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 10 août 2017
10 Things You Should Buy at Target
Christy Palmer, an expert bargain hunter and founder of All Things Target, is giving us yet another reason to shop at Target - as if we needed it! She told us the inside scoop on some of the best things to buy at the store and offered helpful hints on how to save cash at Target by making the most of special deals. The next time you go, keep these tips below in mind.
Best Deals on Items and Brands
Makeup: Makeup at Target is a great deal because you can use a Target coupon along with a manufacturer coupon. "I have often bought makeup for under $1 (or even gotten it for free) due to the fact that I can stack coupons," said Christy.
Personal care items: Target offers a variety of coupons for deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, soap, and more, and the store puts many of these items on sale pretty often, too.
Threshold home decor (Target exclusive): Many of the items from the Threshold brand are similar in style to some of the classic high-end stores but at a much lower price, and according to Christy, the quality is great too.
iTunes gift cards: Target may not be the first place you think of when you think of iTunes gift cards, but you can frequently find them on sale for 10 percent off, so wait for the sale, and get in on the deal!
Circo clothing brand for kids (Target exclusive): "I love the quality of their clothing," Christy told us. "The styles are always cute, and the prices are great. Pair them with a sale and a coupon, and I love the brand even more!"
Photo frames: "Pretty much all the photo frames in my house have come from Target," Christy said. "I love the styles and the prices - it's very easy to find frames on clearance for 70 percent off because they always have to make room for new styles."
Up & Up brand (Target exclusive): "I have found so many of the items in their store brand of the Up & Up line work just as well as the leading brands and a much smaller price. The Up & Up brand of hair detangler works perfect for my girls' hair, and it's much cheaper than the leading brand. I always pick up the Up & Up ibuprofen, cotton balls, and so many more household basics," she says.
Kids' bedding and room decor: Kids' bedding and room decor are often included in Target's special offers, and the quality and design are on par with much more pricey options elsewhere. "Target can do no wrong when it comes to children's bedding . . . This is a great department to find clearance items because the bedding styles and colors often change with the seasons," Christy said. "I have five kids, and pretty much all their bedding and room decor has come from Target."
Best Dollar-Spot Finds
Note cards and stationery item and small buckets/baskets: They are great for gifting and make for a cheap and cute way to dress up a gift for someone.
Holiday items: According to Christy, the dollar-spot section changes with the seasons and holidays, so there is always something new to discover every couple of months. When it clears out the old items to bring in the new, the store will mark down certain dollar-spot items to 50 percent off, and then 70 percent off - which means you might end up paying only 30 cents for them!
Get Long and Lean With CorePower Yoga
You will love this short yoga flow series. Not only will it help calm all the holiday stress, but it will strengthen and lengthen your entire body. And they don't call it CorePower Yoga for nothing! There's a sweet little ab workout tucked in the middle. Grab your mat, press play, and get your yoga on!
16 Make-Ahead Recipes From Ina Garten That Will Change the Way You Cook
If ever there were an award for queen of make-ahead recipes, Ina Garten would win. She's so good at this cooking strategy that she wrote an entire cookbook about it. The beauty of Make It Ahead is that "each recipe includes clear instructions for what you can do ahead of time, and how far in advance, so you can cook with confidence and eliminate last-minute surprises," according to the description from Ina herself. Whether you prep the dough for salty oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies in advance, or you make a big pot of soup and freeze the rest for later for dinner on a whim, there's a way to make cooking easier (and more fun) with Ina's expert direction. Ahead, take a look at more than 15 ways people are embracing the make-ahead lifestyle and start enjoying the time-saving recipes for yourself.
A Judge Called a Rapist a "Good Man" While Sentencing Him For 11 Counts
One would imagine that a repeat history of sexually abusing and assaulting family members would disqualify a person from being considered "extraordinary" and "good." But Fourth District Judge Thomas Low used those exact words to describe the convicted rapist standing before him on Wednesday in Provo, UT.
According to The Salt Lake City Tribune, Low "became emotional as he handed down a prison sentence" to former Mormon Bishop Keith Robert Vallejo, who was convicted of 10 counts of forcible sexual abuse and one count of object rape.
The judge stated: "The court has no doubt that Mr. Vallejo is an extraordinary, good man. But great men sometimes do bad things," reports The SLC Tribune. Vallejo's repeat abuse of two women (including his sister-in-law) is certainly extraordinary . . . in the disturbing, negative sense of the word.
Low's description of the convicted felon as "good" is a slap in the faces of his victims. That's why one of those victims, Julia Kirby, plans to file a judicial complaint against Judge Low.
"If he really, really cared about me or about the fact that this person was a criminal, he wouldn't have that kind of sympathy. It was shocking to me for that reason," Kirby said following Low's shocking courtroom comments.
Judge Low has faced criticism for his handling of the Vallejo case since before the inappropriate sentencing hearing commentary, particularly after allowing the former bishop to return home on bail to be with his wife and children, even after he was found guilty. Low's behavior regarding this specific case has resulted in a reported 40 emails, six voice mails, and multiple Facebook messages to the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission.
What Guests Really Notice in Your Home
If the idea of getting your home company-ready is keeping you from hosting a dinner party or even your out-of-town in-laws, we can help. Sure, you could spend all day cleaning and decorating in anticipation, but who has the time? Here are the only things you really need to do before your guests arrive. Don't worry - they are nothing but easy.
- Additional reporting by Miranda Jones
The Scent of Your Home
Decor isn't the first thing guests notice when they walk through your door - it's the smell. Whether you're concerned about the fish you cooked the night before or your dog skipping a bath - or worse, the scents you've become noseblind to - put your mind at ease by lighting a candle or simmering a small pot of citrus peels and cinnamon sticks a half hour before guests arrive. We can't get enough of these yummy-smelling candles - all under $50.
A Well-Stocked Bar
After greeting guests, the first thing that you will want to do is offer them a drink. You don't need to be full service, but make sure you have the home bar basics covered.
Fresh Flowers
Flowers are the only decoration a house really ever needs, no matter the occasion (although we feel pretty strongly about candles too!). To get the most bang out of your buck, buy potted flowers like these orchids. They may look delicate, but with proper care, they will last for a month or longer.
The Lack of Clutter
Even if you don't have time to do a deep cleaning, you can still organize your clutter. Get a tray or a set of lidded boxes for each room and corral all the odds and ends - remotes, keys, mail - in one place. Guests will feel relaxed in a space that appears organized, even if it is just for show!
A Tidy Bathroom
Before guests arrive, make sure your bathroom has clean hand towels and enough toilet paper. Extra points for wiping down surfaces and lighting a candle!
An Organized Entryway
Not only is it the first place and last place that your guests will see, your entryway is also where they will be dropping their coats and bags. Depending on how much room you have, add a coat rack, umbrella stand, and a place to sit while taking shoes on or off.
The Story of Harry Potter's Invisibility Cloak May Be WAY Darker Than We Thought
For many Harry Potter fans, one of the most iconic parts of the entire series is the "Tale of the 3 Brothers," a supposed legend from The Tales of Beedle the Bard that has very real implications for Harry, Ron, and Hermione. The tale of Cadmus, Ignotus, and Antioch Peverell's quest to defy death turns out to be real, inspiring Lord Voldemort to seek out their famed possessions: three gifts from Death called the Deathly Hallows. Luckily for Harry, he already owns one (the invisibility cloak) as a distant descendant of the Peverell clan.
As intriguing as the story is, one Reddit user's dark theory about the Deathly Hallows adds another element of mystery to the Peverell legend.
The theory - which purports that perhaps the three brothers were necromancers summoning the dead - establishes the idea that the three hallows are bits of Death's own arsenal, intended to curse the men who strove to bridge the gap between life and death. The Elder Wand is a bit of Death itself, which can summon immediate death through the killing curse. The Resurrection Stone is part of the arch that holds the veil of Death. And the Cloak of Invisibility is a bit of the veil itself, the gateway through which the dead pass. Sound familiar?
Harry himself sees this archway of death with his own eyes, theorizes the Redditor, in the Department of Mysteries during Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. He hears the whispers of the dead through the arch and witnesses his godfather Sirius pass from the side of the living over to the side of the dead. His possession of the invisibility cloak could explain why he is able to hear these whispers at all and why he is so intently drawn to the Veil of Death during his time in the Department of Mysteries. If he truly bridges the gap between life and death, it means that Harry isn't fully alive.
What do you think about this theory? Could Harry's ownership of the cloak mean that he bridges the gap between death and life? Let us know in the comments!
Access to abortion pill in Sask. unclear
CBC News looked into how available Mifegymiso, known as the abortion pill, is in the province since shipments of the product began arriving in early 2017.
The Right Engagement Ring For Your Zodiac Sign
Yes, your engagement ring should be gorgeous. When you flash it in front of your friends, you'll want to make them shriek. Placing the perfect diamond on your finger (and then showing it off!) is one of the most memorable parts of getting married, after all. But your engagement ring should also be completely your own. If that means nixing an ordinary design for something more personal, like a turquoise gem, a ruby, or even a pearl, so be it.
But how can you tell which distinctive ring is really right for you? Astrology, of course! Your zodiac sign doesn't only reveal your signature traits, but also your major style tendencies and your taste in design. Whether you're a romantic Taurus who goes googly eyed over pink stones or a classic Capricorn who appreciates the sophistication of a traditional diamond, there's an engagement ring for you. Read on to see what's written in the stars.
7 Foods to Absolutely Avoid If You Want Clear, Glowing Skin
Two weeks ago, I went to Whole Foods and stocked up on coconut milk, almond butter, frozen veggies, fresh berries, organic meats, wild salmon, and quinoa. My boyfriend could interpret what this meant: Lauren is back on another food detox.
It started last Summer when I completed Dr. Frank Lipman's two-week Be Well Cleanse. This is a 14-day program in which you eliminate the food groups that most people are sensitive to, including gluten, dairy, alcohol, caffeine, nightshade vegetables, and eggs, among other things, replacing them with a plant-based diet that includes select organic lean meats and fish. You also drink three shakes a day incorporating Dr. Lipman's special blend of powders and take supplements. I learned a ton about myself, my habits, and my skin.
Though I have yet to return to the official cleanse, I do repeat some of the guidelines from it when I feel off-balance, seem bloated, or have less-than-desirable skin (blochy, broken out, puffy under-eyes). Typically, I try to eliminate gluten, dairy, and sugar for about a week or two until I feel and look better. Within three days of sticking to this diet plan, my skin brightens, I fall asleep easier and earlier, and my jeans fit better. It's not about dieting or losing weight; it's about creating harmony within my body. A healthy gut undeniably yields more gorgeous skin.
According to Dr. Lipman, "Your skin is your largest organ and a window into what's going on inside your body. Poor food choices that cause inflammation can lead to numerous skin issues."
If a cleanse is a bit dramatic for you, no worries. You can still reap some of the benefits by making these seven food swaps. Dr. Lipman outlined which foods to avoid, why they are toxic for your skin, and what to replace them with.
Adventurers Have to Climb Ladders and More to Reach This Beautiful Waterfall in Arizona
If the Grand Canyon's Havasupai Falls is on your list, you may want to add Beaver Falls to it while you're there. Though the internet freaked out over the secret magical waterfall, we argue that Beaver is an even cooler site than Havasupai with its natural cascading pools.
This one also requires an eight-mile trek, but getting there is an adventure in its own. Adventure-seekers will especially love this path, which requires descending almost-vertical walls via chains and ladders and walking across narrow bridges across the water. Your heart is guaranteed to race at each crossing, but the destination is totally worth the adrenaline rush.
See the amazing photos!
A Neuroscientist Says These 4 Things Will Make You Happier
There's a ton of "helpful" advice floating around the internet, but when the tips come from a neuroscientist, it might be time to actually listen up. Ladders, a job platform site, put together some insights from neuroscientist Alex Korb's book The Upward Spiral on how you can be happier - based on brain research.
1. Label your emotions.
If you're feeling a negative emotion like sadness or anger, label that emotion. It may seem simple, but your brain responds when you put your feelings into words. One fMRI study cited in the book noted that when a participant was shown images of people expressing emotions on their faces, their amygdala activated to the emotions they were seeing. When they were told to name the emotion, "the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex activated and reduced the emotional amygdala reactivity." This essentially means that when participants consciously recognized the emotions they were seeing, it reduced the impact of those emotions in their brains.
Reddit user letstablethisfornow noted the effect labeling their emotions has had on their own happiness, calling it a "a game changer" for them.
"It's so simple and yet has such a profound effect that I'm amazed this isn't taught in schools. The effect is subtle since you are not actually removing the emotion, you just take one step away from it intellectually. You find that from experiencing long drawn-out swings in emotion you tend to have short peaks and valleys with a nice equilibrium most of the time.
You also realize that for the most part our day-to-day emotions are not really connected to anything specific. It could be caused by anything. That outburst at your wife, coworker, or boss could be the end result of waking up with a headache, indigestion, or forgetting you keys on your way to work. We tend to construct stories in our minds as to what our emotions mean after the fact when in reality we have no clue. When you label, you become more aware of your emotions, don't get carried away with them, and will be less likely to fall into this trap."
2. Ask yourself what you're grateful for.
In The Upwared Spiral, Korb says that the benefits of gratitude "start with the dopamine system, because feeling grateful activates the brain stem region that produces dopamine. Additionally, gratitude toward others increases activity in social dopamine circuits, which makes social interactions more enjoyable." Gratitude can also boost the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is what many antidepressants do. And as The Ladder points out, even if you don't have an answer to the question "what am I grateful for?", that's OK. "It's not finding gratitude that matters most; it's remembering to look in the first place," the book says. "Remembering to be grateful is a form of emotional intelligence." The studies showed that as emotional intelligence increases, the neurons in these areas become more efficient. So even if you have trouble finding something to be grateful for, merely asking yourself the question means you're on the right path to happiness.
"Address the possibility of a blind spot in your mind where you aren't able to instantly know what you take for granted. Spend time simply observing the things you don't have to overcome, all the conveniences and luxuries," says Reddit user Privatdozent. "This 'positive feedback loop' has to loop around many times to have a solid effect. The common criticism of this idea is that 'No one else's struggles diminish your own.' Well, yeah, they don't. But what if you take seriously much more of the struggles than the things deserving of your gratitude? Basically, try to give equal weight to the good things that happen as to the bad."
3. Be decisive!
There's nothing more anxiety-inducing than feeling like you've got unfinished business. Simply making a decision about something can reduce anxiety rather than allowing yourself to spend more time hesitating over all of the scenarios and outcomes that the decision will result in. "Making decisions includes creating intentions and setting goals - all three are part of the same neural circuitry and engage the prefrontal cortex in a positive way, reducing worry and anxiety," says Korb. Making decisions also allows people to feel more in control - feeling "out of control" can also cause feelings of worry. And when you do make a decision and the outcome of that decision happens to be a positive one, then even better!
"There's a book that's really helped me, called Getting Things Done," says Reddit user Kabitu. "It explains how indecision is a major source of mental stress. When you don't want to make a decision now, and leave the decision to be made later, that builds up a big cloud of annoying mental work you don't want to do, and it can sustain a subconscious reluctance to work."
4. Hug and touch loved ones and friends.
Social interactions have been proven to increase a person's feelings of acceptance and therefore happiness, but The Upward Spiral takes it a bit further. "One of the primary ways to release oxytocin is through touching," the book says. Oxytocin is a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter to the brain. Psycholology Today says that it's known as the "love hormone" because it "regulates social interaction and sexual reproduction, playing a role in behaviors from maternal-infant bonding and milk release to empathy, generosity, and orgasm." So when people touch, hug, or kiss others, oxytocin levels actually increase. "Oxytocin is the hormone that underlies trust. It is also an antidote to depressive feelings," says the site. According to Korb, holding hands with someone during a painful experience can comfort you and your brain and help reduce the reaction to pain. So, more hugs!
The 1 Thing You Should Always Buy at The Home Depot
More than ever, greenery is becoming an essential design feature. Whether brightening up your living room with a trendy split leaf philodendron, experimenting with Joanna Gaines's beloved potted olive trees, or endowing your yard with curb appeal in the form of a rose bush, a plant can be that final piece that turns a house into a home. But unless you're an experienced gardener or green thumb, you probably find greenery a tad intimidating. After all, it is a living organism that requires maintenance to stay alive and can be temperamental about its environment.
The fear of a plant, tree, or shrub dying can give many homeowners pause when they're about to sink a chunk of change into purchasing it. Well, you needn't worry anymore. The Home Depot offers a one-year guarantee on all tropical, house, and perennial landscape plants and trees. With its no-questions-asked return policy, it doesn't matter how or why the greenery died. All you need is your receipt, and you'll be refunded for your purchase. Makes investing in plants and trees a lot less risky, doesn't it?
Hailey Baldwin Looks Like She's Wearing a Simple Swimsuit - Until You Spot This Little Detail
When Hailey Baldwin 'grammed a pic of a green one-piece while celebrating her pal Kylie Jenner's birthday, we took notice. At first glance, the sleek, high-cut Zigilane design looks pretty sexy in a simple way. But a quick look at the side and you'll spot a few statement-making cutouts, taking Hailey's beachside look to the next level. Take another look at the It model's suit ahead, and then shop some similar options, now that Spring is finally on its way.
Before and After Photos of California's Drought Are Staggering to See
California looks a bit unfamiliar to residents these days: following historic rainfall, the state's landscape has bloomed, bringing life to its formerly brown hills dogged by drought. On April 7, California Governor Jerry Brown officially lifted the state's emergency water provisions, thus declaring an end to a record-breaking drought.
Brown, who's been particularly critical of President Donald Trump's climate policies, declared an end to the water restrictions he imposed in January of 2014. "This drought emergency is over, but the next drought could be around the corner," Governor Brown's statement read. "Conservation must remain a way of life."
California's six-year drought had reached unprecedented levels by the Spring of 2015. According to the United States' drought monitor, more than 30 percent of California was experiencing exceptional drought; at its peak, between 2012 and 2015, the drought emptied groundwater reservoirs, which ultimately forced Brown to implement restrictions for farmers and citizens.
Now recovering, the Sierra Nevada mountain range has also witnessed a massive revival: its snowpack levels are currently 160 percent above average for this time of the year.
California's rainfall is certainly a reason to celebrate, but as Brown warned, it isn't evidence disproving the existence of climate change (as the new EPA director believes).
Ahead, see a series of images comparing the drought from 2014 and 2017; the photos on top are from the height of the drought and the ones right below are from present-day California.
You May Be Buying “Fake” Extra-Virgin Olive Oil - Here’s How to Stop
Image source: POPSUGAR Photography / Annie Gabillet
As consumers, we have to stay vigilant about the food products we buy. Take honey: did you know that most bottles, including those labeled as pure honey, are diluted with high-fructose corn syrup? Unfortunately, extra-virgin olive oil is another common grocery item at risk of deceptive labeling.
The Problem
Sixty-nine percent of imported extra-virgin olive oil sold in California was falsely labeled.
The news has been filled with reports suggesting we can't blindly trust the extra-virgin olive oil on our store shelves. Recently, Italy increased its penalties for olive oil counterfeiting after investigators leaked details of a massive olive oil fraud. Around 7,000 tons of extra-virgin olive oil were labeled 100-percent Italian, though they included oil from other countries like Syria, Turkey, Morocco, and Tunisia. And you might have caught the 60 Minutes investigation of olive oil fraud in Italy, which looked into how the mafia helps perpetuate the food crime.
Extra-virgin olive oil is made by simply crushing olives and retaining juice. In order to get that designation, the olive oil must be manually pressed and no chemicals can be used. The oil must also maintain its complex flavor profile. The unprocessed and unrefined olive oil is called "virgin" because it is the most pure form.
In 2010, Researchers at the University of California, Davis, published a devastating study that found that 69 percent of imported extra-virgin olive oil sold in California was falsely labeled. Dan Flynn, the executive director of the UC Davis Olive Center, explains: "we found that often the quality of the olive oil did not meet extra-virgin standards."
You may have heard of this study when it was featured in a widely-shared New York Times infographic about olive oil fraud in 2014. It's important to note that the New York Times piece inaccurately sensationalized the study's findings by suggesting that 69 percent of olive oil sold in the US was cut with cheaper oil or doctored with chemicals. The paper released an extensive correction. Imported olive oil brands also took issue with the fact that the study was funded in part by the California olive oil industry.
What the UC Davis researchers did find was that 69 percent of imported olive oil labeled "extra virgin" had been compromised. Issues included samples that were oxidized, adulterated with cheaper refined olive oil, or made from olives that were damaged, overripe, or improperly processed. Some samples had a combination of these problems. The Times piece originally implied that all 69 percent has been adulterated with cheaper oil, which was not the case, but the actual results should cause you concern. In their summary, the study's authors state that "sensory tests showed that these failed samples had defective flavors such as rancid, fusty, and musty."
While there are instances of outright and sophisticated olive oil fraud, a consumer is more likely to find a bottle with such poor quality that the oil inside does not live up to the extra virgin label. Maia Hirschbein, oleologist at California Olive Ranch, who points to the UC Davis study, as well as investigations from Consumer Reports and the National Consumers League. "If the oil is old, was made from bad olives, or was bottled in clear glass that exposed the oil to light, it can be of poor quality."
California Olive Ranch meets high standards and is growing rapidly in popularity.
Image source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
Why It Matters
Getting ripped off isn't the only thing at risk when you buy substandard olive oil - it could also have health effects. Many of us know that extra-virgin olive oil is better (or at least more expensive), but not why. Because it is less processed than other olive oil, extra virgin olive oil retains more of the original flavor and healthy properties of olives. You'll recognize it by its fruity, bitter, or pungent flavors.
"The primary health benefit of extra virgin olive oil is the antioxidant property which we call polyphenol," explains Hirschbein. "Those reduce oxidation in your body and will help prevent things like cancers and heart disease."
If you're not buying the real thing, you're not getting these real health benefits.
Flynn agrees with that assessment: "The health benefits from quality extra-virgin olive oil come from two things: antioxidants and high monounsaturated fat. Studies indicate that these elements are associated with benefits for reducing blood pressure, inflammation, diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease, some cancers, and obesity." If you're not buying the real thing, you're not getting these real health benefits.
Quality olive oil has so many health benefits that the FDA actually recommends eating two tablespoons to reduce the risk of heart disease. Looking at past research, it almost seems like a wonder drug. Olive oil can reduce the need for blood pressure medication. It can help lower your cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of Type II Diabetes. It can prevent osteoporosis by helping the body absorb calcium. It can ward off obesity thanks to its nutrient-dense, satiating nature. The antioxidants help counter oxidation from the sun and thus prevent the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It can counter free radicals in your body that eventually cause other types of cancer. According to one Spanish study it can also help reduce the risk of mental illnesses, like depression. And another in France found that it reduced the risk of strokes.
When you're eating an oil that is older or isn't actually extra virgin, Hirschbein says, you'll be using an oil that "doesn't have those extra benefits that extra virgin does." You wouldn't want to take expired or damaged medicine, so you shouldn't settle for substandard olive oil.
Who Can You Trust?
Since the UC Davis findings came out, Flynn says "there has been increased awareness among professional buyers." The people stocking our grocery shelves now pay more attention to quality problems and their ability to acquire legitimate product. One such vigilant professional is Lauren Winstead, global Buyer for Whole Foods Market's private label brands. "We test 365 Everyday Value oils for their pH levels, peroxide value, UV extinction, fatty acid composition, sterol composition, wax content, steroidal hydrocarbons, and pesticides to ensure it meets our requirements," she says. And the brand also packages oils in dark glass or tins to protect the oil from light, which can negatively affect the quality of oil.
California Olive Ranch is also committed to authentic extra-virgin olive oil, and has seen a rise in demand as consumers become educated. "Half of the retailers in the US have transitioned to stocking California olive oil. That wasn't the case when we first started in 1998," Hirschbein tells us. Today, she says, California Olive Ranch is the number-four brand in the US and the fastest growing olive oil brand in America. Brands like California Olive Ranch are certified by the California Olive Oil Council (COOC), which uses stricter standards than international requirements. If you see the COOC seal, it means the oil has been submitted for a blind tasting by the board and meets high chemical and sensory standards to qualify as authentic extra-virgin olive oil.
What You Can Do
"Olive oil is simply a fruit juice and it's perishable."
In addition to choosing certified brands with a proven track record, there are other tell-tale signs that an extra-virgin olive oil is legit and things you can do to keep it that way. "Olive oil is simply a fruit juice and it's perishable," explains Hirschbein. If too much time passes from harvest to consumption, it will lose its extra-virgin luster, she says. To makes sure you don't let that happen, here's what Hirschbein suggests:
- Look for a fresh fruit smell: Give your oil a smell and if it reminds you of fruit and herbs that's good. If it smells like band aids or crayons it is of poor quality.
- Never buy oil in a clear bottle: Instead, go for oils that come in dark or opaque bottles so the light can't damage it.
- Try to find a harvest date: Oils in the northern hemisphere are produced at the end of each calendar year. Oils from the southern hemisphere are made around May and June. Olive oil is good one-and-a-half to two years past the bottling date.
- Look for seals of certification: Third-party certifying agencies should give your bottle the stamp of approval. You can find a list of producers who certify their oil with the California Olive Oil Council here.
- Opt for single country of origin: You want oil that comes from one place, not oil that is blended across multiple countries. Often, labels have confusing two letter codes on the back that stand for the four or more countries that the oil came from.
- Don't go for the cheapest: Often, a low price is a sign that the oil may be old or of poor quality. The average price of olive oil is $4 to $5 per half liter. To get quality, you should double that. Expect to pay $8-$10 for a half liter for a good, everyday olive oil, and up to $25 for nice finishing oil.
- Keep it stored in a dark cool place: Try keeping it with your flour and other dry baking goods.
- Resist the urge to savor your favorite olive oil: When you splurge a fancy oil it's tempting to save it for special occasions. Once opened, aim to finish your bottle of olive oil within 30 to 60 days, as it begins to oxidize like wine once exposed to air. If stored correctly and unopened, you can keep for up to two years.
- Buy smaller bottles: If you know you go through olive oil slowly, purchases smaller bottles that you can store unopened.
The Beauty of Buying Local
The easiest solution for avoiding doctored olive oil may be right here at home in the USA. You can be more certain about the quality if you ditch imports for California-grown extra-virgin olive oil. In the UC Davis study, nine out of 10 California samples were confirmed authentic, a much better rate than the imported oils. You had a one in 10 chance of getting a bad oil when you bought California-grown, versus an almost seven in 10 chance for the international oils. Since the study, a proactive American olive oil industry has stepped up pressure to make sure domestic oil is held to appropriate standards. As a result, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) adopted chemical and sensory standards for olive oil.
You don't have to sacrifice taste either. "California supplies only about 5 percent of domestic consumption," Flynn notes, "but California has been recognized in international competitions as being capable of producing very high quality." A recent blind tasting of supermarket olive oil by Cooks Illustrated magazine, gave their top prize to California Olive Ranch's Everyday Extra Virgin. Some popular import brands were described as "nothing special" or similar to vegetable oil.
Just like the California wine industry in the 1970s, the California olive oil industry could be poised to take on the European establishment. Grapes and olives grow in similar climates, so if California has been conducive to producing fine wine, it should have no problem with olive oil. There are already signs of a boom: there were four million gallons of California extra-virgin olive oil produced during the 2015–16 harvest, compared to just 2.4 million gallons during the 2014–2015 harvest.
Brands like California Olive Ranch want to make sure that their products remain affordable, too. A half-liter bottle of basic extra-virgin olive oil is stocked at Walmart for less than $8 and can also be found at Costco. Hirschbein explains: "One of our priorities at California Olive Ranch is to offer good extra virgin at an affordable price, so you can use it every day." When you realize how good the real thing is, you'll want to do just that.
8 Things You Never Knew About Trader Joe's, Straight From a Former Employee
I spoke to a former employee who worked at Trader Joe's for a year, and he gave me the inside scoop on how the company is run, the little-known details of the return policy, and what the point of those somewhat-annoying bells is. Spoiler alert: there's no real dirt (I tried!), but what I got was interesting, behind-the-scenes intel that made me an even bigger fan of the store.
There's a reason the customer service is so good.
Trader Joe's strategy in providing a quality customer-service experience is simple: overstaff. "They totally overstaff so that you don't feel like your stocking duties or your register duties trump interacting with customers - they encourage you to be nice to customers." That's why you can almost always find someone in a Hawaiian t-shirt or crew-member uniform walking around and waiting to help you find anything.
The employees try all the new products so they know what to tell customers.
"Each Trader Joe's has a break room, and they have one person who's in charge of cooking new stuff that the store gets and making it available for the entire staff who comes through the store that day to try it. They want you to try all the products so you can have an opinion so that when you recommend stuff to people, it's not baseless."
The pay is REALLY good.
This guy started out at Trader Joe's making $12/hour, which was above the state's minimum wage. You not only start out making a good amount, but it gets even better quickly. After three months of working more than 30 hours a week, you get health insurance and a 401K. You'll also likely get a raise once or twice a year. A friend of this employee worked at Trader Joe's for over five years and made $21/hour - that's an annual salary of $42K.
They donate all unsold food.
"Trader Joe's donates a ton of food. It's called 'spoils,' which just means it's not in perfect shape. There's nothing wrong with eating a lime with a couple brown spots, but if you wouldn't buy it and be excited about buying it, then it gets put with spoils and typically gets donated. They donate flowers, produce - everything - to local organizations."
There's a method behind the bell ringing.
You've sometimes noticed employees ringing bells while you're checking out, right? There's a method to the madness, and it's sort of like the store's secret language for various customer-service needs. "One bell means everyone to your register, which means the lines are getting too long and they need everyone at a register. Two bells means you need an employee to come over and help with something. For example, let's say the bag of spinach you bought is partially opened or looks bad; you ring two bells and an employee will come over and grab a new one for you. Three bells means a manager needs to come over."
Every store has an in-house artist.
"Literally all of the signage around the store is custom-made by two or three artists who hang out in the back and almost exclusively do that, and register work every once in a while." That's why every store has location-based art throughout the store - pretty cool, right?
You can return ANYTHING.
Seriously, you could open a bag of popcorn, try it, and bring it back if you didn't like it - for a full refund. "You see that a lot. You get people who come back and say, 'Hey, I tried it, but I didn't really like it.'" Excuse me while I go try every single thing in the snack aisle.
They strive to create an experience that's beyond grocery shopping.
"They really push this whole, 'we don't want you to feel like you're just grocery shopping' thing. They want it to be an experience - something that pulls you out of the monotony of your everyday life."
Master These 15 Interview Questions
First impressions are everything, and making a good one during a job interview can very well snag you the job of your dreams. Interviews can be nerve-racking, especially if it's for a job you really want. The only way to calm your nerves is to do a lot of prep beforehand so you'll be ready for your interview. Read on for 15 common interview questions.
- Additional reporting by Macy Williams
8 Jaw-Dropping HGTV Scandals You Didn't See on Camera
It's all shiny new homes and dazzling makeovers on screen, but off camera, HGTV shows and their stars experience drama like everyone else. We've rounded up the most jaw-dropping network scandals ahead. Brace yourself, and then read on.
This European Cruise Experience Is Unlike Anything Else Before It
Image Source: StockSnap / John Towner
You can travel through Europe without ever booking a hotel. OK, technically, you'll be floating through Europe on a river cruise, but it looks like a pretty cool experience.
"Part boutique hotel, part yacht, part resort," U by Uniworld is launching brand-new cruise options for those who enjoy "experiential travel" and who are up for sailing from city to city throughout Europe instead of opting for the more conventional methods of planes, trains, and automobiles. The cruises are essentially boutique hotels that also include your transportation between your destinations and aim to offer an "effortless way to travel from city to city across Europe, completely tailored to your personal tastes."
Meals, excursions, and of course lodging and transportation are all included in the package, with options to travel throughout the Netherlands, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, France, and Austria. There are currently 27 ports of call throughout the six countries. The cruises, which are geared toward the millennial crowd, allow travelers to plan their own experience; you can relax on board, spend time in the towns you're passing through, or take part in excursions that the company curates for its guests.
U itineraries are planned around your schedule, and according to the site, late-night and overnight stays in port and later excursion start times are just some of the ways the experience is geared toward the adventurous traveler. Food on board is made from locally sourced ingredients, but guests can also always jump off the ship and experience the cuisine of the area they're visiting.
Cruise Critic calls U by Uniworld the "first line geared toward millennial cruisers" with its age restriction at 21 to 45 and with offerings like ships with nightclubs, rooftop lounges with local DJs, mixology classes, yoga studios, and coffee bars. The trips launch in April 2018, but you can check out the destinations on the site and start booking your travels now.
Disney Just Released Official Rose Gold Minnie Ears, and We're Obsessed
If you're a true Disney parks fan, you live by the motto that there can never be "too many" pairs of Mickey and Minnie ears. Well, it's time to add to your collection, because Disney parks are now selling rose gold Minnie ears that park-goers are flipping out over.
The ears are shiny, sequined, and embody the millennial pink color we all know so well. A sparkly bow sits front and center. Check out the photos ahead, and make sure to seek out the rose gold accessory the next time you're at the parks!
It’s Never Too Early to Prepare Your Child For School - Their Future Depends on It
As a mother of a son who "was born with an above-average disregard for authority," Christine Bronstein had a lot on her hands when it was time for her son to start kindergarten. "Needless to say, he had more than a little trouble adjusting to school. He actually walked right out of his preschool during nap time, after he asked the teacher to 'get me outta here.'" The founder of A Band of Women, a social network and information website for women, Christine took the experience and turned it into a children's book, Stewie Boomstein Starts School, the first in a series of books for kids and parents that deals with the transition to kindergarten, a critical moment in a child's life where parents are often in the dark about how best to manage it. Here, she shares her tips for preparing your child for school.
Did you know that your child's transition into school is not only an exciting step in growing up, but is also a determinant in your child's future academic performance? A National Institute of Health study showed transition practices a school has in place to smooth a child's initial path into kindergarten were directly correlated to academic achievement by the end of kindergarten. These same transition practices were proven to increase parent involvement and, according to another study, "research has suggested that parent involvement in school activities starting at kindergarten strongly impacts a child's adjustment to school, which can maintain through at least sixth grade."
Not to add to any growing anxiety you may have in reading these statistics, but still another study sponsored by the National Center for Educational Statistics suggests that kids who have unsuccessful transitions into kindergarten are "less likely to catch up . . . and more likely to drop out of school."
But this crucial step doesn't have to be overwhelming. In 1998, the National Education Goals Panel made a national push for kindergarten school readiness, and most schools have initiated school readiness practices since then.
But these practices require a combined effort, and parents must understand the importance of these events, get informed, and take advantage of transition practices a school has to offer.
For example, many transition events such as kindergarten sneak peeks, open houses, and kinder camps happen in the Spring and Summer before kindergarten, well before parents (at least this parent) think they need to start transitioning their child.
When my son was starting school, I had no idea that a visit to school the Spring before he started would make such a big difference in his overall academic achievement. Since he seemed to be having such an easy time with learning, I failed to see the importance of the other parts of starting school. But my little guy needed to know more than just his alphabet. He needed to know what his classroom looked like, what his schedule would be, and what the rules were. He needed to know who his teacher would be and what she expected of him.
Because I failed to see these things, he entered a new universe where he had no idea what was going to happen next, and he grew really frustrated. Needless to say, he did not have the smoothest transition.
I impart these tips to all the overwhelmed parents out there. They are simple, concrete tips you can do without breaking a sweat, I promise. And, luckily for busy parents, it turns out some of the most successful transition practices in determining a child's outcome are not very time-consuming.
Source: Flickr user lorenkerns
A Thank You Letter to Betsy DeVos From a Public School Teacher
Thank you, Betsy.
That sounds strange coming from a public school teacher of 15 years. Indeed, after a day of teaching fourth graders, who are diverse in every way and whose future is now in your control, saying thank you is the last thing I thought I'd say today. But thanks. On Feb. 7, 50 Republican senators voted for you, you who would not have made the cut to be hired as a tutor for their own children. Thank you, Betsy, for showing me money has power, but not over all.
I don't know if I feel worse for the senators who sold out because of the money you gave them or for the ones who sold out for free. But not everybody let their vote be bought, and that gives me hope.
Thanks, Betsy, for by showing me my fears, you clarified my beliefs. Yes, you inspire a lot of fears in me . . . will class size grow? Will Title I be cut? Will English For Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services disappear? Will special education be decimated? How will my job change? Will my students have the same opportunities for college as my generation?
Through clarifying my beliefs, you triggered my actions. Thank you for giving me more solidarity with my co-workers, friends, family, and world. In our mutual sorrow at your lack of credentials, we came together. On Tuesday, I did not eat while grading papers or planning lessons. I sat with my co-workers as we mourned the loss of our voice. During the fight to block your confirmation, so many teachers, students, and parents spoke up while calls and letters to senators were ignored and protests delegitimized.
My union never lit a fire beneath me - but you did. Thank you.
Thank you, Betsy, for inflaming my disappointment in our government. Mr. Rogers taught us to look for the helpers in any time of darkness. But it was you who made it dark enough for me to look.
I watched hours of CSPAN listening to thoughtful testimony of so many education advocates and became obsessed with ordering a bound copy of Monday night's incredible congressional record. I have never before felt so political or so united behind my party. Now I want to donate money, support the candidates I believe in, organize . . . the sky is the limit. My union never taught me this, never lit a fire beneath me - but you did. Thank you.
More than anything, I want to teach. I want to continue to teach my fourth graders that citizenship means respect for all and a responsibility for each other, to read critically, to value being informed. I want to teach them that a million small efforts will eventually be more powerful than one large campaign check. And I want to teach them that America will always return to freedom, no matter how much corruption tries to reign.
So, thank you, and good luck to you. You have no clue what you just signed up for.
This post was originally published on February 20, 2017.
My Husband Dressed Me For a Week, and It Changed the Way I Dress Myself
As a woman admittedly preoccupied with fashion for as long as I can remember, surrendering a week of outfits to my husband's whims for a styling experiment sounded like torture. Let me preface this by saying that my husband, Thomas, is pretty stylish. He grew up with a fashion-savvy mother and two sisters, so he really does get fashion, or at the very least, has been exposed to great style for much of his life. Add to that that we've been together for 11 years, so he knows me and my taste.
Still, like most men he has some strong feelings about what he thinks I should be wearing and most of the time it skews a whole lot sexier than I'm comfortable with. I assumed inappropriately tight silhouettes and revealing necklines would feature prominently in the week to come, and I immediately resolved to wear a sign at the office with the disclaimer: "My husband dressed me today." Read on to see how the week evolved with my husband playing stylist.
Sofia Vergara Is as Sexy Now as She Was in Her First TV Commercial at 17
Sofia Vergara has been a spokesperson for Diet Pepsi since she made it big with Modern Family, but this isn't the first run-in the star has had with the soda brand. Back in Colombia, where Sofia grew up and started her career as an actress and model, her first job ever was as the star of a sexy Pepsi commercial.
In the ad, a blond Sofia (fun fact: that is her natural hair color) is trying to get to the soda stand, but the hot sand proves too much to handle. She has to improvise a path by stripping down to her bikini and laying down her clothes, stepping on them to get a refreshing soda. The commercial was widely played in Latin America, making Sofia a household name and marking her first acting role as an iconic '90s moment. Watch the hot video above, then check out Sofia's sexiest Instagram snaps.
Related:
- 11 Times Sofia Vergara Showed Us She Lives by the Hashtag #NoPainNoCake
- Every Single Hilariously Silly Sofia Vergara and Ellen DeGeneres Moment
- Sofia Vergara's Hottest Looks Through the Years
- All the Times Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello Looked Adorable Together
- Let's Take a Moment to Relive Sofia Vergara's Big Wedding Day
How I Got Rid of a Massive, Painful Pimple 2 Days Before My Wedding
The Thursday before my wedding, I woke up at 6 a.m. panicked. The right side of my face was throbbing thanks to a "lurker." We refer to "lurkers" as those painful, cystic acne pimples that live under the skin. I had cut alcohol, gluten, dairy, and sugar from my diet for two weeks and was drinking one dark green juice every day. My skincare game was on point (I only used oil-free products for the last few weeks to avoid breakouts), and I received plenty of facials. My period even ended the day earlier, which is the usual suspect for these hormonal pimples. So why the F was there a massive - and painful! - critter eating away at my skin?
That I can't answer, but likely it was from nerves and stress. What I can tell you is how I successfully got rid of it. After researching the case, I decided to try an at-home product containing sulfer (the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Clarifying Colloidal Sulfur Mask) and had a Joanna Vargas esthetician zap the area with an antibacterial wand. Yet the pimple did not budge. I had two days until I needed to walk down the aisle, and I needed it gone.
All of the advice I kept receiving from pros was that I needed to get the pimple injected with cortisone. So I called in a favor and made an early-morning dermatologist appointment with Dr. Neal Schultz.
Dr. Schultz is a trusted NYC doctor (another beauty editor recommended him) with an impressive background, being the host of DermTV.com and creator of BeautyRx. Even though he is experienced, I was nervous! I had never done this procedure before. His calm demeanor was soothing as he popped the zit, sucked out the pus (he said there was enough to feed a family!), and then gave me a light cortisone injection (half the amount he normally would as per my request).
He was also honest with me. I had heard that this treatment can leave an indent in your face, and he told me earnestly that it does sometimes happen and there's no clear answer why, but he had not seen it happen in his practice in a few years. The procedure completely worked for me, and in two days - as promised - the skin was completely flattened. The area where the pimple had been was darkened, but makeup easily covered it. You can see in the photo up top of my makeup-free skin that the right side of my face looks clear! About a month later, there was no trace of it (and thankfully, no indent).
When I returned from my honeymoon - acne-free! - I emailed him to find out the science behind why this works.
"If you find yourself with a monster zit on the days leading up to your wedding, go directly to your dermatologist to get it opened, have the pus drained (so it doesn't dilute and thereby reduce the efficacy of the cortisone shot), and have the cyst injected with cortisone (which will shrink the swollen wall of the cyst)," he explained. "That will do the most to improve it in the next 12-24 hours."
Dr. Schultz emphasized that for results this quick, a derm needs to physically extract the pus. Normally the gunk would take about a week or longer to be absorbed by the body on its own. Under your skin there is a hard swollen wall of cyst, and it can clear up naturally, but it takes time. "No oral or topical medicines can work this quickly," he added.
He described the process from beginning to end for me:
"We start by taking an alcohol-soaked pad and wipe the skin to make sure that everything is as sterile as it can be. With a sterile needle, I make a hole in the middle of the cyst. With an instrument called a comedone extractor, I push the pus out of the cyst. To shrink the cyst so it goes away much faster, I inject a tiny amount of cortisone into the wall and cavity of the emptied cyst. A bandaid is then applied (it stays on for an hour)."
After receiving the morning treatment, I was able to get an hour-long facial with Joanna Vargas that afternoon. I felt no pain or inflammation, and she simply avoided the area.
According to Dr. Schultz, you see results from the procedure within 12-24 hours.
"If you squeeze it yourself, you may as well cancel the photographer," he advised. I'm a classic face picker, and I pay the price with acne scars. "Don't take matters into your own hands. Seek out your derm."
I felt relief the morning of my wedding, which you can see below, getting my makeup done knowing my Big Fat Pimple was demolished!
This Bride's Gorgeous, Sheer Wedding Gown Will Give You Major Heart Eyes
We were casually scrolling through Instagram when we spotted Isabel Roth's gorgeous wedding in Puglia, Italy. While the bride's picturesque wedding to Jake Stein was the stuff of dreams, it was her stunning wedding dress that really stole the show.
The gorgeous bride wore a sheer wedding dress by Lebanese designer Reem Acra that featured a high neckline and long, lace sleeves. The bottom of the dress was completely sheer, revealing a figure-hugging nude slip.
If you look closely, you'll notice that there's intricate beading within the floral lace designs. As for the finishing touches, the bride wore a delicate floral crown and matching sheer veil, making her the most luxurious kind of bohemian bride. Have a look at her incredible wedding dress ahead.
WTF: A Woman Was Denied a Second Job Interview For Asking This Question
On Monday, March 13, Taylor Byrnes tweeted screenshots of the response she received from SkiptheDishes after asking about pay and benefits following her first interview at the food delivery service in Winnipeg, Canada. "Applied for a job at @SkipTheDishes. They cancelled my interview b/c I asked about wages/benefits," she wrote in a now-viral tweet.
Applied for a job at @SkipTheDishes. They cancelled my interview b/c I asked about wages/benefits @CBC @CBCNews @ctvwinnipeg #boycottSkip http://pic.twitter.com/CjBdnFvY1P
- . (@feministjourney) March 13, 2017
"Hi Victoria, I had another question that I wanted to ask you," Byrnes's initial email reads. "If I do end up filling this position, how much do you think I'll be getting paid an hour? Benefits will also be included, right? Sorry, I just thought I should ask now. Thanks for your time and have a lovely day," she concluded.
Screenshots show that Victoria responded, "Hello Taylor, your questions reveal that your priorities are not in sync with those of SkipTheDishes. At this time we will not be following through with our meeting this Thursday." In a follow-up email, Victoria called out qualities the company looks for in employees, including "hard work and perseverance in pursuit of company goals as opposed to focusing on compensation."
"For these reasons, questions about compensation and benefits at such an early stage is a concern related to organizational fit."
After the screenshots were posted and shared across social media, Byrnes received yet another response from the company, this time from its cofounder, who expressed disappointment with the way the situation was handled. The company also shared its screenshots on its Twitter page to rectify the backlash from people who were calling for a boycott of SkipTheDishes.
(1/2) The email to Taylor does not represent #SkipTheDishes team values. We have followed up to offer heartfelt apologies & a 2nd interview. http://pic.twitter.com/XKYWsHXj7P
- SkipTheDishes (@SkipTheDishes) March 14, 2017
(2/2) We do share compensation & it's OK to ask. We are coaching internally to ensure this doesn't happen again. @CBC @CBCNews @CTVWinnipeg
- SkipTheDishes (@SkipTheDishes) March 14, 2017
SkipTheDishes cofounder Joshua Simair addressed the controversy in an emailed statement to POPSUGAR, writing, "We are very disappointed in how it was handled. We do share a compensation package prior to hiring. As soon as we became aware of it on Monday, we reached out to Taylor to apologize for the email and reschedule her interview."
Simair also revealed that the company would be changing internal policies to make sure it doesn't happen again. "We've also addressed the email internally and will be providing additional training. We are very committed to our community, employees and continuing to grow and create employment opportunities in the Prairies."
Although Byrnes has received an outpouring of support for standing up for herself, there is still a dispute over whether or not her questions were appropriate to ask. Seeing as it's important for women to ask about pay upfront so that they get what they deserve, we'd say the answer is yes.
We've reached out to Byrnes for comment and will update this story if we hear back.
1 Look at Queen Letizia's Gorgeous Collection of Ball Gowns, and You'll Be in Love
Even though modern royals prefer affordable dresses from brands like Zara and trendy pieces like comfy track pants, a queen isn't a queen without a serious collection of ball gowns.
In true frugal form, Queen Letizia, who often repeats outfits from head to toe without a care in the world, has worn the same party dresses to royal weddings, galas, dinners, and award ceremonies for the past 10+ years. In fact, since 2004, we've spotted Letizia in only 26 different gowns - hey, for the Queen of Spain, that's not that much! Scroll ahead to ooh and aah over all of them.
Fifth Grader Shuts Down a Boy Who Won't Leave Her Alone With a Brilliant List of Rules
My friend who's a 5th grade teacher just sent this to me! I'm dead!!! http://pic.twitter.com/FSDBxs9Vtq
- Denny Dimples (@WhosDenverJones) September 15, 2016
Meet Zoë, a fifth-grade girl who had no problem shutting down a classmate who so clearly couldn't keep his hands to himself with an epic list of rules and regulations. The note was shared on Twitter by user Denny Dimples after she received the photo from her friend, a fifth-grade teacher. We can't help but praise Zoë for her ability to stick up for herself and lay down the law at such a young age.
We're not sure what set Zoë off in the first place, but by the looks of Noah's gloves in her stick figure drawing, this kid needs to keep his hands to himself! Her confidence and self-respect deserve a round of applause.
Read the full list of "Rules & Regulations" below, and remember this whenever you're feeling like Zoë!
- Do not touch my shoulder.
- Do not get behind me with all that playing & foolishness. (Don't get behind me at all.)
- Do not speak to me unless it's a greeting, which will be never.
- Stop playing with me on the bus.
- I have a short temper with people and you ruin my day because you play 2 much.
- Reread 500 times.
- You like me (as a gf) but I don't like you (as a bf) I'm 2 young!
If you break any of these rules I'm calling my dad, my mom's friend, my fake mom, and a janator (don't mind spelling) I know!!!!!!
If you ruin my day I'm going to have to go to counseling!!!!
Stop playing with me!!!!!!
68 Fun Ways to Fete Your Terrific Toddler
The toddler years are the golden phase of a mom's party-planning career. The little guest of honor is developing a real personality and interests of his or her own, but classroom guest-list politics aren't yet in play. Make your 2-to-4-year-old's big day one to remember by drawing inspiration from one of these varied and clever themes for boys and girls alike. Happy birthday, kiddo!
6 Ways to Fight the Summer Slump at Work
Let's face it, the summertime means vacation vibes, hanging with friends, and chilling on the beach. But here's another truth: our bills don't stop during the Summer, and unless you are a trust-fund baby, you need to continue to get paid. So how do you stay focused and avoid the Summer slump at work? Here are six tips for doing just that:
1. Find Your Balance
All work and no play will leave you feeling summertime-fun-deprived, so it is important to find your balance. Make sure your week is filled with not only work duties but also many fun things to do so you don't feel bummed out that you have to work. Also, the fact that the sun is up longer during the Summer allows you to have many after-work functions without having to play hooky.
2. Plan Your Day
It is easy to fall into a slump if you allow the day to control you instead of you controlling it. Make sure you plan your day early so that you can schedule in some time for fun. When you have the day planned out, it allows you to dictate what parts of your day will be focused on work and when you can take a break. Schedule lunch breaks and enjoy the sun throughout the day. Also, try to arrive at work earlier so you can leave earlier, if permitted.
3. Do More Work
This may sound counterintuitive, but doing more work is important in order to not fall into a slump. The more idle time you have, the more opportunity your brain gets to wander and wish it was somewhere else. Do your best to stay busy. It's still important to take breaks in between, but in a structured way.
4. Dress Appropriately
Summertime work slump also occurs when you are uncomfortable. Your workplace may be a bit cold from the AC, but the heat outside may be too intense to allow going to work in a full suit (talk about a conundrum), and taking the extra step to assure your comfortability is important for your productivity. If you get to work drenched in sweat or freezing from the AC, your mind will not be too happy and you will probably get very little done. Instead, make sure that you leave appropriate clothes at your job in order to accommodate for both extremes.
5. Stay Organized
Desk clutter can cause serious anxiety and overwhelm you, and this added stress at the workplace can be demotivating (especially when it's hot). Taking the time to get organized and focused is totally worth it.
6. Exercise in the Morning
Morning exercise is said to give you more energy during the day. Instead of relying on your daily cup of joe to provide the boost you need to get through, you can go for a light jog or do some strength training to keep you more alert and productive at work. While your coffee may provide some temporary relief, the crash that comes with it may not add to your cause. Exercise will give you the natural and good energy you need. And if you don't have a gym membership, don't worry - there are plenty of ways to work out without paying for one.
12 Good Travel Habits You Should Develop ASAP
You live and you learn - and same goes for travel. The more you do it, the more you realize mistakes you've been making and ways to make travel much easier the next time you do it. In order to save yourself money, stress, and more, develop these 12 travel habits to use for your future trips. You'll wonder how you ever traveled without practicing these routines before and during your adventures.
To Speed Up Your Runs, Should You Walk?
It sounds counterintuitive that adding walking breaks to your runs will result in faster times, but the run-walk theory may be exactly what you need to add miles and drop time.
Why it's hard for runners to incorporate.
Whether you've been running for years or are training for your first 5K, you probably have already learned the hard way that it's a runner's ego that keeps runners believing that true success is covering the entire distance without walking. But at what cost? If adding walking intervals to your run helps you feel better, recover faster, and even hit a personal record, why is it viewed so negatively to do a run-walk program?
Not convinced? Science and experience both indicate that adding consistent, disciplined walk breaks from the beginning of your run will lead to more success in your training and racing.
Why it works.
- Your body fatigues less when you add walking breaks. If you wait until your body is already tired to take a walk break, you're already behind. Adding walk breaks from the beginning of your run when you're still feeling energized ensures that you'll conserve more energy for longer. Running requires more effort and energy from the body than walking, so rewarding your muscles with a short walk break while they are still fresh keeps the body feeling fresher longer.
- Your mind fatigues less. If you're starting a long run, you're probably already focused on how you'll manage to run for six or more continuous miles on a Saturday morning. Instead of focusing on the seemingly insurmountable distance from the start, planning to do a run-walk allows your mind to focus only on the interval you're in. So instead of hours, your mind can focus on covering only two to three minutes at a time. Easy, right? You can run for two or three minutes over and over again, even on the days you don't think you can run six miles.
- Shorter recovery. Taking walk breaks allows your joints a break from the constant jarring of running. Less strain on your legs throughout your run allows for quicker recovery, letting you get back to running more quickly without feeling sore for the entire day. The dip in your heart rate during a walk interval also allows the endorphins produced naturally during a run to better collect, leaving your mind and body with a longer-lasting runner's high.
- Take in food and water without spilling. If you're trying to cover your entire run without a walk break, you've likely spilled more water or gel than you've consumed. Consuming carbohydrates on runs lasting more than one hour is essential for your body to be able to cover the distance. Plan to grab a quick sip or bite during your walk break to make the most of your time and fuel.
Do it right.
If you're ready to experiment with your own run-walk formula, take the time to make a plan that works for you.
- Experiment with the duration of both the run and walk break. Individualizing your run-walk ratio will allow you to determine what ratio makes you feel faster and stronger.
- During your walk breaks, walk slowly enough to allow yourself to catch your breath and recover, but quickly enough that you don't lose ground or waste time. Remember the walk breaks are intended to make you fresher and faster, so try to avoid either walking too quickly or coming to a complete stop.
- Set an app on your phone or on your GPS watch to alert you when it's time to run and when it's time to walk so you don't find yourself staring at a clock while you should be enjoying a race or training run. Avoid counting the seconds in your head so you can focus on your form and performance.
Ready to run (and walk)? Leave your preconceptions about what it means to be a "runner" behind and experiment with the plan that makes you happier, stronger, and faster!
25 Shockingly Easy Ways For Families to Save Money on Disney Trips
A Disney trip is the quintessential family vacation, but it can seriously drain your bank account. After spending hundreds of dollars for tickets, buying gas or airplane tickets for the journey, and paying for a hotel room, you might start to wonder how anybody could consider visiting the Disney parks more than once in a lifetime! However, with a bit of theme-park savvy, you can save enough money on your trip to truly make Disneyland (or Walt Disney World!) the happiest place on earth. Here are the best ways to save money on your family's next Disney trip.
Source: Flickr user harshlight
This Terrifying Skin Cancer Selfie Will Convince You to Wear SPF
You've heard countless times about the importance of wearing sunscreen, regardless of season. But were you really paying attention? To be honest, even as beauty editors, we sometimes "forget" (read: intentionally leave out) applying SPF in hopes of getting a little sun-kissed glow. We'll never do that again now that we've seen the harmful results.
Tawny Willoughby, a 28-year-old nurse and mother from Alabama, shared a graphic selfie of the effects of skin cancer treatment with her Facebook friends, saying she's been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma five times and squamous cell carcinoma once in the past six years. She admits to tanning several times a week because she felt like her glow faded too quickly. Now, she skips sunning in favor of wearing sunscreen and spray tans. "You only get one skin and you should take care of it," insists Tawny. "Don't let tanning prevent you from seeing your children grow up."
This gory image is a harsh reminder of the importance of regular dermatologist visits. Be sure to visit your doctor at least once a year for a full body scan, and get any suspicious or new spots checked out. "I go to the dermatologist every six to 12 months and usually have a skin cancer removed at each checkup," admits Tawny.
Queen Letizia Isn't Afraid to Wear a Good Outfit More Than Once - or Twice
When it comes to fashion, no one can call Queen Letizia of Spain wasteful. The royal wears and rewears the same pieces with total confidence - sometimes in the same month - getting photographed at official events and meetings with dignitaries in recycled outfits like it's no big deal.
Whether it's a classic white dress with black leather trimming, a trendy statement jacket, or even a white shirt and A-line skirt combo, the queen knows what styles work for her, reaching for the same outfit from head to toe often. We don't blame her! The classic items in her closet could really carry her through her entire reign. Keep scrolling to see just 31 of the many outfits the queen has grown fond of, then check out her style evolution through the years.
Finally! How to Get Rid of Lurkers, or Hidden Pimples
Every morning before I apply my makeup, I inspect my skin for signs of fine lines, wrinkles, and breakouts - and the first thing I said today was "uh-oh." I generally have a clear complexion, but today I found myself suffering from a few painful pimples. You know the ones . . . hard bumps that lurk under the skin and seemingly never come to a head. And for good reason: according to NYC dermatologist Dr. Neal Schultz, host of DermTV.com and creator of BeautyRx by Dr. Schultz, they're called blind pimples or cysts.
Like most pimples, lurkers are caused by a combination of bacteria, clogging from dead cells, and excessive oil production. But what distinguishes them is that they are deep below the skin's surface, extending into the subcutaneous (fatty) layer. This makes them painfully lurk for weeks - even months. "The oil contains a lipid called triglycerides, and the bacteria make an enzyme that actually splits the triglycerides into free fatty acids," explained Dr. Schultz. "These are very irritating chemicals, which cause a lot of inflammation, resulting in rapid pus accumulation in the cyst." This fast pus growth stretches the cyst wall and surrounding nerves, causing pain.
Frequent sufferers of blind pimples, you do have some options! "You can avoid them by taking internal medication that affects either the oil or the bacteria," said Dr. Schultz. He said on a short-term, prevention basis, people usually take antibiotics or birth control pills. Antibiotics can kill the bacteria that causes free fatty acids (which makes these pimples so painful), while birth control pills decrease oil production.
And, if you try to flatten them at home like I do via layers and layers of topical ointments, you're doing it wrong. "It's much better to try and get the blind pimple to come to a head and rupture," said Dr. Schultz, who suggested applying warm compresses several times a day to make it surface. "Then the pus can drain out, shrinking the cyst, stopping the pain, and healing."
If you don't have time to coddle your blind pimple until it comes out of lurking mode, there is a quick fix! To stop the swelling in one day, have your dermatologist open the cyst with a sterile needle and then inject the inflamed cyst wall with cortisone. That way, the cyst will rapidly shrink and heal.
A Catholic Nun Perfectly Explains the Major Hypocrisy of the "Pro-Life" Argument
A Catholic nun's explanation of the term "pro-life" from 2004 is resurfacing after recent antiabortion events. On PBS's Now With Bill Moyers, Sister Joan Chittister explained why being against abortion doesn't mean you're pro-life.
Here's the full quote:
"I do not believe that just because you're opposed to abortion that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would I think that you don't? Because you don't want any tax money to go there. That's not pro-life. That's pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the morality of pro-life is."
Chittister's position is not only informed by her faith, but also her academic experience: she's written over 50 books and has multiple degrees (including a doctorate).
The crux of Chittister's point is that there's a difference between advocating for birth and advocating for that child's entire life. If antiabortion proponents are truly "pro-life," then those same legislators would not argue for defunding programs like those that provide school lunches or health care. Many who oppose abortion also oppose access to contraceptives. Antiabortion congressmen have consistently also advocated for defunding Planned Parenthood, which provides women with birth control options.
Liberals have pointed to Chittister's quote as an argument for the social benefits that Republicans hope to limit without providing feasible options for women if they cannot obtain abortions.
You'll Love This Greek Bride's Wedding Gown, but Her Sheer Jumpsuit Will Blow You Away
When Greek jeweler Marianna Goulandris got married, she wore a Valentino wedding gown with long floral appliquéd sleeves. Her floor-sweeping train, chiffon veil, and snow-white fur cape were just glamorous additions to the modest look. But flash back to Marianna's prewedding party at Annabelle's in London, and she was in an ornate jumpsuit decorated in crystals, sequins, and beads.
The piece was just as impressive as her designer dress, along with the cold-shoulder sheath she changed into at the reception. If you're thinking that Marianna and her new groom, Filippos Lemos, tied the knot in style, you wouldn't be mistaken. The couple chose to celebrate with their guests (including Greek Princess Maria-Olympia) at Syon House, which is owned by the Duke of Northumberland.
Scroll to get a peek at the fabulous event and count every one of Marianna's bridal outfits as inspiration. We know we do.
The Devastating Difference Between Car Seats That Left 1 Girl Unharmed and Her Sister Almost Dead
When Angela Brown was driving home from a dentist appointment on a typical February afternoon, her two daughters were secured in their car seats - but after her SUV slammed into a tree, flipped, and had the tree land atop their upside-down vehicle, both of her daughters weren't protected equally.
The difference between her little girls and their car seats was that one of her daughters, who was nearly 2 years old at the time, was in a forward-facing car seat and broke her back in two places. Her other child was in a rear-facing car seat and had no injuries aside from a small bruise on her shoulder.
"So as you can see two children in the same car crash, restrained properly, one with life threatening injuries and the other with none," their mother, Angela Brown, wrote on Facebook. "I was always unsure about when turning my babies around but after our crash and the hard evidence we are presented with I will forever rearward face my babies as long as I possibly can."
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children stay in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, at least until they are 2 years old. When a baby outgrows his or her infant seat, they should still sit in a rear-facing, convertible seat because this type of car seat offers better protection to a child's head, neck, and spine during a car crash.
Three months after the devastating accident, Angela's daughter is still trying to heal from her injuries with no time frame for when she will be fully recovered. She broke two vertebrae and tore the ligament in a third vertebra in her spine.
"She was one of the youngest to be fitted with a Halo Brace. The doctor told us that most children with her injury don't normally make it," Angela described. "Don't make the same mistake as I did. It could cost you your baby's life."
50 Beautiful Birthday Cake Ideas For Girls
When it comes to planning your favorite girl's birthday, there are a few focal points that every hostess with the mostess puts her time and energy into. There are the invitations, the activities, decor, and of course, the all-important cake. Whether she's turning 2 or 10 and is into ponies, puppies, princesses, or most anything else, you've come to the right place for inspiration. Keep reading . . . these 50 ideas will literally put the icing on your cake!
10 Places to Put Deodorant Other Than Your Armpits
While our armpits are definitely the sweatiest places on our bodies, that's not the only place we need protection. Have you heard of something called boob sweat? The average perspiration-stopping stick can actually reduce friction, stop perspiration, and kill bacteria from head to toe (especially toes). Keep reading to discover 10 other spots to apply deodorant before the Summer temperatures hit a peak. If you're going to slather your skin with product, we recommend using a natural formula that is aluminum free.
Debra Messing Calls Out Ivanka Trump: "It's Time to Do Something"
Debra Messing isn't done resisting Donald Trump's contentious presidency. The Will and Grace actress delivered a moving - albeit hilarious - acceptance speech at the 28th annual GLAAD Media Awards on May 6 and addressed the "very bad, and very orange man in our White House . . . at least a few days a month," she joked.
Messing, who took home GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, called on all Americans to resist Trump's controversial policies and even urged them to text the Congressional switchboard in Washington DC. "Don't be shy, I know all of your cell phones are open because you've been taking selfies all night," she quipped.
Messing then spoke directly to Ivanka Trump, whom she referred to as "the secretary of state," saying, "It is not enough to simply say that women's issues are important to you. It's time to do something." Watch her full nine-minute acceptance speech above to hear her empowering call for action that will inspire you.
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