Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
lundi 4 septembre 2017
You Can Keep Your Diet Ice Cream - Give Me the Real Stuff
I'll admit I was intrigued when I first spotted the new low-calorie, high-protein ice creams next to my beloved Coconut Bliss and Häagen-Dazs at the grocery store a while back. Who wouldn't want to plow through an entire pint of ice cream for under 300 calories? Well, after giving it a try, this nutritionist is going right back to her high-fat, sugar-laden, calorie-rich ice cream with absolutely zero guilt, and I'll tell you why.
First off, let's take a look at the ingredients. Because they are not made with as much sugar or cream as traditional ice cream, these diet ice creams still have to get their flavor and texture from somewhere; that somewhere is sugar alcohols, natural flavors, added fibers, and thickeners. While these ingredients are not inherently bad, they can be problematic for some people.
Sugar alcohols are pretty popular right now because they are plant-based (unlike artificial sweeteners) and low-calorie. According to Chris Kresser, MS, LAc, these concentrated sweeteners can cause some pretty unpleasant digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, and diarrhea for certain people (mostly those who already have compromised digestion). Thickeners like guar gum and xanthan gum can have similar, ahem, undesirable results. While most people can consume these ingredients without any ill effects, it is something to keep in mind.
Speaking of ingredients, even the length of the ingredient list on some of these low-calorie ice creams is unsettling. In my book, simple is always better. Even if something is made from heavy cream (gasp!) and sugar (the horror!), I much prefer a short, simple, recognizable list of ingredients as opposed to a lengthy one, especially when I'm not even quite sure what some of the ingredients are.
It comes down to this - I know that I could easily prepare my own ice cream at home using the ingredients listed on the back of several of my favorite store-bought ice creams. I can't say the same for these new diet versions. I wouldn't even know where to find most of the ingredients, much less what to do with them if I did. Whole food is my jam and I will pretty much always choose simple, real ingredients over a mixture of ingredients that can only be manufactured by food scientists in a lab somewhere.
And as for the giant calorie count printed on the front of most of the low-cal ice cream packages, to me it just continues to fuel the notion that fewer calories = healthier. Ice cream is meant to be an occasional treat, and unless you are eating it for breakfast every morning, those few extra calories aren't going to have any lasting impact on your health goals.
I truly believe that when we eat the real deal, we get much more enjoyment out of it than when we try to satisfy our cravings with low-calorie substitutes. So pass me a bowl, a spoon, and a pint - all this ice cream talk is making me hungry.
Challenge: Can You Do 50 Burpees in 5 Minutes?
Go-getters. Those brave people who constantly set goals, usually smash said goals, reevaluate their success, and set their next conquest, aren't as rare a breed as you'd think. If you're reading this article, you're one of these go-getters who seem to make the world spin faster. Are you looking for your next challenge right now? We at POPSUGAR have got the test you need to try. The challenge? Can you do 50 burpees in five minutes?
It sounds like a lofty goal, but with a little guidance from Sarah Chadwell, NASM Certified Personal Trainer, combined with your grit, you can smash this challenge, too. Let's get started!
Burpees: A Love-Hate Relationship
Burpees! Did you shudder? Usually just the thought of them makes even the fittest people feel at least a little sick because this is one move that is renowned for being brutal. But you can't knock the results they bring!
"Burpees are a physically demanding exercise because they tax almost every muscle in your body. Just one repetition includes a squat, a plank, a push-up, a hip thrust, a forward jump, and a vertical jump," said Chadwell.
All of these movements mean that one burpee hits your quads, glutes, hamstrings, hip flexors, calves, chest, shoulders, triceps, and even your abs! Plus, burpees test your cardiovascular and muscular endurance. If you thought it was the worst exercise before, think again. They're actually the perfect exercise to get fit or in this case, to show off just how fit you will become in the next 25 days.
Preparation to Complete 50 Burpees in 5 Minutes
So, how do you get to the point where you can do 50 burpees in five minutes? The answer isn't just doing burpees. In fact, you'll need to build up your cardio and muscular endurance in many ways beyond what this one exercise can do. Ahead is Chadwell's custom 25-day plan that will help you build up your total-body power and endurance.
The exercises you'll be doing for the next 25 days are squats, froggies, planks, burpees, and a fair amount of cardio. Here are Chadwell's tips on how to breeze through these moves on your way to 50 burpess in 5 minutes.
How to do a bodyweight squat:
- Stand with your head facing forward and your chest held up and out.
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Extend your hands straight out in front of you to help keep your balance. You can also bend the elbows or clasp the fingers gently behind your neck.
- Sit back and down like you're sitting into an imaginary chair. Keep your head facing forward as your upper body bends forward a bit. Rather than allowing your back to round, let your lower back arch slightly as you descend.
- Lower down so your thighs are as parallel to the floor as possible, with your knees over your ankles. Press your weight back into your heels.
- Keep your body tight, and push through your heels to bring yourself back to the starting position. This counts as one rep.
How to do a frogger:
- Begin in a plank position.
- Jump your feet to the outside of your hands, coming into a deep squat and keeping your hands on the floor.
- Jump your feet back to a plank to complete one rep.
How to do a plank:
- Balance on your hands and toes with your body in one straight line, hands underneath the shoulders, and feet hip-distance apart.
And of course – burpees:
- Lower into a crouching squat with your hands on the floor.
- Do a squat thrust by jumping your feet back into a plank position.
- Do one basic push-up, bending the elbows and then straightening back to plank.
- Jump the feet forward to the hands, and come into a squat.
- Do an explosive jump straight up, getting as much height as you can.
Putting the Plan Into Action
Here is the 50 burpees in five minutes workout plan. On your 25th day of this journey, record some video evidence, upload it, and tag us @popsugarfitness to let the world watch you take and beat the challenge!
| Day | Daily Workout | Speed or Duration |
| Day 1 | 1 set of 10 regular burpees 1 set of 20 bodyweight squats 2 sets of planks Jog |
Under 2 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ½ mile |
| Day 2 | 1 set of 10 regular burpees 1 set of 20 froggies 2 sets of planks Jog |
Under 2 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ½ mile |
| Day 3 | 1 set of 12 regular burpees 1 set of 20 bodyweight squats 2 sets of planks Jog |
Under 2 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ½ mile |
| Day 4 | Rest Day | |
| Day 5 | 1 set of 12 regular burpees 1 set of 20 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 2 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ½ mile |
| Day 6 | 1 set of 12 regular burpees 1 set of 30 bodyweight squats 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 2 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ½ mile |
| Day 7 | 1 set of 12 regular burpees 1 set of 30 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 1.5 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ¾ mile |
| Day 8 | Rest Day | |
| Day 9 | 2 sets of 10 burpees 1 set of 20 bodyweight squats 1 set of 20 froggies 2 sets of planks Jog |
Under 3 minutes Under 2 minutes Under 2 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ¾ mile |
| Day 10 | 2 sets of 10 burpees 1 set of 20 bodyweight squats 1 set of 20 froggies 2 sets of planks Jog |
Under 3 minutes Under 2 minutes Under 2 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ½ mile |
| Day 11 | 2 sets of 12 burpees 1 set of 20 bodyweight squats 1 set of 20 froggies 2 sets of planks Jog |
Under 3 minutes Under 2 minutes Under 2 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ¾ mile |
| Day 12 | 2 sets of 12 burpees 1 set of 30 bodyweight squats 1 set of 30 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 3 minutes Under 2 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ½ mile |
| Day 13 | Rest Day | |
| Day 14 | 3 sets of 10 burpees 1 set of 30 bodyweight squats 1 set of 30 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 3.5 minutes Under 2 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ¾ mile |
| Day 15 | 3 sets of 10 burpees 1 set of 30 bodyweight squats 1 set of 30 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 3.5 minutes Under 2 minutes Under 3 mintues Hold for 30 seconds ½ mile |
| Day 16 | 3 sets of 10 burpees 1 set of 30 bodyweight squats 1 set of 30 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 3.5 minutes Under 2 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ¾ mile |
| Day 17 | 3 sets of 12 burpees 1 set of 30 bodyweight squats 1 set of 30 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 4 minutes Under 2 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds 1 mile |
| Day 18 | Rest Day | |
| Day 19 | 3 sets of 12 burpees 1 set of 30 bodyweight squats 1 set of 30 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 4 minutes Under 2 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ¾ mile |
| Day 20 | 4 sets of 10 burpees 1 set of 30 bodyweight squats 1 set of 20 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 4.5 minutes Under 4 minutes Under 4 minutes Hold for 30 seconds 1 mile |
| Day 21 | 4 sets of 10 burpees 1 set of 30 bodyweight squats 1 sets of 20 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 4.5 minutes Under 3 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ¾ mile |
| Day 22 | 4 sets of 10 burpees 1 set of 30 bodyweight squats 1 sets of 20 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 4.5 minutes Under 3 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds 1 mile |
| Day 23 | 4 sets of 10 burpees 1 set of 30 bodyweight squats 1 sets of 20 froggies 3 sets of planks Jog |
Under 4 minutes Under 3 minutes Under 3 minutes Hold for 30 seconds ¾ mile |
| Day 24 | Rest day | |
| Day 25 | 5 sets of 10 burpees It's going to feel easy! |
5 minutes or less |
When a Photographer and a Yogi Get Together For a Nude Shoot, This Is What Happens
There's something so pure and wholesome about doing yoga in the nude, and these professional black and white photos capture the striking beauty and energy brilliantly. We promise, these are totally #SFW.
10 Vegan Ingredients You Should Have in Your Pantry at All Times
We've all been there: you're finally home after a super busy day at the office. You're not just hungry - you're ravenous, and wishing more than anything in the world that your mom (or a personal chef) would magically appear to whip you up a healthy home-cooked dinner while you collapse on the couch to watch TV. You're tempted to order in - but do you really want to sabotage your diet (and your budget) and overdose on salt and fat just to wake up with a takeout hangover? Probably not. Especially if you are trying your damnedest to stick to a healthy, vegan diet. Read on for 10 vegan pantry staples that will save you from ordering takeout.
Target Lower Abs and Flatten That Belly With Simple At-Home Workouts
Your lower abs are a pesky area to work; most of the time, we tend to feel the effects of our core work and ab exercises in the upper abdominal muscles, while that lower belly ends up feeling a bit neglected.
These five workouts all put your lower abs first, so those muscles are going to both love and hate you when you're done. Pick a simple three-move circuit or a quick five-minute workout to blast your belly with some targeted muscle building. Don't forget to do some fat-burning cardio to reveal those hard-earned abs.
What to Do With Used or Leftover Charcoal
Your Summer grilling soiree was a hit, and all that's left to do is pack away leftovers and dump out your grill full of charcoal ash and spent hickory chips. But before you upend that Weber, take care to dispose of the mess safely (ash can still be hot!) and properly.
To dispose of charcoal and wood ash: Let the ash cool for 48 hours. You can speed up this process by pouring water over the hot charcoal and stirring it very carefully. When the ash has cooled completely, wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in an noncombustible outdoor trash bin.
If you used additive-free lump charcoal: Fertilize your plants! Charcoal ash contains potash, an important nutrient for some plants. It's also a great way to increase the pH of the soil.
When you have a bag of used charcoal (and not briquettes with additives) sitting around your garage, there are a number of ways to use it up, even if grilling isn't on this Summer's agenda.
- Keep a few pieces in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator to kill odors.
- Feed your compost pile to increase the carbon content.
- Place a lump at the bottom of a flower vase to make cut flowers last longer.
- Suppress garden weeds and maintain soil moisture by using charcoal as a mulch.
- Mix crushed charcoal with orchid potting medium to increase the alkalinity.
- And, of course, keep them around for Winter snowman faces!
This Hack Will Forever Change the Way You Cut and Juice a Lime
If you're struggling to get a decent amount of liquid out of a lime, turns out you might be cutting it all wrong. Here's an easy hack to get almost triple the amount of juice. Instead of cutting the lime in half, you can make cuts on all four sides of the lime, leaving the center untouched, and you'll be able to squeeze so much more juice out of the sides, according to an image posted by Reddit user regularoldballoon. I wanted to see if it really worked, and spoiler: it 100 percent does. I'm never going back to the old way. Here's how to perfectly cut a lime to get the maximum amount of juice every time, because limes are expensive.
Stand the lime up vertically on a cutting board. You might want to carefully cut off the bottom tip to make this easier (and safer!). In a similar way that you would slice around the core of an apple, use a sharp knife to cut all four sides (or cheeks) of the lime, coming close to the stem. You'll be able to squeeze out all the juice from the cheeks with little effort, and you can even get a few more drops from the core.
You can clearly see the difference! When I sliced a lime in half, I got less than a tablespoon of juice, and the other lime yielded more than double that amount. Your guac and margaritas are about to be better than ever.
Sterling K. Brown Manages to Be Even More Adorable at Home Than He Is On This Is Us
We fell in love with him as brainy Randall - the triplet brother to Kate and Kevin - on This Is Us, but it turns out there's way more to love about actor Sterling K. Brown than his TV character. He lives with his wife actress Ryan Michelle Bathe and their adorable two sons in a warm and welcoming family abode. And their domestic life is equal parts inspiring and relatable to parents everywhere. Take a peek inside their home ahead.
How to Lose Fat Around Your Face
Every body comes in different shapes and sizes, but if you're a little self-conscious about chubby cheeks or a double chin, you can take matters into your own hands. It's true: there's no way to spot-reduce fat, but if you incorporate these practical tips into your everyday life, you'll be putting your body in the best position to slim down all over, including your face!
Rihanna Just Unveiled Her First Fenty Beauty Products
Update: After teasing Fenty Beauty's launch with a video campaign dropped on Sept. 1, Rihanna just debuted the first photo of one of her products. Called the Killawatt Highlight Duo, there are two coppery shades: Ginger Binge and Moscow Mule. Over on the @fentybeauty Instagram there was another reveal: Trophy Wife, what looks like a metallic gold eye shadow. They're all embossed with the letters "FB." Stay tuned for more!
Original Post: Our hearts nearly stopped when Rihanna announced she'd be launching her own makeup collection, Fenty Beauty. We are now just one week away from the big reveal, and the superstar dropped her official campaign on Twitter.
"Spilling starts today! Who's coming to the tea poortyyy?!" she wrote on Twitter after a fan asked her to give more info on Fenty Beauty. Hours later, she debuted a video featuring a diverse cast of models including Halima Aden (who famously walked in Kanye West's Yeezy runway show in a hijab), Paloma Elsesser, Duckie Thot, and Rihanna herself. Aside from being downright fierce, it also gave us flashes of what to expect from the highly anticipated products. It's all pretty minimalist with a big focus on lip glosses - you even see a model applying a nude-colored one on camera - as well as glistening highlighter and, best of all, gold glitter eye shadow.
Rihanna tweeted that Fenty Beauty will be start shipping globally starting Sept. 8 at 12 a.m. PT on fentybeauty.com and will also be available at Sephora. While she didn't give product reveals just yet, she did share some product names: Chili Mango, Trophy Wife, Yacht Life, and Confetti.
Meanwhile, Leomie Anderson, one of the models in the video, called Fenty "the beauty brand for girls who know who the f*ck they are and aren't afraid to show it" on Instagram. We don't expect anything less.
See more of the Fenty Beauty campaign ahead.
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.
In Memoriam: 48 Stars We've Lost This Year
We lost so many famous figures in 2016, and while we're all hoping that the last few months of this year are a little brighter, a handful of stars have already left us too soon. From Mary Tyler Moore to John Hurt, we're paying our respects to all the celebrities we've said goodbye to in 2017.
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.
20 Brilliant Organizational Hacks For Every Room
If you're attempting to pump yourself up for a major cleaning session, getting inspired is half the battle. Enter two home decor Instagram accounts with feeds so simultaneously beautiful and useful, you'll have a hard time pulling yourself away from them. The teams behind The Home Edit and Classy Clutter have enough organization hacks, decorating DIYs, and styling ideas to make your head spin, and their Instagram accounts are the perfect vehicle for getting a daily dose. If getting organized is on your best life goals list, do yourself a favor and snag these 15 things organized people have in their homes, take this awesome KonMari-inspired home challenge, and follow The Home Edit and Classy Clutter's Instagram accounts ASAP! These 21 clever organizing hacks from their accounts are just a taste of what you can find.
You'll Never Eat Another Gummy Bear or Marshmallow Again After Hearing What It's Made From
If you look at the ingredients on a package of gummy bears - even organic ones - you'll see expected things like corn or brown rice syrup and sugar. But you'll also see something called gelatin. Seems innocent enough, but its source might surprise you. Gelatin is a yellowish, odorless, and nearly tasteless substance that is made by prolonged boiling of skin, cartilage, and bones from animals. It's made primarily from the stuff meat industries have left over - we're talking about pork skins, horns, and cattle bones. Ugh.
I guess if you're into the philosophy of using the whole animal, you'll be psyched about this. Plus gelatin contains 18 amino acids, so it does offer some nutritional benefits. But if you're vegan, you'll definitely want to skip the chewy candies and your great-aunt's Jell-O mold - it's made with gelatin, too. This animal-derived ingredient can also be found in some vitamins and medications, marshmallows (not Trader Joe's - they're vegan!), cheeses, yogurts, soups, salad dressings, jams and jellies, fruit snacks, and canned hams. If this tidbit of info grosses you out, you'll want to pay closer attention to these products' food labels.
Protein: You're Eating It All Wrong
If you're trying to lose weight, experts say to load up on protein. But certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD, of Whole Health Nutrition wants to make sure you avoid these five common mistakes when eating this valuable nutrient.
From a Size 22 to a Size 12: This Woman Changed Her Habits and Her Life
Meet Brooke, an empowered, strong, and inspiring woman from San Francisco, who is taking her health into her own hands and turning her entire life around with her conscious choices and habits. So far, Brooke has lost over 100 pounds.
Multiple factors have contributed to Brooke's awe-inspiring success - she does the Kayla Itsines BBG workouts and Pilates, goes hiking, and preps her meal. But what she most wanted to share about her journey - in which she went from a size 22 to a size 12 - is that "changing behavior through healthy habits and real food are imperative for sustainable weight loss."
A Lifelong Journey: From Obese to Healthy
Her journey started at an early age. When she lost her grandmother to cancer, she turned to food as a source of comfort . . . at the age of five. "One of my earliest memories is hiding under a table and eating at my grandmother's wake," said Brooke. "I don't ever remember a time in my life when I wasn't losing weight, gaining weight, or desperately trying to maintain my weight."
The lifelong battle had begun. She turned to food, then turned to diets. "I have done every diet out there, probably twice, each with varying degrees of success," Brooke told us. Each time she'd stop the diet, she'd gain even more weight back.
Hitting a Low Point
She started trying more extreme methods, like fasting, juice cleanses, and purging - and her struggle only worsened as she battled bulimia and food addiction. "Those periods of control would inevitably be followed by periods of being out of control. I was trapped in the cycle of restricting and binge-eating."
It wasn't until she hit a breaking point that she realized she needed to change something fundamentally. At nearly 300 pounds, Brooke said, "I realized I was slowly killing myself. . . . I finally took a step back and realized how insane my behavior was." At that point, she turned to others for support and realized she wasn't the only one going through this struggle.
"I carried around a tremendous amount of shame about my weight," said Brooke. "It was liberating to let go of that and realize that I wasn't alone."
Alone she is not. Through this awakening and "peeling back the layers of shame," as she puts it, Brooke discovered the thriving BBG community on Instagram. Scrolling through hashtags like #BBG and #KaylasArmy, she wondered "who is this Kayla person and why does she have an army?"
Brooke's use of social media as a support system ended up being a pivotal move in her journey and opened her up to a community that would change her life. After losing some significant weight, Brooke started through the BBG programs with millions of women around the world and turned to the community for strength. "It's empowering to be vulnerable about our flaws, share our goals, and cheer each other on."
A Fitness Journey Begins
Brooke weighed nearly 300 pounds just four years ago. She had debilitating plantar fasciitis and said she could hardly walk a few blocks. Her first goal? Get a FitBit and go for 10,000 steps per day. "It was a way to start moving," she said.
This positive step (10,000 steps, actually) snowballed into greater choices. "It was more about becoming active rather than calories burned." And her consistency has been key. She committed to this goal every day for four years, and her four-year average is now 11,000!
When Brooke wanted to push herself further, she got into hiking. "I really started noticing the mental benefits of exercise and fell in love," said Brooke.
Her new love for movement was taken to another level with the BBG program, which has only intensified her overall love for fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Today, Brooke combines hiking, BBG, and Pilates.
Lifestyle Changes
In the past four years, Brooke has made huge fundamental behavioral changes. She knows from research that permanent lifestyle changes - not diets - are what works for sustainable weight loss and has since learned that extreme physical exertion and starvation aren't going to work.
Brooke's approach to food has completely 180-ed. Her golden formula? Mindful eating, meal prep, and greens at every meal.
"Being obese, the priority was changing my eating habits and beliefs about food," she said. "For so long I viewed food as a moral issue, like certain foods were 'good' or 'bad' and if I ate them I was 'good' or 'bad.' . . . But that's warped" (seriously). "Food is food and it can be used for fuel or pleasure, but it doesn't define my character."
This honesty helped her focus on the bigger picture and identify which foods triggered overeating - this led to mindful eating. She cut out the trigger foods, "not because they made me fat or I wanted to lose weight, but because I wanted to feel good."
And that's what the big picture is about: feeling your best and living your best life.
Brooke also shared some relatable advice: don't try to cook supercomplicated recipes based on a restrictive diet - you might crash and burn (like she did) and end up at a drive-through because you're so frustrated (and hungry)! Instead, turn to meal prep.
"Preparing meals at home is one of the most effective ways to manage weight, but it has to be easy and enjoyable or it won't happen consistently."
She also loves adding greens to every meal, because "it's universal and can be applied to any diet."
Looking Ahead
Brooke tells us that it's much easier to create a new positive habit than to break a negative habit. One positive choice (like adding in vegetables) can have a snowball or ripple effect, leading to healthier, better choices in other areas. It's helping her stay on a healthy track and meet new goals.
What are those goals? What does a goal look like for someone who has already lost so much weight? "More love and acceptance of my body." Her journey will never end, and she challenges herself to be a little bit better every single day.
Brooke's advice for someone just beginning their weight loss:
"Just start. Then don't stop. Everything else is just details. It's a lifelong journey and it won't be linear, but it will be worth it. Get brutally honest with yourself, and if you can, with another person. Question the excuses that are holding you back, and never, ever give up."
She noted that if you too are "in the thick of it," she would love to hear from you. You can reach out on her blog, or send her a comment on Instagram.
This post was originally posted on May 20, 2016.
Obsessed With Starbucks' PSL? Here's How to Hack It So It's Healthier
When cool breezes blow, you've got one thing on the brain: a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Before heading into your local Starbucks to wrap your hands around a warm cup of spiced goodness, here are some ways you can order to make it a little healthier.
A 16-ounce Grande made with two-percent milk and topped with whipped cream will run you 380 calories. Let that sink in for a sec. OK, now here's how to save some calories from that standard order:
- Order a Short PSL instead of a Grande: saves 170 calories
- Order a Tall PSL instead of a Grande: saves 80 calories
- Order with almond milk: saves 80 calories
- Skip the whipped cream: saves 70 calories
- Order with nonfat milk: saves 50 calories
- Order with coconut milk: saves 40 calories
You can also cut down on calories and sugar by ordering fewer pumps of pumpkin syrup. One pump of pumpkin spice syrup adds around 30 calories and 7.5 grams of sugar. A Grande drink has four pumps of pumpkin spice syrup, so if you order half the number of pumps, you'll save 60 calories and 15 grams of sugar.
A quick warning on the PSL: if you're avoiding dairy, skip this holiday offering altogether. The signature pumpkin spice syrup contains condensed milk! Horrifying, we know. Good thing you could make a healthier version of your beloved PSL at home that's completely dairy-free. Holidays are saved!
Janis Joplin's Drug-Related Death Isn't as Cut-and-Dry as You Think
Janis Joplin was one of the most gifted and talented singer-songwriters of the 1960s. With a powerhouse voice and understated, no-frills look, Janis commanded every crowd she was in front of, from her early days as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company to her breakthrough solo career; hits like "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)," "Maybe," and "Piece of My Heart" skyrocketed her to fame and landed her a spot in the lineup at Woodstock in August 1969 - but just a year later, Janis's intense flame would burn out.
Janis was a habitual drug user and heavy drinker throughout her career; it was widely known that she took methamphetamine and occasionally used heroin along with other psychoactive drugs. While she did have bouts of sobriety, her addiction ultimately ended her life. After Janis failed to show up for a recording session in LA on Oct. 4, 1970, her road manager, John Cooke, drove to the Landmark Motor Hotel in Hollywood, where she was staying, and saw her distinctively painted Porsche in the parking lot. He entered Janis's room and found her lying dead on the floor next to the bed. Her official cause of death was a heroin overdose, "possibly compounded by alcohol" (Janis's drink of choice was Southern Comfort). Though Janis was heavily into heroin at that point, those close to her believed that she was given a dose that was more potent than normal that accidentally killed her, especially since several of her dealer's other customers overdosed that same week.
Her death hit the music community hard; rock legend Jimi Hendrix had died just 16 days earlier, and they both happened to be 27 years old when they passed. The last song Janis ever recorded was "Mercedes Benz," which would go on to be included on her posthumous album Pearl in 1971. It became the biggest-selling album of her career and also featured her biggest hit single, "Me and Bobby McGee."
10 Things You Can Do Today to Be Happy
Let's be honest: when it comes to negative thinking, most of us need to check ourselves before we wreck ourselves. Whether it's traffic on the freeway or the weight we've gained in our arms, we are seasoned vets at focusing our attention on all the things that we wish were somehow better or different.
As a life coach and an inspirational speaker, I am constantly being asked for quick-fix tips for inducing happiness and reducing stress. My answer is always the same: if we want to be happy, we have to learn how to turn the volume down on our negativity and shift our awareness to the parts of our lives that are working, to thoughts and ideas that make us feel inspired and uplifted.
The reason for this is that, unbeknownst to many, negative thinking is the number one cause of unhappiness in humans. That's right. It's not your lack of sleep or your cranky boss that is bringing you down, it's your thoughts about these things that cause you to be less than your naturally exuberant self.
An incredible method for shifting away from the negative and into the positive is an exercise that I call "The Flip Switch." The Flip Switch is a great tool for instant happiness, as well as for kick-starting our brains into the habit of focusing only on the thoughts that make us feel empowered and optimistic. If it is practiced regularly, The Flip Switch will benefit us emotionally, mentally, and also biologically (think endorphins, new neural pathways, and extra serotonin, oh my!) in our quest for happiness.
Application of The Flip Switch: When you find yourself drowning in a downward spiral of negative thoughts - or even just treading water in them! - this list is your life preserver. To stop negativity in its tracks, shift your attention onto one of the activities on the list below for a few minutes (or as long as you feel is necessary) when you first notice negative self-talk start to come up.
- Listen to music that you love. Music is an extremely powerful tool for shifting your mood and mindset. Just make sure to choose music that energizes and elates you.
- Call someone who understands and supports you. Hearing the voice of someone we love or a friend who gives great advice is always an instant pick-me-up.
- Get into nature. My personal favorite. There is nothing that calms and soothes me more than watching a sunset or being on the beach by my house.
- Meditate. This is a great go-to when you find yourself already pretty deep in the downward spiral. When we are stuck in negative thought patterns, the first physical shift that occurs is that we stop breathing. Shifting our focus onto our breath causes our minds to slow down and brings immediate relief.
- Laugh. Laughter is hands down the best remedy for releasing tension. Watch a silly movie or a YouTube video, or remember a joke that never gets old.
- Exercise/get in your body. When we are moving and being active, we shake up energy and shift our focus away from our mind and into our physicality. Even if this means running in place for 30 seconds or doing a silly dance in your office bathroom, I promise you will feel a difference.
- Appreciate what is around you. Look around your environment and make a conscious effort to list and appreciate everything in your field of vision that you like. Maybe it's the way the man on the subway is holding his baby, or maybe it's the photo of your parents that you keep on your desk. Negative thoughts cannot enter our minds when we are in a state of appreciation, so appreciate, appreciate, appreciate!
- Make a gratitude list. When you feel the onset of negativity, quickly turn your thoughts to everything in your life that you are grateful for. This high-vibe tactic diffuses the negativity and is like a reset button for your brain. I have a list I carry in my wallet of all the things I'm happy about - it's my secret weapon that I pull out and look at when I start to feel down.
- Do an act of kindness. Studies have shown that giving to others elevates levels of dopamine in the brain and instantly boots feel-good brainwaves.
- Create your own! You know yourself better than anyone. If the items on this list don't particularly invigorate you, just think of the things that make you smile and do that! Eat your favorite food, look at a photograph that reminds you of an awesome vacation . . . Anything that feels good is fair game.
Some items on the list may work better for you than others, so choose the activities that excite you most. You will know when you have successfully "flipped the switch" because you will a) feel better and b) feel much more neutral about the triggering issue that set off the negative thoughts in the first place.
Cheers to your newfound state of bliss, and happy Flipping!
Find more inspiration from Molly on her Instagram!
7 Signs You're Overparenting
Can you be "too good" of a parent?
Reader Katherine W. says she's worried she has been overparenting or pampering her kids. "I tried to do the very best I could," she relays, "taking them to parks and interesting places every weekend, reading to them, working in their classrooms and every school event, supervising homework every night, helping with Girl Scouts, driving them to after-school activities, arranging play dates, making family dinners a priority, and on and on." However, Katherine recently noticed that her child's friend, whose parent was not as involved, has grown into a more confident and self-sufficient person. "Did all that effort even make any difference?"
How do you know if you're turning into an overbearing parent? If, like Katherine, you're wondering if you should be less involved, here we've rounded up readers' advice on signs that you may be overparenting.
1. You Praise Profusely
One of the tell-tale signs that you're being overbearing, instead of balanced, is when you notice yourself giving your child a profuse amount of praise. While children need encouragement, parents can go overboard, for instance, when they have an "unconscious, incessant need to praise and reward their kids," says a reader who calls herself "Chatty." She explains: "I think the only time extra praise is warranted is when children are very young; babies and young toddlers have to learn what is appropriate and what isn't, and praising them in an excitable manner when they master a new skill or act in an appropriate or desirable manner helps them to learn. But, if you're over the top and praise them every single time they do something, especially when it's repeatedly for the same thing they've already mastered and done 1,000 times, it's doing them a huge disservice."
As an example, Chatty says when first potty training her daughter, she and her husband gave her lots of "high-fives" and "good jobs." But once her daughter mastered the toilet, she "opened a dialogue with her about how it made her feel to be able to go to the washroom on her own."
2. You Offer Too Many Material Rewards
Similar to offering an abundance of praise, some parents spoil their children with too many material things. Stephanie Y. came to this realization when one year her 9-year-old son "clearly expressed his utter disappointment in his Christmas gifts. He explained that he didn't get what he really wanted and poo-pooed what he did get," she remembers.
After unsuccessfully trying to impart a lesson about the spirit of Christmas, Stephanie realized she had been giving her children way too much. "I am the mom that would carry my kids' backpack for them, or buy the toy to bribe them to be good in the store! I needed to change, be more of a parent." Vowing that her children would never be ungrateful at Christmas again, she reduced the gifts her children were receiving all year round, and also reduced her children's candy consumption, so that they would learn to appreciate Halloween, too.
Charlotte R. is another mom who believes "kids these days have way too many things. When I was growing up we had one phone for the whole house and we had to limit our time to share with everyone. We never got to just sit on the phone and call our friends all the time, because we had household chores to do and our homework and getting ready for school," she says.
3. You Have Low Expectations
With the rigors of school and extracurricular activities, sometimes parents are hesitant to give their children too many responsibilities. But an ill-fated result of not expecting a lot from your children is that parents might do too much for their kids. Setting low expectations while assuming there will be big rewards is especially a common occurrence in school.
4. You Dole Out Few Responsibilities
Setting expectations for your children includes holding them accountable for age-appropriate responsibilities, members add. From a very young age, Ellen B. says, "many kitchen tasks are fair game," and that kids are capable and often willing to bring their dishes to the sink when done, set the table, take the garbage out, and help cook. "And, yes," she adds, "teach them to clean up their messes." Once parents "get over the perception the only you can get things done on time, you will find training them is a time-saver."
Increasing responsibilities and "doing less for them can give them the best possible chance" at becoming self-sufficient, independent adults, mom Ellen explains. "The more children learn to do tasks and make good decisions on their own, the better odds they have of living a productive life," she says.
When you educate your children about their responsibilities, just be sure they understand that they're not being asked to do things because "'mommy is task master,' but rather [because] 'we live together, and share both the work and the pleasure of having our own home,'" Lisa R. notes.
5. You Repeat Yourself Frequently
Once they assign responsibilities, overbearing parents often make the mistake of repeatedly telling children what to do. But parents are not raising robots that should follow every order, mom Angelique A. says. She admits she is sometimes guilty of this with her 14- and 15-year-olds and finds herself constantly telling her own children "to do this and that." She adds: "I mean when will it register that if you see something that needs to be done, just do it?" Still, Angelique knows she needs to lay off if she wants to raise responsible adults. "I was taught independence at a very young age. When I had to, I knew what to do when my parents were away."
6. You Help Without Being Asked
Most parents would help their children at the drop of a hat, but several readers advise that parents would be wise to step back and wait to offer help until children ask for it. As a teacher, Pamela W. says she sees today's parents doing too much for their children when it's not necessary. "I see parents carrying their children's backpacks for them, etc., around the school campuses. I also see far more moms and dads who accompany their children into the classroom at the kindergarten level and spend time before the bell rings," she says.
"It's hard not to helicopter," Shawnn L. admits. But as someone who works at a university, she doesn't support it: "It is extremely frustrating to watch [parents] be overbearing and [make choices] for adult freshman student[s]. It is extremely frustrating to speak to the student and have the parent answer. It is even more frustrating to watch a student make excellent choices with regards to his/her studies, only to see the parent undermine every choice because they either weren't involved enough, or didn't agree."
Lucy L. summarizes: "Don't do something for your child that he or she is capable of doing for themselves."
On the other hand, when parents let children make more decisions and help themselves, they often find that their children are more resourceful than they initially thought. Ann F., for instance, recently encouraged her children to sell their unwanted toys to make some money. "When I checked on them in the playroom, they had a whole pile of toys they wanted to sell and were in the process of lugging them out front." Ann's gut reaction was to stop them, but she had a second thought and asked what they wanted to do with the money they earned. "They said they wanted to donate it to an animal shelter or children's hospital. The whole situation reminded me that sometimes it really is best just to get out of their way, not be overbearing, and when they are making their own fun without any parental involvement, to just let them be," she says.
As a reader who calls herself "Vegemite Cheese" says of parenting, "It's not always what you do for your kids but what you teach your kids to do for themselves."
7. You Try to Prevent All Mistakes
Of course, when making their own decisions, children will make some mistakes, but Lisa B. says it's healthy to let mistakes happen in a safe environment. "Both my kids are extremely careful about touching hot objects and getting their little fingers caught in doors/drawers. That's because I've let them try it when they were 6 months old. As soon as they were able to open and close a drawer, I've allowed them to close it (not too strongly, though), on their own fingers," she says. "Rather than preventing them from doing something dangerous, I let them experience the consequences (provided it isn't health/life-threatening). They know what it's like to touch a hot drink. When they fall, they know they have to get up and dust themselves off, all on their own."
As another example, Lisa adds that her son once had a bad habit of putting his fingers and toys in his mouth. "After reminding him several times that it was dirty, I waited to see what would happen. He caught a very painful mouth sore. But now he knows the consequences of putting dirty objects in his mouth," she says. Of course, she offers the caveat that she always tries to reinforce good behavior.
Ultimately, moms and dads can avoid overparenting by being supportive of their children, but not being overinvolved, Circle of Moms members say. "There is such a thing as being too involved, too loving, too praising, too in-tune with what your kids are doing . . . just as the other extreme suggests an unhealthy relationship with kids (no affection, attention, encouragement, etc.). Balance really is the key component of all facets of humanity," Jamie B. says.
"Being over-protective is an easy and common mistake that parents make," admits mom Riana F., noting she sometimes closes her eyes and says, "World please be gentle with this child of mine." But, she realizes, "The world will never be gentle, it will only ever be real, and if I try to protect my children from its challenges I will also be protecting them from its rewards."
2017 Is Extra Exciting For These Pregnant Stars
We're all hoping for good things to happen in the last few months of 2017, but some stars are expecting more than just success and happiness - they're also expecting babies. Beyoncé announced her pregnancy in February and recently gave birth to twins, as did George and Amal Clooney, who named their new bundles of joy Alexander and Ella. A crop of other stars still have buns in the oven, like first-time mom Julia Stiles, so we can't wait to see the rest of Hollywood's newest additions when they arrive!
Ease That Aching Back With These Soothing Yoga Poses
Whether you woke up with a tight lower back, your desk job has you aching, or you overdid it at the gym, here is a relaxing yoga sequence designed specifically to stretch your lower back. Since tight hips, hamstrings, and shoulders can often trigger discomfort and pain, this sequence will also lengthen those tension spots. Do this series of yoga poses any time your back needs a little extra love.
15 Bikini Photos of Lais Ribeiro That'll Make You Say, "Excuse Me, but Damn!"
Brazilian Victoria's Secret Angel Lais Ribeiro looks great in lingerie, but damn amazing in bikinis. The now Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, who spends a lot of time at the gym with her VS friends, prefers, of course, Brazilian silhouettes that leave little covered, so that means her Instagram feed is full of skin.
From Saint-Tropez to The Bahamas to whatever gorgeous beach her job takes her to, Lais's body looks amazing against any and all tropical locations - and did we mention she's a mom of one? Uh-hum! Now, look closely at her bikini photos while fanning yourself, because you risk serious overheating.
20 Items That Will Help Make This Month the Healthiest Yet
Goodbye, Summer, and hello, Fall. If Autumn is your favorite time of year, here are some amazing items to inspire you in the gym and the kitchen. With these items, you'll head into the holiday season feeling your absolute healthiest.
Taylor Swift Just Dropped a New Song Out of Nowhere and Fans Lost Their Sh*t
On Sunday, Sept. 3, Taylor Swift surprised fans once more by dropping a new song, ". . . Ready For It?," seemingly out of nowhere. Just last week, the pop star had everyone talking with the release of her new single, "Look What You Made Me Do," and the music video that accompanied it at the 2017 Video Music Awards. As if that weren't enough, Taylor's new song features the songstress flexing her rapping chops over an instrumental which seems to be inspired by Caribbean music. Read on to see what fans had to say about Taylor's surprise offering this go around.
Chris Evans Reuniting With His Dog Is the Purest Joy You'll Ever Experience
Chris Evans isn't shy about loving his rescue dog, Dodger. The Captain America actor counted down on Twitter until the end of his latest press tour, when he could finally go home and see his best friend again . . . and man, the joyful reunion was everything we'd hoped for and more! It seems that Dodger was just as pumped to see his owner as Chris was, and the video of the reunion that Chris posted to Twitter is beyond sweet. Prepare to get teary as the two roll around together on the floor, and you won't be able to help giggling along while Chris can't stop laughing.
After 10 long weeks... http://pic.twitter.com/pZUvyLjHN5
- Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) September 3, 2017
20 Photos of Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland That Will Make You Break Into Song
Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland share a sisterhood like no other. From exploring the world in their teenage years as bandmates in the bestselling girl group Destiny's Child to going on to slay individual projects on their own as adults, their incredible bond has been unwavering. In 2013, Kelly opened up about her friendship with Beyoncé on a song called "Dirty Laundry." She sang about how a former abusive relationship made her isolate from family and friends, including Bey.
Kelly recalled missing her sister during that time in her life and later shared Beyoncé's heartwarming reaction to first hearing the song. "She looked at me and said 'It's incredible!' and said how proud she was of me, and then said 'I never left.'" Awwww! Keep reading to see all of the times Beyoncé and Kelly's lifelong friendship represented the best of sisterhood.
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel Enjoy a PDA-Filled Date Night at the US Open
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel stepped out for a sweet date night at the US Open in NYC on Saturday. The couple, who will be celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary in October, cuddled up in the stands and shared a few laughs while watching Roger Federer take on Feliciano Lopez. But perhaps the cutest part was when Justin leaned in for a sweet kiss with his wife.
Jessica recently opened up about how she makes her relationship with Justin work, telling Marie Claire, "We have similar values; we believe in loyalty, honesty. We like to have fun. We like a lot of the same things . . . If you can find that and someone who shares the same values as you, it's like: Score!" Now excuse us while we add this to our growing list of the sweetest PDA moments from celebrity couples this year.
There Was Really No More Beautiful Thing Than Jared Leto in the '90s
Jared Leto, thee of many hairstyles and questionable red carpet looks, has come a long way from his days as Jared Catalano on My So-Called Life. The 45-year-old may be a global rock star and Oscar winner now, but back in the '90s, Jared was the epitome of the hot, brooding, maybe-not-all-there-intellectually guy you used to skulk around the corners of your high school to stare at. He rocked a flannel shirt like it was nobody's damn business, and those baby blues could stare right into your soul.
Even though we certainly wouldn't kick 2017 Jared Leto out of bed, there's just something so nostalgic and sexy about the middle-parted hair and baggy jeans-wearing Jared Leto of yore. Kick back and scroll through these tasty photos of Jared in the '90s.
The Sweet, Somber Significance of Princess Diana's Final Resting Place
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein
Seven days after Princess Diana's tragic death in August 1997, she was honored with a public funeral that remains one of the most watched events in history. Millions of people crowded the streets of London to follow the route of Diana's coffin from Kensington Palace along Hyde Park to St. James's Palace, passing Buckingham Palace and observing her memory in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Later that day, Diana was taken to her final resting place at her childhood home, the Spencer estate in Althorp.
Image Source: Getty / Barry King
Though many attended her funeral, the Princess of Wales was buried privately; the only people present were a close friend, her mother and siblings, Prince Charles, William, Harry, and a clergyman. Diana wore a black dress by Catherine Walker and held on to a rosary given to her by Mother Teresa (who, sadly, died the same week as Diana). She was laid to rest on a small island in the middle of a lake at Althorp. The family estate is located about 70 miles from London in the town of Northampton, UK, and spans nearly 13,000 acres. Built in 1508, then-Lady Diana Spencer moved to the lavish home when her father, John Spencer, inherited the earl title in 1975. When he passed in 1992, Diana's brother Charles took the title as well as operation over the estate.
Image Source: Getty / Barry King
After her death, Earl Spencer decided that her gravesite was better off at Althorp than at their family vault in the local church, because it could be more easily cared for and, most importantly, offered better privacy for William and Harry to visit. Before his wedding to Kate Middleton in April 2011, William is said to have brought Kate to visit Diana's gravesite, where they reportedly laid flowers. The island where Diana's grave sits is accessed by a path of 36 trees - one for every year of her life - and black swans and white roses float in the water. It also holds a tall monument dedicated to the princess, as well as a temple for visitors to pay their respects. On either side of the template is a tablet; one is engraved with the tribute Prince Charles gave at her funeral, and the other has quotes from Diana about her love and commitment to charity work. In 2015, Earl Spencer and his wife, Karen, Countess Spencer, set forth a huge revamp of the property where Diana is buried - the first in 350 years. It is scheduled to be done just before the 20th anniversary of her death in August 2017.
20 Photos to Convince You That, Yes, You Should Get Bangs For Fall
If you're one of those people who constantly question whether you should get bangs or not, you've come to the right place. Yes, they can be a commitment (hello, awkward growing-out phase), but they can also totally refresh your look. Just a few snips and, bam, you're a new person. To prove just how versatile fringes can be on different hair types, we rounded up 20 celebrities who've tried bangs and looked incredible. Trust us, after scrolling through these, you'll be booking your next salon appointment stat.
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.
This Beauty and The Beast-Themed Birthday Party Is Nothing Short of Genius
Calling all Beauty and the Beast fans! If you're a Millennial who wore out the VHS version of this Disney classic or a new fan of the live-action movie, you're going to love how blogger Kristin Jackson from The Hunted Interior brought the movie to life with this Beauty and the Beast-themed birthday party. While her 5-year-old daughter was the lucky birthday girl, Kristin's elegant decorative touches and beautiful DIYs offer inspiration for any age. Keep reading to see the clever hacks she used to flawlessly execute the Beauty and the Beast theme.
Angelina Jolie's Kids Are All Grown Up and Beautiful at Her Big Movie Premiere
Angelina Jolie turned Colorado's Telluride Film Festival into a family affair when she stepped out with all six of her kids on Saturday. The actress brought along Maddox, 16, Pax, 13, Zahara, 12, Shiloh, 11, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 9, to celebrate the premiere of her and Maddox's new movie, First They Killed My Father. Maddox served as an executive producer on the film, while Pax also assisted as an on-set photographer. Dressed in all white, Angelina was all smiles as she posed for photos with the cast and chatted with fellow actor Gary Oldman.
The film, which debuts on Netflix on Sept. 15, holds special meaning for Angelina and Maddox, as the actress adopted Maddox from Cambodia in 2002. Back in February, the brood attended the Cambodian premiere of the film and Maddox gave a speech to the audience, saying, "We finally made it. It's a great honor to present this film to all of you, and to stand by my mother and my family." We still can't get over how grown up all the kids are now.
Some of the Hottest Guys on Game of Thrones Happen to Be Dead
On Game of Thrones, Westeros is rife with drama, blood, and, yes, snow - but there's also a pretty healthy handful of eye candy under all that fur and leather. But because of all the aforementioned drama, a lot of those hotties end up six feet under. Let's look back at the sexiest dead guys from Game of Thrones IRL - may they rest in peace.
18 Essentials From Sephora That Will Make You Seriously Excited For Fall
If you're already excited for Fall, well, now you can get even more pumped to pamper yourself, because Sephora has some indulgent products you'll want to get your hands on. Whether you love pumpkin-inspired products or you're looking for a hydrating skin treatment because the cold weather will soon take a toll on your skin, we have you covered. The retailer has so many luxe choices to choose from, ranging from its soothing 24k gold pumpkin sheet masks - yes - to orange-tinted lipsticks and even dreamy eye shadow palettes. Shop our hot picks for Fall that will inspire you to treat yourself.
A Company Founder Shares Her Tips on How to Land a High-Profile Job
POPSUGAR founder and President Lisa Sugar's book, Power Your Happy, helps you combine your passions and talents for success. We're sharing more about Lisa and excerpting topics from her book in a series of posts on POPSUGAR.
As an editor at one of the most well-known companies in the lifestyle media space, I often get asked how I landed a job at POPSUGAR. Even after working here for nearly a year, I still can't quite pinpoint that one actionable answer that my peers are often seeking. And that's because the answer is complex. Yes, my writing portfolio played a huge role, but so did timing, the overall interview process, and the culmination of my relevant work experience.
While I'm still honing my own career-giving advice, POPSUGAR President Lisa Sugar is adept at doling it out. In fact, she covers it in depth in her new book, Power Your Happy: Work Hard, Play Nice, and Build Your Dream Life (out Sept. 20). Who better to dish out tips on landing a job at a high-profile company than a woman who founded one?
Below, we've highlighted six ideas from her book on how to navigate the professional world and ultimately build your dream career. From developing your early experience to perfecting your interview skills, keep reading for her expert advice.
Know your strengths
Even if you think you know what your strong suits are, it never hurts to confirm them by taking a personality test, Lisa advised. Tests like Myers-Briggs or DISC are easy to find online and can help you hone in on what your learning style is so that you can apply it in the workplace.
"Even if you think you know everything about yourself, the results will help you think about your talents and interests in new ways," Lisa said in her new book. "These tests are a great way to expand your thinking and uncover not just the topics that interest you but also the tasks, skills, and activities that make you feel energized."
Figure out what you don't want out of a job
You know all of those sh*tty internships you suffered through? Don't repress those memories! Instead, take a good, hard look at your experience and figure out why they were such a train wreck. Was it because your boss was a micromanager? Or maybe you were uninspired by your daily tasks? Whatever the reasons, they serve as valuable clues of what you want to avoid for the future. Think of it as trial and error.
"Your early jobs are important not just for the experience but for helping you understand what you don't want to do," Lisa said. "If you're interested in a certain career path, it's important just to know how things work in that industry and find out if you actually like it." And if you don't? You'll be the wiser for it.
Learn your way around an industry
Once you've settled on an industry that you do like, learn everything about it, from every angle you can. For publishing, that can include copywriting, editing, and even art direction. For fashion, it can be everything from retail to styling to marketing. The point is, every career starts somewhere. "There is no secret to getting the career of your dreams, but getting a job in the industry is a good place to start," Lisa advised.
Network, network, network
Knowing someone on the inside can be a huge asset, not only for getting your foot in the door when you need it but also for familiarizing yourself with a certain company. "It's a great way to learn about the work culture at different companies and how the jobs [are] slightly different from place to place." Of course, building connections isn't easy, and it's something that takes a bit of practice (and patience). Lisa suggested starting small when learning how to socialize in a professional setting: "Talk to a co-worker you haven't met before in the office kitchen, volunteer to deliver a presentation to a small group, or attend that after-work happy hour you usually skip."
As soon as you've met someone in your field who you connect with, take notes. Ask for their contact info and jot down where you met, details from the conversation, or anything else that can help you remember the interaction later. "I am always wowed when someone remembers me from the one-off place we met or the specifics of our conversation," Lisa said. "That's a perfect example of how to make an impression without being annoying."
Perfect your email skills
Don't be afraid to reach out to your new contact by sending him or her an introductory email. That being said, there is a right way and wrong way to reach out to busy people. According to Lisa, your primary goal should be to not waste anyone's time. Here are Lisa's go-to tips for a quick, clean email:
- Be friendly, but professional.
- Check for errors before you send.
- Be direct about what you're interested in up front, and don't ramble.
- Don't ask vague or obvious questions you can easily answer with a Google search.
- Show some personality.
- Make a genuine connection back to the company.
- Give your email a creative subject line to stand out.
Almost as important as the email itself is when you send it. Since people tend to be busy earlier in the week or first thing in the morning, aim for lunchtime or early afternoon when they're more likely to have a bit of downtime. And finally, don't follow up more than three times.
Nail your interview
Perhaps the most important part of the interview is what you do before you even make it into the conference room. Do your research to show that you're both resourceful and committed. Come prepared with a list of specific questions to ask. And don't forget to clean up your social media accounts to keep them PG-13. "One of the first things I do before or after interviewing candidates for jobs at POPSUGAR is check out their social media accounts," Lisa said. "It's a great way to get a sense of someone's personality, humor, writing talent, and aesthetics. The captions you write, the products you like, and the people you surround yourself with give a potential co-worker an inside look at who you really are - they make you more human."
Pop Star! 25 Adorable Baby Shower Cake Pops
Bite-size cake pops are the perfect sweet treat for baby showers. The sweet nibbles have become such a popular element of dessert tables that there's inspiration for every style of shower, no matter the theme or mood. We've rounded up 25 of the prettiest pops to shower mom-to-be!
Angelina Jolie Says She Doesn't Enjoy Being Single: "It's Not Something I Wanted"
Angelina Jolie may have filed for divorce from Brad Pitt back in September 2016, but she isn't exactly loving the single life. During a recent interview with the Sunday Telegraph, the actress opened up about how hard this past year has been for her. "Sometimes maybe it appears I am pulling it all together. But really I am just trying to get through my days," she said. "I don't enjoy being single. It's not something I wanted. There's nothing nice about it. It's just hard."
After undergoing a double mastectomy in 2013, Angelina revealed in July that she developed Bell's palsy (a condition resulting from damage to facial nerves), as well as hypertension. "Emotionally it's been a very difficult year," she explained. "And I have some other health issues. So, my health is something I have to monitor. I feel sometimes that my body has taken a hit, but I try to laugh as much as possible. We tend to get so stressed that our children feel our stress when they need to feel our joy. Even if you are going through chemo, you need to find the ability to love and laugh. It may sound like a postcard, but it's true."
Are You Eating Too Much Protein?
There's no absolute answer for how many grams of protein a woman should get each day - it depends on your weight, your activity level, and whether or not you're pregnant. But with a little elementary-school math, there's an easy way to calculate the number of protein grams that's right for you.
Take your weight in pounds and divide it by 2.2 to figure out your weight in kilograms. Then multiply that number by 0.8 (not very active), 1.3 (active or pregnant), or 1.8 (extremely active), depending on how much exercise you get.
As a general guideline, the CDC's average requirement of protein for women ages 19 to 70 is 46 grams per day. But, as you can see from this chart, you'll need to increase that if you're expecting or training for a marathon.
Check out the chart below to see how much protein you should be eating each day. If you don't see your weight, just use the formula above to calculate your daily protein.
| Weight (lbs) | Weight (kg) | Protein per day (not very active) | Protein per day (active or pregnant) | Protein per day (extremely active) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 45.5 | 36.4 g | 59.2 g | 81.9 g |
| 105 | 47.7 | 38.2 g | 62 g | 85.9 g |
| 110 | 50 | 40 g | 65 g | 90 g |
| 115 | 52.3 | 41.8 g | 68 g | 94.1 g |
| 120 | 54.5 | 43.6 g | 70.9 g | 98.1 g |
| 125 | 56.8 | 45.4 g | 73.8 g | 102.2 g |
| 130 | 59.1 | 47.3 g | 76.8 g | 106.4 g |
| 135 | 61.4 | 49.1 g | 79.8 g | 110.5 g |
| 140 | 63.6 | 50.9 g | 82.7 g | 114.5 g |
| 145 | 65.9 | 52.7 g | 85.7 g | 118.6 g |
| 150 | 68.2 | 54.7 g | 88.7 g | 122.8 g |
| 155 | 70.5 | 56.4 g | 91.7 g | 126.9 g |
| 160 | 72.7 | 58.2 g | 94.5 g | 130.8 g |
| 165 | 75 | 60 g | 97.5 g | 135 g |
Based on the numbers above, do you already get enough protein per day?
The Most Decadent Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon Items Available Around the World
No childhood trip to the mall was complete without a pit stop for a warm Auntie Anne's pretzel or a gooey Cinnabon cinnamon roll. And as much as we've come to know and love the items available across the US, we've got proof that the menu items available internationally are even better. Prepare for a serious pretzel craving as you discover the most decadent Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon items available around the world, and you just might be adding these to your sightseeing list.
This Beyoncé Dance Video Is So Sexy, It'll Make You Want to Be a Naughty Girl
It's been 14 years since Beyoncé released "Naughty Girl," but the uncontrollably sexy sound never gets old. Bobby Newberry, a choreographer at LA's Millennium Dance Complex, just did the impossible and made the song even steamier with this group dance routine. While it's obvious no one does it like Queen Bey, these dancers are coming pretty close to her level of seductiveness. If only we had their moves back in 2003 for some epic house party booty popping.
The 25 Must-Read Books Hitting Bookshelves This Fall
If there's one thing we can say for sure, it's that Summer always comes to an end way too quickly. The good news, though, is that along with leather jackets and knee-high boots come some of the most highly anticipated books of the year. From Jennifer Egan to Matthew Weiner (yes, that Matthew Weiner), and from the prequel to Practical Magic to Hillary Clinton's memoir about the election, there's something to look forward to for every single kind of reader.
So, without further ado: ahead, you'll find the 25 best books landing in stores this Fall. And honestly, these books are all so good that we'd recommend them no matter what your favorite genre may be.
6 Podcasts That Will Put You Right to Sleep
There's a better method to catching some shut-eye than counting sheep. If that works for you, great! But if not, try adding a sleep-inducing podcast to your bedtime routine. Below are a mix of soothing sounds and stories and episodes focused on achieving an autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR), like spine-tingling, to choose from.
If you have trouble sleeping, keep in mind that a good night's rest can also be attainable by changing habits during the day. Fit in an exercise in the morning, for example, decompress before hitting the sheets, tune into a podcast, and you'll be asleep before you know it.
Check out six podcasts that are even better than a bedtime story.
- Sleep Whispers - The ASMR Podcast: ASMR artist Harris whispers the entire duration of the podcast, which is strangely relaxing. So far, he's whispered fairy tales, a "fade-to-sleep" session, and trivia.
- Sleep With Silk: There are five separate podcast series within Sleep With Silk, including Sleep With Nature Sounds, Sleep With Background Noise, and Sleep With Binaural Beats. Enjoy noises like howling with drizzling rain and a small fan blowing.
- Game of Drones: This Sleep With Me podcast series is narrated by a guy named Scooter who has the ability to make such an action-packed show like Game of Thrones sound incredibly boring. He recaps and analyzes every episode for about an hour and a half or more, but you'll be knocked out cold way before he's done.
- The Auracle - The ASMR Podcast: In this ASMR podcast, The Auracle guides you through a series of unintelligible whispers, cupping, tapping, and more. Her soothing voice layered on top of mouth sounds will have you drifting off in no time.
- Sleep and Relax ASMR: This podcast/YouTube channel offers whispered words, soothing narrations, and background noise and music to sleep to. Learn about Edgar Allan Poe's life in detail; listen to a train ride in Brussels, Belgium; and more.
- ASMR Sleep Station: Enjoy boring commentary on random subjects, technical reading, white noises, and whispers. The Sleep Station features a variety of sleep-inducing options, each episode running for about 30 minutes to an hour.
This Japanese Princess Has Officially Given Up Her Royal Title For True Love
25-year-old Japanese Princess Mako has officially announced her engagement, confirming that she will abandon her royal title to marry a commoner. The princess, who met 25-year-old Kei Komuro during college, described her initial attraction to her fiancé to the press during the announcement:
"I was first attracted to his bright smiles that seemed like the sun. It would be nice to have a warm and comfortable household with Mr. Komuro, so that we can make a family full of smiles."
Princess Mako also told press outlets that she has always known that she would eventually abandon her royal status, thanks to a Japanese law that requires women in the royal family to give up their titles when they marry commoners. Kei reportedly proposed to Mako back in 2013, but the princess's grandfather, Emperor Akihito, did not officially approve the engagement until September 3.
Rumors that Princess Mako would abandon her royal status have been swirling for months, and now that the couple has official permission from the Imperial family, they can begin planning their wedding. Watch the couple's romantic announcement here.
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