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.
samedi 2 septembre 2017
10 Aluminum-Free Deodorants That Actually Keep You Stink Free
You can't talk about natural deodorants without a quick lesson in B.O. 101. First you need to know the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant. An antiperspirant has chemicals like aluminum to stop sweating altogether. The aluminum salts plug the sweat glands, preventing perspiration. On the other hand, a deodorant masks and neutralizes odor. But where does the stink come from in the first place? When the glands in your armpits emit sweat, the liquid interacts with the bacteria in the area to emit unsavory smells.
Natural deodorants use essential oils like tea tree and witch hazel to curb the bacteria. Some also have other less harmful minerals like zinc ricinoleate and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to keep the underarm area dry without stopping sweat altogether. In addition to getting rid of aluminum, most are also paraben free and safe for sensitive skin. If you're thinking about giving up antiperspirant, start with these 10 formulas that actually keep the stink at bay.
25 Midnight-Blue Hair Ideas That Will Inspire Your Next Moody Look
Pastel hair hues are stunning, but we're far more fascinated by the moodier takes on colorful coifs. Emerald dye captured our hearts. Smoky lilac styles mesmerized us. And now, midnight-blue manes are inspiring us to take the plunge into rainbow hair. Depending on how a colorist translates the look into your strands, your strands can appear like anything from a stormy sea to a starry night sky.
The beauty of this color trend is that you can customize it to perfectly flatter your skin tone, though the more black that is in the mix, the more complementary it is to all complexions. Cool-skinned gals might want to add a bit more blue-based purple for a sultry indigo shade, while those with warmer complexions could add a bit of yellow-based green to suit their olive undertones. Learn more about your undertone here, then read on to see our favorite takes on midnight-blue hair.
Pink Won't Grow Out Her Hair, and the Reason Why Is So Heartwarming
Ever since she came on the scene in 1999, Pink has always worn a short haircut. She's experimented plenty, wearing everything from a platinum blonde mohawk to a bubblegum-pink pompadour, but her androgynous cut has remained. At the MTV VMAs, where she accepted the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Pink explained why she keeps it short in a heartwarming story about her 6-year-old daughter.
During a drive to school, her daughter told her, "I am the ugliest girl I know" and "I look like a boy with long hair." Pink responded by making a PowerPoint presentation celebrating gender-bending icons like David Bowie, Michael Jackson, and Prince, and then she gave her some wise words.
"Do you see me growing my hair? Do you see me changing my body?" she asked. Her daughter said no. "Do you see me selling out arenas worldwide?" Her daughter said yes. "We don't change. We take the gravel and the shell and we make a pearl," Pink continued. "We help other people to change so that they can see more kinds of beauty."
May Pink continue being outspoken and inspiring . . . and keep serving incredible short-hair inspiration while she's at it.
Jared Kushner Spoke in Public, and People Finally Discovered What He Sounds Like
Jared Kushner, who isn't known for speaking in public (but did appear on Gossip Girl that one time), broke his rarely broken silence at an event on June 19. As President Donald Trump's top adviser and leader of the White House Office of American Innovation, Kushner welcomed Silicon Valley CEOs to the administration's "technology week." Based on the internet's reaction, it was the first time many people heard his voice - and they were more than happy to pile on the memes.
Kushner's short speech discussed bringing the government's infrastructure up to date and also piled some blame on the Obama and Bush administrations. When he cited the Department of Veterans Affairs move to switch from paper to electronic medical records, he said that "despite 16 years of failed efforts, the Trump administration got it done in less than five months." However, plenty of people were more distracted by how he sounded than what he was actually saying.
The wait is finally over. We now know what Jared Kushner's voice sounds like. My boyfriend...when I was 12.
- beth argyropoulos (@bourgeoisalien) June 19, 2017
Jared Kushner sounds like the kid from Dead Poets Society who sells out the Robin Williams character. https://t.co/u6C0SO9EVI
- Alan Zilberman (@alanzilberman) June 19, 2017
Kind of disappointed. Jared Kushner's making his first public remarks and he hasn't been hiding a cool Darth Vader voice. At all.
- Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) June 19, 2017
Others took it to the next level and changed Kushner's voice completely.
I don't know why everyone's talking about Jared Kushner's voice. I think he sounds fine http://pic.twitter.com/BUPrscwfl0
- joel tyler (@joeltyler_) June 19, 2017
Wow, so THIS is what Jared Kushner sounds like??? http://pic.twitter.com/rYYojqanq6
- Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) June 19, 2017
Oh wow, I've never heard Jared Kushner speak before. His voice sounds... different than I imagined. http://pic.twitter.com/GW8Rt7U9lY
- Matt Novak (@paleofuture) June 19, 2017
Considering how many government functions Kushner's running, it's sure odd that so many Americans didn't even know what we sounded like.
25 Sparkling Glitter Henna Designs That Are Positively Spellbinding
As stunning as traditional henna designs can be, they might just not be exciting enough for the adventurous beauty lover. If you're already over the white henna trend and are passing on UV henna designs, then there's one more magical take on the classic technique that is bound to catch your eye: glitter henna.
There are a few options for those hoping to test out this shimmering style. You can apply sparkle dust on top of white or brown henna before it dries, causing the glitter to fuse to the paint. Alternatively, you can use glittery waterproof body paints to create the iconic scroll designs. Either way, the finished look is beautiful and blinged out. Just imagine being in a dimly-lit room and watching the sparkles dance across your skin. See what we mean when you read on!
50 Dreamy Rainbow Balayage Ideas to Inspire Your Next Dye Job
After salons introduced us to the balayage dye method, we never looked back. The technique - which consists of actually painting color onto hair - is the most low-maintenance way to achieve sun-kissed strands. Because the style doesn't result in harsh lines of demarcation (like classic highlights might), color fades evenly as your hair grows out.
That means that if you're looking to join Team Unicorn, balayage should definitely be in your rainbow hair arsenal. We've rounded up 50 of our favorite dye jobs that are the perfect marriage of balayage and rich, vibrant hues. Read on to see some inspirational and colorful coifs . . . arranged in ROYGBIV order, of course.
No Cooking Required For These 20 Fast and Easy Appetizers
Appetizers are always a good idea, but taking the time to cook them isn't always possible. These no-bake appetizers allow you to entertain gracefully without making too much of an effort. From salsas to cheesy bites and more, these heat-free appetizers deserve a spot at any gathering, and no one will know how last-minute you really were.
11 Delicious Ways to Make Corn on the Cob This Summer
If there's one food that defines Summer, it's corn on the cob. You can grill it, boil it, and even slow-cook it, and it's almost impossible to mess up. While merely adding a dab of salted butter is always a good call, there are plenty of ways to take it to the next level and make the sweet kernels even more delicious. Get the recipes for Mexican street-style grilled corn, basil-parmesan corn, and more ahead.
Here's Exactly What Was in the Letter Jon Snow Wrote Sansa That Made Her So Mad
Sansa Stark and Jon Snow's relationship hasn't exactly been as strong as we would have hoped lately on Game of Thrones. While Jon has been off securing dragonglass weapons to fight the White Walkers and nearly dying at the skeletal hands of thousands of wights (and oh, yes, getting it on with his aunt), Sansa has been struggling to keep the North together.
Fortunately with Bran and Arya by her side, she's able to eliminate the manipulations of Littlefinger in the season seven finale and emerge stronger from the whole situation. Before that, though, she gets a letter from Jon that gives her pause, and she vents her frustrations to the still-alive Petyr Baelish. She reveals that Jon has pledged the North's allegiance to Dany, but now we know exactly what the letter said thanks to HBO's behind-the-scenes website for the show, Making Game of Thrones.
In all its glory, it reads:
"Sansa,
Cersei Lannister has pledged her forces to our cause, as has Daenerys Targaryen. If we survive this war, I have pledged our forces to Daenerys as the rightful Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. We are both coming to organise the defence of the realm.
Jon Snow, Warden of the North"
Although seeing the letter isn't an earth-shattering revelation, it's nice to see how Jon chose to let Sansa know about developments in King's Landing (even if she's unhappy about it).
The Most Heartbreaking Thing About Chris Farley's Death Is Everyone Saw It Coming
Image Source: Getty / George Pimentel
The world lost something special when comedian and actor Chris Farley passed away in 1997 at the age of 33. In addition to being a huge part of Saturday Night Live's golden years in the '90s, Chris also starred in classic movies like Tommy Boy and Black Sheep. But as bright of a light as he was for other people, Chris battled dark demons in his personal life, including drug and alcohol addiction. A few months before his death, Chris, who had gone to rehab 17 times to try to kick his bad habits, relapsed. "I want to live fast and die young," he told one of his friends. And to the heartbreak of his many fans, that's exactly what happened.
On Dec. 18, 1997, Chris was found dead in his Chicago apartment from an overdose of cocaine and morphine after drinking and using drugs for four days straight. The star, who had gone to a detox center for just one night a week before his death, had become extremely uncomfortable in his large frame (he was reportedly close to 300 pounds), and friends revealed that he frequently struggled with figuring out if his fans were laughing with him or at him. On Dec. 14, he began bar hopping all over Chicago, and he also kept the company of strippers and call girls during his final days alive.
Image Source: Everett Collection
In the 2015 documentary I Am Chris Farley, his college friend Pat Finn talked about Chris's many vices. "He did everything to excess," Pat said. "When it came to drinking and other stuff, he got caught in a world he couldn't get out of." And that world came crashing down on that fateful December day when Chris's brother John Farley found him lying in his apartment entryway in just his pajama bottoms.
Since his death, Chris's friends, including David Spade, Adam Sandler, and Dan Aykroyd, have all spoken out about the massive hole that's been left behind due to his absence. After participating in I Am Chris Farley, David revealed he can't bring himself to watch it yet. "You have to get yourself ready for that," he said. "To get through it . . . it'll probably be a little tough. I might watch it one day. I think it'll be good. I don't know if it's for me."
This Touching Moment From Princess Diana's Funeral Almost Didn't Happen
Image Source: Getty / AFP
Princess Diana's funeral was an unforgettably tragic and touching event watched by billions around the world. Almost 20 years later, the images still conjure up emotions, especially those of her two young sons, Princes William and Harry. Among the most iconic is the picture of the boys walking behind Diana's horse-drawn casket with their father, grandfather, and uncle, Earl Spencer, Diana's brother. Atop the casket, Harry had placed a card addressed to "Mummy."
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
The story behind the procession provides insight into the royal family dynamic ahead of the funeral. Sally Bedell Smith relays the details in her new biography of the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles. The day before the funeral, the royal family had arrived back in London after grieving privately at the queen's Scottish estate Balmoral. Bedell Smith explains that "the one lingering question about the funeral was whether William and Harry would walk in the procession behind their mother's horse-drawn gun carriage." Charles wanted his sons to walk because it was a tradition for royal men, but the boys were reluctant.
Finally, it was their grandfather, Prince Philip, who helped William and Harry make the decision. Bedell Smith writes that Prince Philip told William, "If you don't walk, you may regret it later." He went on, "I think you should do it. If I walk, will you walk with me?" Thanks to that conversation, William and Harry joined the procession at St. James's Palace, providing history with a moment we won't soon forget.
Game of Thrones Slipped a GIANT Clue About Who the Night King Is Into the Finale
Spoilers for Game of Thrones below!
If you blinked at all during the riveting conclusion of the season seven finale of Game of Thrones, you might have missed a tiny but important detail. After the White Walkers begin making their way over the Wall once the Night King destroys it (ice dragons are incredibly useful when it comes to knocking down magical barriers, apparently), the thousands-strong horde of wights seems to fall into a familiar formation.
Instead of walking in a straight line or descending over the wreckage of the Wall in a random pattern, the White Walkers lead the pack in a design that looks a hell of a lot like House Stark's direwolf sigil, as pointed out by Twitter user thronesfacts. In this overhead shot of the army, the snout of the wolf starts on the left.
To be fair, it's not exact. For all we know, they could be lining up in the shape of the rainbow fish (not gonna lie, at first glance that's kind of what I saw). But it's striking enough that many fans are taking it as a subtle confirmation that the popular "Bran is the Night King" theory is legitimate (although there are a few other people he could be). After all, it's clear that Bran and the Head White Walker in Charge share a strong connection, we just don't know exactly what it is or what it means quite yet. Fortunately (or rather, unfortunately), we have until 2019 to try to figure it out!
12 Brand-New Books You Should Cozy Up With in September
Just because the season of kicking back by the pool with a good book is over doesn't mean your reading list has to suffer. If anything, cozying up next to a warm fire with a cup of tea and a page-turner sounds just as lovely (and you won't get sunburned in the process). Since we've already blazed through our picks for August, we went ahead and looked at all the best fiction and nonfiction titles hitting bookshelves in September. See what you should check out next ahead!
You Have to See These 87 Celebrities' Ultimate Maternity Looks
Work it! One of the biggest dilemmas expectant mamas face is how they'll dress their growing bumps for nine (almost 10) months. There's certainly no shortage of cute maternity clothes these days, but it's how the clothes are styled that make a pregnant mama feel like a hot mama-to-be.
We've rounded up our favorite maternity looks from 90 celebrity mamas for a little pregnancy style inspiration. Check them out!
Teacher Gives 13-Year-Old Student "Most Likely to Become a Terrorist" Award
Student award ceremonies are supposed to be an uplifting and congratulatory way for students to celebrate their accomplishments from the school year, but this Texas middle school decided to have a "mock award ceremony," where some incredibly offensive awards were given out. Lizeth Villanueva, a 13-year-old student at Anthony Aguirre Junior High in Houston was "shocked" when she was named "most likely to become a terrorist" at the ceremony.
"It was not a joke," Lizeth told Click2Houston. "I do not feel comfortable with this."
The award was included among other "joke" honors, like "most likely to cry for every little thing" and "most likely to become homeless." These were given out to students in an honors program that prepares the kids for college.
Jalen Hurts presenting at our Awards Day!! #RollTide http://pic.twitter.com/yZMcCdjjZn
- Aguirre Junior High (@AguirreBulldogs) May 23, 2017
This came just one day after the horrific terrorist attack in Manchester where 22 innocent lives were taken. "That's not something to joke around with," Lizeth said, and we couldn't agree more.
The school has since issued a statement on Twitter, explaining that there are plans to launch an investigation following this "insensitive and offensive fake mock awards."
"I want to assure all students, parents, and community members that these award statements and ideals are NOT representative of the Aguirre Vision, Mission, and educational goals for its students," Principal Eric Lathan wrote. "An investigation will be launched into these events."
Official Statement from Building Principal in response to fake awards: http://pic.twitter.com/BoZGRJajx4
- Aguirre Junior High (@AguirreBulldogs) May 24, 2017
Lizeth's mother, Ena Hernandez, was furious. "We're really upset about it coming from a teacher," Ena told the Houston station. "That program is supposed to be for advanced kids. It is kind of hard to believe that she's doing that. A teacher giving this to a 13-year-old. How is she going to feel when she grows up later on?"
The school has reportedly suspended the teacher responsible for the award for the remainder of the school year, which ends this week, and the school did not say if she would be back next year.
"Suspension is not enough," Ena said.
Jason Momoa's Shirt Isn't the Only Thing That's Ripped in These Photos
Jason Momoa loves going to the beach almost as much as we love looking at his bulging biceps. On Friday, the actor took a break from filming Aquaman to go surfing near Byron Bay in New South Wales, Australia. Wearing colorful swim shorts and a sleeveless shirt, Jason put his gorgeous arms on full display as he walked along the ocean with his board. He even showed off his beautiful locks as he played with his hair while grabbing a drink with friends. If his incredible physique didn't convince you, then his love for the water should definitely prove he's the perfect Aquaman.
Jack Throws Hilarious Shade at Brad and Angelina in the New Will & Grace Teaser
Pour yourself a martini, darling, because a bunch of trailers for the Will & Grace reboot have landed. The stars - specifically Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally, and Sean Hayes - have aligned, and they are brighter than ever! The first official trailer (below) is the perfect tongue-in-cheek nod to the fact that everyone has gotten a little bit older, but they're all still ready to entertain us. The latest look, above, brings the comedy quartet into 2017, including references to Brad and Angelina's divorce and Fox News. NBC is bringing 16 episodes to primetime this Fall, so until then, we'll just have to make do with the latest teasers (below).
Game of Thrones Slipped a GIANT Clue About Who the Night King Is Into the Finale
Spoilers for Game of Thrones below!
If you blinked at all during the riveting conclusion of the season seven finale of Game of Thrones, you might have missed a tiny but important detail. After the White Walkers begin making their way over the Wall once the Night King destroys it (ice dragons are incredibly useful when it comes to knocking down magical barriers, apparently), the thousands-strong horde of wights seems to fall into a familiar formation.
Instead of walking in a straight line or descending over the wreckage of the Wall in a random pattern, the White Walkers lead the pack in a design that looks a hell of a lot like House Stark's direwolf sigil, as pointed out by Twitter user thronesfacts. In this overhead shot of the army, the snout of the wolf starts on the left.
To be fair, it's not exact. For all we know, they could be lining up in the shape of the rainbow fish (not gonna lie, at first glance that's kind of what I saw). But it's striking enough that many fans are taking it as a subtle confirmation that the popular "Bran is the Night King" theory is legitimate (although there are a few other people he could be). After all, it's clear that Bran and the Head White Walker in Charge share a strong connection, we just don't know exactly what it is or what it means quite yet. Fortunately (or rather, unfortunately), we have until 2019 to try to figure it out!
The Perfect Grill If You Are Completely Afraid of Grilling
The Big Green Egg: no, it's not a Dr. Seuss book, it's a grill, and you're going to want to get your hands on one. For years, I've heard grilling enthusiasts gush about it and have even eaten at restaurants that boast the meat is Big Green Egg-grilled a few times. When I found out that my co-worker Bjorn is the proud owner of one, I nicely asked if I could invite myself over to check it out, and he graciously agreed.
When Bjorn stripped the egg of its protective nest covering, it was like a magician unveiling a trick. The Big Green Egg sparkled, and so did my eyes. He explained that beyond being completely in love with the grill, he's a big fan of the product's eggcessories, the fire starters and charcoal being two "egg-sentials." I was amazed how easy it was to build the fire, start it, and control the heat. One of my favorite features of the BGE (look at me, sounding all legitimate) is the thermometer on the grill, so you can constantly monitor the heat. Though the Big Green Egg can easily and quickly reach 700°F (and higher!), the temperature can just as easily come down using the sliding air flow controls located on the top of the bottom of the grill.
As we waited for the BGE to come to temperature, Bjorn schooled me on the features. That night, we used the BGE as a grill only, but it can also serve as a smoker and outdoor oven. According to another POPSUGAR employee, the baking stone eggcessory is a must as BGE pizza is just as good, if not better, than pizza from a wood-burning oven. After seeing the BGE in action, I can see how.
We roasted asparagus in a flash (less than a minute!!) and a whole lamb leg in under an hour. It turned out succulent and perfectly medium-rare on the inside while evenly caramelized on the outside. It was a true marvel how little fussing we had to do over the coals and the meat.
The BGE is like the Apple of the grilling world. It's exceptionally designed and constructed. It's so easy to use, you hardly need an instruction manual. You'll feel an immense boost of confidence in your ability to grill, even if you are a total newbie. Yet, even seasoned grillers will salivate over the BGE's immaculate features. So here's where things get a little disheartening: the price tag. While there are a bunch of different BGE sizes, the smallest one (the mini) is $699. Eeks! Here's to throwing your loose change in a piggy bank, because you will definitely want to save up for this grilling toy.
There's a Very Good Reason Why We'll Never Hear the Night King's Voice on Game of Thrones
Spoilers for Game of Thrones below!
As much as we hate to admit it, the Night King is easily the undisputed MVP of Game of Thrones season seven. With 12,000 years of experience on his side and the undying love of his undead followers, the OG ice zombie (who might actually be the show's true hero, if you can believe it) is blazing quite the trail on his way to take over Westeros. Despite all that, don't expect the Night King to deliver an epic victory speech anytime soon.
During an interview with Deadline in 2016, the fantasy drama's showrunners, D.B. Weiss and David Benioff, revealed the reason why they've kept the Night King from getting too chatty. "We don't think of the Night King as a villain as much as Death. He is not someone who's like Joffrey or Ramsay. He's not really human anymore," they said. "Evil comes when you have a choice between that and good, and you choose the wrong way. The Night King doesn't have a choice; he was created in that way, and that's what he is. In some ways, he's just Death, coming for everyone in the story, and for all of us."
As we saw at the end of the season seven finale, yet another huge clue about the true identity of the Night King has emerged. Is he actually Bran, somehow? Or maybe another Stark ancestor? No matter who he really was before the Children of the Forest turned him into the first White Walker, we won't find out verbally. "In some ways, it's appropriate he doesn't speak," the showrunners explained. "What's Death going to say? Anything would diminish him. He's just a force of destruction. I don't think we've ever been tempted to write dialogue for the Night King. Anything he said would be anticlimactic."
With all the screeching zombie Viserion has been doing lately, we wouldn't be able to hear him anyway.
The Foolproof Method to Getting Perfectly Medium-Rare Steak Every Time
Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
Steak: delicious to eat, sometimes complicated to make. And if you, like most people, prefer yours cooked medium rare, you've undoubtedly struggled with getting that perfect pink and juicy center. Allow me to introduce you to your new favorite way to determine your steak's doneness: the visual method. If you have clear vision and a clock nearby, you can cook a perfect steak, no thermometer or guessing-games required.
The visual method means you look for something very specific as your steak is grilling: beads of juice that form on the sides and the top of the steak as it's cooking. This usually takes about six minutes on the first side and about five on the next, so that's why it's helpful to keep an eye on the time. I learned this cooking method from an expert at Omaha Steaks, and I can guarantee you it works.
Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Erin Cullum
First thing's first, though - make sure you oil your meat, not the grill. This ensures the steak is evenly coated and the seasoning (whether it's steak seasoning or a generous amount of salt and pepper) will stick to the meat. Then, once your grill is preheated to 500°F-600°F, place your steak on the grill and keep it closed. After six minutes, you'll want to open it up and look for those glistening beads of juice. If they haven't started forming, keep checking periodically over the next minute until it looks ready to flip, and repeat for about another five minutes. When the other side starts to sweat, that's when you know it's time to take it off the grill and - most important! - let it rest for five whole minutes before cutting into it to lock the juices inside.
Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Erin Cullum
Then your perfectly medium-rare steak is ready to be devoured. Happy grilling!
Teacher Gives 13-Year-Old Student "Most Likely to Become a Terrorist" Award
Student award ceremonies are supposed to be an uplifting and congratulatory way for students to celebrate their accomplishments from the school year, but this Texas middle school decided to have a "mock award ceremony," where some incredibly offensive awards were given out. Lizeth Villanueva, a 13-year-old student at Anthony Aguirre Junior High in Houston was "shocked" when she was named "most likely to become a terrorist" at the ceremony.
"It was not a joke," Lizeth told Click2Houston. "I do not feel comfortable with this."
The award was included among other "joke" honors, like "most likely to cry for every little thing" and "most likely to become homeless." These were given out to students in an honors program that prepares the kids for college.
Jalen Hurts presenting at our Awards Day!! #RollTide http://pic.twitter.com/yZMcCdjjZn
- Aguirre Junior High (@AguirreBulldogs) May 23, 2017
This came just one day after the horrific terrorist attack in Manchester where 22 innocent lives were taken. "That's not something to joke around with," Lizeth said, and we couldn't agree more.
The school has since issued a statement on Twitter, explaining that there are plans to launch an investigation following this "insensitive and offensive fake mock awards."
"I want to assure all students, parents, and community members that these award statements and ideals are NOT representative of the Aguirre Vision, Mission, and educational goals for its students," Principal Eric Lathan wrote. "An investigation will be launched into these events."
Official Statement from Building Principal in response to fake awards: http://pic.twitter.com/BoZGRJajx4
- Aguirre Junior High (@AguirreBulldogs) May 24, 2017
Lizeth's mother, Ena Hernandez, was furious. "We're really upset about it coming from a teacher," Ena told the Houston station. "That program is supposed to be for advanced kids. It is kind of hard to believe that she's doing that. A teacher giving this to a 13-year-old. How is she going to feel when she grows up later on?"
The school has reportedly suspended the teacher responsible for the award for the remainder of the school year, which ends this week, and the school did not say if she would be back next year.
"Suspension is not enough," Ena said.
The Final, Chilling Moments Leading Up to Princess Diana's Tragic Death
It's been nearly 20 years since Princess Diana tragically passed away. The Princess of Wales, who was best known for her dedication to charity work and impeccable sense of style, was only 36 years old when she was involved in an automobile accident in the Alma Tunnel in France, just 25 minutes after midnight on Aug. 31, 1997. Diana and her boyfriend, Dodi Fayed, sat in the back of the car, while Dodi's bodyguard, Trevor Rees-Jones, sat in the front with driver Henri Paul. None of them wore seat belts.
Trevor is the sole survivor of the crash, and Dodi and Henri were killed on the spot. Diana's heart was still beating by the time the ambulance arrived at the Pitié-Salpetrière Hospital in southeast Paris, but shortly after, her condition began to deteriorate. After multiple attempts to revive her, doctors came to terms with the fact that they could no longer do anything more to save her life. Diana went into cardiac arrest at around 2:10 a.m. and was pronounced dead at 4 a.m. In a statement read to a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, anesthesiologist Daniel Eyraud said, "We decided by common consent to stop heart massage as it was completely impossible to restore cardiac activity after such a long period of arrest. From that point, the Princess was pronounced dead. I personally believe we did everything possible to save the Princess with the appropriate means."
On Sept. 6, seven days after her passing, Diana was honored with a public funeral that remains one of the most watched events in history. Three million people crowded the streets of London to follow the route of Diana's coffin from Kensington Palace to her final resting place at the Spencer family home in Althorp, England, and an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide viewed or listened to the funeral. Diana left behind two sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, who have since devoted their lives to keeping their mother's legacy alive.
Game of Thrones: You'll Need a Tall Glass of Ale After Seeing The Hound in Real Life
Game of Thrones has produced some of the worst (as in, evil) characters that have ever appeared on TV. But as dark as the show can sometimes get, it also gives fans hilarious characters, witty one-liners, and powerful sex scenes. One character in particular that has walked the line between good and bad quite frequently is Sandor Clegane, or The Hound. The incredibly large man, played by actor Rory McCann, was the personal bodyguard to King Joffrey before befriending Arya and forming a slightly heartwarming protective relationship with her.
The Hound always stands out on screen thanks to his massive facial scars, which were given to him when his evil older brother, the Mountain, held his face against a flame after he played with one of the Mountain's toys when they were kids. In real life, however, Rory's face is thankfully free of all that. Seeing the actor out of his Game of Thrones garb is a bit jarring at first, but his goofy personality will win you over in no time.
4 Badass Women Winemakers and Their Unique Tasting Room Experiences
On my most recent trip to Napa, I found myself meeting more and more female winemakers in a generally male-dominated field. These women are creating some phenomenal spirits, and it was a truly refreshing experience to walk into several of my favorite wineries to discover that the flavors I'd fallen in love with were crafted by these badass vintners. For anyone planning on heading to the plentiful Northern California wine region anytime soon, I highly encourage you not only to check out these wines, but also to make some time for tasting because all the wineries offer ridiculously unique experiences.
If you're looking to take your whole trip up by one exquisite notch like I was fortunate enough to do, check out flights on Jet Suite X - it's essentially the Uber of private jets. Tickets start at $129 and it flies directly into Concord, CA, just a stone's throw away from Napa. After flying private, I've been spoiled to a point where I never want to go back to commercial.
The Trump Family Is Bankrupting the Secret Service, Because Vacations
It's no secret that President Donald Trump is used to a certain kind of lifestyle. From weekly trips to Mar-a-Lago at $3.6 million a pop to a 17-day "working vacation" at his New Jersey golf club, it's also clear that he hasn't made any attempts to tamp down his jet-setting since taking office. But while bankrolling the gallivanting of a real estate developer or reality television star was Trump's prerogative before he took office, he's now reliant on the federal government and the taxpayers to foot the bill. To make matters worse, his entire family requires security protection when they travel. And like the president himself, none of them can stay still for very long. As a result, countless people have tried to slow the Trump family's roll - none of whom have found any sort of lasting success. That is, until now.
On Aug. 21, USA Today reported that the Secret Service budget had been depleted and "more than 1,000 agents have already hit the federally mandated caps for salary and overtime allowances that were meant to last the entire year." That's right: it's August, and the Trumps have officially maxed out the budget for their protection. While some of the weight can be shifted to the fact that Trump has 11 more people under protection than the previous administration did, it's hard to explain away some of the more egregious spends. Take, for example, "some $60,000 on golf cart rentals alone," the costs associated with Melania and Barron Trump spending the majority of this year living in the heart of Manhattan, or the fact that "Eric Trump's business travel to Uruguay cost the Secret Service nearly $100,000 just for hotel rooms."
"I would rarely leave the White House because there's so much work to be done. I would not be a president who took vacations. I would not be a president that takes time off," Trump told a reporter back in 2015. And now, as the director of the Secret Service pleads his case on the Hill for a budget increase and the overtime can't be stacked up any further, Trump may soon have to do something completely out of character: be true to his word.
These Hawaiian Recipes Will Give Your Kitchen Major Island Vibes
Think of Hawaii, and foods like juicy pineapple, tender pork, and sweet coconut likely come to mind. While a ticket to the Aloha State may not be in the cards today, those tasty ingredients are sitting in your nearest grocery store, ready to be cooked into simple yet scrumptious meals and desserts that will take your mind and tummy back to your last vacation. Make these islander classics, and you're bound to find some weeknight favorites - and learn something new about Hawaiian cuisine - along the way.
Doctors Called Me "Disgustingly Healthy," But I Still Got Blood Clots From the NuvaRing
I was only 20 years old when I imagined my life ending for the first time. It was my junior year of college, and I had woken up on a Wednesday morning with such a rapid heart beat that I thought I was going to collapse. After calling my mom in a panic, I found myself in the on-campus student clinic, where a nurse took an EKG (electrocardiogram) in order to check the electrical activity of my heart.
Within 20 minutes I was released from the clinic and told that it was likely nothing more than stress. My heart continued to beat irregularly and quickly, but I thought the nurses were right - and maybe I was just overreacting. I skipped my classes and went home to lie down. Several hours later a doctor, who looked over my paperwork at the clinic after I left, called me and urged me to go to the emergency room. When he mentioned the possibility of blood clots, I could hear a quiet nuance of panic in his voice, so I immediately got myself to the hospital.
Rewind three months and I was choosing my first birth control. I went over all the options with my doctor, talked to friends, and researched online. I landed on the NuvaRing, mostly because it seemed highly convenient and I didn't want the responsibility of remembering to take a pill every single morning (it was hard enough for me to remember to turn off my curling iron). I wasn't loving the mood swings I experienced from the NuvaRing, but it wasn't anything that made me want to quit using it. Besides, my boobs got huge, so there was that.
Nobody told me the potentially deadly side effects of the NuvaRing, though - or of any hormonal birth control, for that matter. My doctor didn't walk me through the fine print, so I entered my first go-around with contraception thinking that nothing could go wrong.
I waited in the ER that day for nearly 12 hours, the whole time with a racing heart and a fear that I was about to die. When I was finally called in to see a doctor, they performed test after test on me until it was 4 a.m. and I was exhausted from the stress. A woman, who I'm pretty sure was in medical school and still in training, entered the room to tell me that I had contracted "abnormally large" blood clots in my lungs, and if I had waited even several more hours to come in, I would have died from a heart attack or a stroke.
I certainly wasn't out of the woods yet, they told me. They had to keep me stable and keep a close eye on me, because the blood clots that had lodged themselves in my lungs' major artery could still potentially travel to my heart or brain . . . and kill me.
None of it made sense to me. I was vibrant, young, and extremely healthy. I didn't smoke, I exercised, and I ate a healthy, well-rounded diet. When I asked why this happened, the young soon-to-be-doctor looked at me and said, "Do you take hormonal birth control?" And that's when I knew it had something to do with the NuvaRing.
Some studies have shown that women who use the NuvaRing as their main form of contraception have an increased risk of contracting blood clots than women who use other hormonal birth control. When it comes to women who aren't using a birth control with estrogen, one in every 5,000 will form blood clots each year. Women who do use estrogen-based birth control, though, like the NuvaRing, have a one in 1,000 risk of contracting blood clots.
The only problem with this information is that it became available around 2011 or later. I contracted blood clots from the NuvaRing in 2009.
My recovery from the blood clots was long and tiresome. I took blood-thinning medication for 18 months, which made me extremely fatigued and very overweight (I gained 30 pounds in a few months). When I was released from the hospital, I was tested multiple times to see if I was genetically predisposed to forming blood clots. That was the only reasonable explanation, the doctors told me. After giving 18 tubes of my blood in one sitting and not even getting a cookie or a juice box as a reward, a doctor told me I was "disgustingly healthy," and that they couldn't find any reason for my diagnosis other than the hormones in the NuvaRing.
This story is not meant to elicit pity. Rather, I think it's imperative for young women to understand the risks of hormonal birth control before they agree to take it. I'm confident that doctors today are more intentional about laying out the potential side effects of something like the NuvaRing or the pill, but that doesn't erase the many times prior when a medical professional failed to give their patient the full scope.
I was one of the lucky ones. I was right on the cusp, but I caught the blood clots before they proved deadly. There are plenty of women out there who have not been so fortunate, and their lives were ended far too early.
By no means am I claiming that other women will have the same fate as I did if they choose the NuvaRing or the pill, but I do think it's important to understand that it's not just women over 35 or women who smoke who are eligible to contract blood clots. It could be anybody, and there's no such thing as erring too much on the side of caution.
What a Watermelon! 20+ Recipes That Highlight the Juicy Fruit
Even if you go with the baby watermelon over the heavy honker, chances are, there will always be leftover fruit. But there's more to be done than just slicing and serving. Let these recipes - from savory soups, salads, and salsas to icy (and iced) desserts - be your guide.
The 15 Coziest Fall Teas to Sip in Your Chunky Sweaters and Slippers
When the air is crisp and the chunky sweaters have officially been reintroduced to our closets, nothing fits the mood more than a cozy cup of tea. The pumpkin spice latte may get most of the glory during hot-beverage season, but we're making a strong case for stocking up on these soothing blends of teas, filled with warm spices, mulled apples, cinnamon, pumpkin, and more autumnal flavors. Prepare for fireside nights ahead - or just really relaxing evenings on the couch with a good book - with these 15 must-try teas for Fall.
Get Out the Griddle! Healthy Flapjack Recipes That'll Make Your Taste Buds Flip
Go ahead and serve yourself a stack! These healthy pancake recipes offer fewer calories and less fat than buttermilk flapjacks, with a healthy dose of protein, fiber, and other nutrients. Power up your metabolism, regulate your blood sugar, and satisfy your cravings for a sweet and decadent brunch with one of these tasty twists on the traditional pancakes.
The 12 Most Underrated Horror Movies of All Time
As a kid, I always gravitated toward horror comic books and movies - the darker, the better. I'm sure my parents never thought it would be something I would one day base a career on, curating for film festivals and now Shudder! I love finding films and sharing them with others; it's kind of like a spooky "show and tell." There are lots of different flavors and nuances of horror, but here is a wide range of underrated or overlooked films, from comedic ones like Murder Party and Mr. Vampire, to downright terrifying ones like Evil Dead Trap, to sinister and cerebral ones like Pulse (the original, not the lame remake).
How Sarah Robb O'Hagan Took Failure in Stride and Became Flywheel's CEO
In her new book, Extreme You, Robb O'Hagan provides insights from her own experiences, including getting fired twice in her 20s on her way to turning around a $5 billion sports drink business. She also draws on stories from her band of highly accomplished "Extremers" ranging from entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, to a former secretary of state, an Olympic champion downhill skier, and a world-renowned tattoo artist. With Extreme You, Robb O'Hagan has codified a method to help other Extremers live boldly and rock their careers.
Keep scrolling to find out some of Robb O'Hagan's greatest lessons and favorite things in our Power Your Happy Q&A!
The 12 Most Underrated Horror Movies of All Time
As a kid, I always gravitated toward horror comic books and movies - the darker, the better. I'm sure my parents never thought it would be something I would one day base a career on, curating for film festivals and now Shudder! I love finding films and sharing them with others; it's kind of like a spooky "show and tell." There are lots of different flavors and nuances of horror, but here is a wide range of underrated or overlooked films, from comedic ones like Murder Party and Mr. Vampire, to downright terrifying ones like Evil Dead Trap, to sinister and cerebral ones like Pulse (the original, not the lame remake).
The Top 25 Salads to Help You Shed Pounds
If you're looking to lose weight, salads are bound to be a big part of your life, but that doesn't mean you need to pile on the same old toppings day after day! All 25 of these nutrient-dense salads support weight-loss goals, fuel the body, and satisfy your taste buds with their fresh flavors and healthy ingredients.
This Is Exactly What You Need to Do For a Strong, Lean Body and Fast Metabolism
I recently sat down with DIAKADI personal trainer Liz Letchford, MS, ATC (and PhD candidate!), and lamented about how sore I was after a recent Megaformer class. "It's because of the eccentric exercises," she told me. Those slow and controlled resistance movements? "They leave you the most sore . . . but the good thing is that they also make you stronger."
Are you familiar with eccentric exercises? Liz shared that they're the best kind of move you can do for gaining strength. "You are maintaining the contraction as the muscles are lengthening, which creates a lot of tension on the sarcomeres (tiny structural bits of the muscle) which creates damage, so you get stronger . . . but also feel way more sore due to the damage."
Here's an example she described: you're slowly lowering yourself from a pull-up position instead of letting your weight pull you down. Or think about doing a bicep curl - you'd curl in quickly, then release much slower; curl in for one count, out for four counts. Make sense?
Try this: do a "negative" push-up. Start in a plank position with your arms and legs straight, shoulders above the wrists, core engaged. Take a breath in, and as you exhale, slowly bend your elbows, lowering your entire body to the floor for a six- to eight-second count. This counts as one rep and as an eccentric exercise!
Liz said that "by increasing your muscular strength and the body's requirement for energy (aka your metabolism), your body uses its fuel more efficiently." What this means is you're using calories and energy to "fuel your muscles instead of storing it as fat." She noted that eccentric moves create "strong muscles," which in turn "will increase your metabolism."
She also said it's important to note that "there's no such thing as 'long, lean muscles,'" but you also shouldn't worry about the idea of "bulking," because that's a myth as well. "Women don't have the physiological ability to get bulky," she told POPSUGAR. "Not without seriously training, eating [a very specific diet], and taking supplements and hormones. . . . We lack the levels of testosterone that help men gain muscle and metabolize fat easily."
"Your muscles will grow according to how much demand is placed on them," she said. "If you want the 'long, lean' look, it's about not training for hypertrophy," (think moderate to light weight but tons of reps) "but instead training for strength" (i.e. eccentric exercises!) "and following a healthy diet."
If You Love Jo Malone, You Need to Shop These Top 10 Products
There are so many great luxe brands that are easy to fall in love with these days, and if you're already a fan of Jo Malone, then you know how addicting it can be. In case you're not familiar, the brand has a wide array of products, from lip balms to amazing candles and even lush shower oils. It features a number of signature scents that come in a variety of different products. We shopped some of the brand's top picks and selected a few of its most popular scents. Whether you're looking for a gift for a loved one or a little special something to treat yourself, you won't want to leave the presence of these rich aromas. Take a look at our favorites.
If You're Looking For a Quick but Intense Workout, Do This 4-Minute Tabata Session
Cardio is out and HIIT (high-intensity interval training) is in when it comes to losing weight. Which is why you should try Tabata, a quick, fun, and fast-paced form of HIIT that's just as perfect for beginners as it is for advanced athletes. It alternates between 20 seconds of intense bursts of work and 10 seconds of rest in four-minute rounds.
In this Tabata workout, you'll be doing bodyweight moves, so you won't need a thing . . . except you and your determination! Get a timer, set it for four minutes, and let's go! For a longer workout, you can repeat this routine two or three times.
The Workout
| Minute 1: |
|---|
| 20 seconds jumping jacks, 10 seconds rest |
| 20 seconds mountain climbers, 10 seconds rest |
| Minute 2: |
| 20 seconds lateral bunny hops, 10 seconds rest |
| 20 seconds plank jacks, 10 seconds rest |
| Minute 3: |
| 20 seconds alternating split lunge jumps on the right side, 10 seconds rest |
| 20 seconds frogger, 10 seconds rest |
| Minute 4: |
| 20 seconds V crunch, 10 seconds rest |
| 20 seconds triceps push-ups, 10 seconds rest |
That's it. Don't take any breaks between each minute - just keep moving, and enjoy the burn!
47 Home Organizers That Double as Stylish Decor
Get in the mood to update your home this season by investing in new pieces that help you stay organized and add some flair. From floating shelves for extra storage or a laundry basket that doubles as a toy collector, there are so many ways you can clean up the clutter in style. Check out some of these fun and useful items that can work in every room in your house.
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.
12 Scenic Stops For Your End-of-Summer California Road Trip
Summer may be coming to an end, but there's still plenty of time to hit the road on a scenic road trip along the California coast. And while recent landslides have left some parts of Highway 1 completely impassible without a few detours (particularly around Big Sur, arguably the most scenic part), there's no shortage of other Instagram-worthy sights to see along the coast. Here are 12 destinations while driving from San Diego to San Francisco to make sure you get plenty of FOMO-inducing shots on your California road trip.
You've Probably Never Heard of Queen Letizia's Healthy Diet
Queen Letizia of Spain has been admired for years, way before she married Prince Felipe. Prior to becoming a part of the Spanish royal family, the former TV reporter was revered for her sense of style, which has only continued to evolve.
Many fans also wonder how Queen Letizia manages to keep her figure so trim, and we may have uncovered one of her secrets: she is known to follow the Perricone diet, an anti-inflammatory regimen that includes all food groups and healthy staples such as fresh salmon, forest fruits, green vegetables, and extra-virgin olive oil. According to nutritionists, this diet is one of the healthiest - known for prioritizing healthy eating over weight loss. Clearly, the queen is more focused on staying healthy than looking skinny.
It should come as no surprise that Queen Letizia places greater importance on wellness than on having a slim physique, as she is a champion for charitable programs focusing on nutrition and passionately educates the public about rare diseases.
Her fitness regimen also clearly plays a role in what keeps the queen looking great, as her biceps are defined enough to give Madonna and even former First Lady Michelle Obama a run for their money. Whatever her exercise secrets are, Letizia's toned arms are sure to keep her style timeless for years to come.
Enjoy the Last Days of Summer With This Beach Playlist
Summer is quickly drawing to a close, but there's still beach time - like this Labor Day weekend, maybe. If you've got a trip to the beach on your schedule anytime soon, make sure you bring your speakers along and set this Spotify playlist up to keep your ears happy while you soak up some sun. The music here spans decades, but all of it will keep your toes tapping while you escape the real world for just a little while.
- "What's My Age Again?" - Blink-182
- "Teenage Dirtbag" - Wheatus
- "Kiwi" - Harry Styles
- "Santeria" - Sublime
- "Send Me on My Way" - Rusted Root
- "Electric Feel" - MGMT
- "Ocean Avenue" - Yellowcard
- "Pocketful of Sunshine" - Natasha Bedingfield
- "Strip That Down" - Liam Payne feat. Quavo
- "Good Vibrations" - The Beach Boys
- "Stay" - Zedd feat. Alessia Cara
- "Slow Hands" - Niall Horan
- "Here Comes the Sun" - The Beatles
- "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - The Rolling Stones
- "Olivia" - One Direction
- "Let's Dance" - David Bowie
- "Still Got Time" - Zayn feat. PartyNextDoor
- "Diamonds" - Rihanna
- "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" - Michael Jackson
- "Party in the USA" - Miley Cyrus
- "Back to You" - Louis Tomlinson feat. Bebe Rexha
- "Classic" - MKTO
- "Dynamite" - Taio Cruz
- "Fireflies" - Owl City
- "Get the Party Started" - Pink
- "Just Dance" - Lady Gaga
- "Run the World (Girls)" - Beyoncé
- "Thunder" - Imagine Dragons
- "I Gotta Feeling" - The Black Eyed Peas
- "Issues" - Julia Michaels
- "Replay" - Iyaz
- "Don't Trust Me" - 3OH!3
- "Swing, Swing" - The All-American Rejects
- "Baby" - Justin Bieber
- "Mrs All American" - 5 Seconds of Summer
- "Every Time We Touch" - Cascada
- "The Great Escape" - Boys Like Girls
- "Your Love Is My Drug" - Kesha
- "Kiss" - Prince
- "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" - Cyndi Lauper
- "Karma Chameleon" - Culture Club
- "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" - Wham!
- "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" - Dead or Alive
- "It's Raining Men" - The Weather Girls
- "Dancing Queen" - ABBA
- "Red Red Wine" - UB40
- "Dancing in the Dark" - Bruce Springsteen
- "Livin' on a Prayer" - Bon Jovi
- "Summer of '69" - Bryan Adams
- "Sweet Child o' Mine" - Guns N Roses
Don't forget to download the free Spotify app on your devices to find this playlist and any other fun selections we might have. Happy beach day!
This Is How Beyoncé's Actual Lemonade Recipe Tastes
Beyoncé's Lemonade album dropped in 2016, and the reason she titled it so is for the old adage, "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." The album simultaneously sheds light on the difficulties black women in America have faced for centuries and Beyoncé's personal marital struggles due to Jay Z's insinuated infidelity. Despite the sour, heartwrenching theme, the album ends on a positive, powerful, and sweet note for women - just like the lemonade recipe Beyoncé shares in the last section of the visual album, called "Redemption." It comes from her late grandmother, Agnéz Deréon, and according to Beyoncé, this is the method of preparation:
Take one pint of water, add half pound of sugar
The juice of eight lemons, the zest of half lemon
Pour the water from one jug, then to the other several times
Strain through a clean napkin
Unlike typical lemonade recipes, this one calls for a secret ingredient: lemon zest. The oils from the zest infuse into the lemonade and boost the lemony flavor. There's something deeply cathartic and therapeutic about preparing the lemonade like this. The lemon squeezing, swishing the lemonade back and forth between jugs until the sugar dissolves, and straining out the pulp and lemon zest: all of these actions take time, and yet focusing on them is like a meditation. The procedure is slow and calming, which is perfect for a scorching Summer day. The lemonade flavor itself is shockingly citrusy at first before ending on a soothing, sweet (but not too sweet!) note. I can see why Beyoncé's family has passed this recipe down from daughter to daughter, and why she would pass it, along with the simple-yet-wise message, to her fans and women everywhere.
A few things to note:
- 1 pint water = 2 cups
- 1/2 pound sugar = 2 1/4 cups
- Yields: 4 small cups of lemonade
How to Get Your Sh*t Together When You’re Feeling Stagnant
Like many young American women, I totally do not fit under the category of "the people who surprised everyone and really did something with themselves." That's because I just graduated college and I don't know how anyone expects recent college grads to have the résumé of a seasoned elder when we're all still so insanely young.
I don't believe that anyone straight out of college should feel like they need to have their lives perfectly in order. It's unrealistic and (can I be honest?) seems kind of boring. The idea of having my entire life set out for me at this exact moment is highly unappealing. I want to work a thousand different jobs! Have different experiences! Accidentally buy a ticket to Ireland and then be forced to go by myself because I'm impulsive and don't think anything through!
Life is good right now and I'm extremely thankful for the place that I'm in at this very moment. I'm healthy, I'm making money, and I'm able to wake myself up early enough that I can do my makeup before going to work (at least most of the time).
If we act like we have our sh*t together, eventually it's bound to happen, right?
But up until recently, I still didn't feel like I was a real adult, which is an insane concept! I am an adult! But this is totally a millennial thing. I'm not the only one of my peers who feels this way. Employment for recent college grads is dropping and it seems like no one can move out of their childhood bedroom. These are two major life events that we associate with adulthood, and millennials just don't have as good of a chance at either of the two as our parents and grandparents. And even for those who have accomplished getting a job and moving out, there's still a good chance that we're going to be calling Mom for some extra cash come the first of the month.
But hey, I believe in the power of manifestation. The law of attraction tells us that if we send positive vibes into the universe, we get positive vibes back. Now, the only positive vibes I concretely believe in come out of a battery-powered piece of plastic, but this law of attraction thing might just be onto something. If we act like we have our sh*t together, eventually it's bound to happen, right?
1. Stay productive
Don't let yourself get stagnant. OK, so you didn't get a job right out of college. One will come. I can't tell you when, how, what it will be, or how much you'll love it, but you'll find a job eventually. And hey, maybe it has absolutely nothing to do with your career path of choice, but at the end of the day you need money and there will be someone out there willing to give it to you.
But if it's not what you want, you have to stay productive. It's easy to let yourself become stagnant in a job you aren't passionate about. But you have to pursue your interests outside of work. Volunteer at an animal shelter. Freelance. Bake a cake.
2. Adapt healthy habits
Adults give a hoot about their health. It's amazing how much of a difference adding healthy habits to your life can make. When I started cooking for myself, I swear to God I went from broke college grad to frugal young professional. Nothing else changed other than the fact that I made my food instead of hoarded it from the dining hall. And get in a total of 30 minutes of structured exercise a day for your endorphins.
3. Track your expenses
I avoided doing this for a long time because I hated admitting to myself that I spent too much money and was living beyond my means. Then I opened a savings account because I figured, well, it's the right thing to do, and suddenly I loved seeing money stay put. I loved seeing the number go up. So I started tracking my expenses and doing so makes me a lot less tempted to spend.
This doesn't have to be hard. I just have a spreadsheet in my Google Drive with columns for what I spend money on, method of payment, how much I deposit, and the level of necessity. It's a lot easier to stop spending money on useless things when you have to evaluate each purchase by how vital it is to sustaining your life.
4. Discipline yourself
Maybe you don't do the laundry often enough. Maybe you always forget to pack food and end up spending too much money on lunch. Maybe you have been putting off cleaning that one skillet for a solid two weeks because you don't want to face scrubbing away burnt quinoa. Just do it already.
5. Get rid of your bad friends already
It took me a total of one hour to cut out a bad friend earlier this month. And it was both the hardest and easiest decision I had to make. It makes absolutely no sense to hang on to people who you know just really suck the life out of you. Ankle weights are the only kind of weight that should slow you down.
6. Meditate
Guided meditation and practicing mindfulness has made me super focused. I'm lucky that I'm the first one to the office in the morning, because it gives me some time alone. I get to work a little early and do a five-minute guided meditation. I literally type "five min guided meditation" on YouTube and pick one to get my day started.
I've also been reading You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh. He talks about the impermanence of everything. Just think about that - everything is temporary! Unemployment, feelings of doubt, life in general. It's easier to move forward when you know you have somewhere to go. If you know you aren't where you want to be, figure out what the right direction is and do something about it.
The Heartbreaking Thing Prince William Told Diana After She Lost Her Title in the Divorce
When Prince Charles and Princess Diana ended their marriage in 1996, their oldest son, Prince William, was just 14 years old. At the time, he was a student at Eton College studying biology, art history, and geography and playing soccer and water polo. He hadn't yet begun his official royal duties or military career. For all intents and purposes, he was a normal teenager - besides, you know, the whole being king one day thing - and most normal teenagers are pretty bummed about their parents splitting up. But as second in line to the British throne, William recognized his (future) power and made a promise to his mother that is both incredibly adorable and incredibly heartbreaking.
Charles and Diana's divorce was finalized in August 1996, but some drama surrounding her royal title ensued. Queen Elizabeth II reportedly wanted to let Diana keep the style of her royal highness, but Charles was "adamant" that she give it up - instead, she was given the title Diana, Princess of Wales. The loss of the honorific separated Diana from the rest of the family in such a way that she had to curtsy to those who had it, including her own children. William is said to have comforted his mother after the loss of her title by saying, "Don't worry, Mummy, I will give it back to you one day when I am king."
Tragically, Diana was killed in a car crash just a little over a year after William made his touching vow to her. In the decades after her death, both he and his brother, Harry, have opened up about their mother, sharing stories about their time with her as well as honoring her impact, both with the charities they support and the traditions she's passed on to them.
7 Actors Who Were Almost in Buffy the Vampire Slayer
No matter how much of a die-hard fan you think you are of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, there's always new interesting facts to discover about the show as the years go by. Recently, I found out that Katie Holmes was initially offered the role as Buffy Summers and, yes, my mind was completely blown. (No one could have played that part better than Sarah Michelle Gellar.) Read on to see six other jaw-dropping casting facts about the series ahead.
These 7 Conditioners Will Make You Love Organic Hair Products
Lately we've been noticing a rising trend of people becoming more conscious about their beauty purchases. A lot of products out there can be filled with harmful ingredients such as parabens and sulfates. Our hair touches our pillows and faces throughout the day, so it makes sense that we would want to make sure our hair products are also clean and organic.
How do you make sure a product is 100 percent organic? Check to see if it contains 100 percent natural ingredients. Here are a few to look out for: coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera, quinoa protein, and vitamin E. Even if some hair products contain these ingredients, it doesn't mean the product is 100 percent natural, but we found a few that pass the test. Check out these conditioners that will give your locks that smooth and silky texture you love without all the harmful chemicals.
This Historic Shopping Mall Was Converted Into Tiny, Superchic Lofts
Inside the oldest functioning shopping mall in the United States, you won't find your usual Nordstrom or Hot Dog on a Stick . . . Instead, the Arcade Providence is filled with stylish, affordable apartments. Located in Providence, RI, the community contains 48 microapartments and 17 boutique shops. While most of the tiny lofts boast a mere 225 square feet of space, they cost under $600 per month and contain everything that a city resident could desire in a home.
If you've ever dreamt of living inside a shopping mall, this is your chance! Cozy, bright, and efficient, the Arcade Providence microlofts are a great use of previously unused retail space. Read on to see the community, then watch the video, below, to peek inside real residents' tiny homes. Would you pay $550 per month to live in a mall? We're thinking, yes.
7 Actors Who Were Almost in Buffy, the Vampire Slayer
No matter how much of a die-hard fan you think you are of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, there's always new interesting facts to discover about the show as the years go by. Recently, I found out that Katie Holmes was initially offered the role as Buffy Summers and, yes, my mind was completely blown. (No one could have played that part better than Sarah Michelle Gellar.) Read on to see six other jaw-dropping casting facts about the series ahead.
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