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 24 août 2018
Disney's Halloween High Tea Service Is Themed After Its Most Memorable Villains
When you think of high tea, you probably envision a group of people in their Sunday best sipping tea with their pinkies out and eating finger sandwiches from fancy plates. But this Halloween at Disneyland, things have taken a very dark (and dangerously clever) turn with an all-new villain-themed high tea service. Available beginning on Sept. 7 at Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel, this limited-edition activity is certainly worth booking in advance.
Disney drew inspiration from some its its best - or worst? - villains and created an entire spread that pays homage to them. Maleficent's "horns" make an appearance on the menu in the form of ruby red microgreens atop edamame-avocado smash on pumpernickel bread. The Lion King's Scar is a red pepper hummus-smeared sandwich that stands tall over the others, acting as an edible version of Pride Rock. Half the fun of making your way through each item is deciphering the connection to the character; the Disney food experts who created the menu left no detail unnoticed.
This time last year, Steakhouse 55 had a special high tea service, but it was just a general Halloween theme. This year's villain theme heightens the experience even more, and it's a not-so-scary way to celebrate the season with your friends. Take a look at the details ahead, and plan on stopping by while it's on the menu from Friday through Sunday (from noon until 3 p.m.) until Oct. 31.
These Fall Festivals Will Give You a Hankering For Hot Cider, Hay Rides, and Chunky Sweaters
Fall is this glorious season where the air is crisp, the sweaters come out, the wine is spiced, and weekends are spent indulging in seasonal sweets like caramel apples and pumpkin pie. It's also one of the best times to visit a festival. With apple and pumpkin season in full swing, Oktoberfest kicking off, and the tail end of wine-making season all converging in Fall, there are so many things to do to get in the mood for snuggle season. And there are some specialty festivals, too, that only come around once a year during the Fall.
Want to know what festivals are happening this year around the country? Grab your comfy boots and your favorite seasonal sweater, because we know where to be when it comes to celebrating the season. Hit them all up before it's time to hibernate for the Winter.
25+ 1-Pan Dinners (Because Dirty Dishes Suck)
We're going to go out on a limb here and assume that pretty much no one looks forward to tackling a pile of dirty dishes, especially on a busy weeknight. You could skip cooking altogether and order a pizza or get takeout, but that's not the only solution. One-pan meals, like these 28 recipes that are made in a skillet, sheet pan, or sauté pan, produce tasty results with minimal cleanup.
20 Hocus Pocus-Inspired Etsy Products That Will Put a Spell on Your Home
Indisputable fact: Hocus Pocus is one of the greatest Halloween films of all time. So why limit yourself to watching the movie a few (or more than a few . . .) times each October? Whether you're throwing a Halloween bash or simply want to get your home looking freshly festive, some Hocus Pocus-inspired decor is the perfect way to celebrate the spookiest time of the year. From handcrafted signs to inexpensive decals, these 20 Etsy products are guaranteed to look way cooler than the boring plastic pumpkins you were planning on recycling from last year.
Don't Break the Bank This Labor Day - Visit These 10 Affordable Destinations
Labor Day marks the official end of Summer vacation. All too soon, schools will be back in session, temperatures will start to drop, and storefronts will begin replacing sundresses and tank tops with Fall boots and cozy sweaters. But before you say goodbye to the year's warmest season, there's still time to plan an epic Labor Day vacation and soak up as much Summer sun as possible. If you've yet to plan a getaway due to tight funds, don't worry, frugal traveler! It's not too late to map out an unforgettable trip without maxing out your credit card. Whether you're jet-setting with friends or family, or flying solo, the following 10 wallet-friendly destinations are sure to satiate your wanderlust without the steep price tag. Let's go out with a bang, Summer 2018!
I Made Dirt-Cheap Meals For a Week, and Here's How I Survived
One day, while feeling particularly dismal about spending yet another $100 on groceries for the week in San Francisco, I read a post that forever changed my outlook on food expenditures: "This Story of How 1 Woman Saved $30,000 in 8 Months Will Motivate You (and Crack You Up!)." I laughed! I cried! It motivated me to get to work. While dumpster diving won't be my method of saving money on food, I had a profound realization: my fridge, pantry, and freezer probably contained enough food to feed me for "free" for at least several weeks, so I set out to only eat from items I already owned.
The reserves lasted me well over a week, and in all honesty, I'm still working on clearing it out. Check yours and you'll likely discover an astonishing amount of food that's gathering dust and ice chips. Like me, you may have avoided this food for months. But, when I challenged myself to be creative, I came up with some tasty ways to straight-up survive off of it. You will too, once you read my tips.
The Absolute Best Way to Cook Zucchini Noodles
Congrats! You've successfully made zoodles in a spiralizer. Now, onto the important question: how do you actually cook them? Unlike pasta, you fortunately don't need to wait around for a pot of water to boil. Instead, you treat the veggie "noodles" as vegetables you'd normally sauté on the stovetop.
The best way to cook a batch of zoodles is to heat one or two tablespoons of oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil, in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the noodles with a generous pinch of salt and a little pepper. After about five minutes, the zoodles will be slightly softened but not mushy, which is what you're after. They'll be similar to the al dente texture of traditional pasta.
And that's it! You can turn off the heat and turn your zucchini noodles into a full meal catered to your preference. You could add homemade bolognese sauce, basil pesto and parmesan cheese, lemon butter shrimp and red pepper flakes, or even more of your favorite satueed veggies to the mix. After trying out this healthy alternative to carb-heavy pasta a few times, you might convince yourself you like it almost as much as the real thing.
Ready to get cooking? Here are some more zucchini noodle recipes to get you started.
We're Here to Make Birthday Shopping Easy - 34 Items Just For Him
Finding the right present for someone can sometimes be a struggle - you want to find something specific to that person, and do it in time to avoid the dreaded last-minute gift card purchase. Whether you have an aspiring mixologist in the family or are best friends with a guy who's perpetually on vacation (side note: how do we get on his level?), we have 34 presents that'll fit the bill. Now just get some wrapping paper and you're all set.
If You're a Parent on the Keto Diet, Here Are 19 Snacks Both You and Your Kids Can Eat
Changing your diet and the foods you keep around the house becomes much more complicated once you have kids, whose main food groups are bread, chicken nuggets, and fruit snacks. If you're currently on the keto diet - whether alone or with your partner - keeping nonketo food in the house is definitely tempting (we always want what we can't have!). Although it's not recommended that you put your kids on the keto diet with you, there are plenty of snacks that are both kid- and keto-friendly that the whole family can enjoy.
Sure, you'll probably still have the nonketo kid stuff around to ensure your kids are getting all the nutrients they need, but putting these keto snacks at the front of the cupboard means you'll be a lot less tempted to eat Goldfish crackers out of your kids' snack cups.
I Fought So Hard to Give Birth on the Toilet, but My Doctor Refused to Let Me
Of all the possible scenarios I'd gone over in my head, how my birth story ended up playing out was pretty much the opposite of what I expected. You see, I wanted to give birth on the toilet . . . adamantly. Good thing my nurses and doctor wouldn't let me.
That's when another nurse arrived, and along with my labor and delivery nurse, the two of them literally picked me up off the toilet and carried me to the bed.
My bathroom birth story started when I went into the hospital for a scheduled induction. Once my doctor started my Pitocin drip and broke my water, my labor began, fast and furious. I went from four centimeters to 10 in less than half an hour. At that point, I was making what my nurse later described as "devil sounds." Suddenly, I felt pressure down in my rear end like never before. I begged the nurse to help me make it to the bathroom because I had to go NOW. She told me it only felt like I had to use the bathroom because the baby's head was bearing down on my rectum. Still, I was convinced I had to get to a toilet ASAP.
Related: Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me: You Need a Catheter During Delivery If You Get an Epidural
Even as my nurse tried to stop me, I was dragging my IV across the hospital room floor, making a beeline for the bathroom. "I can't let you have your baby on the toilet, honey," she told me. Her words barely registered. My body had taken over and all I wanted to do was go.
Just as I was sitting down on the toilet, my doctor burst into the room, ready to deliver my son. I heard the nurse explain that I was insistent on going to the bathroom, and he quickly informed me that the toilet was the wrong place to deliver my baby. "I'm not coming in there," he said, sternly. I didn't care. I had decided it was going to happen here with or without him. And no one, not even my desperate husband, who was perched helplessly in the doorway, could persuade me otherwise, as contractions ripped through my body and dulled any ounce of logic I had left in my head.
That's when another nurse arrived, and along with my labor and delivery nurse, the two of them literally picked me up off the toilet and carried me to the bed. "You can go to the bathroom here if you need to," one of them told me, while I screamed and protested that I had to get back to the toilet.
Related: I've Given Birth 4 Very Different Ways - Here's What I've Learned
As soon as the nurses laid me down on the bed, my husband excitedly informed me he could see our baby's head. Our son was born mere moments later. Seriously, I could have given birth on the toilet had my nurses not manhandled me out of the bathroom. I mean, thank god for them, and for my doctor who had stood his ground and refused to let me have my way. Dear Lord, I can't even imagine having to inform my son one day that mommy had him on a potty.
Later, once I was holding my beautiful baby in my arms and the room had cleared out, I asked my husband if he thought I was the first woman to ever insist on birthing her baby in the bathroom. Whether he was just humoring me I don't know, but he said, "No way." "Those nurses have seen everything," he told me, adding that I wasn't the first mama to feel insane pressure on her bottom and think she had to poop when it was really the baby about to come out.
Here's hoping he's right and someone out there can relate to my not-so-cute birth story. And um, a sincere apology to my nurses and to my doctor for being such a pain in the butt (pun intended)!
11 Things Teachers Want You to Do BEFORE the First Day of School
As a teacher, the beginning of a new school year is always exciting. We have to organize materials, get the classroom ready, and finalize lesson plans. But just as teachers have to prep for going back to school, so do the parents. And I'm talking beyond checking everything off that school supply list.
As the most important people in the educational life of a child, parents do more than just drop their kids off at the beginning of the day and pick them up when it's all over. Parents help set the learning tone for the whole year, and without their support, everything cam go south. Keep reading for 11 things you can do ahead of time to make sure you, your child, and their teacher have the most successful and efficient school year yet.
My Ex-Husband and I Text Each Other All the Time, and It's Usually the Best Part of My Day
I remember when I was newly divorced and life as I knew it was over in many ways. Among them, the man who had been by my side through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, was now only making appearances opposite my lawyer and me in a courtroom. We didn't speak to each other much, and we were both harboring resentments. I was also struggling with acceptance. While I knew I didn't want to be married to him anymore, I sure as hell did not want a broken family. I didn't want to be without my kids half the time, and I didn't want to be a single mom the other half, either. The financial constraints of somehow making one salary enough for a family of four plagued me during most of my waking hours. I was scared and not OK with this arrangement. I felt lost. As soon as the papers were filed, I was without the husband I vowed to be with, until death do us part.
My ex-husband and I now text each other every day. Some days, we text a lot. Texting has become a staple of our postdivorce relationship.
Fast forward seven years. Seven years of rediscovering, adjusting, accepting, and healing. Seven years of creating a new life for this so-called broken family. In those seven short years, we've managed to create a new family - one that has two homes but isn't broken at all. We've put ourselves back together in a way that works for us. The best part is that the resentments and the hurt are gone. We've come to accept and even embrace our new arrangement. And the best part? The kids get to see their parents communicating in a healthy way, rather than incessantly fighting. And texting has helped to make that possible. My ex-husband and I now text each other every day. Some days, we text a lot. Texting has become a staple of our postdivorce relationship. It encourages inclusion but discourages arguments. It works for us, and I'm so grateful for that.
My three kids just spent two weeks in Cape Cod with their dad, which is a long time for me to go without them. As the days passed, my heart and soul longed to hug and kiss and laugh with them. I missed them terribly. But you know what helped? My ex-husband texted me every day. Thanks to those texts from my ex, I knew that they went to see a magician and that my son was chosen to be a volunteer for the lie detector test, which revealed that at 8 years old, he has a girlfriend! I received phone calls from my ex, during which he put the kids on speakerphone so they could all tell me about the highlights of their day. By the end of their vacation, I had received enough pictures to make a Cape Cod memory book, and it all helped me to feel a little closer to them during this longer-than-normal separation.
Far from being broken, our family is quite whole, and texts with my ex have played a significant part in our healing. The kids know their dad and I communicate regularly and that we're united in a very divorced kind of way. People often compliment my ex and me for getting along as well as we do. I always thank them for noticing, but I also smile inside knowing it hasn't been an easy journey getting here. In the early days, when court dates, lawyers, and affidavits were at the center of my relationship with my ex, communication was tough. We would text only when absolutely necessary. There were times when I wanted to block him completely. But somewhere along the line, we found acceptance.
I'm confident my ex and I will continue to text every day and that they'll always be about the kids: their schedules, their needs, or a funny story that only a parent could truly appreciate. When we need help with carpooling or schedule changes, we know we can rely on each other with a quick text: "Hey, can you pick up Molly from her practice at 3:30 so I can take Emmet to his lessons?" "Sure." We help each other out. Rather than splitting things up with "my nights" and "your nights," we're both parents every night.
I would have missed out on so many things if my ex and I were not on texting terms. I wouldn't have known that my daughter has a collection of sea glass or that my son found out the tooth fairy wasn't real. I wouldn't have seen the ear-to-ear smiles on the kids' faces when they went to their first Red Sox game, and I wouldn't have seen the video of that hockey goal I missed when I had to work on a Saturday. Today, I'm grateful for the gift of time. I'm grateful that we've been able to heal and that I embrace our new normal. And I'm so grateful for every text I receive from my ex.
My Kids Fight All the Time, but I'm Done Being Their Referee
I recently decided that I'm done being my kids' referee. After years of pulling them off each other during heated battles, I'm over it. I'm tired and I've had enough. My children are two years apart, a boy and a girl, and as many families can attest to, this age gap and the differing sexes can serve as the perfect ingredients for sibling rivalry. It's normal. I get that. But that doesn't mean I'm not sick and tired of always showing them how to get along and intermingle peacefully. It's exhausting.
So, I quit.
No, I'm not going to let them duke it out with punching, kicking, or hair-pulling. Physical violence will never be tolerated in my house. But the arguing? It's just unrealistic to think that my kids will live in constant harmony. While I will still do my best to guide them when it comes to mending their disagreements and be an example for how to treat people, I've started staying out of their fights, just like my parents did with my siblings and I.
When I see my daughter tease her brother by squirting him in the face with the water hose, I'm reminded of my own childhood and how I used to do the exact same things to my brothers. And my parents rarely interfered when we were growing up. Of course we fought - a lot. With four kids under one roof, it was inevitable. My twin brother and I used to torment each other daily, which would drive my mother insane. But unless we laid a finger on one another, she rarely stepped in. And you know what? We always figured it out.
We eventually learned that staying out of each other's way, playing nicely together, or apologizing was a hell of a lot more fun than suffocating each other with pillows until the other surrendered. And today, my siblings and I are best friends. We still pick on each other a little, because even as adults, it's fun to get a rise out of each other. But as we've grown, we've just learned not to push those buttons too hard.
My kids are going to grow up to become young adults and they're going to have to learn how to solve problems with their classmates and coworkers when I'm not there. And their teachers or bosses also won't always hold their hands and instruct them on how to behave. They'll be expected to know how to do that themselves. So, for now, I'll continue to guide my children the best that I can. But I'm done refereeing their arguments. No more tattle-tailing to mommy. No more yelling for me to break it up. I'm confident that like my brothers and I did, they'll figure out how to get along (for the most part). And if they're anything like us, they'll eventually stop squirting each other in the face with the water hose.
These Easy Thomas the Tank Engine Halloween Costumes Will Make Kids Scream "All Aboard!"
If there's one show that has had a steady fan base of little ones for generations, it's definitely Thomas & Friends. Whether your kid completely idolizes Thomas or is always eagerly waiting for Percy to appear on the screen, we have a feeling they'd jump at a chance to dress up as their favorite engines this Halloween.
Have a train-obsessed kiddo lurking around your living room? Then you're in luck, because we've rounded up some of the very best Thomas the Tank Engine-themed costumes out there. So whether you just want to swing by Walmart and snag an outfit or want to go the homemade route, we have options for every little one. Scroll through to get a glimpse of what's out there - and make sure your credit card is at the ready!
17 First-Day-of-School Photos That Perfectly Capture the Way Kids Feel About School
If you sit most kids - whether they're actually happy or not - in front of the camera on their first day of school, they'll sit and smile and hold that adorable chalkboard sign you made them. Some kids though, the ones who can't hide their emotions even for the sake of one photo, just can't bear to be happy through that first-day-of-school photo shoot.
Scroll through for 13 first-day-of-school photos that show how kids really feel about going back to class.
25 Funny Halloween Kid Costumes That Will Leave Everyone LOLing
Parents typically get tremendous joy from seeing their kids dress up for Halloween, especially after they've spent the early years forcing costumes on them as babies. The rewarding part comes when children become old enough to morph into passionate Halloweeners and develop their own sartorial tastes. If you have a young one in the family with a good sense of humor, this might be the year to suggest they try their hand at wearing a funny or goofy outfit. From a wearable Twister dress to a large poop emoji, we found 25 costumes that will bring joy to everyone who sees them.
My Daughter Told My Husband and Me to Stop Fighting, and It Opened My Eyes to a Lot
A couple of weeks ago, at the end of an extended family vacation that was equal parts fun and stressful, my husband and I were arguing while packing up. I can't remember the exact context of this particular fight, but we'd been clashing all week about a few issues that seem to pop up on every family trip we've taken in the seven years since our daughter was born (basic premise: he needs more attention than I'm giving him), and we try to work through it once we return home. Summer is not our best marital season.
"Are you fighting again?" she asked. That "again" was an instant dagger to the heart.
Blame it on the increased stress and exhaustion I feel as an at-home mom who's balancing two active, ever-present kids and a part-time job; the disruption from our regular family schedule through trips, camps, and missed bedtimes; the pressure I feel to make my kids' childhood Summers as magical and memorable as I remember mine were; or the struggle to find dedicated "couple time" during a jam-packed few months, but somehow, every Summer, my spouse and I struggle to get on the same page.
This was one thing when our kids were really small, and we could hurl insults at each other in dulcet tones, knowing they didn't understand our words, only our intonation. But now our kids are 7 and 4-and-a-half, and for some reason, as they've gotten more aware of their surroundings, we've gotten worse at hiding our marital strife.
I've always been a believer that arguing in front of our children isn't always a terrible thing, and in fact, can teach them some good lessons about conflict resolution and about how it's OK to make mistakes as long as you take responsibility for them and actively try to make things better. But during this particular disagreement, my daughter made me rethink my pro-open-conflict stance.
In this case, we were arguing behind a closed door, on a different floor than the one my kids and my parents were hanging out on, so I'm sure we were loud and using some questionable language. It was one of those fights that's even more frustrating because we've had it so many times before, and frankly, I was at my breaking point, close to totally losing it, when our daughter walked in.
"Are you fighting again?" she asked. That "again" was an instant dagger to the heart. "Honey, we're just trying to resolve the argument we had earlier this week," was my lame response, not wanting to admit that absolutely, we were engaging in another round of childish insult throwing. "Oh, I thought you were in another fight," she responded, a nervous laugh punctuating her sentence and showing me that the bounds of this fighting had gone much farther than I'd let myself believe. Her anxious giggle was a plea that I heard loud and clear: this needs to stop.
There's nothing like being called out by a 7-year-old to take the wind out of your anger sails, and with that, my husband and I stopped the unproductive bickering and realized we had a bigger issue on our hands. The next day, we agreed to go back to counseling to work through the minor, fixable issues that were becoming a major problem for both us and our daughter. We all deserve better than spending the last day of our vacation locked in a bedroom, yelling at each other. I'm just sorry it took our child to make us see that.
These Fall Festivals Will Give You a Hankering For Hot Cider, Hay Rides, and Chunky Sweaters
Fall is this glorious season where the air is crisp, the sweaters come out, the wine is spiced, and weekends are spent indulging in seasonal sweets like caramel apples and pumpkin pie. It's also one of the best times to visit a festival. With apple and pumpkin season in full swing, Oktoberfest kicking off, and the tail end of wine-making season all converging in Fall, there are so many things to do to get in the mood for snuggle season. And there are some specialty festivals, too, that only come around once a year during the Fall.
Want to know what festivals are happening this year around the country? Grab your comfy boots and your favorite seasonal sweater, because we know where to be when it comes to celebrating the season. Hit them all up before it's time to hibernate for the Winter.
8 Life Lessons That Only Heartache Can Teach You
Have you ever seen a teenager lose his or her first love? Or maybe you've seen someone's marriage fall apart? Maybe you've seen someone left at the altar?
Heartache is a wicked, cruel, and unfair thing, but it's a universal feeling. No one skates by in life without at least one broken heart, but the truth is you wouldn't really know what love is without having your heart be pounded, broken, and demolished, now would you? As much as heartache can take days, weeks, months, and sometimes (although this is super unhealthy) years to get over, it teaches us so much. Heartache is tough, but it is a moment in time in which you can grow. Taking your tears, sleepless nights, and stomachaches and turning them into ways to better understand your relationships and yourself is where heartache becomes its most powerful. Take it from someone who is no stranger to heartache, I promise: you become a better and stronger version of you after you've gone through it. Keep reading for eight life lessons you can only learn from getting your heart broken.
Related:
6 Actions You Can Take to #StopKavanaugh and Protect Women's Rights
The nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court threatens to strip away the most fundamental of women's rights for generations to come. Kavanaugh is a staunch conservative with a long-standing history of opposing access to birth control and abortion. The Donald Trump administration's latest SCOTUS nominee made headlines during a controversial abortion case in October 2017, where he dissented against the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to grant a detained 17-year-old immigrant access to an abortion. Kavanaugh also penned the dissenting opinion against a ruling that upheld the Affordable Care Act's birth control mandate, arguing that employers opposed to contraception for religious reasons should not be required to provide employees with coverage for birth control. Simply put, appointing Kavanaugh, 53, to a lifelong position on the Supreme Court would likely spell disaster for reproductive rights.
To ensure such a dangerous nomination never succeeds, organizations including Planned Parenthood, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Move On, and more are banding together on Sunday, Aug. 26, for a day of action called Unite For Justice . . . and they need you to join in with them. Dust off your marching shoes and read on for ways you can ensure your senators get the picture: any nominee posing a threat to women's rights is an unacceptable choice for the highest court in the land.
Thanks to Lyft, Getting to the Polls on Election Day Just Got a Little Easier
Lyft is doing its part to help get voters to the polls this Election Day. The ridesharing app has partnered with several voter turnout organizations to offer discounted - and, in some cases, free - rides on Nov. 6.
With the help of Vote.org, Nonprofit Vote, and TurboVote, Lyft will distribute 50-percent off promo codes to voters in need of transportation to the polls, the ridesharing company announced on Aug. 23. Lyft will also be providing completely cost-free rides in underserved communities with nonprofit partners including Voto Latino, Urban League, and others. As an added bonus, the app will also launch a feature that will help riders locate their assigned polling location in the lead up to Election Day.
For anyone not yet registered to vote, Lyft has a plan for that, too. Lyft drivers will receive voter registration handouts and additional voter information for any interested riders, and the app will notify users about any upcoming registration deadlines.
Lyft's effort is just one of many that major businesses and influential Americans are taking to encourage people to make their voices heard in the midterm elections. Earlier this Summer, Michelle Obama announced the first-ever When We All Vote Week of Action, which will consist of voter registration events across the nation from Sept. 22 to Sept. 29 - some of which will be attended by the former first lady herself.
Trick or Treat! Modcloth Launched a Halloween Shop That'll Get You in the Spooky Spirit
We aren't joking when we say that our Halloween planning has already begun. True devotees of the holiday know it's never too early to get ready. Modcloth just launched its Halloween shop, and we are freaking out over the cute and spooky stuff. Whether you want a graphic tee, quirky earrings, or Insta-worthy decor, the site has you covered. Feast your eyes on our favorite picks and start counting down to October.
7 Things That Seem Romantic but Are Actually Red Flags
These gestures might seem romantic, giving promise to a healthy, happy relationship moving forward, but it turns out they're actually red flags in disguise. Sometimes when things seem too good to be true and the person you're dating is making grandiose gestures that flatter and charm you so early on, it can mean that there aren't good intentions there, and your partner might not be the sweetheart they appear to be. Here's what to avoid when dating someone new. If you notice any of these signals, proceed with caution.
Related: If These 30 Signs Sound Familiar, You Need to Get Out of Your Relationship ASAP
Don't Break the Bank This Labor Day - Visit These 10 Affordable Destinations
Labor Day marks the official end of Summer vacation. All too soon, schools will be back in session, temperatures will start to drop, and storefronts will begin replacing sundresses and tank tops with Fall boots and cozy sweaters. But before you say goodbye to the year's warmest season, there's still time to plan an epic Labor Day vacation and soak up as much Summer sun as possible. If you've yet to plan a getaway due to tight funds, don't worry, frugal traveler! It's not too late to map out an unforgettable trip without maxing out your credit card. Whether you're jet-setting with friends or family, or flying solo, the following 10 wallet-friendly destinations are sure to satiate your wanderlust without the steep price tag. Let's go out with a bang, Summer 2018!
Disney's Halloween High Tea Service Is Themed After Its Most Memorable Villains
When you think of high tea, you probably envision a group of people in their Sunday best sipping tea with their pinkies out and eating finger sandwiches from fancy plates. But this Halloween at Disneyland, things have taken a very dark (and dangerously clever) turn with an all-new villain-themed high tea service. Available beginning on Sept. 7 at Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel, this limited-edition activity is certainly worth booking in advance.
Disney drew inspiration from some its its best - or worst? - villains and created an entire spread that pays homage to them. Maleficent's "horns" make an appearance on the menu in the form of ruby red microgreens atop edamame-avocado smash on pumpernickel bread. The Lion King's Scar is a red pepper hummus-smeared sandwich that stands tall over the others, acting as an edible version of Pride Rock. Half the fun of making your way through each item is deciphering the connection to the character; the Disney food experts who created the menu left no detail unnoticed.
This time last year, Steakhouse 55 had a special high tea service, but it was just a general Halloween theme. This year's villain theme heightens the experience even more, and it's a not-so-scary way to celebrate the season with your friends. Take a look at the details ahead, and plan on stopping by while it's on the menu from Friday through Sunday (from noon until 3 p.m.) until Oct. 31.
These Fall Festivals Will Give You a Hankering For Hot Cider, Hay Rides, and Chunky Sweaters
Fall is this glorious season where the air is crisp, the sweaters come out, the wine is spiced, and weekends are spent indulging in seasonal sweets like caramel apples and pumpkin pie. It's also one of the best times to visit a festival. With apple and pumpkin season in full swing, Oktoberfest kicking off, and the tail end of wine-making season all converging in Fall, there are so many things to do to get in the mood for snuggle season. And there are some specialty festivals, too, that only come around once a year during the Fall.
Want to know what festivals are happening this year around the country? Grab your comfy boots and your favorite seasonal sweater, because we know where to be when it comes to celebrating the season. Hit them all up before it's time to hibernate for the Winter.
25+ 1-Pan Dinners (Because Dirty Dishes Suck)
We're going to go out on a limb here and assume that pretty much no one looks forward to tackling a pile of dirty dishes, especially on a busy weeknight. You could skip cooking altogether and order a pizza or get takeout, but that's not the only solution. One-pan meals, like these 28 recipes that are made in a skillet, sheet pan, or sauté pan, produce tasty results with minimal cleanup.
20 Hocus Pocus-Inspired Etsy Products That Will Put a Spell on Your Home
Indisputable fact: Hocus Pocus is one of the greatest Halloween films of all time. So why limit yourself to watching the movie a few (or more than a few . . .) times each October? Whether you're throwing a Halloween bash or simply want to get your home looking freshly festive, some Hocus Pocus-inspired decor is the perfect way to celebrate the spookiest time of the year. From handcrafted signs to inexpensive decals, these 20 Etsy products are guaranteed to look way cooler than the boring plastic pumpkins you were planning on recycling from last year.
Don't Break the Bank This Labor Day - Visit These 10 Affordable Destinations
Labor Day marks the official end of Summer vacation. All too soon, schools will be back in session, temperatures will start to drop, and storefronts will begin replacing sundresses and tank tops with Fall boots and cozy sweaters. But before you say goodbye to the year's warmest season, there's still time to plan an epic Labor Day vacation and soak up as much Summer sun as possible. If you've yet to plan a getaway due to tight funds, don't worry, frugal traveler! It's not too late to map out an unforgettable trip without maxing out your credit card. Whether you're jet-setting with friends or family, or flying solo, the following 10 wallet-friendly destinations are sure to satiate your wanderlust without the steep price tag. Let's go out with a bang, Summer 2018!
I Made Dirt-Cheap Meals For a Week, and Here's How I Survived
One day, while feeling particularly dismal about spending yet another $100 on groceries for the week in San Francisco, I read a post that forever changed my outlook on food expenditures: "This Story of How 1 Woman Saved $30,000 in 8 Months Will Motivate You (and Crack You Up!)." I laughed! I cried! It motivated me to get to work. While dumpster diving won't be my method of saving money on food, I had a profound realization: my fridge, pantry, and freezer probably contained enough food to feed me for "free" for at least several weeks, so I set out to only eat from items I already owned.
The reserves lasted me well over a week, and in all honesty, I'm still working on clearing it out. Check yours and you'll likely discover an astonishing amount of food that's gathering dust and ice chips. Like me, you may have avoided this food for months. But, when I challenged myself to be creative, I came up with some tasty ways to straight-up survive off of it. You will too, once you read my tips.
Here Are the Fitness Classes Your Trainer Doesn't Want You to Take
There are dozens of group fitness class offerings in each gym, studio, and wellness center. Although many of them are good, even great, there are way too many mediocre offerings. As a trainer, I am very picky about the ones I choose. I have limited time to spend on my own workouts, so they better be worth it. Generally speaking, I will not attend a class that puts music, choreography, or class synchronization over safety, form, or appropriate workload. If you aren't a certified trainer, how do you learn to discern those things? Here are three key questions to ask that will help you weed out the good from the bad in fitness classes.
Are the Instructors Coaches or Cheerleaders?
When it comes to trainers, there is a difference between someone who cheers and shakes pom-poms at you, and someone who motivates and educates you while working toward a fitness goal. Look for trainers who know more than just choreography. Do they know their humerus from their femur? Can they tell you why you are doing a particular exercise? Do they tell you where you should be feeling the move in your body? Can they give you a tangible guideline for how hard you should be working (e.g. "your glutes should be burning," or "you should be approaching failure here"). If all your instructor seems to be able to do is memorize a sequence and pair it with music, you are better off working out on your own or with a personal trainer.
Does the Class Content Change?
The enemy of progress is comfort. As a general rule, avoid classes that repeat the same sequence of exercises and/or repetitions each class. If you work the same muscles the same way, all the time, they are not being challenged and will not get stronger. Failing to add different exercises or change up workloads can contribute to repetitive-use injuries, which will seriously impact fitness gains. And if your intervals never change, you won't build endurance. If you find that you're going to a class and doing the same workout week in and week out, do yourself a favor and try something different. Look for classes that understand the concept of periodization, where the workload gets progressively harder over time.
How Has Your Body Changed?
The key question you should ask after participating in any fitness class is whether your body has changed as a result of your attendance. Have you gotten stronger? Are your jeans any looser? Can you do more push-ups/burpees/hill climbs than you used to? Can you recover faster after working hard? If you're not answering yes to any of these, you need to consider two things: first, are you working hard enough in these classes? Second, if you are working your hardest, what is missing? Usually it's something in the class itself. Don't be afraid to shop around for different teachers, different gyms, and different modalities. There is a magic combination of all three of those things that allows you to find your best fitness path.
Failing to consider whether the class is doing its job is like storing your money in a shoe box under your bed and wondering why you aren't earning any interest. Don't worry about hurting the instructor's feelings if you don't come back. They aren't there to be your buddy; they are there to get you in better shape. If they aren't accomplishing that, find someone that can. It's not personal, it's business - and your body is your business, so make sure it's working!
Follow These 4 Tips If You're Doing Intermittent Fasting and Trying to Lose Belly Fat
Intermittent fasting has a vast array of benefits, from weight loss to better digestion to less bloating. Another great thing it can be used for is reducing belly fat. The midsection is a stubborn place to lose fat, which is why a method like intermittent fasting (IF) can be very useful.
"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," Dr. Daryl Gioffre, a celebrity nutritionist and longevity expert, told POPSUGAR. IF lowers insulin levels, "activating your b-2 receptors and shutting down your a-2 receptors, allowing you to burn targeted fat in your belly area."
Certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD, of Whole Health Nutrition, also said that IF "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.
In other words, IF is your best friend in the war against belly fat! Here are four tips to help you reach your goals even sooner.
An Expert Says This Is How Many Grams of Carbs You Really Need on the Keto Diet
By now you've more than likely heard of the high-fat, moderate protein, and low-carb ketogenic diet. The keto diet is often followed by those with epilepsy and type 2 diabetes, and most recently it's been one of the go-to diets for weight loss.
If you're following the keto diet to lose weight, one of the most important rules to abide by is the macronutrient profile. According to Catherine Metzgar, PhD, RD, and a clinical team member at Virta Health the macronutrient profile should be close to 70 to 80 percent fat, 15 to 20 percent protein, and five to 10 percent carbs. By following this macronutrient profile, you'll be able to reach nutritional ketosis - the state where the body begins to burn ketones and fat for energy instead of glucose (carbohydrates).
"The target number of total carbs that allows one to achieve and sustain nutritional ketosis varies from one individual to another," said Stephen Phinney, MD, PhD, chief medical officer at Virta Health. According to Dr. Phinney, if you're overweight and starting the keto diet, you should aim for 30 to 50 grams of carbohydrates per day in order to achieve nutritional ketosis. In contrast, "a very active athlete might tolerate 50 to 100 grams per day," Dr. Phinney told POPSUGAR. In both cases, Dr. Phinney advises keeping protein moderate and the carbohydrates low enough to maintain keto adaption.
The best way to know if you're in ketosis is by checking your blood ketone levels with blood test strips. Ketone levels at or above 0.5 mM (millimolar) indicate you're in ketosis. Other options include doing a urine test or by using a breath analyzer. The ketones in your blood, breath, and urine vary and can be hard to compare. If your goal is to lose weight, it's imperative you follow the above macronutrient profile and check your ketone levels.
Ready to give the keto diet a try? Check out this dietitian's beginner meal plan.
This Popular Diet and This Type of Yoga Helped Meagan Lose 65 Pounds in Just 7 Months
A major back injury followed by surgery caused Meagan to gain over 60 pounds of weight. After trying numerous diets and weight-loss gimmicks, Meagan was introduced to the ketogenic diet. Meagan has lost 65 pounds to date, and most importantly, she's learned to love herself and her body. Continue reading to find out more about Meagan's weight-loss journey as told to POPSUGAR.
Related: 18 Before-and-After Pictures to Show Just How Damn Effective the Keto Diet Can Be
The Keto Diet Was Catastrophic to My Mental Health - Here's Why
When I learned about the keto diet, it didn't feel too different from my post-Whole30 eating habits. My typical plate was filled with mostly veggies, meat, and tofu; I drank green smoothies for breakfast; and I swore by bulletproof coffee (though I still enjoyed cocktails at happy hour and my favorite pad Thai). I'd heard that some women struggling with PCOS (like myself) found symptom relief with higher-fat, lower- carbohydrate diets - so I stocked up on all the fats and began my own 21 days of keto challenge.
Moment of pure, unfiltered honesty: my first week on the keto diet felt like a mix between repeatedly being hit with a sledgehammer and being punched in the stomach. Torture. I experienced the reality that is the keto flu, which manifested for me as several days of pure exhaustion, headaches, general grumpiness, and poor sleep. I'd read this was all part of the journey, so I took friends' advice to up my calorie intake and drink a ton of water. But after nearly two weeks, I didn't feel anything close to the gobs of mental clarity and energy they proclaimed.
As I pushed into my second week, I noticed a general keto takeover of my mind. When I found myself spending more time googling the net carbs in pieces of kale for my salad than eating it, I realized what had started as an enthusiastic wellness adventure had taken a dark turn - one I am still recovering from.
"Diets such as keto and Whole30 can trigger dangerous restriction habits, create a setup for binge-eating, and send obsessive food thoughts spiraling," said Dr. Ashley Solomon, executive clinical director of Eating Recovery Center in Ohio. "These diets are not effective long-term, and when they ultimately fail, they have people beating themselves up for not 'trying hard enough' rather than understanding that a restrictive and unhelpful way of eating was never the answer."
I dropped five pounds in under two weeks, but I couldn't shake my constant exhaustion and irritability.
I dropped five pounds in under two weeks, but I couldn't shake my constant exhaustion and irritability. My coworkers began to take notice. As a fitness professional, my job requires me to be on at all times - and I was less than present. I loved cooking, but I began to dread mealtime for fear of miscalculating carbs or just not having the energy to whip up even the simplest of meals. This unhealthy mindset triggered a slide back down the path of my disordered eating tendencies. Thought patterns, obsessions, and actions that hadn't been part of my life for years were reappearing at an alarming rate.
I wondered how all of this could emerge from a single diet challenge. "The problem is fundamental to the way that food is framed in these plans," said Dr. Solomon. "Plans like Whole30 and keto talk about 'stripping' and 'eliminating' foods from your life, which frames food as something to be feared and avoided. Depriving our bodies of a variety of food experiences and nutrients will have our brains crying. For people at risk for eating disorders, this can be a recipe for disaster."
When I decided to stop the keto diet, my body revolted. I woke up constipated and inflamed - my stomach was distended in a constant state of bloating, my face puffy and swollen. My body began holding on tight to the influx of carbohydrates, and I quickly gained back any weight I had lost and then some.
Not only did my body physically rebel, but so did my mind. My cravings grew so fierce I was dreaming in carbs. I wanted the bags of candy at the gas station, the glowing cabinet of baked goodies at Whole Foods, the plastic containers of grocery store cupcakes with their neon frosting. Foods I never thought twice about before practically screamed at me. Healthy nutrition habits I'd refined over the past year virtually disappeared, and once again I was a slave to sugar and white carbs.
"Creating rigid rules around food reinforces feelings of fear, anxiety, and shame for people predisposed to disordered eating," Dr. Solomon said. "Plus, most of these diets even acknowledge that cravings increase upon starting them, which is a key trigger for binge-eating." I could relate; I felt ashamed of my "failure" to complete a simple 21-day keto trial and of my backslide in an area of my life where I had worked tirelessly to recover.
To compensate for my out-of-control feelings, I was thrown back into the cycle of binge-eating and purging once more. I finally confided in a close friend who urged me to seek out professional support in my recovery journey.
To compensate for my out-of-control feelings, I was thrown back into the cycle of binge-eating and purging once more.
I have dear friends and acquaintances who have had massive success with keto, Whole30, low-carb, vegan, Paleo, and other of-the-moment eating lifestyles. I found my own success in rooting out food intolerances with the Whole30 the first time I did it a year ago, and even in switching to a higher-fat, lower-carb diet.
But now I know there's a darker side of the fad diet story. Not every new diet that gains popularity is suitable for everyone. Food is so richly tied to ourselves and our emotions. And as much as some preach the benefits of their own particular approach, there really is no solid one-size-fits-all approach to a healthy lifestyle.
When deciding to give a trend or new way of eating a try, chat with a health professional such as a registered dietitian or holistic nutritionist first rather than diving in after skimming the internet or reading up on what your favorite blogger does. There are real dangers to be aware of when beginning any new diet. It's so easy to get caught up in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle that we can toe the line between passionate learning and unhealthy obsession. "A focus on health and well-being has been demonstrated to have the best long-term outcomes [rather than diets]," Dr. Solomon said. "And for those without specific medical conditions, enjoying a variety of foods and having food freedom rather than elimination is the key."
Having a Mid-Afternoon Slump? Reach For a Cup of Green Tea - Here's Why
From classic tea to matcha, green tea seems to be everywhere. Sipping on a cup or two a day can help you with weight loss and cutting back on highly caffeinated beverages, like coffee and soda, while boosting your energy levels.
Green tea has caffeine in it, which is the active ingredient in your favorite energy drinks and coffee. In fact, all tea, unless explicitly labeled as caffeine-free (usually herbal teas), contains some amount of the awakening ingredient. Because of this, green tea can provide you with a boost of energy that helps you get through the day. Studies support this, showing that drinking green tea regularly can help with energy and endurance.
If matcha is more your style than traditional green tea, we have even better news for you. The delicious, finely ground powder is known for its sharp flavor and for its myriad health benefits - antioxidants and disease-fighting properties, among others. When it comes to energy, matcha is head and shoulders above other caffeinated beverages for one simple reason: it won't give you the dreaded caffeine crash because it contains an amino acid (called L-theanine) that reduces anxiety and high blood pressure and fights those coffee jitters.
Although the health benefits of green tea can be tempting, be sure to practice moderation and, most importantly, listen to your body. Green tea can be safely consumed in large amounts (and a higher quantity may even increase the health benefits), but if you have a sensitive stomach, are pregnant, or tend to be caffeine sensitive, limiting your intake is probably a good idea.
A Trainer Says This Is How Many Squats You Should Do Each Day For a Bigger Booty
Knowing the right exercises for a rounder backside is only half the battle, because you can't achieve booty gains without consistency. It also helps to know how often you should be working out your butt to see a difference in shape and size. Luckily, the answer is totally doable. Clarence Hairston, Ignite master trainer, NASM certified personal trainer, and AGM of Fitness at The Bay Club Company, told POPSUGAR that "women who are trying to build fuller glutes should start with 50 bodyweight squats a day."
And you don't have to complete all 50 in one set. Clarence says you can split them up in ways that best fit your schedule. Once you've got the basics down, start adding weights and resistance, and try other squat variations and lower-body exercises. "Most importantly, don't stop challenging yourself and you'll see the results," he said.
Lastly, just like any other body transformation, growing a bigger butt also requires changing your diet. You'll want to increase your caloric intake as well as your daily amount of protein. Combine all of these tips and continue to challenge your body as you go!
A Trainer Says Doing This Style of Cardio Will Sculpt and Tone Your Booty
Did you know the gluteal muscles are among the most underused and undertrained muscles in the body? Crazy, right? One of the common causes of dormant butt syndrome, as some like to call it, is sitting. Yes, sitting. When you sit for extended periods of time (you may want to stand up now and continue reading this), your hip flexors tighten and your glute muscles turn off.
The good news is you can begin correcting and activating your booty muscles today (and start getting those gains). It's 100 percent OK to train your butt every day, just be sure to mix up the stimulus in order to prevent over-training and injury. If you're new to strength training, you'll want to begin with no more than three strength sessions a week, in order to allow your body to adapt to the new stimulus. Once you become comfortable with the movements and aren't extremely sore, you can begin to advance your programs.
Personal trainer Ryan Read has transformed a butt or two and told POPSUGAR that he likes to add walking on a treadmill at an incline into his programs to help with booty gains. "I base my whole program on building and burning," he said. "I have my girls lift heavy weights to build muscle and do incline and resistance cardio to burn calories and tone." Ryan said that the combination of lifting heavy weights and doing resisted cardio are "key to getting the lean, full look girls want."
How exactly does walking on an incline help? Glad you asked. Ryan said that it allows the glutes to stay involved while keeping the heart rate elevated and burning calories. "It's highly intense, fast-paced, and makes for a great workout to keep the muscles guessing, which is key to growth."
Start sculpting your booty today with Ryan's butt-transforming workout. And as a bonus, begin implementing these exercises into your strength sessions to really see a change in your assets.
I Freed Myself From Bloating With These 3 Simple Diet Tweaks
Bloating is a widespread epidemic that many women suffer from on a daily basis. Not only is it annoying, but it usually means our body isn't processing or digesting food properly. I work out at least four days a week and have a relatively healthy diet, but despite my efforts, I still felt perpetually bloated and uncomfortable. Feeling frustrated and hopeless, I asked my trainer what else I could do to get rid of this annoying feeling. I made three small tweaks to my daily diet and lost five pounds in one week, eliminating the endless bloat I felt. Here's how I did it.
I Drank Lots of Water
When my trainer told me to drink a gallon of water a day, I thought he was crazy. I told him there was no way my body could even manage that amount of water. I thought for sure downing a gallon of water would only make me feel more bloated. Despite my griping, he told me to give it a try, so I did. To be honest, I did feel a little more bloated for the first day or two, but per his instructions, I was patient. After a week, to my surprise, it actually worked. Don't get me wrong, though, I had to pee a lot.
Drinking a gallon of water a day allowed me to flush out all the excess salt and sugar in my system that was already making me bloated. After the first week, I didn't have to continue my gallon a day challenge, but I do still aim to drink about 128 ounces of water a day. Not only does water help regulate your system, but it also manages hunger.
I Added Fiber to My Diet
My next task was to add fiber into my diet, ideally into every meal. So I added ground flax seeds to my morning oatmeal and various veggies throughout the day like celery. I work a desk job, so I munch on celery a lot when I'm hungry between meals. These fiber-enriched foods are also low in calories, making me feel fuller for longer.
Fiber helped my bloating because I wasn't overeating, so I was eliminating extra calories, also contributing to weight loss. It also helps with constipation, which can cause gas and bloating. The weird thing is that your body can't actually digest fiber, so when you eat it, your body is working harder and you're actually burning more calories than the calories in the food itself.
I Cut Back on Sugar
This task was probably the hardest one on my list. I love to put copious amounts of cream and sugar in my coffee to start off my day. I also work in an office setting so someone usually has a sugary treat that I can't pass up. This was part of my problem, though, so getting rid of those "treats" was necessary. Don't get me wrong, I didn't go crazy and eliminate every source of sugar in my diet – just refined sugar. A lot of foods naturally have some sugar in them, and that's OK, but my days of drinking sugar-infused coffee and soda were over. Hello, black coffee.
Cutting back on my sugar intake would make sure I didn't undo the damage that I worked so hard to correct. I didn't want any more unnecessary sugar sitting in my system making me feel bloated. Honestly, the more I cut sugar out, the less I craved it. Soon enough, if I had sugary coffee, it was actually too much for me. I preferred black.
Bloating is different for everyone, and what worked for me may not work for you. It takes practice and patience to figure out how your body responds to certain foods. I get it, sometimes you just want to throw your hands up in the air and give up – don't, though. Just keep going until you find what's right.
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