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.
mardi 3 octobre 2017
What Does "Sanctuary City" Really Mean?
Major metropolises like New York City and San Francisco have vowed to remain "sanctuary cities" in the wake of Donald Trump's election. (The latter did so in a sharply worded public rebuke of the then president-elect that quickly went viral.) But what exactly does being a "sanctuary city" mean? The basic definition is simple: it's a city that chooses not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and deportation efforts and protects undocumented immigrants who live within its borders.
What Does a Sanctuary City Look Like?
There are an estimated 300 sanctuary cities, counties, and states in the United States. Still, what that means can vary widely from place to place depending on its specific laws and regulations - which is what makes it hard to pin down a precise count. Being a sanctuary city may mean that a city has laws and policies that refuse to designate tax dollars for the enforcement of immigration laws, that a state makes it unlawful for local officials to ask people about their immigration status, or that local police are forbidden from detaining people for the purpose of checking on their immigration status.
When Were They Established?
Los Angeles is widely considered the first sanctuary city. In 1979, it became the first major metropolis to bar law enforcement from detaining people with the purpose of determining whether or not they were in the country illegally. The broader sanctuary city movement really gained steam throughout the '80s, however, as churches pushed for similar policies. The institutions were primarily seeking to protect a wave of people who were fleeing violence in Central America, but who had been unable to earn refugee status in the United States upon arriving here. In the years since, cities like Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and New Orleans have joined the many hundreds of jurisdictions that have added laws to their books that have led them to be considered sanctuary cities.
Why Are They Controversial?
Even the term "sanctuary city" itself raises ire among its opponents for its positive connotations. Proponents of tighter immigration enforcement also claim such policies provide safe havens for criminals and endanger residents. A high-profile case in 2015, in which an undocumented immigrant murdered a San Francisco woman, ignited a fierce debate over how and whether the city's policies contributed to the crime. The killer had been deported to Mexico five times before he was arrested on drug charges in San Francisco several months before the killing. The charges were dropped, and the city refused to hand him over to federal officials for deportation given its policies.
On the flipside, those who support sanctuary cities say they help encourage local residents to work with local law enforcement and build trust within communities. This is why many major law enforcement groups, like the International Association of Chiefs of Police, are in support of sanctuary-city policies.
How Are They Taking On Trump?
Trump has vowed to "end" sanctuary cities, hasten deportations, and to cut off federal funding to any cities that attempt to stand in his way. However, most major cities are refusing to back down. Bill de Blasio, the mayor of New York City, has been one of the most vocal city leaders to clap back at Trump. "We are not going to sacrifice a half million people who live among us, who are part of our community," de Blasio said in a November press conference. "We are not going to tear families apart."
The groundswell of strong opposition has led many to doubt that Trump can really deny the nation's largest metro areas any federal funding and get away with it. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said it would be a massive and likely self-defeating undertaking; that's why it's a promise he doesn't believe the Trump administration will follow through on. "They will make a choice that this is not the battle they want to take on because they have bigger fish to fry," he told the Chicago Tribune in November. "Mark my words."
I Was a MAC Pro For 11 Years, and This Is What It's Really Like to Work There
I worked for MAC Cosmetics for 11 years, and it was wonderful! I worked for them as a retail manager in both California and New York City. I was lucky enough to get the job even though I was a telephone operator with no prior experience! I just happened to love MAC and was at the counter at least twice a week. I often would do my friends' makeup at the counter, and a small group of customers would gather, the manager noticed and encouraged me to interview for a job, and boom! I got it and was hired as part of the management team. Makeup always came naturally, and I definitely had a huge passion for makeup and product. Here is what I learned being part of the MAC Pro team.
It's Fall - Time to Get In on the Hygge Skincare Trend
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Kirbie Johnson
Hygge, the Danish art of getting cozy, has taken over the past year. It's no surprise that people want to embrace chilling the hell out - the nightly news is enough to make you want to crawl in the fetal position and cry. We've seen hygge take over fashion, food, even fan-favorite series Younger. And with a little direction, you can take the art of hygge and incorporate it into your skincare routine.
Ole Henriksen, founder of his namesake brand, happens to be Danish himself and practiced the art of hygge with his family growing up. "Every afternoon, my mom would yell out, 'Boys! Hygge time!' And her three boys would run up the stairs," Ole said. "She'd bake amazing multigrain bread - we weren't allowed sweets - with coffee and milk or tea. She'd tell us about her day, and then she wanted to hear about our days in school and what plans we had for the rest of the day. Maybe in those moments you didn't think so much about it, you needed to get a little bit older to appreciate it, but we needed to nurture each other."
This concept translates into the hygge skincare regimen. It's about nurturing your skin, nurturing your peace of mind, and focusing on good-quality products. It's easy to do, although it does take some time - and that isn't a bad thing. If you enjoy going home on weekends and watching Netflix versus going out to the club, this is right up your alley. And even if you're a night owl, doing this once a week can still get you into the hygge spirit. Here's how to add a little coziness into your skincare routine.
Set the mood.
Music, lighting, and smell make a difference. Disneyland is known to pump familiar scents throughout the park for the holidays. Why? It creates an experience for its visitors. The same idea works here. Light a candle (or five). Doesn't matter what scent - choose something that makes you feel calm like lavender, feel nostalgic like cinnamon or pine needles, or lifts your spirit like citrus-based scents. Turn on some music - I prefer Billie Holiday. If you can, keep the lights low and minimal. (Just make sure you can see yourself in the mirror.) Change into the comfiest robe you own.
Relax the body.
Easier said than done, right? Take a minute to stretch. Lie on your bed, cross your left leg across your body, and loosen up your lower back; follow with the right leg. Practice Child's pose.
Indulge in your skincare routine.
First things first: wash your face. Ole suggests products that are aromatic. If you wear makeup, Ole suggests his Wonderfeel Double Cleanser ($32), which removes waterproof and longwear makeup, smells fantastic, and doesn't leave the skin feeling tight or dry. Afterward, it's mask time. Ole made a mask especially for this ritual - the Hygge Hydraclay Detox Mask ($32), which detoxes the skin and helps calm redness - but obviously choose a mask that helps target your skin issues.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Julia Sperling
Soak.
If you have a tub, now is the time to use it. Draw some warm water and add a drop or two of your favorite body wash, which will add some bubbles and soften the skin. Sit, relax, and listen to music for about 20 minutes or until the water gets cold. Try to meditate if possible, forgetting all of your problems. If you don't have a bath, you can spend your time relaxing in the shower by giving yourself a scalp massage. This would be the time to rinse off your mask.
Center yourself.
Once you've finished bathing, make sure all remnants of your mask are gone and pat your skin dry. Lotion up and gently massage your favorite overnight facial moisturizer into your skin. Take three deep breaths, look in the mirror, and thank yourself for making time for you.
24 Halloween Tattoos That Will Put You in the Spooky Spirit All Year Long
Halloween is a true beauty girl's holiday - you get to be creative with your eyeliner, DIY adorable manicures, and break out the glitter. But those who are addicted to Oct. 31 don't have to wait all year to get their Halloween high. Instead, they can profess their wicked love with tattoos! Read on for 24 of the cutest (and spookiest!) ink ideas on Instagram.
3 Things You Need to Be Focusing on If You Want to Up Your Fitness Game
We've all been there: out of breath, over it, and ready to throw in our gym towels and never look back. Oftentimes this happens because we're not seeing progress with our workouts, at least not the kind we were expecting. What gives? To get to the bottom of what's stalling our progress, we turned to personal trainer Austin Lopez, CSCS.
More often than not, it's likely that the "overload principle" is being ignored, Austin told POPSUGAR. A basic tenet in training, the overload principle is easy to grasp and makes total sense. Put simply, we need to consistently be working harder to see change. "You have to push yourself more because the body is good at adapting to whatever you throw at it," Austin said. If you want to see changes, you need to change it up - and often. But you don't need to go into it blindly. In fact, there's a ton of evidence on exactly where you should devote your efforts.
1. Time and Frequency
You don't necessarily have to give up the classes you love or your sacred time on the treadmill; just do more of what you're already doing. This can happen in a lot of ways, said Austin. For starters, add an extra class or gym session onto your schedule. If that's not possible, try adding time to your existing workouts. Instead of a 45-minute TRX class, look for a 60-minute class; even challenging yourself to an extra 10 minutes on the treadmill can lead to results.
2. Speed
When it comes to cardio-based workouts like running, cycling, or time on the elliptical, challenge yourself to increase your overall pace. If you usually run an 11-minute mile, start to shave that down to a 10-minute mile by slowly increasing the speed of your runs. You can also work on speed by incorporating interval training into your cardio and strength workouts by alternating between a period of maxing out your efforts with a period of recovery. Think HIIT, Tabata, and tempo runs.
This type of increased intensity will also aid in weight loss, said Austin. "From an exercise perspective, interval training is the most effective way to get lean," he said. "The more intense the workout, the more the body has to recover, which translates into more calories over time." This is due to the afterburn effect (excess postexercise oxygen consumption, or EPOC), which helps to increase your metabolism, resulting in hundreds of extra calories to be burned throughout the day.
3. Load
The easiest way to think about load is to equate it with weight. Essentially you're "loading" the body up with more weight and challenging it to work harder. The next time you're in a strength-training class or at the gym, choose a heavier weight than you're used to. You may be surprised that you can actually manage more than you thought possible. If more weight seems daunting, start by doing shorter sets with less reps. "By going heavier, you'll be breaking down muscle at a higher rate, making it stronger than it was before," said Austin.
The Right Way to Incorporate Frequency, Speed, and Load
If you've hit a wall, there's no better time than now to start upping your intensity in one of these areas. While Austin's advice is to go "as intense as you can," he added that this is all relative to the individual. "The more intense you make any workout, the more unsafe it can become," he said. "Ease into it, and find out what's possible for you." While you are tasking yourself with going harder, you still want to make sure your form is on and you aren't feeling lightheaded or dizzy while working out. "Push it little by little," said Austin.
A good way to keep yourself safe is by focusing on only one of these areas at a time (frequency, speed, load). Besides preventing injury, "it's also a great way to measure your success rate because it controls one variable."
Experts Explain the Best Way to Deal With Racist Friends and Family
You know those social media friends. They post something racially charged about Black Lives Matter, immigration, or Colin Kaepernick on Facebook and make you wonder: what should I do? Call them out in the comments? Send a private message? Hide them? Unfriend them? Keep scrolling? Even if you do nothing, you now know that you have wildly different opinions or values. How do you deal with them in person next time you see them, say, around the next family BBQ?
Calling out people doesn't work.
Hoping to get some advice for anyone who has considered how to maintain their conscience and relationships in this charged political environment, I turned to two experts: Dr. Ange-Marie Hancock, who studies political engagement, race, and millennials at USC, and Reverend Ron Buford, who started a Racists Anonymous group at his church in Northern California with the hopes of acknowledging and ending prejudice and unconscious bias among his community. Both agree: calling out people doesn't work.
Sometimes It's OK to Do Nothing
You may feel a duty to educate your friends or family when they say something offensive, but Dr. Hancock said it's not always necessary. "You should do a self-check to ask: am I really the one to have this conversation with this person?" Hancock said we have to protect ourselves first and make sure we have the energy and real potential to make a difference. If a comment or topic is triggering or emotionally draining for you, it's OK to do nothing. As she points out, it would take more than a 24/7 job to address everything upsetting online.
Don't Assume the Worst
If you do have the energy for a productive conversation online, Hancock said you should consider the best way to communicate. "Often we comment on the post, and it's public for everybody to see," she said. "That will turn into shaming or putting people on blast." Instead, Hancock recommends direct messaging. "You can have a different level of conversation with that one individual rather than participating in call-out culture."
So what should you say in a private message about an offensive comment? Hancock recommends coming from a place of understanding. "Trying to change people's minds usually starts with trying to understand people's minds," Hancock explained. She said you shouldn't try to "correct" anyone, but instead suggested writing, "I'm not sure if you know that this post had an impact on me." The "I'm not sure if you know" language is crucial. Hancock explained, "Lots of times people unthinkingly repost. They just saw the headline and didn't think it through." If you start by explaining how the issue impacts you, it will come off as less accusatory and you may be surprised how receptive they are to it.
If you start by explaining how the issue impacts you, it will come off as less accusatory.
Rev. Buford agrees. His church turned to the 12-step model in order to increase mindfulness about how everyone holds prejudices. "The idea is, first of all, let's take the guilt and shame out of it," he explained. Realizing that you too hold some biases can help you communicate with your loved ones when they present their own. "When you create that common ground, it's not so confrontational, and people are willing to approach it." He did this himself by being more mindful of his own prejudices. "I had to look at my own racism," he admitted. "When you're thinking about it all day long and somebody cuts you off and they're an Asian driver and you make some thought, you say, 'Oops, there it is!'"
Know the Time and the Place
When you know you're on the right side of an issue, it can be hard to bite your tongue when it comes up in person. It may feel that you are tacitly agreeing with a racist joke or stereotype. But Hancock lets you off the hook. She said confronting someone who makes an inappropriate comment at the dinner table, for example, puts everyone in a difficult situation. She suggests having a conversation in a different setting, again coming from a place of trying to understand and explain your feelings. And, she said, sometimes it's good enough to simply change the subject when something offensive gets brought up. Not laughing along will send a clear enough message and model to others that it's not funny.
"There's no way to confront someone in the moment and think you're going to change their mind," Hancock told me. She gave me the example of her father, who long had narrow views on LGBT rights. Hancock's mother and aunt took a years-long approach to opening his mind, and it finally worked. They got there by engaging in genuine conversations about their different views and avoiding name-calling and high-energy call-out situations. Hancock told me, "People who are saying offensive things have probably felt like that for a very long time. So it's going to take a while."
Lead by Example
If the idea of doing nothing to confront racial bias in your community is unacceptable to you, both Hancock and Buford agree there is something you can do: work on yourself. Calling out someone on Facebook, Buford reminded us, will have less of an impact than making changes in your own life or with your family. The point of his Racists Anonymous group is to raise the standards for others, but most importantly, the people who participate in it. And "racists" aren't always the people you imagine. Buford shares this story:
"I'm a pastor, but I'm also gay. I did some work with the Human Rights Campaign (an LGBT advocacy group). One of the questions they had was why their big HRC dinners were mostly white. After looking at it closely with them, I told them: the real core problem is that your circle of friends is all white. That's a problem for confronting racism with kids, too. They have diversity in school, but then they come home to an all-white circle of friends and family. One woman said to me, 'Well, I just don't see any black people. I don't see any people of color.' And I said, 'Yes you do. You just don't notice them.' So we started doing a contest. And I said, 'OK let's keep track of how many people of color we see this week.' And by the middle of the week, they all wrote to me and said, 'OK, you can stop the contest! You were right.'"
Buford's point is that even people who have the best intentions have biases. "When you confront something on the internet you don't like," he said to "use that as inspiration to work on yourself."
Avoid Shaming at All Costs
"Trying to change people's minds usually starts with trying to understand people's minds."
Rev. Buford cited a recent study from the Journal of Consumer Psychology as informative to how he handles difficult conversations. The study suggested that when a friend calls out someone for buying jeans produced with child labor, for example, the shamed friend is less likely to take the message to heart. The study's author, Rebecca Walter Reczek, told NPR, "It's a threat to your sense of self, to your identity. So to recover from that, you put the other person down." She continued, "To get people to be more ethical, do not ever present your message as, 'If you're not doing this, you're a bad person.' All that's going to do is to make the person reading the message say, 'You're a lunatic and I'm ignoring you.'" This reaffirms Hancock's advice: focus on how the issue impacts you.
Next time you get upset by a racially insensitive comment, remember your options. You can ignore it. You can privately message them and explain how it makes you feel. You can take them aside in person and do the same. You can continue to patiently expose them to more open-minded perspectives. And finally, you can consider how to address your own biases.
Clean Up Sink Smells With DIY Garbage Disposal Refreshers
If your garbage disposal isn't as fresh as it should be, DIY these homemade refreshers for a quick fix. Made with lemon peel and baking soda, these little rounds pack a serious cleaning punch while costing only a few dollars to make. And they look darn cute in a glass jar next to your sink.
What You'll Need:
- 3/4 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish soap
- 1 lemon
- Sheet pan
- Parchment paper
- Small spoon or scoop
- Sealable glass jar
Directions:
- Gather the ingredients for making the garbage disposal refreshers. Measure and add the baking soda and salt to a small mixing bowl, and give a stir, ensuring the mixture isn't lumpy.
- Now grate the lemon peel into the mixture along with adding the liquid dish soap.
- Slice the lemon in half, and squeeze the juice into the mixture. Continue stirring and adding juice until the mixture resembles course sand, which should take around three tablespoons of juice.
- Cover a sheet pan with parchment paper, use a small spoon or scoop to mold the half rounds, and then tap them out onto the pan. A rounded teaspoon measuring spoon works wonderfully. Continue molding the refreshers until the mixture is gone. Allow to dry overnight.
- Place the dried garbage disposal refreshers in a sealable container. When your sink isn't smelling fresh, simply place a few in the disposal, and flip the switch.
5 Things to Bring to a Job Interview
Job hunting is a process more people are having to go through as companies undergo big layoffs in the face of a challenged economy. It's competitive out there and the little details matter more with crowded applicant pools. Make your case stronger by showing up prepared - check for these five items before you head out the door.
Find Out How Much You Should Really Be Tipping at the Salon
Tipping is a custom that allows you to express appreciation for a job well done. But when it comes to salon, spa, and nail services, it can be hard to decide who and how much to tip - especially on a color job gone wrong. And while tipping is at your discretion, here are a few suggestions on amounts to give in a variety of circumstances. See the guidelines below.
Debra Messing Calls Out Ivanka Trump: "It's Time to Do Something"
Debra Messing isn't done resisting Donald Trump's contentious presidency. The Will and Grace actress delivered a moving - albeit hilarious - acceptance speech at the 28th annual GLAAD Media Awards on May 6 and addressed the "very bad, and very orange man in our White House . . . at least a few days a month," she joked.
Messing, who took home GLAAD's Excellence in Media Award, called on all Americans to resist Trump's controversial policies and even urged them to text the Congressional switchboard in Washington DC. "Don't be shy, I know all of your cell phones are open because you've been taking selfies all night," she quipped.
Messing then spoke directly to Ivanka Trump, whom she referred to as "the secretary of state," saying, "It is not enough to simply say that women's issues are important to you. It's time to do something." Watch her full nine-minute acceptance speech above to hear her empowering call for action that will inspire you.
These American Horror Story Halloween Looks Are All Your Phobias Combined
American Horror Story: Cult has given us the solid dose of horror we've all been missing, and we're SO ready for Halloween. Each AHS season brings a new and terrifying group of characters, giving makeup enthusiasts a plethora of Halloween inspiration. If you still like your Halloween looks scary, this is the one for you!
There is an abundance of incredibly talented SFX artists on Instagram, and one thing is for certain, the re-creations never lack realism. From the nun crying black tears in Asylum to the beehive-filled head in Cult, some of our favourite scary cast members have been re-created, straight out of our nightmares.
This year, there is one spooky character that keeps cropping up, and that's Twisty the Clown. I predict this to be 2017's Harley Quinn, so if you have a phobia of clowns, look away now.
Read on to see every AHS look, but proceed with caution, particularly if you have trypophobia.
This Makeup Artist's Comic Book Transformations Will Make Your Skin Crawl
Canadian makeup artist Lianne Moseley has recently received widespread attention for her terrifyingly true-to-life renderings of famous comic book, video game, and pop culture characters. Moseley frequently models her own creations on Instagram, however, she also offers her services to other cosplayers.
Though the makeup artist is skilled at painting comic book sirens, her villainous characters are particularly chilling. (Seriously - we might have a hard time sleeping after seeing her Joker impersonation.) While it might be difficult to re-create Lianne's advanced work this Halloween, consider it a jumping-off point for your own costume. Look ahead for some of our favorites.
A Catholic Nun Perfectly Explains the Major Hypocrisy of the "Pro-Life" Argument
A Catholic nun's explanation of the term "pro-life" from 2004 is resurfacing after recent antiabortion events. On PBS's Now With Bill Moyers, Sister Joan Chittister explained why being against abortion doesn't mean you're pro-life.
Here's the full quote:
"I do not believe that just because you're opposed to abortion that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would I think that you don't? Because you don't want any tax money to go there. That's not pro-life. That's pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the morality of pro-life is."
Chittister's position is not only informed by her faith, but also her academic experience: she's written over 50 books and has multiple degrees (including a doctorate).
The crux of Chittister's point is that there's a difference between advocating for birth and advocating for that child's entire life. If antiabortion proponents are truly "pro-life," then those same legislators would not argue for defunding programs like those that provide school lunches or health care. Many who oppose abortion also oppose access to contraceptives. Antiabortion congressmen have consistently also advocated for defunding Planned Parenthood, which provides women with birth control options.
Liberals have pointed to Chittister's quote as an argument for the social benefits that Republicans hope to limit without providing feasible options for women if they cannot obtain abortions.
Why Being an Introvert Is Actually the Biggest Blessing
Society doesn't want you to be alone.
If you're alone, that means you're too shy. If you're alone, that means you don't have enough friends. If you're alone, that means the rest of us should feel bad for you, because you have no one to talk to and you probably have, like, 29 cats and three bottles of hard alcohol in your house.
I, however, want you to be alone. Why? Because it's good for you.
For a second, ignore all the memes implying how lame it is to stay in on Friday nights, the TV and wine jokes that invade casual conversation, the inquiries from your co-workers about your big plans for the weekend. Sometimes, no plans are the best plans. Sometimes, hanging out with yourself is the most gratifying way to pass a Saturday. As an introvert, this is something I can attest to.
Fundamentally, my natural introverted tendencies conflict with our culture's idea of how we should carry ourselves outside of the working hour. My favorite thing to do after coming home from the office every day is read a book, peruse the Internet, or watch Netflix by myself in the living room. Here and there, I'll head to the park a few blocks away from my place and just sit on the bench and enjoy the view of the city and the people and the dogs playing fetch. I think one of the greatest simple pleasures is sipping hot tea in a cafe, the two-person table empty save for my coffee cup and paperback - surrounded, yet totally alone. And for the most part, culture thinks this is all sort of pathetic, because the socially acceptable thing to do in life is, well, socialize.
Make no mistake - I fully understand the importance of maintaining human relations. I simply don't think our entire existence should hinge on it.
Thought I may be introverted, I still actively keep in communication with loved ones. I have a serious live-in boyfriend (he works longer shifts, allowing for the "me" time I crave). Every other day, I chat on the phone with my parents, who live in the Midwest. My brother and I talk about politics on messenger frequently. Any given night, my best friend is texting me about some random topic. Occasionally, I'll have a meal with friends in the city. And if I'm feeling particularly carefree, I may converse with a stranger at the bus stop.
Yet solo-shaming persists, because being alone - even for a little while - is perceived by some as unusual or, in lots of cases, wrong.
Throughout the years, I've learned to simply brush if it off when someone makes fun of me or looks down on me for my choice lack of companionship, but honestly? I shouldn't have to. As a whole, society could learn to be a bit more accepting of the lone wolves, because not everyone needs a pack to feel content. Anyway, there are about a million other things we can shift our concerns to, no?
Becoming aware of the bountiful benefits of spending time by yourself is the first step in educating the public. Being alone clears your mind, increases creativity, makes you work harder, and can even aid in getting rid of depression, especially in teens.
The biggest misconception of all? That alone means lonely.
"Although alone and lonely are often thought of as being one in the same, alone doesn't equal loneliness," writes psychiatrist Abigail Brenner in a thoughtful piece for Psychologist Today. "Learning to be alone may be initially scary, but once mastered serves as the cornerstone for your development and growth as a human being. There's so much to be gained from learning to rely, and more importantly, to trust your own inner voice as the best source for your own guidance."
And that's just it - I'm able to deal with my own thoughts, which I believe is something many people aren't capable of. I'm able to cultivate my independence, count on myself for anything and everything (including a good time!), and consciously reflect on my emotions and mental state. When people pity me for the time I spend alone, I find myself feeling a little sorry for them, because they don't understand what it takes to uphold a healthy relationship with the self. Without a doubt, it's one of the most important connections to preserve.
In the end, I don't need to defend my well-being when sipping tea in a cafe by the company of my book and my book alone. I'm happy.
8 Things You Should Never Ever Say to Your Wedding Makeup Artist
As your wedding approaches and you are securing a makeup artist, please remember that he or she is in charge of your face on the biggest day of your life. If you want to get along perfectly with a makeup artist (like me!), there are a few comments that you might want to keep to yourself:
1. "My husband doesn't like when I wear lipstick."
My husband hates a lot of things that I do. As a result, I continue to do those things, which is why this comment rubs me the wrong way. Your look on your wedding day should be about YOU! Not your husband. In theory, we want to make sure that he thinks you look beautiful, but if he asked you to spend the rest of your life with him, you probably already have that one in the bag.
When you look in the mirror on your wedding day you should feel and look your best. Take his opinion into account - or pretend to, so his feelings aren't hurt. But omitting lipstick or anything else that might make you your most gorgeous to appease a man sets a bad tone.
2. "This is my third trial."
Makeup artists have different styles of makeup application, and we all have individual ideas of what makes a bride "beautiful." We also have a variety of favorite products that we utilize on our brides. Despite these differences, most makeup artists are able to hone their talents to cater to your needs and your idea of what makes a beautiful bride. If a bride finds herself hopping around from makeup artist to makeup artist and is never satisfied, this is a red flag for me. Often the problem lies in a bride's unrealistic dream of her wedding day; she envisions herself walking down the aisle as a Disney princess rather than the beautiful human that she is.
Reality check: you have flaws. Maybe you don't like your lashes or your skin tone or you have a zit. Embrace yourself and stop nitpicking every little thing about your face. Find an artist who you feel comfortable with, who uses products that you like, and make it work! That artist will be spending the bulk of your wedding day with you. Make sure it is someone you can trust, and you will be happy.
3. "I don't want you to come too early because my makeup has to last until midnight."
Yes. I know. I am in the business of applying makeup so that it will be flawless and last through the day and the night. You might need to touch up your lips or apply powder for shine but your face makeup will last. I will use primers and setting powders and sprays and glue to make sure of that.
When you want me to come do your makeup and your mother's makeup and the eight other bridesmaids, it's going to take a while - even if I bring an assistant. We will start early. There's no way around it. If a bride is nervous, I always recommend that she go last so she can rest easy that her face will be perfect all night.
4. "I just wash my face with soap and don't moisturize."
That statement is often followed with further information like, "I don't take my eye makeup off at night." This type of skin care negligence only leads to a face that feels like sandpaper and eyes that have black circles around them. If your skin is in bad shape and your eye makeup hasn't been taken off properly for years, no amount of makeup can help you.
Makeup simply does not sit well on unhealthy skin. If you are a "skin-abuser" and then you show me a picture of Gwyneth Paltrow and say, "I just want to look like this!" I can tell you right off the bat, "It's not going to happen." Please consider proper skin care at least six months prior to your wedding day. You don't have to do anything crazy, just proper cleansing, moisturizing, and the occasional face scrub will work wonders.
5. "What lipstick should I use?"
Often as I am packing up from a grueling five hours of makeup application on a wedding day, brides or bridesmaids will say expectantly, "So what should I use to touch up my lips?" Sometimes the expectation is that I will start doling out $28 lipsticks to everyone. Lip color is hard to choose, especially for an event. It should be chosen well before the event and PURCHASED. Do not wait until the day of to realize that you need a proper lip product.
6. "If I don't want a trial, can the price be cheaper?"
No. No it cannot. If anything I should increase the price if you don't have a trial because now we are both going to be anxiety-ridden on the day of your wedding. Not having a trial is ill-advised. You should at the very least meet with your artist ahead of time to discuss your expectations and show her a picture of what you like. To show up on the biggest beauty day of your life and expect perfection with no previous meeting is a recipe for disaster.
7. "I don't like blush, and I want a nude lip."
Color on your face can be scary if it's not what you're used to in your daily life. But please remember that this is not your daily life. Putting your body into a white gown, placing a tiara on top of a head of curls and bobby pins, and then walking around with no lipstick or cheek color doesn't add up.
This is an event like no other. Take the plunge and add a little color to your lips and cheeks and you will be happy - especially when you see your pictures.
8. "I don't want lashes - my eyelashes are long enough."
Sorry, but nobody's are. It's not just the dancing and cocktail hour we have to consider when we make this decision. The main objective here is to make sure you look absolutely fabulous in your wedding photos.
These photos, after being held hostage by your photographer for a year, will then find their way to an album for your coffee table and possibly a bunch of frames around your home. Those images will be looked at every day by you and your husband. When you are older and tired from breastfeeding your baby and caring for a toddler, you will gaze fondly at that photo as evidence that you were once stunning and full of life.
Your children will place that photo on a table at the entrance of their wedding, that 300 people will look at closely and say, "Look how gorgeous his mom was!" That photo will be placed in a collage at your funeral. Please consider all of this, and know that fake eyelashes are the most surefire way to look like an absolute bombshell.
Planning a wedding is stressful enough - avoid these mistakes and you will be halfway to having the most flawless face for your wedding day!
30 of the Best Whole Foods Products You Can Order on Amazon Right Now
Sure, the initial news of Amazon purchasing Whole Foods upset me, but Amazon has really impressed me with the changes it's made so far, including instating significant price drops that have already gone into effect in stores, not to mention setting up an online store on Amazon.com. While the Whole Foods items available online are limited to some pantry and freezer goods from WF's generic 365 brand (i.e., not the complete line), I was still able to find many of my favorite staples, snacks, and meal starters. I also appreciate that Amazon includes the ingredient list for each of the products (unlike Instacart), which makes for a more seamless shopping experience. I imagine Amazon will continue to roll out more products in the weeks following, but for now, here's what I'm loving.
Jimmy Kimmel Makes an Emotional Plea For Gun Control After Las Vegas Shooting
Jimmy Kimmel made an emotional plea for lawmakers to take action on gun control during a powerful moment on his show on Monday night. The Las Vegas shooting marked the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, and Kimmel, who grew up in Las Vegas, shared his grief over the tragedy. "I hate talking about stuff like this. I just want to laugh about things every night, but that seems to be becoming increasingly difficult lately," he said. "It feels like someone has opened a window into hell." Watch the poignant moment above.
The Exact Fall Nail Color You Should Be Wearing, According to Your Zodiac Sign
No matter how your stars are aligned this season or whether or not Mercury is in retrograde (please, no), one thing is certain - your nails will be on point. A seasonal shift stretches way beyond the expected wardrobe swap. It could be a time to get grinding in your career, to ditch a Summer fling, or maybe just to grab some much-needed inspo to help you refresh a bit. No matter what your major moves are this Fall, there's always a beauty option to accompany them. Mecca Woods, astrologer and founder of My Life Created, broke down what's in store this season for every sign of the zodiac . . . and how to perfectly pair your mani to match it.
7 Things You Never Knew About Olive Garden, Straight From an Employee
Curious about Olive Garden's restaurant secrets, POPSUGAR spoke to a representative to get all the details. Besides the fact that Olive Garden serves 220 million guests per year and gave out 21,000 Never Ending Pasta passes last year (people really love the pasta), the popular Italian chain has plenty of fun facts that will make you an even bigger fan. Keep reading to find out more about the homemade soups, the employee discount, the culinary institute in Italy, and more.
The most popular menu item is . . .
"Chicken Alfredo is Olive Garden's most popular menu item. Shrimp Scampi is also among the bestselling dishes at Olive Garden - it is so flavorful, many guests are surprised to learn the entire entrée is just 500 calories! Out of all the noodle options, Olive Garden guests prefer fettuccine noodles. As far as pasta toppings go, Olive Garden guests love the grilled chicken."
Olive Garden really does have a culinary institute in Italy.
"Every year, more than 200 managers and team members travel to Olive Garden's Culinary Institute of Tuscany. This trip is designed to immerse team members in the Italian culture while learning about the cuisine and interacting with Olive Garden's overseas partners, the wineries and pasta makers we consider to be a part of Olive Garden's extended family."
The restaurant has been around since the early '80s.
"The first Olive Garden restaurant opened in Orlando in 1982."
The soups are made fresh every morning.
"All of Olive Garden's signature soups - Pasta e Fagioli, Chicken & Gnocchi, Zuppa Toscana, and Minestrone - are made by hand and from scratch every morning using fresh, whole ingredients such as kale, peppers, and squash."
Employees get a great discount.
"Team members can enjoy $1 unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks and 50 percent off of meals before, during, and after their shift."
You can get Olive Garden delivery for large parties.
"Olive Garden offers delivery for large parties, weddings, and other events. Olive Garden loves to celebrate with brides around their big day and even created a DIY breadstick bouquet."
There are gluten-free pasta options upon request.
"Olive Garden servers will work with guests on any dietary needs. Servers will happily work with guests to address any food allergies or dietary restrictions. In many instances, they can suggest simple swaps - such as subbing in gluten-free rotini or ordering the Chicken Parmigiana grilled instead of fried - so guests can still enjoy their favorite dishes while meeting their individual needs."
The Definitive Ranking of Halo Top Ice Cream, From Worst to Best
There is a special kind of love for Halo Top at POPSUGAR. People here go wild for the low-calorie, high-protein ice cream and can barely believe it's not laden with fat and sugar. How can something that tastes so damn good only result in 300 calories for an entire pint?!
Since its release last year, we've had the hard job of tasting each one of Halo Top's 25 flavors. We've endured spoon after spoon of flavors like Pancakes and Waffles, Vanilla Bean, and Mochi Green Tea - hard life, I know. At this point, it's safe to say that POPSUGAR editors are true experts in all things Halo Top, helping you decide the flavors that deserve room in your freezer. Here's our definitive ranking of Halo Top ice cream from worst to best.
- Additional reporting by Dominique Astorino
Here's Why You Should Always Shop at Trader Joe's on Tuesday and Wednesday
There are plenty of Trader Joe's fun facts that would make any customer an even bigger fan of the store, and so will these secrets about what it's really like to work there. An employee who describes himself as a mate, or a manager, at Trader Joe's did a Reddit AMA ("Ask Me Anything") session in which he anonymously answered burning questions from fans on the internet. If you've wondered how good the pay is, if the notoriously nice employees are really that enthusiastic all the time, and how the employees feel when you ask to try products, read on to discover all the answers.
The employees really are always happy.
Someone wanted to know, "Why are you all so happy?" It's true that Trader Joe's employees tend to be enthusiastic and friendly all the time, so is there any sorcery or company policy behind it? The employee said, "Honestly, before I worked there and was just a shopper I was thinking the same thing . . . 'Why are all these people so damn happy, must be faking it or something.' But now that I work there I can tell you it is 100 percent genuine. We are just happy to be at work. It's a great job with great people and we get treated humanely. Need a break? Go stretch your legs. Hungry? Grab a snack. Also very flexible with leaving early/coming in late. Low pressure, low stress job that pays well = happy employees."
They LOVE when you ask to try snacks - really!
"I LOVE when customers ask to try products!!!! Yes, you get to eat as much as you want and the remainder will be given to crew members. We donate as much food as we can to local food shelters but some food does get tossed into the trash. If an item is out of code (expired) we write it off and it goes to the suitable location (trash or donated)." Just make sure it's a reasonable request. He continued, "We're not gonna grill up a steak for you, but something that you can open up and taste, yeah go for it. They'll be happy to open it and let you try. Chips, candy, snacks. Stuff you can just open and eat. Shouldn't be an issue."
Trader Joe's might never come to Canada.
At least, according to this person. When someone asked if the store would ever come to Canada, the response was, "Sadly I don't think so."
Kids can get treats if they find the hidden animal.
"Each store has a stuffed animal of some sort hiding somewhere. It's really just for kids to run around and find the missing animal, and they get a treat. Kids seem to LOVE it and parents go along with it too."
Managers have great hourly wages.
Your hourly wages might start at $10 at first, but once you move up, the pay gets even better. "There is no salary for managers other than the Captain (GM) but mates like myself are still hourly, which in my opinion is much nicer. I make $23 an hour and I work 50 hours a week, so factor in the OT and I get paid handsomely for a job I love doing and is low stress/fun. Plus the benefits are the best."
There's a reason for the quick expiration dates.
When a customer commented on the fact that the "bread has nearly immediate expiration dates," the employee explained about Trader Joe's lack of preservatives. "The best answer for this is that NONE of our products, breads included, have any sort of preservatives in them. Also if the section leader (person who orders that section, in your case - bread) does a poor job and orders too heavy then they are always having backstock which depletes slower so the new stuff becomes old stuff quick. And rotation. But I feel your pain. Thanks for the question!"
The best days to shop are Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
According this employee, there are certain best days to shop at Trader Joe's. "Tuesday, Wednesday are the best days. Early morning is best time. I think it's hilarious people go on Sunday and complain that we are so busy. Right when we open is honestly the best time to go. We get fresh produce in every morning so you can get the best products, and some stuff actually will sell out for the day around 2 to 4 p.m., including perishable and non perishable items."
Don't get caught trying to take advantage of the return policy.
Trader Joe's generous return policy allows you to return any product you didn't like, even if you already opened it, and sometimes even without a receipt. But the employees can totally tell if you're faking it and are attempting to "return" an item you just found while shopping. "For example, our vitamins can run up to about $20 for a small bottle, a customer will grab it off the shelf and come to a register claiming a refund. The company knows this happens and enforces the policy, knowing well they are being frauded. It eats at my core though. The worst kind of person."
If You Want to Lift and Sculpt Your Booty, Do This 10-Move Workout
This booty-shaping workout involves 10 of the best basic yet effective butt-blasting moves. Some involve dumbbells to add resistance, while others are plyometric moves to get your heart rate up. All are designed to build and tone your glutes, so get ready to feel a major booty burn.
What you need: A set of medium-weight dumbbells and a step or bench.
Directions: Do each exercise for 30 seconds each, for a total of a five-minute workout. For a longer workout, repeat one or two more times.
The Workout
Squat Hop
Deadlift
Dumbbell Sumo Squat
Elbow Plank With Donkey Kick
Lunge Jumps
Goblet Squat
Side Lunge to Curtsy Squat
Step-Ups
Single-Leg Touch
Superman
Detailed instructions for each move follow.
My Lineage Encompasses African Slaves But Also a Rich Global History
It never ceases to amaze me how blended we are as Latinos, with so many different cultures within one heritage. We can be of any race or combination of races. Our culture is a mixed one, through which we share some of the same traditions and even the same language, but we also have our own customs and different accents.
I love the fact that as an Afro-Latina, I am the representation of a blend of our history of slaves from Africa stopping in countries like Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Because of this rich history, my roots are endless.
My background represents our fusion as Latinos. I embrace every aspect of my European, African, and Taíno-ness because all of these elements influence the music, food, art, fashion, and beauty I grew up with and the upbringing I received.
My features are beautiful and unique, a combination of all humankind and the result of a history of countries invading lands and depleting resources. Just like most people in North America, South America, and the Caribbean, I can look at myself in the mirror and clearly see that I'm the product of African slaves mixing with colonists mixing with natives.
Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, fitting in as a Latina was never a struggle. I could relate to the stories that all young Latino immigrants had. My family and I had the same stories, shared the same struggles, even if we didn't all come from the same country. As a Latina, I've always had the potential of being open to different ethnicities, cultures, and races because I, too, am a mix of all those things.
From bachata playing in the streets to passing by the Russian businesses and West Indian food spots in the streets of Brooklyn, embracing all cultures, not just your own, is part of being a Latino in New York City - a melting pot you can't hide from and that instead brings out everything you're made of as a Latino. We come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and dialects. We fit all descriptions.
After This Tweet, We'd Bet Ben Carson Regrets His Statements About Poverty
Once Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson made several tone-deaf statements about poverty on a May 24 Sirius XM radio broadcast, the folks at Dictionary.com decided to use something inarguable - the basics of the English language - to refute his claims.
"I think poverty to a large extent is also a state of mind," Dr. Carson told friend and radio host Armstrong Williams. "You take somebody that has the right mindset, you can take everything from them and put them on the street, and I guarantee in a little while they'll be right back up there." Carson, whose job - among other things - is meant to focus on providing affordable housing and resources for impoverished Americans, quickly caught attention on social media for this sweeping generalization.
That's where the dictionary comes in. In response to Carson's interpretation of poverty, Dictionary.com tweeted the actual definition of the word.
Huh. We say poverty is the condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support.https://t.co/HBXsKo83sQ https://t.co/IRdMSW93eC
- Dictionary.com (@Dictionarycom) May 24, 2017
One of these things is not like the other! Perhaps with a bit of linguistic research, Dr. Carson may come away with a more empathetic attitude toward marginalized communities. As somebody who grew up in poverty, one would expect that the secretary would entertain the idea that not every problem can be solved with a can-do attitude, even if his own story turned out successfully. At any rate, he's surely regretting his poor choice of words - there's no arguing with the dictionary.
How My Daughter Became a Rainbow Baby to Herself
After trying for years, we decided to go to a fertility specialist to help us start a family. The long and short of it is that there were lots of biological challenges, so we headed down the IVF road with the leading specialist in the country. We were lucky and our first round of treatment was textbook; two embryos were placed and we crossed our fingers.
Fast forward to testing day, and yes, I totally cheated and took a home pregnancy test the day before - and it was positive! You can imagine the relief and excitement. Then we were off to the doctor, where blood tests and a scan confirmed there was one fabulous little bun in the oven ready to cook.
Then, after constant blood tests and monitoring, another scan showed a little flickering heartbeat at six and a half weeks. There were no words to describe what it felt like to see that. At seven weeks and two days, we had our final scan appointment with our specialist before being released to the care of a midwife.
And that's when it all unraveled.
His words were clear but not what we expected. "No heartbeat, not viable, the baby has arrested, very sorry, I'll send you through to the nurse and she'll explain the options from here." Feeling numb, we listened as the nurse said we could either wait for "it" to happen naturally or they could arrange for a dilation and curettage procedure (D&C).
Driving home, through my tears, all I could think was I didn't feel different. I know they had said I had a miscarriage and they were the experts, but how could that be?
That week was full of grief, but in the back of my mind, I couldn't shake still feeling pregnant. When more blood tests came back with increasing hormone levels, I questioned the nurses, but they said, "Sometimes that happens." I must have seemed like a complete lunatic; I questioned the nurses at every turn, and my best friend, family, and husband (while amazing and supportive) were all starting to wonder if I was completely losing the plot.
I just couldn't believe the diagnosis; either I was in denial or going crazy. I swung between grief and disbelief.
In the insanity of that week, I was referred to the miscarriage clinic at our public hospital. I had asked for another scan, but the specialist was resolute and we were now in the "public" system. I'll never forget reading the words on his referral letter requesting an "immediate evacuation of the uterus" because I wasn't "coping."
There I was at the clinic being given the same options: wait it out or schedule a D&C. But I needed them to check. I needed to know I was doing the right thing, so I asked for a scan. Reluctantly and with a "well, if that's what you need to feel comfortable, we can arrange that," the clinic doctor agreed.
I headed back to the public hospital the next day for the ultrasound. I remember saying, "I think we're probably just confirming the inevitable but I need to check," as I handed over the referral documents.
She started scanning. A couple of minutes later she stopped, cocked her head a little, leaned into the screen, scanned more, looked closer, and then turned to me and said: "I don't know what he was looking at, but what I see here is a perfectly viable baby with a good heartbeat. And it appears to be measuring ahead of expected."
I felt my heart drop. WHAT? She reread my notes and asked if I would wait for a moment while she went to get her boss. While she was out of the room, I rang my husband. I could hear his jaw hit the floor. No sooner had I hung up than the head of the department came in. They scanned again and got the same result. At that point I'm not sure who looked more shocked or happier, them or me. "Well, I don't know how this happened, but you are definitely pregnant. We'll be sending the doctor a report, but would you like to ring and tell him, or would you like us to?"
Calling the fertility clinic that afternoon was awesome, and yes they were as shocked as everyone else. It was nice for me to know that after being treated like I was crazy, I was actually right.
I met again with the doctor who had misdiagnosed my miscarriage, and he asked if he could do a scan too so that he could see, but of course I said no. I didn't trust him anymore. He apologized and said he wasn't sure how it happened. He suggested maybe there were two and he just hadn't seen the other one. I really didn't want to hear his excuses. He had made a terrible, terrible mistake, one that would have killed my child if I had gone along as he recommended and had that D&C.
What I found out through this process is that when you are diagnosed with a miscarriage and booked for a D&C, no further scanning is done before the operation. They simply take the report as correct and proceed. If I hadn't insisted on another scan, my beautiful little girl wouldn't be here. Sure, I'd be none the wiser, but knowing what happened and how close we were to losing her is something I can never forget or forgive.
I'd love to say that the pregnancy was problem free, and medically it was, but having already "lost" her once made it an emotional horror story. I was completely paranoid every single day. From renting a fetal doppler to employing an expensive obstetrician and insisting on regular scans, I just couldn't relax and enjoy it. I'm probably one of the only mothers who has been relieved to have a breech baby and an early C-section, but honestly I just wanted to have her out alive. I couldn't stand the thought that something might still go wrong.
I guess this is what it's like for most women who are pregnant after loss; pregnant with rainbow babies. The only difference is that mine was essentially a rainbow baby to herself.
I know that most of the time a miscarriage is just that and my situation is rare, but if you find yourself in this terrible, heartbreaking situation, don't rush into a decision. Please always get a second opinion, and trust yourself.
The New 4-Story Coffee-Lover's Paradise Every Starbucks Fan MUST Visit
Starbucks is opening a new Starbucks Reserve Roastery location, and it's going to be epic! The four-story coffee shop will open in Chicago in 2019, and it's going to be the ultimate pit stop for serious Starbucks fans only. In case you haven't experienced the Starbucks Reserve Roastery before, just know that it's essentially a coffee-lover's Disneyland, and it serves specialty craft coffees that you won't find at your average Starbucks.
The new Reserve location in Chicago, which will be in a retail space on North Michigan Avenue, will be the third one in the US, following the original Roastery in Seattle, which opened in 2014, and the upcoming Roastery in New York City, which is on track to open in 2018.
Visitors who make their way to the Chicago Reserve Roastery can expect a "fully sensorial coffee environment dedicated to roasting, brewing and packaging its rare, small-batch Starbucks Reserve coffees from around the world," according to a statement from Starbucks. "Tailored to the Chicago customer, the interactive four-story, 43,000-square-foot space will also be designed to bring coffee craft to life by offering multiple brewing methods, specialty Reserve beverages and mixology." Essentially, if you take your coffee more seriously than you do just about anything else, this is the ultimate destination.
Starbucks Executive Chairman and former CEO Howard Schultz explained why this location is extraspecial, saying, "Having opened our first Starbucks store in Chicago nearly 30 years ago, our first outside of Seattle, this is a very special city for me. At the time, it was a true test for Starbucks because the Chicago customer is so savvy and discerning about their coffee."
Starbucks might not typically be on your Chicago sightseeing list, but we have a feeling it will be now.
Why This Doctor Recommends Keto (With a Catch)
Would clinical nutritionist Dr. Josh Axe, DNM, DC, CNC, recommend the keto diet? "Absolutely," he told POPSUGAR. But there is a catch. You can't do it forever.
A brief refresher, if you don't already know: the keto diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, low-carb diet in which you switch your body's primary energy source from carbohydrates to fat (i.e., from glucose to ketones). Up to 80 percent of your calories come from fat - we're not kidding when we say high-fat! That's what differentiates this diet from something like Paleo or Atkins - they're both low-carb, but with keto, the emphasis is on the fats.
"I don't think somebody should be on a full ketogenic diet for more than three months," he said. "What I teach is not that everybody should be on a ketogenic diet - the basis of what I teach is traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM - but if somebody has the goal of overcoming epilepsy, fighting cancer, overcoming blood sugar issues like diabetes, losing weight, or even some hormonal issues, the ketogenic diet is a great temporary diet."
"Everybody is different; depending on somebody's genetics, depending on somebody's health goals or struggles, certain people should be on certain diets," said Dr. Axe. For the patients he believes need the keto diet for what he calls "a breakthrough" in their health, he likes to limit it to three months.
"The ketogenic diet is a great temporary diet."
"When I put my patients on it, it has been for a maximum of three months. I know some people who have been on [the keto diet] and have done it for a year and done well with it. But I don't think people should be on a ketogenic diet fully for more than a year - absolutely not for more than a year."
His reasoning for this is rooted in human history and the biology of our ancestors. As Dr. Axe is a clinical nutritionist with methodology rooted in TCM, this totally makes sense. "If you look at the way our ancestors lived and ate, they would've been what I would call 'keto cycling' - going in and out of ketosis. Our ancestors - they weren't purely ketogenic, and we shouldn't be either. To be completely healthy and to fuel certain systems, going into ketosis can be healthy, but we do need carbohydrates in order for our systems to function."
Dr. Axe cited a handful of small but notable studies with really powerful results from the ketogenic diet, including one on 11 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), two of whom had struggled with infertility due to the disease and both of whom became pregnant after going on the keto diet for 24 weeks. Though the studies have been on smaller groups, they show a strong promise for the diet's efficacy for certain health conditions.
How to Run More Than a Mile Without Feeling Like You're Dying
Many newbie runners give up on running because within a mile (or less), their legs are on fire and they're breathing so hard they feel like they're a huff and a puff away from passing out. Don't expect to be able to run five miles right from the get-go - it takes time to build endurance, and here are five ways to do it.
- Check your form: A broken machine won't run well, and the same goes for your body. Poor running form can cause aches and pains that make you want to stop in your tracks, so check your running form to ensure your body will feel like it can keep going and going.
- Run more often: As with anything, practice makes perfect. You can't expect to run like a gazelle if you only lace up your sneaks twice a week. Spread out your workouts over the week, running shorter distances more often. Try doing one- or two-mile workouts (choose a distance that works for your level of ability) five times a week. You'll be surprised at how quickly running starts to feel easier.
- Increase slowly: Once your breath starts to even out and your muscles become less fatigued, you can start increasing your mileage. Don't get ahead of yourself, though. Follow the 10 percent rule: never increase your weekly mileage by more than 10 percent of the previous week. Not only will this help to prevent injury, but it'll also prevent your mind from feeling overwhelmed by doing too much too soon.
- Intervals: Running faster may be harder, but it'll increase muscle strength and lung capacity, which are key to building your endurance. Start off by adding a few 10-second sprinting intervals every few minutes, and gradually build up to 30-second sprints.
- Head for the hills: Running up hills is another way to build leg and core strength as well as lung endurance. Increase the incline on the treadmill, or find some natural hills outside and do a shorter version of this hill repeat workout. At first you'll curse the hills, but after a couple weeks, you'll be craving them.
This Is What Gave Me the Energy to Make the Most of My Workouts - and Feel the Results After
When you're working out consistently and not seeing results, it's time to take a step back and look at what you're putting into your system before and after your workouts. Are you eating enough protein, carbs, and fat before you hit the gym? Are you drinking enough water? Are you consuming the proper nutrients after exercising to make the most of your sweat session? For me, the answer to anything nutrition-related is typically a big, fat "no."
After sweating profusely for a 60-minute workout, I walk out of the gym dreaming about my next meal, imagining myself on a cloud of carbohydrates. I deserve it after burning hundreds of calories, right? Some people believe drowning yourself in a bowl of oven-baked mac and cheese after exercising is a frickin' counterproductive nightmare, but others think of it as a reward. And that exact mentality is probably why my thighs move quicker than my feet do on the elliptical.
Whether I'm working out at 6 a.m. before a long day of work or 7 p.m. after a long day of work, the truth remains the same: coffee and carbs are not enough to activate my muscles and keep them working after exercising. I needed a hands-on plan that would have little to no prep time and require little to no effort, which could also be used to describe my 20-something dating goals. Well, a new plant-based nutrition company promised to change that (not my single status, my workout efficiency, duh!), and my workouts haven't been the same since.
Meet Revere, a fitness nutrition service that offers pre- and post-workout formulas to help you get the most out of your workouts. The natural, plant-based formulas were created by expert trainers and nutritional PhD's to determine the exact ingredients we should be consuming before and after our workouts to maximize the results. Because sometimes those green smoothies we all love to indulge in after a workout can be filled with sugar, ultimately reversing your hard work in the gym.
Unlike popular workout supplements, Revere is customized to your workout preferences, doing all the hard work for you. All you have to do is fill out a short quiz on its website, sharing your body type, fitness goals, what your typical workouts entail, and the frequency of each kind of workout (either cardio or strength training). Then, the system will determine your perfect Revere regimen to deliver a month's worth of the packaged formula right to your doorstep.
Revere is made up of three unique products: pre-workout energy, post-workout cardio, and post-workout strength. The pre-workout powder formula promises "energy, stamina, and focus," and it does not disappoint. According to the product description, it's made with sweet potato for stamina and glycogen replenishment, beetroot for increased blood flow and endurance, pomegranate for antioxidants and decreased inflammation, green tea for energy and increased metabolism, and B6 and B12 vitamins for sustained energy and performance. If the health benefits didn't already convince you, well, it legitimately tasted like diet peach Snapple. And there's no crash!
So, you finished your workout, your heart is racing, sweat is dripping. . . Must be time to grab a smoothie, right? Wrong. The post-workout cardio formula replenishes your energy levels and combats soreness. It's made with sweet potato, peas, and rice for strength and muscle repair, tart cherry to prevent soreness, electrolytes for hydration, and bacillus coagulans for stomach health. It has a 4:3 ratio of carbs to protein, making it perfect for cardio!
The post-workout strength formula is similar, but focuses more heavily on decreased soreness and muscle repair. There's a 2:1 blend of protein and carbs, and it's made with peas and rice, sweet potato, and tart cherry. It tastes just like Nesquik for adults.
Not only is it healthy and based on science, but Revere takes little to no prep time and requires little to no effort! The packages are delivered right to your door. All you have to do is shake up the formula in your water bottle 30 minutes before working out, and the post-workout formula within 30 minutes after, and voila. Your muscles will thank you.
Before I get into my experience with the product, a little PSA: I've never been one for pre-workout formulas or protein shakes or any of that stuff. I usually rely on a good night's sleep, some coffee, and a pumped-up rap playlist to power through a good workout, but once I tried the Revere energy formula, I swear, I could've worked out in silence and still have sweat my brains out.
The first time I tried the product, I worked out with Revere cofounder Alexandra Blodgett for a personal training session. Being that I typically don't use products like this, I had no idea what to expect, but about 30 minutes after shaking up the energy packet, I felt like someone plugged me in and flipped the switch to "on."
After an hour of intense strength training, I felt incredible, both mentally and physically. I pretty much danced my way back home from the gym for an hour-long walk. It's easy to be motivated when you're working out with a trainer and one other person, so I wanted to see how the product would fare on other workouts where a personal trainer wasn't present. Could this magic product be the key to energizing my workouts regardless of the time of day? Could the post-workout formula eradicate my cheesy thoughts? I put it to the test.
Read on to see how the Revere pre- and post-workout formulas impacted all different kinds of workouts, both cardio and strength training.
Indoor Cycling
Anyone who has dabbled in the world of indoor cycling classes around Manhattan could tell you that it's not too difficult to be motivated during the class. Being surrounded by sweaty, good-looking young adults and an instructor who looks like they were hand-crafted by the muscular gods themselves, pretty much all you have to do is open your eyes to be motivated. But the thing about cycling classes is that unless you're going to a studio that has your numbers on the screen, no one knows how hard you're really pushing yourself. Did anyone see me turn the resistance knob twice when the instructor said four turns? Nope.
When I had the pre-workout Revere formula before an early morning class, there was no "fake it till you make it" mentality going on in my head. I wanted to push myself to keep up with the instructor and the pretty sweaty people next to me. I felt like I had an incredible workout, and there was no taking the easy way out. I drank the cardio post-workout formula after, and I felt energized and ready for the day ahead. Now THAT is how all cycling classes should feel.
Boxing
*Insert Rocky theme song* About 30 minutes before entering a trendy boxing studio in Manhattan, I mixed up my pre-workout formula and was ready to go. I'm no Ronda Rousey, but I've boxed a few times and can definitely keep up in a full-body workout like boxing. I immediately noticed that my punches were stronger, my movements were sharper, and I was ducking and jabbing quicker than I ever have before.
The pre-workout formula is no joke, but what's most important is how I felt after the workout and how my muscles reacted. With such an intense training session, I typically would've collapsed to the floor, chugged some water, and craved carbs instantly. I drank the cardio post-workout formula for the boxing and was not only nourished, but my muscles felt stronger and stable, not tired and weak. More importantly, I wasn't using whatever energy I had left to go pick up a slice of pizza because I was already nourished from the formula.
Core Strengthening and Weights
This is something I do frequently, but it's usually followed by heavy cardio, so focusing specifically on strength training does require some nudging. I know, I know, ditching cardio for strictly weight training can do magical things for your body, especially your booty, but I'm just a sucker for a fast-paced machine. I dedicated a day to strength training and focusing on my core to test out another round of the post-workout strength product. During the workout, I focused on my core and arms. I found myself completely tuned into my music and each count, with my focus not once straying to the other individuals in the gym. It was me and the mirror. Being that I was spending more time than usual on strength training, I expected to be incredibly sore and exhausted, but that was not the case. I was definitely sore, but it wasn't a soreness that left my squealing each time I sat on the toilet. It was a soreness that made me think, "Hell yeah, that was a good workout."
Boot Camp
What surprised me the most during a boot camp class was my ability to keep up with the running portion of the workout. I never really run, and my cardiovascular activities are usually on the elliptical or on the bike, but I was instantly surprised when my legs could keep up at the pace of the other treadmill runners . . . and I was even more surprised when my legs didn't feel like wobbly pieces of spaghetti when I was recovering. After the class, my energy levels were high and my legs were strong. The cardio vanilla chai packet does not taste like other grainy, flavor-free supplements. It was filling and tasty.
Yoga
As I mentioned above, it takes some convincing for me to skip out on a fast-paced cardio session, so as you would imagine, yoga isn't my first choice of a workout. With the energy formula in my system, this yoga class was a real test, and long story short, I passed! My quads were burning and my glutes were doing things I didn't think they were capable of. The post-workout strength formula ensured my body wasn't exhausted after the class. I felt stronger and replenished after drinking the dark chocolate mix. Who knew yoga could be this satisfying?! (I definitely didn't.)
Final Thoughts
As someone who basically works out in order to eat freely, this is the type of nutrition I need. Before my workouts, I'm fueling my body with enough nutrients to feel energized and get the most of my time in the gym. After my workouts, I'm not craving carbs. I'm putting exactly what I need in my system to not ruin the entire workout with my next meal and keep my head in the game to have an efficient workout. I felt energized no matter what time I worked out and could feel the impact of each formula instantly. It's important to remember that this is not a meal replacement company - the products are simply meant to nourish your body before and after your workouts, and it will leave you feeling amazing.
The Unexpected Way I Stopped Breaking Out After My Workouts
I've had acne my entire life. I've tried every treatment imaginable and have been to more dermatologists and estheticians than I can remember. In my 20s, I accepted that this was the way of my skin and sort of gave up. Everything was fine until my workouts started increasing - the more I worked out, the more I broke out. My face was in a constant cycle of acne; adding sweat plus a makeup-free face to the mix also began to give me horrible insecurity when I went to classes.
In my mind, I was doing everything right. I removed my makeup before stepping into a class and was quick to wash my face once the workout was over. The increase in breakouts was enough to make me quit my gym and throw out my spandex forever, but then I met Kimmy Pigliucci, founder of AES Beauty. It's an understatement to say that Kimmy has a changed my life for the better.
Often referred to as a boot camp for skin, AES Beauty only treats people who suffer from acne. Kimmy's holistic approach helps you understand that because there's no single trigger for acne, there's also no single treatment. She helped me transform my diet for better skin health, introduce the right kind of products into my regimen, and understand the role stress plays in acne. When I told Kimmy that my breakouts started to increase around the same time I was working out, she wasn't surprised.
Kimmy's approach to skin comes from the idea that the vast majority of products on the market are made with acne-causing ingredients (see the list here) - from our skin care products to our makeup and even our laundry detergent. The biggest step we can take in clearing our skin is to stop using these products. As it turned out, the more time I spent washing my face at the gym, the more time I was exposing my skin to these ingredients.
"Acne is not caused by dirt or dirty skin, and even if it was, it wouldn't matter because sweat is not made of dirt," Kimmy told POPSUGAR. "The acne process begins well beneath the surface of the skin, so a random soap at the gym may wash off sweat and residue on the surface, but just one comedogenic ingredient from the same soap can clog the inside of the follicle and contribute to the formation of acne."
In fact, Kimmy said I was better leaving on "acne-safe" makeup during a workout than washing my face with products containing these comedogenic, inflammatory ingredients. So that's what I started doing. I overhauled my entire makeup and skin care line to only include products with "safe" ingredients, and on those days where I forgot to bring my own products, I skipped using whatever wash was in the studio or the gym. More often than not, I ended up exercising with my makeup on. I also stopped using the towels provided since I had no idea what sort of laundry detergent they used.
It's been over a year now, and my skin is the best it's been in my entire life. When I do have breakouts, I can almost always trace it back to that random towel I used in SoulCycle, the facial cleanser I mindlessly used after yoga, or the piece of cheese I can't live without.
How the Obamas Taught Us What Family Values Really Mean
I came of political age during an era of "family values." I cast my first vote for president of the United States in 2004, the year so-called values voters helped pass laws banning same-sex marriage in 11 states. In the political language of the time, family values meant opposing gay marriage, opposing abortion, opposing stem cell research, and emphasizing the role of Christianity in American life.
Many politicians publicly position themselves as respectable public servants who put God and the traditional family first - especially after President Bill Clinton's sex scandal in the late '90s. But over the last eight years, we've witnessed a president who showed us what family values really look like, rather than tell us in campaign commercials.
In President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, we've witnessed a consistent example of mutual love and respect that's both practical and inspiring. They invited Michelle's mother, Marian Robinson, to live with them in the White House for their daughters' benefit, and they show public displays of affection when many political couples seem more like business partners. They are also relatable. In 2011, the first lady shared her advice for a happy marriage with Oprah:
It has to be a true partnership, and you have to really, really like and respect the person you're married to, because it is a hard road. I mean, that's what I tell young couples. I think you go through that wonderful love stage, but when it gets hard, you need a little bit more.
In March, President Obama said he hopes his respect and admiration for his wife sets a good example for his daughters, Malia and Sasha. He hopes it will help them ignore the pressure of beauty standards put on women: "The fact that they've got a tall, gorgeous mom who has some curves - and that their father appreciates - I think is helpful."
We have watched the Obama daughters grow up before our eyes and have listened to the comments of a proud father along the way. In his farewell address as president, Obama had a message for the girls: "Of all that I have done in my life, I am most proud to be your dad." And in a 2011 Father's Day speech, the president said: "That's what being a parent is all about - those precious moments with our children that fill us with pride and excitement for their future, the chances we have to set an example or offer a piece of advice, the opportunities to just be there and show them that we love them."
Looking at photos of the president and his daughters then and now makes me reflect on the passing of time and my warm relationship with my own dad. Like Obama, he might have more gray hair, but my appreciation for him hasn't changed.
The first family is also a powerful symbol for many in the black community. As Lamar Tyler, founder of BlackAndMarriedWithKids.com, wrote in 2008:
With their historic trip to the Presidency, Barack and Michelle Obama have directly challenged longstanding depictions that have been held outside and inside of the Black community. They've proven what some people failed to realize. Successful Black families do exist and like Public Enemy said, "Don't believe the hype!" The Obamas have been able to put an image of what a successful Black family looks like into the minds of millions if not billions of people across the globe and for that we thank them.
It's hard to know yet how great the impact of the first family will be, as Al Sharpton told New York Magazine in October 2015: "When all the smoke clears and Barack Obama's gone, a white president will succeed a black president. We've never been here before. And what will that do emotionally and otherwise in the black community that is already up in arms? When we don't even have the symbolic charge of seeing a black man and woman, two girls, on the news every night?"
Both Barack and Michelle have worked hard to strengthen other American families with initiatives that focus on families and children. With Let's Move!, Michelle Obama put herself and her dance moves out there to encourage parents to make good choices about family health and nutrition. With My Brother's Keeper, a program launched in 2014, the president made efforts to encourage responsible fatherhood and close opportunity gaps faced by young men of color. And with Let Girls Learn, Michelle took the cause global, stressing that girls' education is about more than gender equality: it's essential to economic development. Again, the first couple put family values into action.
As for the old "family values" buzzword and what it represented, times are changing. For the first time, more Americans favor same-sex marriage than oppose it, and thanks to the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling, it appears to be settled law. The debate over abortion is still alive and well, with states implementing restrictions and the future of women's rights uncertain under a President Donald Trump. But on reproductive rights issues, progressives have managed to reframe the debate as a "war on women."
Family values barely came up in the 2016 presidential election, perhaps because the candidates realized voters cared less about the sex lives of their neighbors and more about the economy and international security challenges. We don't hear much about family values anymore, but we have seen them on display in the White House. Thanks to the Obamas, we're moving away from "family values" as a euphemism for anti-gay-marriage and antiabortion politics. I credit them and their actions for reminding us what family values really look like.
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