a flight in the future, but it's worthwhile to try your luck at a first-class seat.
3. Know When to Complain
You settle into your seat in coach and try to turn on your TV. It doesn't work. In this situation, a rookie traveler might despair about their bad luck, but a pro uses the situation to their advantage. If there is something wrong with your seat, maybe a broken tray table or a busted window shade, try asking to be moved. Play the game a little bit and flex your acting chops when you complain about how excited you were to watch Minions. If all other coach seats are full, you may be given a seat in first class.
4. Dress the Part
Dress for the airplane seat you want, not the one you have. Sure, there's no good reason first-class passengers and coach passengers should dress any differently, but it couldn't hurt to dress nicely when requesting an upgrade. If you usually dress for flights the same way you dress when you're watching Netflix in bed, try sprucing up your look. And as always, be courteous and polite.
With more and more of the seat-filling process becoming automated, it's becoming increasingly rare to speak person to person with someone at the airline who can grant you a seat upgrade. Even if you're unable to get an upgrade, remember: if Kanye West and Kim Kardashian can fly coach, so can we!
FYI Your Kitchen Sponge Contains as Much Bacteria as Poop
I admittedly hold on to kitchen sponges until I've scrubbed holes into them - I mean, why add more waste to the world? However, a study conducted by Scientific Reports confirms the unimaginable, and I can never go back to my old habits. The average kitchen sponge secretes as much bacteria as human fecal matter. I know. I nearly passed out when I read that too. The New York Times added that there is no - I repeat - NO effective way to sanitize sponges. In fact, trying to microwave or boil sponges only makes them harbor more harmful bacteria. Microbiologists recommend replacing your sponges every week, so why not let Monday be the day to start off fresh?
Throwing a few dollars in the trash every week in sponges makes me uncomfortable, but I learned a little trick from my mom: cut sponges in half or in fourths. That way, one sponge lasts you longer. I personally love dehydrated sponges like these yellow pop-up sponges, as they can't harbor any bacteria while in a dried pancake form. I like to cut them before rehydrating them too.
1 Mom's Honest Perspective After Her Child Was Left to Die in a Hot Car
Thirty-nine. That's the number of heatstroke deaths of children who were left in hot cars in 2016. That's 15 more than 2015's final count.
Many parents hear the news stories about these deaths and immediately think, "I could never do that." Maybe that's true, but there's a good chance that the parents of the 39 children lost in 2016 thought the exact same thing. These hot car accidents happen so often that it seems as if they'll never stop being "a thing," but one family is choosing to speak out about their daughter, Lily, whose dad forgot her in the back of his car.
On the day 5-month-old Lily died, her dad forgot to drop her off at day care and drove straight to work without realizing, until he went to pick her up at the end of the day. Lily's mother, who has forgiven her husband for his thoughtless mistake, told KHOU about that life-changing day.
"Normally, I take the older two kids to school, but today, he was trying to bless me and took all three of them. . . . When he walked up to the [day care] door, they just looked at him and said, 'She hasn't been here all day.' There were 15 seconds of 'How could he do that?' Immediately instant forgiveness washed over me."
Since her daughter's death, Lily's mom has been writing letters to other parents who have gone through this same nightmare and has shared her story on camera to show that healing is possible - that this could happen to anyone. "If I can help one family, one child . . . " she said. "It's important for people to know that it happens to good people."
Researchers at MIT Are Using Emoji to Teach Software Sarcasm and Slang
Sometimes when you're texting or chatting, words just don't cut it. That's when an emoji steps in to fill the void and save the day. Whether you like it or not, emoji aren't going anywhere - in fact, they've quickly become an alternate way to express an array of emotions. As a result, researchers at MIT's media lab have created DeepMoji, a Twitter-based deep learning algorithm that uses 1.2 billion tweets with emoji to predict the emotion being conveyed by the user via emoji. The researchers believe the more data the model can accumulate, the bigger the possibility of companies or chatbots using the algorithm.
DeepMoji uses deep learning, a subset of machine learning that trains an algorithm to learn and decipher patterns by feeding it huge amounts of data. It's similar to something like QuickDraw from Google, a fun, interactive "game" that has an algorithm try to guess what you draw (which helps grow the database as you use it). In DeepMoji's case, the researchers have given it tweets with emoji so that it can learn which emoji would be matched with a tweet. The team believes that once it can predict what emoji will be used, it'll learn the "emotional content of that sentence." By using real tweets, the algorithm is learning how people actually write and feel, rather than being fed the information.
So far, DeepMoji has figured out when a tweet is being sarcastic or uses slang, as well as understanding how an emoji is being used. For example, a sad emoji can be separated into different categories of emotion like negativity, annoyed, and angry. With other phrases, it knows the difference between something like "this is sh*t" and "this is the sh*t (the former is negative, whereas the latter is positive).
For now, the next steps of the project include the public's help. You can feed the algorithm your last three tweets and emotionally rate them. You can also try out the database for yourself by writing a sentence and seeing if the emoji chosen were correct. The researchers also want to come up with more labels for emotion that range farther out of "positive" and "negative" - so watch the video above to learn more about DeepMoji and how to contribute to the team's research.
Game of Thrones: Everything You Should Know About Valyrian Steel Weapons and Who Owns Them
During Sunday night's insane episode of Game of Thrones, Arya Stark acquires a very important new weapon from her brother Bran. The dagger, which has a distinctly curved hilt made from dragonbone, is significant for a number of reasons: it's the same weapon an assassin used when trying to kill Bran back in season one (which ended up basically starting the War of the Five Kings), it was recently spotted by Samwell Tarly in an ancient Citadel textbook, and it's also made from extremely rare Valyrian steel.
Quick recap: what is Valyrian steel? Valyrian steel is a very special material from which the best weapons in Westeros are forged (the material is rumored to have been created from dragon fire and magic). The weapons made from this material are sharper, lighter, and stronger in comparison to even the best castle-forged steel, and they can also withstand extreme heat (obviously). Not to mention, Valyrian steel is one of the few things besides dragonglass that can kill White Walkers. Valyrian blades are treated as treasured heirlooms, and each weapon has its own name and story.
Sadly, these weapons are near impossible to forge in present-day Westeros; however, in post-Red Wedding season three, we see Tywin Lannister melt down Ice (the greatsword of House Stark) into two smaller swords. So, where in the world of Westeros are these Valyrian steel weapons now? Luckily they're (mostly) in good hands.
Once Upon a Time: Regina, Hook, and Rumple Will Have New Identities in Season 7
Once Upon a Time is taking a new direction when it returns for its seventh season this Fall, and it's both scary and exciting. While creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz have "reinvented" the show in the past with new characters and realms, this season will be entirely different as the story flashes forward to an adult Henry Mills and his daughter, Lucy - but don't call this season a reboot. Even though a lot of the stars will be exiting the show, you can rest assured it will still pay homage to the original. Here's what to expect from the new season, including when it will begin!
1. The Trailer
2. There's a New Hero in Town
With Jennifer Morrison's departure, the story won't be about Emma Swan anymore. Instead, her son, Henry (now played by Andrew J. West), will be stepping up as the show's leading hero alongside his daughter, Lucy. His journey takes place outside of Storybrooke many years later.
3. Henry Is Married (or at Least, Was)
Following the finale, one of the biggest questions remains: who is Lucy's mother? Edward Kitsis teased that she has an epic romance with Henry, and after the Comic-Con panel, we're pretty confident that he's about to fall head over glass slippers for Cinderella (Dania Ramirez).
4. There Are New Stories to Be Told
Even though a lot of our favorite characters will be exiting the show, there are even more characters and new worlds on the horizon. While Ramirez will be playing a new version of Cinderella, you can also expect to see Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Tiana from Princess and the Frog next season.
5. There Will Be Flashbacks
In true Once Upon a Time form, the show will still include flashbacks. Seeing that the finale includes a big jump forward, we can only assume these scenes will piece together what actually happens to adult Henry and his family after the final battle.
6. Familiar Faces Will Be Back
In addition to flashbacks, we'll be seeing the departed characters again. Jennifer Morrison has already filmed her scenes for season seven, and during the show's Comic-Con panel in July, the creators teased that previous cast members will be back in recurring and guest roles.
7. The Enchanted Forest Is in Danger . . . Again
As we learned in the two-part finale, the Enchanted Forest is in grave danger and only Henry can save it.
8. The Show Is Still About Hope
One thing you can count on to stay the same next season is the theme of hope. Having the heart of the truest believer, Henry's loss of faith will be a major jumping-off point for the coming season.
9. There Is a New Town (and Curse)
After a new curse hits, our favorite characters will be transported to Hyperion Heights in Seattle, WA. Of course, things will be even more twisted this time around. While Storybrooke was only full of fairy tale characters, there also be quite a few interactions with non-fairy tale characters in this new town. That would definitely explain why Hook is dressed as a police officer in the trailer.
10. Your Favorite Characters Will Be Very Different
Not only is this season retelling some of our favorite fairy tales, but Regina, Rumple, and Hook will all get new identities in Hyperion Heights. Regina is a bartender named Roni, Hook is a police officer, and Rumple is rumored to be a playing a a bad detective named Crocker.
11. There Will Be an LGBTQ Story
The show's creators confirmed during the Comic-Con panel that there will definitely be an LGBTQ storyline in the new season.
12. The First Sneak Peek
13. The Premiere Date
The show is on a new night and will return Friday, Oct. 6!
This Ikea Purchase Is the Answer to All Your Small-Closet Problems
Tiny closets are a source of stress and frustration almost all small-space dwellers can relate to, but when you have to share that tiny closet with your significant other, battle lines are drawn. I should know. My husband and I tried to make due with his and hers dressers and a hanging clothes rack for a while, but the exposed rack of clothes and overflowing dressers just weren't cutting it. A wardrobe was needed. Not just any wardrobe, though. We needed his and hers wardrobes that could be customized, easily assembled, and purchased for less than a small fortune. Like any online editor would do, I took my quest to Pinterest where I discovered the answer to my problem: Ikea's Pax Wardrobe System. The interior organizing possibilities are seemingly endless, it was in stock at my local Ikea, and it was an option we could actually afford. After studying and pinning some inspiration pictures culled from other bloggers' Pax projects, my husband and I purchased one for each of us and customized them for our needs. Here's what I did with mine!
5 Vegan Chocolate Chips Ranked From Worst to Best
When it comes to vegan chocolate chips, not all are created equal. There's a big difference between vegan chocolate and carob, namely the flavor. Cocoa and carob are also completely different things that come from different plants, but while carob has often been substituted into vegan recipes in place of traditional chocolate, some food brands have come up with vegan chocolate to use instead. One company, Enjoy Life, created a gluten-free, dairy-free vegan chocolate baking chip that is my go-to any time I bake . . . and my go-to snack, if I'm being honest.
To help guide you in your vegan baking, or just your gluten-free and/or dairy-free adventures, I tested out five vegan chocolate chips I found at my local Whole Foods to see how they bake into cookies. (Spoiler alert: I didn't use a vegan recipe, but it is gluten- and dairy-free.)
Some of the chocolate chips definitely performed better than others, and some definitely taste better. Ahead, find my definitive ranking of exactly which ones I think you should use and which ones you should skip.
Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders Wants to Change Your Mind About Those Brothers
Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders, premiering Sept. 26 and starring Edie Falco, is NBC's stab at the true crime drama, but with the Dick Wolf (Law & Order, Chicago Fire) brand attached. But in tackling the famous Menendez brothers trial over eight hours of TV, Wolf and Co. are not actually looking to present a docu-style dramatization. They're taking a stance on the trial and that stance is that the brothers were wrongly convicted of the first-degree murder of their parents.
Wolf told the 2017 TCA Summer press tour audience that this is the first time a show of his has "had a collective agenda," which is to bring to light just how mishandled this case was.
"The research revealed things none of us knew, and that's one of the things that I think is most impactful about the eight hours," says Wolf. "I don't care what attitude you go in with, your mind is going to receive information that I think will change a lot of people's attitudes."
"This is one of the crimes of the century," he continues. "It's absolutely horrible, but when you see the information, I think people are going to realize well, yeah, they did it, but it wasn't first-degree murder with no possibility of parole. They probably should have been out eight or 10 years ago because they should have been convicted of first-degree manslaughter, which is a different punishment than first-degree murder. So yes, this is a show that has an agenda."
One of the things the show is going to focus on is the molestation the brothers alleged they endured at the hands of their parents, which is part of what led them to commit the crime. "Both boys were molested by their father, both boys were molested by their mother, according to their testimony, which is corroborated by testimony from their relatives and photographs that were found," says Wolf.
But another big facet of the trials that Wolf and showrunner Rene Balcer say is largely unknown is how desperate the Los Angeles court was to notch a win in a high-profile case. Balcer pointed out that in the year prior to the Menendez trial, Los Angeles County and District Attorney Gil Garcetti had lost several high-profile cases: Rodney King, O.J. Simpson, and the McMartin preschool child molestation case.
"So the DA's office had a pretty huge chip on its shoulder and was definitely looking for a conviction by any means," said Balcer. Wolf added, "[We will show] the degree of implicit political collusion between the judge and the district attorney's office in the second trial to assure a conviction."
In conclusion, Wolf says that one of the big reasons they wanted to dramatize this case is because "there were major mitigating circumstances" for the crime that the average viewer may not be aware of.
Bet You Can't Solve This Viral Math Question Meant For First Graders
Well, folks, the internet is back at it again with the exposing of terrible and impossible test questions meant for little kids. In this episode, we have a math pattern question shared in an online forum, which apparently appeared as a bonus on an exam for first graders in Singapore.
"Study the number pattern. Fill in the missing numbers," the instructions on the question read. Under the text appears a circle split in four with different numbers in each section, smaller circles in between each quarter, and one circle in the middle with the number 3 inside.
Check it out above and see if you can solve it (we couldn't), and if you want a spoiler, find one of the forum's users' explanations below, which makes sense but is a conclusion we never would have been brought to on our own (even with help, our reaction was still "WTF").
How Can You Support US National Parks? Here's 9 Simple Ways
America's national parks need our support more than ever so that they can safely continue to thrive. So how can you help? It's actually really easy. We broke down all the ways you can contribute to these incredible places so they can prosper no matter what the future holds.
- Volunteer: There are so many ways you can help out your national parks through volunteering - just figure out which role is right for you.
- Donate: Simply donating to the National Park Foundation will contribute to the 400 national parks in the country. We have 84 million acres of land to protect!
- Give a tribute gift: Donate in honor of someone's memory or to celebrate a special event.
- Offer your opinion: There are lots of public projects going on throughout the national parks, and the people working on them would love to hear your advice and feedback. It truly helps.
- Plan a legacy donation: You can plan to give to national parks through your will or trust. You can also implement it into your retirement plan.
- Purchase National Park Foundation products: The gift shop offers awesome shirts, bags, books, games, and more. The proceeds help to support the foundation.
- Contribute to the Conservation and Preservation Charities of America: This foundation dedicates its time to improving environmental education, wildlife protection, conservation of open space, soil, water, forests, parks, and trails.
- Renew your membership: If you're already a member of the National Parks Foundation, you can make a donation when you renew your membership each year.
- Share your park experience with others: The only way to spread the word about the beauty and importance of national parks is to show other people just how wonderful these places are. Take someone on a trip so that they will fall in love!
15 Hilariously Accurate Thoughts You've Had While Shopping For Decor at Target
Could your home pass for a Target decor ad, filled room to room with everything from lounge chairs, bar carts, trinket trays, and even a full set of plates and bowls in the kitchen cupboard? If so, then I get you. I understand you. Target has successfully found a way to mesh adorable design with affordable pricing and has easily become a leader in the world of home decor. Why wouldn't you be obsessed with the store?! Read on for a series of situations that only those who truly love Target decor will understand.
You Need to Stop Shaming Yourself Over These 11 Things
Many of us have made self-deprecation such a habit. We can't take a compliment and we make ourselves feel guilty about indulgences. But why are we so willing to put ourselves down? We need to take back ownership of our actions and choices and stop feeling like we have to justify them. We also shouldn't have to change who we are just because of what the majority says. So stop shaming yourself over these 11 things:
- Your body: We all have insecurities, but your weight or your appearance is never a reason to put yourself down. Learning to love yourself isn't an easy journey, but it is a necessary one. Embrace your flaws and imperfections rather than hating yourself for them.
- Being single: Don't have an SO you can gush about on social media? Who cares? Take full advantage of this time to invest in yourself instead of feeling bad about being alone. You get to be selfish for a while!
- Your past: First of all, accept that your past is completely out of your control. Beating yourself up for what happened or who you used to be won't do you any good, and if you're that resentful, be proactive about bettering yourself now instead of dwelling on something you can't change.
- Not fitting society's standards: F*ck society. Don't listen to what everyone else says you should do or who you should be. As long as you're happy and not affecting others negatively, it shouldn't matter whether or not you don't meet a specific "criteria." Some of the most successful people wouldn't be where they are today had they followed the status quo.
- Taking time off for yourself: There's nothing wrong with being a workaholic, but there's also nothing wrong with giving yourself a break. You should never feel guilty about needing some rest and relaxation because you'll only return more productive and refreshed. There's a difference between slacking off and self-care.
- Your sexual history: The number of partners or previous experiences you've had is not a reflection of who you are as a person. Again, it's something you can't change, so there's no reason to punish yourself for it.
- Being different: Embrace your unique qualities as something that separates you from the rest in a positive way. You should never feel ashamed about your differences. In fact, you should see them as a benefit, because they make you more interesting!
- Your food choices: Especially now that health and athleisure have become so trendy, it's hard not to feel guilty about that extra cupcake. It's great that you want to take better care of your body, but you shouldn't have to justify eating certain foods to yourself. It's all about moderation, so don't make food shaming a habit.
- Needing help: As admirable it is to be able to take on everything by yourself, there's no shame in asking for help. Whether it's for your mental health, taking care of the kids, or something at work, speak up if you feel like you're drowning. No one will look down on you for reaching out.
- Treating yourself: "Treat yo self" has almost become a joke now when it comes to overindulging. But everyone deserves a little something every now and then. If you've been working hard, it's OK to take yourself shopping (within your means) or to book that vacation you've been wanting to go on. You shouldn't feel guilty about rewarding yourself.
- Making yourself a priority: As long as you're not neglecting all your other responsibilities and loved ones, it's perfectly acceptable (and encouraged!) to put yourself at the forefront. Whether it's along the lines of self-care or your career, you should never feel selfish for wanting the best for you.
12 People Who Are Just as Devastated About Chris Pratt and Anna Faris's Split as You
The world stood still on Sunday night when Chris Pratt and Anna Faris announced that they are legally separating after eight years of marriage. "We tried hard for a long time, and we're really disappointed," the parents of 4-year-old son Jack wrote in a statement. "We still have love for each other and will always cherish our time together." Needless to say, fans were completely wrecked over the news and decided to mourn the picture-perfect pair on social media. See some of the most relatable reactions to what is, without a doubt, one of the biggest breakups of 2017.
Just woke up and saw that Chris Pratt and Anna Faris are breaking up. http://pic.twitter.com/Tuz6birCZV
- Sonya (@sonyaloveslatte) August 7, 2017
10:00: Oh thank god, #GameofThrones didn't crush my soul tonight.
11:00: #ChrisPratt & #AnnaFaris broke up. http://pic.twitter.com/S0aT2NPdd8- Hallie Boston (@may0negg) August 7, 2017
anna faris and chris pratt breaking up affects me in no way but also i feel like im their child and it's my fault somehow
- elijah daniel (@elijahdaniel) August 7, 2017
I leave twitter to watch #GameOfThrones in peace and I come back and Chris Pratt and Anna Faris are separated. http://pic.twitter.com/ohVRIMuhvn
- Robert Rosenberg (@RobMRosenberg) August 7, 2017
Me: ugh I hate celebrity gossip can we just let them live their lives
*Chris Pratt and Anna Faris separate*
Me: http://pic.twitter.com/5VOhZpfjll- Nadine 🌿 (@justdeenie) August 7, 2017
Me hearing the news about Chris Pratt and Anna Faris are separating 😭💔 http://pic.twitter.com/dsFdQ9TvpM
- Alison Erving (@alisonerving) August 7, 2017
bees are dying, and now chris pratt and anna faris have broken up. don't cry for me, i'm already dead.
- Sarah Maunder (@s_maunder) August 7, 2017
Anna Faris & Chris Pratt are separating. Goodnight I don't wanna talk to anyone. http://pic.twitter.com/Nz1JxyfD4r
- Daniel Preda (@MisterPreda) August 7, 2017
I'm honestly really upset about Chris Pratt and Anna Faris separating more than I should be for a couple I don't know. http://pic.twitter.com/XYSIfXFQ6S
- Lis Schumacher (@lis_schu) August 7, 2017
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris? 2017 is so much more disrespectful than 2016. Cancel life, there's no future. http://pic.twitter.com/uzfYXVsXAC
- Lee Lee ✨ (@leeyore) August 7, 2017
chris pratt and anna faris are getting a divorce....god, please protect ryan reynolds/blake lively and john legend/chrissy teigen amen http://pic.twitter.com/gAvkJoTRi1
- edgelord allan poe (@haarleyquin) August 7, 2017
just heard about Chris Pratt and Anna Faris #ChrisPratt #AnnaFaris http://pic.twitter.com/YjAKuKz7x1
- Arella (@areIIla) August 7, 2017
5 Ways to Make Math Seem Appealing to Kids Who Just Aren't Interested
Getting your kids interested in math - or anything number-related - can be a real challenge, especially if you weren't exactly fond of arithmetic yourself growing up. Rather than focus solely on the Common Core worksheets their teacher sends home, tackle their disinterest head-on by sneaking some math enrichment into their everyday activities.
Here's how to improve your child's math scores without being met with a whole lot of eye-rolling.
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