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.
vendredi 2 mars 2018
Stop What You're Doing and Watch Gordon Ramsay Eat the WORST Foods With James Corden
You know you're in for a hilarious video when Gordon Ramsay and James Corden sit at a table full of weird foods. In a new "Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts" segment on The Late Late Show With James Corden, the celebrity chef and host dodge awkward questions in favor of digging into some true delicacies like clam juice, pickled pigs' feet, and bull penis with hot sauce. James takes a dig at Gordon, saying, "I've eaten worse. I've eaten at a couple of your places." (He must not be talking about Gordon's newly opened Hell's Kitchen restaurant.)
As usual with this entertaining segment, the guys do choose to answer some of the tough questions - including one that forces Gordon to rank three chefs from best to worst. Spoiler alert: he kinda throws Bobby Flay under the bus. It's too good not to watch, so press play above, and then keep the Gordon Ramsay burns coming with his opinions on current food trends.
Your Ultimate Guide to Fast and Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes
If there's one staple that should always be in your freezer, it's chicken. Delicious, healthy, affordable, and filling, it's also easy to defrost and incredibly versatile. From tacos to pasta to salad, there isn't much you can't do with it. Don't have a lot of time to spare for most meals? That's OK: many recipes made with America's most popular meat can be cooked up in a flash; keep reading for inspiration.
- Additional reporting by Aemilia Madden
15 Recipes That Are Kosher For Passover
April 22 marks the beginning of Passover, and all across the world, Jewish families will be enjoying their favorite Spring eats during Seder. For Pesach, we've gathered 15 kosher recipes for some mouthwatering inspiration, from mashed rutabagas to authentic Carnegie Deli matzo ball soup.
- Additional reporting by Anna Monette Roberts
More Than a Dozen Exciting Uses For Leftover Easter Eggs
Sure, those Easter eggs might be dyed bright pink or be covered in flower stickers, but that doesn't mean you have to toss them out after the day's festivities. Whip up delicious dishes with these ideas for preparing them - grated, chopped, deviled, you name it.
- Additional reporting by Lisette Mejia
Source: Cooking Classy, Cooking For Keeps, Jelly Toast, POPSUGAR Photography / Camilla Salem
22 Fabulous Desserts Starring Spring's Cutest Candy (Peeps)
Let's face it: it's easy to get carried away and snap up package after package of adorable marshmallow Peeps. The good news? People love to make creative things with them as much as they enjoy eating them. We've searched the web for the cutest ways to play with Peeps and rounded them up here. From Peepshi (Peeps dessert sushi) to Peeps s'mores, keep reading to see the most interesting ways to use up this Easter sweet.
- Additional reporting by Camilla Salem
22 Recipes That Will Convince You to Use Your Slow Cooker All Spring Long
You might associate your slow cooker with hearty Winter comfort food, but that doesn't mean you should stop using it by the time Spring rolls around. Instead of cooking over a stove on a warm day, you can take advantage of these set-it-and-forget-it recipes. Get ready to make spinach and artichoke dip, carnitas burrito bowls, loaded baked potato soup, and more slow-cooker recipes using Spring produce all season long.
11 Cocktails to Serve at an Easter Meal
Whether you're planning an Easter brunch, late lunch, or early dinner, one thing's for sure: you must celebrate with cocktails that are just as festive as the food you're making! For a few springtime sippers to accompany your grand meal, keep reading.
Heavy and Whipping Cream Are the Same Thing . . . Right?
To those of you who've been forced to choose between heavy and whipping cream at the supermarket, you've probably pondered it yourself: isn't all cream more or less the same thing?
Not exactly. There are differences in milk-fat content. All cream contains at least 18 percent milk fat: "whipping cream" is made up of 30 percent, while cartons labeled "heavy cream" or "heavy whipping cream" must contain 36 percent or more. Whipping cream, heavy cream, or heavy whipping cream all work for recipes that incorporate whisked air, but don't reach for that half-and-half; at 10.5 to 18 percent milk fat, it simply won't cut it. The more fat content a cream contains, the more stable it's likely to be in a whipped state. Check out our honey whipped topping recipe for guaranteed success.
Coke Just Added Unexpected Soda Flavors Made With 2 of Your Favorite Fruits!
Coca-Cola is breaking from tradition with the introduction of two new flavors: Georgia Peach and California Raspberry. Exploring its "artisanal roots," this is the brand's first "flavor innovation" since Vanilla Coke in 2002! On the heels of Diet Coke's new, fruity flavors announced in January, these new Coke flavors are perfect for those who prefer a bubbly soda with an unusual twist. The new drinks are made with peach flavor sourced from peaches grown in Georgia and raspberry flavor sourced from raspberries grown in California, respectively.
Coca-Cola Georgia Peach and Coca-Cola California Raspberry are available starting now, and you can find them in grocery stores, restaurants, and bars across the country in 12-ounce glass bottle singles or four-packs. The company worked with 9,500 consumers and explored more than 30 flavor options before deciding on these two, so they must be worth the hype.
The 4 Most Common Mistakes You're Likely Making When Cooking Pasta
Pasta can seem like a simple and easy dish to enjoy any day of the week, and it can be, but there's more to that perfect plate of pasta than you think. Once you get down the right technique, you should be able to nail it every time; however, it's pretty likely that you've been making a few common mistakes you'd never expect. There are a couple factors that go into cooking pasta. Between sauce choices, types of pasta shape, and cook time, there's a lot that can go wrong, or at least not be executed properly. Here are a few tips for making a delicious pasta dish to keep in mind as you continue on your quest to pasta perfection.
1. Pairing Pasta Shapes With the Correct Sauce
The shape of pasta (with or without ridges, thick vs. thin, etc.) matters when it comes to picking a sauce. "Agnolotti, small stuffed pasta, is best served with a butter-based sauce," said Chef de Cuisine Tyler Houston from The James Kitchen + Bar in Chicago to POPSUGAR. For "fettuccine or tagliolini, [which are] longer and more flat, I love serving with an acidic tomato-based sauce," he said. "And with seafood rigatoni or any pasta with a hole in it, it is best served with a thicker tomato-based sauce so the pasta's hole can grab some of the sauce in each bite."
A few heartier sauces include bolognese, standard marinara, and generally tomato-based sauces, he said. Lighter sauces might be with white wine, shallots, garlic, and thyme (great when paired with seafood). "You can achieve a lighter sauce by using the cheese grater to grate a tomato to begin the sauce," or use a "lemon butter-based sauce for a ravioli," he said.
2. Deciding the Right Cook Time
Cooking time depends on the thickness of the pasta, Houston explained. "Fresh pasta obviously cooks faster than the dry variety. Cook time is also generally dependent on the type of pasta. Stuffed pastas (in general) float when getting close to being done; longer, thinner pasta really needs to be well-incorporated to sauce. Water needs to be at a rolling boil, not almost boiling or slightly warm," he said.
"Cooking time for thicker pastas can be as long as 15 minutes," Houston said. "For the quickest cook time, use fresh pasta," which will get you dinner faster in about four minutes. A few examples: "Fettuccine is approximately 12 minutes, spaghetti is approximately 14 minutes, and for gnocchi, I recommend blanching it and shocking in boiling water (especially for restaurant dinner service). This greatly reduces cooking time (so it's five to seven minutes)," he said.
3. Figuring Out the Right Water-to-Salt Ratio
You'll want to not be stingy with the water or salt. Yes, that means you should salt the pasta! "Usually people don't boil enough water. It needs to be a large enough pot and water that the pasta has room to separate and cook evenly and is not overcrowded, otherwise it will cook unevenly," said Joseph Flamm, executive chef at Spiaggia in Chicago. "If you want the inside of the noodle to be seasoned, salt your water. The salt level depends on what sauce is going with: for salty, parmesan-heavy sauces, use less salt in the water."
"Generally, you do want to cook with incredibly salted water (think sea water). I think using the pasta cooking liquid is necessary to finish the sauce. It contains a fair amount of starch, which aids in emulsifying," Houston said. For finishing it off, "two ounces (a small ladle's worth) will allow the sauce to thicken from the starch in the water that's released when cooking pasta." Flamm agreed: "Cook your pasta until it's about two minutes away from being done, then finish it the rest of the way in your sauce so it really absorbs the flavors."
4. Make Sure to Taste as You Cook!
You should be checking up on your pasta to make sure it's cooking as you like. For instance, if you want al dente pasta, you'll want to take it out earlier to secure that thicker, crunchier texture and avoid the pasta getting too soft. "Taste every four minutes, especially when incorporating the sauce with the pasta," Houston said.
20+ Rudimentary Recipes Every 20-Something Should Know How to Make
Regardless of your skill level at the stove, it never hurts to go back to basics and focus on rudimentary recipes that are the building blocks for so many other dishes. These aren't too complicated or expensive, and once you master them, we reassure you that you'll use them over and over again. Here are fundamental dishes that every home chef should know how to make.
- Additional reporting by Anna Monette Roberts
78 Easy Dinners That Won't Break the Bank
The act of cooking dinner from scratch rather than turning to takeout or microwave meals is a money-saving strategy in itself, so if you're reading this, you're already off to a great start! Beyond that, consider making vegetarian meals out of staples like beans and other legumes, rice, quinoa, pasta, and eggs. (While less meat-centric recipes are typically more affordable, inexpensive cuts like ground beef and turkey, chicken thighs, and bacon have a place in budget-friendly meal planning, especially when they're not the main event.) To make things easier, we curated more than 75 recipes that won't break the bank; keep reading for inspiration.
10 Ultracomforting Chicken Recipes From The Pioneer Woman
We adore The Pioneer Woman for her plethora of easy recipes. She a never-ending source of comfort food and has the ability to transform a handful of pantry staples into dinner in 16 minutes. That's why we know we can trust Ree Drummond with chicken suppers! These are some of her most popular chicken recipes, and it's with good reason. You'll see many are shortcut meals with only a few ingredients. And yet, the results are as tasty as you could imagine.
If You Effing Suck at Applying False Lashes, Give These Ardell Ones a Try
When it comes to makeup, I consider myself pretty skilled. I can conceal and perfect my base, contour my cheeks to the gawds, and nail a damn good cat eye. But even though I've been able to master all the beauty basics, I f*cking suck at putting on fake lashes.
No matter how many tips or demonstrations I get from pros, I can never get false lashes right. I've tried holding a mirror beneath my face to carefully place strips along my lash line. I've used a variety of tools like tweezers and lash applicators but nearly poked my eyeballs into the abyss. Not to mention the countless number of cat eyes and shadow bases that I've destroyed with lash glue (RIP). So instead, I stick to lifting my fringe with good ol' mascara.
However, a few months ago, fellow POPSUGAR editor Brinton Parker tested magnetic lash accents, and I was intrigued. The innovative enhancement looked really natural and convincing on Brinton, but the lash novice in me couldn't imagine ever being able to apply magnetic pieces successfully, much less dropping over $50 on a set.
But magnetic lashes just became more accessible for beauty newbies and experts thanks to Ardell. The beloved brand is releasing a range of magnetic, no-glue lashes that you can pick up at the drugstore. The entire collection (which you can get January 2018 at CVS, Rite Aid, Sally Beauty, Target, Ulta, Walgreens, and Walmart for $14) comes in full strips and accents.
Because of my sticky history with applying faux strips, the lash dummy in me needed to put Ardell's new enhancements to the test. See how they cracked up ahead.
Hold Onto Your Highlighters, Beauty Junkies - These Are the 8 Hottest Palettes of 2018
Our love for palettes isn't going anywhere in 2018. We're obsessed with them because you get so many goodies in one convenient package. Whether you're looking to perfectly highlight your face or create a killer smoky eye, there's an option that can suit your needs. It was no easy task, but we rounded up our favorite palettes on the market right now. These picks range in price point and purpose, so you're sure to find something ideal. Check out the hottest releases of 2018 and treat yourself! True beauty lovers totally deserve it.
Skin Care Junkies! These 10 Peel-Off Masks Are So Satisfying, You'll Become Addicted
I am hopelessly addicted to peel-off masks. There's something about straight-up pulling gunk off of your face that is so satisfying. Beyond being pleasing to use, they are also really beneficial. Most masks adhere to the top layer of your skin, gripping onto dead cells, dirt, and any other unwanted elements clogging up your pores. Once the mask dries and you peel it off, you're pulling away all that yucky stuff.
If you're unsure of which mask to try, we rounded up our favorite options that work for a variety of skin types. Shop through them all and treat yourself to an at-home spa day.
12 New Hydrating Skincare Products That You Need to Try in 2018
If you're suffering from dried out skin or you're on the hunt for a new anti-aging cream, hydrating products that contain ingredients like coconut water or hyaluronic acid can give your skin the boost it desperately needs. We rounded up a list of newly released products that are worth a try. From brands like Kiehl's and Garnier, your skin will love soaking up these soothing choices.
The 7 Top-Rated Makeup Products From Nordstrom Are Worth the Hype
If you're investing in quality beauty products, you obviously want them to be effective. There are some items that have truly stood the test of time and become cult classics. These are products that give you noticeable results and work ridiculously well. Nordstrom carries many of the must haves that beauty junkies are constantly recommending. If you're in the market for a new palette, blush, foundation, or brush, the retailer has you covered. We rounded up the ultimate essentials you need atop your vanity. Once you give these cosmetics a try, you won't be able to imagine your makeup collection without them.
Prepare to Lose It Over These 5 Insane Deals From Sephora - Here For 1 Week Only!
If you haven't been following Sephora's Weekly Wow sale, now is the time. Every Thursday, the retailer releases a few popular products that are insanely discounted, and this week did not disappoint. Major brands like Philosophy, Clinique, and Makeup Forever have deals you don't want to miss out on. To make your life easier, we rounded them up so all you have to do is shop. From moisturizers to primers and masks, take a look.
This $8 Blackhead Removal Kit Is the Most Satisfying Thing You'll Ever Buy From Amazon
When I have an annoying zit, it's so hard to resist popping it. Using your fingers increases your risk of scarring, so you have to be careful! That's what I was beyond excited to find this Bestope Blackhead Removal Kit ($8) that's going viral on Amazon. A total of 2,700 people have reviewed the product, and 65 percent of them give the set five stars - that's quite impressive.
The kit includes a case and five two-sided tools. The tools have a stainless steel antibacterial coating that lowers the chance of sensitivity issues and minimizes risk of infection. The key with this kit is to use it safely and properly. "Correct usage makes things easy, we don't suggest using any blackhead remover before the acne matured, and please wipe all tools with rubbing alcohol before and after each use," the manufacturer states in the product description.
So how do you use these tools? It's actually quite simple. They work for blackheads, whiteheads, and any other pesky zits you're dealing with. Most of them have circular tips that you simply press up against your skin to make the pimple pop. There is also a needle-tipped option for puncturing acne. Again, clean the tools with rubbing alcohol both before and after you use them - sanitation is important.
When you are extracting pimples, make sure to be very gentle. There is always a risk of leaving a scar behind, so keep that in mind before you go to town on your face. That being said, many people find this set to be incredibly helpful when getting rid of unwanted acne.
"These are the most helpful little tools for effectively removing blackheads and zits without pain," one customer said. "I cleaned almost my entire face within one hour of having these, even those tiny hard to get blackheads are gone."
So will you be giving this handy little kit a try? We can't wait to test it out for ourselves.
Makeup Artist Reimagines 8 Disney Princesses With an Indian Twist - and It's Gorgeous!
Hamel Patel is a North Carolina-based model and makeup artist with over 34k followers. While her feed is filled with stunning makeup looks, it's her latest series of Disney princesses that has the internet in awe. Hamel didn't just re-create the princesses we all spent our childhood obsessing over - she gave them an Indian twist.
"I always wished I had a Desi princess to look up to while growing up, so I decided to take it into my own hands!" Hamel told POPSUGAR about her inspiration for the looks, feeling "the lack of Desi representation in the Disney community" from a young age.
She transformed into Belle, Mulan, Cinderella, Pocahontas, Snow White, Jasmine, Princess Aurora, and Ariel with bold makeup and then upped the ante with traditional Indian attire and accessories. "Trying to keep all the looks different was really difficult, so I tried different styles and used colors that matched each princess," Hamel explained. Not only does her Belle look have a rose, but she's wearing a yellow sari and a sparkling bindi. Read on to see the reimagined princesses, and prepare to be amazed.
MAC Is Launching Throwback Lipsticks in '90s-Fabulous Colors, and We. Are So. Excited.
The dream of the '90s is alive in MAC's latest collection, which will have fans of the decade screaming in their hair claws. The brand has launched a Throwbacks collection that's bringing sexy back - and by "sexy," we mean all your old favorite lipstick and eye shadow shades like Marrakesh, Bronx, Uninterrupted, and Kid.
Even better? This line is part of the brand's permanent collection, so you don't have to worry about missing out on reuniting with all your OGs. On the lip front, Throwbacks includes matte, frost, and satin finishes, which are all in retro shades that belong in an episode of Friends. Sans one metallic - the duochrome bronze Spanish Fly - the lippies lie in the red or pink color family.
Natural is the name of the game for the eye shadows, which come in a range of tan, beige, and brown to channel that Alicia Silverstone no-makeup look. Read on to see everything you can shop online at MAC now or in stores on March 1 - which is aptly a Thursday, aka prime #TBT time.
This $14 Makeup Organizer Has Over 1,800 Reviews on Amazon - Customers Are Obsessed
If you're a true beauty junkie, you have so many products you don't even know what to do with them. Luckily we have discovered the perfect solution. This Sodynee Acrylic Makeup Organizer ($14) is a customer favorite on Amazon and for plenty of good reasons. The product currently has over 1,800 reviews, and 67 percent of people give it five stars. We're impressed.
The two-piece set includes removable black mesh padding to keep your items protected. The drawers are also completely removable so you can easily wash them and keep your makeup sanitary. The top section is an ideal place for storing brushes, lipsticks, eyeliner, and more. Besides keeping your space tidy, this organizer looks so pretty atop a vanity. The Lucite material allows you to show off your prized makeup.
Tons of people are buying this handy product, so get one for yourself before it sells out! It's a smart purchase you can feel good about.
These $9 NYX Marble Swirl Lipsticks Are Pure Works of Art
Back in September, NYX released a bundle of lipsticks and eye shadows inspired by the Earth's elements. We were so into the cosmic collection, we did a hippy-dippy sway dance - before buying it all, of course. Well, put on your dancing Birkenstocks, because NYX just dropped another Earth-inspired set of lipsticks that's totally groovy.
This time, the line includes four marble, swirled lippies in varying crystalized colors. Each bullet contains two shades that swirl together in the tube and slide onto your lips to mimic the marble effect. The satin finish is very classic, creamy, and has just a slight shimmer effect that makes it look gorgeous in pictures.
See every single shade, ahead!
9 Genius Products From Sephora That Are Worth the Hype - All Under $10
If I could pitch a tent and live in Sephora forever, I would. There's nothing better than wandering around the store and ogling at all the beauty goodies we want. One thing that particularly impresses us about the beauty retailer is its huge selection of products at a variety of price points. Although the store is known for its high-end items, there are plenty of affordable options as well. Shop through our favorites and get a few for yourself.
7 Beauty Appointments You Should Always Book in Winter
There's no way around it: cold Winters can drastically impact hair, skin, and bodies. Whether experiencing an overly dry exterior or retaining more volume in order to keep warm in freezing temperatures, the chilliest season of the year ultimately affects the products we use, and our beauty routines, too.
Instead of soaking in the sun and applying bronzer, we apply blush. Rather than lathering on sunscreen (which we should do all year), we cover our extremities with layers. Even though we enjoy our bright wardrobes, lighter colored nails, sunnier weather, and more hours spent outdoors, the days of snowy and cooler climates shouldn't be wasted.
Instead of hanging inside by the fire or binge-watching Netflix, there are more productive ways to enhance your Winter beauty regimen - specifically the appointments you should always make before Spring rolls around.
While you're perfectly beautiful just the way you are, if you do opt for treatments, here are the ones to book in the Winter months!
Tessa Thompson Is All the Way Here For Valkyrie Joining Black Panther's Dora Milaje
Tessa Thompson now has the distinctive honor of calling herself a member of Marvel's cinematic universe. Last November, the Creed actress joined the ranks of Scarlett Johansson (The Avengers), Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy), and Elizabeth Olsen (Captain America: Civil War) as one of the notable badass female superheroes when she suited up as Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok. Her performance was praised by critics, who called her a "scene stealer," and the Los Angeles native quickly became a fan favorite. While unconfirmed, Thompson is rumored to be reprising her role in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War film. We chatted with the Time's Up advocate ahead of the DVD release of her Marvel debut to get her take on why everyone loves Valkyrie and get her thoughts on the success of Black Panther.
POPSUGAR: Valkyrie has been hailed as one of the few female characters in the Marvel cinematic universe that had a solid, well-written character arc. How did you feel about the positive reception to her?
Tessa Thompson: Well, I mean, obviously I'm superflattered by it, and I'm so happy the fans responded to it in [that] way. One of the things that compelled me to work on the character and certainly to work with Marvel is I feel like they've really done such a fantastic job at creating superheroes that also just feel like humans. That you can really get invested in their dynamics, their characters, their friendships, their love, their loss. And I think the female characters in Marvel are no exception to that. I'm really proud that we're living inside of a space not just in Marvel but in Hollywood and globally where we're really wanting to put women at the forefront, to hear their stories and for them to be reflected certainly in media and become nuanced, incredible beings that we are as women. I'm excited about this new phase.
PS: Fans are also pulling for Valkyrie to get her own stand-alone movie. Is that something you would be open to?
TT: I'm really flattered by it. I love working with Marvel, they're deeply collaborative. I love playing Valkyrie. I will even go outside of the Marvel cinematic universe. I'll show up at a Bond movie if they need me there as Valkyrie. [Laughs] I really trust [Marvel's] vision for the character. It hasn't let me down thus far, so I'm curious to see where they and she takes me.
PS: I know initially there were murmurs about Valkyrie being the love interest of Thor [Chris Hemsworth], but when I watched the movie, I actually didn't get that vibe at first. There were hints, but mostly what I saw was this fully realized woman who was flawed, yet very self-aware and very relatable in that sense. She wasn't just the picture perfect love interest we normally see in superhero films. How important was it for you to play such a fleshed out character?
TT: That was wildly important to me, but I wasn't worried that wasn't going to be the case because of Taika Waititi and the work that he has done before and the conversations that we had. He really wanted to create a female superhero that sort of bucked convention. But that being said, I think you can play a love interest and have her be complicated and an incredible female character. I felt like I was able to do that when I made Creed because Ryan Coogler is that sort of filmmaker, and then, in the same way, Lupita in Black Panther is technically the love interest but has a world of her own and a life of her own.
"You can play a love interest and have her be complicated and an incredible female character."
I think regardless of what the woman is in the context of the script, as long as you are working with collaborators that really want to make sure that any page space that you have feels essential, then you're golden. That was something that we certainly flirted with. We shot some takes where Chris and I flirted more and we shot some takes where I completely dismissed him, and what we've all thought was cooler at the end of the day was just to see this woman who really was on her own trajectory. We also thought it was such a cool reversal that Chris's character, who is the hero of the movie, was fangirling over my character. [Laughs] We just thought that we haven't seen that been done before, so we loved that idea.
PS: You mentioned Black Panther. What did you think of the movie?
TT: Well, I'm still in Wakanda. [Laughs] I have not come back, and I do not want to come back. I'm putting an offer on a condo in Wakanda. I really enjoy it. The people have embraced me. I love that film. I'm so proud because I get to see friends of mine on screen just killing me softly, but I also just think about what it's doing culturally, not just for black people - which has been tremendous. I just think that the cultural conversation - there's been this myth in Hollywood, certainly that black and brown faces don't sell, and those are harder movies to get made. And what you're seeing is that [Black Panther] is shattering all of those perceptions and ideas because people are really showing up for this film. And never mind that it's incredible and empowering to see black faces on screen in this way, [and with] natural black hair; it also is just such a good movie. Never mind its political importance, it's just a damn good film, and that's what people are really responding to most of all, and what a time.
PS: On the topic of fully realized female characters, what's your take on the Dora Milaje?
TT: Listen. I mean, the characters are so incredible, so I don't want to diminish any of that by focusing on their beauty and fashion, but their beauty and their fashion! [Laughs] They're so gorgeous, but they're so incredible. I just feel like I want to shave my head now. If I didn't have an oddly shaped head, I would have shaved it immediately. I could do a whole stand-alone film of just them and their origin story, just seeing them training. I just think that it's just such incredible characters, and that scene with Danai [Gurira] and Daniel [Kaluuya] is so well-played, and her just being like, "Listen. If you're getting in the way of me and my ideals and how I want to serve my country, then goodbye, friend." I felt so powerful. In a time where we're really talking about the importance of allowing women to take up their space, not to take any crap, that was really exciting.
PS: Do you think Valkyrie would be in her element fighting alongside those women - in future films maybe?
TT: She definitely would. I mean, sort of Valkyrie's biggest sorrow and something that really creates a void for her is being separated from her sister and the fact that all of her Valkyrior warrior women were slain, and she's sort of a lone soldier. If she were to travel to Wakanda and find those women, the sense of purpose that she would have would be tremendous. And obviously because I'm playing Valkyrie, I think it would be a moment where you know when black and brown people, we see each other, and we're like, 'Oh my God! You're here too!' [Laughs] 'Yasss!' So that could be it. For Valkyrie, it would be, 'Oh my God! I've been in Asgard. You know there's only one other black person.' And Idris [Elba] is really a fly black person to get to spend time with, but we like company. So I think she would be [a] perfect [addition]. She would be very excited.
Thor: Ragnarok is available on DVD now.
Selena Gomez Just Turned a Pair of PJs Into the Most Unexpectedly Stylish Outfit
Selena Gomez was spotted leaving church in LA in a cozy-looking pink coordinated set. While the matching cotton separates might seem like something you would wear to lounge around the house, Selena managed to make them church-appropriate by layering them under a long cream cardigan coat.
The songstress completed the adorable look with a black shoulder bag, hoop earrings, and crisp white sneakers. She was also wearing yet another pair of grandpa glasses, which are quickly becoming her go-to accessory. Want to re-create her sleek yet comfy look? Read through to shop similar matching lounge sets.
Selena Gomez Looks Like a Groovy '70s School Girl, and We'll Tell You Exactly Why
When Selena Gomez isn't showing off her gym attire, lately, she's been throwing it back to the '70s. Perhaps the inspiration stuck with her after releasing her "Bad Liar" video, the vibes of which are perfectly in sync with this look. Retro optical frames, chunky Stuart Weitzman loafers, and high-waisted McGuire denim ($248) all paint the picture of the decade's laid-back school girl. Selena tucked a crisp white blouse into her jeans and finished the outfit with a wool duster coat. Read on to zoom in on the details, then shop the essentials that really give this ensemble its flair: Selena's glasses and smart platform shoes.
A Texas Supermarket Is Selling a Selena Bag For Charity, and We Need to Go Grocery Shopping
It's been almost 23 years since Selena's death and her legend continues to reach new heights. She was finally honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017, her family released a well-sought-after MAC Collection in 2016, and there are even more things in the works. Now, Selena's family is back with a new surprise for her fans, so let the countdown begin!
On March 2 at 9 a.m., the Texas grocery store H-E-B will be selling a limited-edition reusable bag with Selena's face on it. The bag will be available in stores and starting at noon on heb.com; it will also be available through H-E-B Curbside and home delivery via hebtoyou.com, according to the Caller Times. H-E-B posted a video on Facebook featuring Selena's sister, Suzette Quintanilla-Arriaga, where it revealed part of the proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Coastal Bend.
The bag features two black and white images of the singer with pink accents. On one, you have a close-up shot of Selena singing, while the other shows her smiling with the words "Queen of Cumbia" in beautiful pink letters. "Throughout the years, we've always wanted to work together to do something and so we finally came up with something to give back to Selena's fans and benefit the Selena Foundation," Suzette said. Set your timers and have that $2 ready, because it's totally worth it to have this keepsake forever.
You'll Want to Shop Selena Gomez's Sexy Swimsuits
You might think of celebrities on perma-vacations like Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima when you're looking for swimsuit inspiration, but we're telling you right now that Selena Gomez's beach style is the most versatile of them all.
Whenever the singer is ready to hit the water, she chooses both sexy bikinis and practical one-pieces that flatter her curves and still manage to be comfortable. So if you want to stock up, look ahead for lots of inspiration from Selena.
12 Tiny Homes That Prove Small Is Beautiful
There's a lot to be said for living in a small house. Less wasted space, cheaper energy bills, and fewer chores . . . it almost makes you wonder why anybody would prefer a large home! Not to mention, one of the best features of a minuscule living space is the fun of decorating your limited square footage. In a world that would like you to believe that bigger is better, it's hard to imagine drastically downsizing your home, but the benefits can be worth it. Here are 12 tiny dwellings that will inspire your itty-bitty aspirations.
jeudi 1 mars 2018
Former Head of Overstock.com Fights For Cannabis: "I Know My Body Better Than the Federal Government"
When Stormy Simon began as a temp at Overstock.com in 2001, she probably didn't think she'd rise to become president of the ecommerce company - let alone step down from that position to advocate for cannabis 15 years later. At the time, she was a single mother coming off of welfare who needed a temporary job for a few months before going back to school. Admittedly, Simon wasn't excited about the opportunity, as it was more of a means to an end. But over the course of the next few months, she dove head first into the world of ecommerce without ever having even shopped online before.
"I hadn't done anything in the industry I was in," Simon told POPSUGAR. "So I was learning about it and getting excited and placing orders and just thinking, 'This is really big.' The good news was nobody had any more knowledge than I did. We all were figuring it out while we were there."
Simon pitched in wherever she could, and eventually rose from temp to director, starting the books, music, and video department, and growing it to a $150 million business. Her female-targeted "Discover the Secret of the Big O" campaign drove the online retailer from $250 million to $500 million in revenue, and then, just three years into her role at Overstock.com, Simon took her first executive title as VP of Branding. She revamped the customer service department to Customer Care and turned it into an award-winning department that was unparalleled by any other online business at the time. In 2009, Overstock.com entered profitability.
After Simon made the impressive jump to president in 2014, she realized that she had reached her peak in terms of helping the company grow - and eventually left Overstock.com two years later.
"It wasn't a quick decision," Simon said. "It was a decision I thought about a lot. I wanted something new. I've had such great success, just unheard of success, and so that moment built and just kind of revealed itself over time."
Her next move was a complete 180 from ecommerce: getting involved in the cannabis movement. Simon, who's always been a green supporter, became passionate about its medicinal benefits and scientific value, and therefore, user rights. But even with recreational use legalizing across the country, there's still much stigma surrounding the Schedule I drug.
"The time has come that we all have to step up," Simon said. "It's a prohibition, it really is. But the fight isn't for drinking or getting high. We're not fighting to get high. We're fighting to medicate [ourselves] and have scientific research about the types of medicine we're interested in."
"We're not fighting to get high. We're fighting to medicate [ourselves] and have scientific research about the types of medicine we're interested in."
Simon immersed herself in the cannabis community by working at a grower and medicinal dispensaries in Colorado. Meeting people - from children to cancer patients - whose lives have been changed and saved from marijuana was an experience that completely opened her eyes to a world beyond recreational use. Although six states and counting have legalized marijuana, the United States is still ways away from accepting it.
"I think it's education from beginning to end," Simon said. "We have been educated as Americans on opiate-related drug overdoses, opiate-related abuse and addiction. We pump this nation full of Valium and Xanax to deal with the stress and those are all highly addictive. Thirty-three thousand people in 2015 died from an opiate-related drug overdose. In 2015, zero died from cannabis. Zero! And out of those 33,000, 60 percent were under a doctor's care! Sixty percent had a prescription!"
Despite our country's opioid epidemic, it's citizens possessing and using marijuana who are being criminalized. According to the ACLU, "[Fifty two] percent of all drug arrests in 2010 were for marijuana." And in 2016, 89 percent of those charges were for possession only.
"[The] FDA is more interested in telling us and dictating to us how and what is right," Simon said. "I tend to think I know my body better than the federal government."
Simon serves on the advisory board for CannaKids, a parent-friendly cannabis oil company that helps cancer patients and those with a variety of diseases. The company was formed through Saving Sophie, a nonprofit started by the very same parents. CEO and founder Tracy Ryan and her husband began using cannabis to treat their daughter, Sophie, who had a brain tumor at just 8 months old. With a combination of chemotherapy and CBD-heavy oil, Sophie saw miraculous results and her tumor shrank significantly more than what chemotherapy is typically capable of doing alone. The dual treatment continues to keep her mass size down.
"And what's interesting about it? People have to come out and say what their sickness is to get people to believe that, and in the private world you just get prescribed things and nobody knows," Simon said. "You do have to come forward, so it's a weird time with [cannabis]. People don't acknowledge it as a medicine."
In addition to being involved with CannaKids, Simon also serves on the board of leading marijuana magazine High Times. Ever since leaving Overstock.com, she's dipped her toes into merging the worlds of ecommerce and cannabis with a bit of consulting, though current laws are preventing it from reaching the level of traditional retail. As for her next move, Simon said she's going to keep her eyes open for opportunities as the industry continues to flourish while enjoying what she's doing right now. When POPSUGAR asked what others can do to support the cannabis movement, she said the only way we can overcome fear and stigma is as a collective.
"Just begin to say, 'I'm interested.' Just a little interested. It's really what everybody has to do because I think what we're up against, it should be a house of cards."
The Best iPhone X Cases of 2018
So, you finally took the plunge and got the iPhone X. Congratulations! Now that you've got the newest, hippest gadget on the market right now, it's time to make sure that you don't find yourself on line at the Apple store a week from now, cradling your newly dropped phone and pleading for a second chance - in other words, it's time to properly protect your device. But before you stress out about going through every case on the internet to find the right one, click ahead: here, we've pulled together 23 of the best iPhone X cases out there at the moment. From the chicest fashion statements to the most tough-and-rugged models on the market, there's something here for everyone - and we'll be updating this post as new ones become available, so be sure to check back as the year progresses.
The Best Smart-Home Devices of 2018
We may have only learned to embrace the smart home in 2017, but 2018 is shaping up to be the year we finally take our technology to the next level - and let it do all the heavy lifting in our homes. Regardless of whether you've just dabbled or full-on decked out your home, ahead you'll find the products that we're quickly finding we can't live without and highly recommend you try out for yourself. From vacuums to thermostats to lighting and more, it's clear that the sky's the limit when it comes to the many, many tasks you can delegate to your digital assistant. Be sure to check back in here often, as we'll be updating this list as more devices are released over the coming year.
This Federal Judge Had a Brutal Rebuttal For Homophobic Business Owners
On Sept. 21, Chief US District Court Judge John Tunheim dismissed a discrimination case - and seized the opportunity to make an important point about hate. The case involved business owners Carl and Angel Larsen, who filed a lawsuit in December 2016 after a provision in Minnesota's Human Rights Act outlawed discrimination . . . essentially arguing for their right to discriminate. The Larsens, who hail from St. Cloud and run a videography business, were challenging the provision so they could maintain the right to refuse wedding video services to same-sex couples. They argued that the law indicated "a state effort to stamp out expression opposing same-sex marriage."
According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Judge Tunheim said in his ruling that the couple's conduct was "akin to a 'White Applicants Only' sign" and could be outlawed without infringing on First Amendment rights. "Posting language on a website telling potential customers that a business will discriminate based on sexual orientation is part of the act of sexual orientation discrimination itself," Tunheim stated. "As conduct carried out through language, this act is not protected by the First Amendment."
While the couple reportedly plans to appeal the ruling, it's still a pretty remarkable shut-down by a federal judge. It just goes to show that, even though Donald Trump is nominating transphobic men who call transgender children a part of "Satan's plan," there are still government officials working to protect the rights of all Americans. And that includes individuals in the LGBTQ+ community. What's more, this decision may be a good omen when it comes to another court case involving a high-profile wedding business that refuses to serve same-sex couples. This Fall, the Supreme Court will hear the case of baker Jack Phillips, a Colorado cake baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple because their sexuality "opposed his beliefs."
Keep Bread Fresh (Practically) Forever With This Trick
Few things are sadder than tossing out a stale half-loaf of beautiful artisanal (or homemade) bread. The problem: said beautiful bread lacks the stabilizers present in commercial presliced loaves, and so it goes from rocking your world to rock-hard ridiculously fast. The solution: eat more bread a simple trick involving your freezer.
Here's what you should do:
- Within 24 hours (maximum) of cutting into a loaf, slice up the remaining bread. (Don't wait until it's already turned the corner; at that point, your best bet is giving leftovers a second life as croutons, breadcrumbs, or bread pudding.) Don't just stick the bread in the freezer unsliced. Unless your kitchen is equipped with a buzz saw, there's no chance you're going to be able to slice it without thawing the entire loaf first (trust us, we've tried).
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or wax paper, arrange the slices in one layer on top of that, and put it in the freezer, uncovered, until frozen solid. (The parchment will prevent the gorgeous, moist crumb of the bread from sticking to the pan, and the single layer will prevent the slices from freezing stuck to each other.)
- Once the bread slices are frozen, transfer them to a resealable freezer bag, removing as much air from the bag as possible.
- When a bread craving hits, take out just as many slices of bread as you'll eat then, and either let them thaw at room temperature, or put them directly in the toaster (they'll take about one extra minute to toast). The texture of the bread will be about 95 percent as good as fresh bread and far better than second-day, already-starting-to-go-stale bread. Stored frozen (in a resealable freezer bag), sliced bread will stay fresh and delicious for at least six months, if not longer.
The 7 Best Salads at Trader Joe's
During a busy week, Trader Joe's extensive selection of premade salads can be a real lunchtime savior. Not only are there a variety of flavorful, filling options, but at around $4 a pop, these salads are much more economical than takeout. We asked our editorial staff to chime in with their favorites; pick up a couple on your next Trader Joe's run, and let us know if we missed your go-to.
Let Your Slow Cooker Do All the Work With These 85 Easy Recipes
Instead of standing over a hot stove after work, come home to a fully prepared meal, thanks to your slow cooker. Slow cookers are extremely versatile, so we put together a broad range of recipes to satisfy any craving, from breakfast to dinner and dessert. Whether you're looking for a cozy stew, a gooey chocolate cake, or zesty pulled pork, your slow cooker will hook you up. Read on to discover the best slow-cooker recipes - 85, to be exact - for every occasion.
You'll Never Look at Figs the Same Way After Learning This Fact
Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
I was recently perusing a farmers market and eyeing a basket of fresh figs. My friend looked at them and said, "I used to love figs, but I can't eat them anymore after learning how they're made." I was confused. I said, "What do you mean? It's just a fruit," and she gave me a look that said "see for yourself." So I did. And now I can't unsee the process either.
Figs, which are technically inverted flowers, require a special pollination process, and fig wasps play an important role in it. Figs and wasps have a longstanding mutual relationship in nature (they depend on each other, which sounds kind of sweet - yay science!). As explained in a BBC article about fig pollination, "Figs depend on wasps to make their seeds and distribute their pollen. In turn, the fig tree acts as a womb where the fig wasps can reproduce." This is where your reaction might become less "aww" and more "eww."
Source: Flickr user Jnzl's Photos
Pregnant female fig wasps carry pollen and enter male figs through a tiny opening at the bottom of the fig. The opening is so small that most wasps lose their wings and antennae as they make their way in. The fig wasp lays her fertilized eggs into flowers that are inside of the figs; she also fertilizes some of the fig flowers with her fig pollen. Once the female wasp is done with that, she usually dies inside the fig. Then, all the baby wasps start to grow. The male wasps mate with the female ones, the male wasps die inside (they're born without wings), and the female ones manage to escape, flying out to start the process all over again.
Here's the important part: humans don't eat male figs, only female ones. But this process of fig wasps entering figs occurs in female figs as well because there's no way for a female fig wasp to know if the fig she is entering is male or female. Female fig wasps are unable to lay their eggs inside female figs, so no new fig wasps are born, but they typically die inside the female figs, too. Are you lost yet? A video from PBS's Gross Science series offers a clear illustration of how this intriguing process works if you want to visualize it. Serious wasp-haters may want to avert their eyes.
The bottom line is, are we really eating dead wasps when we eat figs?! Not exactly. Luckily, a large percentage of figs sold in the US are self-pollinating. But another video about figs by HowStuffWorks claims that, "Most figs we eat contain at least one dead wasp" that has been broken down into protein inside the fruit. And to be clear, the crunchy bits inside of figs are not dead wasps - they are definitely seeds. Does this mean I'll never want to make a fig recipe again, like roasted figs with goat cheese and balsamic vinegar? Probably not. But will I possibly get a little squeamish if I bite into a particularly . . . crunchy fig? Probably.
I Ate the Last Dinner Served on the Titanic. Feast Your Eyes . . .
It's not every day you get to eat a spectacular re-creation of the very last meal served on board the Titanic before it sank in 1912, but I got to do just that. The dinner, hosted by the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, NJ, and prepared by Donatella Arpaia, Alex Guarnaschelli, and a team of chefs, served as a kickoff for the center's Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit, which opened Oct. 31, 2015.
The 10-course meal was served over the span of about three hours with a string quartet playing on the side, similarly to how it would have been done on the Titanic itself. Alex and Donatella introduced each course and provided insight on the preparation along with tidbits about what dining on the Titanic was like. Alex was quick to point out that the staff on the boat had little regard for cost and seasonality when it came to preparing the food.
"As a chef who's always worrying about food cost . . . there was no food cost on the Titanic. . . . Why wouldn't you just have bone marrow laying around on a boat?" she quipped about the fifth course. She and Donatella also added that peaches for the dessert on that fateful voyage were flown in from Africa and quail was imported from Egypt, because Titanic promised the best of the best for its first-class passengers - though second-class passengers ate very well too, from what we were told.
The meal served at the event followed as closely as possible to the original one served in 1912, though the chefs did say that the original recipe for the Waldorf Pudding in the 10th course went down with the ship - but I can't complain, because the current rendition was amazing and probably my favorite thing I ate all night . . . followed closely by the filet mignon that was soft as butter. Scroll through to get the full dining experience, and if you're in the area, be sure to check out the Titanic artifacts on display at the science center now.
Forget Szechuan Sauce, the Internet Is Rallying For McDonald's to Bring Back Hi-C Orange
Hey, McDonald's, we've got a bone to pick. In July 2017, our favorite childhood drink and secret adult guilty pleasure was discontinued from menus nationwide. The beloved Hi-C Orange soda was phased out as of May 1, 2017, leaving us sad and parched, and leaving our Happy Meal without its long-time liquid partner. While we do appreciate the effort of assuaging our emotions by replacing the bubbly citrus drink with the Sprite Tropic Berry, we're just ready to welcome the Hi-C back into our lives.
We let our emotions go a few months ago, but now that McDonald's officially brought back the infamous Szechuan Sauce (for a limited time), it must be time to bring back the Hi-C, right?! Back in April of last year, we reported that in a memo addressed to employees, McDonald's was said to be replacing the drink with a "new core beverage" because of a new partnership with Coke, but Hi-C Orange Lavaburst will forever remain in our hearts.
Still pissed? Salty? Thirsty? Don't worry, you're not alone. Twitter users felt the same way, some still longing for those orange bubbles, and others ready to swap their Szechuan Sauce for the Hi-C. Check out the hilarious reactions below.
The Szechuan Sauce was fun but highly overrated. HI-C Orange would have been better to bring back. What do you say @McDonalds, bring back Hi-C!?!
- Brando (@aBostonGuy) February 27, 2018
@kingsleyyy @McDonalds Wait till I see you in the streets Ronald McDonald. pic.twitter.com/VcvjKaiyr5
- spicy doggo (@effing_fabulous) April 28, 2017
I haven't yet 😭😭😭 please @McDonalds bring it back 😭😭😭😭😭 you are bringing that weird sauce! Just throw in the Orange Hi-C!
- Alyssa Muysken (@alyssa_muysken) February 25, 2018
When is @McDonalds going to come to their senses and bring back Orange Hi-C?? 🤔
- David Shepard (@Sh3P_) February 28, 2018
petition to bring the orange hi-c back to mcdonalds!!!!
- morgannnn🌻 (@morganlenderink) February 24, 2018
OTHER PEOPLE WANT THE ORANGE HI-C BACK AS WELL. I HATE SODA AND IT WAS THE ONLY OPTION I LIKED THERE. @McDonalds BRING IT BACK DAMMIT.
- kam (@PatsKam) February 28, 2018
3 Methods For Making Matcha
There is something wonderfully ceremonial about making tea, especially matcha, or finely ground Japanese green tea. Making matcha is a little more complicated than dipping a tea bag into hot water; the emerald-green powder is quickly whisked into a frothy, thick brew. Much like whipping cream, the trick requires a little bit of practice, but we've rounded up a few methods with pictures to help you develop matcha with a beautiful layer of foam.
A traditional Japanese method for preparing matcha calls for a bamboo whisk with superfine tines; however, home cooks can also hack the process using a mini immersion blender or whisk. And while the Japanese take their matcha "green," some drinkers may find the unadulterated mixture too bitter and grassy for their liking. That's why we've included a quick latte recipe for easy matcha drinking. Take a look at three ways to make matcha.
10 Trader Joe's Hummus Dips, Ranked From Best to Worst
As a versatile, simple, and healthy dip, hummus has taken the world by storm, and Trader Joe's does not disappoint in its inventory of different flavors. Aside from a classic dip, there are so many great ways to use hummus, like as a dressing or even added into soup. When searching for all the bean dips in the store, I found nine different hummus flavors and one other black bean dip, so I've ranked all 10 from best to worst. If you're feeling inspired to make your own, check out these unusual hummus recipes (or dream up your own).
Here's How to Convert Slow-Cooker Recipes to Your Instant Pot
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
The Instant Pot and the slow cooker may look alike, but they function a lot differently. The name of each appliance says it all - slow-cooked food takes hours, while the Instant Pot knocks it out quickly. So when you're converting a slow-cooker recipe to an Instant Pot, there are a few things to consider. Keep these conversions in mind the next time you whip out your Instant Pot for a quick and easy dinner.
1. Lower the Meat-Cooking Time
One of the best things about the Instant Pot is its ability to cook meat insanely fast - even when frozen. If you're converting meat from a slow cooker to an Instant Pot, follow this rule: if the meat dish cooks in eight hours on low or four hours on high in the slow cooker, it will cook in 25-30 minutes in the Instant Pot. Make sure the Instant Pot setting reads "sealing" and not "venting" to ensure it's cooked properly. The "meat/stew" button is great for red meat recipes like bolognese, and the "poultry" button can be used for chicken dishes like garlic chicken soup. If you're cooking meat from frozen in an Instant Pot, just add five or 10 more minutes to the total cook time until it's done.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Nicole Perry
2. Add More Liquid
Instant Pots need more liquid to function properly, so if your recipe doesn't already call for at least a cup of liquid (such as broth or water), add it.
3. Skip Certain Ingredients
A pressure cooker or Instant Pot won't handle certain ingredients the same way a slow cooker would. If you're making an Instant Pot meal with milk or dairy, don't add it in the beginning. It can be stirred in or simmered at the end, but it won't cook successfully under pressure. If you're using a thickener, such as a cornstarch slurry, whisk it in at the end as well.
If you have even more specific questions about your recipe, follow this complete guide to converting slow-cooker recipes to an Instant Pot.
Why There's So Much to Adore About the Instant Pot
Everyone has been talking about the Instant Pot. It's currently a top-selling kitchen item on Amazon. Despite its widespread popularity, is the multifunctional cooking device worth it? For a while, I scorned the Instant Pot like a unitasker. I already owned a rice cooker, pressure cooker, and slow cooker, after all. So why would I spend the cash for another appliance? Despite my initial judgments, I still felt pulled to try the cooker out and determine if it's a gimmicky fad or not. Let's just say, the results really surprised me and greatly exceeded my expectations. If you're wondering if an Instant Pot is for you (or IP, as seasoned users call it), here's a list of awesome things to know about the Instant Pot.
- Cook all the things in record time. The Instant Pot is essentially a pressure cooker that also has sauté and slow-cooker functions. Pressure cookers reduce cook time significantly. We're talking steel-cut oats in 10 minutes and chicken breasts in eight minutes. Most, if not all, dishes can be prepared in 20 minutes or less.
- The sauté function is truly awesome. You can adjust the heat, but I found it caramelizes veggies and meat faster and more uniformly than even stovetop cooking. As a bonus, nothing caked onto the bottom of my IP.
- You can switch between functions. Sear meat in the sauté function, then pressure cook or slow-cook it! Pressure cook something, then keep it warm. Changing up the functions allows you to create complex dishes in one pot.
- It's easy to use. Though there are lots of buttons on an Instant Pot and seemingly random beeps, the user manual and recipe guide (that come with the cooker) break each one down quickly so you can dive right into cooking with your device. Just be sure to read them! You shouldn't go rogue with this device.
- It does it all. While there are obvious things like making broth, soups, shredded chicken, and chili, the cooker does some extraordinary things. Make a big batch of eggs (frittata style). Steam up cake and cheesecake. Use it as a rice cooker. Defrost and cook frozen-solid meat in minutes. Forgo soaking dried beans and cook them in about 20 minutes. Make mac and cheese and other pasta dishes in only one pot. The list goes on . . .
- Cleaning is a breeze. I laughed as I lifted the IP pot and rinsed it in record time. The lightweight pot seems to be nonstick (in my experience), so all it needs is a fast, sudsy scrub-down, no exertion required.
- There's endless learning. Instant Pot's website and Pinterest's results for Instant Pot are two awesome sources of recipe inspiration and tips. There's also Facebook's Instant Pot Community that's very active (over a million users), where you can post or read troubleshooting questions and recipes.
All right, I love my Instant Pot. It's the ideal cooking appliance for busy people who are on a budget and want to cook homemade meals but lack one crucial thing: time! While I'm sure there are downsides to the Instant Pot, I haven't discovered them yet.
8 Grocery Store Policies You Should Be Taking Advantage Of
Grocery shopping on a budget isn't always fun, but these store policies make it easier. Did you know that your favorite stores like Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and Costco have company-wide rules that will help you save money? Before you head out for your next grocery shopping spree, read ahead for eight of the best store policies you can (and should) take advantage of, from return policies to coupon-filled apps.
Macarons: Don't Confuse Them With Macaroons
It's high time we set the record straight: the word "macaron" is not an alternate spelling of macaroon. In fact, the two terms refer to distinctly different things. Both macarons and macaroons are confections, and both names are derived from ammaccare, which is Italian for "to crush" - but that's where the similarities end.
A macaron specifically refers to a meringue-based cookie made with almond flour, egg whites, and granulated and powdered sugar, then filled with buttercream, ganache or fruit curd. The delicate treat has a crunchy exterior and a weightless interior with a soft ending that's almost nougatlike in its chewiness. To add to the confusion, it's often called a French macaroon.
In contrast, the word macaroon is a generic phrase that is applied to a number of small, sweet confections. Mostly, the term is equated with the moist and dense coconut macaroon, which is composed of egg whites, sugar, and dried coconut, often piped with a star-shaped tip, and sometimes dipped in chocolate. The coconut macaroon, or congolais, as it's known in France, is frequently served during Passover because it contains no flour.
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