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
These Male Lawmakers Joked That Women Should Go to the Zoo to Get an Abortion
Posted by Dr. Bob Onder on Friday, January 9, 2015
Apparently, some male lawmakers find the fact that women's reproductive rights in the US are increasingly under fire absolutely hilarious! Two Missouri state senators joked about where women should get abortions in the state during a recent session, with one even saying that they should go to the zoo.
The exchange occurred between state Senators Bob Onder and Wayne Wallingford on April 5. It started because Onder doesn't agree with a tax hike for the St. Louis Zoo because of an ordinance that prohibits "employers and landlords from discriminating against women who have had an abortion, use contraceptives, or are pregnant," reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. As Onder took to the floor, he said: "The St. Louis Zoo gets inspected once a year." To that, Wallingford joked: "Maybe we should send the people that want an abortion to the St. Louis Zoo, because we know it'll be safer."
Onder didn't stop there. Instead, he mentioned how zoos require a five-day waiting period before euthanizing animals, whereas women in Missouri "only" need to wait three days after seeing a doctor to get an abortion. "Let's think about this. Babies, it's three days, so although there are members of this body who don't agree with that three days, babies are three days," Onder said. He continued with, "So, zoo animals, it couldn't be more than 24 hours, right?" After pausing, Onder said, "Five days, Senator."
Even though only a single Missouri facility remains where women can have abortions, Onder wants to make the process even more difficult. The senator has previously drafted an amendment to rename the St. Louis Zoo as "The Midwest Abortion Sanctuary City Zoological Park."
Senator Onder posted a statement to Twitter on April 6 about his comments on the zoo. In it, he says, "My discussion on the Senate floor was completely intended to shine a light on the disservice that St. Louis City did to the people of our region by banning their freedom of speech and religion in making St. Louis an abortion sanctuary city." You can read the full statement ahead.
My statement regarding amendment to rename the St. Louis Zoo. #moleg http://pic.twitter.com/25dFnGMQeu
- Bob Onder (@BobOnderMO) April 6, 2017
The internet wasn't into Onder's attempt to clarify what he meant.
@BobOnderMO Really?? Comments like that are unacceptable, everywhere. Do you talk to your wife and kids like that?? Bad.
- Renton Citizen (@rentonwa1) April 7, 2017
@BobOnderMO Just in case you missed it, this is the 21st Century. Not the 19th as you seem to think. No matter what century women aren't animals.
- Margaret Majorack (@MargaretMajorac) April 7, 2017
@BobOnderMO Pretty sad that you need to defend your statement...THAT YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE MADE....#ignorant #moleg #GOP
- Lübester (@iugirl524) April 7, 2017
It's worth noting that Onder's words are just another tone-deaf comment from a state lawmaker on women's reproductive rights of late.
21 Easy End-of-Summer Salads You Can Whip Up in a Flash
Summer's plentiful produce only lasts a few short months, but you don't have to tackle elaborate recipes to get the most flavorful results. Salads are the ultimate vehicle for showcasing fresh produce, and they hardly require any time or effort in the kitchen. Whip up any of these 20-plus easy Summer salad recipes starring corn, tomatoes, avocado, watermelon, and more of the best summertime ingredients when you want something satisfying and simple.
Listen Up, Fives: Sansa Stark Is a 10 and You Better Recognize
One thing I personally love about Game of Thrones is the number of badass women it has - women who have been through hell on earth and come out swinging. I'm talking about Cersei Lannister, Daenerys Targaryen, Olenna Tyrell, Brienne of Tarth and Sansa Stark. That's right, Sansa of House Stark, eldest daughter of Ned and Catelyn and Lady of Winterfell. Who, even after the craziness of season seven's finale where she took a serious level up in baddass, people still hate on. Look, I get it. Every character has haters for various reasons, and they feel completely justified for it. That's totally fine, but if you hate Sansa Stark because of her past characterization, you're wrong and I'm here to tell you exactly why.
Let's Clear One Thing Up For You Sansa Haters
We first meet Sansa when she's a preteen girl - not just any preteen girl, but one that has been raised as the eldest daughter of a great House and had her head filled with pretty songs and romantic stories. She's naive, lost in dreams of perfect princes, and undeniably spoiled. Basically, she's every little girl who had the fortune to live a sheltered, idealistic life with no real concerns aside from being a proper lady. She's just as bratty as one would expect, much like her younger sister, fan favorite Arya, although yes, in a different way. So why all the hate? A lot of it stems from Sansa seen as the "soft" female character, one of the most classically feminine characters on the show. She likes "girlie" things, she faints, and she cries a lot. But these reasons are incredibly superficial and sexist; as if Sansa's femininity is a weakness instead of it being another reason she's fierce in the same way that Cersei or Dany, who are also very feminine characters, are. Instead, people take Sansa's initial passiveness as a sign of her overall character and never see her beyond that. This brings me to my first reason that Sansa Stark is a badass queen.
She's Been Through Hell and Back, but She's Survived
After her father's beheading, Sansa's life spins all the way out of control. She's entirely alone, with her family being killed off one after the other, and she's being put through her own hell at the hands of the ruling family. Everywhere she turns is another person just waiting to use her as a pawn in their little game. Through all of this, Sansa does not back down. She plays the part of a demure lady and uses her grace and courtesy as her armor to stay alive in court. She doesn't have a true protector while at King's Landing, so she toes the line to keep herself in the good graces of Joffrey and Cersei, or rather, keeps herself under the radar just enough to suffer their disdain. Even when she's physically beaten in front of the court, she maintains her facade and doesn't slip when Tyrion helps her out. Sansa is smart enough to know when to go along with things and keep her mouth shut. There's a reason Tyrion says, "Lady Stark, you may survive us yet." He knows that her abilities to adapt and keep her cards close to her chest are skills vital to surviving in King's Landing, and he respects her for learning how the game is played. Though Sansa does tend to trust the wrong people (looking at you, Petyr the Creeper), she survives everything they throw at her, whether it be her insane Aunt Lysa, Ramsay, or Petyr himself. She comes out stronger, smarter, and more determined than before. She is not the same little girl whom Cersei called "little dove."
Her Strength Isn't Magical, It's Realistic
Of all the Starks remaining, Sansa is the only one who hasn't had any supernatural or otherworldly help to get to where she is. She isn't the three-eyed raven, hasn't been taught by any Faceless Men and assassinated multiple people with said teachings, nor does she have R'hllor ready to bring her back to life, while possibly being the Prince That Was Promised. Sansa is a normal person in a chaotic world, using her brains and the help of the other ordinary people around her to survive. That's one of the main reasons she is able to connect with people on a level that Jon, Arya, and Bran cannot; she is realistic, grounded, and powerful in her own right. That's why her growth over the seasons has been so great to see, because she doesn't have magical powers or dragons to save her. She has to be smart enough to find what and who will work for her. Even when her sister is freaking her out with talks of taking faces and deadly threats, Sansa does her homework and works with both Bran and Arya to take down Littlefinger after his attempts to divide the siblings.
People Continue to Be Terrible, but She Stays Gracious
Despite everything that's happened to her, Sansa has managed to keep her compassionate nature. Sansa is sweet to Tommen during her time in King's Landing, even though he's part of the family that tortures her, probably because she recognizes a kindred spirit in the little boy. She risks the ire of Joffrey and Cersei to save Sir Dontas's life, and during the Battle of the Blackwater, she is the one who calms the people of King's Landing despite being terrified herself. At the Eyrie in the Vale of Arryn, she shows affection to Little Robin even though he's every babysitter's worst nightmare. Some may say she's lost that kindness by the premiere of season seven, after she argues with Jon about what to do with the land of Houses Umber and Karstark. However, an important distinction to make is that Sansa isn't advocating for the execution of anyone. She is wisely saying that it might not be smart to allow highly vital pieces of land to be controlled by people they don't know they can really trust who may hold grudges against them. Also, one of them is literally a child. Not everyone is Lyanna Mormont!
She Is Her Mother's Daughter and Not Here For Your Macho BS
After Jon is crowned King in the North in season six, we all knew there would be some tension between him and Sansa, especially because he has a habit of not listening to her advice. In the premiere of season seven, we see this trend continue and that Sansa is definitely not about that life. She does not gave a damn if Jon is king - if she has questions, she's going to ask them. After all, of all the Starks who remain, Sansa understands the nuance of the political realm the most having spent so much time in King's Landing and having Littlefinger as a "mentor." Though it makes things way more awkward having the two of them argue in front of all Northern houses, it shows Sansa's refusal to stay silent on matters when she might have before. No longer will this lady sit by, passively playing the games of King's Landing; she is in the North and will express her opinion when she sees fit. This is why it makes perfect sense that Jon leaves Winterfell in her hands when he goes off to Dragonstone: he understands that Sansa is highly capable and the best person to rule in his stead. Which she proves by aptly handling their resources and the heads of houses when they start to question Jon as a ruler.
Home Is Where Her Heart Is, and She'll Fight Anyone For It
As she gets older and has more agency, Sansa's fight for survival changes. She's not fighting for the Iron Throne like Dany or Cersei; instead, she's fighting to save her home and keep it. Everything she's done has been to get back to Winterfell, the last place she truly felt safe. When she reunites with Jon, she is the one to push him to fight for Winterfell when he would rather stay away from another war. She repeatedly urges him to gather whatever people he can to join the fight. She even teams up with Petyr, getting wiser to his games each time, and wins the Battle of the Bastards by securing reinforcements from the Vale. When Jon leaves Winterfell for Dragonstone, she works to keep her people well-fed and the various lords content. In the last three seasons, Sansa has become a warrior of her own, with her wits and words rather than weapons. Which some wouldn't think amounts to much against dragons, Red Witches, and White Walkers, but it's been proven that brute strength is nothing without a quick mind to direct the hit.
Game Recognizes Game
As many people love to point out, Sansa's greatest mentors are the very people she despises: Cersei Lannister and Petyr Baelish. Which is true; those two have the heaviest hands in Sansa's growth after the death of her parents. What that doesn't mean is that she's a mini version of either of them. It doesn't mean she admires them or wants to be like them at all. It means that, considering the circumstances, they helped open her eyes to the truth of what being a woman in Westeros is like and led the charge that ripped away Sansa's naïveté. Sansa learned the rules of the game from both Cersei and Peytr, and it will stay with her for the rest of her life. But so will the lessons she learned from her mother and father. It's the fundamental reason that Sansa remains a figure of good in the world of Game of Thrones; she may have been through some of the ugliest trials, but she also knows the good in the world. She knows how important honor, loyalty, and trust are in a world so full of darkness. Combine that with her lessons at the hands of Cersei and Littlefinger, and she's grown into a formidable lady of a great house.
She May Look Like a Tully, but She's All Stark
Sansa Stark is here to slay. Though raised by her mother to be every inch the proper lady, Sansa has the ability to be ice cold when she wants to be. Whether she's slapping little Robin across the face for getting out of control, taunting Ramsay about his bastard status, or letting Petyr know he can slide right the hell out of her DMs because she has no time for it, Sansa proves that being a lady doesn't mean she's afraid to put anyone in their place. I know you remember one of the few times Sansa let her wolf slip out, when Joffrey has her dragged out to look at the severed head of her father, boasting about how he would gift her with Robb's head as well, and Sansa replies, giving him the coldest side-eye ever, "Or maybe he'll give me yours." Don't play with this she-wolf!
Fergie and Josh Duhamel Really Know How to Do Halloween Right
There are plenty of celebrities who love to dress up for Halloween, but none of them do couples costumes quite as well as Fergie and Josh Duhamel. It's true, they don't have as many years in disguise under their belt as Heidi Klum, but every time they've gotten in the Halloween spirit (sometimes with son Axl), they've nailed it. Scroll through to see Fergie and Josh's best spooky holiday looks.
16 Books Every Career Gal Should Read
We all need some guidance from time to time - especially when it comes to navigating work matters. Who hasn't gotten a little lost along their career path and wondered how to make the next move? Whether you're itching to negotiate a raise, longing to quit your day job, or straight-up battling misogyny in the office, there's a book of advice from people who have been there, earned that, and lived to write their tales. Keep scrolling to level up in your career.
Watch Salma Hayek's Adorable Daughter, Valentina, Grow Up Before Your Eyes
Mexican actress Salma Hayek and her French businessman husband, Francois-Henri Pinault, are the definition of a power couple, and their daughter, Valentina Paloma, is a gorgeous blend of them both. And because her parents are famous, Valentina, who is now 9 years old, has subsequently grown up in the limelight.
A star since birth, she has been on the guest list for big red carpet movie premieres and high-profile art exhibitions and has even made the occasional appearance on Salma's Instagram in front of her over 3 million followers. Here, see her go from too-cute baby to fashionable kid - all with her beautiful mom by her side.
- Additional reporting by Celia Fernandez
Lime Crime's New Nails Made Me a Press-On Manicure Convert
As a kid, my mom would take me to get manis and pedis at the local nail salon, and I always wondered why people wasted money on a manicure when the pedicure was worth every cent. They're long-lasting - some say they could outlast the apocalypse - and hello, foot rubs!
As a true Texas woman, I was also raised to believe that it was a cardinal sin if your nails weren't "done," which started my obsession with gel manicures. And then, after moving to Los Angeles, I became enamored with nail art of all kinds: drawings, sequins, 3D art. In 2014, hard gel and acrylics (sometimes at the same time) were able to help me achieve the long, claw-like nails of my Instagram dreams. This obsession wreaked havoc on my natural nails, which were once strong and grew long without the help of a plastic attachment.
Sick of having to go to the nail salon to get my works of art removed, or worse, repaired, I decided to quit acrylics and gels cold-turkey. I loved that I could properly type on any and all keyboards, but I missed how dainty lengthy nails made my fingers look.
I've been sent many, many press-on nails, but like most people my age, I scoffed initially. Press-on nails? These were popular in my days of Caboodles and too much hair gel. Then I was sent Lime Crime's Pop On Nails and decided to give them a go. It wasn't a hard sell, either: they come in gorgeous chrome shades like Black Magic (a black and red oil-slick finish), Oyster (opal), Baby Baby (champagne), Storm (gray), Camel (tan/beige), and Lizard (green). These nails perfectly fit my own, meaning I didn't need to sand them down to make them look natural. I did some light filing to create a pointed tip, but the entire process - from adhesion to filing - takes about five minutes max.
Most press-on nails come with glue stickers that can be a bit of a pain to work with. These include a nail glue, but it's not as aggressive as most nail adhesives. If a nail comes off, it's not destroyed by the glue, thank God. And really, it's a rarity that a nail comes off - these babies have lasted me well over two weeks. I like to reapply them every 10-14 days, though, as my nails grow out and as the finish of the nails starts to dull.
I could probably stop wearing them and start getting my natural nails done up again, but given that I only have to pay for the most basic of manicures now, I think I'll save my money and keep sporting these beauties. People ask me all the time where I get my nails done, and I have to say seeing the confusion and then complete shock on their face when I say "They're press-ons!" hasn't gotten old just yet.
I Gained Weight, but It's Probably Not For the Reasons You Think
During the last few months of 2016, I gained about 10 pounds, an amount that would send some people into a tizzy if they gained it over the course of an entire year. But I did it in a mere three months, my body noticeably transitioning to an entire pant size higher.
In January, I found myself in a spot where I was able to get back on track, and it didn't have anything to do with the whole New Year's resolution obsession thing. When I mention the return of my gym-going, roasted-broccoli-eating habits to others, some immediately say, "Oh, I know (patting tummy) where you're coming from. The holidays were so hard with all that food around, right? Then Super Bowl and all the food that comes with that territory has to happen."
Here's the thing. Weight gain is not always about shoveling a plate of Grandma's chocolate chip cookies in your mouth in one fell swoop. It can be - as was the case for me 10 years ago when I was 70 pounds heavier - but it's not always. So please don't assume that I - or anyone else who has gained some weight - have done so because I sit around eating all day.
It's not always about the pizza, the holiday (or birthday, or anniversary, or promotion) dessert trays, or the inability to refrain from devouring an entire block of cheese in five minutes. Nor is it about a fear of the gym or coming up with an excuse to skip the treadmill.
Case in point: the last few months of 2016 saw me in and out of the hospital for several procedures, tests, and a surgery. Then my father-in-law died less than two weeks before Christmas, which was nearly two years after my own father passed - hardly moments causing me to sign up for a 5K. Incessant worry about why my digestive system was acting up meant more time with my doctor than the elliptical.
All the worrying also became tiring. Who wants to go to the gym when the bed will do? I can often become mentally and physically paralyzed when health worries strike. I become quiet, often attempting to become my own doctor while simultaneously reflecting on the intricacies - both healing and hindering - that make up the human body. So this was no time for me to head to the gym or make my usually healthy meals. Why wait to preheat the oven, chop, roast, and then eat olive-oil and hemp-seed-infused broccoli when a handful of prunes would suffice?
I was on a health carousel - an endless loop of doctor's visits, calls, and questions became my never-ending norm. If it wasn't the worry and research that kept me from exercising, it was the sheer fact that I was physically unable to perform, well, much of anything in the way of fitness.
I also needed time to heal. After having a skin graft done, I was in a cast for one week. Even after it was removed, I wasn't about to attempt gripping a dumbbell with recently removed stitches and palm soreness. Plus, doctors specifically told me to lay off physical exertion in order to ensure an ideal healing process.
The only time my eating habits strayed was when my father-in-law passed away. Between hospital visits, trips to other family members' homes, and discussions with medical staff, flax seed and insoluble fiber habits weren't even a thought. Grabbing breakfast burritos on the go or enjoying the hospital room's cart of assorted muffins was convenient and seemed a logical move. Of course, eating such sugary, warm, and buttery foods comforted me during this time of sadness. Vivid memories of my own father's death resurfaced during this time, even the ones that I'd forgotten. Facial expressions, fidgeting, words, the changing body, dying, death. New sadness mingled with old sadness, temporarily undone by the rush of life I felt when eating yet another cherry pastry puff, and another.
There are ebbs and flows in life, and sometimes weight gain is a part of it. Nothing is truly constant. Life is filled with changes and challenges, so why shouldn't we expect the same when it comes to our weight? It's time for people to stop instantly jumping on the stereotypical "lazy, potato-chip eating" bandwagon whenever they encounter someone who's gained weight. It's a quick, unfair judgment. It's not always about food, whether it be the kind or the amount of it. It's about so many more things, including time constraints, physical setbacks, and emotional fluctuations - good and bad.
As is typically the case in any situation, there's often more to the story than our hastily made assumptions. So in this case, let's look beyond outward appearance and welcome the notion that maybe, just maybe, there's more than meets the eye.
Giphy's New Feature Shows You Exactly How Popular a GIF Really Is
It's impossible to deny that Giphy has become an essential part of the internet. The GIF search engine takes the Google Image search model one step further, allowing anyone with a keyboard and a feeling to find the perfect graphical depiction of their mental state and share it with the world. It's also the only way to share those reaction GIFs on Twitter - the built-in GIF function is run out of the Giphy platform - so it's something that's heavily connected into the world of trending content and viral images. So it makes total sense that on Aug. 28, the company the company announced that it was taking GIFs one step further and adding view counts to every image an official Giphy partner or artist posts.
But what does that mean, exactly? According to Giphy, the addition of these numbers will enable users to find the most viral images on the site in a clear, unified way. "It tells us which GIFs are the most popular memes today or what was the most epic moment from last week's Game of Thrones. It shows how strong the force is in the old chapters and the new," the company wrote in a Medium post, adding cheekily that "view counts show how often we like to be a bit roguish, as well!" In other words, it'll be easier than ever to find exactly what you're looking for at a given time - and to see if other people are feeling the same way you are, right then and there.
From a more practical perspective, Giphy explained via an emailed press release that "a GIF view count is a metric to measure popularity, relevancy, and reach," a set of tools which will enable partners to measure how well their GIF has done in the same way they would measure a video or article. Ultimately, the decision to add a view counter to these images is just the latest step in a move toward making GIFs a more mainstream type of content - and we couldn't be happier about it.
Remember Zima? The Clear, Alcoholic Soda From the '90s Is Back!
Like me, you may have been too young to drink Zima in the '90s, but who can forget those strange commercials? Or, more accurately, they were zomething different. The clear, citrusy malt soda made by Coors positioned itself as a refreshingly cool beer substitute. Though it was discontinued in 2008, it's back (available at Walmart) thanks to the current craze for hard seltzers. Though Zima's entering a tough, competitive market in 2017, we're thinking nostalgia is on its side. After all, everyone has freaked out about the return of Clearly Canadian!
Light Dinner Ideas to Have After a Late Workout
After breaking down your muscles during a weight-training workout, they need the right kind of food for recovery - and that means adequate protein, about 10 to 20 grams within 30 minutes to an hour after your workout. The following light dinners won't leave you feeling too full before bed, but they're still packed with the nutrition you need. Each of these quick recipes has at least 10 grams of protein along with a dose of healthy carbs and weighs in at 350 calories or less.
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan Welcome Second Daughter With Powerful Facebook Post
The Chan-Zuckerberg family just added a fourth member, and her name is August.
Mark Zuckerberg took to Facebook (naturally) on Aug. 28 to announce that his wife, Priscilla Chan, had given birth to their second daughter, August. Zuckerberg, who notably took two full months of paternity leave after the birth of his first daughter, Max, took to Facebook just last week to announce that he was planning to do the same for his second daughter. "When Max was born, I took two months of paternity leave. I will always be grateful I could spend so much time with her in the first months of her life," Zuckerberg wrote, before advocating for all new parents to take advantage of as much leave as possible.
Zuckerberg also upheld the tradition he established when Max was born of writing a Facebook post to his new daughter and penned one to August as well, telling his daughter that "even though headlines often focus on what's wrong, we still believe these positive trends will win out. We're optimists about your generation and the future."
Read the text of the Facebook letter in full below, and congratulations to the happy new parents!
Dear August,Welcome to the world! Your mom and I are so excited to see who you will become.
When your sister was born, we wrote a letter about the world we hoped she and now you will grow up in -- a world with better education, fewer diseases, stronger communities, and greater equality. We wrote that with all the advances in science and technology, your generation should live dramatically better lives than ours, and we have a responsibility to do our part to make that happen. Even though headlines often focus on what's wrong, we still believe these positive trends will win out. We're optimists about your generation and the future.
But rather than write about growing up, we want to talk about childhood. The world can be a serious place. That's why it's important to make time to go outside and play.
You will be busy when you're older, so I hope you take time to smell all the flowers and put all the leaves you want in your bucket now. I hope you read your favorite Dr. Seuss books so many times you start inventing your own stories about the Vipper of Vipp. I hope you ride the carousel with Max until you've tamed every color horse. I hope you run as many laps around our living room and yard as you want. And then I hope you take a lot of naps. I hope you're a great sleeper. And I hope even in your dreams you can feel how much we love you.
Childhood is magical. You only get to be a child once, so don't spend it worrying too much about the future. You've got us for that, and we'll do everything we possibly can to make sure the world is a better place for you and all children in your generation.
August, we love you so much and we're so excited to go on this adventure with you. We wish you a life of joy, love and the same hope you give us.
Love,
Mom and Dad
From Chocolate to Gluten-Free, These Creative Recipes For Healthy Banana Bread Are Amazing
Before you mourn your bruised bananas, consider the possibilities banana bread has to offer. Leaving the high-calorie, high-fat ingredients of traditional recipes behind, here are 10 alternatives suitable to your healthy lifestyle. From vegan options that sweeten up with apple bites to a recipe made for Paleo devotees, there's a loaf for everyone's overly ripe bananas. Since they're all loaded with good things like omega-3s and fiber, we encourage you to get baking and go bananas!
Why the Menstrual Cup Makes It So Much Easier to Work Out on My Period
Working out on my period used to be such a hassle that I would find any excuse to take the whole week off from exercising. On my heavier days, I was too afraid to go anywhere near the gym for fear that I would leak all over my shorts or leggings (or worse, the treadmill!). Additionally, there were some days when working out while using a tampon was simply too uncomfortable. It was like I couldn't move around normally.
I switched over to a menstrual cup four years ago, and it was the best period-related decision I've ever made. It was definitely an adjustment in the beginning, but once I got used to the cup, I found that it made a huge difference in my fitness routine during my period each month.
The best part about using my menstrual cup is that I can take it in and out as many times as I need to. On the other hand, removing a tampon before it was fully used caused me cringing discomfort. Now I can remove my menstrual cup right before my workout, regardless of how long ago I inserted it, just so I can empty it out right before I walk into the gym. This leaves me feeling confident that no leakage will take place during my workout.
Additionally, I just feel more comfortable moving around when I use a menstrual cup. It's flexible, so it forms to my body much better and it never feels like it's going to fall out of place. Whether I'm running, lifting weights, or doing yoga when I'm on my period, I know the cup will hold in everything I need it to do.
Another small reason to love the menstrual cup is the fact that you don't have to carry around extra tampons. I can't imagine a more anxiety-inducing situation than being at the gym and realizing mid-workout that I don't have an extra tampon. That's happened to me before, and I've had to cut my workout short as a precautionary measure.
Working out on my period is still not an activity I look forward to every month, but it's infinitely easier now that I have my menstrual cup by my side. I never feel like my workout is being interfered with, and I don't worry about an accident waiting to happen. Now I have no reason not to get to the gym, period or not.
Check out our Snapchat today for our green girl's guide to menstrual products!
I Did CrossFit 5 Days a Week For 1 Month and This Is What Happened
I don't really want to share half-naked selfies of myself with the world, but I feel compelled to. Because after years and years of working out four to six days a week, running and training for half-marathons, sweating it out in yoga classes, and eating healthy, I have finally caught a glimpse of the kind of transformation I have been wanting ever since I can remember. And it's only been one month.
Before
This might sound like a PSA, but so what? I really do owe it all to CrossFit. I had been wanting to try it for years but through two pregnancies, working, and taking care of my two young kiddos, I just felt like I couldn't carve out the time. It was kind of a lame excuse, actually, and I realized it was high time to make the time and do something for me. So on Mother's Day 2016, I bought myself a $250 On-Ramp course for CrossFit. No it's not culty, yes the workouts are frickin' hard, and yes, the community support really is amazing and was the key to my success.
After completing that course, I decided to go all in and committed to going for one month, five days a week. Here's what happened.
- Weight down: I have been the same weight for years, trying to lose those last pesky pounds that hide my muscles and make me look softer than I'd like. I was amazed when I stepped on the scale and realized I was at the weight that I lied about on my driver's license. Down four pounds! I mean, that's huge when you don't have a ton of weight to lose. CrossFit smacked my weight-loss plateau in the face!
- Less to pinch: OK, so the scale isn't everything. I also lost at least one inch around my waist. It's not an enormous change, but I can totally tell in the photos because it's the first area of my body my eyes move to whenever I look in the mirror. I have had a belly my entire life it seems, and I can finally see it slimming down and that little muffin top diminishing. I even noticed a little definition in my obliques!
- Arm definition: While brushing my teeth a couple weeks in, I happily noticed my biceps bulging but didn't think anything of it until the month was up and people commented on my arms. "What have you been doing?" they asked. Someone else said when they hugged me, my arms felt stronger. Even the Comcast guy who came to fix my cable commented on my "guns." I also noticed more definition in my upper back.
After
- Toned thighs: I've always had lean legs, thanks to running and inherited genes from my mom, but they look even more toned and defined. I slipped on a pair of leggings and loved that I could seen my quad muscles popping out a little. Thank you lunges and deadlifts!
- Perkier butt: I also inherited a flat butt from my mom, but a month full of squats, wall balls, and kettlebell swings have turned my flat rear into a more shapely, rounder, lifted bum. My husband has noticed, too. Bonus!
- More energy: I used to run for an hour in the morning from 6 to 7 a.m., and by late morning/early afternoon, I felt completely drained. My body felt exhausted, my brain felt foggy, and all I wanted was a nap. I craved sugar and chocolate because I thought it'd give me a pick-me-up. Of course, that backfired with an inevitable sugar crash, plus the extra calories didn't help me lose weight. I didn't feel tired once during this month-long CrossFit experiment. Even after getting up at 4:50 to make my 5:45 a.m. classes, I still had more physical and mental energy.
- Less hunger: Now this surprised me. I thought all that intense cardio and heavy lifting would leave me insatiably famished. But I felt way less hungry than I did after those hour-long runs. I never ate before those early a.m. classes for fear or puking, and by the time I got home, showered, and started working, I wasn't hungry until 9 or 10. I was also inspired to eat better because I was putting in all this time and energy, and I didn't want to undo all that by devouring half a box of Wheat Thins dipped in peanut butter.
- Varicose veins diminished: I thought the bulging blue varicose vein behind my left knee was the oh-so-special badge of honor I shared with moms everywhere. But after four weeks of CrossFit, I swear, it's hardly noticeable. The increased blood flow from all that heart-pumping cardio works magic! I feel way more confident in short shorts and skirts now.
- Stronger overall: Carry three bags of groceries on each arm from the car to the house? No problem! Lifting heavier weights for just one month made me stronger and more capable of handling life's challenges. When both kids' heads accidentally collided when reaching for the same flower, CrossFit mommy power came to the rescue and I could bend down and lift 80 pounds worth of kid without my knees giving out with energy left to kiss both boo-boos! Running feels easier, previously difficult yoga poses like One-Legged Crow are doable, and come Winter, I'm excited to see how CrossFit-strong legs tackle the ski slopes.
- Confidence: It wears on you when you spend years thinking about your weight while working hard to change your body and not seeing the results you're after. Making a change that actually worked was life changing. I feel more confident and am just overall happier. I also realized that I like pushing myself and since CrossFit encourages you to to get stronger every day, I'm embracing this feeling of pride, and it's inspiring me to keep pushing myself. I see now why people become hooked on WODs. It only took one month, but I'm addicted now, too. I can't wait to see how my body changes in the months to come.
11 Reasons to Pack Your Bags and Head to Seattle Now
Seattle is a place known for having it all: good food, delicious coffee, friendly faces, and a vibrant metropolitan center bubbling over with local flavors. Yes, if you're looking for an unforgettable time, this seaport city located in the tip-top corner of the Pacific Northwest is the way to go.
But do you want to know why you should pack your bags and head to the Emerald City now? No, not next week, or next month, or even next year - I'm talking right now. Well, simply put, Seattle is so much more than a place to get a tasty meal and a mind-stimulating cup of joe. This is a place echoing with adventure. With majestic mountains in the distance, calming waters within reach, and evergreen forests waiting to be explored, Seattle isn't just a travel destination . . . it's a rejuvenating experience. To further the allure, ahead are 11 more reasons to book your trip!
This 4-Week Challenge Will Help You Finally Conquer Push-Ups
If you struggle with doing push-ups, I feel your pain. It wasn't until a few months ago that I could actually complete a full set of push-ups on my toes. I was fit and more active than most, but I found out from my trainer that I wasn't conditioning my body in the right way to cross push-ups off of my fitness bucket list. Fast forward four months and I am proud to say that I've completed over 50 push-ups in a single circuit.
Chances are it's the same for you. What seems like an impossible exercise is probably closer to your grasp than you think, and that's where this push-up progression plan will help. Designed by Austin Lopez, CSCS and trainer at DIAKADI, the four-week plan hones in on the muscles and movement needed to work when you do a push-up.
"Push-ups require all sorts of general muscle strength, a decent amount of shoulder mobility, and a surprising amount of shoulder and core stability," Austin told POPSUGAR. "The approach of this plan focuses on all of those things. While just working on one move like a dumbbell chest press definitely has its benefits and could maybe get you there at some point, working all of the muscles at once will help you get there more efficiently."
Besides commitment, the only requirement to complete this plan successfully is that you should already be able to do the prescribed exercises without modifications. If you're unable to, expect this to take longer as you build up your strength.
Push-Up Progression Plan: The four-week schedule consists of weekly workouts that should be done three times per week. It's laid out here in text, but continue reading for photos and detailed directions of each move. For weighted moves, be sure to pick dumbbells that challenge you without sacrificing your form; think medium to heavy weights.
Week 1 / Perform 3x Week
- Dumbbell rows, 8-10 reps
- Incline push-ups, 10-12 reps
- Elbow plank, hold for 20 seconds
- Run through the above circuit three times
Week 2 / Perform 3x Week
- Dumbbell rows, 8 reps
- Up-down plank, as many reps as possible
- V-crunch, 15 reps
- Run through the above circuit four times
Week 3 / Perform 3x Week
- Incline push-ups (performed closer to the ground than in week one), 6 reps
- Elbow plank with reach, 12-16 reps
- Run through the above circuit four times
Week 4 / Perform 3x Week
- Negative push-ups (as slow as possible), 6 reps
- Side plank with hip dips, 8-12 reps on each side
- Run through the above circuit four times
Week 5
- Watch all that work come together! At this point, you should be able to do a set of three to five push-ups on your toes.
Did Taylor Swift Shade Some of Her Famous Friends in the "LWYMMD" Video?
The video for Taylor Swift's new single, "Look What You Made Me Do," premiered during the MTV VMAs on Sunday night. The visual was packed with hidden references to Taylor's ex-lovers, celebrity feuds, and past personas - and during one scene, it appears that she may have taken a swipe at a few of her (former?) famous friends.
Taylor's group of high-profile girlfriends - her "squad," if you will - has gotten a lot of attention and criticism over the years; many have brought up the fact that they all look similar (something the singer alluded to in the "LWYMMD" video) and question whether Taylor's seemingly revolving door of friendships is even real. Taylor addressed the backlash in a 2016 Vogue interview, calling the accusations "hurtful" and adding, "When we're all friends in fifteen years and raising our kids together, maybe somebody will look back and go, 'That was kind of ridiculous what we said about Taylor and her friends.'"
In one of the scenes of her "LWYMMD" video, Taylor is seen wearing the outfit from her 2009 "You Belong With Me" video - thick-rimmed glasses, plaid pajama pants, and an oversize "Junior Jewels" t-shirt scrawled with the names of her high school BFFs - only this time, the tee is emblazoned with the names of Taylor's real-life friends, and it's the missing monikers that are very telling.
Here are the names that are written on Taylor's t-shirt:
- Lena: Taylor and Lena Dunham are close friends, and Lena's boyfriend, Jack Antonoff, produced 1989 as well as "Look What You Made Me Do."
- Danielle, Este, and Alana: The Haim sisters are regularly spotted at Taylor's Fourth of July parties.
- Selena: Taylor has been BFFs with Selena Gomez for years, and despite past rifts, it seems the two are still close.
- Gigi: Gigi Hadid and Taylor have been friends for a while, and she collaborated with Gigi's boyfriend, Zayn Malik, on the 2016 hit "I Don't Wanna Live Forever."
- Ed: Ed Sheeran is obviously a huge fan of Taylor's, and the friends have gone to bat for each other in the media more than a few times.
- Blake & Ryan: The names of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are written on Taylor's right shoulder. Blake is close friends with Taylor, and Ryan was famously spotted looking less than enthused at her 2016 Fourth of July bash.
- Patrick: Oddly enough, this is likely Patrick Stewart - yes, the Patrick Stewart, who asked to be a part of Taylor's squad in 2015.
- Lily: Victoria's Secret Angel Lily Aldridge is another model member of Taylor's friend group.
- Todrick: Singer and dancer Todrick Hall was also standing tall next to Taylor during a dance break in the video.
- Abigail: Abigail Anderson, Taylor's childhood BFF and the inspiration behind her hit "Fifteen," also had a spot on the shirt.
- Claire: Claire Kislinger is another of Taylor's longtime pals.
- Martha: Model Martha Hunt was featured in Taylor's "Bad Blood" video and has been spotted with Taylor on multiple occasions.
And here are the names that are strangely missing:
- Lorde: Did the "Green Light" singer get herself in hot water after comparing being friends with Taylor to "having a friend with an autoimmune disease"?
- Ruby Rose: Even though Ruby did all that work defending Taylor during her feud with Katy Perry, she was left off of the t-shirt.
- Karlie Kloss: It's been rumored that the two don't hang out much anymore, and things hit a fever pitch this Summer when Karlie was snapped getting close to Kendall Jenner, the half-sister of Taylor's enemy Kim Kardashian, while the two were in Paris for Couture Fashion Week.
- Cara Delevingne: Cara was featured in Taylor's "Bad Blood" video and was typically front and center at her house parties - but her being seen spending time with Katy Perry could have spelled trouble for her friendship with Taylor.
- Jaime King: Even though the two are supposedly close - and Taylor is the godmother of Jaime's son Leo - her name wasn't on the tee.
- Britany Maack: Taylor gave a heartfelt speech as she served as maid of honor for childhood friend Britany's wedding in 2016, but her name is missing.
- Hailee Steinfeld: The singer and actress made comments in 2016 about her and Taylor not being as close as people assume, saying, "I think people think we spend a lot more time together than we actually do!"
Purple Cauliflower Is Having a Moment, and You Should Cook With It ASAP
Purple cauliflower has been around for years, but it's becoming increasingly popular - and it's easy to see why. The vibrant color makes it look way more interesting than plain-old cauliflower, and it's the most eye-catching vegetable you'll find in the produce aisle. But what exactly is purple cauliflower, and is it any different than white cauliflower? Here's the deal with one of the trendiest foods of 2017.
Although it almost looks artificially dyed because it's so bright, rest assured, purple cauliflower is dyed naturally thanks to antioxidants called anthocyanins. The same antioxidants are found in other deeply colored foods like red cabbage, cherries, and blackberries. While the color is drastically different, the taste and texture isn't. You won't be able to tell any difference in taste between purple cauliflower and the regular cauliflower you've had before. We honestly see no reason to settle for regular cauliflower given the chance to choose its magical-looking counterpart; the purple veggie makes it even easier to eat the rainbow.
The coolest part is that purple cauliflower won't lose its color when cooked, and we've got the photos to prove it. You can treat purple cauliflower just as you would any other roasted vegetable, steamed vegetable, or sauteed vegetable. If you're suddenly feeling excited to find the closest grocery store that carries purple cauliflower - you can even find it at Trader Joe's - and need ideas for how to cook with it, keep reading for plenty of inspiration and recipe suggestions.
You Can't Tell From the Outside, but This Castle For Sale Is F*cking Magical
We may have given up our dreams of becoming a princess a long time ago, but thanks to a gorgeous new real estate listing, living in a castle can actually become a reality! The 19th-century Gothic villa may not look like anything special from the outside - well, except for that remarkable 50-foot tower - but inside, Balgray Tower appears to be right out of a fairy tale.
The three-bedroom castle is listed by Purple Bricks real estate company, and it boasts some of the most stunning features. Oh, did we mention it's listed for less than $300K? The castle is located in the heart of Springburn, Glasgow, in Scotland and is surrounded by private gardens and all the beautiful foliage one could imagine.
All that's missing from the castle is Rapunzel, although even she might've had a hard time getting down from the rooftop terrace. A spiral staircase leads upstairs and eventually to the top of the turret, where you have 360-degree views of Glasgow. Read on to see all the photos of the 1830 property for sale, and prepare to fall in love with all the chic Gothic vibes.
You Won't Be Able to Get Enough of Aaron Paul's Romance With Lauren Parsekian
If you follow Aaron Paul and Lauren Parsekian on Instagram, you probably feel like you know them on a personal level. From their beautifully written captions to their adorable and playful photos, Aaron and Lauren can quickly feel like old friends rather than famous strangers. And the couple, who wed in May 2013 in a carnival-themed ceremony after meeting at Coachella, only seem to be falling more in love with each other every day. Aaron's already proven that he's the cutest husband ever by doing things like surprising Lauren for her birthday and crashing her website with an Emmys shout-out, but we've rounded up some of their more intimate moments together. Keep reading to see some of their sweetest social media snaps.
Bad News For Outlander Fans: Sam Heughan Has Only Been Seriously Linked to This Actress
One of the hottest shows on TV, Outlander, has one of the hottest stars on TV: Sam Heughan. As one half of the gorgeous fantasy couple that plays Jamie and Claire on the Starz show (which comes back for season three on Sept. 10), Sam's chemistry with costar Caitriona Balfe is so hot that fans have speculated for years that they're an item. Alas, it's not true (but what they are is really cute BFFs), and in fact, Sam has been dating another actress for the past year or so. Keep reading to find out who the hot Scot is currently linked to.
My Mom Was Latina, My Dad Isn't - 10 Annoying Comments I'm Tired of Hearing
As a multiracial woman with a Peruvian-born mom and a white American dad, I can say life can be a little bit complicated. Growing up, it definitely wasn't the "cool" thing to be multiracial, especially in small-town Oregon where I spent my high school years, so I didn't really start to embrace the Peruvian part of my identity until I got to college. And while I have always taken pride in being Latina - it certainly has come with some built-in perks, like being fluent in Spanish by preschool - the whole thing comes with its fair share of eye-roll-worthy moments. Cue that time customers at my high-school waitressing job assumed I didn't speak English because of the way I looked.
If this story sounds familiar, chances are this roundup of other annoying comments and struggles will be too. Keep scrolling for the most frustrating moments I've faced.
49 Free Templates For the Coolest Jack-o'-Lantern on the Block
Locate your nearest pumpkin patch immediately, because we have jack-o'-lanterns to carve! We're obsessed with the pumpkin templates from ThinkGeek's website - the online shop for everything nerd culture holds an annual Great Geeky Pumpkin Template Contest and the submissions are always pouring in to help readers carve clever and crafty pumpkins for Halloween.
We've gathered our favorite submissions from 2012, 2013, and 2014 that are a little bit sweet (Hello Kitty), a little bit retro (Super Mario Bros.), frighteningly hilarious (Overly Attached Girlfriend), and that even make us want to dance ("Gangnam Style"). And if you want even more pumpkin goodness, check out the emoji templates we created ourselves just for you!
For more Halloween inspiration, feast your eyes on costumed dogs and cats, the ultimate geeky costumes for humans, party decor suggestions, and the apps that'll help you turn friends into monsters or scare yourself silly.
Is Euron Greyjoy the Father of Cersei's Baby? The Theory That Might Prove It
The following contains spoilers for Game of Thrones season seven.
The season seven finale of Game of Thrones is unquestionably insane. While we got to the bottom of many previously unanswered questions - like whether or not Arya and Sansa were actually plotting against Littlefinger, Sam actually did hear Gilly reveal Rhaegar Targaryen had a marriage annulled, and Viserion can now blow blue smoke - there's one major plot line that we still have questions about: Cersei's pregnancy.
During episode five of the penultimate season of the show, Queen Cersei drops the news on her brother/lover Jaime that a Lannister baby is on the way. While viewers sort of believe Cersei that her brother is the father of her child (we know, it's twisted, but incest isn't even that crazy on the show these days), we've got a theory that Cersei's baby daddy is someone who's a lot scruffier and more ruthless than Jaime: Euron Greyjoy.
Putting aside all thoughts that Cersei is a complete nut and would actually lie about being pregnant in the first place, here's why we think the lead assh*le of Westeros could actually be the father of a future Lannister ruler.
During the season finale, Cersei shockingly reveals that although Euron immediately dipped out of King's Landing upon seeing the wight, he's actually going to Essos to get more forces for the Lannisters, a plan that he and Cersei had schemed up behind Jaime's back. This revelation raises the question about what else Cersei was doing with Euron behind Jaime's back.
When Euron arrives in King's Landing earlier in the season, he professes his love for Cersei and his plans to one day make her his bride. While it's obvious Cersei wouldn't know she was pregnant if they had sex upon that meeting (although the timeline of this season is very obscure), it's interesting how Euron wastes no time before making fun of Jaime's sexual relationship with his sister. Euron does what he does best and taunts Jaime, asking what Cersei is into in the bedroom - so, was he just doing some market research or did he already know what Cersei was into?!
Euron and Cersei are both so shady and power-hungry that it only makes sense that their secret relationship started way before the decision to betray Jon and Daenerys and their plan to defeat the White Walkers. And let's be real, if Jaime was the father of Cersei's baby like she claims he is, would she really have just let him ride away to the North? She may have saved him by not allowing the Mountain to kill him, but Cersei doesn't know when she'll see Jaime again. On the other hand, she knows exactly where Euron's going and when he'll be back.
We can all agree that if this is true, Euron and Cersei would make one seriously evil child, but we'll just have to wait until next season picks up with Cersei's pregnancy and all the other mysterious cliffhangers we were left with in the season seven finale.
18 Copycat Appetizers From Your Favorite Restaurants
When you can't decide if you'd rather go out to eat or stay in, restaurant copycat appetizers offer the perfect solution. You can have Chili's famous queso, Outback Steakhouse's Bloomin' Onion, The Cheesecake Factory's fried mac and cheese, and more of your favorite appetizers from the comfort of your own home. Read ahead to discover all the recipes you'll want to serve at your next dinner party or when you want to treat yourself without the restaurant prices.
Is Euron Greyjoy the Father of Cersei's Baby? The Theory That Might Prove It
The following contains spoilers for Game of Thrones season seven.
The season seven finale of Game of Thrones is unquestionably insane. While we got to the bottom of many previously unanswered questions - like whether or not Arya and Sansa were actually plotting against Littlefinger, Sam actually did hear Gilly reveal Rhaegar Targaryen had a marriage annulled, and Viserion can now blow blue smoke - there's one major plot line that we still have questions about: Cersei's pregnancy.
During episode five of the penultimate season of the show, Queen Cersei drops the news on her brother/lover Jaime that a Lannister baby is on the way. While viewers sort of believe Cersei that her brother is the father of her child (we know, it's twisted, but incest isn't even that crazy on the show these days), we've got a theory that Cersei's baby daddy is someone who's a lot scruffier and more ruthless than Jaime: Euron Greyjoy.
Putting aside all thoughts that Cersei is a complete nut and would actually lie about being pregnant in the first place, here's why we think the lead assh*le of Westeros could actually be the father of a future Lannister ruler.
During the season finale, Cersei shockingly reveals that although Euron immediately dipped out of King's Landing upon seeing the wight, he's actually going to Essos to get more forces for the Lannisters, a plan that he and Cersei had schemed up behind Jaime's back. This revelation raises the question about what else Cersei was doing with Euron behind Jaime's back.
When Euron arrives in King's Landing earlier in the season, he professes his love for Cersei and his plans to one day make her his bride. While it's obvious Cersei wouldn't know she was pregnant if they had sex upon that meeting (although the timeline of this season is very obscure), it's interesting how Euron wastes no time before making fun of Jaime's sexual relationship with his sister. Euron does what he does best and taunts Jaime, asking what Cersei is into in the bedroom - so, was he just doing some market research or did he already know what Cersei was into?!
Euron and Cersei are both so shady and power-hungry that it only makes sense that their secret relationship started way before the decision to betray Jon and Daenerys and their plan to defeat the White Walkers. And let's be real, if Jaime was the father of Cersei's baby like she claims he is, would she really have just let him ride away to the North? She may have saved him by not allowing the Mountain to kill him, but Cersei doesn't know when she'll see Jaime again. On the other hand, she knows exactly where Euron's going and when he'll be back.
We can all agree that if this is true, Euron and Cersei would make one seriously evil child, but we'll just have to wait until next season picks up with Cersei's pregnancy and all the other mysterious cliffhangers we were left with in the season seven finale.
Cut Major Carbs With 11 Veggie Noodle Recipes
Swapping out noodles for veggies is all the rage for good reason! It's an easy technique to cut carbs and bring more nutrition to your plate. Whether you prefer zucchini, spaghetti squash, carrots, or even cauliflower, there's a veggie-filled recipe on this list that you'll enjoy.
This Unexpected Skin Care Ingredient Might Be the Answer to Fighting Wrinkles
Peruse any shelf in your favorite beauty store - virtual or otherwise - and read the label. Chances are, you'll see many mentions of ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin C, and retinol. While you're likely pretty familiar with those buzzwords, it's safe to guess that you're not as acquainted with copper peptides. However, more and more products are taking advantage of copper's powerful properties, so it's time you got a quick lesson on the science and skin care benefits.
The Science and History
Copper peptides were first developed and utilized in products that helped expedite wound healing. But over the last couple of decades, scientists and researchers have studied the ingredient as it pertains to the regeneration of collagen production and antiaging. What they've found has been promising and has led to more brands incorporating copper peptides into products.
"Copper peptides are supported by voluminous scientific research and play an integral role in age prevention skin care regimens," said Francine Porter, a product development expert and the founder of Osmotics Cosmetics.
She explains that copper is something our bodies produce naturally and that it serves as both an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. According to recent studies, copper peptides in skin care have been found to not just increase collagen and elastin (the materials responsible for firm, taut skin) but also nix old, damaged collagen and elastin to make way for a more youthful complexion.
The Skin Care Benefits of Copper Peptides
Products utilizing copper peptides are best for those who want to slow down signs of aging. Will it give you an instant facelift? No, the only thing that can do that is, well, a facelift. But according to many researchers, it can improve the quality of your skin.
"Proteins are the key building blocks of most living tissues," explained Bella Schneider, a clinical skin care expert and founder of Bella Schneider Beauty. "Copper peptides can help minimize the damage from daily wear and tear of the skin. They also have the potential to improve wrinkles, skin texture firmness, and thickness. Copper peptides are effective against various forms of skin irritation, mainly due to their anti-inflammatory effects."
Products Containing Copper
Sunday Riley Bionic Anti-Aging Cream ($125) contains an antiaging cocktail of copper, resveratrol, coenzyme Q10, and prickly pear. I find that a little goes a long way with this thick, custard-like formulation and that it's ideal for mature or dry skin types since it's so moisturizing. I apply a thin layer at night after cleansing and toning, and as the night progresses, my skin slowly sucks up the sweet-smelling product. In the morning, my skin is noticeably softer and plumper.
CU Shine Copper Mask ($46) is a shimmery peel-off mask that looks like molten metal and contains a mixture of copper, magnesium, and zinc. I apply it to clean, dry skin and let it set for about 10 minutes before peeling it off in one layer. Afterward, my skin feels exfoliated, soft, and firm. Bonus: it makes for fun Instagram selfies.
Lastly, Korres Golden Krocus Ageless Saffron Elixir ($98) combines copper with saffron, hyaluronic acid, and oat. These ingredients work together to plump skin, minimize fine lines, and hydrate and soothe your skin. I like that it has a velvety slip to it and my skin drinks it up within minutes after applying.
Established Ingredients vs. New Ones
"Remember that many cosmetic ingredients come into popularity in cycles," said Stephen Alain Ko, a cosmetic chemist. "Copper peptides, in combination with retinoic acid, was popular in the mid-2000s as a treatment for acne scarring on online forums."
Ko says that the jury is technically still out in the case of copper peptides and that many of the studies are currently "in vitro," which means they're still being tested on skin models within a lab. For that reason, some arguments say you should avoid new ingredients (like copper) entirely and stick to those that have a long and solid history. While it's hard to argue with that line of thought, there's still something to be said for innovation, even if it's young.
6 Men Who Wanted Lady Gaga's Bad Romance
Lady Gaga isn't afraid to pour her heart into her music, but when it comes to her love life, she's notoriously private. Over the years, the singer has dated actors, musicians, producers, and even her agent - and who can forget her five-year relationship with Taylor Kinney? Even though the pair called off their engagement last July, they are still incredibly close friends and support each other at various events. See all the men who have wanted Gaga's bad romance over the years.
James Cameron Needs to Sit Down and Take a Lesson From 1 of the Most Iconic Films Made For Women
Now that James Cameron has mansplained to all of us why his concept of a female heroine is better than Wonder Woman, I'd like to return the favor and womansplain something to him: the best way to tell stories about people unlike yourself may be to realize what you don't know and listen to people who do.
That's one reason why Wonder Woman, with its female director and star, spoke to a massive female audience, and that's also how it played out in the making of one of Hollywood's most iconic films starring women up to now, Thelma & Louise. Written by a woman, first-time screenwriter Callie Khouri, and starring two women, Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, Thelma & Louise created the sensation it did back in 1991 because it was so clearly a story that emerged straight from the heart of an actual female, addressing issues that drive females crazy in their actual lives. That the movie still feels fresh today is in part because the men involved in its creation listened to women like Khouri, Sarandon, and Davis, who understood how to keep it real.
It's instructive to study how this worked. Ridley Scott was an unlikely choice to direct the movie and didn't he know it. It perplexed people in Hollywood that Scott, a cigar-chomping man's man known for extravagant action/sci-fi spectacles, chose to make a relatively low-budget saga of ordinary women running amok on the road. But he listened to a young employee of his production company, Mimi Polk, who felt a profound connection to the story.
"The script flew," he said after he read it at her request. "It was very well written." He decided to produce, but, recognizing what he didn't know, he couldn't see himself directing such a 'women's picture.' It was too much from their point of view, full of their banter and a wrath about their place in society that he couldn't quite grasp. "It was a very much not my thing," he said.
But when other directors he approached - all men - didn't see the potential of the screenplay as he did, Scott went ahead, yet with an important caveat. He spent days combing through the script with Khouri so he could subsume his perspective with hers. Scott found it hard to believe, for example, that women had to listen to vulgar catcalls from characters like the truck driver in the movie. Khouri convinced him it happened all the time. She also assured him that the audience would get a kick out of it when the heroines blew up his truck.
Once Davis and Sarandon joined the cast, the film enjoyed the benefit of not one but two smart, outspoken female leads, a critical mass of female brainpower. Davis, for her part, showed an uncanny ability to understand what would appeal to the ladies in the audience when she urged Scott to cast an unknown named Brad Pitt for a small part as her love interest. She'd grown so flustered reading with him at his audition that she botched her lines. But she spoke up for him afterwards. "I saw her color up, and that was it," Scott explained.
Later, Scott suggested that Davis take her top off and wave it around to celebrate the characters' freedom as they sped along the road in their '66 Thunderbird convertible. It fell to Sarandon to tell him the idea didn't ring true. "That's exploitation," she said.
Instead of messing with the ending, they doubled down.
Audience members at the first test screening hated what they saw, especially the shocking ending. But studio head Alan Ladd Jr. listened to the production executive Rebecca Pollack, who urged the filmmakers to "hang on to why we made this film in the first place." They opted to hold tight to the original intent of Khouri's script. Instead of messing with the ending, they doubled down, removing a shot that had been intended to soften the blow.
The result was a production that women took to heart, just as they have Wonder Woman today. Thelma and Louise were imperfect characters making imperfect choices, but they looked like real women and talked like real women who could laugh in the open about the too-recognizable foibles of men and women, too.
Audiences recognized in them the texture and outlook of real women's lives, something we'd been craving on the screen. Wonder Woman is more idealized, as Cameron complained, but the mythical heroine, as played by Gal Gadot and directed by Patty Jenkins, embodies something we also had been yearning to see, a female heroine who is not only beautiful, but principled and brave.
With films carried by female leads so scarce, it's unfortunate that the few who exist are expected to be everything to everyone. But in the too-rare moments when Hollywood power brokers truly listen to women's voices and create stories and characters that touch us, lo and behold, an audience is there. It's a principle that applies to any workplace, really, but especially one charged with speaking to the rich array of humans around the world.
Becky Aikman is the author of Off the Cliff: How the Making of Thelma & Louise Drove Hollywood to the Edge.
William and Harry's Young Ages When Diana Died Are Still Shocking
When Princess Diana died in August 1997, she left behind two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. William and Harry were 15 and 12, respectively, at the time and were wrapping up their Summer with their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland when they found out about the tragic news. Now, 20 years later, William says he still feels the shock of his mother's death. "The shock is the biggest thing," he recently said in a BBC documentary. "I still have shock within me. You know, 20 years later. People go 'shock can't last that long' but it does. You never get over it. It's such an unbelievably big moment in your life that it never leaves you, you just learn to deal with it."
As the 20th anniversary of Diana's death approaches, William and Harry have set up a memorial at Buckingham Palace. They've selected most of the items on display, including a pair of Diana's beloved ballet shoes, a personalized school trunk, her old Kensington Palace desk, and a case full of her cassettes featuring albums by Diana Ross, Elton John, and George Michael. Will and Harry also released a handful of sweet photographs from Diana's personal photo album, which will be featured in their new documentary for ITV and HBO, Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy.
You'll Never Have to Worry About Lost Luggage Again Thanks to This Item Tracker
There's a strong case against checking in your luggage: it can get damaged, it's inconvenient, and worst of all, it can get lost. But if you're a perpetual overpacker or your travels require more than a carry-on, you can't always avoid checking in. It's a definite risk, but there is a solution that may help put your mind at ease, at least in terms of knowing where your bags are at all times. Highly favorited luggage brand Away and item tracker Tile teamed up to create a luggage tag ($30) that every traveler needs.
The 100 percent leather tag features an opening made to fit the Tile Slim, which pairs with your smart phone via Bluetooth. It's basically like Find My iPhone for your things. You can locate your suitcase on the Tile app from any of your devices, which will show you where it's at down to the street and city.
You can also follow it on the app's map like below.
Though it doesn't prevent the airline from losing your luggage, you'll at least have peace of mind and you can help them retrieve it faster knowing exactly where it's at. If your suitcase is beyond the Tile's Bluetooth range, you can also select "Notify When Found" in the app to be automatically notified of its most recent location when any Tile user with a phone or tablet simply passes by your missing item. It's pretty awesome.
I've purchased the smaller Tile Mate for my boyfriend - who's known to lose his keys, phone, and wallet often - before and it's been an absolute lifesaver. You can hook the Tile Mate onto your keychain or stick a Slim onto any of your devices, or, like its name suggests, the Slim is sleek enough to fit in your wallet if you have no travel use for it. Clicking the center of your Tile will also call your phone (even when it's on silent) in the reverse situation. Anything you want to keep your eye on, whether it's a child/drunk friend or a remote, can be tracked!
The 5 Elements of an Utterly Irresistible Résumé
Alexandra Simota is a recruiter at JD Resources Inc in New York.
Your résumé. Cue Beethoven's Fifth. This profile is often the first, and unfortunately sometimes the only, impression hiring officials get of you. There are other channels they can go through to get a more complete picture - your LinkedIn, your website, Google Images (God forbid) - but they won't bother if your résumé doesn't entice them enough to take the time to do so. As a recruiter, I'm buried in résumés. While I'm not a technical expert in each field for which I source talent, I can suss quality at a glance, and good candidates in any industry know how to produce résumés that inspire a longer look. The following are tips for crafting a résumé that makes recruiters pick up the phone.
Structure
A résumé is inherently a list of your skills and previous experience, but how you choose to lay out your list is important. It's pretty easy to guess how much time a candidate spent on his or her résumé by what it looks like, and structure is indicative of care. If you care about your résumé, I care about your résumé.
The structure of your résumé in terms of both content and format is important for one reason: how easily the reader can find information. It is an oft-stated fact that recruiters and other hiring personnel look at a résumé for about six seconds before making that initial decision to either keep reading or move on. Therefore, the more information we can absorb in six seconds, the better. A huge part of this is appearance alone. This article from LifeClever goes into great detail about things like typeface, line spacing, indentation, and margins. Sounds super exciting, I know, but the difference in readability and perceived professionalism is astounding.
Specificity
My favorite résumés are ones that include specifics. How many people did you manage? By what percentage did you increase profit margins? Which softwares did your company use? This information is the hard data I use when I'm crafting candidate presentations. It will also help you in the interview itself - the hiring manager can refer to your résumé and ask more direct questions to which you can provide more direct answers, i.e. "What did you change to achieve that 1,000,000 percent increase in productivity?" instead of "What are three things you are most proud of in your career?" Of course, they may still ask those more open-ended questions, but I personally find that the more definitive the question, the more eloquent the response.
Furthermore, and this should come as no surprise, résumés are often cast aside when a simple CTRL+F search for a keyword turns up no results. This is of course assuming that the résumé makes it past the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) of the external site that I may have searched to find potential candidates (CareerBuilder, Ladders, etc.) In other words, if your résumé doesn't show up in my search results, I can't even give it that six-second look. Do yourself a favor and be sure to spell out any acronyms, too.
The keywords we want to see are always in the job description. I've had too many phone screenings with candidates who just forgot to include a specific skill or software or certification. Why did I call them in the first place if something is missing from their résumé? Usually because they have probably encountered Object XYZ if they are working in the same field as the position for which they applied, and sometimes remembering the sheer volume of things one does on a day-to-day basis is more difficult than it seems. In short, double-check the job description for industry-specific terms, and if you're familiar with them, make sure they're prominently included on your résumé.
Style
This is a tricky part of résumé-writing. Do you write in first person? In third person? In no person? In people? I made up the last two, but if anyone can imagine what those would look like, I'd love to see an example. Generally, résumés are written in first person, but without the "I". For example, instead of "I conceptualized the most successful marketing campaign the world has ever seen, and now I am widely regarded as a demigod of social media" write, in bulleted fragments,
- Conceptualized the most successful marketing campaign the world has ever seen
- Widely regarded as a demigod of social media
The first person is a stylistic preference more than it is protocol, but it's your résumé, and the "I" is assumed; including it is redundant. Using bullet points is also a stylistic preference, but no hiring official or recruiter wants to parse through paragraphs to find the information they need, especially at first glance. Bullet points are user-friendly; they let me do CTRL+F with my eyes.
Another important style choice is verb tense. Should you write in the past tense or the present progressive (using -ing at the end of the verb)? Personally, I find it looks cleanest, and makes the most logical sense, to write in past tense when describing your duties at past jobs, and present tense when describing your current position. Avoid using -ing when describing your current role, it just looks messy. For example, instead of the following:
- Booking all domestic and international travel
- Planning press events, such as launch parties and tournaments
Write:
- Book all domestic and international travel
- Plan press events, such as launch parties and tournaments
Tailoring
This is an extension of specificity. While my fellow recruiters and myself not only want to see the numeric facts, we also want to see relevance to the position for which you are submitting your résumé. If you choose to include a summary or an objective at the top of your résumé, and are applying for multiple positions, consider editing it to more closely match the specific job. An objective that reads simply, "to grow within an organization where I can hone my skills" makes a weak first line - it's too broad, and it's what most people want. Similarly, a summary that says you are "a hard-working professional" is pointless. On the other hand, there is the valid point that if you're too specific you could rule yourself out of consideration for similar, but not quite the same, positions for which the recruiter may be sourcing. It's a fine line to walk, so many candidates choose not to include an introductory section at all, which is totally fine.
Revision
Spellcheck. Tense check. Fix orphaned lines. Ensure your contact info is accurate. Résumé writing is hard work, and resisting the temptation to send it out as soon as you've written the last line (and exited the emotional roller coaster of both pride and self-doubt) is difficult. But grammar mistakes and sloppy formatting will tamp my excitement about what at first looked promising. Also check the length of your document - if you're fresh out of college there's no reason your résumé should be more than a page or two, and if you're an industry veteran you can condense your early experience and expound upon your work in the last 10 years.
Ultimately, craft a résumé that is relevant and streamlined so that it is both easy to find and easy to read. Then, just make sure you are easy to reach when those phone calls start rolling in!
Why This Controversial Organizing Method Is Exactly What You Need
Letting go of clutter is hard to do. Anyone who has encountered the teachings of Japanese cleaning guru Marie Kondo knows that minimalism is currently all the rage; her housekeeping manual, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, has inspired legions of readers to throw away their unneeded belongings. We love all things related to organization and have to admit to clearing out our drawers and closets in a fit of aspirational tidying ourselves.
Not everyone, though, is on board with KonMari, the nickname Kondo gave her techniques. As with any good trend, there's a corresponding backlash. A writer for The New York Times extolled the virtues of living a life surrounded by things in an article called "Let's Celebrate the Art of Clutter."
Whether you're pro- or anticlutter, you must admit there's a certain calmness to be found in a well-organized drawer. Read through to see 25 examples of Marie's method at work, and see if you aren't a little inspired to take a turn at organizing your own home.
Start Panic Shopping: Lush Is Discontinuing a Ton of Products in 2017
Say it ain't so! Lush Cosmetics just announced it's bidding farewell to 29 of its products in 2017. This is to "make way for exciting new products," the brand wrote on Instagram. Some surprising inclusions on the discontinued list are favorites like the Blackberry Bath Bomb, which was the very first bath bomb produced in the 1980s (before Lush Cosmetics was even fully formed) and the bestselling Lava Lamp Bath Bomb. The store will keep selling them until stock runs out both online and in stores, so be sure to check availability before you barge in demanding all of the Fizzbanger Bath Bombs.
Altogether now, let's do some last-minute panic shopping for these discontinued Lush goodies. See every single product coming to its end ahead.
A Guide to Diana's Royal Titles
Princess Diana was many things to many people, but at her core, she was a devoted and adoring mother to two boys, Prince William and Prince Harry. The brothers, who were just 15 and 12 years old when their mother tragically passed away in August 1997, have been opening up more and more about the impact her death has had on them as grown men and members of the royal family, most recently in a televised documentary called Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy. Also looking back on Diana's life in the film is her younger brother, Charles the 9th Earl Spencer, who reflected on their childhood growing up at the family estate at Althorp, the same place where Diana's body is now buried. Contrary to popular belief, Diana wasn't exactly a commoner when she met and married Prince Charles. Here are the royal titles she held throughout her life.
- Lady Diana Spencer: Diana was born Diana Frances Spencer to John Spencer, Viscount Althorp and the 8th Lord Spencer, and Frances Roche. She was 7 years old when her parents divorced, and when her father inherited the title of Lord Spencer in 1975, she became known as Lady Diana Spencer. Her father moved the family to Althorp, the Spencer estate in Northampton, England. It was this title that earned Diana the nickname "Lady Di."
- Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales: During her marriage to Prince Charles, Diana held the HRH and was officially known as the Princess of Wales. Throughout this time, she also held the title of Duchess of Cornwall, which now belongs to Charles's current wife, Camilla.
- Diana, Princess of Wales: After her divorce from Prince Charles was finalized in August 1996, 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. Prince William, then 14, 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." At the time of her death and to this day, she is officially known as Diana, Princess of Wales.
These New Outlander Season 3 Photos Will Leave You Extremely Hot and Bothered
Is it just me, or is Sam Heughan somehow getting hotter? In a handful of new images from Outlander's highly anticipated third season, Heughan appears as a slightly older and wiser version of Jamie, who's hanging out in the A. Malcolm Printer and Bookseller store we got a quick shot of in the latest trailer (!). There are also glimpses of Claire (Caitriona Balfe) and Frank (Tobias Menzies), whose relationship looks a bit strained, as well as Claire researching with her daughter, Brianna (Sophie Skelton), and Roger Wakefield (Richard Rankin). Three photos are nowhere near enough to quench our Outlander thirst, but they'll just have to do until the drama returns on Sept. 10!
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