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.
mercredi 4 octobre 2017
Hillary Clinton's Response to Trump's "Crooked Hillary" Tweet Is the Ultimate Mic Drop
You guys didn't actually think Hillary Clinton would be able to release her latest book in peace without some sort of snide comments about it from Donald Trump, now did you? Just one day after Clinton's memoir, What Happened, became available to the public, POTUS used his favorite method of communication (Twitter, naturally) to revive the "Crooked Hillary" nickname and mock her election loss, which is a main topic in the memoir.
Crooked Hillary Clinton blames everybody (and every thing) but herself for her election loss. She lost the debates and lost her direction!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017
The "deplorables" came back to haunt Hillary.They expressed their feelings loud and clear. She spent big money but, in the end, had no game!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 14, 2017
But rather than sit back and allow his criticism to go unnoticed, Clinton fired back with a witty, oh-so-perfect suggestion.
If you didn't like that book, try this one - some good lessons in here about working together to solve problems. Happy to send a copy. http://pic.twitter.com/7dmVJ44mZu
- Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 14, 2017
What a burn! On the surface, her response is certainly sassy, but it's about 10 times sassier once you take a closer look and realize that she shared a photo of the new children's version of her bestselling 1996 book - a version that's filled with illustrated pictures aimed at preschool-level kids. Damn, Hillz. We see you! And the rest of the internet certainly took note of her mic-drop-worthy comeback as well.
All of us reading Hillary's tweet to Trump http://pic.twitter.com/Vbd0a8dHwF
- Brian A. Hernandez (@BAHjournalist) September 14, 2017
Get it Girl 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
- Karla Welch Stylist (@karla_welch) September 14, 2017
...and she used the picture book version! This slayage alone gets two snaps up... http://pic.twitter.com/fyf6FwVQ5W
- Nila N. Brown🌻 (@AuthorNNBrown) September 14, 2017
Queen of SHADE!
- Maggie Klaus 🍩 (@Maggie_Klaus) September 14, 2017
Spooktacular Eats: 11 Fun Halloween Dinner Ideas
Make Halloween even more exciting with a quick and easy dinner to enjoy before heading out for a night of trick-or-treating fun. Whether heading to a party or hitting the neighborhood with the kids, these recipes are tasty for children of all ages and have a bit of a Halloween edge.
From spooky snacks to full-on meals, these 11 Halloween dinner recipes are ready to fill you up before a night of spook-tacular adventures.
The Wine-Mom Phenomenon: We Drink to Celebrate, Not to Cope
My potty-training 2-year-old had decided he wanted to wage a war against his mother. He used his own sh*t against me by unloading in his pull-up at naptime. He had a talent - he could just keep creating turds at will. Then he'd take his diaper off in the crib.
The newborn wasn't having it, either. She kept persisting that, indeed, life was better inside of her mother's womb. At our family witching hour, the oven clock read 6:03. I had 30 minutes to keep the children alive, but this solo general was getting beat by her own troops.
This day was admittedly overwhelming. All moms have days like these; it's nothing new. When my husband breezed through the door, my 2-year-old ran to him as he always does. I then handed over the swaddled baby baton. So long, suckers.
I pretended that we needed a few items from the grocery store, and I was out. But what I didn't reach for in the store or even later that night? Wine.
I do not know how this wine-mom phenomenon exploded into fragments, landing as memes on our Facebook pages. Yes, many women love wine. I know I do. In Michigan, for example, a group of friends and I go on an annual wine tour surrounding Caribbean-blue lakes. But this can't be our only anthem in motherhood.
We're more than moms who grab a bottle of wine to deal with our grubby-fingered, teething, won't-shut-up children. We don't just drink to cope.
We're more than moms who grab a bottle of wine to deal with our grubby-fingered, teething, won't-shut-up children.
At the end of a long day with a child who has a double ear infection, why would a mother want to chug wine . . . alone? She's tired. All she wants to do is escape or go to sleep in preparation for yet another long night ahead (plus, dealing with children while hungover is one of the worst parenting tactics that I've ever attempted. Do. Not. Do it).
But yes, many of the moms I know do indeed love alcohol. All types of alcohol, not just wine. I know I love a cold microbrew (or six) on a Summer day at the lake. In the Winter, I'll sip a rum and coke or a stiff mojito. We drink not to escape the blunders of our day with small children, but rather to socialize with our friends or partners and to celebrate the days when we're victorious.
My husband and I drink on the corner of our couch when things are good - when we know we won't be up every two hours. We celebrate the simplicity of our lives with, yes, maybe wine and a good Netflix show. We down the good stuff because we enjoy it - sometimes a little too much (we did meet in college, where alcohol was flowing frequently out of the dorm rooms).
Mothers also like to drink among other mothers. We drink to be a little bad again and maybe pretend we're still in our 20s. We put clothes on that cover our kangaroo pouches; that just might make us feel a little younger. We share our child-rearing horror stories and our mistakes. The cocktails often bring women together in a cathartic way: we admit that we feed our kids McDonald's, that our kid repeated a swear word, or that we haven't scrubbed the tub in well over two months.
We drink to celebrate each other - we're keeping tiny humans alive here. We toast with our partners on the day our kid pisses in the toilet for the first time. Yes, mothers drink wine, but it's not to simply cope. So, the next time my troops beat me at my own war, I'll grab my pillow, not my wine.
7 Lies You Tell Your Makeup Artist That Aren't Fooling Her (or Him!)
I have spent the past 12 years of my life being a professional makeup artist. Much of my work is in the field for editorial and bridal work, and many of my days are spent in stores working as a regional artist for Laura Mercier and IT Cosmetics. No matter where I am, women feel the need to lie about their daily skincare and makeup routines. I will never understand why they do it.
When I touch their face and it feels like sandpaper, and I ask "Do you moisturize?", essentially what I am saying is: "You don't moisturize, and you should." When they lie and say "YES! Every morning and night!" I know that they are lying, and they know they are lying. So what's the end game here?
Women lie about the makeup brushes that they "have at home" that they "don't need." They lie about the "eye creams" that they use on their very weathered eyes. They lie about the primers that they claim to use daily but their "makeup just won't stay on!"
I don't really care what you do at home. I am trying to help. By lying to me, you are only hurting yourself.
So here is my PSA: stop telling these seven lies to your makeup artist, and you will find your trip to the cosmetics department more enjoyable!
12 Flamin' Hot Cheetos Memes You'll Understand Perhaps a Little Too Well
Nothing brings a group of people together like their shared love for Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Calling the snack a cult favorite is an understatement with fans often using social media help to find their favorite kind if they come across an empty shelf at their nearest supermarket. The recipe, which uses chili to spice up a regular cheesy Cheeto, was created by a Mexican-American janitor (not all heroes wear capes, you know?), which makes some Latinx even more fond of the crunchy bite.
If your love for Flamin' Hot Cheetos beats strong, these memes will be perhaps a little too relatable. Get ready to laugh out loud.
Every American Horror Story Character You Could Be For Halloween
American Horror Story: Cult is in full swing, and while you may be very wary of the new season, it's prime time to put your distrust aside and plan your Halloween costume. American Horror Story: Cult is a gold mine of clever costume ideas, and AHS fans know there's no better way to scare your pop-culture-savvy friends than to perfect your Dr. Thredson or your Madison Montgomery. If you'd rather go the sexy route, there's always Moira the maid from season one - just make sure you're going for young Moira. Click through to get some ideas from season one, Asylum, Coven, Freak Show, Hotel, Roanoke, and Cult!
How to Join American Horror Story's Cult on Halloween Night
Now that we're pretty far into American Horror Story: Cult, we have a good sense of who's who and what's what. This means die-hard fans can officially begin planning their topical, timely Halloween costumes. Wanna dress up as one of the clowns? Setting your sights on one of the nature-named characters? We're pulling out the best Cult costume ideas for you to devour. The only major exclusions are the potentially evil Dr. Vincent (because he's just a man in a suit) and the handsome Detective Samuels, because he's equally hard to recognize. But let's take a look at everyone else. This Halloween, chaos (and clowns) will reign.
Live Your Most Fabulous Life With The Fitness Marshall's "Swish Swish" Dance Cardio
The Fitness Marshall is throwin' down some serious sass in the latest dance cardio video, choreographed to Katy Perry's "Swish Swish." According to "Coach Caleb," this is "tennis practice," for reasons we'll let you find out for yourself.
This fabulously fun dance will have you sweating within seconds. Get ready for "sassy snaps" and "tennis arms" . . . and, of course, a lot of laughs.
My Period Completely Changed When I Went Vegan - Here's How
My periods have never treated me well. While many of my friends were able to function normally on the first day or two of their menstrual cycle, I was usually curled up in bed in the fetal position clutching a heating pad and cursing the world for making me a woman.
Not only were my cramps incredibly painful, but I also struggled with intense mood swings the few days before my period started. I would get into uncharacteristic fights with my boyfriend and friends, and I wanted to do nothing more than hole up in my room and block the world out. Each month was a terribly isolating experience, and I began to wonder if I suffered from some sort of disorder that was outside the scope of PMS.
I initially decided to go vegan for reasons that had nothing to do with my period. I gave up all animal products for environmental and ethical reasons, but I had heard from a few different people that adopting a plant-based diet would ease many of my menstrual woes. I was skeptical, to say the least.
After eating a strict plant-based diet for three months, though, I was shocked to see significant changes in my cycle. I was much less moody, less anxious, and less prone to crying for no reason. My cramps were minimal and my flow was much lighter.
Jennifer Wider, MD, nationally renowned women's health expert, told POPSUGAR that this isn't uncommon. Although there aren't many studies out there confirming this to be true, a plant-based diet is known to have a positive effect on menstruation. "Many women who adopt a plant-based diet have touted the benefits when it comes to their monthly cycles," Dr. Wider told POPSUGAR. "[They] describe lighter periods, less PMS symptoms including, mood swings, cramps, and even bloating."
Fast forward to another six months of being vegan, and I got to the point where, if I wasn't keeping track of my cycle, I didn't even know my period was coming until it surprisingly showed up. There were no warning signs - no debilitating cramps, no strange cravings, and no rage. And I would only bleed for two days, which was a huge improvement from my previous heavy six-day cycles.
Julieanna Hever, plant-based dietitian and health expert, said although there isn't much primary scientific data on this topic, she has heard dozens of anecdotal stories like this before, and she herself has experienced a significant improvement in her menstrual cycle when she changed her diet. "Plant-based diets are anti-inflammatory," she told POPSUGAR.
Dr. Wider agreed. "One of the reasons a plant-based diet may ease symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle is due to its anti-inflammatory effects," she told POPSUGAR. "Many women take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Aleve, Motrin, and Advil while they have their periods to lessen the cramps, etc. A plant-based diet has may work in the same way."
"I think it's always important to consult your doctor before making any major switch," Dr. Wider advises. You may run the risk for suffering from low iron levels or even anemia. You can get a simple blood test from your doctor to see if you need to take a supplement after you make the dietary changes.
I've been vegan for quite a while now, and my period is so much easier to handle. It shows up on time every month and causes me little to no pain. I'm no longer moody or irritable. Rather than stopping me from going about my day-to-day life, my period comes and goes without much of a fuss. There's not a doubt in my mind that this is due to my plant-based diet.
Giada De Laurentiis Might Love All Pasta, but These Are Her Two Favorites
As you can imagine, Giada De Laurentiis doesn't discriminate when it comes to pasta - she loves any and all varieties. The celebrity chef does, however, have a few favorite shapes. When forced to pick, Giada told POPSUGAR in a phone interview, "I happen to love, love, love fusilli or orecchiette."
She's got her reasons, too. With fusilli, Giada prefers its corkscrew shape because "in the ridges of the corkscrew, the sauce sort of sticks to it." She said, "That's why I like to do meat sauces with it, or I like to do cream sauces - things that have a little bit more texture to them."
Her love of orecchiette is a little more sentimental. "When I was a kid my parents would make it and I could use it as a spoon cause it looks like little ears," Giada said. Adding, "My mom used to make it for us with tomato sauce or fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. The mozzarella would slowly melt and you could just see it melting in these little pockets of the orecchiette. You could just use it to kind of scoop up all the goodness."
This couldn't have been an easy choice for the Food Network's pasta queen, but her reasoning makes a whole lot of sense.
200+ Upcycling Ideas That Will Blow Your Mind
If you're the type of person who hates to throw anything away, then turn your unwanted items into gorgeous DIY projects. After all, one person's trash is another's treasure, right? Get inspired by these DIY ideas for ordinary household objects.
- Additional reporting by Emily Co
A Representative Who Doesn't Get How Sex Works Wonders Why Men Should Pay For Prenatal Care
Another day, another congressman who's "pro-life" but doesn't believe in paying for prenatal or maternity care. Representative Pete Olson of the 22nd district in Texas recently went on a radio show and pondered the question of why men should pay for "coverage [they] can't use." Not only does Olson probably need to go back to school and learn a lesson or two on biology and how reproduction works, but he's also a hypocrite when it comes to the sanctity of life.
In an interview on the Sam Malone Show on June 23, Olson spoke about the Senate's healthcare bill, The Better Care Reconciliation Act. Olson had "some problems" with the bill, including that it "still guarantee[s] coverage for 10 essential conditions." Olson's referring to one of the requirements in the Affordable Care Act, which makes insurance plans cover 10 essential conditions, including prenatal and maternity care. Olson laughed about it and said, "We have what's called an X chromosome . . . which means we can't have a baby. Why do we have to pay for that coverage we can't use?" You can listen to a clip of the moment around the 0:57 mark ahead.
NARAL Pro-Choice America tweeted about the incident and pointed out one important critical fact Olson got wrong: it's the Y chromosome that doesn't let men have children, not the X. Of course, the other contradiction in Olson's message is that he claims to be pro-life but doesn't appear to have any regard for pregnant mothers. Think that's all Olson got wrong? Nope. The new Senate healthcare bill would allow states to waive these essential benefits, anyway.
I've Exercised For Years, and This Is the Only Workout That Made My Abs Sore
From CrossFit to hot yoga to indoor cycling, I love all things fitness. I'm one of those weirdos that looks forward to a tough workout - and actually likes doing burpees. So when someone told me stand-up paddleboarding was a good workout, I honestly laughed in their face. I couldn't imagine I would get much benefit from standing up and casually paddling around, especially when I could be in the gym squatting a heavy barbell or doing an ab circuit. How wrong I was.
Last weekend, I went stand-up paddleboarding for the first time, and I walked away with abs so sore, it still hurts to laugh. I went to Butterfly Beach in Santa Barbara with a group of several other fitness-loving folks, and most of the others who had done stand-up paddleboarding before gave me a look of warning.
"It's harder than it looks," someone said. I waved it off with an unhealthy degree of confidence.
I started by standing on my knees, which was shockingly difficult enough. When I was finally feeling sure enough of myself, I slowly stood up on my feet, and I was floored at how much I wobbled around. I nearly fell over several times, and the only reason I didn't was because I was clenching my abs tighter than I ever had before in my life.
That was just the start. After catching my balance, I started paddling, which was yet another layer of work for my abs. The most surprising part was how much core stability it took to pull the paddle in toward my body, particularly when I was working against the current of the ocean. It had nothing to do with my arms - it was all about bracing my abdominals and pushing my hips forward, almost like you do at the end of a kettlebell swing. I was sweating within the first 15 minutes, and doing this motion over and over again for a full hour took its toll on me.
I don't know if it was because it was especially windy that day, which made it even harder to paddle in the direction you wanted to go, or because I had never done this kind of activity before, but this was genuinely one of the hardest ab workouts I've ever done - and trust me, I've done some insane ab workouts. There is no rest or downtime for your core when you're stand-up paddleboarding, because even if you take a break from the actual paddling, you still have to have your abs constantly engaged in order to stay upright. And my stubborn self had no interest in falling over, so my abs were working overtime.
As I climbed under the covers that night to go to sleep, I cringed at how sore my core was. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long, long time (probably since the first time I did the CrossFit Hero WOD Annie, which is nothing but double unders and sit-ups), but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. Knowing I had completed such a killer workout that actually felt like fun was so rewarding. My biggest takeaway? I'll never scoff at stand-up paddleboarders ever again.
Travel expenses for the author were provided by Cercone Brown Company for the purpose of writing this story.
49 Free Templates For the Coolest Jack-o'-Lantern on the Block
Locate your nearest pumpkin patch immediately, because we have jack-o'-lanterns to carve! We're obsessed with the pumpkin templates from ThinkGeek's website - the online shop for everything nerd culture holds an annual Great Geeky Pumpkin Template Contest and the submissions are always pouring in to help readers carve clever and crafty pumpkins for Halloween.
We've gathered our favorite submissions from 2012, 2013, and 2014 that are a little bit sweet (Hello Kitty), a little bit retro (Super Mario Bros.), frighteningly hilarious (Overly Attached Girlfriend), and that even make us want to dance ("Gangnam Style"). And if you want even more pumpkin goodness, check out the emoji templates we created ourselves just for you!
For more Halloween inspiration, feast your eyes on costumed dogs and cats, the ultimate geeky costumes for humans, party decor suggestions, and the apps that'll help you turn friends into monsters or scare yourself silly.
20 No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas Perfect For Kids
Pumpkin carving is a Halloween tradition that's oftentimes overrated. Those pumpkin creations that you're seeing all over Pinterest may be inspiring, but they're often the work of an expert, not an ambitious mom and her kids - plus, the mess! Save yourself the hassle and potential danger that comes with wielding a knife and scooper, and instead try one of these 20 awesome no-carve pumpkin ideas this year.
Why You Should Wash Your Leggings After Every Single Workout
Doing laundry sucks, especially if you work out. If you're like us, your leggings, sports bras, and sweat-wicking tops far outnumber anything else in your life that needs cleaning (or anything in your life, tbh). The idea of washing a mountain of activewear may inspire you to wear the same leggings once, twice, maybe even three (!!!) times in a row. Don't, just don't. For the love of your fellow classmates and the health of your vagina, just back away from the idea of wearing yesterday's Spin leggings in today's yoga class.
We get it, leggings can seem deceptively clean the next day. They dry quickly, often without odor, and if the leggings are black, it can seem like they were never worn at all. Don't let this magic fool you. They may look clean, they may even feel clean, but they are definitely not clean - in fact, they are teeming with bacteria leftover from your previous sweat session. When you decide to recycle, reuse, and abuse those same pair of pants in a second workout, the heat and sweat from your body is going to give second life to that bacteria in a very disgusting way. If you've ever been in a class and smelled a disgusting, foul stench, you know what I'm talking about here: that is the smell of someone who thought it was OK to wear those workout clothes one more time.
Beyond a nasty stench, wearing unwashed leggings isn't great for the health of your vulva. If you wear your leggings without underwear, like a lot of us do, you're now exposing your nether regions to day-old sweat and bacteria, which can lead to uncomfortable conditions like vaginitis and yeast infections. No one wants to be itchy vagina in class, especially when clipped into a Spin bike.
If we still haven't convinced you of this one-time-wear rule, consider how much you spend on your gear. Leggings are definitely not cheap, and the best way to make them last - and keep all of their technical properties - is to care for them in the right way. Don't let sweat and bacteria build up from not washing them - this can break down the material and in some cases bring on mold. While it's insane to think you can wash you gear immediately after a workout, we recommend rinsing your clothing out with water, allowing it to air dry before you throw it in your hamper, or putting it in a bag and tossing it in the freezer. All of these methods will help kill the bacteria and calm down foul odors until your next wash.
What to Skip, What to Sip: Starbucks's Creamy, Icy Drinks
If warm weather has you craving a cool, refreshing sweet treat - inspiring you to head to your local Starbucks for a creamy drink, like the Caffè Espresso Frappuccino - before downing 380 calories in a few chilly sips, you should consider your choices. These stats will help shave calories off your order.
Caramel
| Instead of | 16-oz. Caramel Frappuccino Blended Beverage: Coffee blended with caramel sauce, milk, and ice, topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce: 410 calories |
| Go For | 16-oz. Caramel Frappuccino Light Blended Beverage: Coffee blended with caramel sauce, milk, and ice: 140 calories |
| Calories Saved | 270 |
Mocha
| Instead of | 16-oz. Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha: Espresso, milk, white chocolate flavored sauce, and peppermint flavored syrup on ice, topped with sweetened whipped cream: 500 calories |
| Go For | 16-oz. Iced Skinny Mocha: Bittersweet skinny mocha sauce, espresso, and nonfat milk served over ice: 100 calories |
| Calories Saved | 400 |
Vanilla
| Instead of | 16-oz. Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino: Coffee with vanilla bean powder, blended with whole milk and ice, topped with sweetened whipped cream: 430 calories |
| Go For | 16-oz. Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino Light: Coffee flavored with vanilla and blended with nonfat milk and ice: 180 calories |
| Calories Saved | 250 |
Strawberry
| Instead of | 16-oz. Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino Blended Crème: Strawberries and whole milk blended with ice and topped with a swirl of whipped cream: 370 calories |
| Go For | 16-oz. Strawberry Smoothie: A nourishing blend of natural strawberry puree, a whole banana, nonfat milk, whey protein, fiber powder, and ice: 290 calories |
| Calories Saved | 80 |
Chocolate
| Instead of | 16-oz. Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino Blended Crème: A creamy blend of rich mocha-flavored sauce, chocolaty chips, milk, and ice, topped with sweetened whipped cream and mocha drizzle: 420 calories |
| Go For | 16-oz. Mocha Frappuccino Light Blended Beverage: Coffee with rich mocha sauce blended with nonfat milk and ice: 160 calories |
| Calories Saved | 260 |
Java Chip
| Instead of | 16-oz. Java Chip Frappuccino Blended Beverage: Coffee with rich mocha-flavored sauce, blended with milk, chocolaty chips, and ice, topped with sweetened whipped cream and chocolate-flavored drizzle: 470 calories |
| Go For | 16-oz. Java Chip Frappuccino Light Blended Beverage: Coffee with rich mocha-flavored sauce blended with milk, chocolaty chips, and ice: 210 calories |
| Calories Saved | 260 |
Cinnamon
| Instead of | 16-oz. Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccino Blended Beverage: Coffee with cinnamon dolce-flavored sauce, blended with milk and ice, topped with sweetened whipped cream and cinnamon dolce topping: 380 calories |
| Go For | 16-oz. Cinnamon Dolce Frappuccino Light Blended Beverage: Coffee flavored with cinnamon syrup, blended with milk and ice: 110 calories |
| Calories Saved | 270 |
And there's other good news! For a limited time, Starbucks is offering a mini 10-ounce Frappuccino size. Learn more about just how many calories you can save here.
A Former Royals Chef Reveals the Eating Habits of Princess Diana, Prince Harry, and More
Out of all the fun facts about the British royal family, what they eat is undeniably one of the most interesting. We already know that Prince George's school lunch menu is as fancy as a five-star restaurant's, so what about the royals' eating habits at home? It's safe to say there are no instant ramen noodles in the Buckingham Palace pantry.
Marie Claire spoke to Darren McGrady, a former royal chef who cooked for everyone from the Queen to Princess Diana and prince William and Harry, the get the scoop on how royals really eat. The revelations are somewhat surprising and refreshing (royals eat fast food, too!).
Chef Darren disclosed that sometimes dinner involved ball gowns and fine China, full-blown Downton Abbey style. Other times, all Prince Harry and Prince William wanted for lunch was fast food. "I remember the Princess came into the kitchen one day and said, 'Cancel lunch for the boys. I'm taking them out, we're going to McDonald's," the chef said.
Perhaps the most interesting of all is what the chef revealed about Princess Diana's eating habits. Princess Diana, who was honest about her struggles with bulimia and postpartum depression, began eating well after she confronted her eating disorder. Darren said, "It wasn't until she confronted it, and everyone put two and two together, that she started really healthy eating . . . she liked dishes like stuffed bell peppers and stuffed eggplant - she loved fish." The was, however, one thing she would never eat. "The only red meat she would eat was lamb. And that was when she was entertaining. She'd never eat beef."
To fulfill your craving for even more royals food facts, read Marie Claire's full article for all the details about the royal family's eating habits.
4 Important Physical Symptoms of Emotional Stress Not to Ignore
For many of us, stress is just a byproduct of our everyday lives that we've learned to cope with, but it's important to deal with and resolve the causes of stress, because when left unchecked, stress can trigger mood disorders that can affect our mental health. According to Tim Hipgrave, Nuffield Health's emotional health lead, emotional stress can manifest itself in telltale ways, many of them physical. Read on for six physical signs that your mental and emotional health may be buckling under the strain.
Lack of Energy
Stress doesn't just affect your mind, it also affects you physiologically by releasing the hormone cortisol into your bloodstream, which mimics physical exertion by accelerating your breathing and heart rate, and leaves you feeling unduly tired and lethargic. Stress can also be to blame for lack of sleep as it disrupts your body's ability to regulate its sleep-wake instincts, causing insomnia.
Tooth Grinding
Teeth grinding can cause major problems with your oral health including jaw ache, permanent tooth damage, and headaches. Stress-induced tooth grinding is linked to heightened activity in your subconscious when you're asleep; as you're not alert, your body uses your mouth as the physical outlet for the increased stress.
Getting Sick Easily
When stress triggers the release of cortisol into the bloodstream, it inadvertently hinders your immune system's regular function. One important way it does this is by suppressing the release of the hormone DHEA, which supports immune function.
Changed Eating Habits
It's no shocker that when we're stressed, we tend to reach for short-term food fixes for our problems, but stress can affect our eating habits by making us grab the nearest chocolate bar. "Stress eating" is often triggered by the release of cortisol, which increases your appetite and coinciding with your low morale, leads you to reach for typical comfort foods. On the other hand, many who suffer from stress also experience a loss of appetite, which is believed to be linked to the presence of a corticotropin-releasing hormone that suppresses appetite.
How Bad Are Tattoos for Your Skin? Here's The Worst-Case Scenario
Tattoos aren't nearly as likely to earn you side-eye these days, so props to society for becoming a little more accepting. However, that doesn't mean dermatologists are cheering them on from the sidelines. It goes without saying to make sure your tattoo artist uses clean needles and safe practices, but beyond the potential for infection, what else could possibly be so bad? We talked it over with Dr. Jeremy Fenton of Schweiger Dermatology Group in NYC.
The Big Picture
It all comes down to the fact that tattoos can potentially cause permanent damage to your skin's functions. Apparently, a tattoo covering a large surface of your body (i.e. your whole back or a full sleeve) could affect your body's ability to regulate temperature during strenuous activity. "A recent study showed that tattooed skin produces less sweat, and the sweat had a different composition compared to normal skin," explains Fenton.
That said, more research needs to be done to truly understand those consequences. "For the average person getting a reasonably sized tattoo, I don't think it is of any concern," he says. That's good news! But not so fast.
The Itch For Ink
You also have allergic reactions to consider. He explained that ink can cross paths with chemicals in other beauty products and cause a reaction to formulas you were never allergic to before. In addition, you can actually develop an ink allergy years later. Who knew? If you do have an allergic reaction, in most cases, the only option is to remove it by laser or remove it surgically. Both options can cause scarring, which isn't exactly anyone's idea of permanent body art.
Laser tattoo removal itself also poses a certain risk. You are, after all, breaking up ink under your skin. "The ink can trigger a life-threatening type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, so it must be done under careful medical supervision," Fenton says. (If you experience nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or shock at any point in the days after getting a tattoo removed, you should seek emergency medical attention).
Covering Cancer?
Another potential risk to consider is skin cancer. No, tattoo ink can't cause cancer (that we know of), but tattoos do cover moles and blemishes. "It makes it more difficult to perform skin exams," Fenton says. "Tattoos can [also] impact the safety and quality of some medical imaging studies such as an MRI. Tattoo ink can sometimes burn or react in an MRI and affect the ability to get a quality image." OK, you got us. Tattoos = not so great for other general health care checkups.
Chemical Reactions
It's also important to remember that tattoo ink isn't FDA approved. "It's not highly regulated, so there's a lot still unknown about the health risks of possible chemicals being present in the skin," says Fenton. He says that once you get a tattoo, the ink usually stays put. However, if for some reason the ink is disturbed and contained unsafe chemicals you didn't know about (because it's not regulated), you run the risk of releasing those chemicals into your bloodstream. Not fun.
Bottom line: there's just a lot we don't know for sure. While it's probably OK to go ahead with that tiny tattoo you've been plotting for a while now, it's important to remember there's always risks so you can take the right precautions and truly weight the pros and cons.
Here's How You Can Help the People of Puerto Rico Recover From Hurricane Maria
Before Puerto Rico could even begin to tackle repairing the damage caused by Hurricane Irma, the country was slammed with yet another catastrophic storm: Hurricane Maria. Making landfall on Sept. 20, the Category 4 storm knocked out power across the entire island and caused the Guajataca Dam to fail, leaving millions of Puerto Ricans - our fellow Americans - stranded in life-threatening conditions.
Some images from Puerto Rico. #HurricaneMaria no joke. http://pic.twitter.com/04qAUBS73H
- Antonio Paris (@AntonioParis) September 21, 2017
What parts of San Juan are like today, five days after #HurricaneMaria pummeled into Puerto Rico. No gas. No electricity. Water everywhere. http://pic.twitter.com/lJuMhJ35nM
- Ahmed Shihab-Eldin (@ASE) September 24, 2017
Despite Puerto Rico's utter devastation, the American territory has found it incredibly difficult to secure the US government's attention and the fiscal aid necessary to begin the recovery process. The Puerto Rican governor's pleas for increased federal assistance have so far gone unanswered by President Donald Trump, who spent the past several days consumed with angrily tweeting about the NFL and without so much as a mention of Puerto Rico's suffering.
Though several public figures and all five living former US presidents have pledged donations, it seems our friends in Puerto Rico will desperately need individuals to offer a helping hand so they may begin to rebuild. Consider making a donation to any of the following charitable organizations to assist Puerto Rico and all those affected by Hurricane Maria's destruction.
- UNICEF is providing emergency relief and accepting donations online here.
- Save the Children is on the ground in Puerto Rico assisting children in need. You can make a donation toward its efforts here.
- The first lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rosselló, created United For Puerto Rico with help from the private sector to support Hurricane Maria recovery efforts. United For Puerto Rico is currently collecting donations on its website.
- The International Medical Corps is a global First Responder group that is currently on the ground in the Caribbean Islands providing vital healthcare services. It's currently accepting online donations here.
- Americares has already airlifted $1.8 million worth of life-saving medicine and healthcare supplies to Puerto Rico. You can donate here to help it continue providing crucial aid.
- The American Red Cross is currently accepting donations online toward Hurricane Maria relief efforts. You can also donate via phone by dialing 1-800-HELP-NOW.
- Virginia-based Catholic Charities of America is asking people to donate by texting CCUSADISASTER to 71777 for Hurricane Maria relief. You can read more about its disaster response efforts here.
- Humane Society International is on the ground providing crucial assistance to animals left in areas impacted by Hurricane Maria. You can donate to help it continue its life-saving work here.
50 of the Cutest, Coolest, and Most Creative Disney Halloween Costumes
At least once in your child's Halloween-costume-wearing life, you know they're going to go for something or someone created by Disney. After all, the house of the mouse (Mickey Mouse, that is) has created some of the most beloved characters in the world, with some of the best outfits. From powerful princesses in sparkly gowns and animated animals with hearts of gold to nefarious villains and now intergalactic warriors with the addition of Star Wars to the family, Disney's range of potential costumes is deep and totally awesome.
Between Disney Junior, Pixar movies, classic Disney films, and modern Disney heroines, the possibilities are almost endless. We rounded up more than 50 of the best Disney Halloween costumes out there now. Check them out and get inspired!
The Scandinavian Lifestyle Trend You're About to See Everywhere
You might have spent much of 2016 adding a little more hygge to your life (that is, the Danish way of living cozily). And you should definitely keep that up, because things like knitted socks, porridge, and playing board games in front of a fire with your closest friends are all excellent uses of your time. However, there's a new lifestyle trend emerging out of Scandinavia, and this time it's the Swedish concept of Lagom. That is, the art of moderation and sustainability. Which kind of sounds like a surefire way to find contentment (what is it with Scandinavian countries and their happiness levels?).
Like hygge, lagom (pronounced "lah-gom") isn't really new, it's more just a way of being. The word loosely translates to "just right" and "everything in moderation," and as Niki Brantmark wrote in Lagom: Not Too Little, Not Too Much: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life, lagom pretty much sums up the Swedish psyche. "Today, lagom is closely linked to the Swedish cultural and social ideology of fairness and equality," she writes.
"It feels liberating not to have to wear your accomplishments on your sleeve."
In an article for Slate, Lola Akinmade Åkerström described it as this: "To me, it meant a cool restraint, a certain self-confidence. It feels liberating not to have to wear your accomplishments on your sleeve. I didn't need to boast or brag about my achievements, but actually let my work do the talking for me - as did everyone else."
And while the idea of lagom can also have a dark side, that is, not voicing your opinions lest you seem like a braggart or dimming your light under a bushel, it's mostly a quite fine way to live.
It's a way of being modest and not boastful, and this can extend to your home and being content with what you have. In her book, Brantmark writes:
"By deliberately seeking a more manageable, comfortable, balanced way of doing things (and finding perfection in imperfection), you're not just taking the pressure off yourself - you're taking the pressure off others, too. And you're gaining more of today's most precious resource: time."
There are many ways that you can introduce the concept of Lagom into your living spaces, including using storage well and embracing "upcycling" (i.e. giving old pieces a new life with a coat of paint or fixing something broken rather than throwing it away).
Here are 10 other ways to introduce a little (but not too much) lagom into your life.
- Ditch the huge coffee mugs and, instead, buy a few moderately sized cups. Drink your coffee (not too strong) in companionable silence with your partner.
- Start a compost bin.
- Grow a few herbs on your balcony and use them regularly in your cooking.
- Be modest in your home updates, only buy things that you need and that will last a long time.
- Stick to a neutral color palette.
- Remember to turn the lights off when you leave a room.
- Declutter. Then declutter again.
- Set-up direct debits for all your bills so you always pay them on time.
- Put away social media, unplug, and let yourself have some peaceful time-out in your home.
- Stop being wasteful, whether it's throwing out leftovers, buying things you don't need, or having too many unproductive days.
- Additional reporting by Tara Block
7 Flannel Sheets That Are So Cozy, You'll Never Want the Leave Bed Again
It's no secret that having the perfect sheets on your bed can make all the difference. During Summer, most people use thin cotton fabric because it's super breathable. As the weather starts getting colder, it's smart to invest in sheets that will keep you warmer. Flannel sheets are cozy and keep you warm because they're also made from cotton, but what makes these different is that they're blended with wool, poly-wool, or polyester. Adding those thicker materials helps to lock in heat and keep you warm while sleeping. Switching to these sheets in colder times can also save you money because you might even be able to use your heater less! Shop our top picks that you'll love sleeping in this Fall.
The $280 King-Size Bed Frame That Actually Saved Me Money
My boyfriend and I have been sleeping in a double bed together for a few years now, and while I want to say it's nice that we get the chance to be close at night, it's really just a nightmare. We are both "sideways" sleepers and move around a lot, and a double bed does not give us enough room. At last, we just finally moved into an apartment that has a large enough bedroom for us to upgrade to a king-size bed. I had been waiting so long for this that I was beyond excited.
When I started shopping for beds and mattresses, I was shocked at the prices. Considering the only bed set I had ever owned was purchased by my parents, I didn't know how much it was going to cost me. I decided to to splurge on a nicer mattress in the hopes I would have it for a long time, so I wanted save on my headboard and box spring set. Little did I know that was going to cost me another $500 or so, at the cheapest.
A friend has recently turned me on to shopping for furniture on Amazon, so I decided to take a gamble and check the site. Lo and behold, I found this Zinus Upholstered Platform Bed ($282). The reviews helped me make my decision - it has over 2,100 reviews and a 4.6-star rating. As I was reading the reviews, I noticed people said because of the wooden slats on this frame that I didn't need to purchase a box spring. The mattress could get the same amount of support by the platform bed's wooden slats. This was another money-saving win that finally convinced me to purchase the bed. An added bonus: I live in a city and didn't want to deal with the burden of a delivery. Ordering on Amazon Prime, it was simply delivered to my door within two days.
The bed arrived in a thin box and all the parts (there surprisingly weren't many) showed up in an efficiently packed set. We were able to quickly put together the bed within 15 minutes and I was shocked by how easy it was. It made me realize that not all cheap furniture has to be a disaster to assemble.
I've had the bed for about four months now, and I love it. It works in perfect harmony with my mattress, and by not having to purchase a box spring, I actually saved money.
Hurry Up, Halloween! Here Are Our 19 Favorite Decorations For Under $25
We're starting to get antsy because Halloween needs to come faster. We're ready for costumes, candy, and - most of all - decorations. If you're like us, you know that it's never too early to start preparing for the most wonderful holiday of the year. That's why we did an internet deep dive to find the very best Halloween decorations for under $25. We think it's smart to stock up now so you're ready to go the second Fall arrives. Time to get shopping . . . these affordable finds won't stick around for long.
50 States of Quirky Town Names
The United States is an interesting place, to say the least. With such a huge variety of people and culture and history, it's no wonder there's also a huge variety of interesting city names as well. Sure, you have the run-of-the-mill names like New York, but did you know there's a town in Utah called Virgin? Or a place in Georgia called Butts County? Those do indeed exist. For even more quirky city names, keep reading.
Aldi Is Releasing a Freakin' Wine Advent Calendar - Cheers to That!
It's truly never too early to get psyched for the holiday season, and Aldi just gave us a major reason to start counting down the days already. Word around town is that the affordable grocery store chain is releasing a freakin' wine advent calendar, and - OMG - we're officially never going back to those basic chocolate-filled advent calendars ever again.
The Sun reports that the giant boozy masterpiece is filled with 24 mini bottles of reds, whites, Rosés, and bubblies, all of which total the equivalent of six full bottles. Heck, yes! The festive wine-filled calendar, which is decked out with the cutest holiday-themed illustrations, will be available starting Nov. 1 for £49.99 (or roughly $67). That sum may seem steep at first glance, but it's actually pretty darn cheap when you remember that you're getting six bottles' worth of wine.
There is, however, one major catch to this glorious news: Aldi's boozy holiday calendar will unfortunately only be sold in the UK, according to The Sun - dang it! But considering how obsessed we are with Aldi's legendary $8 Rosé, we'd wager to say this one's worth taking a trip over the pond for. Early holiday vacay, anyone?
The Ultimate Ranking of the Best Latin American Candy Ever
From chocolate bars with peanuts to fun liquid tamarindo candy that comes out of a squeezable tube to classic Brazilian cashew bonbons, Latin American candy is anything but boring. Because nothing is too weird to put into candy form, the options can sometimes be overwhelming. We took one for the team and ranked the best of the best out there - hey, someone had to do it!
The Healthiest, Most Delicious Granola You Can Pick Up at the Grocery Store
There are a few breakfast staples that we can't live without, and granola is definitely one of them. The crunchy, sweet texture makes it the perfect thing to munch on in the morning (or any time, really), and it can be eaten in so many different ways - with almond milk, on top of a smoothie bowl, or straight out of the bag. The possibilities are endless. As great as it is to make your own granola, there are many times when you simply feel like picking up some at the grocery store. Lucky for you, there are plenty of healthy options to choose from. Here are the tastiest kinds of granola you can get at your local shop, and each one of them will give you the nutrition you need to start your day off with a bang.
I Never Lift Weights With Shoes on, and Here's the Important Reason
I can't remember the last time I lifted weights with shoes on. For the past year and a half, I've been doing all my strength training barefoot, and although I get strange looks from some people at the gym, I never let it stop me. It may sound counterintuitive at first, since shoes are meant to provide support for our body, but experts say there are many benefits to doing strength training sans sneakers.
Austin Lopez, CSCS and owner of Ausome Fit, prefers his clients remove their shoes during training. "The main benefit is 'increased proprioception,'" Lopez told POPSUGAR. "Shoes take a lot away from your ability to feel the ground."
Particularly when you're doing compound movements or any strength training that involves your legs, Lopez says it's important that you grip the ground with your feet, "like a monkey would with its feet." It sounds strange, but this makes it easier for you to "open up the hip by externally rotating the legs," according to Lopez. This is the form you want to achieve when you're doing movements like squats, deadlifts, lunges, etc.
The first time I ever lifted weights barefoot was at CrossFit. We were working on front squats and I figured I'd give it a try because I'd heard various things about how good it was for your form. I instantly fell in love with it. Since that day, I've never done strength movements with my sneakers on, whether I'm working on my lower or upper body. Being barefoot feels more natural and stable to me, since my toes are grabbing the floor beneath me, just like Lopez described. I feel like I can lift heavier weights without worrying about slipping and falling.
Lopez recognizes that working out barefoot isn't everyone's cup of tea, though. "Some prefer it after they try it and some aren't comfortable taking off their shoes at a gym," he told POPSUGAR. His advice is to simply try it. "You will feel why it helps to keep your balance and help you feel the movement better," he said.
However, when it comes to any kind of circuit or HIIT workouts, where I'm jumping or jump roping, I will leave my shoes on, because my feet and ankles need the support to cover all that ground. Lopez says he also recommends his clients leave their shoes on if they're doing this kind of activity.
But other than that, if you're working on strength training, going barefoot might be the way to go! Give it a try and see what you think.
Hate to Break It to You, but Cardio Might Be Sabotaging Your Weight Loss
I used to think going for a run was the quickest way to jump-start my weight-loss goals. From the outside, cardio seems to be the quickest way to burn fat and shed a few pounds, especially if you push yourself to the point of heavy breathing and sweating. I've learned over the years, though, that cardio isn't all it's cracked up to be. In fact, it might be the very thing that's stopping you from dropping those extra pounds.
"While doing cardio is great for your heart, lungs, and even your stress level, its not the fastest way to lose fat," said Lauren Clare, personal trainer and certified holistic health coach. The real key to losing fat is by building more muscle. "Having more lean muscle on your body helps increases your metabolism, which means you will be burning more calories on a daily basis," Clare explained.
If you're only focusing on cardio, you're not giving your body the chance to strengthen and develop those lean muscles, which means you're not providing yourself with all the tools you need to shed excess weight. Clare also points out that doing too much cardio can wreck the condition of your muscles. "While cardio does burn calories, it also can break down your muscles if you're doing it for long durations," she said. So all those superlong runs you take might actually be doing more harm than good.
This doesn't mean you can forget about cardio altogether, though. You don't get off that easy! Cardio certainly serves a purpose. It improves your cardiovascular health, burns calories, and releases a hefty amount of endorphins in your body. Just don't rely on it as your only source of exercise.
"The key to weight loss is not only about pounding out miles on the treadmill or elliptical," Clare continued. "Weight-loss goals are most successfully achieved when you have a combination of both cardio, strength training, and a balanced approach to nutrition." Consider that the winning combo!
These Hidden Tattoos Ideas Will Satisfy Your Craving For New Ink
Even if your body is a tattooed wonderland already, there's something fresh and rebellious about getting new ink in a hidden place. On the flip side, if you're still easing into the idea of your first tattoo, getting something undercover could be just the way to make it all seem less stressful. Either way, hidden tattoos are a great way to ink your body just for you (though don't be surprised if you suddenly feel the need to post it all over Instagram). The best part is you can choose to play peekaboo or let it be your little secret depending on your outfit each day. Ready to get your tat? Browse these ideas.
105 DIY Costumes For Women You'll Be OBSESSED With
It's possible to look amazing without spending a ton of money on your Halloween costume - if you have the perfect idea. We've rounded up costumes for women that are creative AND easy to DIY. You'll be obsessed with these 100+ ideas!
I Drank a Gallon of Water a Day For 3 Weeks (and Why I'll Never Do It Again)
I'm not sure where I heard about this "drinking a gallon of water a day" thing, but I thought, hey, I'll give it a try and see what happens. I'd heard it creates radiant skin, but I wanted to see if it would help curb my appetite and help with weight loss.
So I bought a gallon jug of water since it would be easiest to visualize my progress, and I got to work. I was used to drinking about 40 or so ounces a day, give or take, so bumping it up to 128 ounces was quite a difference.
I planned to do it for an entire month but quickly realized that drinking a gallon of water a day sucks is no joke and changed my commitment to three weeks. It was much harder than I thought. For at least the first week, I would completely forget to drink water in the morning. After my 5:45 a.m. CrossFit workout, I'd drink about 20 ounces, and then another 20 at lunchtime, but by dinner, I'd realize I had way more left to drink. I ended up having to chug 80 ounces in the last two hours before bed. This gave me stomach cramps and made me have to get up at least four times during the night. Setting reminders on my phone didn't help - I'd just ignore them. Drinking water became my job, and I wasn't enjoying it.
But I committed to the three weeks, and even though I found that drinking that much water a day didn't come naturally to me, I did experience some wonderful benefits. Here are the four things that happened to me after drinking a gallon of water a day for three weeks straight.
Before:
Skin
As you can see from the "before" photo, my skin wasn't great. I've battled with acne my whole life and found that dairy and sugar definitely aggravated it. This photo was taken with me two and a half years off dairy and eating sugar here and there (which explains the breakouts). But after three weeks of drinking so much water, I definitely noticed my skin clear up. While continuing to eat sweet treats every couple of days, the problem areas on my face stayed clear. Even through my period. This was pretty amazing and inspired me to stick with it.
Belly Bloat
As I shared in the past, I have issues with belly bloat, and eating sugar is the culprit. I can't have even a bite of chocolate or a spoonful of dairy-free ice cream without my stomach waging war. But when I got my hands on a new Ben & Jerry's flavor (oh hello there, Caramel Almond Brittle), I just had to eat a bowl. I was shocked that I felt fine. I drank a lot of water before and after, and I had no cramping and my belly looked flatter. I hadn't changed anything in my diet, just the extra water. I was floored. And this wasn't just a one-time thing. I experimented with cookies I baked and a chocolate bar - every time, drinking that much water each day helped prevent any digestive symptoms.
After:
Curbed Appetite
As I've talked about before, I'm doing intermittent fasting, specifically the 16:8 plan, where I stop eating around 7 or 8 p.m. and fast until 11 a.m. or 12 p.m. the next day. Experts say the obvious, to drink a lot of water to curb your appetite, and they're right! Drinking a lot of water in the morning while fasting definitely kept my hunger at bay, so much so that I'd often look at the clock and realize it was past the time I was supposed to start eating.
Drinking this much water also prevented me from overeating and made me realize that before I started this experiment, my cravings weren't actually hunger, but rather thirst. An hour after lunch, I'd often get hungry for something, but sipping down 10 or so ounces satiated my need for something in my belly. I'd also take a few gulps before dinner, sip on water throughout dinner, and drink a bunch more afterward, and this reduced my cravings for late-night snacks.
Is There a Bathroom Here?
I thought I peed a lot before this experiment! If drinking water was my full-time job, hitting the ladies' room had me working overtime. Thanks to two pregnancies and a self-diagnosed bladder the size of a lemon, I was already peeing probably at least eight times during my waking hours. Once I started drinking 128 ounces of water a day, that increased to at least 12 bathroom visits.
This was the worst side effect of drinking a gallon of water a day, but I mean, it was to be expected - what goes in must come out, right? It made it hard to leave the house because even if I peed right before I left, within five minutes, I felt like I'd have to pee again, and then 30 minutes later, I'd have to pee again! Peeing that much in a day is no fun.
On a related note, staying super hydrated also prevented any constipation whatsoever. I had no issues in that department, which made forcing myself to drink a gallon of water a day worth it.
Final Thoughts
Am I still drinking a gallon of water a day? Hell no! Personally, downing 128 ounces a day just didn't come easy for me, but since I did love the benefits that came along with it, I am drinking more water than I was, aiming for 60 to 80 ounces a day. And what's great is that I'm still reaping the benefits, minus the millions of bathroom breaks.
Low-Carb Diets Actually Work (and Are Good For You), Study Says
In the ongoing debate on whether fat is the enemy of waistlines and healthy hearts, an in-depth study may have the answer: if you want to lose weight and be healthier, opt for a low-carb diet over a low-fat one.
This 2014 study, funded by the National Institutes of Health in the Annals of Internal Medicine, followed 148 adults for a year; some were on a low-fat diet (less than 30 percent total fat, including less than seven percent saturated fat in their diets) and some were on a low-carb diet (less than 40 grams of carbohydrates per day - about the same amount of carbs in just one slice of bread!). Low-carb dieters ate high-protein foods like eggs for breakfast, tuna salad for lunch, and red meat, chicken, fish, pork, or tofu for dinner, along with vegetables. The low-fat group ate more grains and starches, along with vegetables as well.
At the end of the study, the low-carb dieters had lost more weight, including fat, than the low-fat group (about eight pounds more, on average). And even though the low-fat group did lose weight as well, they had lost more muscle mass than fat. Even more surprising: although the low-carb group ate twice the recommended daily amount of saturated fat as set by US guidelines - and increased their total fat intake to over 40 percent - they still had higher levels of HDL (the "good" cholesterol) and lower risk of heart disease than those who restricted their fat intake. This is an important finding, since higher cholesterol levels and a greater risk of heart disease have always been a major criticism of low-carb diets like Atkins or Dukan. "It's impactful," says registered dietitian Julie Upton about the study, although she notes that sticking to a low-carb diet for as long as the participants did can be hard for many. "Most people find very restricted low-carb diets hard to follow and they fall off the wagon," she says.
That sticking to a lifestyle that shuns bread baskets and pasta dinners as actually good for you isn't the best news to hear, but this new study does add more evidence that saturated fat may not be the diet evil that it's been labeled as in the past. In fact, a recent review published in the same journal also confirmed that there's no link between saturated fat and a higher risk of heart disease. The takeaway? Whether it's olive oil, avocado, or a healthy cheese habit, the fat in your diet may be doing your body more good than those refined carbs.
30 Things to Do For Your Health Before You Turn 30
So you're about to turn 30. Or maybe you're not as close. Either way, being in your 20s is the perfect time to get your life sorted before proper adulthood sets in with the big 3-0. Let's be real, you're about to enter a new chapter, one just as awesome as your 20s chapter but slightly more grown-up - it's the decade where you switch from Smirnoff Ice to something a little more refined. It's also the chapter in your life where being healthy counts, so here are 30 things you need to get sorted in your 20s, so you can enter your 30s like a champ.
- Find a doctor you trust.
- Get into the habit of having regular check-ups with your trusty doctor.
- Pap smears, as bad as they are to endure, need to happen regularly. Stay on top of this, tell your friends, sisters, mums, grandmothers and aunties. It's important, ladies!
- Know how to check your breasts for lumps and irregularities.
- Don't buy into the "It's harder to stay fit the older you are" mentality. Stay active in a way that supports your health.
- Learn to love meditation.
- Get monthly (or bimonthly) massages.
- Get health insurance.
- Stop skipping meals.
- Create an achievable daily routine that incorporates exercise and healthy eating.
- Nail your daily routine.
- Stay away from soft drink. You don't need it - the fizzy stuff contains zero nutritional benefits, FYI.
- Create a 10-minute workout that you'll promise to do when you skip a scheduled workout.
- Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.
- Get your skin checked. You've probably been burnt at least once in your almost 30 years. Enough said, really.
- Work out your sleep number.
- Learn how to cook five healthy meals. That's one for each day of the working week. Need ideas? Here you go.
- Get in tune with your feelings. Could your constant stress be anxiety? Recognize the signs and know that it's OK to seek help.
- Quit the diets. Healthy living is where it's at.
- Stop biting your fingernails.
- Always wear a supportive sports bra when exercising.
- Stop eating out of the jar/box/packet. The best way to control your portions is to plate up.
- Practice self-love.
- Stop binge-drinking.
- Don't be afraid to hit up the weights room at the gym. You deserve to be there!
- Get into the habit of drinking eight glasses of water a day.
- Don't ignore injuries caused while training. Visit your chiropractor or physio and get it sorted before it gets worse.
- Break up with the vending machine, and fall in love with healthy snacking.
- Try adding turmeric to your diet.
- Quit smoking!
This Step-by-Step Will Get You La Loteria's La Sirena's Makeup For Halloween
If you grew up playing La Loteria with your family, then you probably admired La Sirena on the deck of cards - was she not everyone's favorite character? With Halloween mere days away, stop racking your brain for an original costume no one else will have on Oct. 31: La Sirena is the DIY you need to re-create. Shop for a red mermaid tail and a buff crop top, and follow this step-by-step makeup how-to from Jackie Gomez, a makeup artist and the head of the Make Up For Ever Academy in New York City.
- If you want your makeup to stay put all night (through drinks, dancing, and maybe even a club's heat), you need to prime - Jackie suggests the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer ($37). Then, apply liquid foundation all over your skin using a fluffy brush, starting at the center of your face and moving outward, blending in circular motions.
- Using your ring finger, dab a small amount of concealer under your eyes to hide dark circles, gently blending out by tapping.
- Smile in the mirror and apply a powder blush in a pink shade (like Make Up For Ever HD Blush in 210 or 330 ($26 each)) right on the apples of your cheeks.
- Mist your face with a setting spray to create a dewy look - that "I just got out of the water" glow. Jackie likes the Make Up For Ever Spray Mist & Fix Setting Spray ($30).
- To make your features pop, apply a highlighter to the bridge of your nose, brow bones, and Cupid's bow.
- For those mermaid eyes, use a bright green eyeliner. "Line your top lash lines from inner to outer corner of the eye to define your eyes and lashes," Jackie said. "Then, follow the same technique on your lower lashes and waterline." She likes the Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in I34 ($21); we suggest the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Freak ($20).
- Blend a metallic-finish emerald-green eye shadow on your lid from lash line to crease. "For a smoky effect, blend the same color along the lower lash line, and enhance with a tad of dark gray or black eye shadow in the outer corners, blending into the green to eliminate any harsh lines," Jackie said.
- Curl your lashes and apply three coats of black volumizing mascara for a false-lash effect.
- La Sirena's eyebrows are well-defined and dark. "Apply an eyebrow powder on your brows using an angled brush and light brush strokes" until they are full. Jackie likes the Make Up For Ever Pro Sculpting Brow Palette ($42) because you can mix the shades to get just the right hue to match your hair color.
- "To make your lips pop like La Sirena's, first, line the lips with a red waterproof pencil (like Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lipliner Pencil in 8C ($19)) to ensure a long-lasting wear," Jackie said. Then, apply a deep brick red lipstick straight from the tube.
27 Amazing Christmas Gifts You Can DIY
Whether or not you relish the challenge of finding perfect gifts for everyone on your list, it can be hard to come up with cool new gift ideas for friends, family, and co-workers year after year. If you're feeling a little uninspired, try some of these great DIY gift options! From small, quick gifts to more involved projects that pack a big punch, you can make a gorgeous gift for everyone in your life.
101 Costumes to DIY on the Cheap
Sick of spending way too much time googling DIY costume ideas? Well, you're in luck. We spent hours scrolling through every corner of the Internet to dig up the most amazing and creative costumes so you don't have to. Keep reading for 101 DIY costume ideas - they range from outfits you can put together in minutes to projects that only advanced costumers will be brave enough to tackle.
This Is How All Your Favorite Chefs Fry Eggs
One of the simplest yet most complicated cooking basics everyone learns is how to fry an egg. Simple because cracking an egg into a pan and waiting until it's cooked doesn't require much skill, but complicated because if you're not careful, you can easily end up with undercooked whites and an overcooked yolk. So how can you make sure your fried eggs are perfect every time? Taking a few tips from the experts is a great place to start. Here's how some of our favorite celebrity chefs and Food Network personalities fry their eggs.
Alton Brown: Cracked in a Ramekin
Alton Brown's number one tip for frying eggs is to not crack them directly into the pan. In his recipe for perfect eggs over-easy, he explains, "Never crack eggs directly into a pan - always crack them into a cup or ramekin. It's the only way to make sure they cook evenly, and you can pour them into the pan right where you want them." His other pro tip involves the proper way to flip the eggs without cracking the yolks. "Never flip the food up and bring the pan down. Try to meet the food with the pan as best as you can, thus preventing a hard - and potentially yolk-busting - landing."
Giada De Laurentiis: Fried in Olive Oil
Would you expect anything less from the queen of Italian food? To make Giada's Italian fried egg sandwich, you'll want to reach for the olive oil and forgo the butter. After adding the eggs to a pan with two teaspoons of olive oil heated over medium heat, Giada covers the pan in order to cook the whites quickly.
Ree Drummond: Basted in Canola Oil
Rather than covering the skillet with a lid or flipping the eggs over, The Pioneer Woman's tip is to carefully spoon the hot oil over the whites to help them cook evenly. Ree's final tip is important, too: she recommends removing the eggs and draining them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
Mario Batali: Don't Touch! Then Flip
Mario Batali's first rule for frying eggs is to crack the eggs into the skillet and avoid touching them at all for the first 30 seconds. Then, using a nonstick silicone spatula, gently loosen the edges of the eggs and make sure the bottoms aren't sticking. Flip the eggs, and cook for 30 more seconds.
Chrissy Teigen: Fried in Butter and Olive Oil
You get the best of both worlds when you follow Chrissy Teigen's recipe for fried eggs. You won't find it online, but when you open her Cravings cookbook to the Breakfast All Day section, you'll find her popular recipe for Cajun Catfish With Over-Easy Eggs ("I am aware of how gross this sounds," she promises in the intro). To get a perfectly cooked and flavorful egg, Chrissy cooks in both butter and olive oil.
Paula Deen: Fried in Bacon Fat
A woman after my own heart, Paula Deen knows it's a wise decision to cook eggs in bacon fat. Paula's fried egg and avocado sandwich calls for bacon, and her pro tip is to reserve one tablespoon of the fat before discarding the rest. Use that grease to cook your eggs in the same skillet, and you'll have a perfectly fried egg seasoned with the salty and smoky flavors of the bacon.
Does Donald Trump Have a Dog? No - and That’s Not Even the Craziest Part
Presidents tend to have a lot in common. They are married to spouses who work to carry on American values, with whom they live in the same house and with whom they assumedly sleep in the same bed. They raise largely successful children who don't work for them and who they've never mentioned wanting to sleep with. They are hardworking and smart, available at all hours to fight for America. They rarely take time off for leisure save for brief reprieves with literature. And they have a dog - or two.
Much of the same cannot be said of our current president, Donald Trump. In fact, Trump is the first president in more than 100 years to be dogless. This gaping hole in Americanness shouldn't be that shocking given Mr. Trump's contrarian, "Drain the swamp!" style.
Several presidents have gone dogless, but the last president to be without a dog was William McKinley, who was commander in chief from 1897-1901. However, according to the Presidential Pet Museum, McKinley did have pets: he had a parrot, two angora kittens, and roosters. Does Trump have any pets? The Presidential Pet Museum believes not.
Also of note before McKinley is Andrew Johnson. He didn't have a dog, was impeached in 1868 and apparently "left flour out at night for a family of white mice playing in his room" amidst the political drama. Pet food for thought.
One fluffy, silver lining is that Trump has reportedly attempted to get a dog in recent months, specifically a goldendoodle named Patton. As the New York Post reported in January, Trump was set to adopt the pup from friend Lois Pope, but Pope kept the dog after forming a connection with it herself. Pope claims Trump listed his constant traveling as a reason why he'd be a poor owner. Hmm.
Further proof that Trump seems to be anticanine? He loves insulting people by saying they failed or choked "like a dog" on Twitter.
Mitt Romney had his chance to beat a failed president but he choked like a dog. Now he calls me racist-but I am least racist person there is
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2016
.@EWErickson got fired like a dog from RedState
and now he is the one leading opposition against me.- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2016
Wow was Ted Cruz disloyal to his very capable director of communication. He used him as a scape goat-fired like a dog! Ted panicked.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 23, 2016
Union Leader refuses to comment as to why they were kicked out of the ABC News debate like a dog. For starters, try getting a new publisher!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2016
.@GlennBeck got fired like a dog by #Fox. The Blaze is failing and he wanted to have me on his show. I said no - because he is irrelevant.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 17, 2015
I hear that sleepy eyes @chucktodd will be fired like a dog from ratings starved Meet The Press? I can't imagine what is taking so long!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 13, 2015
Obama called Reverend Wright his friend, counselor & great leader--then dumped him like a dog!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2012
Robert Pattinson should not take back Kristen Stewart. She cheated on him like a dog & will do it again--just watch. He can do much better!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2012
Egypt is a total mess. We should have backed Mubarak instead of dropping him like a dog.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2012
We're anxious to know what will become of Trump's presidential pet ownership, but we do know one thing: getting a dog might help solve his failing disapproval ratings. As the Washington Post observes, a presidential dog offers good publicity and bipartisan relatability. They also provide personal benefits like stress reduction and loyalty.
Might not want to let that sleeping dog lie, President Trump.
Articles
