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.
samedi 12 janvier 2019
Lady Gaga and Her Mom Have Us Seeing Double at the National Board of Review Gala
Lady Gaga is certainly having her moment this award season, and we're loving every bit of it! After her song "Shallow" took home the Golden Globe for best original song, the 32-year-old singer attended the National Board of Review Gala in NYC on Tuesday night. Gaga was accompanied by her mom, Cynthia Germanotta, and it's clear the apple didn't fall far from the tree. The two celebrated her best actress win for her role in A Star Is Born with costar Bradley Cooper and director Steven Spielberg.
In her speech, Gaga thanked her mom for believing in her so that she could fulfill her dreams. "I always do what I do to make my family proud," she said. She also gave Bradley a sweet shout-out, saying, "I would not be standing up here without you. Thank you for entrusting me to be your first leading actress in your directorial debut."
So, what's up next for Gaga? On Sunday, she's set to attend the Critics' Choice Awards, where A Star Is Born is nominated for nine whopping awards including best picture, best adapted screenplay, and best cinematography. We're wishing Gaga the best of luck!
Bird Box's Writer Is Turning the Shadow and Bone Book Series Into a Show For Netflix
Fans of the Shadow and Bone book series should probably sit down for a second, because we have big news: the story is being adapted for a TV show on Netflix!
The streaming giant has officially greenlighted an eight-episode series based on Leigh Bardugo's bestselling Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows fantasy novels. The project has some exciting names behind it, too, with Eric Heisserer on board, who adapted Netflix's wildly successful Bird Box for the screen, as well as Shawn Levy, executive producer of the network's smash hit Stranger Things, and the Divergent series' Pouya Shahbazian. Heisserer is serving as creator, writer, and executive producer on top of showrunning the series, which will unite characters from both Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows.
Although each of Bardugo's stories are as complex as they are magical, both take place in the "Grishaverse." In the #1 New York Times–bestselling Six of Crows, we meet criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker, who works out of an international trade hub called Ketterdam and is tasked with pulling together an eclectic crew for the heist of a lifetime. Meanwhile, the Shadow and Bone trilogy begins with an orphaned, expendable soldier named Alina Starkov, whose country, Ravka, has been sliced in two by the Shadow Fold, a realm of unnatural darkness teaming with deadly monsters. When her regiment comes under attack, Alina finds herself tapping into a magic she never realized she had, which eventually leads her to the Grisha, her country's magical military elite.
The thugs, thieves, assassins, and saints that occupy the Grishaverse will come together in Shadow and Bone, which will see Alina as the main character. Until we get more details about the Netflix series, you can check out Bardugo's latest entry into the Grishaverse, titled King of Scars, which comes out in late January.
Wondering How to See Every Ending in Black Mirror: Bandersnatch? Use These Flowcharts
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is as impressive as it is frustrating; though the "choose your own adventure" style of the film is pretty freakin' cool, the amount of FOMO that comes from not being able to see each and every path Stefan can possibly take left me a little piqued. After all, Bandersnatch can run as long as two hours or more since there's reportedly around five hours of footage total. Who has the time?!
Fortunately, fans of the dystopian sci-fi series' latest have figured out a pretty handy way for you to go down paths you might not have known about or realized you should've chosen from the start: flowcharts. A whole lot of gloriously detailed flowcharts.
So, once you get past the "Frosties or Sugar Puffs" conundrum and you start having to choose between chopping up Stefan's dad or burying him in the backyard - a pretty tame choice by Black Mirror standards - things can get confusing. That's where these fan-made flowcharts come in, which can help you unlock endings you might not have realized even exist.
Keep reading to see a few versions of the flowcharts that people have made to help fellow fans navigate Bandersnatch, but be warned: tons of spoilers ahead!
Brie Larson and Alex Greenwald Call Off Engagement After Nearly 3 Years
Brie Larson and Alex Greenwald have reportedly broken up. According to People on Friday, the couple recently chose to end their three-year engagement and five-year relationship. "They have taken a step back from their engagement for the time being, but they remain close," a source says.
Brie and Alex were rumored to have started dating in 2013, though the two kept their relationship relatively private aside from some notable instances. Brie famously gave the 39-year-old lead singer of Phantom Planet a shout-out in her best actress speech at the 2016 Oscars. After winning for her role in Room, she thanked her "real partner, Alex Greenwald. I love you - the whole thing!"
The two got engaged in March 2016, when Alex popped the question to the Captain Marvel star during a romantic trip to Tokyo. Both Brie and Alex have yet to publicly address the status of their relationship.
The Cutest: Jennifer Garner Is All Giggles and Grins When Seeing Her BF John Miller
Despite split rumors late last year, Jennifer Garner and John Miller are still going strong. The Love, Simon star and her tech CEO beau were spotted showing sweet PDA in LA before the new year; Jennifer was all smiles as she wrapped her arms around John and gave him a cute kiss. She also turned things up a notch by playfully sliding her hand across his leg.
In October, it was revealed that Jen had been dating the businessman since the Spring. They were first seen together attending a performance of the musical Dear Evan Hansen at the Ahmanson Theatre in LA in November, after which it was rumored that they were planning a romantic holiday vacation together. John is the first man that Jen has dated publicly since finalizing her divorce from Ben Affleck last year. The couple announced their separation in 2015 and have remained committed to coparenting their three kids.
Look Up "Smitten" in the Dictionary, and You Might See These Snaps of Rami Malek and Lucy Boynton
Now that Rami Malek, 37, and Lucy Boynton, 24, have officially confirmed that they're dating, the two seem to have no problem showing off their romance. Following their adorable date night at the Golden Globes over the weekend, the couple was spotted on a sweet stroll in LA on Tuesday night. The pair looked so happy as Rami wrapped his arm around Lucy and the two shared a few laughs. They even color-coordinated their outfits for the casual outing.
Rami and Lucy recently starred together in Bohemian Rhapsody, and the Freddie Mercury biopic is receiving major praise this award season. In addition to Rami taking home the Golden Globe for best actor in a drama for his role in the movie, the film was also crowned best drama motion picture at the ceremony. Not to mention, Bohemian Rhapsody is up for three awards at Sunday's Critics' Choice Awards. Rami and Lucy certainly have a lot to be excited about right now.
Blown Away by Black Mirror: Bandersnatch? Wait Until You See How They Pulled It Off
By now, chances are you've heard about Black Mirror's new offering: a standalone "choose your own adventure" film called Bandersnatch. Yep, it's exactly what it sounds like: you're not just a passive viewer when it comes to our hero, Stefan. Instead, you must make choices along the way that inevitably affect his fate, as well as the ending you get to witness. The finished product is surely unlike anything ever before seen in the entertainment world, and it's so much more than that, too. It runs smoothly, it's an incredible story, and there are reportedly something to the tune of one trillion different permutations based on the varying choices you can make and paths you can take.
If that all sounds very complicated, it's because it is. To pull off Bandersnatch, Netflix had to develop new tools and programs, and they had to double the budget and the production time that seems to be standard for a Black Mirror episode. (Considering some episodes are feature-length, that's pretty remarkable.) For those of you who like to take things apart and see how they work, we've got a special treat. With help from an in-depth interview from The Hollywood Reporter - it's got tidbits from Netflix execs and Black Mirror creators Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones - we're breaking down exactly how Bandersnatch came together.
Testing the Format
Netflix initially tested out the interactive technology with their kids' programming, including Puss in Book and Buddy Thunderstruck. "We felt that if it didn't succeed in the kids' space, it wouldn't succeed with grownups," head of product Todd Yellin told Wired in a recent interview. "Kids don't know how something's supposed to be, they just know how it is . . . Not only do they want to get involved with characters, but they want to dive in and be with the characters."
It quickly became clear that the format was a huge success, with high interaction rates from the kids who watched. Once Netflix had a "proof of concept," so to speak, they took the idea to Brooker and Jones. Funnily enough, the two weren't keen on trying it out. "We did pretty much walk out of the room and go, 'Nope,'" Brooker told THR. "But partly because, at that point, we didn't know what the story would be and thought, 'Wouldn't that just be a gimmick?' Annoyingly, several weeks later, we were throwing story ideas around and this idea popped up that would only work as an interactive. It was good to come back and have an idea, but also daunting." And with that, it was pretty much all systems go. Still, it would be more than a year and a half before they could execute the project and slate it for release.
Plotting the Idea
According to Wired, Brooker started immediately to puzzle out the plot, sketching out a rough flowchart on a white board. The story and its many paths got so complicated that Brooker had to learn a unique videogame programming language, specifically used for a program called Twine. "Every time I had an idea I put it in a box, and you can move them around. It's a bit like making a giant patchwork quilt," he said. But even that medium wasn't enough to contain the vast complexities of Bandersnatch. "The story was expanding, and it was like whole new islands started appearing. It grew down beyond the flowchart, and sometimes the story would expand sideways. And then there were layers," Brooker told THR. So, get this: Netflix literally developed an internal tool to help plot the story.
The tool is called Branch Manager, and it allowed Brooker to send his evolving script directly to Netflix as he worked. What it amounts to, from the sound of it, is a vast map delineates all the potential options and paths, complete with plenty of if-then scenarios. The map also shows how the viewer can arrive at each ending. The complex narrative structures in Branch Manager even allow for loops and do-overs.
Making It Happen
Once they mapped out everything, clearly an endeavor in and of itself, then it was time to make the damn thing. According to reports, Bandersnatch took twice as long and cost twice as much to produce. For instance, Metalhead (which pops up as an Easter egg in Bandersnatch) took 12 days to shoot. Bandersnatch took 35 days, spread over the course of seven weeks. According to THR, there are upwards of 250 video segments that piece together to make the whole. That's a lot of small scenes to film. Brooker himself told THR it felt like he was making four Black Mirror episodes at once!
In addition to all the legwork on the creative side, Netflix had their own work to do. Wondering how this could possibly amount to more than a trillion iterations? Well, a new piece of technology allowed for "state tracking" during playback. This means your experience is unique to you: Netflix "remembers" every single choice you make during your viewing, and the story shifts slightly based on what you pick. It's ever-evolving, and it means your entire experience would change even if you only made one alternate choice.
The choose-your-own-adventure model also meant Netflix had to beef up their cache system in order to keep things running smoothly. Normally, a program will load scenes in advance so you don't have to worry about buffering at any point. But when the software isn't sure what you're going to pick, it's hard to load scenes in advance. As such, the platform will prep and load a few videos at a time - the relevant ones, of course - to keep things moving. I'm dizzy just thinking about it.
The Launch
Now that Bandersnatch is here, those involved can kick back and behold their brilliance. But Bandersnatch is not just the gimmick Brooker first worried about, and it's not just a feat of technology. Black Mirror turned out to be the perfect venue for the format, with a stylized and meta story about a video game programmer working on the very sort of thing he's falling victim to.
The result is a unique kind of viewing experience, one where you're party to whatever Stefan inevitably endures. "You are making a decision at that point about your protagonist and what they have to do," Jones told THR. "If it wasn't interactive, you'd just watch and probably be appalled and worried and frightened for him in that moment. If you're making that decision, how does that affect your relationship with the film? Do you then feel more wretched?" Guess you better watch it for yourself to find out.
Hate Deciding Stefan's Fate in Bandersnatch? Charlie Brooker Has a Message For You: "F*ck Off"
The great thing about watching a movie or TV show that you don't enjoy is that you can turn it off. Truly, people, it's that easy. Nevertheless, that hasn't stopped audiences from complaining about all the decisions they have to make while watching Black Mirror's latest trippy creation, Bandersnatch.
The stand-alone film is done in a "choose your own adventure" style, meaning as the plot moves along, viewers use their remotes to make A or B decisions for the story's ill-fated hero, Stefan, that range from the seemingly banal ("Sugar Puffs or Frosties?") to the gruesome ("Bury your dad's body or chop it up?"). The setup and technology used to achieve such a seamless experience is incredibly impressive, but apparently the stress of discovering all the endings and secret pathways that Stefan has the potential to journey down is just too much for some. While speaking to HuffPost UK about the critiques, Black Mirror cocreators Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones acknowledged that the film might not be for everyone.
"It's been interesting that you get different reactions from different people, partly based on what they're expecting, or what they want," Brooker said of fans' response to the interactive film. "So some people go, 'oh, I'm sh*t at this', and you sort of go, 'no no, it's alright, we've built in that you're going to fail'. We're trying to make you fail a couple of times so that you have to go around and do things again, and that's sort of baked into the story."
As for audiences who don't want to deal with the decision-making process whatsoever? "Well f*ck off, then. Do something else!" Brooker said. "And then there's some people who think 'oh, it's too simple as a game' or 'games have done this before' - well this isn't on a gaming platform, it's on Netflix. I'm well aware of what a computer game is, thanks."
Luckily, whether you liked Bandersnatch or not, season five of Black Mirror is on the way, likely arriving on Netflix within the next few months (it was delayed because Bandersnatch took so long to make). Miley Cyrus, we're ready for you.
If You Love Bird Box, Take Off That Blindfold and Watch These 12 Movies
Still coming down from the high of having nightmares about watching Netflix's hit sci-fi horror film Bird Box? Same. Fortunately, the thrills and chills don't have to end with Sandra Bullock careening down rapids with two small children in tow. In addition to plenty of dystopian and apocalyptic movies lurking on Netflix, there are some high-quality films that combine the same themes Bird Box does - fear, isolation, maternal instincts, garrison mentality - to great effect. If you want to spend an evening getting sufficiently spooked, I suggest pressing play on one of the following movies.
The Flash's Candice Patton Discusses One of the Major Themes That Makes Season 5 So Great
Although season five of the CW's The Flash has all the elements of previous seasons - action, witty banter, trippy time-traveling - there's something that sets it apart. Something far more powerful than Barry's speed or any villain he's ever faced: family legacies.
When the season first premiered in October, Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and Iris West (Candice Patton) were taken by surprise when their future daughter, Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy), traveled to the past to fight crime with her father, inadvertently trapping herself in their timeline. In the first round of episodes, viewers watched Barry and Iris adjust to their new parental roles and all the obstacles that it has brought along.
But somehow their sudden responsibilities as parents seem to be strengthening their relationship. "It was shocking for both Barry and Iris to see their future daughter as an adult. But I think it's helped their relationship, knowing they have a chance at a very stable future," Patton told POPSUGAR over the phone on Jan. 10. "That was always Barry's worry: as a superhero, can you really have it all? The wife, the house, and children? I think Nora's presence is an indication that his future does hold all those things."
However, Barry's battle with this season's big bad guy, Cicada (Chris Klein), also has an added risk with his daughter working alongside him. Not only does Barry have to stop the crazed villain from killing every metahuman in sight, but he also has to protect Nora. "He's got his daughter from the future who's trapped there, and he's fighting for her in a way that he's never fought for himself," Patton continued. "Going into the rest of the season, he's going to be dealing with that even more - Iris as well. They have something outside of themselves to fight for now."
"This season is really about family and legacy and everyone's trying to come to terms with that in their own way."
The idea of being motivated by family is something other characters on The Flash have been dealing with this season. On one end, there's Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) exploring her past and finding out more about her father (who is totally not dead, BTW) in order to understand the powers of her alter ego, Killer Frost. And on the other end, Cicada is hellbent on carrying out his mission to rid Central City of metahumans after he took in his niece - who was injured in season four's Enlightenment blitz - when her mother was killed in a meta attack. Family is everything: a driving force, a cornerstone, the root of one's identity.
"Everyone's on their own journey," Patton explained. "This season is really about family and legacy and everyone's trying to come to terms with that in their own way." Thankfully, Patton also mentioned that a major part of the West family will make his return during the second half of the season. "We'll finally get Jesse Martin back, which is really exciting," she said. "We're really relieved that he'll be back. He adds such stability and grounding to the show and to the West family." Martin, who plays Iris's father Joe West, had to take a medical leave of absence in October after suffering a back injury.
The show's midseason finale left us on a major cliffhanger in December, but we're anticipating some answers when it makes its return on Jan. 15. And when it does come back, we can expect to see what Patton said is one of the paramount lessons of the season, which is "staying true to who you are and finding your voice no matter how long it takes."
You're Not Done Freaking Out About Bandersnatch: Netflix Just Revealed a Secret Path
By now, you've hopefully worked through all the various endings in Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. You may have even picked your favorite, or perhaps shed an unexpected tear at that bittersweet happy ending. But even after hours of tinkering around, there's a chance you might miss some of the fun little "golden eggs" that Netflix has tucked away in little pockets throughout the film. These are a tad different from the various Easter eggs that reference previous episodes of Black Mirror. These are more experiential, like the whole phone number situation that happens when you're deep down the "government conspiracy" path.
In this case, our golden egg unlocks a pretty amazing cameo: a chance encounter with the one and only Jerome F. Davies, who in the film is known for having gone crazy, killing and beheading his wife. It's the intricate choose-your-own-adventure literary work, Bandersnatch, that has inspired Stefan to create a video game of the same name and premise. Wondering how to make Davies pop up in the film? It's actually pretty simple. At one point, you will be given the opportunity to either pick up a beloved family photo or page through a book titled Look Door, Get Key.
Either choice will send Stefan into a strange time-traveling dream. I'm sure you're familiar: he crawls through the mirror in his bathroom, which teleports him back in time, to the day his mother died. It's a pretty important point in the piece as a whole. But here's the secret to the Davies cameo: pick up the family photo the first time, and when you have the chance to go back to that moment, pick up the family photo again. When you do this, Stefan doesn't get into bed with the photo in question. Instead, he falls asleep at his desk, and the real fun begins.
The Davies cameo is actually very short and jarring. Stefan awakes at his computer, a bit confused and out of sorts. He stands and turns around, and that's when he sees Davies, if only for a split second. That's because the crazed character is charging at Stefan. Before you or Stefan have time to register what's going on, Davies collides with Stefan, stabbing him in the stomach. (What the hell, Davies?! I thought we were on the same team!) This, of course, is a dream, and the impact of the stab is enough to jolt Stefan out of his slumber. He's back in bed, and it's morning. We're rerouted back to the point where the previous through-the-mirror time travel dream ends, and the story continues on from there.
It's a pretty small and fleeting moment, but it's oddly satisfying to see the creator in the flesh. And, for some odd reason, I have a feeling Stefan is a bit honored to be stabbed in the stomach by his idol. Ah, Bandersnatch.
Still Freaking Out Over Jane the Virgin's Epic Twist? Season 5 Will Be Here Soon
As sad as we are about Jane the Virgin ending for good after season five, we have to admit that we're excited for the final season to begin, if only so we can finally get some answers about season four's epic twist.
Nearly a full year since it was revealed that a certain character wasn't as dead as they necessarily seemed, The CW has announced that the magical realism-infused, telenovela-inspired series will be back on TV screens on March 27 at 9 p.m., immediately following Riverdale on Wednesday nights. Fortunately, there are plenty of episodes in the season - 19, to be exact - so we'll all have time to get used to the idea of permanently bidding Jane Gloriana Villanueva adieu. (Just kidding - DON'T LEAVE US, JANE!)
The episode count will bring the series to an even 100, so we can only imagine what new, exciting, and gut-wrenching surprises creator Jennie Snyder Urman has in store for us. In the meantime, though, feel free to revisit that mysterious "17 theory" about the show, and catch up with Jane, Xiomara, Rafael, Rogelio, Alba, and the rest of the gang on Netflix.
Little: Regina Hall Goes From Powerful Tech Mogul to Pint-Size Terror in This New Comedy
If you've ever taken a break from the nonstop stress of adulthood to yearn for the carefree days of your childhood (which we've all done; let's be real), then you'll definitely appreciate Little. The Universal Pictures film follows Jordan Sanders, a powerful tech mogul who is "given" the chance to relive her carefree days as a tween right before a huge career move.
Support the Girls's Regina Hall and Black-ish's Marsai Martin both handle the reins as Jordan - Hall as the cutthroat mogul version and Martin as the 13-year-old with a smart mouth. Insecure's Issa Rae joins the party as Jordan's long-suffering assistant April - the only one who knows the big secret and relishes that business opportunity it presents. From the looks of the trailer, we're in for a hilarious ride full of iconic lines, questionable fashion, and a lot of good-looking men. Which we are all the way here for! Did we mention that the film is executive-produced AND based on an idea by 14-year-old Martin? Talk about Black Girl Magic.
Check out the trailer above and watch out for Little in theaters April 12.
Embrace the Chill This Winter With These Terrifying New Thrillers and Mysteries
For most of the country, the weather has officially started to get really, really cold, and your bookshelf is about to be full of just as many chills. Thanks to a few months worth of the best new thrillers and mystery novels, shivers will be running up, down, and all around your spine - stock up on sweaters, y'all! From all the jaw-dropping plot twists in January's line-up of new novels all the way to the stories that will be giving you nightmares well into April, I went ahead and rounded them up for you. As a self-confessed thriller-aholic, I promise that I'll help you decide which kidnapped kid, cheating spouse, and brutal murders are worth spending a weekend (or two) with.
28 Chilling and Well-Done Horror Movies That Are on Netflix Right This Second
Picture this: another dark, gloomy Friday night. A storm is brewing outside, and the howling winds rattle your windows, warning you not to set foot outside. You lock the doors. You're not going to go out with friends, that would be crazy! No, now is the time for Netflix, and with a monthly slate change, there's always something new for you to put your eyeballs on. When I find myself beleaguered by one of these harrowing and stormy Friday nights, I delight in the thrill of a horror movie or two.
As someone who spent the better part of this last Fall scrolling over and over through Netflix's horror movies, I have good news. The new year has definitely brought a handful of new offerings, old and fresh, for us horror junkies to sink our teeth into. Wondering what's worth a watch and what you should shoo from your queue? Allow me to guide you, weary reader, into the long night.
Already Hooked on Freeform's Sexy New Series, Good Trouble? Wait Until You Hear the Soundtrack
Freeform's newest series gets its foundation from the recently concluded family drama The Fosters. While Good Trouble follows the adventures of Callie Adams-Foster (Maia Mitchell) and Mariana Adams-Foster (Cierra Ramirez) as they make their lives in Los Angeles, the only similarity between the two shows is the theme of family. Good Trouble is the sexy little sister that shows Callie and Mariana diving out of their kiddie pool and into the big waters of adulthood. While The Fosters was about an assembled family finding their ground, Good Trouble is about the young women finding their chosen family and the messy adventures that entails.
With just a single episode, the series has already charmed audiences with its dynamic cast, progressive politics, and of course the sexy drama that goes hand-in-hand when young 20- and 30-somethings are together. But even better, it has a soundtrack that perfectly garnishes every emotional turn or sexy, poolside hookup that may occur. Ahead, we've rounded up the eclectic blend of standout tracks that make up the show's soundtrack, and as an added bonus, we've also included Spotify's official Good Trouble playlist. You're welcome.
These Celebs Are Already Starting Off 2019 Healthy and Fit - We're Inspired to Do the Same!
Nothing makes you want to get in shape more than seeing a hot, and we mean hot, Instagram gym picture of your favorite celeb. These celebrity photos made us break a sweat just by looking at them, not to mention, they are exactly who you should follow in 2019 if you are in need of some fitness inspiration.
So if your resolution is to get fit, these photos will give you all the motivation you need for the rest of the year . . . trust us.
This "Happy Light" (From Amazon) Helps Keep My Seasonal Affective Disorder in Check
As a Florida native, my world was rocked (and not in a good way) when I encountered my first real Winter after moving to New York City. The temperatures dipped far below 40 degrees (which is about as frigid as it gets in the Sunshine State), piles of snow remained on the streets for weeks on end without melting, the sun was already set by the time I left my office to commute home, and I basically morphed into the Michelin Man because of how many clothing layers I wore every day.
To top things off, my mood drastically changed during the darker Winter months, transforming me from my usual happy-go-lucky self to a lethargic slug who rushed home after work to burrito in the sheets, calculate how many days were left until Spring, and maybe even shed a few tears.
I talk to my mom on the phone pretty much every day, so naturally, she noticed the steady shift in my overall mood as I struggled to deal with the Winter blues. As a doctor, she diagnosed me with Seasonal Affective Disorder - or SAD, for short, somewhat ironically - and ordered me the Verilux HappyLight Touch Therapy Tablet on Amazon as the potential solution to my woes. It's been about a year and a half since my lamp was delivered, and rarely a day has gone by since then without excitedly mashing that "on" button to reap its healing benefits (more on those ahead).
I Have Depression, and I'm Proof That You Never Know the Battle Someone Is Waging Inside
I never thought I'd live to be 26 years old. You may be wondering why someone who seems perfectly healthy would have such a dark thought, and you would not be alone. But I'm proud to say that turning 26 has been one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.
If you checked my Instagram over the last few years, you would have seen me as the happiest girl in the world, traveling the globe teaching yoga and weightlifting. But keeping up that image grew exhausting, so I decided to be brave and tell my story. My story is not unique, but it's one that is rarely spoken about due to fear. Fear can be a crippling emotion, but it can also be a powerful tool.
Depression and anxiety are just like any other illness. They're nothing to hide away.
So I'm going to ask something scary: do the words "mental health" make you uncomfortable? They used to make me feel that way, too. But depression and anxiety are just like any other illness. They're nothing to hide away. In fact, these journeys should be shared and celebrated.
I have had anxiety for as long as I can remember. Growing up, it impacted every part of life. I would have panic attacks before going to school, sleepless nights before games or tests, endless thoughts of everyone being against me, and days where I felt completely alone in the world. In college, things got worse. I became extremely depressed. I partied every chance I got. I hung out with people who fed the worst parts of me. I protected myself by flashing a big smile and playing the part of the bubbly sorority girl. I told myself that depression is scary and no one wants to hear about that.
Keep it hidden and keep smiling.
A few years later, at the age of 20, my smile had fallen and I had given up. The thought of waking up the next morning was too much for me to handle. I was no longer anxious or sad; instead I felt numb, and that's when things took a turn for the worse. I called my dad, who lived across the country, and for the first time in my life, I told him everything. It was too late, though. I was not calling for help. I was calling to say goodbye.
Miraculously, he convinced me to hang on for a few more hours. Had he not boarded the very next flight to me, I would not be here right now.
That is when I started my long and continuous journey to get healthy. I worked with doctors and therapists, but I still struggled. Until one day my dad took me to a CrossFit gym by my school and for the first time I picked up a barbell. It instantly became my place to escape, my outlet, my medicine. I did not go more than a day without having a bar in my hand, but weightlifting and fitness were not enough alone.
After a year or so, the depression crept back in. I channeled the inner strength I had built in the gym and asked for help. This is when I began working with a new therapist, one who believed that depression decreased by age 26. I have no idea if this is true, but in yoga, you're taught not to ask if the thought is true, but rather if the thought serves you. So I hung onto this. When I fell into a really bad spell, I reminded myself, "Just a few more years. Hang on until you are 26. It will get better."
I kept lifting. I kept working. I kept growing.
As an Olympic weightlifting coach and yoga teacher, people tell me all the time how strong I am, which used to make me feel like a total fraud. But today, I am 26 years old. Today, I'm proudly sharing something I felt so ashamed of for so many years, and that's because I'm strong. I have a strength that this illness will never be able to match, not at 26 or any age after that.
The charity Project Semicolon is close to my heart. The idea behind it: "a semicolon represents a sentence an author could have ended, but chose not to." My story isn't over, and each chapter is a lot brighter, a lot bolder, and filled with a lot of fun new characters. There's always more to come. We just need to continue writing.
If you or a loved one are in need of any help, the National Suicide Prevention organization has several resources and a 24/7 lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Walmart Has 45-Calorie Egg White Wraps, and Breakfast Burritos Will Never Be the Same
Say goodbye to regular ol' wraps, because a new trend is sweeping the fitness space. Low-carb alternatives like wraps made entirely of cheese are becoming more popular, and Walmart's egg white wraps are officially in the mix. Made by Crepini, the Egg White Thins can replace tortillas and sandwich wraps for lunch roll-ups, breakfast tacos, or quesadillas. Each one has just 45 calories and four grams of carbs, and there's a little bit of protein, too (four grams).
For keto dieters, be sure to check your macros before eating these particular wraps; they are low-carb, but they do contain a flour mixture added to the egg whites. The regular Egg White Thins are made with wheat flour, and there's a gluten-free version made with a combination of brown rice, sorghum, and millet flours. In addition to the plain wraps, Crepini has frozen egg white thins that are already rolled and stuffed with various ingredients like spinach and feta and four cheeses with marinara and basil. Yum!
There are clearly already a lot of fans of these creative slivers, and people are proving just how versatile they are. Check out all the Crepini options ahead, and look out for them on your next trip to Walmart.
Halle Berry Says She Uses CBD For Period Cramps, and We're Definitely Going to Try It
If you aren't familiar with Halle Berry's "Fitness Friday" series on Instagram, we highly advise you to start following along, NOW. She's always sharing the workouts she's doing, simple and healthy recipes, and even her favorite keto-friendly wines (that's what you call a team player).
This week, Halle and her trainer Peter Lee Thomas answered questions from her followers, and one question that stood out to us was: "Do you ingest CBD oil/supplements for pain?" "We do, yes we do," she said while laughing and dancing. "It's changed my whole life. It's changed that monthly cycle . . . ladies, make this your best friend."
The 11 Best Sneakers You Can Buy on Amazon - Starting at Just $45!
If you're looking for some motivation to hit the gym in 2019, start by treating yourself to a pair of new sneakers. You don't need to overspend either, because we looked to Amazon and were surprised by what we found for superlow prices. From brands like Nike to Adidas and even APL, you won't be disappointed. So what are you waiting for? Keep reading to shop our hottest picks - they start as low as $45.
20 of Our Favorite Black Leggings, Because Yes, They're All Different
If the thought of color in your workout wardrobe is blasphemous, you've come to the right place. Black leggings are perhaps the foundation of our athleisure look, and it's easy to see why; they go with everything, and always look sleek and polished. But, with all the different iterations available, finding the right pair can feel like an impossible task. But no more - these are our 20 favorite black leggings. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to the gym.
I Meditated For 10 Minutes Every Night For a Week, and It Helped Me Fall Asleep Faster
Those close to me know I'm not the most relaxed person. I love being active and doing higher-energy things, so meditation and yoga have never really worked for me. I don't find sitting in silence or being still with my thoughts appealing, and I prefer HIIT and cardio with loud, pounding music over a yoga flow. Yet, I've heard so much about the benefits of mindfulness and other forms of meditation, including that they can reduce stress levels and quiet the mind and body. I figured it couldn't hurt to try to implement such a technique when I have energy to burn and need to power down fast.
I'm truly a night owl, and I usually eat dinner super late, like around 9 or 10 p.m. (I know, not great), so by the time I go to bed closer to midnight, I'm way too alert and energized to doze off. So, I embarked on this little experiment, in hopes that meditating for 10 minutes before bed would help me fall asleep and finally convince me of meditation's magical powers.
The first night did not go well. I tried focusing on my breath, bringing my attention back to it when my mind started to wander, but I couldn't get into it, and I actually felt a bit anxious. Instead of finding inner peace, I started thinking about what I had to do the next morning or if I had done enough work that day, and I hated the silence. I was bored and weirdly alert, so once I realized that I had stayed up longer than I planned, I took some melatonin (I know, I know) to help me fall asleep.
How I Turned a Corner
I was ready to quit after night one, but instead I decided to try something a little different. Meditating in silence clearly doesn't work for me, so I put on some light music. While I considered an app for guided meditation, I was afraid that would bore me; instead, I found relaxing spa music (So soothing, right?), and put it on a very low volume so it would fill that awkward stillness without distracting me from the meditation.
It was just enough to help me through it. I was able to concentrate on my breath, and while my mind still drifted at times - to an article that was due the next day or an idea I wanted to pitch - I simply reminded myself that this is normal for beginners. I embraced those thoughts, let them go, and went back to focusing on my breath, in and out to the rhythm of the music, for the duration of the 10 minutes. By the end, I was drowsy.
I did that for the rest of the week, and each time I got better at not letting my thoughts take over or getting bored. Of course, I'm still not perfect at meditating or even falling asleep, but I'm definitely more tired after practicing mindfulness than I am after watching an episode of Riverdale before bed. I plan to keep this habit up, as it really did help me fall asleep faster, and 10 minutes is nothing when measured against the benefits. I guess I'm sort of into meditation now.
Hi Shoes, Bye Money! The 20 Hottest Sneakers of 2019
To say we're obsessed with sneakers would be an understatement. They occupy a large portion of our fitness-loving brains pretty much all the time. Whether you're hitting the gym, going for a run, taking a class, or just doing errands, having a decent pair of kicks is important. We created a guide to the very best sneakers to get in 2019, so get your hands on them fast. Hot commodities like these don't stick around for very long.
Want to Get a Handle on Your Insatiable Sugar Cravings? Follow This Beachbody Dietitian's 2 Tips
Chocolate, ice cream, potato chips, French fries, pizza - if you have cravings for these foods and you eat them every day, it's hard to reach your weight-loss or healthy-eating goals. If you need help beating cravings, registered dietitian and cocreator of Beachbody's 2B Mindset nutrition program Ilana Muhlstein, MS, RDN, shared these two effective tips.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
This is one of the best tips for fighting cravings. It's extremely difficult to fight a craving for ice cream when you have a freezer full of it. However, if you have a freezer full of frozen bananas, cherries, and mango, it's easier to make yourself a bowl of frozen fruit nice cream and feel satisfied, Ilana explained.
Keep trigger foods that you can't stop eating out of your house - just don't even buy them! If you have a major sweet tooth and you love to bake, cut the recipe in half, or enjoy some of your treats, then share the rest with a neighbor. Also, avoid going to places like coffee shops if you can't help but buy a scone with your latte. If you don't see it, you're less tempted to want it.
Figure Out the Deeper Source
Figure out the deeper source for your cravings and address it. Know that cravings are often results of other habits and feelings. "For instance, many people crave carbs mid-afternoon. This could be the result of low energy due to not getting enough sleep the night before or stress," Ilana explained. "Also, many parents tell me that they crave sweets after they put their kids to bed at night." The reason could be feeling the need to reward yourself after a hard day of parenting.
Instead of relaxing with a bowl of ice cream at night, cuddle up on the couch with blanket and a good book or Netflix. If you reach for chocolate in the afternoon because work stresses you out, take a 10-minute walk outside instead to clear your mind. Once you identify the deeper cause of your cravings, you can find other nonfood rewards and habits to replace them with.
Make Your Fitness Goals a Reality With These Wellness-Themed Planners
The New Year is just around the corner, and it's never too early to jump on your health and fitness goals. Whatever your ambitions (to lose weight, build muscle, or heck, just get some sleep), jotting them down in a planner - and using it to track your progress - can help keep you accountable. We've rounded up 10 wellness-themed planners that will help make your healthy living goals a reality. Grab one for yourself and a fitness-loving friend (they'd make a great gift for your workout buddy), and start working off those holiday indulgences the second the calendar flips to 2019.
The 3 Exercises a Celebrity Trainer Says You Need to Do More of For a Bigger Butt
If you thought the booty-building hype would die down, you were wrong. We're actually glad people are still interested in getting a bigger butt because we can teach you why having stronger glutes is important. Obviously, strong glutes means your butt will be tighter and probably get a little larger - all good things. More importantly, strengthening your glute muscles will ensure that they're firing during everyday activities like walking and lifting things. Not to mention they'll prevent dormant butt syndrome, which is when your hip flexors tighten and your glute muscles shut off from sitting for extended periods of times.
To find out the best booty-building and -strengthening exercises you should be doing, POPSUGAR spoke to Gunnar Peterson, NSCA, CSCS, a celebrity trainer and MitoQ ambassador. "You should be doing a number of squat variations and a number of deadlift variations," Gunnar told POPSUGAR. "Don't be afraid of the deadlift," he added. "You're deadlifting whether you realize it or not," he said, explaining that whenever you do movements where you lift something off the ground, you're performing a deadlift.
Continue reading for instructions on how to perform these three butt-strengthening exercises.
5 Reasons Working Out at Night Will Change Your Life
I don't like to work out in the morning. I'm not a morning person. The aroma of coffee isn't something that wakes me with a smile. The light shining through the blinds at the crack of dawn is something I avoid as much as possible. The heaviest thing I want to be lifting in the morning before work is my pillow. As I said, I'm not a morning person. But wait, we're supposed to work out in the morning, right? Actually, no. You don't have to. In fact, there are a bunch of reasons you should train at night. I do and it changed my life from the first time I tried it.
First things first: Let's put the elephant in the room to bed. You won't be kept awake by training in the evening. That's an old lie that morning people cooked up with their elaborate breakfasts while we were hitting the snooze button and getting a well-deserved rest. In fact, a National Sleep Foundation study found that there was no difference in the quality of sleep for those who exercised vigorously in the evening.
Lose Weight and Boost Your Metabolism by Eating More Protein - Here's What You Need to Know
Whether you realized it or not, what you eat on a daily basis not only affects how you feel (groggy versus energized), but it also impacts important bodily processes, like your metabolism. We like to make things easy to digest, but your metabolism is an extremely complex process that relates to your body's ability to process energy from fat, sugar, protein, and how it stores that energy.
We've already explained how carbohydrates affect your metabolism - hint: there's no need to go low-carb. In order to find out how protein, another macronutrient, affects your metabolism, POPSUGAR spoke with Avigdor Arad, PhD, RDN, CDE, director of the Mount Sinai Physiolab.
Does Eating More Protein Boost My Metabolism?
First, Dr. Arad reminded us that when people talk about their metabolisms, they're referring to their resting metabolic rate: the amount of energy or calories your body needs at rest (before physical activity and eating) to perform basic functions that keep you alive, like breathing. When it comes to our macronutrient profile, how much sugar or carbohydrates, fat, and protein we consume plays an important role in our metabolic rate.
"If you're not getting a sufficient amount of protein and you're getting too much sugar (carbohydrates) . . . then you're going to end up not expending a lot of calories," Dr. Arad told POPSUGAR. This is because foods high in sugar, such as a candy bar or even a banana, have a relatively low thermic effect - it doesn't take much energy for your body to process them. As a result, your body is going to hold onto those calories and store them as fat instead of burning them. According to Dr. Arad, "If you follow a diet that doesn't have enough protein and has too much sugar and fat, it's certainly going to affect your metabolic rate."
Conversely, Dr. Arad explained that eating adequate amounts of protein is "much more difficult for the body to process, and the body burns more calories doing so." Dr. Arad also explained that this is why most weight-loss programs recommend increasing your protein intake, because it will keep you fuller longer, and you'll be burning more calories with a greater protein consumption. Bottom line: eating more protein can boost your metabolism because it has a higher thermic effect, meaning your body is going to have to work harder to digest, break down, and store it.
Before you go and meal prep a bunch of high-protein meals, there's an important caveat you need to know. "You cannot eat too much protein because it could be toxic to your kidneys," Dr. Arad explained. On average, you should eat 0.5-0.8 grams per pound of body weight. This translates to approximately 30 percent of your total energy intake, Dr. Arad said.
Other Ways to Boost Your Metabolism
Eating an adequate amount of protein is an important part of the metabolism-boosting equation, and there are a few other expert-approved tips you should follow to improve your metabolic rate. First, decrease the amount of sugar you're consuming. As Dr. Arad mentioned, sugar requires minimal energy for your body to process, and if you aren't very active, those calories will be stored as fat. Second, eat more healthy fats. Similar to protein, fats are more difficult for your body to process.
Finally, increase your physical activity by doing workouts such as strength training. The goal is to build muscle because muscle is more metabolically active than fat, aka it requires more energy, and the more muscle you have, the higher your metabolic rate. Here's a four-week strength training plan to get you started.
Make Dry January Your Easiest Resolution Ever With These Tips
Dry January is going to be a breeze. You know why? Because we have these top tips for making it simple and straightforward. Whether you're cutting back on the Bellinis to lose weight or simply want to feel the health benefits of reducing your alcohol intake, staying focused on your goal is crucial! We have some ways you can refocus, even when the going gets tough.
In just a handful of weeks, you're going to be seeing amazing results from going booze-free - you might even want to keep going! - so pour yourself a La Croix or kombucha in a wineglass, grab a pen and paper, and let's get to intention setting.
I Did This 30-Day Flat-Belly Workout Plan - and Here's Why You Should Too
I could stand to lose some belly fat. I wish it was as easy as just eating less or doing some crunches, but it's never as easy to take weight off as it is to put it on. It takes a combination of hard work, eating right, and burning calories - but you already know all that.
What you may not realize is that to lose stubborn belly fat, you can't just rely on doing a bunch of crunches. You have to work your entire body so that weight falls off everywhere, including your belly. That's why I gave POPSUGAR's 30 Days to a Flat Belly workout plan a try to kick-start my healthy journey.
With this workout plan, you'll have 30 days of at-home workouts that are 30 minutes or less and work your body from head to toe. You can have unlimited access to the entire plan for just $9.99, and you can watch whatever videos tickle your fancy whenever you'd like - after you complete the recommended 30 days, that is!
I gave the entire 30-day plan a whirl - over the holidays, no less - to see if it would actually make a difference, and while I have a long way to go in losing belly fat, this was a great way to get started. Keep reading to see just how it went for me.
If You're Fed Up With Diets and Just Want to Eat What You Want, Make This Lifestyle Change
When I was preschool teaching and eating lunch at the tiny tables, a 5-year-old girl said to me, "I'm not allowed to drink juice because it'll make me fat." Five years old! As young women, we are sent a strong message to look a certain way and to fear fat, and it drives us to start dieting. If you can relate to being on one diet or another for most of your life, it's time to ditch dieting forever in exchange for intuitive eating.
Intuitive eating is a philosophy developed by registered dietitians Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch in their groundbreaking book from the '90s called Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program That Works. "It's a way of eating that provides a path toward healing from disordered eating and creates peace in one's relationship with food and body," said Heidi Schauster, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian and the author of Nourish: How to Heal Your Relationship With Food, Body, and Self.
"When we aim to nourish and respect our bodies and not fix or shape them, we enter into a more nurturing, caring relationship with them, no matter what the outcome is around weight," Heidi said. Registered dietitian Brenna O'Malley, creator of the health blog The Wellful, added that this time of year is so saturated with diet culture and "black and white thoughts about health and weight - don't get sucked in! Freeing yourself from guilt around food and getting off the dieting cycle to tune in to your body and figure out what works and feels good to you is the best gift you can give yourself this season."
When you commit to intuitive eating, Evelyn and Elyse say, "you will be released from the prison of yo-yo weight fluctuations and food obsessions." It brings you back to when you were younger and you had no issues obsessing about food and your weight - back when you ate the foods you loved and were able to self-monitor how much you ate in a healthy way. Here are the 10 principles of intuitive eating . . .
This Company Puts Your Pet's Face Onto Slippers and OMG, My Dog Is Going to Freak the F*ck Out
You know that thing that happens with a lot of pets, where they spot a dog or cat on TV and interact with it, either by barking (the dog) or swatting at the screen (the cat)? Well keep that image in your mind and crank things up to maximum levels, because there's a company called Cuddle Clones ($199) that created something precious for pet-owners. The company is selling personalized slippers of your pet's face, but these aren't your everyday fuzzies with a picture of your pet. Think miniaturized versions of your actual animal, with hair, realistic-looking eyes, and ears intended to replicate your BFF. Check it out!
Krispy Kreme's New Doughnuts Have Chocolate Dough AND Chocolate Glaze, and I'm Drooling
Sorry, vanilla-lovers, but chocolate is better. It's a fact. To celebrate this fact, Krispy Kreme decided to "choco-fy" some of its most popular classic filled doughnuts that are typically only available as regular glazed doughnuts. This new and improved collection features chocolate dough and chocolate glaze. The lucky doughnuts getting the chocolate makeover are Cake Batter, Raspberry Filled, Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled, and Oreo Cookies. Get a rundown of the flavors ahead, and then treat your eyeballs to the photos before you try these out ASAP. You have from Jan. 14 through Jan. 27 at Krispy Kreme shops in the US and Canada.
- Chocolate Glazed Cake Batter Doughnut: A chocolate doughnut filled with cake batter, glazed in chocolate, dipped in chocolate icing, and topped with sprinkles.
- Chocolate Glazed Raspberry Filled Doughnut: A chocolate doughnut covered with chocolate glaze, filled with raspberry, and topped with a decorative red icing swirl.
- Double Chocolate Glazed Kreme Filled Doughnut: A chocolate doughnut covered in chocolate glaze, filled with Krispy Kreme's classic white Kreme, and decorated with white icing.
- Chocolate Glazed Oreo Cookies & Kreme Doughnut: A chocolate doughnut glazed in chocolate, filled with cookies & Kreme filling, dipped in chocolate icing, and topped with Oreo cookie pieces and chocolate icing.
15 Wines From Whole Foods That Will Knock Your Socks Off
Picture this: you're trying to get everything ready for a fabulous party, but you're crunched for time (OK, you don't have to picture this - we have all been here). You stop at Whole Foods to get some party staples and are thinking about all the other stops you have to make and things you have to do when you get home . . . like throw your dirty clothes in a closet and do something with all the dishes that have piled up in the sink.
You're thinking you may have to phone a friend to handle the adult beverages, but you're in luck. At Whole Foods, the wine selection is quite varied, and the grocer actually has a Master Sommelier employed as its global beverage buyer. So, go ahead: pick up a sampling of wines, and impress your gathered friends with the answer when they say, "This wine is delicious. Where did you get it?"
Excuse Me as I Dive Into This “Danger Bush” of Kittens That Looks Like a Paradise
Help, I've fallen in love with a bush full of rambunctious kittens, and I can't get up. Posted by Emergency Kittens on Twitter, a video of a "danger bush" is going viral for the most hilarious (and least threatening) reason - kittens pop out of it, like a game of Whack-a-Mole in reverse, when the person's finger pokes at the hedge.
At press time, the video has been viewed nearly 3 million times, and has been garnering some hysterical (and clever!) reactions. See the video above, and if you can pull yourself away from watching it for the rest of your life, see some of our favorite reactions ahead.
20 Products That Will Make Any Pet Owner's Life So Much Easier
Pets are like family members - small creatures that you could never imagine living without. However, no matter how cute or cuddly your fur babies are, it's hard to deny that they can sometimes be a lot of work. From scheduling feedings down to the minute (have you ever been woken up by angry, hungry cats? Not fun!) to remembering a plastic baggie on each walk, being a pet owner requires a delicate balance of responsibility, composure, and patience. That's why we came up with 20 products that can help make any pet owner's life a little bit easier. Because convenience, especially when living a life with pets, really does make all the difference. Keep reading to see them all now.
How to Roast Vegetables to Perfection
Looking for a quick, easy, and enticing way to incorporate more vegetables into your life? Roasting may very well be just the solution you need. Not only does the blast of high heat cook vegetables to fork-tender in next to no time, but it also magically caramelizes the edges, making each bite slightly sweet and all the more enticing.
Little more than a bit of prep work and roughly 20-30 minutes of cook time separates your meal from the addition of a brightly colored, mouth-watering, and rather healthy side. And while methods vary slightly from vegetable to vegetable, follow these general guidelines:
- Preheat the oven: Aside from tomatoes and other delicate produce, which shine when slow-roasted at a lower temperature (try 200°F), most vegetables benefit from a blast of high heat, as it promotes browning and caramelization; generally, 400-450°F is a good place to start.
- Prep the vegetables: Usually this just means a quick scrub with a vegetable brush and a rough chop (1-inch cubes is pretty standard), but some produce like Winter squash requires a bit of peeling and even the removal of seeds but is still very easy to prep. For oddballs like brussels sprouts, trim off the woody stems, peel away any dried-out and tough outer leaves and halve the tiny cabbages so that they have a flat surface to rest on (flat surfaces allow the most pan contact and browning). Smaller root vegetables like carrots can be left whole (just trim off excess carrot tops).
- Season the vegetables: The easiest way to do this is to drizzle a half-sheet pan or cast-iron skillet with a healthy helping of oil (like olive, grapeseed, or canola) and toss the vegetables in the oil right on the pan; this also helps to grease the pan so that the vegetables won't stick. Afterward, generously sprinkle the whole lot with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper (or any seasonings you choose to incorporate), tossing once more to coat. Also, make sure to spread everything out in a single even layer so as to promote even cooking and browning.
- Jazz things up (optional): A few sprigs of hearty herbs like thyme or rosemary can be tucked in whole or minced and sprinkled on with the salt and pepper. Alternatively, try adding a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. Just make sure to line the sheet pan with parchment paper so that the sugars won't burn and stick to the pan. To ensure that the sweetener at hand evenly coats the vegetables, toss everything together in a large bowl and then spread out on the pan.
- Roast away: This will depend greatly on the density of your vegetable, the size of the pieces, and how hot you choose to heat your oven, but most will be ready to eat in about 20-25 minutes, with tougher varieties like Winter squash requiring up to 40 minutes. When trying out this method, use common sense and check often; the vegetables are done and ready to eat when they're fork-tender and have begun to brown.
Articles
