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 7 décembre 2018
I'm Really Strict About My Kids' Screen Time . . . Except During the Holidays
I've been known to be a little controlling about my kids' screen time. We don't own tablets (not even my husband and I), we don't have cable, and my kids don't own any gaming devices. I'm old school regarding technology and very proud of it. But during the holidays, I throw all of those rules out the window. A huge part of the holiday season is relaxing and spending time together as a family, which sometimes means lounging around the TV for long stretches of time. So, if that means my kids get an unlimited amount of screen time during the holiday months, so be it. I don't beat myself up over it.
One of my favorite things during the holidays as a child was sitting in the family room with my parents and three rowdy brothers. We'd watch tons of Christmas movies, eat holiday cookies, and just be together. Those memories are so special, which is why I forget about my strict rules for a little bit to do the same with my own kids. No, I don't let them watch TV all day and not interact with anyone, but I let their bodies and minds relax. And since we're stuck inside a lot of the time due to cold weather, screen time gives me a break, too. I don't feel the need to think of indoor activities or make sure they're stimulated and learning 24/7. Christmas movies marathons are just fine.
Last year, we loved watching Elf, A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and more together. We hunkered down in our pajamas, passed around the popcorn and cookies, and watched the classic Christmas tales unfold in front of us. My kids couldn't contain their laughter when Will Ferrell inhaled spaghetti mixed with syrup and candy, which made my husband and me burst out laughing, too. So while my kids were engulfed in a screen, we were also making precious family memories. And it's so worth it every year.
And if we head to one of our relatives' houses for the holiday, I let my kids watch movies there, too. Nobody sits hovered over their own screens. We make sure that individual devices are put away, and we all enjoy something together. It's fun watching a movie with the family when the ages range between 4 and 83. When a grandfather and his granddaughter can laugh hysterically at the same Christmas joke, then the TV can be on all day long for all I care. These years with my kids and my parents are precious, and if movies are the thing that helps them create priceless memories, I'm all for it.
Sometimes I forget that movies and television help create some of the best family moments and memories, both during the holidays and after. It's the togetherness of the screen time that truly matters. Well, that and the 6-foot elf in green tights running around New York City.
People Are Turning Their Toilet Seats Into Santa's Face, and We're Really Sorry, Nick
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to get your house ready for Christmas while practically guaranteeing you'll make everyone laugh at your good sense of humor, start in the bathroom. You could update your hand soap and put a fancy poinsettia on the counter, or you could do what everyone on Instagram seems to be doing, which is decorating their toilet bowl lids as Santa. Hashtag toiletsanta.
We don't know how Saint Nicholas would feel about having his face plastered all over the porcelain, but we applaud the person who came up with this trend.
This School Installed a Book Vending Machine, and the Kids Love It
How cool ... the first book vending machine in one of our Buffalo Public schools. Kids earn tokens and get a free book! Hey, authors, anyone want to help keep it filled? #kidsneedbooks pic.twitter.com/pk4NYrH5lp
- Dee Romito (@writeforapples) November 27, 2018
A school in Buffalo, NY, just launched a literary program that might be the most creative thing we've seen in a while. According to this tweet (and a subsequent report on local station WBFO), students at Arthur O. Eve School are rewarded with coins they can then use in a vending machine. Except that instead of having these pre-k through fourth-grade kids load up on empty calories, they get age-appropriate books.
Tokens aren't based on merit; everyone at the school gets an opportunity to find something to read using the new book vending machine. According to WBFO, the Community Action Organization purchased the vending machine for $2,000 and spent another $1,000 on books.
Just look at all the fun the kids are having!
The 1 Instant Pot Dessert Recipe My Kid Loves Just as Much as I Do
If there's anything I love in this world, it's dessert. With the endless amounts of options from places all over the world, it's hard to run out of new recipes to try. But in my opinion, nothing beats the classics, especially ones that can instantly take you back to your childhood. Growing up, my mom made arroz con leche (rice pudding) every week during the Winter (and any day we needed cheering up), and I remember the house filling up with the sweetest and most comforting smells of cinnamon and warm milk.
When I got older, I was hesitant to make it because nothing would compare to how my mom makes it, but after having my daughter, I knew I needed to carry on the tradition for her. So after I bought an Instant Pot, I tried my mom's recipe, and it was a hit! Both my parents and my daughter love it (even though my mom refuses to switch over from the classic stove method).
If you've never tried arroz con leche before, or if you've never tried making it in an Instant Pot before, follow along to see how easy it is. I promise this will become your family's go-to dessert this Winter.
8 Fun Treats Your Kids Can Leave For Santa on Christmas Eve
When we think of Christmas traditions from our childhood, one of the most memorable ones was leaving treats for Santa on Christmas Eve. It's one of the ways we keep the magic of Santa and the holiday season alive for children and get them excited for all the presents he'll bring. You can go classic by following the cookies-and-milk route, or you may want to switch it up for your kids - we've heard Santa might enjoy a few other treats on Christmas Eve. Try some of these fun options ahead to get ready for the big guy's arrival.
28 Gifts For 11-Year-Olds That They'll Absolutely Love
Finding the perfect gift for tweens - aka the age group that's too old for kid toys but too young for adult stuff - can be a real headache. While you want to get them something they love, the last thing you want to fork over is a run-of-the-mill video game. Although there's no denying that 11-year-olds can be tough to buy for, we've done a lot of the legwork for you by compiling a big list of our favorite presents that have your kiddo's name written all over them. Scroll through to get a look at what the tween in your life would be overjoyed to unwrap.
Why the Holidays Make Me Sad as a Parent
I love Christmas. Like, really, really love Christmas. My decorations go up on Nov. 1, Christmas music is on a loop in almost every room in the house, and Christmas classics enter the rotations for our Friday family movie nights. For me, it's truly the most wonderful time of the year. But, as a mom of three, it also doesn't come without a few moments of sadness.
The holidays can be a sad time for even the most festive of people. When I think about the happy holidays of my childhood, I have to come to grips with the fact that those days are gone forever.
Before I became a mom, I experienced a slew of losses in a very short time period, the two biggest being just before the holidays. My dad, whose festive nature caused him to go everywhere in a Santa hat for a solid two months, passed away just three days after Thanksgiving. Two years prior, my grandmother, a woman who made Christmas (and life in general) magical, died just two weeks before our favorite holiday. The magnitude of these losses had cast a dark shadow over the holidays for me. The once-fun hustle and bustle had become a joyless experience comprising myriad unpleasantries. Finding the perfect present had turned into simply finding something for each person on my list, and I'm sure that there was one year where I didn't listen to a single Christmas song and found myself really empathizing with the Grinch. The Christmas lights had officially burned out for me.
The holidays were sheer misery for four years. Then my daughter was born, and everything changed. Now, every year is better than the last as she gets older and I watch her discover the magic of Christmas. Last year, her twin sisters joined the mix, and I now have three little miracles to remind me that it really is a wonderful life. But no matter how joyful my holidays are, I can't seem to shake the little bouts of sadness that pop up every now and again.
Aside from missing my dad and grandma at (and having the anniversaries of their deaths so close to) Christmas, it saddens me to know that my daughters will never know them. My girls will never eat my dad's signature Thanksgiving side dishes or laugh at my grandma accidentally setting off the smoke alarms every single year. They'll never go Christmas shopping with my dad in his Santa hat or wrap presents with my grandma at her kitchen table while listening to Elvis sing Christmas carols. They will never spend a holiday with the people I loved so much. Instead, they will look at family photos of Christmases past and ask about each one: who they are and why they're no longer here. And, at some point, as my girls get older, I'm sure that the answers to their questions will lead to some painful but important discussions on things like cancer, suicide, and death in general. But for now, I guess I can take solace in the fact that my children are so young and those discussions are (hopefully) years away.
While I know that I have some time before I have to tackle those topics, I'm afraid that I don't have as long as I think I do before I have to discuss others. My daughter will start kindergarten next year, and it's safe to say she is far more excited about it than I am. I dread sending my baby off to school for a number of reasons, and Christmas is one of them. I don't plan on ruining the magic of Christmas for my kids, but I know that there are kids out there whose parents have told them the truth about Santa. I don't judge them for doing so, I just don't want their kids to share that with my kids. When I hear the excitement in my daughter's voice as she announces her plan to wake up when she hears Santa's sleigh bells this year so she can hand him his cookies in person, a part of my heart breaks because I know that innocent wonder won't last forever.
The holidays can be a sad time for even the most festive of people. When I think about the happy holidays of my childhood, I have to come to grips with the fact that those days are gone forever. And sometimes, that's hard. Now, the best thing I can do is create new memories and new traditions that my children will cherish for years to come. It's comforting to know that each year, it gets a little easier. Each year, the joyful days outnumber the sad ones.
This Mom Was Completely Done With Elf on the Shelf Until She Had This 1 Sweet Experience
Whitney Fleming, a mom and blogger at Playdates on Fridays, thought that she had seen the last of her family's Elf on the Shelf, Louie. That is, until she came downstairs one morning to find him atop her coffee machine. In a sweet Facebook post, Whitney explained how despite being 100 percent over the popular family tradition, she just had to give it one more go this year.
"So, I walked down to make my coffee this morning, and this little bugger was sitting on my machine," she wrote. "But I didn't put him there, and neither did my husband. This is the first time in a decade that I'm not moving our elf, Louie, around, and no, I don't miss it that much."
Although Whitney kept up with her Elf on the Shelf routine as best she could, she's the first to admit that moving him every single day got tiresome eventually.
"I was a fair-weather friend to Louie," Whitney said. "Sometimes I was an overachiever and he sat in a bath of marshmallows. Sometimes he swung from our chandelier from fishing wire. Sometimes he was haphazardly thrown into a bowl of fruit at the last second. And sometimes he wasn't feeling well so he stayed in the same spot."
"Whatever traditions you choose to do with your kids, do them with the purposes of spreading a little more joy and love around this year."
Regardless of just how - ahem, lazy - Louie was feeling, there was no denying her children had tons of fond holiday memories with him.
"But man, did my kids love him," she said. "They couldn't wait to see him appear on December 1. They would get up early to run around the house to find him. They wrote him notes the night before he left. And when they were younger, they even behaved a little better because his creepy eyes were always zeroed in on them."
What option did Whitney have other than moving him "year after year?" Not many others! "I complained. I even said I couldn't wait to toss him out with our Christmas tree after the kids stopped caring about him," she explained, adding that now that her kids are older she's holding onto the magic. "My house is full of three tweens/teens who believe the magic of Christmas is real, but they also know who the magicians are."
When Whitney's daughter came down the stairs and saw her mom pouring a cup of coffee, she had to point out how magical Louie was by commenting that "Louie made your coffee this morning, Mom." After replying how nice of a gesture was, her daughter announced that Louie was going "to stick around for one more Christmas."
At first, Whitney admitted she thought her daughter was "going to make this some sort of parental torture," but she agreed to roll with the punches for one reason: spreading Christmas magic.
"Although everyone in our house knows exactly who moves the elf, we all still want to believe in the magic and spread a little joy," Whitney said. "So this holiday season, move the elf or don't move the elf - but whatever traditions you choose to do with your kids, do them with the purposes of spreading a little more joy and love around this year."
Whether it's the holiday season or not, Whitney pointed out that your kids need to believe it something.
"If continuing traditions and creating happy memories and providing just a little bit more joy to my kids is what came out of the hours of stress and lost sleep because of that little guy, then yeah, it was time well spent," she wrote. "You earned yourself another year in our house, Louie. You little bugger."
There's a Retreat For Moms of Kids With Disabilities, Because Self-Care Is So Important
Parenting is hard, but parenting a child with a disability can sometimes feel like the most impossible mountain to climb. When a child has an invisible disability, like autism or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), their very serious meltdowns may look like a bratty child throwing a temper tantrum to others, but what many quick-to-judge people don't know is what's really going on below the surface. That particular child might be overstimulated by the loud music playing in the store or the screeching wheels of the grocery cart, and they simply can't take it anymore. Their emotional regulation skills are lacking, and all they know is that they need to remove themselves from the situation as quickly as possible. That child is not giving their mother a hard time; that child is having a hard time.
Judgmental and disapproving looks from strangers. Unsolicited advice about putting your child on special diets or using essential oils to "cure" their disability. These are things many parents of children with different special needs go through. It can be very frustrating, overwhelming, and exhausting. In those moments, it's so easy to feel like you're alone in this and that nobody else can or will understand what it is you and your family go through. It's also so easy to think that you'll never get a break.
That's why Penny Williams, a mother and parenting ADHD instructor, author, and journalist, created the Happy Mama Retreat, a retreat designed just for moms of children with invisible disabilities. "Early on after my son's ADHD diagnosis, support came in the way of online connections with other moms with a similar parenting journey. We found each other through blogs and Facebook. Three of us kept saying how awesome it would be if a bunch of us could have a weekend together, just moms who understand what it's like to raise a challenging child," Penny told POPSUGAR about how the Happy Mama Retreat came to be. "So we decided to try it, planned a day of speakers, and then put the word out on Facebook. We had 40 moms at the first retreat, and we all left with a renewed energy and a feeling that we're not alone. That was in 2012, and I've been hosting the retreat annually ever since."
At the Happy Mama Retreat, moms experience a well-deserved and much-needed relaxing and rejuvenating weekend away with other mothers just like them. They're able to hear from wonderful speakers about how to better practice self-care and how to fit it into their busy and hectic lives. At the next retreat, which is happening April 12-14 in Montreat, NC, moms will hear from Rose Reif, a licensed counselor, about "Things Moms of Kids with Disabilities Do that Feel Helpful, but Are Actually Robbing Them of Joy and Energy."
Moms can expect to relax and have fun with group activities, like a wine social, painting class, and Pilates. There's also time set aside for moms to relax and recharge by themselves. "When we started this retreat, we though it was about education, being pampered, and relaxing," Penny explained. "But what the moms have shown me over the years is that it's about a sense of belonging and connection - its about the community of support. Yes, the respite is great, but it wouldn't be the same experience alone. We are truly stronger together."
The support mothers receive from attending the retreat continues long after it's over. "We have a closed Facebook group just for moms who have attended the retreat," Penny continued. "We're able to speak our truth there and get support without judgment. Many of the repeat mamas who live close geographically get together during the year as well. For those who embrace it, it's a family, a tribe." Keep reading to see photos of some of the past retreat's venues and also check out the venue for the upcoming Happy Mama Retreat in 2019.
Target Has Some Mighty Fancy Dog Sweaters, and My Golden Has No Idea What's Coming
There are two very distinct camps when it comes to dressing up your pet for the holidays: those who opt for over-the-top and hilarious costumes, and those who prefer something more refined, like a holiday sweater. Whether you think your BFF would shine in a low-key hoodie or looks better in regal ensembles, Target has the best dog sweaters for the holiday season - here are our top nine picks.
Applebee's is Selling a Boozy Jolly Rancher Drink For $1 This Month, So You Know Where to Find Me
While the holidays have earned a reputation for being pretty tough on your wallet, Applebee's has a simple solution that'll help you wind down from the stress of the season while also saving you a load of cash. The restaurant just announced its new Neighborhood Drink of the Month for December, and let's just say that it tastes exactly like candy - except it's a LOT boozier.
The Dollar Jolly, as it's called, is a vodka-based cocktail made to resemble the taste of a Jolly Rancher. The cocktail, which will be available for $1 at Applebee's locations nationwide throughout the month, comes in two classic Jolly Rancher flavors: Cherry and Green Apple, obviously chosen to represent the colors of Christmas. We got a bottle of each flavor personally delivered to the POPSUGAR office and taste tested both of them ourselves. Most editors agreed that the drinks tasted like candy, while some claimed that both flavors tasted like melted popsicles. Either way, we'll let you be the judge of that as you ball out on the discount drinks at a location near you.
15 New Year's Resolutions to Make Together as a Family
Here's the thing about New Year's resolutions: they tend to get a bad rap for having famously low success rates (research shows only about eight percent of people actually stick to them each year). However, they do offer a stellar opportunity for you - and everyone in your family - to reflect on the past year and really think about changes you can all make for the better. This New Year's, rather than only focusing on individual ambitions, why not try making resolutions you can keep as a family? Not only will this help you to motivate and encourage each other, but having one common goal can also bring you closer as a team. Read on for 15 creative resolution ideas you and the entire clan can all strive for in 2019!
Consider This Your Cheat Sheet to Shopping the Hottest Toys This Holiday Season
The pressure during the holidays for parents is insurmountable. You don't want to spoil your kids, but at the same time, you do want to see the smile on their faces when they unwrap something and discover one of the hottest toys. Whether you're looking for something the entire family can do together, or already suspect that your little one will want something interactive like WowWee's Fingerlings, we have 51 of the trendiest toys for the gift-giving season.
We have gifts for everyone on your list including those hard to shop for teens, grandparents and affordable men's gifts.
These Are the Best Baby Names From 2018 That Will Still Be Popular in 2019
As a baby name fanatic, there are names that I've loved for years, and names that I read once and suddenly realize I'm obsessed with it. There are so many beautiful baby names out there, how is it that people so easily choose just one? Well, I'm about to make things even harder, as I've just compiled the best, most popular baby names from 2018 - and by the end of this list, you'll be asking your friends if four first names and three middle names per kid is too many. (I mean, hey, the royals each have about 10 names, so why can't our kids?)
Scroll through for 110 of the best boys' and girls' names we love from 2018, which are all but guaranteed to still be popular come 2019.
22 Harry Potter Ornaments That’ll Make Your Tree Look Like the Ones in Hogwarts
If you're a Harry Potter fan, you've no doubt spent long periods of time caught up in your own daydreams about what it would be like to spend Christmas at Hogwarts. The Great Hall, full of trees dragged in and decorated by Hagrid, pumpkin juice served up with meals, a Christmas feast followed by a game of Wizards' Chess - sounds utterly delightful. Since we're not at Hogwarts, however, there's no reason our own trees can't hold a little bit of wizards' magic in them to at least make us feel a bit like we're away at school with our best wizard and witch friends.
Ahead, our favorite Harry Potter ornaments that'll make your muggle tree feel magical.
52 STEM Toys That Make For Amazing Gifts Your Kid Can Learn Valuable Skills From
Encouraging our children to love learning can sometimes be difficult - they may love school and learning in the classroom, but what about at home? If you're looking to tap into your child's STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) skills - even from a very young age - there are a bunch of toys that cleverly intertwine fun and learning to jumpstart their brains in the best way.
Scroll through for brilliant STEM toys for kids of any age that make for great holiday gifts.
This Is What Happens to Our Skin When We Travel (Spoiler Alert: It's Not Pretty)
Traveling can take its toll on our wallets and our sleep schedule - that much is obvious. What we often fail to remember is how much hell we put our skin through during that 14-hour flight to Tokyo or that cross-country bus ride.
Flights lift the moisture straight from our faces, leaving us with duller complexions, tightness, and even irritation. "This happens especially on long flights," said dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla, MD. "Our skin is exposed to recirculated air for hours." Dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, added that our skin absorbs less oxygen inside a plane because of how it is pressurized, which also leads to the dehydrated skin.
Traveling by bus introduces the risk of picking up germs that are both harmful to our skin and overall health. "On a bus, one has to be wary of environmental pollutants such as germs on the seats and areas by the window, as these are not necessarily cleaned between stops but rather at the end of the day," said Mariwalla. "Any time one is taking mass transit, there is also exposure to viruses as there are many people in one enclosed space."
Now that we all want to take a bath in hand sanitizer, take comfort in the fact that there are things we can do (and pack) to protect ourselves from these external attacks. Check out our suggestions ahead.
15 Awesome Gifts For People With Fuji Instax Mini Cameras (or Those Who Want One!)
As fun as it is to scroll through photos on Instagram, nothing beats having a physical copy of your favorite memories in your hands. If you've got a friend who loves their Fuji Instax Mini camera - or if one of your loved ones has the camera on their wish list - they'll love receiving a gift that goes with their instant-film device. The best part? It doesn't matter whether they have the Instax Mini 8 or 9, because Fuji accessories fit both! See 20 awesome ideas ahead - from value bundle packs to frames - made just for Instax photos.
- Additional reporting by India Yaffe
We Asked, They Answered: A Bunch of Guys Share Their Best Dating Tips (That Actually Work)
Frankly, I was starting to wonder if my old tried-and-true dating tips have gotten stale, so I decided to take a break from my own online dating experiments and waxing poetic about dating apps to listen in on what the gentlemen had to say about what works and what doesn't when it comes to the art of romance. Here are their honest answers for single men and single women navigating the world of dating.
40+ Gifts That'll Help Your Photographer Friend Get ALL the "Likes"
Finding the perfect gift for a photographer is almost as hard as a photographer getting the perfect shot. It has to be creative, thoughtful, and (pun intended) picture-perfect. Take a look at these gifts and get ready to snap a picture, because they are totally photo-worthy.
- Additional reporting by Erin Cullum
16 Gifts For People Who Need Coffee to Survive
Many of us love a cup of joe to start off the morning, but there are some people who simply can't survive without it. We know not to talk to them before they're caffeinated, and coffee actually gives them life. To help support their java lifestyle, we've found the perfect gifts for the coffee-obsessed. Check them out ahead!
Related: 21 Gifts For Your Wine-Loving Best Friend That Are Better Than a Bottle
21 Gifts For Women Who Really F*cking Love to Swear
Some people say that women who curse sound less intelligent, and not only do I think that's bullsh*t, but I think it's pretty f*cking sexist, too. For all of us who know that getting your point across just feels better with an added F-bomb (or two), feast your eyes on these gifts for women who love to swear and don't care one bit what you think about it. May I get a "hell yes," please?
- Additional reporting by Hilary White
This 1 Hack Completely Saves My Sanity While Traveling With My Kids During the Holidays
Holiday travel is always crazy, but it's especially chaotic and stressful when you have kids. The traffic, the crowded airports, the rest-stops, the long lines, and did I mention the traffic? No matter how you get around during the holiday season, it's usually never entirely pleasant. When I was a kid, it was all about long road trips to visit family. And since I never enjoyed being in the car for long stretches of time, my mom came up with a genius idea to keep me entertained; every hour - if my brothers and I behaved - we would each get one mystery bag with some little activity inside that would hopefully keep us occupied until the next bag, and the next, until finally, we'd arrive at our destination. While I give my mom full credit on this one, I'm far too lazy to make individual bags for each of my kids for every hour we're in the car, so I came up with my own hack to keep them happy: road trip baskets.
The first time I used these [travel] baskets on a six-hour road trip with two kids, it was the easiest trip we'd ever taken.
My family and I mostly travel up and down the East Coast by car, but this one big travel hack could work for planes and trains as well. It keeps my kids occupied, keeps me from hearing the dreaded "Are we there yet?" question a thousand times, and ultimately keeps me sane on the usually dangerous roads full of other holiday travelers. Each child gets one basket, and inside are crafts, books, activities, and snacks to keep them busy for hours. I put them in an easy-to-reach spot and my kids can take out whatever they want whenever they want without having to ask me. The first time I used these baskets on a six-hour road trip with two kids, it was the easiest trip we'd ever taken. Since that trip, I've made countless baskets and am currently working on a few for the upcoming holidays.
I don't love giving my kids a ton of screen time, so plugging them in for a six-hour trip isn't very appealing to me. But there's a definite time and place for kids to lose themselves in a TV show or movie, and a long stretch of traveling is one of them. We use tablets as backups, but they aren't the main focus of the trip. I wait until the right time to pull movies out like when they're overtired or melting down in a traffic jam. But until that happens, their road trip baskets are the focus, and they really do love it.
The first thing I do to create these baskets is think about each child's current interests and what keeps them entertained. I pack some of their favorite books and toys, but also introduce new things to keep them intrigued. Once I've put together in my head what will excite them, I begin collecting things they might like. I shop on Amazon, hit the dollar bins at Target, and scour the Dollar Tree shelves for little trinkets, toys, puzzles, books, and games with not too many pieces that will get lost in car seats. Big hits have included dry erase boards (bonus if it's magnetic), mini action figures, interlocking blocks or beads, interactive books (electronic or pop-up/pull-out pages), magnetic tiles, water paint books, and road trip bingo boards.
We also head to the library before the trip and I let the kids pick out books on CD that they can play on the DVD player and follow along with. Another thing my oldest really enjoys is her very own road trip binder. For this, I bought a three-ring binder with sheet protectors and a few three-ring pencil cases which I loaded up with new crayons and markers. I filled the sheet protectors with pages I printed off the internet or tore from an age-appropriate workbook like mazes, I-Spy pictures, or connect-the-dot pages. Because they can be wiped off, the sheet protectors provide a place for the kids to do a page more than once or erase mistakes. Behind the sheet protector pages, I also put in some blank construction paper and another pencil case filled with stickers, stamps, and fun rolls of tape for them to create whatever they want.
When it comes to traveling with kids, snacks are key, and I always make sure to pack goodies in their baskets. I try to make it a mix of their go-to snacks and some things they aren't usually allowed to have. It's a balance of salty and sweet, so there's always something they're in the mood for and they can't tell me there's nothing they want (well, they could, but spicing up the snack department helps curb the hunger complaints).
The road trip baskets have been a traveling lifesaver for us, and they're so easy to recreate with your own unique spin. It could be a backpack full of things for a long flight or a bag for each child to rummage through on a long train ride. The possibilities are endless, and you can tailor everything to each child. It's also pretty fun keeping everything a surprise until the kids are packed up and ready for travel. If I'm ever worried they'll blow through everything quickly because they're so excited to see all the new things in the basket, I keep a few things in a bag in the front seat with me, because this mom has always got a few tricks up her sleeve.
100+ Gifts Your Man Will Love (and Actually Use!)
Gift shopping for guys can be notoriously tricky. It's easy to go the kitschy and cute route, but for the holidays, we want our man to have something meaningful, too. We've rounded up more than 100 gift ideas at every price point, from fun cocktail glasses to beautiful leather accessories and bags. Take a look at this year's list.
- Additional Reporting by Hilary White
jeudi 6 décembre 2018
These Quad Stretches Are Essential For Anyone Who's Feeling Sore
Stretching out the quads is a must do after hiking, cycling, running, stair-stepping, or any other activity that gives your thighs a workout. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to stretch these muscles, including these five, which are our favorites.
The Elf on the Shelf Lifts Big Weights and Gets Her Yoga On!
While many Elves on the Shelf are mischievous with an excessive sweet tooth, pounding Froot Loops, chocolate bars, and marshmallows while washing it down with containers of maple syrup, some Elves are trying to look and feel their best by showing their healthy side. Check out these fit-minded Elves - they just might inspire the kiddos to leave Santa kale smoothies instead of cookies this Christmas.
What's More Dazzling Than a Decorated Tree? Women Doing Yoga Wrapped in Twinkle Lights
It's time to take your yoga practice and your enthusiasm for holiday festivities to a whole new, mesmerizing level. Grab some twinkly string lights, assume your favorite yoga pose, wrap said lights all around your balanced body (you may need some assistance from a fellow yogi), and boom - you can't get more into the holidays than that!
John Legend Says He'll Cover the Arthur Theme Song After Getting Trolled By Chrissy Teigen
John Legend is an EGOT winner now, but he'll always stay humble thanks to his number one troll: his wife, Chrissy Teigen. While visiting The Tonight Show to promote his Christmas album, host Jimmy Fallon brought up the back and forth teasing inflicted by Chrissy on John, specifically about Arthur the Aardvark. We've seen Chrissy's meme comparisons in the past and let's just say, she makes a pretty compelling argument.
"I didn't watch it growing up so I didn't know what the reference was," John told Jimmy. Well, he sure gets it now! He even said he'll cover the PBS show's theme song "one day." Watch the full video above and consider our playlists, ready.
Related: John Legend Started to Tear Up While Talking About Chrissy Teigen, and Now I'M Sobbing
George and Amal Clooney Turn a UN Gala Into Date Night as She Accepts a Prestigious Award
George and Amal Clooney stepped out for a dreamy date night on Dec. 5 for the 70th Anniversary of the UN Correspondents Association in New York City, and they brought along a couple of extra special guests - George's parents. Nick and Nina Clooney accompanied the couple, as human rights lawyer Amal was honored with the 2018 UNCA Global Citizen of the Year Award.
The Oscar winner looked dapper as ever in a black tux and Amal stunned in a sheer blue and white gown. While they entered the event with George's parents on their arms, the beaming couple exited hand-in-hand. What a sweet family night out! Check out more photos of Amal and George ahead - they look more in love than ever.
Diane Kruger Is the Epitome of Cool During First Red Carpet Outing Since Becoming a Mom
Diane Kruger and Norman Reedus are back on the red carpet a month after welcoming their first child together! On Sunday, the duo arrived in style for the Versace show in NYC. Diane and Norman were the epitome of cool as they held hands and struck a handful of poses at the star-studded show, which also brought out Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Blake Lively, and Lupita Nyong'o.
Romance rumors between Diane and Norman first began swirling back in 2015, but it wasn't until two years later that they finally confirmed them with a passionate makeout session in NYC. In early November, Diane gave birth to their first child together (Norman is also father to a 19-year-old son named Mingus with his ex Helena Christensen), and just last week, they looked smitten during their first public outing. I guess this means Diane and Norman are ready to get back to work!
Disney's Live-Action Cruella de Vil Movie Starring Emma Stone Will Have a "Punk Vibe"
There are plenty of Disney reboots in the works, but one of the most highly anticipated is Cruella. Not only will the live-action movie give fans the origin tale of the iconic 101 Dalmatians villain, but Emma Stone will also star as the title character. As if that wasn't enough to get you excited, the film is now closer than ever to locking in a director. Here are the key details we already have about the production!
The Cast
So far, Stone is the only star attached to the project.
The Director
Mozart in the Jungle writer and director Alex Timbers was tapped to direct the live-action film, but due to scheduling conflicts, he's since dropped out. In December, THR reported that the studio is eyeing Craig Gillespie - who directed last year's I, Tonya - to replace him.
The Production Team
Andrew Gunn is working as the producer, with Disney executives Kristin Burr and Jessica Virtue overseeing the film for the studio.
Everything Else We Know
Although it's hard to imagine making a woman who wants to skin a bunch of puppies alive sympathetic, we do know that the Disney villain origin story will reportedly have a distinctly "punk vibe" and be set in the 1980s (yes, we're already digging it). Since the last iteration of her character, Glenn Close's take on her in the 1996 live-action film, saw Cruella as the head of a fashion house, maybe we'll get a Devil Wears Prada-style look at her rise through the fashion world.
Wowza! Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Steam Up the Versace Show Like Only They Can
It was date night for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at the Versace pre-Fall fashion show in NYC on Sunday night. As per usual, Kim looked all sorts of sexy in a sparkly minidress, and the couple struck their signature red carpet pose as Kanye stood behind his wife and made silly faces for the cameras. Also at the event were Kim and Kanye's pals rapper Young Thug and 2 Chainz and his wife, Kesha Ward.
It's been two years since Kim's harrowing Paris robbery, and on Sunday night's episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the 38-year-old reality TV star reflected on her choice to return this past Summer for the Louis Vuitton men's show. "I have so many special memories in Paris," Kim said after she decided to support their friend and designer Virgil Abloh at his first runway show. "For a second, I was like, I was so stressed out over my security, just the movement of everyone. But other than that, it was fine. I didn't really have a lot of anxiety . . . I don't think I'll ever really forget my experiences in Paris - the good or the bad - and I think that's OK. It all has made me who I am. Thinking about it, I think I could go back and spend more time and feel safe and comfortable." We're glad to hear Kim is in much better spirits!
A Quick Refresher on Miriam and Joel's Relationship Status in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Warning: spoilers for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel seasons one and two ahead!
One of the most compelling aspects of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's first season is seeing a woman who miraculously has it "all" - a husband, two adorable kids, a comfortable lifestyle, a stunning apartment - fall to pieces so completely and then put herself back together again with a vengeance. The woman at the heart of the story is of course Miriam "Midge" Maisel, played with vigor by Rachel Brosnahan, who discovers that her college sweetheart and current husband, Joel, is leaving her for his secretary. Talk about a cliché, right?
Whether or not you've seen the first season, you likely know that Amy Sherman-Palladino's Amazon dramedy is anything but cliché. Unlike the fast-talking heroines of her WB hit, Gilmore Girls, Sherman-Palladino is free to let Midge's mouth run at a million miles a minute, unencumbered by network censorship. Because of this, we get to see her raw, cathartic, electrifying stand-up sets in Greenwich Village and beyond, which help the former housewife find her purpose once again.
Seeing that fire burning inside of Midge is perhaps what makes her romantic reunion with Joel toward the end of the first season such a surprise. He, naturally, realizes his giant mistake and wants his wife back, and she can't deny that a part of her still wants him, too. The happy glow following their roll in the hay is short-lived, however, when Joel later stumbles into a comedy club where Midge is performing and watches her brutal, electrifying set. He leaves the club stunned, and clearly hurt, but still defends her performance from some idiotic hecklers.
So, where does that leave them in season two? Well, they're not an item, though romantic feelings seem to still be lingering on both sides. In a flashback, we see that Susie tells Midge that Joel saw her set, which sends the "mad divorcée" running after him. Unfortunately, it's all too much for Joel's fragile ego and he ends their marriage for good on the stoop of their apartment.
Since he was trying, and failing, to be a stand-up comic himself in season one, it seems like his rationale for ending their relationship is a mix of jealousy and a snap decision made in the heat of the moment. As for Midge, she has other suitors waiting in the wings - *cough* Zachary Levi's awkward but hot doctor, Benjamin *cough* - so only time will tell if Joel will stop acting like an ass these two will find their way back to each other.
Filming Suspiria Was So Intense That Dakota Johnson "Had a F*cking Meltdown"
I saw Suspiria in early October, and now, nearly two months later, I'm still recovering. Luca Guadagnino's remake of the 1977 horror classic is a mind-bending, beautifully choreographed spookfest that elevates gore to an art form, and sees Fifty Shades Freed's Dakota Johnson delivering an intense performance as dancer Susie Bannion. Despite preparing her body for the film for a full year beforehand, enduring strength and ballet training, Johnson still found herself in a spiral of anxiety when it came time to actually begin working on the film.
"[I] had this f*cking meltdown four days before filming and was like, 'I can't do this,'" she said during her Variety Actors on Actors conversation with Armie Hammer. "I was in tears in [director Luca Guadagnino's] office, and I was like, I'm a fraud." She also recalled that Guadagnino and costar Tilda Swinton, who actually had multiple parts in the movie, had to talk her off the ledge and convince her that no one deserved the part more than she did.
"For my whole life I've been railing against myself thinking that someone's gonna find out that I'm a fraud," she explained. "This is a thing that artists do really struggle against, is this feeling that I'm not actually deserving of this job or this career."
If you've seen the film, then you know that Johnson's dancing - which she did herself - is impressive, to say the least. Let's hope that if Guadagnino does indeed move forward with a sequel, Johnson gets on board, because we can't see the film working without her.
Kris Jenner Had a "Cool Mom" Moment at the VS Fashion Show, and Twitter Couldn't Handle It
Just days after Kris Jenner had the internet freaking out over her cameo in Ariana Grande's "Thank U, Next" music video, she brought the character of Regina George's mom to real life. During the 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which aired on ABC on Sunday night, the self-proclaimed momager was sitting front and center, beaming with pride as 23-year-old Kendall Jenner graced the runway. It was an awesome show with more sexy looks than our TV screens could handle, and there were even tears celebrating Adriana Lima's final show, but nothing was as entertaining as Kris naturally channeling her best Mrs. George.
"Y'all Kris Jenner 100% just fulfilled her destiny," one person tweeted alongside a GIF of Regina's mom during the Mean Girls talent show. If you had any doubt that Kris was actually Mrs. George in real life, just watch the clip. See how fans across the internet are reacting to Kris's iconic moment ahead.
Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Jonas! Nick and Priyanka Make Their Red Carpet Debut as Husband and Wife
It's official - Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra are married! Just days after tying the knot in a traditional Indian ceremony in Jodhpur, India, the newlyweds made their red carpet debut as husband and wife at Bumble's launch party in New Delhi on Wednesday. The 26-year-old singer looked handsome in a gray suit, while the 36-year-old Quantico actress stunned in a peach ensemble.
Nick and Priyanka's relationship first started off as friendship, and it wasn't until this past May that things turned romantic. In July, Nick reportedly popped the question while celebrating Priyanka's birthday in London, and fast-forward to present day, the two are married! "It was all tears. All tears. I could not hold it in," Priyanka recently told People about their wedding. "I think I was nervous and scared. But as soon as the curtains opened, and I saw his face, it was just like everything settled, and I knew I was making the best decision of my life." Congrats again to Mr. and Mrs. Jonas!
15 Friends Stocking Stuffers That Scream, "I'll Be There For You!"
It's been 14 years since Friends went off the air, but if you're like us, you're probably still watching reruns on Netflix or you follow the cast on Instagram. Chances are you also know a few people who are just as obsessed with the show as you are, so why not give them a funny little gift this holiday season? From wine charms to magnets to tote bags, we've found something for everyone in your circle. And guess what? These stocking stuffers won't break the bank!
Dolly Parton Just Burned Her Husband on National Television, and I Am Hollering
Over the weekend, Dolly Parton dropped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to talk about her work on Dumplin', the new Netflix film. The project, starring Jennifer Aniston, is about a "self-proclaimed fat girl" who's on a journey to find her own confidence and who takes a lot of inspiration from the sweet serenades of Dolly herself. During her chat with Jimmy, Dolly revealed she was delighted to contribute original music for the film and she was thrilled to work with Jennifer. And, well, it turns out she wasn't the only member of the Parton family to share that enthusiasm.
"My husband is crazy about her," Dolly shared after Jimmy asked about her relationship with Jennifer. "I think he kind of fantasizes, like, a threesome with us." As if that wasn't enough to get the audience (and Jimmy) giggling, she then followed with a truly beautiful roast: "I think he can't even get it out to pee, much less get it up for three." Cue Jimmy falling onto the floor, and frankly, I'd do the same. Oh, Dolly, we love you so much. Between this and your consistently stunning performances, we hope you don't ever change.
The First Season of Stranger Things Almost Killed Off 2 Pivotal Main Characters
Stranger Things has exploded into a pop cultural phenomenon since debuting in 2016, which is due in a large part to the incredible performances from its core cast of young actors like Millie Bobby Brown. But can you imagine the show without Brown's Eleven? That plot twist almost came to be in season one, as well as the death of Joe Keery's beloved Steve Harrington (though, to be fair, he wasn't nearly as well-liked in the first season).
The creators of Stranger Things, Matt and Ross Duffer, explained the rationale behind their initial choice to kill them off in a behind-the-scenes companion book, as reported by NME.
"Eleven was going to sacrifice herself to save the day," Ross says in the book, Stranger Things: Worlds Turned Upside Down. "That was always the end game." But when the Duffers discovered that the sci-fi series would return for a second season, they "needed to leave it more up in the air, because deep down we knew the show just wouldn't really work without Eleven. And at that point, we knew how special Millie [Bobby Brown] was. If there was going to be more Stranger Things, Eleven had to come back."
As we all know now, Eleven escapes from the Upside Down and is kept hidden by Chief Hopper until he deems it safe for her to rejoin her group of friends, which now includes a devoted babysitter in the form of one Steve Harrington. It's hard to imagine it now, but the Duffers also planned to kill Steve by the end of the first season. "This Steve character, he was just supposed to be this giant douchebag," Ross said, before noting that it was Keery's performance that changed their minds.
So, what's next for the characters? In July, Netflix gave us a brief glimpse at the third season. While it was great to plop into Hawkins for 90 seconds and to hear about the brand-spanking-new mall that's coming to town, the teaser also revealed that we'll be waiting until Summer 2019 for the show to return.
Game of Thrones: This Surprising Detail About Season 8's Epic Battle Changes Everything
The seventh season of Game of Thrones finished back in August 2017 and it feels like we've been waiting forever for the final season to premiere. Now that we finally (FINALLY!) have an official confirmation of the premiere date, it means it's time to panic. April 2019 is months away, but we have a lot to prepare for, especially since this season will have the show's biggest battle sequence to date. And, according to one GoT star, we'll be dealing with that battle a lot sooner than we expected.
Vladimír Furdík, the actor behind the famously diabolical Night King, revealed that the epic battle will actually be going down in episode three of season eight. For those who may not recall, the final season will consist of six feature-film-length episodes, which means the battle will happen smack-dab in the middle of the season.
"In the third episode of the last season, there is a battle that the creators intended to be a historic moment in television," Furdík revealed at a fan convention in Hungary, as translated by Mashable. "Almost the full episode will be about the battle, it will take about one hour."
For a reference point, this is the battle where the armies of Westeros go against the Army of the Dead. We're talking giants, dragons, soldiers from the North and South coming together to become one unified battalion and defeat the biggest bad that ever did bad - who also has a dragon on his side, of course. We're talking about a battle sequence that famously took 55 days just to shoot outdoors, which doesn't even count the time they spent filming in the studio.
Usually the big battles take place later in the season, so the end is much more dramatic, like season six's "Battle of the Bastards." So hearing that this one is going to take place as early as the third episode is surprising. It totally changes our idea of how the season will pan out!
If the battle takes up the whole of episode three, what can we expect from the remaining three episodes? That must mean that the remainder of the season deals with the fallout of the battle, namely what happens when the victor emerges. Though with a war like this, "victor" might be an overstatement. It's more like, how will whoever is left alive deal with the wreckage that remains? Will there even still be a Westeros left? Will this be what permanently stops "the wheel?" There are so many questions, and we have no idea what to expect! April can't come soon enough.
Am I the Only One Who Can't Stop Singing "Bring the Snow" From The Princess Switch?!
By now, we sincerely hope you've basked in the glory of Netflix's latest holiday offering, The Princess Switch. Featuring a classic switcheroo story that has a common baker swapping spots with royalty, the slightly cheesy but ever-so-endearing film already has Twitter in a tizzy. It doesn't help that the end credits for the film feature a catchy song you won't be able to get out of your head. Called "Bring the Snow," it's just the kind of cheery holiday bop that will help you seamlessly transition into full holiday mode, just in time for the peak of the season. We're waiting with bated breath to find it on Spotify or some other official platform, but luckily, YouTube has come in clutch in the meantime. Happy dancing, friends.
Gird Your Loins, Vikings Fans: Things Are About to Get Steamy Between Lagertha and Heahmund
Vikings has returned for the second half of its fifth season, and while there have already been a few ups and downs (and bloodshed, as per usual), it looks like things are going to take a seriously romantic turn.
In exclusive photos from the Dec. 5 episode, "Murder Most Foul," Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) sidles up to Bishop Heahmund (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Seeing her share a passionate kiss with Heahmund's character is exciting for a number of reasons, but chief is that few people are more deserving of happiness than Lagertha. She's lost some of her greatest loves, including Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) and Astrid (Josefin Asplund), which has left her cold to the prospect of moving forward with someone new. But will this religiously devout man be the one who breaks her shell? It certainly seems so.
Whether you're voting for him to be her soulmate or not, get a sneak peek at their steamy connection ahead.
Watching Katy Perry Outbid a Fan For a Date With Orlando Bloom Will Make You Cringe
Imagine this: You're at a charity auction and you've just bid on a date with your celebrity crush. The date includes lunch and a motorcycle ride, and at the moment, you're the highest bidder. Sounds perfect, right? Now imagine his jealous girlfriend swooping in and stealing the date right from under you - harsh, no? Well, that's exactly what went down at the One Love Woolsey Fire Fundraiser in Malibu, CA, on Sunday.
After taking the stage for a performance, Katy Perry auctioned off a date with her boyfriend, Orlando Bloom. "You're holding him in a way that I am not excited about," Katy said as she described the date. "You're holding his pecs and his six-pack - and it's so glorious! You get to hold on to Orlando for about 45 minutes . . . and then, you get to stare into his brown eyes!"
Naturally, an excited fan bid $20,000 on the once-in-a-lifetime experience and she almost won it - that is, if it hadn't been for Katy. As the winner was about to be declared, Katy jumped in and put a kibosh to the whole thing. "Laura, I'm sorry. I'm buying it for $50,000," she said before dropping her mic and walking off stage. Yikes! We wonder what Orlando had to say about that.
Articles
