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 30 mars 2018
21 #MealPrep Ideas That Are Anything but Boring
Do you #MealPrep? Meal prepping, or making your weekly breakfasts, lunches, and sometimes dinners ahead of time, is the craze sweeping the nation. Many self-confessed meal preppers often take to Instagram to show off their ingenuity and handiwork. People on special diets, such as Paleo or those on Weight Watchers, have long enjoyed meal prepping, since it can be hard to pick up dishes that conform to their strict needs on a whim.
Now, meal prepping is going mainstream as more and more people try to get a handle on the week ahead. It's also a great way to ensure you eat healthy and often for less than buying meals out. In fact, meal prepping is getting a downright gourmet makeover - check out these 21 inspiring examples of #mealprep!
This Is the Kind of Partner an INTJ Personality Needs
While there are plenty of traits that make INTJs awesome people, we're admittedly not the easiest personality type to figure out. Our analytical and overthinking nature is both a blessing and a curse, making the search for romantic compatibility our biggest challenge. But luckily, we're also known to love a good challenge. We approach relationships in the same way we do everything else: with precision, rationale, and an end goal. We think with our heads - not our hearts - which can be frustrating when love is literally built on emotion. So, let's see what kind of people best fit "the architect" of Myers Briggs personalities.
According to 16 Personalities, an INTJ's partner must be Intuitive (N), "as sharing this trait creates an immediate sense of mutual belonging." Someone who possesses one or two opposing traits to balance out the relationship can also keep things "dynamic and growth-oriented," as INTJs often have difficulty expressing their emotions and function well alone. For example, a partner with traits like Extraversion (E), Feeling (F), or Prospecting (P) can complement an (I) Introverted, (N) Intuition, (T) Thinking, and (J) Judging personality type.
Honesty is key when it comes to having a healthy relationship with an INTJ. They value open communication and open-mindedness and need a partner who can reciprocate those things. They're also known to cut straight through the bullsh*t, so don't expect any mind games during the dating stage. At first, INTJs may seem detached or cold, but don't take it personally. It takes time to gain their trust because they detest meaningless relationships and inauthenticity. But once you've earned their loyalty, INTJs can be amazing partners.
16 Personalities says "they will spare no effort in developing and maintaining stability and long-term satisfaction" if the relationship proves to have potential and will make sure their partner is satisfied intellectually and physically. "As their relationships develop, INTJs' partners will find an imaginative and enthusiastic companion,who will share their world and at the same time grant a huge degree of independence and trust."
Can This Ridiculous-Looking $4 Contraption Actually Make Your Avocados Last Longer?
I did not realize it was possible to feel secondhand embarrassment for an inanimate object. Not until someone sent me an Avo Saver. What in god's name is this thing? I asked myself as I unwrapped the green plastic orb, replete with a tiny harness, from a cardboard box it was sent in as part of a promo from Genius Kitchen. A car seat for my uneaten halves of fruit? An S&M accoutrement meant to spice up my refrigerator's sex life?
It turns out, the Avo Saver is a remarkably inexpensive kitchen tool meant to prolong the life of your leftover avocado halves - or, according to the far more dramatic Avo Saver product description, "reduce a cut avocado's exposure to air, greatly slowing the destructive oxidization process." As I write this, you can find one on Amazon for a very reasonable $4.37, which is about the same price as two avocados at my local grocery store.
Still, dear reader, I will admit I openly mocked the Avo Saver:
Almost immediately after I posted those pictures on Instagram Stories, multiple friends slid into my DMs to defend the Avo Saver's honor. "I love mine . . . and I got mom one, too," my sister countered. "Omg we have it! It's great," my friend Jackie enthused. "It does look like a strap on!! However, it totally works!"
Putting the Avo Saver to the Test
These messages made me realize my shame over owning and potentially using such a yuppie-esque and seemingly unnecessary kitchen tool did not overwhelm my curiosity as to whether it would actually work. This is because, like most millennials, our shared addiction to avocados has rendered my boyfriend and me unable to afford a roof over our heads, and we eke out our healthy-fats-fueled existence by working odd jobs in the gig economy and selling sponsored Snapchat posts. (Just kidding. We live in an apartment and both have regular full-time jobs. But we do really, really love avocados.)
I decided to devise a controlled experiment. On Friday morning I stopped at the grocery store, where I grabbed two avocados that were about the same size and ripeness. I decided to skip the organic kind, guessing that chemical-ridden avocados that had been mistreated all their lives might be more susceptible to the "destructive oxidization process." I was already pretty skeptical of the Avo Saver; last year I tried a viral trick that promised wrapping avocados in foil and baking them at low heat for 20 minutes or so would make them ripe. (FYI, it actually just makes them warm and ruined.)
Day 1
At lunchtime, I cut both avocados in half. They looked remarkably similar; they weren't going to win any avocado beauty contests, but they were decent. I kept the half with the pit in it from both avocados. Some people argue leaving the pits in helps the browning process, and the Avo Saver features a cutout meant for the pit to nestle in, anyway. One avocado had a brown spot I decided to wedge out with a knife. I put both of them in the refrigerator: the lefthand avocado in the Avo Saver and the righthand one in a regular resealable sandwich bag.
Day 2
It had been 24 hours, and I wanted to see how my avocados had held up. I took both out of the refrigerator and was surprised to find they looked pretty much the same. They'd both gotten a little browner and spottier, but there were no major differences. (The Avo Saver avocado is once again on the left and the sandwich-bag version is on the right.)
Day 3
Another 24 hours went by. The avocados (Avo Saver on the left, plastic bag on the right) had both gotten slightly funkier looking, but nothing had changed dramatically. Again, I couldn't really tell any significant difference between the two. I also decided that 36 hours was long enough for this experiment to go on because eating a four-day-old avocado sounded really unappealing. Also, I was hungry. I tried slices of each one - they tasted the same. Truly, the one I'd kept in a plastic bag was maybe even a little more buttery.
The Verdict
The Avo Saver didn't really seem to do anything miraculous when it came to preserving the avocado I kept in it, but it did work just as well as other storage methods I've tried. And there is a major upside to this tool: it's a far less wasteful method than the one I typically use, which is to plop my leftover avocado half in a disposable plastic bag. (I know. Don't @ me.) With that in mind, is the Avo Saver worth the cost of a single morning latte? I'd say so.
This Colorful Giant Rainbow Float Fits You - and a Few of Your Friends!
Somewhere over the rainbow . . . is an amazing Summer just waiting to happen! We've seen pool floats for the wine-lovers, millennials, and even the unicorn-lovers, but now there's a whimsical float for the dreamers who have their heads in the clouds! This incredible giant float is perfect for Summer pool parties, snapping Instagram pictures with friends, and lounging in the sun. It's also huge and fits up to three adults - so I'm planning to pose with my two BFFs for endless snaps.
The float is available on Amazon for only $43, which is a total steal considering how large it is! You get a lot of float for your buck - so snag one ASAP! Countdown to sun starts now!
6 Decluttering Tips For the Overwhelmed
As someone who has struggled with anxiety for most of my life, I've gotten pretty good at recognizing what my triggers are. Over the years, I've noticed how much of an impact my external environment has on my overall mood and stress levels. Any type of disruption or chaos immediately activates the alarm to sound in my brain, telling me to panic. This could be out in public in a crowded place, but more often than not, it happens when I'm home and feeling like my house is in disorder.
I've always felt a home should be a sanctuary - a sort of sacred space. When it's disorganized and cluttered, my brain feels disorganized and cluttered too. The solution seems obvious, right? Just get organized and stay organized. The problem for someone with anxiety is that getting organized can feel so debilitating and overwhelming that it doesn't seem possible. I used to feel that way too. These tips have helped me approach decluttering in a way that doesn't terrify me, but instead empowers me to make positive changes.
1. Create a Positive Purpose
I'm a big believer in the power of positive thinking. When it comes to staving off anxiety when trying to get organized, your mindset can make or break you. Trust me, I've experienced this first hand. I used to take one look at my cluttered closet with clothes haphazardly thrown in and think, "You've really screwed up, buddy. This is going to take you a year to get organized!" The moment that negative seed was planted, I became so panicked that I determined it wasn't even worth the effort. I set myself up for failure before I even began.
All it took was a little shift in my thinking to get me on the right track to stress-free organization. Now, when I'm ready to tackle a big decluttering project that has the potential to be overwhelming, I start with simply defining why I want to get organized in the first place. I think about how accomplished I'll feel when I complete it. And most importantly, I remind myself that no one is measuring my progress. If it takes me a few months to get one space organized, who cares? I take all of the pressure off of myself and focus on my why.
2. Make a Plan
Just because you're in a positive frame of mind doesn't mean you're ready to put all of your Target storage containers to use right off the bat. Anxiety is unpredictable, but for me, having a plan in place when I know I'm apt to be stressed is critical. Write down everything in your life you believe would benefit from decluttering. It could be an entire room, a certain drawer or closet, or even something like your email inbox. If it actually worsens your anxiety by being unorganized, it needs to go in the list. Then prioritize. What's causing you the most turmoil? What can you live with until you can get to is? Once you have your list of most to least important, you can really dig into the details.
For example, if your number one priority is to get your closet organized, list everything you know you will need to make that successful. Do you need to go through clothes to try them and/or donate them? Do you need to get some extra shelving? Do you need to search Pinterest first? Remember, you have no set date of completion, so take some time with this step and get it all down. I prefer to use the old-fashioned pen and paper method to transcribe my plan, but you can use anything your heart desires. Use your iPad, computer, phone, chalkboard, napkin, the arm of a loved one - I don't freakin' care! Just make a plan!
3. Set a Time and Stick to It
This is the part where I think people can get the most overwhelmed. Getting started is often the hardest part, so even with a plan, looking at all the tasks that you want to accomplish can be intimidating and anxiety inducing. Start small. Pick a day of the week to start, choose from your #1 Priority Project, and set the timer for a time you feel comfortable with. Even if it's five minutes, try it and see how you feel. If after five minutes you feel like you can do some more, then do it. Remember, whether you're taking big bites or small bites, eventually you're going to finish the whole damn thing. Just commit to starting.
4. Make It Fun
This goes along with the notion of positive thinking. Instead of thinking of how you'd rather be doing pretty much anything else in the world than decluttering, pump yourself up for it. As crazy as it sounds, I actually make organizing time my self-care time. I may pour myself a glass of wine or make myself a fancy cocktail to sip while I'm doing my thing. I also invested in a pair of wireless headphones so I'm either listening to music or listening to an audio book. The entire experience is actually something I look forward to. Once you transition from looking at it as a chore to something not only productive, but enjoyable, you will feel so much less overwhelmed and more motivated.
5. Forget Perfection
Unfortunately, the most challenging part of decluttering for me isn't the getting started, but rather the completion. Once I start with my organization, sometimes it's hard for me to stick to the plan I set for myself. Or worse, I set up unrealistic expectations. I get carried away, and if my drawers or closets don't look magazine worthy, I start to panic. Perfectionism is a longtime struggle for me, and I know it is for other people too. Don't let it get the best of you. Stick to your plan, complete your tasks, commend yourself on your accomplishment, and move on. Remember your purpose is not perfection.
6. Make It Stick
Once you've completed your first big decluttering project, it's important to have a "Stick to It" plan. This doesn't need to be involved, but take mental notes (or if you like to write, you can take actual notes) on what you need to do to continue to keep the space organized. Again, this shouldn't be overwhelming, but instead should provide you with some peace of mind. You worked hard to get yourself organized, and not sticking to it is going to land you in the same place you were before.
If you feel like you could benefit from some organization in your life and you suffer from anxiety, don't lose hope! Whether you use all of these tips or a few, or create your own version of them, you have the ability to declutter anxiety-free.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Home - No Chemicals Required
Nothing ruins a good Summer day or relaxing evening like the buzz and irritating bites of mosquitoes. While these bothersome creatures don't look like much, their bites pack a mean punch, and they can even pass on dangerous diseases like malaria and Zika. But before you throw up your hands in frustration and give your home and outdoor space over to these maddening insects, try some of these quick tips and DIYs to help repel them, and turn your outdoor space into an oasis.
I Tried Making Poke Cake For the First Time and Here's What Happened
One day, POPSUGAR's Fitness director, Michele Foley, stopped me in the hallway to tell me about poke cake. "Have you ever had it? It's the best. cake. I've. ever. eaten. Cherry Jell-O and yellow cake mix with Cool Whip as the frosting. Total Midwest appeal. It came out light and airy and the Jell-O gave it tartness." Poking a cake and filling it with Jell-O sounded terrible to me and boggled my mind that two seemingly opposite textures could EVER work out together. Nonetheless, if the fitness editor vouched for something so passionately, I couldn't blow it off! I had to conduct a group taste test. Despite my initial bias, I gathered the ingredients anyway and hoped for the best.
I am the biggest fan of yellow box cake, even more than homemade cake, because it's moist and ultra vanilla-y without fail. The experiment started off happily. I whisked the cake mix, melted butter (I used Trader Joe's Cultured Salted Butter, because I was feeling fancy), and eggs together and transferred the batter to a buttered casserole dish. When I pulled the cake out of the oven, the air around me smelled like the '90s and childhood birthdays. I got drunk with nostalgia before my stomach tightened with the realization that I could screw up this perfectly good cake by dumping a whole bunch of Jell-O on top of it.
As the cake cooled by the window, I turned my attention to the next step. At this time, I should probably admit that I didn't go for brand-named Jell-O. I opted for a raspberry-flavored jel dessert, since that's all my closest grocery store carried. I dumped the contents in boiling water, stirred it around, and tasted it, just to see how bad I was about to ruin my cake. Only . . . the naturally flavored jel dessert tasted like raspberry Sweetarts (if that ever were to exist) with no funny aftertaste. I relaxed a little. This experiment might go over well!
I poked the cake a little too excessively on top, because I really wanted to let that jel dessert seep into the cake, even though Kraft recommends 1/2-inch intervals. Unlike Jell-O, which sets in the fridge, this product practically gels up within minutes. Despite my best intentions, as soon as I poured it over the cake, some of it seeped into the holes, but a lot of it set on top of the cake in a thin layer. I panicked, before thinking, "Whatever! I'm just going to ice this sucker anyway and see what happens."
As I cut into the cake and took out the first slice, I did notice how moist the cake turned out. However, as you can see, this particular poke cake doesn't have the stunning fluorescent streaks that make poke cake recipes famous. I was devastated, but only for a second, because I took a bite and became a poke cake believer. First off, unlike most cakes, this one isn't sweet. It's light and refreshing, almost like you are eating clouds. Until, like me, you have two huge slices and need to loosen your belt a notch. There's no odd Jell-O consistency in the cake. All you get is the semisalty vanilla cake combined with the slightly tart raspberry flavor. The whipped topping (found in the freezer section of most groceries) offered more of a textural component than flavor; it's remarkably fluffy.
Every taster at POPSUGAR gave it rave reviews, though there was one complaint and that's the cake doesn't have any textural contrast. If you need a little crunch in your cake, add some sprinkles on top! I may have missed out on the beautiful streaks this round. I'll keep practicing until I get that skill down, because I definitely intend to make this cake again and again. I'm convinced there's no better crowd-pleaser than this "recipe."
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.
23 Whole Foods Staples For Busy People
I may or may not have chosen my apartment based on its one-and-a-half-block proximity to a Whole Foods . . . What can I say? I'm a native Texan and have been a fan for life, having grown up going to the second-ever location in Houston. Admittedly, I sometimes do feel like I'm shopping at Whole Paycheck, but I know I'm investing in my health and in high-quality brands. When it comes to the staples in my life, from milk and butter to berries and yogurt, I buy them all from Whole Foods. These are the products that always end up in my basket.
The True Confessions of an Ex-Vegan
A rescued Thanksgiving turkey and me, in 2010, having been vegan for just over two years
I am a food editor who is a former hard-core vegan. Today I may eat the worldwide gamut of food, but if you had talked to me between the ages of 19 and 22, I would have turned my nose at anything containing dairy, eggs, seafood, or meat. For two and a half years of my three-year stint as a vegan, I lived in Los Angeles, the land of celebrities, yogis, and health-conscious people in general. Every corner had a vegan restaurant and green juice joint, and there was fresh kale and berries aplenty, year-round. I felt utterly convinced that I was doing the right thing for the planet, for animals, and for my health. However, all that changed when I moved to New York City upon graduating college.
I always knew I wanted to be a food writer/editor, so I packed my bags and headed to New York City to attend a plant-based culinary school. "What sort of food writer is vegan?" my mom exasperatedly questioned me. I never saw it as a limitation, even when I dined at some of the finest restaurants in the world. In fact, I believed the best chefs were the ones who could produce a vegan tasting menu full of creative, interesting flavors, rather than simply serve a plate of steamed broccoli. I still think this is true.
When I arrived in New York City, I immediately immersed myself in the vegan community. I worked as a chocolatier in a vegan chocolate/wine shop, attended yoga classes every day at a notoriously vegan studio, and joined all the vegan meetups I could. My weight (and energy) were at all-time lows, yet I attributed it to my busy schedule and the rigor of city life. The only thing I couldn't handle was the hunger. Sure, being vegan, I felt my stomach grumble every couple of hours, though in New York, I felt painfully hungry constantly.
And then, I started dreaming of steak. I mean, x-rated, slow-mo, sizzling food-porn dreams. I'd wake up in a panic and run to the kitchen to stuff myself with spoonfuls of peanut butter, pea protein powder smoothies, and leftover lentils. Despite attempting to eat every type of vegan protein known to mankind, I'd always leave the kitchen unsatisfied, salivating, and angry because I still envisioned a big hunk of charcoal-grilled steak with bloody juices seeping onto the plate.
"If your body is trying to tell you on a subconscious level that it needs the nutrients from a steak, then listen to it."
I was in such a conflicted state. Perhaps it was part pride (I'm saving the environment; emotional, sentient beings; and myself by being vegan) and part fear (how can I face my job, my yoga studio, my vegan friends, and my vegan sister if I decide to quit?). I neglected those steak dreams for three months before I finally booked an appointment with Annemarie Colbin, the founder of Natural Gourmet Institute, who has a Ph.D. in holistic nutrition.
I told her my predicament. "I'm vegan and I'm dreaming of steak," I shamefully admitted. She looked at me amused. "Then you must eat steak," she responded matter-of-factly. I exasperatedly explained, "You don't understand. I can't just eat steak. I've made a commitment! Isn't there some bean-grain combo that can give me the nutrients I need and make these dreams disappear?!" She shook her head. "If your body is trying to tell you on a subconscious level that it needs the nutrients from a steak, then listen to it."
I didn't listen to her then. Instead, I tried to deny the truth and became obsessive about which grains to pair with which beans to form complete proteins. Nothing was working. Then, I started to dream of salmon, too. Flaky, Asian-glazed salmon with a crisp skin. Waking up from those dreams was agonizing, and I'd shlep to the kitchen to eat my sad, slimy bowl of sprouted amaranth cereal.
Right before Christmas, a few friends from culinary school planned a trip to go to a farm in upstate New York to learn how to slaughter chickens. Despite growing up around hunting camps and hunters, never in my life would I have considered killing an animal for food. I was so ravenously hungry, the thought of doing so excited me. My primal needs to hunt and eat meat were kicking in. Though I didn't join them on that trip, it was a turning point. It was time to break up with veganism.
Me, in June 2014, at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen
I went home for the holidays and spoke to my vegan sister. While we were getting ready for Christmas dinner, I whispered to her, "I think I'm going to eat a steak on New Year's." Eyeing my ghostly complexion and exposed ribs, she didn't even blink before saying, "Yeah, that's a good idea." I don't know why I needed that green light, but I did. No one in my family, save for my sister, thought I'd actually go for a filet mignon on New Year's, until the waiter took my order, and I said, "I'll take the eight-ounce, medium." And that was that.
I watched the plate of steaming steak waltz through the dining room until it finally landed in front of me. The caramelized crust, the bloody juices, and the unmistakeable, smoky aroma matched the steak of my dreams. And that first bite - lord have mercy - that first bite couldn't have been more perfect. I danced in my seat with giddiness, feeling rebellious and relieved all at once. A lot of people claim that going back to meat can be upsetting on the stomach, but I didn't have a single problem. The same went for returning to dairy.
The biggest challenge of giving up veganism was realizing how much I had let it define me and influence my relationships. I became aware of how enraged and difficult I was. Over the past few years, I didn't have much compassion toward fellow humans, and I blamed them for factory farming and their lack of consciousness. I demanded that my friends and family go to vegan restaurants and questioned them for their eating habits constantly.
Today, I think I have a much healthier approach to food and, most importantly, to fellow humans. I tend to sway toward fresh produce, legumes, and grains, with some meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs, of course. I support my local farmers and fishers so that hopefully there will be better options in the world and fewer factory farms. Sure, wild, grass-fed, and organic is way more expensive, but it feels better to me to eat higher quality less of the time than to eat meat for every meal.
This experience taught me that my body is constantly evolving. What works in one city, in one period of my life, may not work in another. It's all about being open, experimenting, and seeking the guidance of professionals when necessary. Oh, and creating balance. The key word is definitely balance.
I'm Not OK - H&M Just Restocked My Favorite Designer-Looking Loafers For $30
Last year, I discovered these H&M Loafers ($30) and bought them in an instant. Plenty of other fashion-obsessed girls like myself quickly discovered the designer-lookalike shoes, and, like all good things, they were sold out a week later. I have worn them regularly since then, and I can honestly say that they are one of the best purchases I made in the last year (and I buy a lot of stuff).
The black leather loafers are incredibly comfortable - I walk around all day and have never gotten a blister in them. They have held up incredibly well over the past six months and have traveled with me from coast to coast. The gold embellishments give them a luxe touch, so I slip them on when I want to be comfortable yet polished. They go great with jeans, dresses, trousers, skirts, and everything in between.
If you don't want the black pair, these loafers also come in a powder-pink color that's very versatile. I suggest buying them as soon as possible before they sell out all over again. You'll be doing yourself a favor. Take it from me: they're an excellent purchase.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Had a Fashion Moment Every Couple Could Relate To
While Angelina Jolie is one of the most stylish women on the red carpet, that doesn't mean all the characters she plays are up to par. But in her self-directed film, By the Sea, Angelina took on the role of Vanessa, an unbelievably chic woman living in France during the '70s. One fashion item she's always got on hand? A pair of oversize sunglasses.
The importance of the accessory is outlined in Angelina's Nov. 2015 cover feature for WSJ Magazine:
Jolie was equally painstaking about By the Sea's 1970s period wardrobe - including her oversize sunglasses, which [Brad] Pitt's character, Roland, keeps righting for his wife after she tosses them, a lot, onto tables, a mini pas de deux Jolie took from their former marriage. "Brad hates that I always scratch my glasses," she said, adding that in the film, the gesture shows that Roland still cares for her character, Vanessa. "Even when he wants to punch her in the face, he still fixes her glasses!"
While Angelina and Brad didn't suffer the same troubles as their characters, we love the poetic license Angelina took, turning a simple couple's quirk into a weighty symbol for her movie. Whether you're watching Angelina on screen or on the street, there's no denying the lady looks good in her shades, from aviators to a fierce cat-eye silhouette. Read on for 17 pictures that are pure proof.
15 Mules Your Feet Are Waiting to Wear This Spring - All Under $50
Mules are definitely having a moment right now. We've been spotting these versatile shoes on celebs and all over Fashion Week. The best part about this trendy shoe: it comes in a variety of styles to choose from. From flat loafer-inspired picks to sleek kitten heels, it's hard to not want them all. If you're ready to treat yourself to a new pair (or two!), you don't have to break the bank to do so. We rounded up a list of favorites, and everything is under $50. Yes, really.
jeudi 29 mars 2018
Expectant Parents Michael Bublé and Luisana Lopilato Are Positively BEAMING at the Junos
Michael Bublé and Luisana Lopilato were all smiles as they attended the Juno Awards in Vancouver, Canada, on Sunday. The couple, who is expecting their third child together, was beaming as they posed for photos on the red carpet. The two are already parents to sons Noah, 4, and Elias, 2. While the Canadian singer and host of the event looked sharp in a navy suit, his wife looked absolutely radiant as she showed off her growing baby bump in a black sequined gown.
The pair certainly have a lot to celebrate. In November 2016, Michael revealed that their eldest son was diagnosed with liver cancer and had begun chemotherapy. After taking some time away from the spotlight to focus on their family, Luisana announced that Noah was officially cancer-free during a press conference in her native Buenos Aires, Argentina, in April 2017. He was actually supposed to host the Juno Awards last year, but bowed out due to his son's health struggles.
The singer touched on his family's hardships when he spoke with ET Canada on the red carpet ahead of the event. "Emotionally, it's a roller coaster," he said. "I think life sort of teaches you these hard lessons sometimes. Part of that lesson is that it allowed me to really have perspective and to really enjoy more than I ever have in my life. I enjoy the small things." If their recent outing is any indication, he is certainly taking that motto to heart.
Sit Back, Relax, and Enjoy These 10 Pictures of Jennifer Lopez Wearing a Swimsuit
Jennifer Lopez knows exactly how to put her curves on display no matter what she's doing. Whether she's swinging off a building on the cover of Harper's Bazaar or just wearing workout clothes, the 48-year-old jack of all trades just keeps getting better and better with age. For decades fans have wondered what her secret is, and the answer is still a mystery.
When Jennifer isn't blowing us away on the red carpet with some of her legendary naked dresses, she's practically causing heart attacks in supersexy swimwear. She loves to rock a basic bikini but switches it up on occasion. She proved just that when she wore this monokini in Paris while on vacation with boyfriend Alex Rodriguez. You might want to sit down before you keep scrolling to see her in these smoldering swimsuits.
11 Next-Level Ceviche Recipes So You Can Have a Cool and Delicious Rest of the Summer
Nobody likes turning on the oven or stove when it's can-fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk scorching hot, which is what makes these creative ceviche recipes so incredibly satisfying - and your new menu for the next few months. Packed with fresh seafood, zippy citrus juice, and just the right amount of herbs and chiles, these no-heat-required ceviches should be in everyone's back pocket.
These Sexy Instagrams Show Mariah Carey Looks Better Than Ever
If you thought Mariah Carey's hottest days were during her Butterfly heyday in the late '90s, think again. The high-pitched singer, whose dad has Venezuelan roots, looks better and happier than she ever has - what's New Year's Eve lip-syncing snafu? It takes just one look at her Instagram feed, where she shares stunning bikini shots and snaps of her sexy and glamorous style, to corroborate our theory. Mariah's confidence is at its peak and her body's fit, healthy-looking, and ready to be flaunted. See just a few of her sexy photos straight ahead.
Gisele Bündchen Has a No-Nonsense Policy For Family Dinners: "Let's Be Present"
With a supermodel mom and star quarterback dad, we can imagine things get a little hectic at the Brady-Bündchen household. Even so, the family still makes time for invaluable bonding moments and consistent family dinners. In a new interview with WSJ. for the magazine's April 2018 issue, Gisele Bündchen shared how she and her husband Tom Brady maintain their quality time with their three children: Benjamin, Vivian, and Jack, who is Tom's son from a previous marriage.
The main ingredient? Zero technology. "No phone, no electronics," the 37-year-old model said. "Let's be present. Let's share. That's the most important thing for me . . . I come from a family of eight, and it was the best time when we all sat together. Everybody would want to talk. My dad would be like, 'Raise your hand.'"
Gisele's advice echoes the technology-free policies many parents are instilling in their households. Pope Francis even urged parents to keep phones away from the dinner table. Given that a study from last year also found a disconcerting link between excessive screen time and speech delays in young children, it seems like sound advice indeed.
Bob Harper Says the #1 Key to Weight Loss Isn't Diet or Exercise - It's This
Bob Harper has had a transitional year - one that he told POPSUGAR was a year of "going back to the drawing board."
After surviving a massive heart attack, the celebrity trainer and The Biggest Loser star has made significant changes in his approach to health. He shifted from a Paleo diet to a carb-friendly, plant-based lifestyle, and designed a new weight loss plan in his book The Super Carb Diet: Shed Pounds, Build Strength, Eat Real Food. And not only has he changed how he eats, but he's also shifted his thoughts on weight loss in general.
"I [previously] structured my dialogue that when it comes to weight loss, it's about your diet first and foremost," Bob told POPSUGAR. "Then it's your exercise, then sleep, and then stress management," he said. He noted that he's been sharing this ideology for decades, but recently he's turned things around.
"Stress management is the number one key to a healthy body and a healthy mind."
"I have since changed the way I think," Bob said, and while "Those are still my four core beliefs," he has now flipped that hierarchy on its head. "I think that stress management is the number one key to a healthy body and a healthy mind," he said, and shared that stress management is really the foundation that the diet, exercise, and sleep rests on.
"When you manage your stress, you're more likely to make better food choices," he said. "If you manage your stress, you're going to be more likely to prioritize a workout to take care of yourself; your sleep is going to be so much better."
He also noted that the inverse is true: "When you're stressed everything else crumbles like a house of cards - you'll say 'F*ck it I'm gonna eat whatever I want,' and you're waking up in the middle of the night [from stress]."
Often we focus so much on the diet and exercise portion that these beneficial, healthy things become a source of stress. By prioritizing stress management, the rest can fall into place and work more seamlessly and efficiently - all leading to our ultimate goal of a healthy weight. Feel better and get healthier? Makes sense to us!
These Are the Cozy, Functional Pajamas You've Been Looking For All Your Life
A coworker recently stopped me mid-video conference to ask what I was wearing. "Is that velour? It looks high fashion," she said.
I thought she was joking, because I was wearing pajamas - specifically, a cozy pajama-sweats hybrid made by a company called PajamaGram. I don't know what kind of tricks the camera was playing, but they were clearly in my favor.
As someone who works from home, loungewear is very important to me. I have drawers of sweatpants, leggings, sweaters, and anything I can get away with wearing without a bra. I'm constantly on the lookout for clothes that can go from bed to grocery store without garnering too many, "Wow, she's so young to be giving up like that" looks from strangers.
Enter PajamaGram's Shearling Rollneck Pajamas. It took me a long time to find these babies, and I'm sharing them with you lucky ducks now.
My mom buys our whole family pajamas for Christmas every year, and I always get to pick mine. This year, I scoured Amazon for the highest quality PJs with the best reviews. I wanted thick material (to withstand Portland weather), a big pocket (for my many lip balms), and pants that could easily tuck into boots. This set was highly rated (4.6 stars on Amazon) but pricey, coming in at around $70.
It's worth every damn penny.
When I say this two-piece set is warm, I don't mean simply cozy; I mean I feel like I'm walking around wrapped in a blanket tailored to my body. The shearling cowl neck cradles my neck, protecting me from the harsh morning chill. I sleep in them. I eat in them. I've worn them to the dog park.
I frequently break up the set and wear the sweatshirt with skinny jeans and a puffy vest, or the sweatpants with a tight top and sneakers. You'd never know they were pajamas, especially because athleisure is having such a moment.
If you've been having trouble finding the perfect pajamas for you, these are it.
Yes, Max and Lucas Are Totally a THING in Stranger Things Season 3
Hold on to your hearts, Stranger Things fans: there's going to be quite a bit of romance in the show's upcoming third season. Yes, there are obvious candidates in this realm. It's safe to assume Nancy and Jonathan will continue to explore their budding love affair, though they might have to contend with Steve at some point. And then there's the undeniable sexual tension between Chief Hopper and one Joyce Byers. In terms of season three, though, that's really just the tip of the iceberg. We've got a whole new crop of very fragile lovebirds to fawn over.
This time around, even the preteens are going to get a bit more romantic! This year, some of the great minds behind the show popped up at the Stranger Things red carpet panel as part of the annual PaleyFest in LA. On the red carpet, executive producer Shawn Levy teased two exciting new romances: in addition to Mike and Eleven, we'll also see a pairing between Lucas and Max. "Mike and Eleven are going strong, so that's a relationship that continues, and same with Mad Max and Lucas," Levy teased to The Hollywood Reporter. "But again, they're like 13- or 14-year-old kids, so what does romance mean at that stage of life? It can never be simple and stable relationships, and there's fun to that instability."
Levy may have a point: who knows how long these supposed romances will last? Still, it'll be fun to see our young heroes stumble through trials of love and (potential) heartbreak. Damn, though . . . I can't imagine how Max's beautiful but brutish brother Billy will feel about her dating Lucas, or anyone at all. I imagine he won't be super thrilled. We'll just have to wait and see how it all goes down.
The Roseanne Reboot Just Broke a 3-Year TV Record With Its Massive Premiere Ratings
Roseanne premiered on ABC on March 27, and while we already knew the hype was real, we were stunned by the official numbers. 18.1 million people tuned in to see Roseanne Conner (Roseanne Barr) and co. return to their beloved couch, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Not only is that number pretty astounding in today's TV landscape, but it also broke a TV record. Roseanne became the highest-rated sitcom in over three years and the highest-rated scripted show since FOX's Empire.
The good news doesn't stop there, either. The hour long episode actually increased in viewers from the first half hour to the next, making it the top telecast of the night. The premiere beat out all other shows on the other major networks, including NBC, CBS, and FOX. Congrats are definitely in order for the cast of Roseanne, so clearly fans are more than happy to have them back.
How 1 Activist, Survivor, and Mom's #MeToo Story Led Her to Launch Her Own Super PAC
Sarah Sherman was fed up. The Baltimore mother of two was already politically active - she helped launch her local Indivisible chapter in the wake of Donald Trump's election in late 2016 - but when the #MeToo movement exploded online in late 2017, something changed.
"I think it was just a giant reckoning," she told POPSUGAR. "My husband was pulling me off the computer at 1 or 2 in the morning. I just could not stop reading, because it made me feel like I was among a community. This viral, giant community of women where I could finally [feel] kind of freed up to tell my story."
"Why should the bad guys have all the PACs?"
Like one in six women, Sherman is a survivor of sexual assault. As #MeToo stories flooded our collective timelines, she had an idea: what if the energy behind the movement could be harnessed in the form of a super PAC? Sherman saw to it that her moment of inspiration became a reality, officially launching the Vote Me Too PAC earlier this month.
Sherman is well aware that her approach might draw its share of skeptics. After all, super PACs have been widely criticized for their role as vehicles for the super rich to veil their political contributions. But, as Sherman is quick to point out, her super PAC is unique. Her website asks for donations of as little as $5, her effort is a grassroots push, and at the heart of her PAC is a desire for social change through politics rather than financial gain through politics. "Certainly, I'm up against the Koch brothers and whatnot," she quipped, "but why should the bad guys have all the PACs?"
There's a clear goal in Sherman's mind: to elevate women to political power. But her strategy is also specific and sharp. What will set the Vote Me Too PAC apart, she said, is its sole focus on creating "edgy, powerful video content" to support women running for the US House and Senate in the 2018 and 2020 elections. It seems in keeping with the PAC's inspiration to leverage a medium - video - that is so prime for storytelling, sharing, and connecting via social media.
Sherman had an "in" on that front: her husband of 17 years is in video production. As she watched him create videos for campaigns - she said Doug Jones is among his recent clients - she realized not one of them was a woman.
"I am an activist, and I am a feminist," Sherman remembered thinking. "And every day, he would come home, and I'd look at his face and I would think, 'I can't. These are all men. What are you doing? This is not who needs help. Women need help. Women candidates need help. And we need to figure something out or else I'm going to kind of explode.'"
Sherman also knew how impactful the medium could be.
"I think anybody who is any kind of human being on the planet Earth, especially during these political times in our country, knows that video is the most solid, and most kind of moving component being watched," Sherman said. And while she said she's relying on help from her husband's existing team and resources in bringing her eventual campaign videos to life, she said she's "hell-bent on having women be part of the crew." Sherman said her aim is to secure production services for little to no charge, and use the PAC money to purchase ad space and get their videos in front of more eyeballs.
While the PAC plans to announce the candidates its supporting this Summer once primary races have wrapped up, there are a number of criteria women must meet in order to receive its support. In the initial Vote Me Too PAC press release, they're listed as the below:
1. Must be an outspoken champion in the fight for women issues including: protecting women from sexual violence, the right to reproductive choice, health care, equal pay, family leave, [and] workplace protection from harassment.
2. Ideally will be a woman running for the office sought for the first time. Women of color and other minorities are also given preference.
3. Diversity in color, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, issue agenda, and geography will be taken into consideration.
(While the PAC's guidelines say it's open to supporting women of "all parties," Sherman admitted she doesn't expect to fund the campaign efforts of any GOP women per the issue guidelines she's set forth.)
One challenge Sherman has faced is making the link she sees between #MeToo and the 2018 vote clear. "I don't think that the movement is going to have lasting, effective change unless the policies do change," Sherman said. "And so far, out of touch men in Congress and Senate are not helping us. So we just need to do it ourselves. This power that we all felt as women or allies needs to be harnessed, and we need to walk into that booth and vote."
10 Immigrant Women Who Changed the Course of US History
As the war on immigration rages all around, taking stock of our history may be our best hope for gaining the perspective necessary to move forward. After all, history is the story of everyday people and movements over time.
Consider America's original inhabitants, who crossed the Bering Strait tens of thousands of years ago, followed by the first wave of European settlers in 1500 and the violent, forced migration of African slaves starting in the 1600s. Later, in the 1890s, a new generation of people entered America, starting with Annie Moore, a young Irish woman who was the first of many immigrants processed at Ellis Island. Immigration is our shared history; moving to new lands that promise greater opportunity is human nature.
Here, we reflect on 10 immigrant women who helped shape America's history and culture. And once you've clicked through, take a moment to consider how different your life might be without Hedy Lamarr's inventions or Dr. Elizabeth Stern's research.
WTF: A Woman Was Denied a Second Job Interview For Asking This Question
On March 13, 2017, Taylor Byrnes tweeted screenshots of the response she received from SkiptheDishes after asking about pay and benefits following her first interview at the food delivery service in Winnipeg, Canada. "Applied for a job at @SkipTheDishes. They cancelled my interview b/c I asked about wages/benefits," she wrote in a now-viral tweet.
Applied for a job at @SkipTheDishes. They cancelled my interview b/c I asked about wages/benefits @CBC @CBCNews @ctvwinnipeg #boycottSkip pic.twitter.com/CjBdnFvY1P
- . (@feministjourney) March 13, 2017
"Hi Victoria, I had another question that I wanted to ask you," Byrnes's initial email reads. "If I do end up filling this position, how much do you think I'll be getting paid an hour? Benefits will also be included, right? Sorry, I just thought I should ask now. Thanks for your time and have a lovely day," she concluded.
Screenshots show that Victoria responded, "Hello Taylor, your questions reveal that your priorities are not in sync with those of SkipTheDishes. At this time we will not be following through with our meeting this Thursday." In a follow-up email, Victoria called out qualities the company looks for in employees, including "hard work and perseverance in pursuit of company goals as opposed to focusing on compensation."
"For these reasons, questions about compensation and benefits at such an early stage is a concern related to organizational fit."
After the screenshots were posted and shared across social media, Byrnes received yet another response from the company, this time from its cofounder, who expressed disappointment with the way the situation was handled. The company also shared its screenshots on its Twitter page to rectify the backlash from people who were calling for a boycott of SkipTheDishes.
(1/2) The email to Taylor does not represent #SkipTheDishes team values. We have followed up to offer heartfelt apologies & a 2nd interview. pic.twitter.com/XKYWsHXj7P
- SkipTheDishes (@SkipTheDishes) March 14, 2017
(2/2) We do share compensation & it's OK to ask. We are coaching internally to ensure this doesn't happen again. @CBC @CBCNews @CTVWinnipeg
- SkipTheDishes (@SkipTheDishes) March 14, 2017
SkipTheDishes cofounder Joshua Simair addressed the controversy in an emailed statement to POPSUGAR, writing, "We are very disappointed in how it was handled. We do share a compensation package prior to hiring. As soon as we became aware of it on Monday, we reached out to Taylor to apologize for the email and reschedule her interview."
Simair also revealed that the company would be changing internal policies to make sure it doesn't happen again. "We've also addressed the email internally and will be providing additional training. We are very committed to our community, employees and continuing to grow and create employment opportunities in the Prairies."
Although Byrnes has received an outpouring of support for standing up for herself, there is still a dispute over whether or not her questions were appropriate to ask. Seeing as it's important for women to ask about pay upfront so that they get what they deserve, we'd say the answer is yes.
We've reached out to Byrnes for comment and will update this story if we hear back.
A Disney Channel Actress Just Got Appointed to the White House, and Honestly, That Tracks
Staffing updates continue to emerge from President Donald Trump's White House, but the latest addition to make headlines is the nomination of 22-year-old actress Caroline Sunshine as a press assistant. Sunshine is most famous for portraying exchange student Tinka Hessenheffer in three seasons of the Disney Channel's Shake It Up.
Born in Atlanta but raised in Orange County, Sunshine got her big break in 2010 when she starred in Marmaduke alongside actors such as Lee Pace, Judy Greer, and Owen Wilson. That same year, she was cast in Shake It Up, the popular teen sitcom that essentially launched the careers of Zendaya and Bella Thorne.
Sunshine reportedly became interested in politics during college. White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters told CNN that Sunshine previously interned for the Office of House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the College Republican National Committee, and the California Republican Party. Most recently, Sunshine was interning at the White House at the very start of the current administration.
The Reason Emma González's March For Our Lives Speech Was 6 Minutes and 20 Seconds Is Absolutely Heartbreaking
On March 24, Emma González took the stage at the March For Our Lives in Washington DC and gave a chilling speech about the 17 classmates she lost when 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018.
"Six minutes and about 20 seconds. In a little over six minutes, 17 of our friends were taken from us, 15 were injured, and everyone, absolutely everyone in the Douglas community, was forever altered," she said. González then called out the names of her deceased classmates with tears in her eyes, until she stopped suddenly for a prolonged moment of silence
The unbelievably brave and compassionate teenager stayed completely quiet until a timer she had went off. "Since the time that I came out here it has been 6 minutes and 20 seconds . . . Fight for your lives, before it's someone else's job," she said.
Watch González's entire speech above, and join us in saying what she said that day in March: never again!
This Cruise Sails to All 7 Continents, but the Cost Will Make Your Jaw Drop
While the idea of traveling to Antarctica may have always seemed just a tad unattainable to you, Silversea Cruise Company will make you believe otherwise. The cruise company is launching a 2020 "Legends of Cruising: World Cruise" sailing that is unlike any before it, taking travelers "on a journey that lets you set foot on all seven continents."
The itinerary includes 140 days of travel, 52 ports, nine routes, and a total of 32 countries. It's the first cruise package ever to offer such an expedition, and guests will sail in (extreme) luxury aboard the company's ship Silver Whisper.
The trip departs Ft. Lauderdale, FL, on Jan. 6, 2020, and includes stops in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Valparaiso, Chile; Tahiti; Fiji; Sydney, Australia; Singapore; Mumbai, India; Thailand; Jordan; Egypt; Rome; Dublin, Ireland; and Amsterdam, Netherlands - to name just a few. Perhaps most notable of all, of course, is that the cruise makes a stop at the Antarctic Peninsula.
But - and you knew there was a major "but" coming - this once-in-a-lifetime excursion might be more like a "never-in-a-lifetime" one considering the steep cost to set sail. The package includes round-trip business-class airfare, a $2,000 on-board spending credit per person, a Visa package, laundry services, unlimited WiFi, Bespoke Silversea experiences, and more. And the price? Well, prepare to shell out a lot of your hard-earned cash, because fares start at $62,000 per guest and only go up from there. But you know what? There's nothing wrong with dreaming about an epic adventure that spans across the world - one that's undoubtedly full of unforgettable experiences!
Exclusive: This New Company Wants to Help You Travel the World - and Build Your Brand
Image Source: Unsplash / Cristina Gottardi
Traveling the world while building a global work portfolio just got a whole lot easier, and it's all thanks to two female explorers who came together to build the company of their dreams.
Chessa King and Danielle DiVerde created AuraTrek to provide a unique nomadic experience for young Americans who wish to gain experience early on in their careers by working in multicultural environments. The trips are built into "regional blocks," allowing travelers to develop cultural familiarity and fluency in specific parts of the world. Those who embark on the program travel together to a different country each month, living together but having all of their transportation and housing accommodations prepared for them beforehand, allowing for a seamless and stress-free journey.
In an exclusive interview with POPSUGAR, King and DiVerde first broke the news that applications are currently being accepted for the first program - which will travel to Columbia, Peru, Brazil, and Argentina - and that the journey will take place later this year. But before discussing the future, the duo explained where the idea all began: they decided to create AuraTrek after discovering firsthand that there was a dire need for a travel company built by and for explorers who "adventure with purpose."
"When I was in college, I planned a backpacking trip through Istanbul, India, and Korea," King told POPSUGAR in late March. "Trying to get through final exams while planning this massive logistical nightmare of a trip was unbelievably stressful. With that in mind, we wanted to create something that gives people the opportunity to travel in an affordable way, either right after college, after recently completing a graduate program, or before settling into their careers – without taking away from their grades or other responsibilities."
As an added bonus, ambassadors are hired in each destination from nearby universities to serve as community liaisons; travelers can get pre-vetted sightseeing recommendations, or even help with finding the right products at a local drugstore. The programs are also designed with specific travelers in mind; AuraTrek combines applicants into groups based off their skills and motivations, equipping trekkers with a built-in, like-minded network that can help them achieve their career goals along the way.
Prior to creating AuraTrek, both King and DiVerde studied and worked in travel and international development. While King was doing conservation work in Kenya, DiVerde served as a tour manager leading youth adventure trips across Europe before going on to work at an educational travel company affiliated with National Geographic. Though there are several companies currently offering services similar to AuraTrek's - including Remote Year, which sends remote workers on group trips overseas - the cofounders say their program provides an immersive quality unlike any other with an emphasis on safely exploring the unbeaten path in a way only experienced world travelers could provide.
Image Source: Unsplash / Kristina Wagner
"We design the trips so you're at each location at a time of the year that enables you to really immerse yourself in the region," King said. "Meanwhile, AuraTrek organizes groups of travelers that are well-balanced with different skill sets so you have a support system in your work abroad."
It's this exact attention to detail, and awareness of what it's like traveling abroad while pursuing work opportunities, that critics of Remote Year say is missing from the travel start-up. "I wanted it to work out," Arikia Millikan, who traveled with Remote Year for a month before returning home, told Atlas Obscura in 2016 about her decision to leave the trip early, adding, "It was not ideal to have signed up for this year-long journey and have planned my time and my money and aspects of my career around it only to find that they were complete amateurs."
A four-month AuraTrek costs $11,100 and is broken into four monthly payments of $1,900 and a down payment of $3,500. That's competitive pricing compared to other travel companies for millennials; for Remote Year's four-month program, the down payment is $3,000, but the four monthly payments are $2,000. AuraTrek, however, provides total freedom to its explorers in their international work; they can volunteer, intern, take on a full-time job, or freelance wherever they'd like - and keep any money they make along their journeys entirely for themselves. The company also provides a free spot on each trip, telling POPSUGAR one accepted applicant from every group of travelers will have their travel and transportation fees waived.
"You're paying the same amount of money to live in any of the major US cities, but you're getting so much more out of it," DiVerde said. "Not to mention, most of the day-to-day expenses abroad are much cheaper than in the States."
Image Source: Unsplash / Alexandr Bormotin
The founders of AuraTrek say their company is essentially geared toward postcollege graduates and millennials hoping to add real-world, international work experience on their résumés before joining the American workforce. The company envisions each trip as a collaborative journey for travelers with interdisciplinary career goals - future journalists, photographers, artists, writers, and researchers joining forces to benefit from each other's various skills.
"Because of the way we've globalized both economically and culturally, young people need to have a ton of relevant work and life experience and an ability to function in a multicultural environment," King said. "The problem AuraTrek solves is that there isn't really a structure in place to gain that life experience . . . there's this new need to have international living and networking from the start of your career. So we created a more streamlined and hassle-free way of doing that in an environment where you're supported and uplifted by a group of peers."
King and DiVerde also hope the fact that their travel company is founded and led by female explorers will help erase a common misconception in America: that traveling internationally as a woman is significantly more dangerous than it is as a man.
Image Source: Unsplash / Julián Gentilezza
"People in the States always ask me, 'Aren't you scared to travel alone as a woman?'" King told POPSUGAR. "It honestly never even occurred to me when I started traveling that it would be any different just because I'm a female. That's just never been a problem, even in some of the most remote and underdeveloped parts of the world." Still, AuraTrek says it's committed to providing the safest traveling experiences for young people from all walks of life, including transgender men and women and the LGBTQ+ community. Cities and local destinations are only included in regional blocks if they are welcoming to diverse explorers.
"If women feel safer and more equipped with a sense of agency to travel because of AuraTrek, that would be such an added bonus to creating this company," she added.
Whether traveling in groups or alone, a months-long international adventure is always a leap of faith. At a time when millennials are rapidly taking over the workforce and jobs are becoming more competitive than ever, embarking on a trek that promises to launch your career while providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience - well, it just seems to make sense.
George W. Bush Opens Up About His Heartwarming Connection With Michelle Obama
At the opening ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016, Michelle Obama embraced George W. Bush in a sweet and unexpected moment. Later, the former president opened up about their friendship and that hug which he described as a "genuine expression of affection."
In a May 2017 with People regarding upcoming book and art exhibit, Bush explained why he and the former first lady get along so well. "She kind of likes my sense of humor. Anybody who likes my sense of humor, I immediately like," he said.
Bush then recalled other heartwarming times he's shared with the Obamas. "I can't remember where else I've sat next to her, but I probably have a few wise cracks and she seemed to like it okay," he said. Adding, "I needle her a little bit and around her, I'm fairly lighthearted. They're around serious people all the time and we just took to each other."
Moving forward, he said he hopes to work more closely with the Obamas and Bidens on their Joining Forces initiative, which offers support for veterans, military personnel, and their families.
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.
Step Inside the Massive Home Christina and Tarek El Moussa Shared Before Divorcing
HGTV-loving hearts around the nation were practically split in two when Christina and Tarek El Moussa separated at the end of 2016 after seven years of marriage. Ever since the Flip or Flop stars called it quits, Christina has been living in the home she once shared with Tarek and their two kids, but it looks like she's ready to close that chapter of her life because she just put the house on the market.
Located in Yorba Linda, CA, the home - nay, mansion - is luxe beyond belief, housing five bedrooms and nine (yes, nine) bathrooms. Standout elements include a theater room, beautiful exposed stone accent walls, a home gym, a two-story dining room, and a sizable kitchen with a wine unit. The 6,366-square-foot property also features a ridiculously upscale backyard with an enormous rock pool, cascading waterfalls, a slide, and a built-in grotto. Plus, the outdoor oasis offers a fireplace, TV, plenty of space for lounging, and a kitchen with not one, but two refrigerators. Oh, and there's a putt-putt green, too. Is your head spinning yet?
Of course, these stunning features come with quite the hefty price tag. The former El Moussa mansion is listed though Dean Lueck of First Team for $2.9 million. Start crackin' open those piggybanks, HGTV-lovers! Get up close and personal with the home's over-the-top interior and swoon-worthy outdoor area in the gorgeous pictures, below.
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