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.
lundi 14 août 2017
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!
6 Healthy Foods You May Be Eating All Wrong
We have the best intentions when we choose healthy foods to nosh on. But if you eat them the wrong way, you could be missing out on valuable nutrients or getting more calories than you bargained for. Here are six good-for-you foods commonly eaten in not-so-healthy ways.
The Best Beach Reads For a Summer Getaway
Looking for poolside page-turners you can dive into while you're away on vacation? With a mix of popular classics, romantic novels, thrillers, and modern fiction, we're highlighting a range of options you can tote along on your next vacation. Before you start packing, take a look at these must-have beach reads, plus some of the best books of 2017.
In Defense of Reading Spoilers Religiously
Spoiler alert: This article will have spoilers for shows and movies that you should have already seen by now, so get over it.
I've never seen Citizen Kane, but I know exactly what "rosebud" means; I knew Bruce Willis was dead the whole time I was watching The Sixth Sense; and I was mentally and emotionally prepared for the Red Wedding long before Catelyn Stark's throat was slit on Game of Thrones. Final confession: I frequently flip to the last page of a book to read the ending. I hate surprises.
I religiously seek out spoilers and have since I was a kid. No, I'm not the jerk who posts things on Facebook and ruins your favorite show for you. I do, however, firmly believe that reading spoilers can enhance our viewing and reading experiences tenfold. Don't believe me? There's a method to my so-called madness.
Have you ever found yourself not able to focus on the details of a TV show, movie, or book because you're too caught up in the bottom line? Have you missed artful subtleties (arguably the best part of it all) because you just had to know if your favorite character was going to live or die - and that's all you could focus on?
Spoiling the plot by no means ruins the beauty of the work, as long as there is beauty beyond the "bottom line."
I don't miss a damn thing. Why? Because I already know the answer to the bigger questions and usually way before all those spoiler-averse fans out there. In knowing the end game by actively seeking out the major plot points, you're able to admire and enjoy the wonderful intricacies of the art with more attention. You can dissect the clues you would have missed if you didn't know to be looking out for them. Sure, you can always go back and rewatch or reread the story, but I'm already two steps ahead of you by then and on to the next spoiler.
More importantly, if you're watching or reading something that's entirely plot-driven, is it worth investing your time in anyway? A truly good work should have layers to it so that even if you strip away one aspect, such as the element of surprise, there's still so much more to be explored. Stories that only focus on plot twists to move the narrative along are rarely worth getting sad about being spoiled on. Spoiling the plot by no means ruins the beauty of the work, as long as there is beauty beyond the "bottom line."
For me, the path characters take to get to those big moments is where the true artistry lies and what I take the most interest in. Reading about those moments doesn't spoil anything for me; it only makes me more excited to see how the person develops in the way that leads them there.
A study by UC San Diego psychology Professor Nicholas Christenfeld supports my claims; it found that spoilers can actually make a story more enjoyable. Christenfeld's research showed that having extra information about artworks can make them "more satisfying," as can the predictability of an experience; for example, the more you go to Disneyland, the more memories you make there and the more you love it. You know what to expect, and you like that.
In Christenfeld's initial experiment, two groups read three short mystery stories. One group was "accidentally" spoiled on the endings, the other was not. "Across all three genres spoilers actually were enhancers," said Christenfeld. When he tried a variation of the experiment, spilling the beans on the story in the middle of it rather than at the beginning, the results were the same. "It turns out even halfway through a story, you enjoy a spoiled story more, before you get to that spoiled ending," he said.
"If you know the ending as you watch it, you can understand what the filmmaker is doing. You get to see this broader view, and essentially understand the story more fluently," Christenfeld explained.
In the episodes leading up to the Red Wedding, the process of picking out all of the clues that led up to the massacre was so much more fun for me than if I had gone in blind to the event.
Reading spoilers didn't detract from the haunting piano music that played as Cersei Lannister's plot to destroy the High Sparrow and all those who've wronged her unfolded at the end of season six in Game of Thrones. Each note still sent chills down my spine even though I knew what was coming. Watching her savor her victory while her son threw himself out the window was no less jarring. The anticipation of all that I knew was on the way and the expectation for how it would play out only made the story that much more satisfying to see. And if Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen are actually going to f*ck, I'm going to need to know way beforehand so I can collect myself and find a sturdy seat (and some smelling salts) before it all goes down.
Have Fun Staring at Lori Loughlin and Her 2 Stunning Daughters Forever
Lori Loughlin attended the Teen Choice Awards in LA on Sunday night with two truly beautiful dates: her daughters, 18-year-old Isabella and 17-year-old Olivia Giannulli. The ridiculously stunning trio were all smiles as they photos for photos on the blue carpet, clearly showing off their sweet mother-daughter bond. Lori's husband and Isabella and Olivia's father, Mossimo Giannulli, wasn't in attendance (because sometimes you just need a girls' night, right?). The fun outing is just the latest time the Fuller House actress has turned a work event into a family affair. In April, she brought Olivia to Marie Claire's Fresh Faces event in LA.
8 Underrated Romantic Comedies You Can Stream on Netflix
If you love romantic comedies, you've probably already seen all the best ones Netflix has to offer, so if you want to spoil yourself by watching something you haven't seen before, you've come to the right place. We have a list of unexpected, underrated romantic comedies you can stream instead. These might not all be the big, celebrated hits you've seen a million times, and that's a good thing - when you've exhausted all your old faves, check out one of these.
Are Salads Actually Healthy or Just a Big Lettucey Lie? A Dietitian Weighs In
Salads tend to have a health halo around them, so we automatically assume they're good for us before we even look at their nutritional value. But are salads really that healthy?
Serious question, though. What's in your salad? What kind of toppings are you working with? Are you even eating all of it or are you throwing lots of lettuce away?
Salads can be healthy, registered dietitian Lisa Eberly told POPSUGAR. Think of the components of a great salad - greens, veggies, and nuts and seeds - all good! But there are so many ways a salad can go wrong. If you have to force yourself to eat something (looking at you, kale), chances are you're not going to finish your meal. Either that, or you're going to try to mask that one thing with unhealthy ingredients, like crazy-fatty dressings and toppings that aren't necessarily nutritious.
We're not here to salad-bash, though. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and how to make salads healthier, tastier, and easier to eat.
The Pros
Tons of Nutrition: If you enjoy leafy greens and raw veggies, then congratulations! You're getting a ton of nutrients from wholesome veggies. And if you balance your salad well with nuts, seeds, and colorful produce, you'll be nourishing your body in a simple, low-calorie way.
It Helps You Live Longer: "Arugula, kale, and cabbage are cruciferous vegetables and are amazing at fighting oxidation," said Lisa. Why is this important? "Oxidation causes cancer, Alzheimer's, and most chronic diseases." So you want those antioxidants! "Oxidation is essentially rust in the body that takes about 80 years on average to kill us, and cruciferous veggies slow it down." More salad means a longer life.
The Cons
Food Waste: Are you even eating those greens? Or did you excavate your bowl of greens in search of croutons? If you're not really eating it, it's not healthy! More often than not, salad greens end up getting tossed. "Food waste is a serious problem, people," Lisa said. "It should be something everyone is mindful of." She noted that you can cut down on waste if you "pack your own salads from home with reusable containers and the right portions that you'll eat, buy salads with dressing on the side so you can eat it all week, and if you don't like something on your salad, order it without that item."
The Health Halo: As mentioned before, there's a huge health halo around salads, so you assume that they're healthy no matter what kind of toppings and dressing you pile on. Be mindful of calories, fat, and sugar, etc. If you're layering croutons and Thousand Island on a mountain of nutrient-devoid iceberg lettuce, you're not really doing yourself a service. In that case, Lisa said, "You might as well order the cheeseburger."
While you want some healthy fats on your salad to help your body absorb the nutrients from veggies, there is such a thing as too much. "Essentially, all dressings at restaurants are too high in fat," Lisa said. She reiterated the idea that salad doesn't always mean healthy - "more than half of the salads you order at restaurants are more unhealthy than their counterparts."
How to Make Salads Better
So let's say you still want to give salads a go, but you want to ensure that 1) you're getting optimal nutrition, and 2) you're not wasting food. Here's her advice.
- Prep Smart. "Using layers to meal prep salads in Tupperware or jars is the best way to keep them fresh - just shake it when you're ready to eat. Pro tip: fold a paper towel and place it at the top of the jar under the seal to keep the lettuce crisp."
- Order Smart. At a restaurant? Hack your salad. "Hold the cheese and make your own dressing at the table - try 1/2 lemon juice, 1/2 balsamic vinegar, and a splash of EVOO with a ton of pepper or red pepper flakes - it's gold."
- Add Grains. "Warm grain bowls are nutrient dense and filling," said Lisa. If you're basing your diet on traditional Chinese medicine principles, warm foods are also easier to digest, so you'll be doing yourself a service if you layer your veggies on some warm quinoa vs. raw leaves.
- Switch It Up. "Eating a wider variety of veggies is the healthiest thing you can do," said Lisa. "Eat the rainbow! Try new fruits or vegetables." A few suggestions on how to do this: "Make a taco salad, fruit salad, or bean salads; try a fruit juice dressing, avocado dressing, or different fresh herbs in your salad."
- Pick the Right Organics. Not all organics are created equal. "Always buy organic lettuce and wash your lettuce and veggies! If you bathe in money, buy all organic. If not, only buy the dirty dozen organic [this includes lettuce!], but other fruits veggies you can buy regular and wash them."
- Pick the Right Greens. "All lettuces have different nutrients and amounts of fiber," she told us. "However, a salad with leafy greens will have more fiber and more bulk with fewer calories. Arugula, cabbage, kale, collards, and other dark leafy greens are the best choices."
- DIY Your Dressing. "The dressing is the Achilles heel of salads, and store-bought and restaurant dressings are typically high in unhealthy fats and calories," Lisa said. "People shy away from making their own because they think it's going to take forever or require culinary school, but a delicious and refreshing dressing can be so simple and take your salad game to a new level."
- Just Eat Something Else. You don't need salads to be healthy. There are plenty of options that are light and nutritious and won't lead to as much food waste. "Sandwiches on whole-grain bread with little or no cheese (unless it's grass-fed!) and plenty of veggies are great," Lisa told POPSUGAR. "Soups and stews are also nutrient-dense and filling and can be more satisfying since they're warm. A whole-wheat or bean pasta with plenty of grilled veggies is another great option. All these can be made in advance and packed for lunches all week."
16 Permanent Reminders to Live in the Moment
We could all use a daily reminder to be more in the now. It's easy to forget that our days are limited, but by taking it upon ourselves to live each one to the fullest, we can lead happier and more fulfilling lives. There's no better way to remember than having it permanently inked on your body, so we've searched through Instagram for some of the most beautiful and inspiring quote tattoos. Here are 16 ideas ahead that will make you want to embrace every moment and maybe even get one yourself.
The Best Beach Reads For a Summer Getaway
Looking for poolside page-turners you can dive into while you're away on vacation? With a mix of popular classics, romantic novels, thrillers, and modern fiction, we're highlighting a range of options you can tote along on your next vacation. Before you start packing, take a look at these must-have beach reads, plus some of the best books of 2017.
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
Why You Might Want to Be Wary of a Popular New Anonymous Messaging App
Say hello to what might become your newest obsession (or fear): an anonymous messaging app called Sarahah. The app, similar to Yik Yak, Whisper, or ask.fm, lets people create an account and have others leave them messages. It also currently holds the number one spot on the US App Store and is pretty popular with both teenagers and adults.
Sarahah, created by Saudi Arabian developer Zain al-Abidin Tawfiq, was created in order to make it easier for employees to give feedback to their employers, or so Tawfiq told Mashable. However, it's quickly turned into a forum where people leave all sorts of messages to each other, some nice and others incredibly problematic. The app's popularity has grown thanks to one nifty feature on the product: a shareable link that anyone can access to drop a message without creating an account themselves. Many people are either including the link in Snapchats or posting a screenshot of their Sarahah to Instagram.
So how does Sarahah work? You create a profile and either let people search for you in the app or send a link around to your friends. You're the only one who can see the messages sent to you, though if you want to share it with friends it's easy to take a screenshot and share it online. You also can't respond to messages (just yet, anyway), and if you're worried about who might find you on the app, you can easily turn off the search settings for yourself.
The app is undoubtedly ripe for cyberbullying thanks to its anonymous nature. It also wouldn't be the first app hoping for "honesty" but landing closer to harassment, doxxing, and revealing personal details about someone or yourself. Back in 2016, students at Vassar College used Yik Yak (now defunct) to out people who allegedly sexually assaulted them. In a different incident on the same campus, students used Yik Yak to post anti-Semitic messages. At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Yik Yak was used to post racist notes.
If you're still curious, you can download the free app for both iOS and Android. Just be mindful (and careful) about who you send your link to.
Christina El Moussa's Nutritionist Shares Her Top 3 Weight-Loss Tips
If weight loss is your goal, Cara Clark - Christina El Moussa's nutritionist - has three fives for you that guide her clients on their journey to shed pounds. Her cardinal rules of weight loss are simple, straightforward, and easier to implement than you might think.
5 Meals
The first five is about your quantity of daily meals. "Eat five meals all day, all consistent sizes," Cara told POPSUGAR. Make sure these meals have a good balance of macronutrients; she said to ensure they're "filled with lean protein, healthy fat, and complex carbohydrates." Space your meals out "every three to four hours."
5 Colors
"Fill your plate or bowl with vegetables every meal," she said. Ensure there are "at least five different colors of fruits and veggies a day" - so think bright orange carrots, purple cauliflower, green spinach, red tomatoes, and yellow bell peppers. This is an excellent tactic to keep the variety in your food, making for dynamic meals, all while ensuring optimal nutrition. You'll also be giving yourself a fun dietary challenge that will take the monotony out of weight loss.
5 Minutes
She doesn't just limit her advice to food - her final five is minutes of exercise! Add five minutes to your workouts each day, and you'll see more results. "Increase the intensity of your exercise by adding [some] extra cardio to each workout, at least five to 10 minutes," she said. "Shoot to exercise five times a week for 30 to 60 minutes."
These 31 Epic Game of Thrones T-Shirts Rule More Than the 7 Kingdoms
We're starting to panic about the limited number of Game of Thrones episodes left, so we're going to indulge our obsession as much as possible. With so many shocking plot twists and turns, the show seems to be getting better and better. That's why we're stocking up on awesome merchandise that references characters, locations, and plot lines from the series. We rounded up our favorite Game of Thrones t-shirts so you can let your fan flag fly too. These options are unique and clever, so you'll definitely stand out. Go forth and shop.
Game of Thrones: We Will Lose Our Sh*t If Drogon Doesn't Survive That Wound
Epic battles aren't a new phenomenon on Game of Thrones, but the one featured in "The Spoils of War" might be the most satisfying to watch yet. Why? One word: dragon. After hanging back on Dragonstone and handling the war with a more tactful approach, Daenerys finally has enough of her losses and impulsively decides to deal with matters by force. With Dothraki soldiers following, she flies one of her dragons to the Reach, where Jaime and other Lannister soldiers are stationed. Once the surprise attack ensues, it's complete and utter chaos (a ladder, if you will).
The dragon Daenerys rides on is Drogon, so named for her late husband Khal Drogo. Sporting black and red scales and wings, he's the largest and most aggressive of her dragons. His personality's no different in battle as he shows no hesitation to burn nearly everything and everyone to bits. Unfortunately, things don't go quite as planned for Daenerys, but one could say they do for Bronn, who manages to injure Drogon. While the Lannister arrows do nothing to impede Drogon, a bolt from a massive crossbow-like weapon does. It's called a scorpion and had been presented by Qyburn for the sole purpose of killing Daenerys's dragons, but it seems it may not get the chance, since Drogon angrily spit fire at it and destroyed it with his huge tail.
When Cersei and Qyburn previously test out the scorpion, they fire it right into a dragon skull. However, Bronn only manages to hit Drogon in the wing area, which brings him crashing down. Like a dedicated Mother of Dragons, Daenerys pulls the bolt out, showing that it cut in pretty deep. He seems to be OK, though, considering he still succeeds in attacking Jaime and Bronn while grounded. But even with an injured dragon, Daenerys still has two healthy ones, and Cersei has no dragon-killing weapon. It looks like the former may now be in the lead. We can only hope it means more dragons in battle because, if viewers losing their minds on Twitter is any indication, who doesn't love dragons?
Watching that dragon fly in like #GameOfThrones http://pic.twitter.com/UlD0A4jJlW
- CalebJordan (@CalebJordan360) August 7, 2017
Me watching Dany/Drogon burn them all #GameOfThrones http://pic.twitter.com/WmHHdInzpt
- dragon's daughter (@yeahclarke) August 7, 2017
Me when the dragon got hurt #GameOfThrones http://pic.twitter.com/PfqhCQ6PLH
- Frederic (@egcaocr) August 7, 2017
Thousands slaughtered, disemboweled, gutted: no reaction.
Dragon or dire wolf gets hurt:#GameofThrones http://pic.twitter.com/mqYtsJDQRW- Rebecca Ritchey (@eatingb00ks) August 7, 2017
Still the best damn thing I saw... #drogon #GameOfThrones http://pic.twitter.com/6IaZ7S8hyI
- Umair Siddiqui (@OfficialUmairS) August 7, 2017
We Can't Get Enough of Sarah Silverman and Michael Sheen's Goofy Love
Sarah Silverman and Michael Sheen always know how to make each other smile. The couple, who started dating in early 2014, shared the screen on Michael's hit show Masters of Sex from 2014 until 2016, and they also make every red carpet appearance look like a party. Sarah, who has previously said she has no desire to get married, is also good friends with Michael's ex, Kate Beckinsale, whom he dated from 1995 until 2003. Michael and Kate share 18-year-old daughter Lily, whom Sarah is also close with. Needless to say, these two are basically masters of romance. See some of their best couple moments ahead.
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!
This Powerful Photo of a Baby Still Connected to His Placenta Shows How Mind-Blowing Birth Is
The first moments of a baby's life are a whirlwind - so much is happening that it's almost impossible to stop and simply appreciate what has just happened. One midwife-turned-photographer, Emma Jean Nolan, took the opportunity to capture the awe-inspiring power of birth with a startlingly beautiful image. In it, a newborn baby is still connected to his placenta by his umbilical cord that is adjusted to spell out the word "love."
Her intention with the image of baby Harper, which was shot just 90 minutes after he was born last week, was to draw attention to an ancient Maori tradition of burying a newborn's placenta after their birth. Nolan wrote on Facebook:
As a Maori baby his placenta will now be returned to the land. The word 'whenua' relates to the placenta and to the land. Whenua (placenta) is returned to the whenua (land) with the pito (umbilical cord) the link between the newborn and papatuanuku (mother earth). With this affinity established, each individual fulfils the role of curator, for papatuanuku (mother earth), which remains life long.
Interestingly, Nolan told us that she'd been planning to take a photo like this for a while but "was waiting for a baby with a long enough cord to spell" the word. She said, "Once I saw how long Harper's cord was, I knew he was the right baby!"
Although this method for honoring the placenta is rare in the US, the Australian photographer's black-and-white image has gotten more than 2,500 "likes" on Facebook in less than a week, probably because it shows readers - even moms - a sight they've likely never seen before: what is actually birthed when a newborn baby enters the world.
12 Reasons South Korea Should Be Your Next Big Trip
If South Korea isn't already on your bucket list, it should be! The country offers way more than simply a tech-obsessed metropolis filled with neon signs. Palace gardens provide tranquility in crowded cities, delicious food is around every corner, and stunning mountains lie just beyond the skyscrapers. Here are 12 reasons South Korea should be your next big trip.
Forget Fussy French Twists - This Effortlessly Cool "Banana Bun" Is Perfect For Lazy Girls
While french twists have been around for as long as we can remember, that doesn't mean they're old-fashioned. There's something about them that's always seemed so elegant. The look is perfect for weddings and formal events, but now, we've found a way to relax the traditional style and incorporate it into our everyday routine. Meet the banana bun: the loose, low hairstyle that takes your typical messy chignon a whole new level of chicness.
When it comes to this look, the messier it is, the better. According to Matrix SoColor celebrity stylist George Papanikolas, it works best on second- or third-day hair. "The dirt and grit gives the hair more texture," he explained. He recommends spritzing your strands with a dry shampoo for even more texture - try Matrix Style Link Mineral Play Back Dry Shampoo ($18).
Executing the look itself is simple. Put your hair up into a loose low ponytail, using bobby pins to pin strands up and into the pony."The pony will act as an anchor to you," shared Papanikolas.
The banana bun embraces flyaways and uncooperative strands (making it fabulous for humid days when your hair just won't cooperate). The styling possibilities are endless, too: you can wear it in the middle of your head, lower down by your neck, or even to the side. After initially spotting the trend on Byrdie, we knew we had to try this for ourselves.
Keep reading to see photos of the effortlessly cool banana bun, and then, check out the top beauty trends you need to know for the Fall.
Tom Cruise Injured During Stunt on the Set of Mission: Impossible 6
Tom Cruise has been injured on the set of Mission: Impossible 6. The actor, who was performing his own stunt while filming scenes for the popular franchise's latest installment in London this weekend, was attempting to jump between buildings while wearing a harness. In a video posted by TMZ, Tom's jump comes up short and he appears to slam into the building. After climbing up near the camera crew, the star, who is known for his action-packed blockbusters, walks around the roof with a limp. The extent of his injuries is unclear at this time, but it's a good sign that he was able to get back on his feet. We will update this post as more information becomes available.
93 Stars Whose Real Names Will Surprise You
One thing that's never gone out of style in Hollywood? Cultivating a unique persona with the help of a stage name. Even today, as social media influences celebrities to be more authentic and accessible, new stars have traded their names for shorter or more-memorable zingers. While some completely wipe the slate clean (we're looking at you, Lorde!), others simply replace a first or last name. Scroll through to discover the real names your favorite stars were born with, and when you're ready for even more surprises, check out stars whose real ages will blow your mind.
Prepare to Be Shocked by How Much Christina Aguilera Has Changed
When Christina Aguilera burst onto the scene in 1999 with her debut self-titled album, she was just 19 years old. Now, she has an incredible career with seven albums under her belt, and back in August 2015, she gave birth to her second child. Also, if her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon taught us anything new, it's that Christina is really, really good at pop star impressions. We thought it was high time we look back at her incredible transformation through the years, as well as the inspiring quotes about body image she's shared along the way. Keep reading to go all the way back to 1999.
Piecing Together the Plot of American Horror Story: Cult
Here we are again. We're on the cusp of a new season of American Horror Story, and we hardly know anything about the madness on the horizon. Luckily, we're in better shape than we were with last year's Roanoke, which infamously didn't reveal anything ahead of its premiere date. This time around, with Cult, we're a little more in the know: we have creepy teasers, a few hints from Ryan Murphy, and even official character portraits. There's still one key factor we're missing, though: what exactly is going to happen? We're piecing together the potential plot for the latest installment. Here's what we (think we) might have uncovered so far.
Meet the Mayfair-Richardses
At this point, the character we have the most information about is, no surprise, the character Ryan Murphy muse Sarah Paulson plays. Prepare to meet Ally Mayfair-Richards. Paulson confirmed at the Summer TCA panel for American Horror Story that her character is married to Alison Pill's character, Ivy Mayfair-Richards. Here's the interesting part. Creator Ryan Murphy himself posted a photo of some concept art. It shows Ally with Kai (played by Evan Peters). In the caption, he called it "a love story for the ages." Does that mean Ally will be torn between two loves this season? Perhaps Kai is in the mysterious clown cult and Ally finds herself pulled between a love she's always known and the allure of something new.
All the "Mysterious Tank Tops" and Other Characters
This is Billy Eichner's first season of American Horror Story, and he's joining the cast as Harrison Wilton, a close confidant of Ally who also wears "mysterious tank tops."
We also learned at the recent TCA panel that Leslie Grossman plays a character named Meadow Wilton. That likely means she's somehow related to Harrison. A sister, perhaps? After that, all we have are names and question marks. We know Colton Haynes will play Detective Samuels, Cheyenne Jackson is Dr. Rudy Vincent, and Billie Lourd is Winter Anderson, but we don't know how they factor into the equation . . . yet.
Hints From the Executive Producers + Script Excerpts
Another cool couple of tidbits from the TCA panel came via executive producer Alexis Martin Woodall. The first thing Woodall did was clarify the whole election situation. Rather than focus on Trump, she said, "I think it's more about what's going on in our world around us." She also noted that "paranoia" would be the underlying current that runs through every episode.
To do us one better, Woodall offered a few more cryptic statements: she teased "bloody tension, a well-cooked meal, an exciting trip to a grocery store. It is true to our brand, which is you are going to be in a whole new world all over again."
It's interesting Woodall mentioned a grocery store and a "well-cooked meal." This week, on the AHS: Cult interactive website, fans were able to unlock two exciting script excerpts.
That sounds like exactly the kind of "well-cooked meal" AHS might feature. Given the evidence, we could be in for some serious psychological torture at the hands of the cult.
American Horror Story: Cult premieres on Sept. 5.
83 Unreal Places You Thought Only Existed in Your Imagination
We're not kidding you - these travel destinations actually exist and aren't a figment of your imagination. Be prepared to have your mind blown as you browse through these amazing photos.
- Additional reporting by Hilary White
We Need to Talk About the Baby Blues
I have a confession to make: the first couple of weeks after my baby was born, I was unhappy. Sure, I had moments of pure joy, and I never wavered in my love for my daughter. But I was exhausted, in pain, and had no control of my emotions. I had the "baby blues" - and it was scary.
Between feeding my daughter, sleeping, and eating, I felt like I was reduced to a milk-producing machine. I wasn't going outside, I couldn't exercise, and it felt like there was no time to do anything but sleep, feed, and eat in order for us both to survive. Was this my life now? Had motherhood completely replaced everything else that I was? In low moments, I thought about how much easier life was before. I wondered if this parenting thing would ever get easier, and the weight of my new life was heavy.
The emotional roller coaster wasn't just negative. I also felt an overwhelming love for my baby, my husband, my family, and my friends. I cried any time I thought or talked about the sacrifices my parents had made for me, or how wonderful a dad my husband already was, or how thankful I was for the friends who came by to cook, clean, or hold my baby.
Good and bad, the reality is I was crying upwards of 10 times a day. As someone who prides myself on being pretty level-headed, I wasn't sure how to navigate these emotions and felt pretty lost and alone. I was hyperaware of my emotions but unable to explain them. And as much as my husband tried to help, there wasn't much he could do. My heightened emotions were just a wave I needed to ride. Thankfully, because of a conversation I had with my sister-in-law Jessie, I wasn't totally surprised that this was happening.
In truth, I was experiencing what many other mothers do: the baby blues.
Just days before I gave birth, Jessie asked me if I had heard of the baby blues or read anything to prepare myself for the emotional and physical challenges I was going to experience. I hadn't. We had a brief conversation that seemed like nothing at the time, but it's one that I am so incredibly grateful for. If not for that conversation, I would have thought I had postpartum depression. In truth, I was experiencing what many other mothers do: the baby blues.
There are endless courses for expectant parents: Baby Care Basics, Breastfeeding, Infant CPR, Preparing For Childbirth, and many others. All of these are important, but there isn't a dedicated space to talk about what happens physically and emotionally to a mother after childbirth. A quick look at the stats will tell you why a new mother's wellness needs to be part of the conversation. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, up to 80 percent of mothers experience the baby blues and 15 percent of mothers have postpartum depression.
So what are the baby blues?
The baby blues usually develop a few days after delivery and typically only last two weeks. Symptoms include mood swings, loss of appetite, overwhelming fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, or feelings of sadness, anxiety, or being overwhelmed.
There are several factors that may contribute to the baby blues. One major factor is the shift in hormones after childbirth - estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones all drop back down to their nonpregnant levels. According to Dr. Madhavi Kapoor of NYU's Langone Medical Center, "These hormonal changes combined with the exhaustion, emotions, and major life changes that accompany bringing a new life into the world are the perfect setup for the baby blues."
What's the difference between baby blues and postpartum depression?
The baby blues should last only two weeks and go away naturally without any medical treatment. Postpartum depression has overlapping symptoms, but they last longer and are more severe. Additional symptoms for postpartum depression include excessive guilt, feelings of worthlessness, loss of interest in caring for yourself or in everyday activities, showing no interest or too much interest in your baby, or, at its most severe, having thoughts of harming your baby or yourself.
What should you do if you think you have the baby blues?
The most important thing you can do, according to Dr. Kapoor, is to take care of yourself. Allow yourself to "cry it out" if you need to, try to sleep when you can, eat nutritious meals, exercise, don't dwell on the sad moments, and accept help from family and friends when it is offered.
Dr. Kapoor says it's also important to talk about your feelings: "Many mothers who suffer from the baby blues are hesitant to talk to anyone about how they are feeling because they are afraid to appear like they are failing at parenthood. Rest assured that you are not alone."
When should you seek help?
If you are feeling sad, anxious, or overwhelmed, talk to your doctor or your baby's doctor. If symptoms last longer than two weeks or you are experiencing the additional symptoms of postpartum depression listed above, you should speak to a healthcare professional right away.
For good reason, the conversations surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care focus on the well-being of the baby. You take care of yourself during pregnancy to grow a healthy child, then you take care of the baby. I hope that our own self-care, both physical and mental, becomes part of the conversation too.
dimanche 13 août 2017
A Definitive Ranking of the Best Butts on Game of Thrones
We've been through a lot with Game of Thrones. So much, in fact, that we're pretty much irrevocably scarred for life because of all the damage it's done. It's so easy to forget, though, that we've had lots of good times too. We've already ranked the hottest guys on Game of Thrones, but there's one important thing we need to rank: all those butts. With excitement for season seven heating up and just a few episodes before the finale, we're remembering all the best bare bottoms on the show. Keep reading for the hottest booties in Westeros.
Yikes! Experts Are Warning Against Drinking Moscow Mules in Copper Mugs
I'll be the first to admit that moscow mules are my favorite drink of choice during Summer social gatherings. With that being said, it was hard not to be concerned when I read the recent reports that drinking the spicy citrus drink out of those gorgeous copper mugs might not be the safest option. Experts over at the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division are warning against drinking alcoholic beverages from copper mugs because "high concentrations of copper are poisonous and have caused foodborne illness."
Due to the potential health concerns, the use of copper products in conjunction with food and drinks is limited in the state of Iowa. The good news is, almost all copper mugs on sale today, including this Moscow Mule Copper Mug ($20) from Sur La Table, have stainless steel or nickle lining. According to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, copper mugs "lined on the interior with another metal" are safe enough for consumers to drink from.
So the next time you order a moscow mule, you can likely breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you're most likely not consuming any copper materials mixed in with your drink that could lead to a potentially dangerous health hazard. We can all cheers to that!
This Rare Pink Dolphin Sighting Is the Only Thing Getting Us Through the Week
INCREDIBLE! A rare dolphin named "Pinky" was spotted splashing around... with some extra pink company. 🐬 http://bit.ly/2wpTPe9
Posted by WFLA News Channel 8 on Tuesday, August 8, 2017
An internet-famous pink dolphin made a rare appearance last week, surprising (and delighting!) boaters in Louisiana's Calcasieu Ship Channel. The dolphin, aptly nicknamed Pinky, was first spotted nearly a decade ago swimming in the same channel alongside her normal, pink-free mother. On the first weekend of August, Pinky was seen again by multiple people - many of whom claim a second pink dolphin was present!
In an interview with WFLA News Channel 8, Bridget Boudreaux said she was on a pontoon boat with her husband when she spotted the two pink dolphins. "My husband was driving the boat and one jumped 20 feet from our boat," she said. "We were just astonished. I couldn't get my camera out fast enough."
In 2015, it was reported that Pinky may have been pregnant, so her reported swimming companion might have been her own pink calf.
The pigment in pink dolphins is typically credited to albinism. Clearwater Marine Aquarium's senior rescue biologist, however, said that researchers can't be sure. Kerry Sánchez explained that Pinky's skin color may be the result of genetic variation. "What they get from mom and what they get from dad means they can look a little bit different than that perfect image we expect," he said.
Regardless, those onlookers were extremely fortunate to see a pink dolphin out in the wild. Sánchez said, "Seeing an animal that is extremely light in color is not something we would normally expect to see. And in my full time here, we've never seen an animal that looks like that."
Everything You Need to Know About the TV Adaptation of Sweetbitter
Starz, the home of Outlander and The Girlfriend Experience, is developing your next TV obsession: Sweetbitter. The network announced on July 31 that it is working on a half-hour drama adaptation of this 2016 bestselling novel, so here's everything you need to know about the project so far.
1. There is source material.
Sweetbitter is based on Stephanie Danler's novel of the same name, which NPR named one of the best books of 2016. The book follows the life of 22-year-old Tess, who moves to New York from Ohio and begins working at a renowned downtown restaurant, which leads her to a life of drugs, alcohol, love, dive bars, and fine dining.
2. It is inspired by Danler's own story.
Danler wrote her novel while waitressing at Union Square Care and attending The New School for her MFA, so she very much drew on her own experiences, though Tess is not a carbon copy of the author. Danler told NPR that while she does have a lot in common with Tess, "[Tess] quickly became a character, and is in many ways much better and much worse at life than I was at that age."
She also told told The Paris Review that Tess is actually more like the young women she saw working at her restaurants than herself, though Tess is also a lot like Danler "in some ways," like trying to find a new life in New York.
3. It's part sexual awakening.
In the novel, Tess is caught in a love triangle with a bartender named Jake and a waitress named Simone, both coworkers. "Sex is the undercurrent of the whole book, because what we're really investigating is Tess's appetites across the board," Danler told NPR in the same interview mentioned above. "And also her becoming more of a woman, this transition from girlhood to womanhood."
4. The show has a solid pedigree.
Danler is writing the pilot script and also serving as executive producer, but helping her in this first foray into television is veteran Stu Zicherman, who has been a writer and either a consulting producer or executive producer on Six Degrees, Lights Out, The Americans, and The Affair.
At this point, there are no casting announcements to share, though we can expect those to roll out over the next several months. There is also no timeline for a release, but mid-2018 is likely the earliest it would air on Starz.
The Real Annabelle Is Actually a Raggedy Ann Doll - and It's Terrifying
Image Source: Flickr user volvob12b
This Friday marks the release of Annabelle: Creation, which is the second Annabelle movie and, technically, the fourth movie that traces back to famed paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Warren. In its Hollywood context, the Annabelle doll first appears in 2013's The Conjuring (but, sadly, not in The Conjuring 2) as a pretty gnarly little object with some quite impressive drag queen eyebrows. What you might not know is that the doll has been totally creeped up for the big screen, and, in actuality, is just a vintage Raggedy Ann doll. Believe what you will, but the real-life Ed and Lorraine Warren have a full account of Annabelle on their official website. Ahead of Annabelle: Creation, we're presenting the highlights of the haunting tale.
1. The Beginning
According to the Warrens, the story of the Annabelle doll began in 1970 when a woman purchased an antique Raggedy Ann doll from a hobby store. The doll was a gift for her daughter Donna, who had just graduated from college. Within a few days, the doll began to move. At first, it just made slight changes in position, but the doll eventually began moving to entirely different rooms.
Things quickly escalated. Donna would find parchment paper with notes scribbled on it. They would say things like "Help us" in childish writing. When Donna found blood inexplicably dripping out of the doll, she called a medium.
According to the medium, they were dealing with the spirit of a little girl named Annabelle Higgins. Apparently, young Annabelle had lived on the property before it became Donna's apartment building. She was found dead at just 7 years old. She wanted to be kept and loved by Donna and her roommate.
Image Source: Warner Bros.
2. The Haunting
Donna had a friend named Lou who faced Annabelle's wrath the most. Lou apparently was not a huge fan of the doll and repeatedly told Donna that it was evil. One night, he said he spotted the doll at the foot of his bed. It floated up from his feet and began to strangle him. He blacked out from the oxygen deprivation and didn't wake up until the next morning.
In another instance, Lou believed that someone had broken into the apartment but only found the doll in Donna's room. When he turned his back, he suffered scratches that yielded seven burning claw marks. At this point, Donna decided to seek expert help. She tried to contact a member of the church but was quickly referred to the Warrens.
Image Source: Everett Collection
3. The Warrens' Involvement
After a local priest put them in touch with Donna, Ed and Lorraine conducted an investigation and quickly decided that the doll was not attached to the spirit of a little girl at all. In fact, in the Warrens' expert opinion, a violent demonic entity was using the doll as a conduit. Since demons can't possess inanimate objects, this spirit had hoped to hang around long enough to possess one of the occupants of the apartment. The Warrens decided to exorcise the apartment and take Annabelle home with them.
Even on the way home, the Warrens claimed that the entity became hateful and angry. They almost swerved into multiple accidents, their brakes and power steering failed, and their car completely stalled out. After Ed Warren splashed the doll with holy water, things quieted down.
The next few weeks yielded more of the same for the Warrens. Annabelle would appear to levitate or switch rooms. Even after locking her away in their office, she would move to the living room. At one point, they hired a Catholic exorcist who verbally and physically assaulted the doll and got into a serious car accident shortly thereafter. Eventually, the Warrens had a special case made for Annabelle, and she's remained there ever since.
The cool thing is, 2013's The Conjuring pays homage to this story. In the first scene, we meet the women who have been dealing with the terrible wrath of Annabelle. They are being interviewed by Ed and Lorraine Warren (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga). The couple decides take her home and lock her in her case. Of course, she does some really intense stuff from there, but we'll leave all that to the movies.
30 Tiny Finger Tattoos You'll Want to Flaunt ASAP
So you've decided you want a tiny tattoo - welcome to the ink gang! If you're still not sure about the placement of your new body art, consider your hands. We already know how good Flash Tattoos can look when carefully placed on fingers, so why not make a permanent commitment to the chic style? It's a great way to show off a passion, talent, or belief without saying a single word. And if you talk with your hands, your ink will make an even louder statement! Get inspired when you read on.
A Complete Breakdown of All the Airline Credit Cards a Traveler Can Choose From
It's no secret that credit card points can help you see the world. Just about every airline these days has partnered with a credit card issuer to help people earn points to book travel, but not all cards are created equal. Some cards will earn you miles that can be used across various airlines, but some cards are dedicated to one airline, and often those cards will rack up points faster, thanks to your devotion to said airline. Below, we've broken down all the airline cards you can choose from and laid out what the interest rates are, the annual fees, and all the perks that come with having an account.
Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
APR: 16.74 percent to 24.74 percent
Annual fee: $95, waived the first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Extra perks: First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation. Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights. No foreign transaction fees. Receive 25 percent savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights. Earn 10 percent of your redeemed AAdvantage miles back - up to 10,000 AAdvantage miles each calendar year.
Apply here
Citi/AAdvantage Gold World Elite Mastercard
APR: 16.74 percent to 24.74 percent
Annual fee: $50, waived for first year
Sign-up bonus: Earn 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after making $750 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Extra perks: Receive 25 percent savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights. Earn one AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on purchases. Reduced Mileage Awards: Fly for 5,000 fewer AAdvantage miles round-trip to select destinations.
Apply here
Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
APR: 16.74 percent to 24.74 percent
Annual fee: $450
Sign-up bonus: Earn 10,000 AAdvantage Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year.
Extra perks: Admirals Club membership for you and guests with you. Complimentary Admirals Club lounge access for authorized users. Earn two AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and one AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions traveling with you on the same reservation.
Apply here
Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card From American Express
APR: 16.74 percent to 25.74 percent
Annual fee: Nothing the first year, $95 every year after
Sign-up bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new card within your first three months.
Extra perks: Earn two miles on every dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta. Earn one mile for every eligible dollar spent on purchases. Check your first bag free on every Delta flight. Settle into your seat sooner with Priority Boarding.
Apply here
United MileagePlus Explorer Card
APR: 16.99 percent to 23.99 percent
Annual fee: $95
Sign-up bonus: 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Extra perks: Check your first bag for free when you use your card to purchase your ticket. Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club with two one-time passes each year for your anniversary. No foreign transaction fees. Earn two miles per $1 spent on tickets purchased from United and one mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Your miles don't expire as long as your credit card account is open, with no limit to the number of miles you can earn.
Apply here
British Airways Visa Signature Card
APR: 16.99 percent to 23.99 percent
Annual fee: $95
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus Avios after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Earn an additional 25,000 bonus Avios after you spend $10,000 total on purchases within your first year from account opening for a total of 75,000 bonus Avios. Earn a further 25,000 bonus Avios after you spend $20,000 total on purchases within your first year from account opening for a total of 100,000 bonus Avios.
Extra perks: Every calendar year you make $30,000 in purchases on your British Airways Visa card, you'll earn a Travel Together Ticket good for two years. In addition to the bonus Avios, you will also get three Avios for every $1 spent on British Airways purchases and one Avios for every $1 spent on all other purchases. Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.
Apply here
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card
APR: 13.24 percent to 20.24 percent
Annual fee: $75
Sign-up bonus: Get 30,000 bonus miles after you make $1,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
Extra perks: Get Alaska's Famous Companion Fare from $121 ($99 plus taxes and fees from $22) every year on your account anniversary valid on Alaska and Virgin America flights booked on AlaskaAir.com. Save with a free checked bag on Alaska and Virgin America flights for you and up to six other passengers on the same reservation. Earn three miles for every $1 spent directly on Alaska Airlines and Virgin America purchases and one mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases. No foreign transaction fees.
Apply here
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
APR: 16.99 percent to 23.99 percent
Annual fee: $69
Sign-up bonus: Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Extra perks: Get 3,000 bonus points after your cardmember anniversary. Two points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases. One point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Earn unlimited points that don't expire as long as your card account is open. No blackout dates or seat restrictions. Bags fly free and no change fees.
Apply here
Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card
APR: 16.99 percent to 23.99 percent
Annual fee: $99
Sign-up bonus: Earn 40,000 points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
Extra perks: Get 6,000 bonus points after your card member anniversary. Two points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases and Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partner purchases. One point per $1 spent on all other purchases. Earn unlimited points that don't expire as long as your card account is open. No foreign transaction fees. No blackout dates or seat restrictions. Bags fly free and no change fees.
Apply here
JetBlue Plus Card
APR: 12.99 percent, 20.99 percent, or 25.99 percent
Annual fee: $99
Sign-up bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days.
Extra perks: Earn six points per $1 on JetBlue purchases, two points per $1 at restaurants and grocery stores, and one point per $1 on all other purchases. No blackout dates on JetBlue-operated flights and redeem for any seat, any time on JetBlue-operated flights. Points awarded in your TrueBlue account don't expire. Earn 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary. Fifty percent savings on eligible in-flight purchases like cocktails and food and the primary cardmember's first checked bag is free on JetBlue-operated flights. Enjoy TrueBlue Mosaic benefits for one year after you spend $50,000 or more on purchases each calendar year with your card. Enjoy a $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package of $100 or more with your JetBlue Plus Card.
Apply here
JetBlue Card
APR: 12.99 percent, 20.99 percent, or 25.99 percent
Annual fee: $0
Sign-up bonus: Earn 5,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
Extra perks: Earn three points per $1 on JetBlue purchases, two points per $1 at restaurants and grocery stores, and one point per $1 on all other purchases. No blackout dates on JetBlue-operated flights and redeem for any seat, any time on JetBlue-operated flights. Points awarded in your TrueBlue account don't expire. Earn and share points together with Family Pooling. Fifty percent savings on eligible in-flight purchases like cocktails and food on JetBlue-operated flights. No foreign transaction fees.
Apply here
Chris Pratt Steps Out Without His Wedding Ring After Splitting From Anna Faris
Image Source: Backgrid
Chris Pratt and Anna Faris announced their separation last week, and it appears that they've already taken a few steps toward moving on. The actor, whose massive star power was reportedly a factor in their split, stepped out without his wedding ring in LA on Sunday. Chris took his son Jack to church and flashed a smile for the cameras after hugging a friend next to his car.
The happy outing shouldn't really come as a surprise to Chris's fans. Since he and Anna made it clear in their joint statement that they remain close and still have a lot of love for each other, it's safe to assume they're going to do everything they can to make sure they part ways amicably. But if you're still heartbroken over the whole thing, Kristen Bell had some sweet advice for those still mourning the end of their favorite celebrity couple.
Image Source: Splash News Online
5 Things to Watch If You Love Netflix's One Day at a Time
If you can't wait until Netflix's One Day at a Time season two premieres and you've already watched season one a few more times than you care to admit, we're here to hold you over. The family dynamics and modern issues that the show, featuring a Latinx family, depicts are hard to come by on other TV shows and movies, but we've done our best and found five things you can add to your queue while you wait for Rita Moreno and her wild antics as Lydia to come back.
12 Bad Habits Kids Learn From School and How to Stop Them
There's a lot your child is learning in school besides seemingly complicated math and advanced vocabulary. As your little one works on developing his or her independence and social skills, they're also forming new routines - some of which can be less than desirable. From staying up late for homework to becoming addicted to technology the second they come home, these are the 12 bad habits that kids form from going to school and what parents can do to stop them.
It Doesn't Matter If I'm Having a Boy or Girl - So Stop Asking
My due date is set for next week, and I still don't know whether I'm having a boy or a girl. My husband and I always enjoyed the surprise of not knowing the gender of our children beforehand. This will be my third go-around, and I am beyond excited for the delivery and finding out along with my husband.
For us, the moment is indescribable. While riding the emotional wave of delivery and seeing our child for the first time, I get to watch my husband hold our newest family member and announce whether we are new parents of a son or daughter. For my husband and I, this special experience includes waiting until that moment to find out what the gender is. Although this isn't ideal for everyone, it is for us.
Not everyone is able to be in the dark when it comes to finding the sex out – in fact, I don't come across many people nowadays that decide to wait. I completely understand. You want to plan, buy clothes, and decorate. Nine months is a long time to wait. Believe me, I know. Adding up my three pregnancies, I will have waited approximately 27 months in total not knowing the gender of the child growing inside my uterus.
Every time I cross paths with someone - who most often is a stranger - an interrogation starts. Everything and anything related to my pregnancy seems to be fair game.
The first question usually is, "Boy or girl?" No, "Hi. How are you doing." No bullsh*t or beating around the bush. When I respond with, "I don't know. My husband and I are waiting until delivery," their reactions differ slightly, but always boils down to me being crazy. One person actually did call me crazy and proceeded to tell me I was lucky she wasn't planning me a baby shower. Yes, I am very lucky, indeed.
"Today, I was told I was having a girl because I'm both round and wide. I was also told by a different person that I was having a boy for the exact same reasons."
After these random people basically tell me I'm a lunatic for not choosing to find out the gender and thus be in unison with what they would do in my situation, they continue this torturous encounter by inspecting my body to tell me what I'm having. Today, I was told I was having a girl because I'm both round and wide. I was also told by a different person that I was having a boy for the exact same reasons.
At the grocery store, the checkout lady told me I was having a girl because you can't tell I'm pregnant from behind. Thanks for the compliment? A mom at the park told me I was having a boy because I was carrying low. After telling her how I carried high with my two previous pregnancies and both were boys, she continued to stand by her assumption.
Sometimes I get deeper questions related to my pregnancy symptoms to better decide the sex, as if my physical appearance isn't enough for this guessing game. My neighbor told me if I'm tired, it's a girl. Of course I'm tired! I'm growing a human being and running after two toddler boys all day every day.
A woman at the pool asked me about my skin and how it has been affected by the pregnancy. She then informs me that the presence of acne and blemishes indicate a girl. It took me a minute to figure out how to best reply. All I could think about is her examining my skin and her thoughts on whether or not my current skin condition is good. Thanks for the boost in self-confidence. How appropriate when I'm at a pool surrounded by bodies that looked as though they never birthed a human being while I'm unbelievably uncomfortable, hot, bloated, and feeling larger than life. Awesome.
Why do people care so damn much? Mind you, I don't even know these people. Similar conversations may be normal with friends and family, but not the guy pumping gas next to me at the gas station. What happened to following rules of socially acceptable conversation in situations like these? Will you think of me and my baby differently if you knew whether it was a boy or a girl? Would knowing the gender affect anything about our conversation – which to be honest, I don't even want to participate in, but feel obligated to answer your questions and go through this third degree. Even if you did guess correctly, you would never know because (if I'm lucky) we will never cross paths again.
What's even more bold is when people find out I have two other boys and wish for me to have a girl, or better yet, they presume I want a girl over a boy. Let me get this straight: if I have another boy, you will be sad and potentially pity me? Wait, what? I love my boys so damn much and wouldn't change anything for the world. Growing up in a household of one of three girls, I gladly welcomed my two boys and wasn't "disappointed" in the least.
I can understand some people's wishes for a specific gender. To each their own. Everyone has their own reasons, but I wouldn't assume one way or another, especially when it's someone I don't know. Everyone is different.
The only advice I can give people when deciding to approach a pregnant lady and ask her invasive questions is don't. If you still feel compelled to do so, think before you talk.
14 Kitchen Islands That Will Improve Even the Smallest Kitchens
Small-space living has its challenges, but many people don't see the potential in small spaces - especially when it comes to small kitchens. Often, the main issues are lack of storage space and counter space for meal prep. The great news is, you can solve both of these issues with the same piece of furniture: a kitchen island.
While many people with small kitchens avoid adding an island for fear of making the space feel even smaller, the main trick is to adjust the scale of the island to fit your space and your storage needs. Keep reading to see some of our favorite small-space kitchen islands that don't sacrifice on functionality or style.
Do These 4 Things on Monday Morning to Get Rid of Weekend Bloat
You worked hard all week, ate clean, and followed the 90/10 rule all five days, so you let loose a little (well, a LOT) on the weekend. This included, but was not limited to, a huge pancake and omelet brunch (yes, mimosas were sipped), hitting up a friend's delicious barbecue, and a decadent dinner with dessert to celebrate your best friend's birthday. And that was just Saturday!
Sunday was all about bagels, pizza, and baking (and devouring!) cupcakes with your niece. You thoroughly enjoyed yourself, but come Monday morning, you're paying the price with an uncomfortably balloon-like bloated belly. Do these four things to get some relief.
- Drink tons of water: Not just a big glass - grab a reusable water bottle and aim for 90 to 128 ounces (a gallon). It'll help flush your system of those not-so-healthy foods and will also help you poop.
- Nosh on fruits and veggies: All the vitamins and nutrients will replenish your energy, but what's important is the fiber that will help move things along. Avoid fruits and veggies that personally cause you gas, like pears and broccoli.
- Ditch dairy, gluten, sugar, and alcohol: All these foods tend to cause bloating in people, so it makes sense to leave them off your plate for one to three days.
- Exercise: If you're constipated as well as bloated, getting moving first thing in the morning is one way to get your digestive system moving, too. This debloating yoga video may be just the thing you need.
This New Feature Will Save You So Much Precious Time at Disney World
While the food options at Walt Disney World are both plentiful and delicious, the large crowds make getting what you want - and when you want it - a little difficult. That's why this new rumor made us so damn happy: mobile ordering is reportedly being added to several restaurants this Summer.
In March, it was announced that the Satu'li Canteen at Pandora – The World of Avatar will offer a mobile ordering feature through the My Disney Experience app. The app allows visitors to order meals, pay in advance, and schedule a pick-up time.
Following the introduction of mobile ordering at the Satu'li Canteen, Disney expanded the time-saving feature to two additional restaurants in June. According to the official website, Animal Kingdom's Pizzafari and Flame Tree Barbecue now offer the service.
According to several in-the-know blogs, 12 other restaurants are rumored to be getting the feature, as well. The rumored restaurants are as follows . . .
- Magic Kingdom: Columbia Harbor House, Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant, and Tortuga Tavern.
- Hollywood Studios: ABC Commissary and Backlot Express.
- Epcot: Liberty Inn and Electric Umbrella.
- Disney Springs: D-Luxe Burger.
- Animal Kingdom: Restaurantosaurus - in addition to the Satu'li Canteen, Flame Tree Barbecue, and Pizzafari.
Disney will hopefully continue to add the service to restaurants throughout the Summer; however, it seems as though they are testing it out exclusively in Animal Kingdom for the time being. So, yes, it might still be too early to start scheduling some of those meals - but we can dream, right?
What Donald Trump Has Wrong About Transgender Americans Like Me
The author and his mother.
When I was about 6 or 7, I remember praying to wake up and magically be a boy.
When I was 10, my mother pulled me out of school because she got a phone call telling her kids at school were calling me "gay." I didn't know what it meant.
When I was 17, I recall getting physically ill at the thought of wearing a dress under my graduation gown.
When I was 19, I finally found out what being transgender meant.
Up until that point, I had been under the impression that I was a lesbian who fell heavily on the butch side of things. I could dress the part and ignore the shouts of "Is that a boy or a girl?" while walking through my college campus. There was just no way I could magically become the boy I always wanted to be.
I wasn't a freak or a "burden," as the leader of our country likes to say.
But, wait. Being transgender is a thing? There's hope for me? I dove headfirst into the research and lives of other transgender individuals, seeing my own story reflected in their words. I wasn't a freak or a "burden," as the leader of our country likes to say. This was the validation I so needed.
When I was 24, I began hormone replacement therapy.
When I was 26, I got a double mastectomy to remove my breasts.
When I was 27, I finally got legal documentation that showed I am male.
That same year, it became quite clear that my entire being was under attack.
Upon looking at me, most people see me as male and I pass well enough. I'm a little on the scrawny side (and by a little I mean a lot) with patchy facial hair, but I haven't been misgendered in a few years. I do a lot of things cisgender males do, and I do a lot of things that cisgender males don't do because they don't want to jeopardize their masculinity. I work out, I spend time with my wife and our fur babies, I love my mom, and I've cried during every episode of This Is Us. I don't wear a badge that says I'm transgender, and I typically only bring it up if it's brought up in discussion.
I'm not contagious.
I'm not contagious. I'm not going to brainwash your children into wanting to start hormone treatment. I'm not going to warp your values if you come in contact with me. Honestly, I'm actually really boring. My idea of a great Friday night is spent on the couch with my wife playing video games and eating food that's extremely bad for me.
And, yeah. I've got a wife. She is a cisgender female. If anyone were to look at our wedding photos, they'd see a man and a woman getting married. Our dogs were the best man and flower girl. My parents were there and her entire extended family were there. My extended family is uncomfortable with my being trans, so most of them didn't respond to the wedding invite.
The author as a child.
Those in leadership positions within our country want to paint transgender people as being the enemy - almost as bad as those "fake news" outlets. They say we're not mentally fit, we're burdens and distractions - hell, we're not allowed to use the damn bathroom.
Donald Trump recently tweeted an announcement that sure sounds like he's reinstating the transgender ban in the military, something former President Barack Obama dismantled during his time in office. You know, Donald Trump? The same guy who championed how he'll be a better candidate for LGBTQ+ folks during his campaign? That guy.
You know what's crazy, though? The United States Armed Forces is currently the top employer of transgender individuals. These people are risking their lives to represent a country that wants to erase them from history. In fact, openly transgender individuals were supposed to be able to start enlisting in the military on July 1, but the heads of the military asked for a six-month extension so they can "review" a bit more.
But, no. Here we are again. Banned from serving our country. Banned from workplace protections. Banned from health insurances. Banned from bathrooms.
Do you know what transgender people do in the bathroom? We practice basic biological functions.
We've become a danger to society, the menaces lurking in the changing rooms at Target. We're being erased by the government and conservative religious folks. We're "unnatural," much like the medication you take, that breast job your neighbor had done, or 99 percent of the food you ingest.
Do you know a transgender person? Is your kid transgender? Your coworker? Your neighbor? Maybe you should introduce yourself to a transgender individual. Ask them (polite and noninvasive) questions. Get to know them.
We're not that exciting. I mean, all we want is a dog to pet, a place to pee, and the right to live our lives as our true selves. Pretty much the same thing you want and have.
We're not burdens. We're not mentally unfit.
We're people.
And you'll probably like us. I mean, I'd invite you over for video games, puppy cuddles, and really good food. What's not to like about that in a friend?
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