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.
vendredi 18 août 2017
8 Things You Need to Know About Millennial Moms
As parents, we often shake our heads at "kids these days" - millennials who would rather stare at the screen of their iPhone than the person sitting across from them at the dinner table, and who, because they got trophies just for showing up, have come to expect the same accolades at their first jobs out of school.
We shudder to think: what happens when those kids become parents?
Well, for starters, it's already happening. Those millennials - widely recognized as people born between 1980 and the early 2000s - have not simply taken over the workforce, surpassing Generation Xers for the first time. According to an analysis of new US Census Bureau data, they're now taking over as parents. Roughly one in five moms is a millennial, and they now account for almost 90 percent of the 1.5 million new mothers within the last year. To put it another way, there are nine million of them raising kids as we speak.
Thankfully, all is not lost for future generations. In fact, most millennial moms don't want to raise their children the same way they were brought up. They want to be more involved than baby boomers, for whom "parenting" wasn't even yet a verb, but they want to hover a little less than those helicopter moms of Gen X. Just as they believe in a diverse portfolio of social media accounts, they are aiming to employ aspects of many different child-raising philosophies in their homes. They see a happy median between baby-wearing, organic-puree-making moms and free-range parents who don't believe in boundaries.
Not only that, but millennial moms are becoming more prevalent in the landscape of modern parenting, and more powerful as well, as companies around the globe begin marketing directly to them.
Here, some of the most intriguing facts about the rise of the millennial mom - and for those parents in their late 20s and early 30s, we're looking at you . . .
Airbnb Host Who Canceled on an Asian Renter in a Hateful Rant Is Fined $5,000
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, an Airbnb host who canceled a renter's reservation, spewed racist remarks, and wrote "I wouldn't rent to you if you were the last person on earth" was fined by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) on July 13. The former host, Tami Barker, was ordered to pay $5,000 in damages, take a class in Asian-American studies, and apologize to the renter, Dyne Suh. In addition to the fine, Barker will also be required to volunteer at a civil rights organization and report her rental data to the DFEH for four years.
The exchange between Barker and Suh unfolded earlier this year on Feb. 17. Suh had reserved Barker's cabin in Big Bear, CA, and drove through a snowstorm to get there, along with three of her friends. However, Barker rescinded her approval of Sun's additional guests and canceled her reservation. The host wrote the following to Suh in the Airbnb app: "I wouldn't rent to you if you were the last person on earth. One word says it all. Asian." Suh, who is a US citizen, told Barker she would report her, to which Barker replied with, "Go ahead. It's why we have Trump." As the group figured out what to do next, they parked next to a KTLA van and reporter, who interviewed Suh about the experience.
Barker has been banned from Airbnb since the incident took place. The DFEH and Airbnb entered an agreement this year, in which the DFEH would be allowed to "conduct fair housing testing of certain California hosts." This case is the first result of that agreement.
"The real story is how a charged and painful encounter led to an opportunity for reconciliation between the people involved, and to an opportunity for them to enhance the public's understanding of discrimination and civil rights in California," Kevin Kish, DFEH Director, stated in a press release.
Suh issued a statement on Facebook about the DFEH's ruling and stated that she hopes this incident encourages others "to come forward with their own stories."
Press statement regarding the outcome of the Running Springs/Big Bear airbnb incident:
I am very glad that the outcome...
Posted by Dyne Suh on Thursday, July 13, 2017
Airbnb, however, is still fielding reports of racist encounters between hosts and guests. In a video posted on Instagram by artist Zanele Muholi on July 9, filmmaker Sibahle Nkumbi is shown being pushed down the stairs, allegedly by an Airbnb host in Amsterdam. Nkumbi, who says she ended up with a concussion and bruising, posted a video on YouTube further explaining the situation. She says she and her colleagues were late in checking out and the apartment unit's owner husband showed up to kick them out. As Nkumbi tried to reason with him, the husband allegedly referred to them as "you people" and "This is not Africa" and then pushed Nkumbi.
In a response to POPSUGAR's query about the alleged incident, Airbnb's director of diversity and belonging shared this statement: "Appalling and unconscionable behavior against members of our community runs counter to everything Airbnb stands for. Our CEO Brian Chesky and I are reaching out to the affected guests. We will take the strongest actions we can against such abhorrent conduct, including banning people for life from our platform and assisting law enforcement with their investigation and potential prosecution. Nobody should ever be treated like this and it will not be tolerated."
Hopefully, California's decision to penalize Barker will serve as a warning that hosts could face consequences beyond just getting banned from Airbnb.
This SNL Writer's Epic Trolling of Trump Will Make You Laugh Until Your Side Hurts
In 2012, Saturday Night Live hired comedian Josh Patten to write for its beloved "Weekend Update" - and the rest is now history. Patten, already a popular political jokester on Twitter, has showcased his comedic prowess during Donald Trump's presidency by trolling him in the most creative ways possible. Patten recently shared his "incredibly stupid" habit of replying back to President Trump's often erratic and off-the-wall tweets as if they were text messages sent directly to him.
Proud to unveil my new, incredibly stupid project: Responding To Trump Tweets Like They Were Texts http://pic.twitter.com/UUz6AY87iQ
- Josh Patten (@thejoshpatten) July 16, 2017
"Call when you land," he responded when Trump tweeted about his travel plans to Poland and Germany earlier this month. And he didn't stop there. Read on to see a few of the other funniest political jokes Patten has made.
Trump will actually read what's in the healthcare bill once we put it on a KFC menu.
- Josh Patten (@thejoshpatten) June 30, 2017
"Can we please put Russian hacking behind us and focus on what Russia hacked?" https://t.co/PTIHYO8x4U
- Josh Patten (@thejoshpatten) June 25, 2017
*Jay Leno voice* Have you seen this? Have you heard about this? https://t.co/fj0YnPqcph
- Josh Patten (@thejoshpatten) July 5, 2017
I've never been this lonely. https://t.co/nEhB72SMY6
- Josh Patten (@thejoshpatten) July 2, 2017
There's a lot going on right now, but please focus on the most important issue facing us today: the hilarious length of this microphone. http://pic.twitter.com/FDaXcOf7fR
- Josh Patten (@thejoshpatten) July 11, 2017
Guns don't protect people: terms do. https://t.co/f5B65JiyRV
- Josh Patten (@thejoshpatten) June 6, 2017
Justin Bieber's "Friends" Will Make You Want to Pick Up the Phone and Call Your Ex
Less than a month after canceling the remaining dates of his Purpose world tour, Justin Bieber is back with new music. On Thursday, Justin released his new single, "Friends," with producer BloodPop, and trust us, you'll be playing it on repeat for the rest of the Summer. Not only is the track super catchy, but with lyrics like "So I'm wondering, can we still be friends?" and "Wonderin' if you think about me," we can't help but wonder if he's talking about his ex Selena Gomez. We'll let you decide.
Taylor Swift Makes Generous Donation to Mariska Hargitay's Foundation After Groping Trial
Taylor Swift is already making good on her promise to help support sexual assault victims after winning her groping trial against DJ David Mueller. According to E! News, the singer gave an undisclosed but "generous" amount of money to fellow sexual activist and close friend Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation, which seeks to "heal, educate, and advocate" sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse survivors. "Joyful Heart is honored to be recognized by Taylor Swift for our work on behalf of and in service to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse," a spokesperson for the charity said.
Shortly after the donation, Mariska posted a sweet message to Taylor on social media writing, "For sharing your story, your resources, your time, your voice: @taylorswift13 you are a force. #grateful for you." The friendship between the two ladies actually goes pretty far back. Not only did the actress make a cameo in the singer's "Bad Blood" music video and appear on stage during her 1989 Tour, but Taylor even named one of her cats after Mariska's Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit character, Olivia Benson.
J.K. Rowling Dropped a Clue About Dumbledore's Death Way Sooner Than You Thought
If you consider yourself a Harry Potter expert, you're about to kick yourself and wonder why you never noticed this key element in the books before. Reddit user upyourjuicebox was reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and noticed a detail that suggests J.K. Rowling foreshadowed Dumbledore's death in the third book.
The referenced scene occurs at Hogwarts over Christmas; the sometimes-prophetic Professor Trelawney refuses to sit down at the dinner table because "when 13 people dine together the first to rise will die." Since Ron had his pet rat, Scabbers (who is also an animagus and can turn into the human Peter Pettigrew), in his pocket for most of the book, we can assume that he did during dinner as well. So, when Dumbledore stands to offer Trelawney a seat, he's actually the first person to stand! More evidence that this fan theory is true: both Mad Eye Moody and Sirius Black got up from tables where 13 people sat. Gasp! You can see the theory from the Reddit user below.
This fan's idea seems to coincide with Rowling's favorite fan theory: Dumbledore as an embodiment of death. Whether this theory is true, we're convinced to never stand up from a table of 13.
12 Great High School Shows to Watch on Netflix
No, you do not have to be in high school to love watching TV shows (or movies) about high schools. Years after getting my diploma, teen dramas and comedies are still one of my favorite TV genres. Lucky for me, they're all over Netflix. Whether you're looking for a boost of nostalgia (like Gilmore Girls) or you're hoping to catch up on a show that's still on, there are tons of great high-school-centric series that you can watch right now. Take a look to get my recommendations and swoon over the guys you would have loved to go to high school with!
Princess Diana's Precious Childhood Photos Will Put a Huge Smile on Your Face
Princess Diana was born on July 1, 1961. Though she came from a family of British nobility with royal ancestry, her upbringing wasn't exactly an easy one. Diana's parents divorced when she was 7, and her mom left her and her three siblings with their father, who remarried without telling them. As a young girl, she lived at Park House on the royal family's Sandringham estate, and in 1975, she became Lady Diana Spencer after her father inherited the title of Lord Spencer and moved the family to Althorp, the Spencer estate in Northampton, England. From there, she was shipped off to boarding schools, where she became insecure, unstable, and withdrawn.
Long before she met and married Prince Charles and became the Princess of Wales, Diana was a bright child who, despite not being that great of a student, excelled in the arts, including ballet and piano. She loved animals and owned a handful of pets, including a pony and a guinea pig. After her tragic death in August 1997, Diana was returned to the place she grew up and is now buried at the family estate in Althorp. We've rounded up the sweetest photos from Diana's childhood - keep reading to see the little girl who would one day grow up to be the People's Princess.
Here's What You Need to Know About Trump and the 25th Amendment
Back in May, Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland introduced the Oversight Commission on Presidential Capacity Act, seeking to tap into a little-known clause in the 25th Amendment to set up an nonpartisan committee tasked with evaluating the fitness of the president for office. The bill had about two dozen cosigners, but seemed to be dead in the water - that is, until Trump decided to take to social media for several straight days, sending a barrage of hateful messages at the media and leaving many in Washington wondering about the president's current mental state. As the American people geared up to celebrate the Fourth of July, something completely unrelated to the birth of the country was trending on Twitter: #25thAmendment.
This tweet is evidence of mental deterioration. The President needs a psych evaluation. I mean that seriously and literally. #25thAmendment https://t.co/1w97stPB1e
- Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) July 2, 2017
In the most basic sense, the 25th Amendment deals with what happens after the president is no longer able fit to serve office due to "death, removal, resignation or incapacitation." Added in 1967 as a direct response to the lack of Constitutional guidance on who took over the presidency and vice presidency after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (as well as the chaos and instability that ensued as a result), it had originally been proposed after it was discovered that President Dwight D. Eisenhower had been suffering from multiple illnesses that could have left him incapacitated. The amendment therefore ensured that there were firm guidelines for both the removal of a sitting president, as well as a clear line of succession each time a new president took office - and has only been used a total of six times since its inception, mostly to ensure an interim president while the elected president is under anesthesia during surgery.
Raskin's proposed bill utilizes a relatively obscure article in the amendment which allows the vice president and the majority of the president's cabinet or "such other body as Congress" to oust the president if he or she is "unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office." The congressman is proposing to introduce an independent panel - theoretically composed of former members of the US government - as the "other body," which would eliminate the need to get two-thirds of a divided Congress on board with the plan. It would, however, require Vice President Mike Pence's support.
Please RT if you agree the cabinet must invoke the 25th Amendment, TODAY, and immediately remove @realDonaldTrump from the presidency.
- Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) July 2, 2017
But the discussion of the 25th Amendment is no longer limited to Congress, or to the new bill. All across the country, people are calling for increased scrutiny on President Trump's mental health after he tweeted a video of himself violently wrestling with an opponent labelled CNN and launched a series of misogynistic barbs at MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski. Ultimately, the appeal of the 25th Amendment is that it serves as a measure that's slightly more plausible than a full-on (and basically impossible) impeachment process, and serves as a beacon of hope for those who are frustrated by the lack of recourse for the president's actions. And given the president's "modern-day presidential" habits, this is not a scenario that is going to disappear overnight - in fact, it's something that may gain even more momentum as Trump continues to take to Twitter to vent his own frustrations.
Invoking the amendment would be an incredibly difficult undertaking, though, and would require a whole lot of people agreeing on a course of action. Despite the unity we've seen around condemning the president's recent outbursts, when it comes to the actual politics of an action like this, it would likely come down to traditional party lines and stall out. But as we've seen over and over again, nothing is impossible in 2017 - so we'll certainly be keeping a close eye on the situation as it develops in the coming weeks and months.
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.
Running and Lifting in the Same Workout? Here Are the Shoes You Need
So, running shoes aren't designed for weightlifting, and training shoes aren't typically supportive enough for running, but what if you're taking a class that incorporates running and weights? Or if you're hitting the gym and you like to do a little mix of treadmill and floor work?
Girl, you need to get yourself a shoe that can do both. For classes like Orangetheory Fitness, Barry's Bootcamp, and Speedplay that mix a bit of weight training in with a treadmill running, you don't want to be changing shoes halfway (or sometimes a quarter way) through class. In these instances, we consulted some experts to share the best shoes that work for both short-distance running and strength training.
We've Been Spoiled With So Many Snaps of John Legend and Chrissy Teigen's Daughter
It seems like no time has passed since we found out that John Legend and Chrissy Teigen welcomed a baby girl, but we've already gotten tons of good looks at the new bundle of joy. In April 2016, Chrissy took to Instagram to share the first snap of her daughter, Luna, leaving us overwhelmed by our emotions, and since then, the proud parents have shared tons of photos of their baby girl.
How to Spend $0 on a Bridesmaid Dress
When I look back at my 20s, I'll remember the event that swung through my life the most during those years - weddings. But aside from remembering the awkward dance moves I'd bust out when the wedding band played a Bruno Mars song, I will remember how almost all of my disposable income went toward one thing, and one thing only: bridesmaid dresses.
When I clean out my tiny New York City closet, which I do only once or twice a year, I always find a pile of old bridesmaid dresses that I'm too attached to and can't seem to get rid of. It's not that those dresses breathe memories of some of the greatest nights of my life or the dresses are so gorgeous they should be displayed in a museum and admired by strangers from around the world. It's because, to me, they are what I spent all of my money on.
I don't have a 401K, a savings account with more than four digits in it, or stocks. But I do have a closet filled with bridesmaid dresses that cost between $160-$350 apiece. I learned, the expensive way, that bridesmaid dresses don't have to cost a couple of hundred - they can cost zero dollars. Here are five ways to make that happen.
1. Borrow Your Dress
You may wonder who in the world has the exact bridesmaid dress you need, in the right color, the right size, and the right style, but you would be surprised. There are a couple of main designers that a lot of brides choose when selecting their bridesmaid dresses. You can ask around your immediate friend group to see if they have the dress or even post it on social media.
2. Rent Your Dress
Thankfully there are bridesmaid dress companies now that let you rent the dress from them. This will cost you a little more than $0 - but it's a better option than buying the dress new for a couple hundred dollars.
3. Wear Something You Already Have
Speak with the bride early on and see if she's open to letting the bridal party wear a dress of a certain color that they already have. That way, you can grab something from your closet and don't have to worry about spending a dime on a dress or alterations.
4. Sell Your Dress After the Wedding
So let's say you do have to buy the bridesmaid dress and the dress costs you a couple hundred dollars - don't think that after the wedding, there's no way to get your money back. Instead of having the dress crumpled up in the back of your closet or underneath your bed, there are websites and companies that will buy your used bridesmaid dress. This is a great way to earn back some of that cash or make all of your money back.
5. Get Involved in the Bridesmaid Dress Process
When the bride is starting to decide what dress she'd like all her bridesmaids to wear, jump in and ask if you can help her make that decision. This is a good way to keep the cost low, or even the right time and place to ask her if the bridesmaids can just wear a dress they already have.
This DIY Laundry Room Makeover Is Filled With Clever Ideas
Spending money to revamp a laundry room doesn't sound sexy, but transforming a dull, chore-centered space into an uplifting haven of organization and productivity? We can get on board with that. Vintage Revivals blogger Mandi Gubler proves just how satisfying a laundry room revamp can be, not to mention quick and cost-effective! Check out three innovative ideas she implemented to create a chic and budget-friendly laundry room anyone would want to spend time in.
These 6 Swimsuits Look Good on Every Shape and Size
Oh, do we know it's an issue: finding a swimsuit you're madly in love with that actually works to flatter your body. But what if we told you we found six possible styles that we swear will look good? You're bound to take a liking to one of them. And there's better news: the handful of silhouettes here don't only have to come in a slimming shade like black to look good. In fact, we found a pattern that makes everyone's frame look long and lean and a cutout design that'll complement your curves. Scroll for a rundown of the six suits worth shopping and all the proof you need that you'll have #noregrets.
Fashion Girls: Here Are the 19 Fall Essentials You Need From Madewell This Year
When I get excited for Fall shopping, the first place I think to go is Madewell. The retailer, owned by J.Crew Group, Inc., is known for its timeless designs and quality materials. They also make perfect jeans - seriously. With cozy sweaters, chunky boots, and playful skirts, the brand truly steps up its game when it comes to Autumn looks. We rounded up our Madewell must haves you need for the coming season. Take a look and stock up!
14 Home Splurges You Should've Bought Years Ago
Luxury gifts don't have to be impractical. In fact, investing upfront for quality pieces that can be enjoyed every day for years is the smartest way to splurge. These home gifts make everyday life easier, cozier, and so much more beautiful. Whether you're shopping for a big-ticket item for someone special or want to treat yourself to something you should have bought years ago, this guide is for you!
19 Times Grey's Anatomy Kicked Us Right in the Heart Parts
To quote McDreamy himself, "We've survived an unusual number of very bad things." And devoted Grey's Anatomy fans know exactly how he feels. Loving Grey's is not for the meek-hearted; it takes strength and the understanding that bad things will happen. We can always take solace in the fact that Grey's totally just, like, gets us, but another sob-inducing moment could be right around the corner. Check out all the times the show took a serious toll on our emotional well-being.
For the Love of Everything (Especially Your Eyes), Don't Look Directly at the Solar Eclipse
It's almost time to watch the skies go dark and see the solar eclipse unfold on Aug. 21. But if you're preparing to watch the solar eclipse, make sure to buy the right solar eclipse glasses and to follow NASA's safety tips. If you don't, an Oregon man who looked directly at the 1963 solar eclipse and is now partially blind in one eye says you could end up like him.
Louis Tomososki, now 71, says he watched the 1963 solar eclipse outside of his high school when he was 16 years old. Unlike today, when NASA is continuously asking people to follow solar eclipse safety, there was less public education about the warnings. Tomososki simply looked up at the sky with his naked eyes. He closed his left eye but kept his right eye open . . . and ended up with a "burned hole in his retina." Tomososki stressed in an interview with KPTV, an NBC affiliate, that it didn't take long for damage to set in. "Oh, 20 seconds probably, that's all it took," he said. "I'm glad I didn't go 40 seconds; it would have been worse."
Even Tomososki's eye doctors can tell the solar eclipse caused damage to his eye. "Every time we go to an eye doctor now for an exam, they dilate your eyes and look in there. The first thing they say is, 'You looked at a solar eclipse sometime in your life,'" he said. So please: if you're going to look up at the sky toward the solar eclipse, take safety seriously.
3 Essential DIY Cleaners That Will Make Your Kitchen Sparkle
Say goodbye to harsh cleaning agents and hello to all-natural cleaning sprays that are just as effective (if not better) at eliminating dirt and grime. This DIY tutorial will show you how simple it is to whip up your own kitchen cleaners using some simple household products.
- Distilled vinegar: to help cut through grease, eliminate stains, and has great antibacterial properties.
- Baking soda: to clean and deodorize surfaces.
- Castile soap: a vegetable- and oil-based liquid soap used as a natural cleaning agent.
- Citrus fruits: rinds of oranges, lemons, and grapefruits consist of a natural property called limonene, which helps cut through oily residue and will leave your home smelling fresh and clean.
These products are not only safe and effective but will also serve as a big money-savers for those who are on a budget. For more on how to keep your kitchen spic and span, read on for recipe details.
Citrus-Scented Vinegar
Ingredients:
Mason Jar
Lid
Vinegar
1 grapefruit
1 lemon
Directions:
Step 1: Wash and dry the fruit.
Step 2: Using a knife, gently slice off the rind of the fruit.
Step 3: Place the rinds into the jar and fill the jar with vinegar.
Step 4: Seal the jar tightly and store in a dark, cool cupboard for one to two weeks.
Step 5: When ready, pour vinegar through a strainer to filter the rinds. Vinegar is ready for use.
Step 6: To make each of the cleaners, combine the ingredients as listed below.
Microwave/Stovetop Degreaser
2/3 parts water
1/3 part vinegar
3 teaspoon baking soda
4 teaspoon of Castile soap
8-10 drops of essential oils (lavender, orange blossom, mint)
Spray bottle
Floor Cleaner
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
4 tablespoon of Castile soap
8-10 drops of essential oils (i.e lavender, orange blossom, mint)
All-Purpose Cleaner
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
8-10 drops of essential oils (lavender, orange blossom, mint)
Spray bottle
For the Love of Everything (Especially Your Eyes), Don't Look Directly at the Solar Eclipse
It's almost time to watch the skies go dark and see the solar eclipse unfold on Aug. 21. But if you're preparing to watch the solar eclipse, make sure to buy the right solar eclipse glasses and to follow NASA's safety tips. If you don't, an Oregon man who looked directly at the 1963 solar eclipse and is now partially blind in one eye says you could end up like him.
Louis Tomososki, now 71, says he watched the 1963 solar eclipse outside of his high school when he was 16 years old. Unlike today, when NASA is continuously asking people to follow solar eclipse safety, there was less public education about the warnings. Tomososki simply looked up at the sky with his naked eyes. He closed his left eye but kept his right eye open . . . and ended up with a "burned hole in his retina." Tomososki stressed in an interview with KPTV, an NBC affiliate, that it didn't take long for damage to set in. "Oh, 20 seconds probably, that's all it took," he said. "I'm glad I didn't go 40 seconds; it would have been worse."
Even Tomososki's eye doctors can tell the solar eclipse caused damage to his eye. "Every time we go to an eye doctor now for an exam, they dilate your eyes and look in there. The first thing they say is, 'You looked at a solar eclipse sometime in your life,'" he said. So please: if you're going to look up at the sky toward the solar eclipse, take safety seriously.
30 Must-Read Summer Books You Need in Your Beach Bag
It's that time of year again: the weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and Netflix on the couch is about to be replaced by reading on the beach. Even if you haven't picked up a book since Labor Day, fear not; we've gone through all the hottest new releases for the next few months and come up with 30 must-read page-turners that will keep you entertained all Summer long. Happy reading!
5 Lessons I Learned Battling Lower-Back Pain
I've had nagging pain before: a toothache, a side stitch, ridiculously sore quads that felt like boulders. But I didn't know the true meaning of "nagging pain" until I hurt my back earlier this year.
As one of the 31 million Americans who experience back pain at any given time, according to the American Chiropractic Association, I'm lucky that my discomfort isn't constant. Only felt when I arch my back (think Upward Facing Dog in yoga), the pain came on suddenly after attempting a heavy squat snatch during the CrossFit Open earlier this year. Nearly five months, an X-ray, and an MRI later, I've completely adjusted my day-to-day life to avoid angering what turned out to be arthritis in my lumbar spine.
Being on the injured list is the absolute worst. Especially as a certified personal trainer, run coach, and indoor cycling instructor, movement is part of my everyday agenda. Some days it's hard to have patience, not being able to do everything as I did pre-snatch. What I've learned along this road to recovery is that there are small, simple things you can do not only to alleviate back pain, but stave it off altogether.
1. Backpacks Are Your BFFL
You loved them when you were in kindergarten, and it's time to love 'em again now, no matter your age. It was about a month into learning how to live with back pain that I realized how important it was for me to ditch my standard tote bag. On any typical day, I'm leaving the house before 7 a.m. for a workout and sometimes not coming back until 9 p.m. after a day of workouts, events, teaching, and hitting up the office somewhere in between. That means that my go-to bag was large, filled to the brim, and often only weighing me down on one side. So I swapped my tote for a Lululemon Adventurer Backpack.
Aside from the fact that I'm obsessed with its copious amounts of pockets, I can say without a doubt that it makes going from point A to point B easier. My load feels lighter. Within two days of rocking the pack, I felt like I was standing up straighter. And unlike before, I wasn't doing a scan come day's end, wishing I could hit up the massage parlor.
2. Stand Up For What's Right
Or at least sit less. Here's the thing: while I don't have a 9-to-5 desk job, so to speak, I do spend a great amount of my day on my iPad answering emails and getting work done. Mixing up my routine, and going from sitting to standing every 30 minutes to an hour, helps me do a bit of a posture check a few times a day. It also doesn't hurt that standing up more often during the day can help decrease risk of disease despite activity levels, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
3. Find a Smarter Workout
Hands down, my exercise habits were the hardest thing for me to switch up. For the last four years, I've spent the Summer marathon training, something that I reluctantly had to abstain from for 2017. Instead of logging 13- to 18-milers on Sunday mornings, I've shifted my routine to incorporate more exercises that help support my back by strengthening my core, glutes, and hips. When you strengthen the muscles surrounding your spine, you give it a better base of stability. This means that my routine today looks totally different than it did six months ago; think barre, yoga, HIIT classes, and - of course - Spin.
Doing these classes without changing my focus wouldn't be possible, either. Now, I have to remember to tuck my tailbone to protect my lower back during a slew of moves. I have to think about really engaging my abs so I'm not overcompensating with the wrong muscle groups. And, most importantly, I have to make time to do extra sets of strengthening exercises in the comfort of my own home so I can get (and stay) stronger.
Within a month of adding in these extra exercises, the pressure doesn't seem as great come morning when I wake up. That relief alone makes taking the 15 minutes out of my day, no matter how much I don't want to do it, totally worth it.
4. Ditch the Laptop
As a writer and editor, my MacBook has essentially been my right arm for the past eight years of my life. But when you have back pain, you quickly realize just how detrimental it is to tote around your laptop day-in and day-out. Of course, I may not feel this way if my MacBook wasn't large and in charge at almost eight years old . . . but I digress.
It took me a few months to finally pull the trigger on a MacBook alternative. Enter the iPad Pro, AKA my back's second BFF, next to the backpack.
With my iPad, which I use with a portable keyboard and Apple Pencil, I can do almost everything I can do on my MacBook (and more). My bag feels a bazillion times lighter, and on the days when I'm trying to get a little fancy, it even fits in my purse.
5. Get Firm With Your Sleep
As much as I loved my mattress pre-back-pain saga, my doctor suggested that I sleep on something on the firm side to provide me with a greater base of support. So, I did some research. Turns out that the mattress I had was just fine, but the pillow topper I was using had to go. It's not exactly as plush as a Westin Heavenly Bed, but I feel less like "OMG, I WANT TO SCREAM!" when I roll over first thing in the morning. And for that? Grateful doesn't even begin to describe how I feel.
8 Reasons to Choose Chicago as Your Next Travel Destination
Itching to tap into your inner adventurer and have an unforgettable time? Well, look no further than Chicago! From the iconic metallic "bean" in Millennium Park to the wondrous architecture, renowned museums, and glistening lakefront, this city is practically overflowing with heart-pumping thrills and adventures. And the best part? You don't have to fork over your entire wallet to partake in the fun, as the Windy City will blow you away with its affordability. Ahead are eight reasons to choose Chicago as your next travel destination!
23 Photos of Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber That Show They're Cut From the Same Cloth
Cindy Crawford and her 15-year-old daughter, Kaia Gerber, are two peas in a pod. Not only are they two of the many related celebrities who are nearly identical, but Kaia is also following in her mom's footsteps with her modeling career. Cindy was one of the hottest supermodels in the '90s, and Kaia has been taking the modeling world by storm, landing campaigns with Daisy Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, and Chrome Hearts. But those aren't the only similarities Cindy and Kaia share. "We react to situations the same way," Kaia told People in May. "I think we're always really strict on time . . . Mannerisms, kind of the way we talk - we both talk with our hands and stuff like that." Keep reading to see the mother-daughter duo's sweetest moments together.
Shirtless Leonardo DiCaprio Serves Poolside Glamour With Kate Winslet in St.-Tropez
Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet reunited for a charity gala in St.-Tropez, France, last month, and during their downtime, the BFFs lounged by the pool at Leo's villa with a few other friends, including Tobey Maguire, Kevin Connolly, and Lukas Haas. Leo went shirtless in a pair of swim trunks for the pool day, while Kate covered up her neon bikini with a sheer dress. The Oscar winners were spotted chatting it up and sharing a hug, and Leo also made sure to strike a few poses between hitting the vape pen and checking his cell phone for text messages from models (we assume). It was during this same getaway that Leo debuted a Project Runway-worthy beach towel design, which we couldn't be more thankful for.
Speaking of models, Leo has reportedly been busy romancing yet another stunner since his pool day with Kate. This week, Page Six reported that Leo is getting cozy with 23-year-old German model Lorena Rae; the pair was seen having a lunch and museum date in NYC and looked "like an item." With only a few weeks until Labor Day, it certainly seems like Leo is ending Summer with a bang (we assume).
10 Ways to Join the Resistance and Fight Back Against Trump Right Now
Whether you've seen it on social media, read about it in the news, or heard people talking about it on the street, there's a multifaceted movement against President Donald Trump that's been gaining steam over the months and years since he first announced his candidacy. Intrigued? From grassroots organizing to shaping fresh new candidates, people across the country are coming together to join the Trump resistance - and doing what they can to fight back against the administration, in every imaginable way.
That being said, it's often hard to figure out just how to join the movement, as there are so many groups devoted to the cause. So, we've pulled together 10 easy ways you can join the revolution right now - and stand up for what you believe in today.
23 Song Lyric Tattoos That Will Inspire Your Music-Loving Soul
Having your favorite sayings inked on you permanently can make them mean even more. The right song lyric can describe all your feelings and hold melodic memories you'll want to treasure forever. If you're looking for new ink, consider these 23 lyrical examples for inspiration.
Dirty Dancing: Where Are They Now?
This month marks the 25th anniversary of Dirty Dancing, which, besides being insanity, has driven us into wild nostalgic consumption of the timeless soundtrack. Of course, it also makes us wonder where everyone is now; while a couple of the stars have sadly passed on, it's fun to see where our other favorite stars ended up.
19 Times Grey's Anatomy Kicked Us Right in the Heart Parts
To quote McDreamy himself, "We've survived an unusual number of very bad things." And devoted Grey's Anatomy fans know exactly how he feels. Loving Grey's is not for the meek-hearted; it takes strength and the understanding that bad things will happen. We can always take solace in the fact that Grey's totally just, like, gets us, but another sob-inducing moment could be right around the corner. Check out all the times the show took a serious toll on our emotional well-being.
Jason Bateman and Laura Linney's Ozark Is Coming Back For Season 2
Hopefully your life could use a whole lot more Jason Bateman and Laura Linney, because their twisted Netflix drama, Ozark, has been renewed for a 10-episode second season. As fans of the slow-burning first season are aware, Bateman and Linney star as Marty and Wendy Byrde, who abruptly relocate their family from the quiet suburbs of Chicago to a Summer resort community in Missouri's Ozarks after a money-laundering situation goes south. The show premiered to middling reviews, but fared much better than Netflix's other dramatic offering, Gypsy, which recently got the ax.
An official date for when Ozark will come back for season two has yet to be unveiled, but given season one's premiere in July, it's safe to assume the next batch of episodes will come around the same time in 2018. Plot details are also scarce at this point, but Bateman did reveal a few tidbits about where Marty is headed next during an interview with Indiewire.
"Obviously, there's the opportunity for Marty to work very closely with the Snells and with Ruth," he said. "He's got $50 million to wash now instead of $8 million. These huge escalations are going to present more complications and higher stakes for him . . . We're going to have some bad guys that are probably wearing ties next year as opposed to blue jeans. He might spend a little time up in St. Louis or Kansas City in pursuing some of these bigger deals that he's going to need to accomplish to get this bigger number washed."
Check out what other TV shows have been renewed so far this year!
5 Things We Know About John Green's Turtles All the Way Down, His First Book in 5 Years
John Green hasn't released a new novel since 2012's The Fault in Our Stars, but that's all about to change. The bestselling author - who also wrote YA novels Looking For Alaska and Paper Towns - has a new book in the works, titled Turtles All the Way Down. Green's return has been highly anticipated, and after announcing the news of his new book on Twitter and during his VidCon appearance in late June, a few choice details about it have started to trickle out (including the meaning behind that mysterious title and the release date!). Here's what we know so far.
The Plot
On his website, Green lays out the basics for the upcoming novel. It will follow 16-year-old Aza, who's struggling "to be a good daughter, a good friend, and a good student" all while also trying to solve one of the greatest mysteries of her time. With the help of "her Best and Most Fearless Friend Daisy," Aza sets out to uncover what happened to fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett (and possibly collect a $100,000 reward in the process). Aza and Daisy's journey to Russell Pickett's son, Davis, will be an emotional and illuminating one, as Aza also attempts to deal with her own mental illness.
The Real-Life Inspiration
During Green's Ask Me Anything session on Reddit in 2015, the 39-year-old author opened up about his experience with obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety. "I've known that I have this mental illness for a long time, and I've had a lot of therapy and learned a lot of strategies for dealing with my illness," he wrote. "I know the benefits of exercise and meditation and medication and CBT strategies and etc."
In a statement from publisher Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, Green revealed that Turtles All the Way Down was written as a way for him to work through his own struggles with mental illness. "This is my first attempt to write directly about the kind of mental illness that has affected my life since childhood, so while the story is fictional, it is also quite personal," he said.
The Title's Meaning
"Turtles all the way down" is actually a popular expression in cosmology that comes from an anecdote explaining "the unmoved mover" paradox. It posits that Earth is actually flat and is riding on the back of "a World Turtle," which itself is on the back of another turtle, and so on. The end of the anecdote concludes that it's "turtles all the way down." Apparently Aza will be a fan of The Big Bang Theory.
The Book Cover
The cover of my new book, Turtles All The Way Down, out October 10th 2017. https://t.co/hT1gAV371H #TurtlesAllTheWayDown http://pic.twitter.com/PyoJHxicld
- John Green (@johngreen) August 10, 2017
The Release Date
It's set to hit bookshelves on Oct. 10.
25 Times Michelle Obama's Casual Outfit Proved She's the Chillest First Lady Ever
There have been plenty of events where Michelle Obama dazzled in designer gowns, jeweled earrings, and metallic heels. But just as she pulls off fancy and fierce, the former FLOTUS also rocks cool and casual, skipping patterned dresses for leggings, jeans, and, on occasion, sweatshirts. Scroll through to see a handful of times Michelle's outfit was way more comfy than polished, from her gardening gear to bike-riding looks. Then check out Kate Middleton following suit, wearing outfits the queen probably wouldn't approve of.
30 Must-Read Summer Books You Need in Your Beach Bag
It's that time of year again: the weather is getting warmer, the days are getting longer, and Netflix on the couch is about to be replaced by reading on the beach. Even if you haven't picked up a book since Labor Day, fear not; we've gone through all the hottest new releases for the next few months and come up with 30 must-read page-turners that will keep you entertained all Summer long. Happy reading!
The 1 Practice That Will Help You Live in the Moment
How often do you use your phone while eating? Chances are that your answer is most of the time. We go about our everyday lives passively, going through the motions without actually digesting what we see. That's where mindfulness comes in. David Schiller best describes mindfulness as "intentional seeing" in his book See Your Way to Mindfulness: Ideas and Inspiration to Open Your I. To break it down, it means to "hit pause, slow down, try to let go of the endless stream of thoughts, and just focus on what's in front of us." It means to be aware of your surroundings and your thoughts and to be fully present. We are all capable of mindfulness; it's just a matter of tapping into it.
When we get wrapped up in and worried about what has happened or what hasn't yet happened, we get anxious. It's easy to get overwhelmed by our endless thoughts, but mindfulness is an effective solution to help ease the panic. By recognizing your feelings at that moment and thinking of each thing individually, instead of as one big clusterf*ck, you'll feel more in control. And while it's difficult to be able to slow your mind down, it takes practice like anything else.
A simple way you can practice mindfulness right now is to put your hand over your stomach and breathe slowly. Pay attention to your breaths, and feel the rise and fall of your belly under your hand. In those few moments, you are shutting out everything else around you by focusing on your inhalations.
It's important to stay connected with ourselves, especially when life gets a little chaotic. But mindfulness should be practiced regularly so that it becomes natural. It's been proven to help lower stress, boost focus and memory, and help you be more in control of your emotions. So the next time you're waiting in line or walking somewhere, recognize where you are, how you're feeling, and who's around you. Turn off autopilot and make it habit to think about what you're doing. You'll be able to make better choices, feel calmer, and be more present.
The 18 Most Stunning Pieces of Jewelry Kate Middleton Has Received From the Royal Family
Sapphires and diamonds and pearls, oh my! From brand-new bling to centuries-old diamonds, in her first five years of marriage, the Duchess of Cambridge has already worn some impressive pieces of jewelry. Her new family has helped her build her very own collection of sparklers, but when it comes to really putting on the glitz, nothing beats having access to her grandmother-in-law's incredible and iconic collection.
We took a look at the top 18 pieces of jewelry Kate has received or borrowed from the royal family - so far.
George R.R. Martin's Original Game of Thrones Pitch Hints at Another Stark Death
Big ol' Game of Thrones spoilers below!
Gruesome deaths and Game of Thrones go together like HBO and leaked episodes, but the latest spoilers have come from a surprising source: George R.R. Martin himself. The original 1993 pitch for the author's A Song of Ice and Fire series has been uncovered, and it could hold the key to which of the show's beloved characters make it out of season seven (and season eight, for that matter) alive and well.
As Mashable points out, Martin's three-page letter to his agent actually first surfaced in 2015 when British bookstore Waterstones tweeted out photos of it, before the account quickly took them down. Luckily, Reddit user TheNextRobin was able to screenshot the images before they were deleted and subsequently shared them on Reddit themselves. In the letter, Martin wrote that "five central characters" - Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Arya Stark, Bran Stark, and Jon Snow - are destined to "[grow] from children to adults and [change] the world and themselves" along the way. "In a sense, my trilogy is almost a generational saga, telling the life stories of these five characters, three men and two women," he explained. "The five key players are Tyrion Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, and three of the children of Winterfell, Arya, Bran, and the bastard Jon Snow."
So, is this the definitive answer as to which of the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryens will make it to the end of the series? Maybe, since all five of those characters are currently kicking it around Westeros. Then again, it's worth noting that Martin made it clear in the letter that the ideas he initially had for the series were likely to change dramatically over the course of publication, so don't count Sansa out just yet:
"As you know, I don't outline my novels. I find that if I know exactly where a book is going, I lose all interest in writing it. I do, however, have some strong notions as to the overall structure of the story I'm telling, and the eventual fate of many of the principle characters in the drama."
He wasn't joking about that, either, since his original idea for Game of Thrones included a romance between Arya and Jon Snow (excuse us while we hurl ourselves off a cliff), Tyrion deciding to light Winterfell on fire, Robb dying somewhere other than the Red Wedding, and Sansa having Joffrey's baby (extremely hard pass). The author, who is reportedly hard at work on Winds of Winter, also emphasized that clinging to any one character in the story would be unwise:
"The cast will not always remain the same. Old characters will die, and new ones will be introduced. Some of the fatalities will include sympathetic viewpoint characters. I want the reader to feel that no one is ever completely safe, not even the characters who seem to be the heroes. The suspense always ratchets up a notch when you know that any character can die at any time."
Although Martin's initial vision for the series relied on the survival of Dany, Tyrion, Arya, Bran, and Jon, his own warnings about the unpredictable nature of the story could mean that those five characters are no longer safe. Arya, what with her murderous vendettas and all, has found herself in a perilous position lately, so we wouldn't be surprised if she and Sansa have been switched. Daenerys could also be in trouble, and many fans have speculated that the Dragon Queen might sacrifice herself beyond the Wall, because it ties in to a vision she has while in the House of the Undying.
Will Sansa Stark make it to the end? Will the Night King ride in and turn everyone in Westeros to a popsicle? As we're all well aware, "when you play the game of thrones, you win or die." Here's hoping the show concludes with more winning than dying.
The 1 Thing This Fashion Editor Does to Every Pair of Jeans After She Buys Them
I have no background in fashion design and I certainly wouldn't consider myself crafty. But every time I buy a new pair of jeans I pull out my scissors and get to work. They're not even fabric shears, they just have blades sharp enough to get the job done. The job in question? Cutting three to five inches off the bottoms of my pants - all of them.
At 5'1", I'm definitely lacking in the height department. And even "cropped" denim hits me at an awkward length, like right below the ankle, instead of above. Since I like to show off my shoes from time to time and the distressed look is in, I've come up with a method for simply snipping away at all of my jeans.
But you don't have to be petite to get in on my hobby. In fact, with all the ragged cuts and rips featured on some of the trendiest styles these days, slicing even half an inch off your hem might just up the cool factor. This is also a great solution for updating old denim stowed away at the back of your closet. And the best news is, you don't have to be artistically talented to do it. Once you cut one pair, I promise you can cut them all. Just read on for my DIY instructions. Oh, and don't run with scissors.
Step One
Try on your jeans in front of the mirror and mark the point you want to crop them to. Pay attention to the fit of the leg. If it's flared, you might want to go lower, so the triangle shape of the pant is still visible. If it's straight, you pretty much have free rein to cut where you like.
Step Two
Lay the jeans on a flat surface (preferably a hard floor) and make sure to flatten out the wrinkles and the pockets. Once everything is straight, cut across the line you marked for yourself.
Step Three
Rather than eye-balling the second pant leg, take the excess material you just cut off and line it along the bottom of the other pant. This ensures that your two legs will match up exactly, but once you distress your hem, perfection won't matter much.
Step Four
Now that your jeans have been slashed, loosen up the strings of the material by rubbing them against the jeans, shredding with your fingers, or treating with a razor. If you want to wear them right away, that's cool, but trust me that they'll look much better once . . .
Step Five
You wash them. Throw them in the laundry once and your jeans will come out looking like you just bought them off the rack. The hem will be noticeably stressed, but in the best possible way - and that's because you treated them yourself.
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14 Tech Companies Trying to Ban Hate Groups and White Supremacists
Disavowing and distancing yourself from white supremacy and neo-Nazi individuals and groups isn't hard. But until the events in Charlottesville, VA, many tech companies didn't make it a priority to remove such people and groups from their platforms. Since neo-Nazis and white supremacists rallied in Charlottesville, though, leaving three dead, tech companies like Spotify, OkCupid, Google, and CloudFlare are taking a stand.
GoDaddy, which used to host the domain for neo-Nazi site Daily Stormer, dropped the site from its servers earlier this week. The site then moved over to Google, only to have Google do the same. Other companies are joining in and taking similar actions, such as:
- Wordpress no longer supports Vanguard America, a white supremacist group.
- Squarespace will also stop hosting "a group of sites."
- CloudFlare, a security service for websites, announced it would stop protecting the Daily Stormer.
- PayPal won't let people or groups accept "payments or donations for activities that promote hate, violence, or racial intolerance."
- Spotify is removing "hate bands" from its music streaming platform.
- OkCupid banned a white supremacist, Chris Cantwell, from its site as well. It also asked members to report "people involved in hate groups."
- Apple disabled "Apple Pay" for websites selling white nationalist and Nazi products.
- Twitter suspended the Daily Stormer's Twitter account.
- Facebook and Instagram deactivated the account for Chris Cantwell. Facebook has also taken down pages belonging to white supremacist groups.
- Before the events in Charlottesville started, Airbnb preemptively shut down accounts and bookings if they was associated with the "Unite the Right" rally.
- Discord, a chatting app, shut down a number of servers associated with the alt-right.
- GoFundMe also took down several campaigns for James A. Fields, the driver who is charged with striking and killing Heather Heyer.
However, many have pointed out that while this is a noble effort from many of these companies, some of these platforms still host other white supremacist or neo-Nazi sites, groups, and pages. In the past, while some companies may have been reticent to take action on sites like these because of free speech and First Amendment concerns, the tide appears to be changing. PayPal made it clear why it was finally time to take action: "We recognize and work to navigate the fine lines that exist in these situations, and our teams do their best to distinguish between opinion-based, offensive websites and those that go beyond opinion and discourse and violate our policies." In our opinion, it's time even more tech companies took a stand to distinguish hate speech from free speech.
Change This 1 Thing to Get More From Every Workout
You take the back corner whenever possible. Being close to the instructor is your nightmare. You prefer packed classes where you can get lost in the crowd. You avoid looking in the mirrors, even to check your form. You are OK with marginal fitness improvements because you are scared to work harder in case you look silly.
You know who you are.
As a trainer, I have one thing to say to you: you need to kick that shy person inside you to the curb and start tapping into your inner workout beast. And start today.
The more committed you are to every move, every drill, every repetition, the better you will perform. And more importantly, you will get better results. Too often we let our desire to hide during our workouts shortchange our ability to get all we possibly can out of every minute.
When you walk into any fitness arena - gym, studio, weight room, outdoor boot camp - your game face should be on. You have taken the time out of your busy schedule. In most cases, you have paid money to participate.
Your results are based on the work you put in, not the effort of your trainers. You are given the tools; it's what you do with them that makes you a fitness badass or a wannabe.
The badasses commit. They grunt. They groan. They pick up the heavier weights and crush their sets, even if they have to make weird faces while doing it. They get sweaty in unattractive places. (Hence why I typically only wear black workout pants).
They go all out, all the time (regardless of where their sweat goes), and you know who they are because they look the part.
The people who aren't as successful are often the ones that are more worried about what they look like than what they are actually accomplishing. They barely swing a kettlebell because they are embarrassed to really thrust their hips up to get the full motion of the move. They do a halfhearted punch or kick in their kickboxing class because they don't want to seem overeager.
Or worse, that they are "acting tough." They refuse to sprint in boot camp because they worry about looking like they are trying too hard. It's this self-consciousness that is holding them back from reaching the next level of fitness.
And they need to get over themselves and get out of their own way. I guarantee you, no one is really looking at you.
In yoga, we are reminded to stay on our own mats. In cycling, we are the master of our own rides. While driving, we stay in our lanes. What you chose to do in your fitness lane and how you chose to do it should not be driven by those around you.
Let your inner badass come out, in all its glory.
Your squats will be deeper, you'll squeeze in a few more reps before time expires, you'll burn those extra calories you are after.
Dig in, dig deep, and forget about everyone else. This is YOUR workout.
Be committed. Do this and you will start seeing better results.
jeudi 17 août 2017
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.
The Myth of "Abortion Reversal" Is Making a Comeback - Here's Why It's Dangerous
The idea that an abortion can be "reversed" is a fabrication that's been peddled by foes of abortion for years on end. That's why it's not particularly surprising - but is particularly disturbing - that this dangerous, unproven theory continues to gain traction in a political climate hostile to women's rights. A New York Times Magazine feature published in July has sparked a new round of conversation about this narrative that abortion opponents continue to push, and it's worthy of our attention, particularly because it is so deceitful and dehumanizing.
How the Abortion Pill Really Works
A medical abortion consists of a two-pill treatment, most widely known as Mifeprex or RU486: one pill causes the cervix to dilate and the uterus to shed its lining. A second pill, taken a few days later, causes contractions to terminate the pregnancy. Women are increasingly choosing the abortion pill; in fact, medication abortions made up 43 percent of all abortions provided at Planned Parenthood clinics in 2014, up from 35 percent in 2010. There are some distinct advantages to the abortion pill: it doesn't require an invasive procedure in a medical office, a woman can choose where to be and who to be with during the experience, and, because, it's biologically similar to a miscarriage, people often feel the process seems more natural than undergoing an abortion procedure.
How the Idea of "Abortion Reversal" Spread
The concept of abortion reversal has its roots in a 2012 report coauthored by San Diego physician George Delgado, who has continued to espouse his theory in the years since. The study was wildly flawed from both an ethical and scientific standpoint: it was a survey of only seven women total, being treated by a number of different doctors, and there was no control group. Delgado's own motivations also cast a shadow over the study; he is openly antiabortion himself. He says the impetus for the research was a call he got from LifeSavers Ministries, an antiabortion group, asking for advice from a young woman who reportedly changed her mind after taking the abortion pill. Was there any way to stop the process? Delgado came up with a theory and sought out a doctor willing to help him experiment to test whether it was true.
Delgado's report suggested that women can undergo a progesterone injection to thicken the lining of the uterus after taking the first pill in order to stop the abortion process. But a study published in medical journal Contraception in 2015 found that the first pill alone resulted in a complete abortion from 53 to 88 percent of the time, even if the second pill was not administered. Delgado's study remains the only one ever published on "abortion reversal," and it is purely anecdotal. In fact, the American Medical Association says there is no "credible, medical evidence" that abortion reversal works, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists insists there are "no reliable research studies that prove any treatment" can reverse the effects of a medical abortion.
How This Medical Myth Led to Several Antiwoman, Antiscience Laws
Despite the complete lack of scientific evidence - and common sense - suggesting that an abortion can be "undone," this irresponsible claim has done much to help undermine reproductive rights nationwide. As recently as March of 2017, states have passed laws that require doctors to tell women undergoing medical abortions that they can change their minds midway through the process - in other words, that they can "reverse" their abortions. Utah's Governor Gary Herbert signed such a bill into law in March of this year; his state joined South Dakota and Arkansas in instituting the legislation. (A similar abortion-reversal law passed in Arizona was struck down by the courts in 2016.)
Why Debunking This Myth Matters
Medical abortions are safe, legal procedures. Serious complications from RU486 are extremely rare, impacting fewer than one percent of women. Laws that promote junk science and force medical doctors to lie to women undermine patient rights, are unethical, and are condescending to grown women who have the ability - and the right - to make informed decisions about their own health care.
Doctors have widely pushed back against these unethical, unfounded laws. But there's a broader story the "abortion reversal" movement tends to ignore: as multiple studies have shown, the "problem" of women who choose to terminate a pregnancy being filled with regret and immediately seeking to "undo" an abortion is an extreme rarity. It plays into a common fear-mongering narrative about regret that antiabortion activists often perpetuate. In fact, recent research bears out that women who choose to abort feel "overwhelmingly" confident about the decision not only in the very short term, but also several years later. Unsurprisingly, the argument in favor of "abortion reversal" fails in the same way research on the method did: by relying on anecdotes and scare tactics rather than actual statistics or facts.
I Channeled Kendall Jenner - and Went Braless at Work
I hopped off the bus in Times Square and started to walk toward the office. That's when he saw me. He shook his head back and forth slowly as he stared down at my chest. "Why do you do that?" the man moaned loudly. Yes, seriously. I sped up into a walk-run, suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious.
I was wearing a sleeveless turtleneck in a fuzzy mustard-colored material so as to distract from my nipples as much as possible. Clearly, it wasn't really working. Plus, a bathroom selfie I had taken in the mirror that morning confirmed it was definitely easy to make out the shape of my boobs. But when I left the house, I had been comfortable. There were no bra straps to slip off my shoulders or underwire to adjust when it dug into my skin. Honestly, I kind of liked the look. I thought my outfit - the aforementioned turtleneck plus a denim skirt with a pair of sneakers - appeared effortless. I added a pair of gold hoop earrings too, which said "polished" but my nipples were just like "whatever." "Is this how it feels to dress like a French girl?" I wondered.
But you should know the reason why I decided to ditch a bra in the first place. During a brainstorm with my coworkers, I came up with the idea as an "editor experiment" based on the fact that Kendall Jenner has been all about wearing sheer tops that expose her nipple ring this Summer and supermodel sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid have followed suit. (The Hadid sisters don't have nipple rings, but they do have nipples.) And even though these ladies are more well-endowed than I am, they seem very nonchalant about going braless. When I look at their street style shots, I want to put on an outfit that appears to be so easy. "So who's going to try it?" I challenged, looking around the room during our meeting. "Why don't you do it?" someone said. Right. I had unknowingly volunteered myself to go braless, and at that point, I couldn't turn back.
So there I was the next day in a black button-down cardigan - one I usually wear with my Victoria's Secret Bombshell push-up bra. But on this day, there was more of just a sag situation going on. I styled my sweater with cropped high-waisted denim, pointed-toe flats, and artsy earrings I always get compliments on. I wasn't trying to distract from my breasts, but I was, perhaps, trying to channel Audrey Hepburn.
"I can totally tell you're not wearing a bra," my mom blurted out at dinner on this night, as we sat around the table with my cousin who was visiting, my boyfriend, who probably doesn't love that I'm writing a Tale of Two Titties to be posted online, my sister, my grandma, who doesn't even remember where she keeps her bras or what they're for, and oh yeah, my dad. "Yes, I guess that's the point." I said, again feeling sort of uncomfortable that everyone was now staring at my chest. We're a supercasual family, so it's not like this was such a big deal. But I guess I was surprised by how often people were taking note - even when I was wearing black.
I took a final stance on going braless when the weekend came, and I was able to style my "going out" outfits more easily. Since a night out to dinner with Bae called for a pretty little sundress with complicated bow straps, it felt like such a relief to not have to worry about the placement of stick-on boobs, or as some girls call them, "chicken cutlets." There was zero panic about those guys peeking out from the sides or the top of my dress, and no chance of them slipping down when I started to sweat (partly because it's Summer and partly because the Cioppino sauce was supposed to be spicy).
Later that night, I changed into a floral tube top that cinches into a bow at the front and would absolutely have revealed all different smidgens of my bra or bralette if I had attempted to wear one. I threw on the flirty top with cutoffs and sandals and danced the night away. It felt so easy! "This is it! I am French!" I thought to myself as I kicked it to "Despacito" at the bar. Some of the people I am friends with and spend time with on the weekend did notice I wasn't wearing a bra. Jokingly, they called me names like "Titties McGee" which felt a little bit demeaning to me, but in their defense, I told them all about my experiment, and they were very supportive.
All in all, going braless is far less manageable at the workplace. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable when I was sitting in meetings, the AC was blasting, and my nipples were the most excited things in the room. But going braless on the weekend? Now that I can get behind - I even think it looks more elegant to make the move with a fancy gown at a wedding. Because really, messing around with boob tape is never fun, and it can cause wardrobe malfunctions and straight-up inconvenience when you're just trying to enjoy the shrimp cocktail instead of having to run to the bathroom every five minutes.
That said, going braless isn't for everyone. There are women who truly need the support of a bra on an everyday basis, and luckily for them, the look is definitely more sleek, polished, and clean. Nevertheless, I don't mind a good fashion experiment every now and then. I could have done without the 8:30 a.m. comments from the man who interrupted my walk to work, but it did help me to draw conclusions about how I felt without a bra on. I do think going a full week without one helped me feel more confident in my own skin.
Not that bra size is of much importance to me, but as a 32A, I wouldn't mind being, like, one cup size bigger. It'd be nice to fill out a bodyhugging top with a plunging neckline, instead of swimming in the material or having to secure a safety pin behind my neck to hold things in place. And I'd love to wear one of those retro-style swimsuits with a half-moon cup and underwire that provides lift. Unfortunately, I don't really have much of anything to "lift." Even so, my boobs became more visible to me during the week I went braless. As soon as I took off my shirt at the end of the day, there they were!
I discovered the natural shape of my boobs, too, because I was always staring right at them when I looked in the mirror. It turns out, my boobs aren't perfect mini-circles, as they appear to be when I'm wearing a bra. Without a bra, I had to support my own breasts, and I did this by wearing my head high and shrugging off the double takes and widened eyes of the people I passed on the street. I did this by paying attention to my posture. Instead of slouching, I stood up straight. Instead of hunching over at my desk, I perked my head up and rolled my shoulders back. The whole week was a sort of lesson in poise for me, and I'm proud of myself for sticking through it. I'm proud of my boobs, too.
6 Breakfast Staples I Always Have as a 20-Something on a Budget
It's taken me a while to get used to the many requirements of "adulting," especially eating a good breakfast without blowing money. After a few years as a working 20-something, I've finally learned that waking up just a little earlier to feed myself in the morning before heading out for a long day really does make a huge difference in my productivity - and my bank account. If I follow my own advice and stock up on these six breakfast staples every week, I'm guaranteed to skip the stop for an overpriced breakfast sandwich and an expensive coffee as I'm rushing to the office (except on Fridays because, you know, treat yourself). Here's what I've personally deemed to be my own breakfast checklist that has transformed the way I prioritize my morning routine and has turned me into - who have I become? - someone who never skips the most important meal of the day anymore. It just might give you a few helpful ideas, too.
Kelly Ripa and Her Sons Always Seem to Have the Best Time Together
Kelly Ripa seems to have it all: a successful career, a hot husband, an incredible body, and a beautiful family. When the mother of three isn't busy hosting Live With Kelly and Ryan, she's at home being a doting mom. In addition to her sweet bond with 16-year-old daughter Lola, Kelly is also really close with her two sons, Michael, 20, and Joaquin, 14. The proud mom often shares adorable throwback photos of them on Instagram, and Joaquin and Michael will occasionally serve as her dates to red carpet events. See some of Kelly's sweetest moments with her two boys ahead.
Olivia Benson’s Steamiest Relationships on Law & Order: SVU
Don't we all wish that we were a gorgeous badass like Lieutenant Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU? Played by Mariska Hargitay, Olivia dates some of the hottest men television has to offer. While she has plenty of dates (and men who only wish they could take her on one), we're breaking down the dudes who make it past an episode or two. And even though they have the best (platonic) relationship ever, no, her partner Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) is not on the list. Season 19 premieres on Sept. 27, so if you haven't made it through the first 18 seasons yet, beware that there are spoilers ahead!
How to Get the Signature J.Crew Look Jenna Lyons Made Famous
A signature J.Crew outfit - complete with a shirt, sweater, coat, trousers, and shoes - is carefully considered, but appears effortless. That's what's so intriguing about the brand's signature styling: there's a method to the "polished madness." In order to strike that perfect balance you see on the mannequins when you walk in the store or on the company's Instagram page, you've got to be open to trial and error.
We talked to J.Crew's head stylist, Gayle Spannaus, who painted a very pretty picture for us when we asked her about the look. "I always like to start with a classic white shirt, a stripe, and a piece of denim. Those are the building blocks!" So what comes next? Mixing. "It's tom girl style, mixing high with low, feminine with masculine, and trendy with evergreen. We always say 'the magic is in the mix," Gayle explained.
All it takes is throwing on, say, a splashy pattern with stripes and a ruffled skirt, then seeing how it all comes together. Too many colors? Break them up with a neutral tailored coat. Too simple? Tie a bright cardigan around the waist of your jeans. Read on for even more inspired tips, and shop some J.Crew separates while you're at it to help you achieve the highly coveted look that former Creative Director Jenna Lyons made famous.
A Celebrity Trainer's Weight-Loss Rule: 3 Miles or 30 Minutes
Before trainer Kit Rich became a Pilates instructor to the stars (and healthy-lifestyle ambassador for brands like Lucy), she was just a woman trying yet another crazy, extreme, or unhealthy diet in order to lose weight. "I tried everything," she told POPSUGAR, adding that she also suffered from eating disorders and body dysmorphia. "I was desperate to lose weight. So I would do, like what most women do, those freaking crazy juice diets. I would do all these extreme things, but it always brought me back to the other extreme."
After years of yo-yo dieting, Kit finally hit on her problem: she was working out in a way that wasn't sustainable. Her solution was one that helped her lose 30 pounds and one that she still shares with her students today, whether she's teaching a private class in LA or going on tour with a musician client. Her tip? Make it manageable. Specifically, Kit says that her mantra of "three miles or 30 minutes, every day" is what helped her finally break free from weight fluctuations and keep the pounds off for good. As in: run, walk, or hike your way to three miles a day, or do a 30-minute workout instead. "I really do believe wholeheartedly that the middle road is the way to go," she says. "Anything extreme is not long-lasting."
As a former athlete, this manageable mantra helped keep Kit from burning out on her workouts when she was trying to lose weight. "I come from a background of injury, and I had knee surgery, so you can't tell me to go and take some crazy bootcamp class," she says. "Because my knee will start to hurt, and then what's going to start to happen, I'm going to freak out that I won't be able to do that for the rest of my life." Instead, just telling yourself to do something little every day can help you get a hold of your health and your weight-loss goals. "Women need to feel empowered," she says. "They need to feel like what they're doing is something that they somewhat enjoy and that they can have a grip on. And that's why I believe in this three or 30 rule."
Inspired by Kit's message? Check out all our 30-minute workouts here!
Get Ready For This - All of These Costumes Are Under $25
Getting into the spirit of Halloween doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, Amazon has a slew of creative costumes that ring in well under $25. So whether you have a party to go to and want the spotlight to be on you or you're just looking for something easy to wear to the office for the company get-together, we've done the hard part for you and found the best costumes the retailer has to offer. Pick out one, and don't forget to share it on Instagram. It's never too early to start planning.
10 Times Kim Kardashian Was an Over-the-Top Mom
Whether you love them, loathe them, or are on the fence, the Kardashian-West family consistently makes headlines for their grand lifestyle and over-the-top experiences. The public is intrigued by the antics of America's most camera-friendly family, particularly middle sister and mom Kim. No matter your views on the Kardashian clan, one thing's for sure - Kim loves being a mom to her two kids, North and Saint, and she isn't afraid to show it with some spectacular gestures. Here are 10 times that North and Saint's mama made us say "Wow!"
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