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.
dimanche 6 mai 2018
I Drank Beachbody's Shakeology Every Morning For 1 Week, and Here's What Happened
I've been a protein powder fiend for as long as I can remember. I love to have a cold, creamy smoothie in the mornings when I'm done with my weightlifting session, and I've tried just about every brand that exists. But there's one I kept hearing about over and over again, and I'd never actually tried it before: Shakeology.
You may have heard of Shakeology at some point because it's made by Beachbody, the ever-reliable platform that gave us P90X, 80-Day Obsession, and Insanity. This all-encompassing protein powder claims to help you lose weight, reduce cravings, give you healthy energy, and support digestion. Those are some pretty big claims, so I drank it every single day for a week to see what would happen.
It Tasted Absolutely Amazing
I don't say this lightly, but Shakeology is by far the best-tasting protein powder I've ever had. I had the chocolate, vanilla, and cafe latte flavors (all vegan since I'm plant-based), and my favorite was the chocolate. The cafe latte was a close second, but the chocolate flavor tasted positively like a creamy milkshake.
My smoothie was pretty simple: Shakeology, almond milk, one spoonful of nut butter, a handful of spinach (which is why it's green in the picture), and ice. I wanted to savor every single sip of it!
It Had a Lot More Nutrients Than I Realized
Not all protein powders are created equally. I didn't realize until I glanced at the label that Shakeology actually has a ton of good sh*t in it, in addition to the protein blend, which is made up of chia seeds, pea protein, sacha inchi, quinoa, rice, and oats. There's also a proprietary superfruit antioxidant blend, a supergreen phytonutrient blend, an adaptogen blend, and a pre- and probiotic digestive enzyme blend. Like I said, good sh*t. By the third day, I didn't even feel the need to add in that handful of spinach anymore.
I Had a Ton of Energy
Shakeology promises to give you a boost of energy so you can get through your day and crush your workouts. I thought it was all just part of the marketing ploy, but I genuinely noticed a difference after I drank my shake in the morning. My mood was slightly elevated, I felt like I recovered well from my workouts, and I didn't get any kind of afternoon crash later in the day.
I Was Full All the Way Until Lunch
I tend to struggle with late-morning hunger, even on the days when I eat a big breakfast. But Shakeology was so filling that I didn't even think about eating until lunchtime hit. This prevented me from snacking mindlessly or grabbing packaged food because I was hungry and in a pinch.
I Didn't Notice Any Change in My Trips to the Bathroom
There are six grams of fiber in each serving of Shakeology, which makes up 24 percent of your recommended daily intake. Although this is a good serving of fiber, it didn't make much of a difference. I didn't poop any more or any less than I normally do, but that doesn't necessarily mean it won't have a positive effect on someone else.
After my week-long love affair with Shakeology, I didn't want it to end. I'm still drinking the smoothie whenever I can, although maybe not every single day, and perhaps I'll see even more positive changes after a couple more weeks.
Here's How to Relieve Period-Related Back Pain
As if pimples, emotional outbursts, cramps, exhaustion, and feeling bloated aren't enough, the PMS demons have to throw uncomfortable back pain your way too.
Lower back pain during your period, or primary dysmenorrhea, is caused by contractions in the uterus. Every month your body builds up a thick uterine lining (called endometrium) in preparation for a fertilized egg. If you don't become pregnant, estrogen and progesterone levels drop and cue your body to break down and detach the lining, and it does that by contracting. If your uterus contracts too strongly, it can press on nearby blood vessels, cutting off the supply of oxygen to the nearby muscles, which is the reason pain occurs in the abdomen and radiates to the lower back and even to the thighs.
Chances are, if you've always had similar menstrual discomfort, it's nothing to worry about. But see a doctor if you're incapacitated for more than a few days a month or if you've noticed a sudden change in your symptoms. Meanwhile, you can ease the back pain with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, or try a warm bath or a heating pad. Avoiding foods that contain caffeine and salt can also help. And even though you have about as much energy as it takes to plop onto the couch, women who exercise regularly often experience less menstrual pain, so keep up with your routine by doing some light cardio or these cramp-relieving yoga poses.
18 Cute and Comfy Activewear Pieces For Curvy Girls Everywhere
If booking that next sweat session is getting harder and harder, one great way you can motivate yourself this season is by investing in new workout clothes. There's something about putting on brand-new gear that gets us in the mood to try something new. In case you need more convincing, we did the shopping for you. From supportive sports bras to compression leggings, we found a wide variety of cute performance finds for every body type. Take a look, and find your perfect match ahead.
3 Trainers Explain Exactly How to Grow Lean Muscle and Build Curves
Weightlifting has become more popular during the last few years, and for good reason. It's the most effective way to build muscle mass, which helps you burn more fat in the long run, and, despite common opinion, it will make you look leaner, not bulkier. There's another great reason to get yourself to the weight room, though, that has nothing to do with weight loss: lifting weights is a fantastic way to naturally build curves in your body. We're talking about the hourglass figure - curvaceous butt, a small waist, and strong shoulders.
"Muscle adds an amazing, toned, feminine definition to the body."
POPSUGAR spoke to Liz Letchford, MS, ATC, EMT, personal trainer and exercise specialist, who confirmed this to be true. "Heavy lifting is the best way to create strong, curvy hips and a tiny waist," she explained. When you gain all that lean muscle and shed fat all over, you literally change the shape of your body. So if you ever thought having a curvy figure was all genetics, think again!
"Muscle adds an amazing, toned, feminine definition to the body," said Dee (Diksha) Gautham, a NASM-certified personal trainer and NPC bikini competitor. She says lifting weights regularly (and safely) will enhance your figure and "help build a proportional hourglass figure all around."
So where to begin if you want to add some curves to your body? Ridge Davis, a personal trainer based in West Hollywood, CA, told POPSUGAR, "With my female clients, I focus on moderately heavy weight with short rest periods. The focus is to properly build your glutes and hamstrings, as this will enhance your shape on a physiological level and keep you burning fat on a metabolic level." It may be tempting to grab the lighter set of weights and do more reps, but Ridge says that won't give you the same result as lifting heavier weights.
"I recommend training four days a week."
Liz agrees: "My recommendation is one heavy lift per body area per week." That means you pick one day to work on deadlifts, another day to work on squats, and another day to work on upper body, like overhead presses. You're "aiming for a weight that you can safely lift six to eight repetitions, leaving only one good rep left in the tank before ending the set."
"I recommend training four days a week," Ridge adds. "Two days focusing on hamstrings, glutes, and abs, and the other two days focusing on back, arms, and obliques - those muscles that shrink your waist into an hourglass figure." He says this formula will change your body and get you feeling strong stat.
Although there is a great emphasis on booty gains and glute work these days (especially on Instagram), Dee reminds us that it's important not to forget about the upper body. "Training your upper back and shoulders can add to the illusion of a smaller waist," she said. "In addition, training your chest muscles can help enhance your breasts and make them look perkier and larger." So make sure you're not just doing booty workouts when you go to the gym.
There you have it! Aim to strength train three to four times a week, lift heavy for fewer reps, and make sure you're eating enough food. "You need to be taking in adequate calories in order to build that booty," Liz said. "While I can't speak to each individual's body type or macronutrient needs, it is a safe recommendation to say that active females need to be taking in at least 1,500-1,600 calories minimum per day." If you're still hungry, eat more! "Growth is all about lifting heavy and feeding the body so it can repair and rebuild into bigger, stronger muscles."
Ridge says if you follow these guidelines, you'll have "a win-win situation that keeps your body snatched and ready for anything all year long!" Cheers to that!
7 Healthy Travel Destinations You Should Add to Your Bucket List
Chemicals are out and all-natural everything is in. There's a surging urge to eat, live, and play better these days. However chaotic the world may seem, there's a rising number of us who are yearning for inner peace in favor of healthier physical and spiritual living.
A wellness revolution is in motion, and with that comes the desire to not only eat and live well, but travel well, too. For those healthy globetrotters who have been bit by the travel bug, there is a cure. There is an ever-evolving list of cities to fall in love with, oceans to explore, and mountains to climb. So, what are some wellness destinations that you can add to the list (for now)? All of you yogis, spiritualists, surfers, hikers, and chillers will want to keep reading.
You Won't Even Miss Meat With These Protein-Packed Breakfast Recipes
Whether you practice a vegetarian diet or are trying to limit the amount of meat in your day-to-day diet, it can be challenging to get the sufficient amount of protein your body needs to function at its best. Breakfast is the meal that kicks off your day, and should fuel you accordingly. These 25 recipes are all meatless, but are also protein-packed and will help to provide you the nourishment you need to feel focused and satiated until lunch time!
Chlamydia Is One of the Most Common STDs - Here's What a Doctor Wants You to Know
STDs aren't the kind of thing you generally discuss at the dinner table with your friends. It's a taboo topic that many people feel uncomfortable talking about in any setting, in fact, even with a doctor. It's understandable, but unfortunately that means many of us aren't well educated on STDs, and that's when we run into trouble.
POPSUGAR spoke to Dr. Jennifer Wider, renowned women's health expert and author, about one STD in particular that deserves our attention, stat: chlamydia. "Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases," Dr. Wider said. "[Millions] of people in the United States contract it every year." A CDC report showed that in 2016, there were over 1.5 million cases of chlamydia reported in the US. Yes, that's a steep number, but don't freak out just yet. As long as you're equipped with the right information, you can learn how to prevent it, how to detect it, and what the treatment is.
Perhaps the most frightening part about chlamydia is that it "doesn't produce any noticeable symptoms." Dr. Wider said any symptoms that do show up "are so mild that people don't realize they have it." Some of the signs that may show up if you have chlamydia include "pain while urinating, pain during sex, and lower abdominal pain." For women, Dr. Wider says you may also experience "bleeding between periods and vaginal discharge." And men may see "swollen testicles [and] discharge from the penis."
None of that sounds pleasant, we know. But as Dr. Wider says, most people don't show these signs at all - in fact, it's reported that 75 percent of women with chlamydia do not show any of these side effects whatsoever.
That just means you must get tested on a regular basis. "In general, if you are sexually active, you should be tested for chlamydia and other sexually transmitted diseases once a year," Dr. Wider advised. "If you show any signs or symptoms, you should go into a healthcare facility right away."
If you do test positive for chlamydia, don't panic! "The good news is that because chlamydia is a bacterial infection, it is easily treated with antibiotics," Dr. Wider told us. So there's no reason to be scared of getting an STD test. No matter what the outcome is, you'll be able to take care of yourself much more thoroughly if you know for sure whether you have it or not.
As for preventing chlamydia, well, there's only one way to really steer clear of it: use a condom and practice safe sex. Always.
After Years of Failed Diets, Intermittent Fasting Is What Helped Me Lose Belly Fat
About two years ago, I was in the store with my two kids and someone asked me when I was due. I looked down at my belly and said, "I'm not." This was the second time I'd been asked about my "baby;" the first time was in college after gaining 40 pounds. I felt pretty defeated. My entire life, I've always had a little belly and have always felt self-conscious. I exercise regularly and eat healthy, but came to accept that this is how my body is meant to look. Or is it?
What I Tried That Didn't Work
In college, I started running and doing a ton of yoga. I cleaned up my junk food vegan diet and ended up losing the weight, but still had belly fat. I got married, had two children, gained and lost about 45 to 50 pounds each time, and by then, my belly was still "squishy" (my son's loving words).
By 2016, I was about to turn 40 and was done having kids. I was ready to go all in and pursue my goal of losing my belly fat. I wanted to see what would happen if I put in 110 percent effort with exercise and diet, so in July 2016, I decided to give CrossFit a try. After eight months, I actually gained weight. Some of it was muscle, which I was so psyched about, but some of it was body fat because CrossFit made me so hungry that I just wanted to eat all day.
What I Tried That DID Work
I didn't want to give up CrossFit because I loved the strength and confidence I had gained, but it was clear that I needed to change something. In February 2017, I came across videos about intermittent fasting (IF). I learned about all the benefits of IF - disease prevention, improved digestion and decreased bloating, more mental clarity, and weight loss. Intermittent fasting isn't a diet; it's a lifestyle. You choose a period of time during the day to eat (eating window) and a period of time to not eat (fasting window). I chose the 16:8 plan, where you fast for 16 hours, and eat for eight - it made the most sense for my schedule.
I was shocked that just by skipping breakfast and eating from noon until 8 p.m., after just one month, I looked slimmer. I kept going. After three months, I looked even leaner, and by month six of IF, I'll never forget looking in the mirror and seeing my body change even more. This was something I was able to maintain because by one year of intermittent fasting, I was able to keep the belly fat off.
Why the Experts Say IF Works
Now for the science talk. Why has intermittent fasting been so successful for me when everything else I've tried has failed me? Aside from this being a sustainable lifestyle, certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD, of Whole Health Nutrition says that intermittent fasting "gets your body out of 'storage mode' and mobilizes fat stores for energy." This means that without having a constant food source, your body will dip into the fat it already has stored as its energy source, and in my case, that fat was in my belly.
Dr. Daryl Gioffre, a celebrity nutritionist and longevity expert who specializes in the alkaline diet, adds that when you fast for 16 hours, "Your blood sugar and insulin levels lower," and the human growth hormone increases. He says this increases your metabolic rate ("by up to 14 percent in some people"), and when this happens, your body has no other choice but to start burning your body's stored fat for energy.
He goes on to say that "belly fat can be stubborn to lose because the abdominal area contains more alpha-2 receptors that slow down your ability to burn fat, compared to beta-2 receptors that increase your fat burning potential." IF is powerful because lower insulin levels "activate your b-2 receptors and shut down your a-2 receptors, allowing you to burn targeted fat in your belly area."
Stephanie Ferrari, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian with Fresh Communications shares that in a 2014 scientific review on intermittent fasting, the study participants lost four to seven percent of their waist circumference. Stephanie says, "This means they lost a lot of belly fat, which is the harmful fat in the abdominal cavity that can lead to disease." While neither Dr. Gioffre and Ferrari would recommend IF for pregnant or nursing women or for people with a history of eating disorders, IF can be a powerful weight-loss tool for many individuals.
Final Thoughts
My husband, four CrossFit buddies, and two neighbors saw my success and decided to give it a try, too - they've all experienced weight loss, plus the other benefits including improved digestion, decreased bloating, more energy, and mental clarity. If you've tried just about everything to lose weight and you're sick of dieting and crazy-intense exercise programs you can't sustain, this lifestyle change could be the key to your success and happiness. Check out the info below on IF to learn more about it. If you're considering intermittent fasting, check with your doctor first.
- 5 Types of Intermittent Fasting (and the 1 a Dietitian Recommends)
- 6 Benefits of Intermittent Fasting, Because Weight Loss Is Just the Start
- The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Intermittent Fasting
- Nutritionists Reveal How Intermittent Fasting Can Help You Gain Muscle and Burn Fat
- How I Did Intermittent Fasting Only 5 Days a Week - and Still Lost Weight
- Hit a Weight-Loss Plateau While Intermittent Fasting? A Doctor Says Do These 6 Things
I Did 20 Push-Ups Every Day For 2 Weeks and Here's What I Learned
Earlier this year, I could string together a solid 14 to 16 push-ups without stopping. It was a skill that took me quite some time to master. And by "quite some time," I mean months and months. For that, my gratitude lays with CrossFit. When I'd see them on the list of to-dos for a daily WOD (workout of the day, in CrossFit speak), I felt excitement over dread. I got to a point where I looked forward to seeing just how many I could crank out before dropping to my knees for that modification. I looked forward to watching what was four up to six, and six up to eight.
But then I hurt my back. Lifting too much weight overhead during the CrossFit Open triggered some nagging arthritis in my lumbar spine, and push-ups were one of the first things to go. Maintaining that tension in my core, rep after rep, bothered my back. Although I was taking the time to work on my core strength, I didn't want to risk the unintentional pain; I started doing push-ups constantly from my knees, reverting back to my pre-gains status. I felt like the last year of strength successes were subsiding.
Here's the thing: I'm not the kind of person to take "subpar" as status quo. So, naturally, after a couple of months of accepting this on-the-knees approach, change was imminent. The logical decision? I was going to work back to stringing together a slew of push-ups, ASAP. The plan? Rise to the challenge. Using the app Spar, I challenged three friends (including my boyfriend) to do 20 push-ups every day for two weeks. The best part is hands down the penalty: if you miss a day, Spar charges your credit card $3. Thus, I present you with four lessons I learned doing 20 push-ups a day for two weeks:
1. Not every goal has to be astronomical.
I knew going into this challenge that just because I started on this goal didn't mean I was automatically going to crank out standard push-ups easy-breezy. Setting a goal of 20 push-ups felt like a lot, but I knew that 10 would be a little too easy. So I started small. I wasn't going to crush all 20 push-ups from high plank from the get-go. So, after doing a few going through the motions from high plank to low plank, I'd drop to my knees and finish the rest of them modified. Being easy on myself made this OK. Being easy on myself made me feel like I could make positive progress. As the weeks progressed, I worked on doing more and more in the standard format before giving in to the alternative.
2. A support network makes everything better.
If I had simply challenged myself to do 20 push-ups each day, I probably wouldn't have stuck it out. Not because I don't have willpower, but because . . . let's be honest: things always get in the way. Watching my friends execute their reps (Spar makes you record a 10-second video every day when you check-in to show the challenge participants you're not fibbing), I felt motivated to do mine. The trash talking . . . well, that motivated me a bit, too.
3. When you think you can't go any more, do one more.
That's when I focused on all the things you're supposed to focus on when executing the perfect push-up: lean slightly forward, keep your shoulders stacked over your elbows, engage your core. When I felt like my triceps couldn't bear lowering my body weight back to the ground (nevertheless pushing it back up), I took a deep breath, paused, and then pushed past my comfort zone. Despite struggling before the rep, I'd say that almost always that last can-I-keep-doing-this push-up was my best.
4. The best is yet to come.
Probably the best part of the challenge was waking up to a "You lost!" email (both my boyfriend and I missed one day each, paying out a total of $3 to our friends). Within an hour, the group text was lighting up with questions like "What's next?" paired with suggestions. Sure, we all like a little friendly competition. But now that I've built up my arm strength, I'm thinking those lunges are a good idea.
Are Menstrual Cups Really That Much Safer Than Tampons? An Expert Weighs In
Learning that more women are using menstrual cups in lieu of tampons convinced me to explore this period alternative. Although I've heard that they're more cost-efficient and eco-friendly than traditional tampons, the main draw for me was that menstrual cups were supposedly much safer for the body. Especially after hearing so many horror stories about toxic shock syndrome (TSS), I was eager to learn more about it. But before officially making the shift myself, I needed to know whether or not menstrual cups were indeed the safer option. To settle the debate once and for all, I spoke with women's health expert Jennifer Wider, MD.
Contrary to popular beliefs about the safety of menstrual cups, Dr. Wider explained that it is still possible to get TSS. Though menstrual cups can be left inserted for longer than tampons (12 hours vs. eight hours), you should still remove it promptly by the time it reaches its maximum cycle.
"Staphylococcus aureus, or the toxin-producing bacteria that causes TSS, can grow in an accumulation of menstrual blood (absorbed by a tampon or collected and not emptied in a cup) - there have been several case studies reported in women using menstrual cups," Dr. Wider told POPSUGAR.
In addition, women who wear menstrual cups could actually be more prone to infection. But the potential health risks all have to do with personal hygiene.
"There is some evidence that women who use a menstrual cup may be putting themselves at higher risk of getting an infection, or at the very least more of a risk of irritation," Dr. Wider said. "This is because if women don't take the time to clean them afterward or their hands, the chances go up for bacteria and other germs contaminating the cup."
According to Dr. Wider, studies have also shown that vaginal irritation is more common in women who use cups than those who use tampons. Not only should you be inserting and removing the cup with clean hands, but proper sanitation requires you to thoroughly rinse it after each use and then deep clean in a pot of boiling water in between periods. Not everyone follows these practices, which can result in infection or irritation.
So, are menstrual cups really that much safer than tampons?
Dr. Wider said "not necessarily." Although the menstrual cup definitely has its pros, including less odor and being workout-friendly, it really depends.
"It all depends on the user - if the user sanitizes it properly, changes it diligently, and washes her hands, it has a high safety record, but so do tampons (of course, there is some discussion about the materials used in tampons and their safety)," Dr. Wider said. "But both methods need a vigilant and responsible user."
16-Week Half-Marathon Training Schedule For Beginners
If you have a few 5Ks and 10Ks under your belt, you're probably thinking about running your first half marathon. Doubling your racing distance means building endurance by increasing your weekly mileage. Don't be daunted by this! Try this 16-week training schedule that adds miles safely. There are cross-training, strength-training and stretching, and rest days built into the program to help prevent injury. Plus, the long runs are on Saturdays when you have time to go the distance, giving you Sundays to recover.
Click here to print an image-free version of the training program.
The Weightlifting Technique That Will Change Your Body
Ever plan to go to the gym and stop dead in your tracks because you just don't know what to do? Maybe your goals are too broad? Maybe you're expecting too much? How can you really lose weight, gain lean muscle, and build your dream body with just one simple workout plan that doesn't require you move into the gym for the next year? Clearly, you're expecting too much from your efforts, right? Wrong! There is a way to reshape your body by losing fat and gaining muscle without spending countless hours in the gym. What do you have to do? Lift heavy weights to create lean muscle and lift light weights to promote fat loss. The best part? You can be in and out of the gym in less than 30 minutes each day. Here's how!
The heavy and light strength-training plan combines a couple of the most fundamental principles of lifting weights. The intention is to do an exercise for four sets with a heavy weight and low reps (up to six) and then another exercise that targets the same muscle for four more sets with higher reps (up to 12), but with a lighter weight. According to personal trainer Brian Pankau, CPT, you need to take "two to three minutes of rest between heavy [sets], and 45 to 60 seconds between lighter sets."
How does this plan work? When you lift heavy weights your muscles fatigue and ultimately grow (you won't look like a bodybuilder - we promise). From there, you work the same muscles with lighter weights to totally exhaust them, which burns more calories, creates a leaner body composition, and increases endurance. Muscles grow, body fat decreases, and you're only doing two exercises per body part. According to Anthony J. Yeung, CSCS, with this plan, "you'll burn more calories, shed fat, add more strength, and feel more energetic in daily life."
As a result of this significant caloric depletion, certified personal trainer and owner of HitchFit.com Micah Lacerte cautions that, "Nutrition will play a big role in what sort of results someone will get performing this plan, but if they are on [the proper type of diet], then this style of training will be excellent for building lean muscle." You have to make the effort to eat six small meals each day that all include some form of protein - with specific care to ensure you're getting protein before and after you work out.
While this plan can definitely work, it may not be for everyone. Pankau believes that while "fat loss is going to occur, [it may] not be fast enough for somebody with too much excess fat, so this plan is great for light and medium builds, but not really meant for heavier-set people."
What does this mean for you? For tight and toned triceps, a good combo would be overhead triceps extensions with a heavy weight and triceps kickbacks with lighter weights. For leaner, more sculpted legs, do leg presses with a heavy weight, and lunges with light dumbbells at your sides, or no added weights at all! For stronger, tighter biceps, heavy hammer curls and light preacher curls. The key is to do two moves per body part, one heavy, one light as described above. This will exhaust your muscles, promoting growth while leaning out your body. If you're in average shape, you can look way above average in less time. If you're in good shape, you may want to move to a beachfront property soon. Enjoy!
Calling All Curvy Girls: These Are the 8 Best Stores For Workout Leggings
Since athleisure hit the fashion world, comfortable styles, including bombers, sweatshirts, and leggings, have been popping up in closets everywhere. Thanks to their versatility both in and out of the gym, we think the leggings trend is here to stay - but with so many options out there, it can be challenging to find ones that are stylish and fit well.
We've rounded up our top eight picks for workout leggings specifically designed for a gal with curves. They check off all the boxes, including style, functionality, and affordability. Happy shopping!
These Are the 15 Superfoods Your Kitchen Needs in 2018
In today's age of feeling good and eating better, it has become a common occurrence to find superfoods like acai, chia, cacao, and spirulina in our local grocery stores. Wellness cafes are abundant, and menus have become increasingly aware of the next great smoothie, herbal tea, and clean alternative. Each year comes with its own health-food trends, and 2018 is no different. There are new superfoods that we should all be keeping on our radar. From greens and gut-healthy go-tos to sweet options and cooking oils for every chef, foodie, or healthy eater, these are some superfoods that deserve to be household names.
41 of the Most Glorious Photos the Internet Ever Saw
Imgur is a magical place, and just because you don't have time to browse the photo-sharing site all day doesn't mean you should miss out on Internet gold. Ahead, some of the platform's popular photos (plus the captions just as they were written), from the hilarious to the heartwarming.
12 Flaky Texts We All Send to Get Out of Plans
We've all been there before - it's a regular Tuesday night and you just want to watch Netflix and stay in bed, though your friends want you try a new restaurant with them. So you do what everyone else does: come up with an excuse, a white lie, and stay warm in bed, deliriously happy not to be outside.
If you've run out of excuses or just need a handy list for the next time you need to flake, we've come up with the most popular and accepted texts we send. Sure, honesty is the best policy but sometimes you want to keep it to yourself that you're rewatching Gilmore Girls again.
28 Memes That Accurately Describe How Awesome You and Your BFFs Are
Best friends are the people in life that know you so well, one look is all it takes for them to get how you feel. And there are just some things only they would appreciate - like when they convince you to take another drink (but show up to your house the next day with a hangover burrito) or when they text you their bodily functions.
After all, it's thanks to your best friends that you make the best and worst decisions of your life, knowing that they'll always be there no matter what. Check out some of our favorite memes from Instagram that perfectly capture these BFF moments.
8 Oregon Travel Experiences You Can't Miss
182 years ago, The Oregon Trail led pioneers to lush forests, humbling mountains and vast desert. These days the air remains just as fresh but modern pioneers have since paved the way for some alternatively refreshing additions. Getting a taste of the historic trail through a new-age journey, I managed rounded up some of the coolest local eateries, activities, and natural spots for millennials to hit. Start out in Portland and road-trip around from the stunning coastline to Eugene, Willamette Valley and as many fun spots as you can fit in between. The somewhat off-the-beaten path is an unconventional adventure ideal for any young traveler.
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.
Harry Potter Quote Tattoos That Prove Your Love of the Wizarding World
There are plenty of ways to celebrate your love of everything Harry Potter, but nothing is as permanent as a tattoo. While we're big fans of Patronuses, lightning bolts, and glasses tattoos, nothing can compare to getting inked with your favorite line from the series. After all, if the books left such a lasting mark on your life, a permanent quote tattoo is a great way to commemorate it. Check out some of our favorites ahead and maybe reread the series while you're at it.
Eva Longoria Threw a Cute Pajama-Party Baby Shower - See All the Fun Photos!
Eva Longoria announced her pregnancy with husband Jose "Pepe" Baston back in December, and it looks like she's having the most fun prepping for her new baby! Eva and her friends and family shared snaps from her baby shower on May 5 as they celebrated the upcoming arrival of her first child. The stars came out to celebrate Eva, including fellow actresses Melissa Fumero, Roselyn Sánchez, Andrea Navedo, and Anne Winters.
The 43-year-old actress looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder white dress, while guests came ready for a cozy party in their pajamas. Everything was themed for sweet "Baby Baston," including the giant yellow balloon display and photo booth. How fun! Keep scrolling to see all the fun pics from Eva's special day.
Selena Gomez's Dress Will Stun You, but It's Her Shoes That Will Stick With You For Years
Selena Gomez arrived at the Prada Resort 2019 show by her stylist Kate Young's side, both physically and literally. Selena's look - a slinky floral silk and lace dress paired with a Coach monogram camera bag ($250) and funky opticals - was just so Selena. It was romantic, a touch '70s inspired, and functional too.
I mean, you really can't argue that Selena will be able to wear those trusty, timeless mules for years to come. The shoes, complete with a chunky wooden heel, were perhaps the most understated element of her outfit, but we noticed them immediately. Forget wearing your slip with sneakers or strappy stilettos this season. Instead, invest in mules like Selena's, and you'll carry on for miles.
30 of the Best Latin Songs You Can Do a Zumba Workout To
If you didn't already know this, Zumba is a great way to exercise because you are essentially working out every single part of your body. Plus, you can do it while listening to some of your most-loved artists - picture yourself doing Zumba to Daddy Yankee's "Hula Hoop" or Carlos Vives and Shakira's "Bicicleta." The best part is that thanks to YouTube, you can follow Zumba workouts from wherever you are. Grab some workout gear and get ready to dance along to some of your favorite songs.
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 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, are ready to be flaunted. Whether she's just chilling in her massive closet or jet setting the world, Mariah knows how to keep her fans drooling. See just a few of her sexy photos straight ahead.
I've Spent a Year Searching For My Forever Mascara - Here's Everything I Learned
Up until a year ago, I had been wearing the same drugstore mascara that I discovered in high school. I purchased tube after tube for over a decade, trusting the formula to make my stick-straight Asian eyelashes look long, thick, and, most importantly, dramatically curled. Accompanied by a good dose of eyeliner along my top and bottom lash line, the mascara looked fantastic. I had no complaints.
But when I hit my mid-20s, my approach to makeup shifted - I grew more comfortable and confident in my own skin and started to appreciate a less-is-more beauty look. As someone who previously balked at the thought of leaving the house without wearing a full face of makeup, I found myself going out more and more frequently with just my lashes and eyebrows done. And I soon discovered that without the buffer of eyeliner, my previously trusty mascara would end up tragically transferred onto my lower lash line (where I would normally apply eyeliner) by the end of the day.
Disappointed, I set out to find a new everyday mascara - one that would still hold an aggressive curl, minus the raccoon eyes. Little did I know, it was a process, and one I wasn't exactly prepared for. One year and 10 tubes of mascara later, I still haven't discovered a worthy replacement, but I have discovered some eye-opening (literally) things along the way.
If you're on the hunt for your own forever mascara, learn from my mistakes and read on for seven tips I picked up that'll help make your search easier than mine.
1. Take product reviews, testimonials, and suggestions from others with a grain of salt
Nothing will derail a meeting faster than telling a conference room full of beauty editors that you're looking for a new mascara. As soon as I casually mentioned it to my colleagues here at POPSUGAR, the suggestions came pouring in. And with plenty of impressive before-and-after photos to go off of, I had a running start.
But after trying the third tube that came highly recommended, I realized that what was working for my fellow mascara-lovers was definitely not working for me and I couldn't rely solely on word-of-mouth, popularity, or photos, no matter how jaw-dropping. Now, I do my own extensive research on a potential brand and product and remind myself to give every product a fair chance, whether or not it's been highly touted by others.
2. Don't write off a mascara after the first try
Whether it's the way you wield the wand, the passing of time, or even the formula's exposure to air, your second experience with a mascara can differ drastically from the first. When I first applied a popular mascara, I found that the formula weighed down my lashes and deflated the curl. A few weeks later, I decided to give the same mascara another try and was pleasantly surprised to see that somehow the formula held a curl much better the second time around. With every new tube, I now make a point to apply the product on at least three different occasions before formulating a definitive opinion on it.
3. Standard and waterproof formulas are different, even for the same mascara
The name and packaging may be the same (save for a small "waterproof" label), but that doesn't mean the formulas are. After interrogating my sister on how her lashes always look so amazing, she suggested I use her go-to mascara. After trying a tube for myself, I was disappointed to discover that what delivered long and thick lashes with an impressive curl on her fell completely flat on me.
The one small, but significant, detail? She uses the waterproof version. Sure enough, after swapping my standard formula for the waterproof one, my lashes held a curl for longer. If you think about it, standard mascara formulas need to be chemically altered to withstand water, so there's a high chance they're developed differently - which means they'll most likely interact with your lashes differently as a result.
4. Ensure everything else in your makeup routine stays consistent
Don't follow my lead and start experimenting with a new liquid liner at the same time that you're experimenting with a new mascara. Since your lashes can be affected by everything from the eyelash curler you use to the order in which you apply your products, you'll want to keep the makeup you're wearing around your eyes the same in order to quickly determine whether the mascara is right for you.
5. A coat is not created equal across mascaras
With my previous drugstore go-to, I was used to swiping on coat after coat after coat in rapid succession to achieve the mega volume I liked. Once I started wielding different wands, it quickly became clear that I needed to change up my application technique depending on the mascara. Sometimes all I needed was one lighthanded coat, while other times, the mascara called for three coats (along with drying time between each) to achieve the same effect.
6. Don't assume mascara will look the same once it dries
You'd think that the eyelashes you see in the mirror directly after applying mascara would be the same eyelashes you see an hour later, right? Not necessarily. After applying a new mascara for the first time, I was happy with the results. But a mere few moments later, I glanced in the mirror and was disappointed to discover my curl had completely deflated as the formula had dried.
7. It takes a lot of time, money, and patience
Patience is really the key word for me here. I'm not one to let beauty products go to waste, so over the course of the year, I found myself trying to finish a tube of mascara before moving on to the next one, even if I didn't love it (or even like it). But that just means that once I finally discover The One, I know I'll appreciate it that much more. After all, confidence-boosting lashes are worth it!
Your Hairstyle Could Actually Be Aging You - Here Are 11 Ways to Avoid That
We worry a lot about keeping our skin youthful, but have you ever considered how your hairstyle might be another culprit that's aging you? See: wispy bangs, limp locks, or chopping all your hair off once you've hit a certain age just because you think it's your social obligation to do so. The truth is, you can make simple hair changes that instantly leave you looking fresh-faced and, more importantly, give you a confidence boost. Ahead, we show you exactly how with the help of celeb hairstylists like Etienne Ortega, Franck Izquierdo, and more.
I Have Worn the Same $3 Liquid Eyeliner For 10 Years, and It Gets Me So Many Compliments
I'm a girl who likes to wear a sharp, inky-black cat eye on the regular. There's something about it that makes me feel both powerful and glamorous, so I have made it my go-to look since my teenage years. Time after time, friends, coworkers, and strangers have asked me the same question: "What eyeliner do you use?" There's nothing that brings me more joy than smugly telling them it's a $3 pick from the drugstore. Yes, I have been religiously swiping Wet n Wild MegaLiner Liquid Eyeliner on my lids for 10 years now, and I don't plan on stopping any time soon.
Before you become skeptical, know that I have tried my fair share of liquid liners. I am always curious to see if any high-end or drugstore brands can match the quality of my Wet n Wild pick, but they never do. MegaLiner Liquid Eyeliner comes in a small tube with a screw-top handle. The applicator, a flexible spongy brush, is easy to maneuver as I glide it across my skin. The harder you press, the thicker the line becomes, so you have a lot of control over the intensity of your look. The formula itself is smooth and matte. Its raven-black shade makes my blue eyes pop. All it takes is one coat to get a pleasing obsidian-dark effect.
For me, pen-tip applicators and pots with angle brushes don't give me the razor-sharp line I'm looking for. Only MegaLiner provides me with that smooth edge - I won't accept anything less. What can I say, a good cat eye has become a passion. It's time to set down your pricey choice and give my favorite a try. I can confidently promise you that it won't disappoint.
Let's be real, a $3 purchase is not a big risk to take. Even better - it's currently on sale for $2. I keep one in every purse I own. Read on to see close-ups of the liner itself and how it looks once it's applied.
We Learned Madonna and Kim Kardashian's Best Beauty Advice
Madonna is a legend. Her music has a place in everyone's life, whether they like to admit it or not. She is a style icon, too, having reinvented her look for every album release. The pop star has a career that spans over almost four decades, and even still, she's a hot commodity - she's selling out tours while pushing 60. People still dress up like her for Halloween; they wear vintage concert tees with her name plastered on them.
Kim Kardashian West burst onto the scene in 2007 and is easily the biggest influencer on the planet. Especially in places like Los Angeles, you'll see handfuls of women who could all be replicas of the Armenian star on every corner. Kanye West aptly created a campaign for Yeezy Season 7 in which "Kim clones" took over our Instagram feeds, showcasing new looks from his collection on women with straight, long extensions, a tiny waists, and large derrieres.
Both women have icon status. They're both mothers. And now, they're both beauty moguls: Madonna founded MDNA Skin in 2014, launching last year in Barney's, which includes a patented, mineral-rich thermal water from Italy; Kim launched KKW Beauty online. And it's fitting for both: Madonna, a classic; Kim, always looking for ways to connect. On a Tuesday night at the Youtube Space in Los Angeles, a meeting of the minds took place: Madonna and Kim sat with moderator Kandee Johnson to discuss their beauty inspiration and skin care routines. The night also celebrated the launch of MDNA Skin's new Reinvention Cream ($75), in which a portion of the sales will go to Madonna's non-profit, Raising Malawi. We were there! Here are some of the best moments from the discussion.
Kim on Meeting Madonna For the First Time
KKW: "She, for a period in her life, moved in with her manager, who happened to be our next door neighbor growing up. Kourtney and I would walk - our parents were good friends with her manager - so we'd walk their dog after school. So everyday we'd go over and we'd see Madonna. We were shaking."
Madonna: "I was being moody in the kitchen."
KKW: "It was a moody phase. And I just remember so vividly, her coming in one day, wearing jeans and a white T-shirt and these combat boots, and she had dark short hair, and this leather jacket. And she just walked and was like, 'You know what, girls? I'm over these bracelets,' and took off her bracelets and gave us these black rubber bracelets."
Madonna: "They don't make those bracelets anymore!"
KKW: "She gave us this shoe box full of all this neon jewelry. Kourtney and I went to school the next day and our friends were like, 'That is so cool, where did you get those?' And we were like, 'Madonna gave it to us!' And they were like, 'Yeah, right.' They didn't believe us."
Madonna on Her Daily Beauty Routine
Madonna: "I sleep on my face. So I wake up with puffy eyes. It's disgusting. It's the worst position to sleep in."
KKW: "I'm a side sleeper."
Madonna: "You're smart. So when I wake up, my eyes look like small planets, so I made these eye masks that are filled with serum and I put them in the freezer and then I lay there. Sometimes I use cryo-sticks. And I cannot speak to anybody. I just sip lemon water. I can't function or speak to anybody, or work, or deal with life until my eyes aren't the size of planets. And then people can talk to me. Including my children. (Laughs) Actually, your kids are the only ones who get to see you ugly, right? They don't care. They start to care when they're 12. I've noticed there's a turn. Actually, I was Facetiming with my son the other day, and I had a pimple. And I don't get pimples very often and he's like, 'What's with your skin, Mom?' So that's really my beauty routine. A lot of ice in the morning. A lot of caffeine."
Madonna on Her Beauty Icons
"For me, it was about Hollywood glamour and movie stars and women like Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth. I said all their names in my song, 'Vogue,' but they were the personification of beauty to me. Feminine beauty. They looked like they all took good care of their skin - I don't know what they looked like in real life. They had good lighting."
On Their Best Beauty Advice
Madonna: "I avoided sunbathing and I never smoked. I feel like those two things, until I could afford skin care, saved me."
KKW: "I got so much skin care advice from my mom and my grandma. My mom was a stewardess for American Airlines, so all the girls would save their money for - she's here, so if I'm saying it wrong, Mom, just got with it - it was some beauty class they would teach you tips for. So when they'd stop at their destinations, all they wanted to do was go to this beauty class. So what she learned was that you should exfoliate your face with a hot wash cloth at every washing. So she's lived by that."
Kim on Why She Loves Giving Beauty Advice
KKW: "I love giving advice though. People always come to me. I love analyzing someone's face and going with them to a doctor and being like, 'Wait, a little Botox here.' That kind of advice. That's the advice I love to give. People write me, I will not say who, but some people in the business, people I've never met before will text me and say, 'Hey, this is so-and-so, I heard you give the best advice. Here are my pictures and tell me what you think I should do."
Madonna: "That's a lot of responsibility."
KKW: "Yeah. It's a liability." (Laughs)
Madonna on How the Reinvention Cream Got Created
"I've traveled the world and I've had a long career, thank God. I feel very blessed about that. I've had access to every kind of product, every kind of special treatment, every kind of spa, every miraculous mask. But a lot of it has to do with what I do for a living, performing. These lights that we're sitting under are 1/100th of the heat of the lights on stage. And being on the road eight months to a year at a time for me, being under those hot lights . . . You get up in the morning, you work out, you wash your face. Then you put a little bit of makeup on because you have to go to the soundcheck and there will be cameras there. Then you have to wash your face again. Then you have to put more makeup on for the show. And you're basically being baked in a microwave on stage. Then you finish the show and you've sweated all your makeup into your pores. Then you go home and take a shower. So your face is undergoing this kind of brutal abuse. I'd think, 'What can I do to protect my skin?' I did use a lot of products."
The One Product That Saves My Frizzy Hair Every Damn Day
Summer is unequivocally the best season. It's warm, birds are chirping, you can stay out longer, and there seems to be an extra pep in everyone's step. There's only one issue: Summer means humidity, and humidity means frizz. Frizz is an issue that's plagued my hair for as long as I can remember, and I used to think it was a lost cause. My hair was, to put it kindly, unpredictable.
I am no hair guru, so my routine consisted of washing and conditioning - no masks, no other products, and definitely no hot tools. There was no rhyme or reason, but one morning I would wake up with soft waves, and the next it would be a triangle-shaped mess. Frankly, I got tired of guessing what my hair would look like each day. Armed with no real knowledge or expertise, I set out to find a product that would control my natural volume and make my hair look a little more tousled and a little less like bed head. After some searching, I found my miracle product: Bumble and Bumble's Bb. Don't Blo It Thick (H)air Styler ($31).
This is the one and only hair product that is in my makeup bag everywhere I go, without fail.
When I was dreaming of my ideal product, I wanted it to control some of my frizz but not flatten my hair. I'm partial to that undone, soft-wave look, and I needed to make sure that I would still be able to achieve that when my hair dried. The best part of this product is that it's an air styler, meaning it's meant to be used on air-dried hair. This speaks to me on a personal level; I have neither the patience nor the skill to successfully heat-style my hair.
The whole process couldn't be simpler. After you get out of the shower, you just work the cream through your hair. I massage my roots and scrunch my ends, but some people just do ends - whatever works best for you. Then you put on a face mask or get ready for work or watch TV or whatever your heart desires. When the hair dries, it's silky and frizz-free.
I don't know what kind of sorcery the scientists at Bumble and Bumble have come up with, but I'm completely devoted to them. This air styler is proof that you don't need to be an amateur hairstylist to have beautiful hair, and you don't need to spend a long time on it, either. Formulated with avocado and jojoba oil, it's ideal for keeping your tresses hydrated and smooth. Plus, there are no parabens or sulfates to weigh your hair down. I don't think too much about how my hair is going to look anymore; I just think about making sure I always have enough of this cream.
You Could Spend Hours in the Sun, or You Could Get a New Bronzer
In our opinion, there's nothing quite as transformative as a great bronzer. Applying it correctly can enhance your features in a pretty powerful way. And while the weather's warming up and everyone's rushing to get a tan, you can rest easy knowing you have your trusty new bronzer to keep you glowing without the sun exposure. Just keep reading to shop!
14 Soap & Glory Products Every True Beauty-Lover Should Own
If you haven't tried Soap & Glory yet, you're seriously missing out on some amazing products. The brand gained major popularity in England, and now it's taking off in the US. So what does Soap & Glory offer? You'll find plenty of affordable makeup and skin care under its name. I'm a huge fan, using many of these genius formulas daily. The brand's cheeky retro packaging and quality cosmetics make it one to watch. All of these items are also easily accessible at Ulta, Target, or Walgreens. Check out the products we love and try them out for yourself.
13 Drugstore Facial Moisturizers Your Skin Will Love
Whether your skin care regimen fills an entire medicine cabinet with steps one through 23 or it's practically nonexistent, there is one product that just about everyone on Planet Earth can get behind - a daily facial moisturizer. We challenge you to find a face that hasn't benefited from a little extra hydration every now and then . . . or every day, twice a day, if that's more your style. And you don't need a lavish cream with a mini marble spatula to get the job done, either! These drugstore favorites are moisturizers even Ms. Fancy Pants can slather on with a smile. Read on to see our picks.
6 Key Mistakes You Might Be Making With Concealer
It's not just enough to spend five minutes a day applying your makeup: you need to make sure you have the right products, tools, and techniques to make the most of your look. While concealer might seem simple, there's actually more to it than you think. When it comes to finding the perfect concealer for your skin and complexion, it's all about trial and error to see what works and what doesn't. You should also visit a makeup artist for advice if you're struggling to pick your favorite. Here are the worst mistakes you could be making when putting on concealer in the morning.
Cruelty-Free Mascaras That Even Lash Extension Addicts Will Love
If you're thinking of transitioning your beauty routine to cruelty-free, we're here to help. There's no reason that cosmetics brands need to test on animals (it's not required by law in the United States), and many of your favorite brands have sworn off testing on our furry friends. Most beauty junkies don't want to sacrifice makeup quality - especially when it comes to getting long, thick, voluminous lashes - and you don't have to.
We've rounded up some of the blackest, thickest, most incredible mascaras on the market that all happen to be 100 percent cruelty-free. Keep reading to find your next go-to mascara without harming any animals.
These 8 Short Styles Are Ideal For Fine-Haired Beauties
We all grumble about one thing or another when it comes to our physical traits, and that definitely includes the texture and thickness of our hair. Thick-haired people lament the hours spent just trying to blow-dry, and curly-haired folks are forever trying to figure out a way to tame frizz. And then there are those with fine hair whose primary objective is to determine the best way to boost volume and texture. We're focusing on the latter category today.
"Fine hair can achieve just as many versatile looks as thick, dense hair given a few essential styling aids and insights," noted Amanda Elaine Killen, Amika's Pro Educator. "First, fine hair like any other hair, needs to be hydrated properly to maintain health, so don't throw out your conditioners in defeat just yet. Try a lightweight yet nourishing conditioner - like Normcore Signature Conditioner ($9) - which is free of the parabens found in many conditioners that cause buildup and weigh hair down."
She also suggested using a matte texturing spray and/or volumizer to create additional texture and absorb the excess oil that causes too much slip in your style. Once you've got those basics down, the salon chair is your oyster. We've rounded up eight short hairstyles that are especially great for thinner hair since they better allow you to volumize and accentuate what you're already rocking.
43 Beachy Tattoos That Will Make Your Summer Memory Last Forever
It is just us, or does Summer never seem to last long enough? One minute you're relaxing in the sand, listening to the waves, and the next you're dealing with back-to-school shopping and pumpkin spice lattes. In fact, we think Summer shouldn't just stretch over a few months - it should last all year round. Or, at least, the warm-weather lifestyle should - carefree, relaxed, and filled with fun.
There's one major way to keep a bit of sunshine with you at all times: a beach-themed tattoo. Keep reading to see some of our favorite wave, palm tree, and ocean ink designs from Instagram. It's one way to make your favorite Summer memory last forever.
So, Sequin Unicorn Pillows Are the Latest Craze, and Um, Yeah, We'll Take 'Em All
From an affordable home decor standpoint, "mermaid" pillows - the ones that transition from full-on sequin to a fun image with the flick of the wrist - are actually pretty damn genius. After all, nothing can change the vibe of a room in an instant more than adding a bunch of throw pillows. And thankfully, unicorn fanatics can have the best of both worlds, because unicorn mermaid pillows exist and they are beyond fabulous.
Kids and teens with a weakness for all things mystical can take their pick from a slew of unicorn-inspired pillows with sweet personalization options and even hilarious facades of your favorite horned creature dabbing. Scroll through to peep some of the most magical pillows - and try hard not to shriek with excitement.
Jaw-Dropping Photos From a C-Section Birth
Jessica Bender is used to snapping pictures of children's birthdays, not their actual births. But when she was given the opportunity to capture a friend's C-section delivery, the Canadian photographer couldn't say no. Granted, she didn't have much of a choice. On the day of the procedure, Jessica received a call from mom-to-be Carly saying that her husband Nathan had to have emergency surgery and she needed Jessica to step into the support role.
"It was an odd feeling to be so excited that someone needed to have emergency surgery," Jessica writes in her blog. "I felt guilty for about 39 seconds." Stooped on a stool with a camera pressed to her face, Jessica waited for Elias to make his grand entrance. As Jessica eagerly watched doctors "cut open the midsection, layer by layer," Carly remained calm, cool, and collected.
"She has forever reframed what a C-section means to me," Jessica writes of her friend. "In the past, it was presented as something to fear, but seeing Carly meet her baby . . . there was zero fear."
Read on to see Carly's fearless C-section, and meet baby Elias.
This 7-Foot-Tall Unicorn Sprinkler Is So HUGE, You'll Need It For Every Summer BBQ
Unicorns really are the Summer gift that keeps on giving! If the giant unicorn pool float caught your eye, then add this inflatable unicorn sprinkler to your list. Big Mouth Toys Giant Unicorn Yard Sprinkler is nearly seven feet tall and shoots water from its horn, perfect for an entertaining afternoon cool-off with the kids in the backyard. We can see the Instagrammable BBQs and birthday parties already! Plus, according to the product description, setup is easy. Simply inflate and attach a garden hose, then enjoy the warm Summer hours outside.
Keep reading to see this magical unicorn sprinkler, plus two other styles: dinosaur and elephant!
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