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.
jeudi 22 mars 2018
This Redditor Tested 2 of the Most Hyped Drugstore Mascaras Out There, and the Winner Is . . .
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Emily Faulstitch
Fact: you can never have too many mascaras, especially if you pick 'em up at the drugstore for less than $10. That's why we don't think there needs to be just one "best" tube out there - there is ample room at the lash party for all of our favorite mascaras. However, one Redditor just did a face-off of sorts, by pitting two of the most viral affordable fringe-enhancers out there against each other.
Reddit user Squidshae showed off L'Oréal Paris Lash Paradise ($10) juxtaposed against Essence Get Big Lashes ($4). In the photo below, you can see the first option on her left eye, and the second on her right.
Lash Paradise vs Essence Get Big Lashes from MakeupAddiction
Back when we tested Lash Paradise last year, we noticed that the thin bristles give off a nice, defined, and natural finish. The same goes for this Reddit test; the model's fringe looks clean and fanned. There's not a whole lot of length there, but it's a great everyday, your-lashes-but-better look.
Meanwhile, on the other side of her face, the Essence tube basically had a party with her lashes. There's nothing subtle about this long, full look. Her out-to-there fringe is definitely worthy of many double takes. Seriously, someone could rename Get Big Lashes, "I Can't Believe It's Not Falsies." While there's some very minor clumping going on, as we wrote in our review of Essence mascara, that can be easily remedied by tapping off excess product from the wand before applying.
As Squidshae wrote in the comments, "I honestly like [both]. I like the Essence one for more long and dramatic lashes, but I like Lash Paradise for more full and fluttery lashes. If only I could get long, full, and fluttery all in one." Someone tell the folks at L'Oréal Paris and Essence the teams should unite for a product that gives off total mascara domination!
So basically: we're all winners. Both affordable options provide super impressive results and remind us that you don't need to empty your wallet to look super fly.
This Hydrating Skincare Method Is Literally Like a Moisturizer Sandwich For Your Face
I recently experienced a bout of seriously dry skin after flying to a much drier and cooler climate. And, although I'm mentally prepared for this to happen every time I fly home for the holidays, I'm never quite comfortable with the resurgence of my new, dry face. In fact, it's pretty uncomfortable (read: tight, itchy - not ideal).
Whether a temporary or long-term concern, dryness (caused by lack of oil) or dehydration (caused by lack of water) can be a real pain, particularly if you're trying to rehydrate on top of other, more aesthetically pressing skin concerns or if flaky skin isn't your MO.
While trying to resolve my desert-skin experience, I came across a straightforward formula that really is like a tall glass of water for your face. The best part? It doesn't involve buying new products or have so many steps that you need a YouTube tutorial to follow along. It's a simple, straightforward layering formula. Enter: the skincare sandwich. And no, despite the name, it doesn't involve any carbs (unless you want it to).
Enter: the skincare sandwich. And no, despite the name, it doesn't involve any carbs (unless you want it to).
Tokened by Caroline Hirons (who, if you don't know, is one of the best in the skincare blogging biz), the "skincare sandwich" is essentially just a digestible way of understanding how to layer your products for optimal hydration.
According to Caroline, you should think of your hydrating toner or mist as the "condiment in your sandwich." She goes on to explain, "You can make a sandwich using just bread and ham/cheese - but how much better does this sandwich work with butter/mayo? It all binds together and facilitates this process."
So, following Caroline's hydrating routine, you'd cleanse (this is your sourdough), acid exfoliate, spray hydrating mist (this is the butter, people!), apply your oil or serum, mist (again!), and then finally moisturize. And, if you're one of those people who asks for extra mayo on your bread, you can also follow up with a final mist if you please.
Layering your products in this way adds additional moisture between each step, helping to lock in hydration and, at the very least, help relieve some of that thirsty-skin feeling.
Bo Is Killing the Lipstick Game on Black-ish - Here's How to Replicate Her Look
Every week we tune into Black-ish for the comedy, but we stay for Rainbow's bold red lip! After constantly wishing we could get Bo's fierce red pout, we did some research. According to Tracee Ellis Ross, the actress has a signature color: Ruby Woo by MAC.
"I've been wearing MAC's Ruby Woo lipstick since high school," Tracee told the Los Angeles Times back in 2015. "I mix the majority of my lipsticks with Ruby Woo. I don't like glosses. I don't like stains. I like full-on, old-school, completely opaque matte lipstick."
The Black-ish actress loves the hue so much that she even wears it when she works out. "I love the look of a fresh face with a pop of color on the lips. It makes me feel so good. I'll even wear a red lip to the gym," she told InStyle last year. "I do the Tracy Anderson Method, so there's a lot of mirror work involved. When I see my red lips reflecting back at me, I'm like, 'Yeah, girl, that's right!'"
When it comes to her bright red lip look on the ABC series, you'll find the same shade. "Tracee does her own lips. We mix the colors. If it's a bright red, it's usually MAC's Ruby Woo with a MAC Cherry pencil," her makeup artist for the show, Nadyne Hicks, told The Cut in 2016 of her Black-ish signature lip shade.
If you want a perfect red lip like Rainbow's always on-point lip on Black-ish, or are just a major fan of Tracee's go-to lip look, then MAC's Ruby Woo should be your new lipstick for everything. If you'd rather a similar look that's a little different - at a different price point or different brand - we also have you covered with our favorite shades of red that would be Bo-approved.
The Internet Is Obsessed With This New Meme About How Smart People Are
If you've been looking for a sign of your own intellectual superiority, a new meme just arrived for you. The expanding brain meme is a series of images showing differently stimulated brainwaves relative to specific beliefs or habits. It's also exactly what the internet needed to stroke its own collective ego. Quickly rising in popularity on Tumblr, Twitter, and Reddit, the expanding brain images are a mix of facetiousness and absurdity.
Some of the memes involve implying that people who use variations of "whom" are more enlightened than those who use "who," or that people who call their garages "car holes" are much smarter. We've rounded up some of the best memes (for educational purposes, of course), so take a minute to become enlightened by looking them over. Soon enough, your brain will be glowing and you'll be in stitches from the pure silliness.
A Nazi Just Won the GOP Nomination For a Congressional Seat in Illinois
Coming to a U. S. House district near you: A GOP candidate running solo in the primary who admires Nazi Germany. How Illinois Republicans got saddled with Arthur Jones, from @lynnsweet and @FrankMainNews https://t.co/06OthmDe4M #twill #2018election #elections #Chicago pic.twitter.com/Uw2tHyoH8A
- Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) February 4, 2018
Update: On March 20, Arthur Jones won the GOP nomination for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District, after running unopposed. Jones will now face off against a still-to-be-decided Democratic candidate in the 2018 midterm elections.
If you need more proof of crumbling American ideologies - particularly, Republican ideologies - look no further than aspiring Illinois politician Arthur "Art" Jones, an anti-Semitic Holocaust denier associated with the neo-Nazis and KKK who is poised to snag a Republican nomination for a congressional race.
A 70-year-old retired insurance agent, Jones has a history of running for office - and failing. He made an early run for Milwaukee mayor in 1976 and throughout the '90s and aughts made numerous attempts to secure a seat in Congress. More importantly, he was a leader in the American Nazi Party - and currently leads the America First Committee, an Illinois-based hate group that has been flagged by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Jones is running unopposed for the GOP nomination in the 3rd Congressional District, and he'll face off against one of two Democratic candidates; it'll either be Dan Lipinski, the current highly conservative representative in office for his seventh term, or Marie Newman, a rival with a background in business hoping to replace "career politician" Lipinski and his "far-right record." The one silver lining here is that there is a possibility that Jones could be knocked off the ballot as he was in 2016, after election code violations. The district he is running in is highly Democratic - hence why he ran for the ticket unopposed - and he is poised for a major loss, should he make it to November.
Still, Jones has become a topic of much discussion given his history, as well as his highly unsavory - and not to mention retrograde - points of view. In a recent interview with The Chicago Sun-Times, Jones's opinions were reiterated to the shock of many: "To me the Holocaust is what I said it is: It's an international extortion racket," Jones said before referring to the tragedy as the "biggest blackest lie in history." The congressional hopeful's campaign website includes the image of the GOP elephant draped in a Confederate flag, which is noted on the site to be "a symbol of White pride and White resistance." It also features photos of Jones speaking at KKK and neo-Nazi events.
It's obvious that Jones has highly destructive opinions - and that's exactly why he has been tracked by the Anti-Defamation League for years. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Republicans have spoken out against the candidate, saying that the party in Illinois and beyond has "no place for Nazis like Arthur Jones." But regardless of what ultimately comes of Jones, his voice has been amplified. Moreover, he is far from a lone agent - many (highly troubling) GOP candidates are in the process of running for office, like Trump pardonee Joe Arpaio in Arizona (who recently gave interviews to five anti-Semitic publications), Paul Nehlen in Wisconsin (a Christian conservative who said Jews will "burn in hell"), and failed Senate hopeful Roy Moore in Alabama (who is noted for sexual assault allegations and anti-gay, anti-Muslim views and employed anti-Semites).
While Jones will likely fade into political obscurity, the fact that he is this close to taking an office on behalf of Republicans (and remains unchecked in his pursuit) is something that we should all remain aware of. And as we head toward the Fall's midterm elections, it's a reminder of how important it is to know what the candidates running in your area stand for - and how important it is to exercise your vote.
We Don't Know If We're More Floored by This Hawaiian Wedding Venue or the Bride's Gown
This is what destination wedding dreams are made of. Australian couple Alana and Nick officially became husband and wife at Maui's Haiku Mill, a stunning, lush venue that turned out to be a memorable holiday location for them and their guests. "We figured we met overseas, were engaged overseas, let's get married overseas, too!" Alana told their photographer.
The couple met on a tour while sailing through the Croatian Islands and decided to wed in Maui, where they got engaged. Nick proposed at sunrise and arranged a Champagne breakfast and engagement photo shoot to follow. He really planned a romantic day out with a picnic lunch by the water and an evening spa trip.
On their big day, the bride completely stole the show. Even though the wedding venue itself will floor you, you won't be able to keep your eyes off of Alana's gorgeous gown. See the photos now!
Winter Storm Toby Is Getting the Michael Scott Treatment It So Very Much Deserves
My exact expression when I see that #WinterStormToby is going to dump 12" on us tomorrow- Wednesday pic.twitter.com/u9dvx7UYMh
- Kyle Basehore (@TurfWindFire) March 19, 2018
It may officially be Spring, but that didn't keep the Eastern seaboard from getting absolutely hammered on March 21 by the fourth snowstorm in less than a month. But while those hit with up to two feet of fast-moving snow continue to dig themselves out of this most recent nor'easter, the internet is struggling to emerge from beneath a pile of something altogether different: Winter Storm Toby has rather appropriately led to an onslaught of memes centered on The Office.
If you're not familiar with the long-running sitcom, the show's main character, Michael Scott, absolutely hates his office HR manager, Toby Flenderson. As a result, a vast treasure trove of Toby-based memes were gathering dust on the far corners of the web - that is, until vast swaths of the Northeast found themselves homebound once again as a result of wintry precipitation and took to social media to vent their frustrations en masse.
Ahead, check out some of the best examples of this trend taking the internet by (Winter) storm.
it's not looking good #WinterStormToby pic.twitter.com/RoL34KTIlR
- beatrice 🐝 (@bea_adinaro) March 20, 2018
After this warmer weather, #winterstormToby got me like: pic.twitter.com/AyBcKDcRyo
- Ev (@evanjsimp1004) March 19, 2018
My message to #WinterStormToby pic.twitter.com/8FZkBZ5nBS
- Tom England (@tomengland74) March 20, 2018
My reaction to #winterstormtoby pic.twitter.com/pZAxpk9oUA
- Conner Arnott (@ArnottiClever) March 20, 2018
Toby's coming back for Scranton 🙅🏽♀️😤 #WinterStormToby pic.twitter.com/VKwb2GQh5N
- Ava Underwood (@avaaunderwood) March 20, 2018
winter storm TOBY u say??? no wonder why it's the worst one pic.twitter.com/xk9fYvYzNR
- Sierra Binondo (@sierrabinondo) March 20, 2018
*Sees (Winter Storm) Toby* pic.twitter.com/mYhIve2IW4
- Danny Reilly (@dannyreilly15) March 20, 2018
Live view of the east coast about to get hit with winter storm Toby pic.twitter.com/CnG32mWBw1
- Matt Koska (@mkoska215) March 19, 2018
Here's How to Delete Your Google History
Oh, Google. Everyone has a love/hate relationship with the company that really knows almost everything about you. If you are a little nervous about just how much information Google's services have on you, follow our quick guide to deleting data and history.
Getting Robbed at Gunpoint Was Apparently a Walk in the Park For This Jimmy John's Employee
Sometimes, life hands you a bad day and you need to just let it ride out. That's how one Jimmy John's employee seemingly approached a robbery at gunpoint as he stoically handed the gunman money from the register.
The robbery took place at a Jimmy John's in Kansas City, MO, on April 26 at 9:15 p.m. In a video uploaded to YouTube by the Kansas City Police Department, the suspect, wearing a blue hoodie, enters the store and orders an item. As the cashier tells him his total, the suspect pulls out a gun. The Jimmy John's employee then takes off his gloves, hands him all the money, and even tries to give him the drawer with all the change. You can watch the encounter ahead.
The video quickly went viral on the internet, with some people on Twitter noting that the gun looks like it was jammed and that's why the cashier was so chill. According to the Kansas City Police YouTube page, police have the suspect in custody and they wrote, "Investigation is continuing." We hope the cashier and anyone else working during the robbery are home safe and sincerely OK.
Muting Instagram Stories Is the Polite Way to Unfollow Someone - Here's How to Do It
Unfollowing someone on Instagram is almost like unfriending someone in real life. You're basically saying that you don't want to see their face or keep up with their life any longer. When you don't necessarily want to go that far, but need a break from his or her recent vacation Stories, you can choose to mute them. This is especially great for avoiding any awkward in-person encounters in case they have an app that notifies them when someone's unfollowed them. Plus, you have the option of unmuting them whenever you're ready.
How to Mute Someone's Instagram Stories
- Go to your Stories feed at the top of your homepage, and hold down the user you want to mute.
- You have the option to either "View Profile" or "Mute" - select "Mute."
That's it! Now, you'll no longer see their Stories, but you will be able to see their photos in your feed.
How to Unmute
- Go to your Stories up top again, and continue scrolling left until you reach the very end. (All your muted users will be grayed out.)
- Find the user you want to unmute and hold down their icon.
It's that easy!
Well, Damn! Michelle Obama's Portrait Is So Popular, It's Moving to a Better Spot
It's only been a month since Michelle Obama's official portrait was installed at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, but the portrait is already being moved due to high demand. Painted by Amy Sherald, the portrait was originally hung in a fairly inconspicuous hallway - and despite its location, people were still lining up to catch a glimpse.
On March 21, the gallery shared a picture of the portrait's new and "more spacious" location on the third floor "due to the high volume of visitors." Adding, "We're always changing things up here."
We're always changing things up here 👀 Due to the high volume of visitors, we've relocated Michelle Obama's portrait to the 3rd floor in our 20th-Century Americans galleries for a more spacious viewing experience. Reubicamos el retrato de Michelle Obama al tercer piso del museo pic.twitter.com/OnBgmf6bQq
- Portrait Gallery (@NPG) March 9, 2018
The former first lady's portrait received additional buzz after a photo of a little girl gazing up at it went viral. Eventually, Obama heard about 2-year-old Parker Curry's awestruck reaction and set up a meeting with her in person. On Instagram, Obama shared pictures from the sweet meeting and wrote, "Maybe one day I'll proudly look up at a portrait of you!"
Everything You Need to Know About Facebook, Cambridge Analytica, and the 2016 Trump Campaign
Update: On March 21, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg responded to the below allegations, saying, "We have a responsibility to protect your data, and if we can't then we don't deserve to serve you."
Facebook is once again in the hot seat after it was revealed on March 17 that the social media platform released the personal information of 50 million users ahead of the 2016 presidential election - without permission.
The allegations are based in Facebook's involvement with Cambridge Analytica, a voter profiling company - backed by billionaire Robert Mercer and Brietbart's Steve Bannon - that harvested user information without permission as far back as 2014. News of this practice has been discussed in relationship to the Trump campaign since 2016, but thanks to an explosive New York Times exposé, the story is once again gaining international attention and concern. Most notable about the Times story is former Cambridge Analytica employee Christopher Wylie's insights, such as the fact that he revealed that Facebook had knowledge of the problem for years - and refused to acknowledge it publicly.
The problem all stems from Cambridge Analytica's repeated attempts to target Facebook users by gleaning information about their identities - things like the pages users "liked" on Facebook and opinions they shared on the platform - in order to cater political advertising to them. The firm and those involved told Facebook - and 270,000 users who consented for their information to be obtained - that they were seeking data to be collected for use in academic research, but instead that data was actually used by the 2016 Trump campaign and other Republican efforts to effectively target voters via digital advertising.
Facebook breach: This is a major breach that must be investigated. It's clear these platforms can't police themselves. I've called for more transparency & accountability for online political ads. They say "trust us." Mark Zuckerberg needs to testify before Senate Judiciary.
- Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) March 17, 2018
The surfacing of this story has raised major questions by American and British lawmakers, many of whom have demanded that Facebook explain its role in data mining. Various voices have spoken out about this problem, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who asked for Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to testify before Senate Judiciary Committee regarding "misusing data from 50 million Americans in order to target political advertising and manipulate voters." Vera Jourová, the justice commissioner for the European Union, echoed this sentiment in a tweet, saying simply, "Horrifying, if confirmed . . . We don't want this in the EU."
Wylie, who is seen as a major whistleblower in this still-unfolding saga, is speaking out to various outlets about the problem in the hopes of illuminating the public - particularly Facebook users - about the usage of their personal data and politics. "This data was used to create profiling algorithms that would allow us to explore mental vulnerabilities of people and then map out ways to inject information into different streams," Wylie told Today on March 19. "This is a company that really took fake news to the next level." Wylie also stressed the ties between Cambridge and Corey Lewandowski, Donald Trump's 2016 campaign manager who Donald Trump fired due to his concerns of how he would handle campaigning nationally.
Facebook has long been held accountable for the platform's effect on the 2016 election, from spreading fake news to enabling Russian meddling. Today, the website has billions of users worldwide - with 1.4 billion active daily - and in America, Facebook is the most widely used social media platform, according to the Pew Research Center. Moreover, over two-thirds of Americans adults get their news from social media, thus highlighting the severity and reach of social networks in spreading information and the urgency behind the need to find solutions for this huge, ongoing threat to American democracy.
So, Melania Trump Is Hosting an Anti-Cyberbullying Event, and People Are ROASTING Her For It
Melania Trump and anti-cyberbullying: two things that go together like toothpaste and orange juice, cats and showers, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, nails and chalkboards, and OK, I'll just stop now because the list could go on for infinite pages. Basically, it's an utterly contradictory combination - and yet Melania chose the fight against cyberbullying as her main priority as first lady, despite the fact that her husband is basically the poster child (yes, child) for harassing people online.
On March 20, Melania hosted her first public event to discuss cyberbullying and internet safety, nearly a year and a half after she announced her focus on the topic at the end of the 2016 presidential campaign. The summit gathered top technology executives from companies like Twitter, Amazon, Facebook, and Google to chat about tactics for preventing internet harassment, according to USA Today.
Needless to say, when people caught wind of this event, they were quick to point out just how contradictory the FLOTUS's move truly was - because as we all know, her husband often hounds people on social media, going so far as to describe other human beings with choice terms like "crooked" and "stupid" and giving other political figures nicknames like "Lyin' Ted" and "Little Rocket Man." Some even thought the entire event was some sort of joke, but alas, this isn't a bunch of "fake news" from The Onion; it's real life. Ahead, see some of the most spot-on reactions to Melania's anti-cyberbullying initiative.
The Internet Made the Best Picture Envelope Into a Meme Because It Has Zero Chill
While the Oscars are known for giving awards to unlikely winners, no one saw the biggest snafu to happen in its history coming: Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announcing the wrong winner, La La Land, for best picture. As cast and crew members were giving their acceptance speeches, La La Land producer Jordan Horowitz realized the mistake and held up the correct envelope showing that Moonlight actually won. The internet couldn't believe the error and knew the only way to take it in stride: to meme the moment. Ahead, check out the funniest memes of Horowitz holding up the best picture envelope, and then catch up on what Barry Jenkins and Mahershala Ali had to say about the win.
3 Dangerous Abortion Myths Were Just Obliterated by This Groundbreaking Study
The inundation of misinformation about abortion is one of the most significant hurdles women face when attempting to make informed decisions about their own reproductive care. Thanks to newly released research from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, at least one pervasive misconception about women's health care can be cleared up once and for all: the false notion that abortion procedures are dangerous. According to the study's conclusions, it's actually restrictive legislation, not the abortion procedure itself, that places women's health in danger.
This newly released study, The Safety and Quality of Abortion Care in the United States, measured the quality of American abortion care against five standards: safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness (care that is based on individual patient needs and preferences), efficiency, and equity. Thirteen independent researchers convened to closely examine the patient experience before, during, and after receiving an abortion. Scientists were able to measure the safety of different abortion methods, determine the types of clinics and clinicians that can safely administer high-quality abortion care, and define the long-term effects an abortion has on the patient.
Find a sampling of the abortion-related myths that this study found to be false below:
Myth #1: Women who receive abortions are at a heightened risk for breast cancer, infertility, and other health problems.
- Having an abortion does not increase a woman's risk of the following physical health problems: secondary infertility, pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders, abnormal placentation, preterm birth, or breast cancer.
- Having an abortion does not increase a woman's risk of the following mental health problems: depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Myth #2: Abortions are highly dangerous procedures.
- Serious complications resulting from an abortion are rare and occur far less frequently than during childbirth.
- Abortions are safer the earlier they are performed, meaning mandatory waiting periods and required precounseling (laws that are in effect in 27 and 35 states, respectively) cause greater risk of complication.
Myth #3: Doctors in hospitals are the only medical professionals who can safely perform abortion procedures.
- Most abortions can be safely performed in office-based settings, meaning a hospital setting is often unnecessary.
- No special equipment or emergency arrangements are required for medication abortions.
- Advanced practice clinicians (APCs), physician assistants (PAs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and nurse practitioners (NPs) can safely and effectively provide medication and aspiration abortions.
- Clinicians performing abortions do not require hospital privileges to ensure a safe outcome for patients.
Dr. Monica R. McLemore, a research scientist at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) and assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco, summarized the study's conclusions to POPSUGAR as a confirmation of what she says abortion care providers have recognized for some time. "The quality of abortion care and patients' experiences of that care are high," McLemore explained, adding that the level of abortion care provided is compromised when lawmakers "create barriers to care by imposing medically unnecessary restrictions that ultimately push abortion out of reach."
"Understanding any actual risks associated with abortion is important because we need to be able to provide medically proven information about all pregnancy decisions - including risks associated with continuing and spacing pregnancies - to anyone who walks through our doors," Dr. McLemore told POPSUGAR.
Barack and Michelle Obama's Powerful Letter to Parkland Survivors Should Be Required Reading
In the wake of last month's deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Barack and Michelle Obama wrote a succinct yet moving letter to comfort the students of Parkland, FL, and offer them positive words of encouragement. The handwritten note, exclusively obtained by Mic, echoed what's likely crossed the minds of many Americans since the tragic event occurred - that the survivors have exhibited admirable resilience while working toward making gun control a reality.
"We wanted to let you know how inspired we have been by the resilience, resolve and solidarity that you have all shown in the wake of unspeakable tragedy," the letter began. "Not only have you supported and comforted each other, but you've helped awaken the conscience of the nation, and challenged decision-makers to make the safety of our children the country's top priority."
The former POTUS and FLOTUS ended their joint message on a motivating note, expressing their faith in the students' ability to kick-start necessary gun control measures, despite the government's slow-moving nature. "Throughout our history, young people like you have led the way in making America better," they wrote. "There may be setbacks; you may sometimes feel like progress is too slow in coming. But we have no doubt you are going to make an enormous difference in the days and years to come, and we will be there for you."
Leave it to our former president and first lady to deliver the thoughtful and empathetic address we needed to read.
The Best Video Games of 2018
If there's one thing we can say for sure, it's that there's never been a better time to be a gamer. With more platforms, more indie developers, and more ways to play than ever, well, there's something out there for everyone, no matter what they're looking for. But it also means that making the decision as to what to buy is harder than ever, so for 2018 we've decided to test some of the hottest new releases and pull out the very best of the best, just for you. Ahead, check out what's already sent our hearts aflutter the last few months, and be sure to check back here each month for our most highly-recommended titles as we make our way through the year.
Here's What Those Russian Facebook Ads We've Heard So Much About Actually Look Like
Thanks to ongoing public hearings in Washington DC centered on Russia's social media meddling during the 2016 election, we finally have our first real look at what it is that Vladimir Putin's fabled troll farms were actually doing. The bad news? Much of what was provided as evidence by the House Intelligence Committee on Nov. 1 is not that far off from what we've come to expect from overzealous Americans on all sides of the political spectrum.
To be clear, only a sampling of the more than 3,000 ads that were purchased in the lead-up to the election have been shared with the public so far. But what is immediately evident to any regular Facebook user is that outside of some very, very misused colloquialisms and a few bizarre cultural interpretations, the extent to which the Russian infiltrators were able to successfully manipulate social tensions is staggering. Tackling everything from Black Lives Matter to gun policy to Islam, the level of sophistication and mimicry present is incredibly hard to wrap your head around, especially when put against a background of fringe voices that are louder now than ever.
Ahead, we've pulled together many of the images released by Congress as evidence for easy viewing. But as California Senator Dianne Feinstein said during the hearings, "What we're talking about is a cataclysmic change. What we're talking about is the beginning of cyberwarfare. What we're talking about is a major foreign power with sophistication and ability to involve themselves in a presidential election and sow conflict and discontent all over this country. We are not going to go away, gentlemen. And this is a very big deal."
From where we stand, with nearly 126 million Americans having seen these downright inflammatory posts and not having thought anything of it - well, we really couldn't agree more. And perhaps being able to put some tangible imagery behind the amorphous idea of Russian meddling will make us all think twice before we scroll past an image such as the ones ahead on any of our social feeds ever again.
The Best Mobile Games of 2018
Let's be honest: in 2018, it's damn near impossible to find a single person in your life who doesn't spend at least a few minutes a day playing games on their phone. And while the good ol' classics remain high up on everyone's list - Candy Crush and Words With Friends, I'm looking at you - there's a whole incredible universe of games out there that are very much worth your time.
So, to make finding those new favorites even easier, we've begun testing some of the hottest titles on the market, and ahead, you can check out the ones we've loved most so far this year. And be sure to check back here as 2018 progresses, as we'll be updating with every new release that you absolutely must download ASAP.
John Oliver Wrote a Children's Book About Mike Pence's Pet Bunny - but Here's the Kicker
John Oliver is now a published children's book author - well, technically, anyway. On Last Week Tonight, the host issued a takedown of Vice President Mike Pence, the individual most often overlooked amid the administration's many scandals and high turnover rate. In particular, Oliver focused on Pence's hard-line stance on LGBTQ+ issues. At the end of the segment, however, Oliver felt compelled to list the one thing he actually likes about the vice president: his pet rabbit, Marlon Bundo.
"That's right: the Pences have a pet rabbit and his name is Marlon Bundo, which - it kills me to say this - is an objectively good name for a bunny," Oliver said. As it turns out, the Pence family is releasing a children's book, Marlon Bundo's Day in the Life of the Vice President, on March 19.
In an epic troll, the crew at Last Week Tonight went ahead and also wrote a children's book about the rabbit. "In a complete coincidence, we also wrote a book about Mike Pence's rabbit that has also been published," Oliver said. Already available online, A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo follows the rabbit as he falls in love with another boy rabbit. The audiobook will feature narration by Jim Parsons, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Jeff Garlin, Ellie Kemper, John Lithgow, Jack McBrayer, and RuPaul.
By the following morning, Oliver's book had already become a bestselling item on Amazon and currently has a perfect five-star rating with nearly 1,000 customer reviews. What's more, all of the proceeds from the book will be donated to The Trevor Project and AIDS United. "You'd be doing a nice thing in a really d*ckish way," Oliver said, encouraging viewers to buy the book. Watch the segment above and skip to 14:20 to hear all about the dueling books.
Donald Trump Tweets He's "Like, Really Smart," and the Jokes Write Themselves
Someone should probably tell Donald Trump that smart people usually don't tweet about being "like, really smart" and "a very stable genius." But it's too late for that because the President already used his Twitter fingers to send out those exact sentiments on Saturday morning. His tweets seemed to be in response to the claims that a number of White House staffers questioned his mental stability.
The report comes from a scathing new book titled Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, which was released this week by Michael Wolff, a media columnist who was "a fly on the wall" in the White House during the early days of Trump's presidency.
Trump's lawyer, Charles Harder, reportedly demanded the tell-all book, which reveals details about Trump's relationship with Melania and his poor eating habits, not be published by citing "defamation, libel, and actual malice," but Wolff went forward with the release anyway; he actually pushed the release date up a few days earlier so the public could read it sooner.
The bold move likely pissed Trump off even further, and it appears the President felt the need to remind us that he is a genius and "like, really smart." Needless to say, the internet had the best reaction to Trump's tweets, and we've rounded up the best of the bunch ahead.
The 1 Character Related to Sirius Black That We Didn't See Coming at All
Harry Potter fans are known to constantly uncover new theories and details in the series. All it takes is one session of rereading a book and suddenly a new link between characters is clear. It's probably how one Reddit user discovered the possibility that Sirius Black's great-great-uncle might be Elphias Doge.
Posted by Reddit user Obversa, the theory involves a lot of history and knowledge of the Harry Potter universe. It boils down to three main points:
- Professor Dumbledore and Phineas Nigellus Black's second son, Phineas Black Jr., were good friends during their time at Hogwarts.
- The relationship between Phineas Nigellus Black Sr. and Dumbledore is both friendly and hostile, because Black Sr. didn't approve of his friendship with his son Black Jr.
- Dumbledore's relationship with Sirius Black was similar to what he had with Black Jr. And Sirius's unfriendly relationship with the portrait of Black Sr. is because Black Sr. sees Sirius repeating the same "mistakes" as Black Jr.
How does Black Jr. somehow become Elphias Doge? Well, based on when Dumbledore went to Hogwarts and the timing of when Black Jr. was born, they would've gone to the school at the same time. It was their friendship and Dumbledore's influence over Doge on Muggle-born rights that drove Black Sr. to disown him as his son. And though Doge is a pureblood, there's no record of his family in Harry Potter Limited Edition - A Guide to the Graphic Arts Department: Posters, Prints, and Publications from the Harry Potter Films, meaning perhaps he is a pureblood - but of another family, the Black family.
Still curious to fully understand how Doge and Sirius Black are related? Read the full theory below.
[Harry Potter] Elphias Doge is none other than Phineas Black [Jr.], the disowned great-great-uncle of Sirius Black. Thus, he is / was the last remaining Black. from FanTheories
The Viral Story of an Abandoned Dog Found in a Garbage Bag Will Make Your Heart Cry
Malissa Sergent Lewis was driving through her hometown of Harlan, KY, when she noticed a black garbage bag moving along the side of the road. Curious, Lewis went to inspect the bag only to find an abandoned puppy inside of it. Though the puppy had a collar, it didn't have a tag.
In an interview with The Dodo, Lewis explained the unexpected and horrifying discovery. "I could hardly wrap my mind around that," she said. "Something was alive in that bag, and I just knew I had to get whatever it was out." As one might imagine, the dog was relieved to be found. "As soon as I opened it up, and he saw light, he just started wagging his tail. He knew he was OK," she said.
Lewis has yet to figure out the circumstances surrounding the dog's abandonment, but investigators are reportedly looking into it. Lewis did share the miraculous story on Facebook in a series of videos that have gone viral with close to 20,000 shares. Accompanying the videos is a caption that states, "If this is your puppy, let me know. If you are the scoundrel who put it in a garbage bag and tossed it on the side of the road . . . you're a sicko."
Lewis is currently trying to find a permanent home for the dog, but she will continue to foster it until that happens. Perhaps one of those 900,000 viewers might be interested?
Every Emotional Photo You Need to See From Barack and Michelle Obama's Portrait Unveiling
A little over a year after departing the White House, Barack and Michelle Obama unveiled their official portraits at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery on Feb. 12. Much like the former president's time in office, the portraits are unique and unprecedented in their use of prints, vibrant colors, and personality.
Kehinde Wiley painted Mr. Obama's official portrait, while Amy Sherald painted that of Mrs. Obama. The two have made history as the first black artists to create official presidential portraits for the Smithsonian, with Wiley also being the first openly LGBTQ+ artist to do so.
"To call this experience humbling would be an understatement," the former president wrote on Instagram. "Thanks to Kehinde and Amy, generations of Americans - and young people from all around the world - will visit the National Portrait Gallery and see this country through a new lens. They'll walk out of that museum with a better sense of the America we all love. Clear-eyed. Big-hearted. Inclusive and optimistic."
The unveiling ceremony was filled with many heartwarming moments, like when Mr. Obama stopped to just stare up at the former first lady's portrait. Ahead, enjoy every emotional picture from the historic event.
Yes, I'm a Stoner - but Here's Why You Shouldn't F*cking Judge Me
When you hear the word "stoner," the first thing that probably comes to mind is people like Jeff Spicoli, Cheech and Chong, Snoop Dogg, and others. While these pop culture potheads are definitely icons in many regards, the true stoner stereotype is outdated, to say the least. The phrase is no longer limited to lazy or male users - today's stoners are 35 percent female (and growing year after year) and span across all generations from Baby Boomers down to Gen Z. Among 10,000-plus respondents in a 2016 consumer report by Eaze, 51 percent of participating cannabis consumers had a degree or postgraduate degree, 91 percent were employed full-time, and 22 percent were parents. Essentially, the modern cannabis user completely shatters all existing stereotypes.
Take me, for example. I smoke or vape weed as soon as I get home each day and often enjoy my weekends in an elevated state of mind. I'm not any less active, less intelligent, or less of a contributor to society than someone who's never used pot. "But stoners are so lazy," some might say. Let's clarify: stoners are lazy when they're high, similar to how anyone's unproductive when they're drunk. The only difference is that functional stoners can actually get sh*t done - can you say the same for yourself after a few drinks? Just as how you wouldn't show up to work intoxicated, we too can be trusted to use responsibly. Think of my end-of-the day joint in the same way as your glass of wine, except I don't wake up with a hangover. In fact, ingesting weed poses little to no health risk, which can't be said about alcohol.
The main reason marijuana continues to be a polarizing topic is due to the lack of education. Sure, weed is fabulous for recreational use, but its ability to change and save lives should be reason enough to sway critics. Keep in mind that long before Big Pharma vilified weed to reduce competition and before President Nixon classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug (the same category as heroin) in 1970, ancient cultures were using it as herbal medicine. Today, cannabis is straddling the line between drug and wellness product - despite our country's current opioid epidemic.
According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the leading cause of accidental death in the US was drug overdose. Among 52,404 lethal overdoses, 20,101 of them were related to prescription pain relievers. You want to call marijuana the "gateway drug"? Ninety percent of new heroin users all started out from misusing prescription painkillers. So before you begin to judge me or anyone else for using cannabis, please consider all the facts first - and we'll take stoner as a compliment.
Solve the Brain-Teaser That Is Driving People on Facebook Insane
Hmm... Can you solve this?
I honestly have NO clue! I hope you guys can tell me ☆ SHARE and see if your friends Can! ☆
FOLLOW ME! ☺☺☺
Posted by Lisa Woelke on Friday, January 29, 2016
Facebook user Lisa Woelke shared a brain-teaser that has been driving the Internet nuts. The post - which has been shared by more than 170,000 users - depicts a math equation with fruit items in lieu of numbers. For example, it can be deduced from the first line that one apple is equivalent to the number 10. Harmless enough, right? Wrong.
The most common answer for the remaining final line was 16 - and you shouldn't be discouraged if that's the answer you arrived at . . . it just isn't the correct one. The final answer is actually 14. You might be asking yourself, "What the what?" as you ponder the degeneration of your math skills, but it's OK. We can work through this together.
So yes, one apple equals 10, one banana bunch equals four, and the coconuts equal two. However, the final line alters the coconuts and bananas so that they are each missing one, respectively. In the case of the last line, there is only one coconut - equaling one - and three bananas in the bunch, which equal three. So one apple (10) plus one coconut (one) and three bananas (three) equal 14. Voilà!
33 Sure Signs That You're an Empath
Do you pick up on the vibe of a room the moment you walk in? Can you almost always tell when someone is lying? Do you just generally have A LOT of feelings? You're probably an empath. You may be familiar with the spectrum of personality types between introverts and extroverts, but empaths are a whole other type of personality you may not know about. Empaths are often (but not always) more introverted, but the key aspect of the personality type is an empath's ability to relate to and absorb the feelings of other people. Empaths are extremely sensitive to their surroundings, and they are very affected by the energies of those around them.
There are positives to being an empath; for instance, they are sympathetic, caring, and understanding. They are intuitive and have the ability to influence the mood and energy around them. Empaths are good listeners and caretakers, and they are known for their compassion for others. However, being an empath definitely has its challenges. Because they are so sensitive, they can sometimes have difficulty differentiating other people's energy from their own. Commercials, movies, books, TV, the news, seeing the struggles of others - anything with an emotional element can affect empaths on a deeper level. Outside circumstances and situations can have a huge impact on the mental - and even physical - state of an empath. Empaths can unconsciously mirror other people's habits and moods, and for better or worse, they can soak up the energy around them. Empaths need to make sure to care for themselves in addition to caring for the rest of the world. Here are some signs you're an empath.
- You're extremely intuitive.
- It's easy for you to tell when people are lying.
- The energy of other people can change your own energy.
- You get "gut feelings" often (and they're almost always right).
- You often feel other people's pain.
- You consider yourself an introvert.
- You need to be near water.
- You often find yourself absorbing other people's emotions (both good and bad).
- You can get overwhelmed when surrounded by a lot of people.
- People feel like they can come to you when they have a problem.
- You're very sensitive.
- You love to be outside in nature because it revitalizes you.
- Being around certain people can make you feel drained.
- You feel physically or emotionally sick when seeing upsetting things in the news, on TV, or in movies.
- Your mood changes depending on who you're in a room with.
- You feel the same feeling around a specific person each time you see them.
- You have a big heart.
- You constantly seek answers for everything.
- You know that your energy can change the atmosphere around you.
- You go back and forth between being very expressive and very reclusive.
- You sometimes find yourself putting others' needs before your own.
- You value your alone time.
- You're a good listener.
- You deal with stomach issues and chronic fatigue due to emotional stress.
- You know and understand things, without needing any explanation.
- You are a creative type.
- You're a big animal-lover.
- You always need to know the truth and do not like deceit.
- You're a free spirit and find yourself daydreaming often.
- You're prone to mood swings (based on the environment you're in at the time).
- You're extremely open-minded and accepting of all people and lifestyles.
- You won't let a problem go until you find a satisfying solution.
- You sense things that other people miss.
The 3 Most Important Decorating Elements, According to a Designer
The way Shannon Smith transforms a bare apartment into a cozy home might cause you to confuse her for a magician, or an interior design fairy godmother at the very least. The Homepolish interior designer can do wonders to a space no matter how tight the budget or small the square footage.
The secret to creating a stunning home, she says, is to focus on three things when decorating. "I am a firm believer that you don't need a lot of stuff to make your space feel finished. If you consider these three things - texture, color, and scale - you can make any space feel cozy."
Keep reading to hear what Shannon has to say about approaching each.
What Guests Really Notice in Your Home
If the idea of getting your home company-ready is keeping you from hosting a dinner party or even your out-of-town in-laws, we can help. Sure, you could spend all day cleaning and decorating in anticipation, but who has the time? Here are the only things you really need to do before your guests arrive. Don't worry - they are nothing but easy.
- Additional reporting by Miranda Jones
The Scent of Your Home
Decor isn't the first thing guests notice when they walk through your door - it's the smell. Whether you're concerned about the fish you cooked the night before or your dog skipping a bath - or worse, the scents you've become noseblind to - put your mind at ease by lighting a candle or simmering a small pot of citrus peels and cinnamon sticks a half hour before guests arrive. We can't get enough of these yummy-smelling candles - all under $50.
A Well-Stocked Bar
After greeting guests, the first thing that you will want to do is offer them a drink. You don't need to be full service, but make sure you have the home bar basics covered.
Fresh Flowers
Flowers are the only decoration a house really ever needs, no matter the occasion (although we feel pretty strongly about candles too!). To get the most bang out of your buck, buy potted flowers like these orchids. They may look delicate, but with proper care, they will last for a month or longer.
The Lack of Clutter
Even if you don't have time to do a deep cleaning, you can still organize your clutter. Get a tray or a set of lidded boxes for each room and corral all the odds and ends - remotes, keys, mail - in one place. Guests will feel relaxed in a space that appears organized, even if it is just for show!
A Tidy Bathroom
Before guests arrive, make sure your bathroom has clean hand towels and enough toilet paper. Extra points for wiping down surfaces and lighting a candle!
An Organized Entryway
Not only is it the first place and last place that your guests will see, your entryway is also where they will be dropping their coats and bags. Depending on how much room you have, add a coat rack, umbrella stand, and a place to sit while taking shoes on or off.
40+ Recipes That Make Feeding a Crowd a Breeze
Cooking for a crowd, be it a large family gathering or a dinner party, can be a bit of a challenge. Most recipes are scaled to yield four to six servings, and while many can be doubled with some basic math, it's certainly nice to have a handful of options that can be made as is. Here, we've rounded up more than 40 recipes that serve at least eight, including a variety of casseroles, soups, and slow-cooker dishes.
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.
What on Earth Is in Starbucks's Crystal Ball Frappuccino? We Have Your Answer
Unless you've been living under a rock for the past week, you're likely well aware that Starbucks is releasing a Crystal Ball Frappuccino that's sure to go just as viral as that Unicorn Frapp did last year. As soon as the news of this limited-edition beverage leaked, the entire internet collectively freaked out as baristas graciously teased the world with plenty of sneak peeks.
So, what's this mystical, Instagram-worthy drink made of? We touched base with a Starbucks representative to get the lowdown, and they described it as "a crème-based Frappuccino infused with peach flavor and turquoise sparkles that create an enchanting marbling effect." Oh, and it's topped with peach-flavored whipped cream, too. It looks like Starbucks is super excited about peach-growing season, and we're totally not opposed. This sugary concoction sounds effing delicious, and it looks like baristas agree that the taste is out of this world.
Besides the marbled look of the beverage itself, perhaps the most magical aspect of this frozen treat is the colorful candy "gems" sprinkled on top of the whipped cream. The Starbucks rep told us how every customer's Frapp will either be topped with blue, green, or purple candy bits, and each color signifies a different fortune. The blue gems mean you're "destined for adventure," while the green ones are a sign of good luck. And the purple candy gems? Those denote that "magic, wonder, and enchantment are headed your way." The baristas decide what color of candy sparkles you'll get, so your fate is up to them. *Cue dramatic music*
Starbucks's Crystal Ball Frappuccino is here for a good time, not a long time, as it will only be available from March 22 to March 26 while supplies last. Get ready for some long lines, fellow Frapp addicts, because this one's sure to be pretty darn popular.
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.
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