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.
jeudi 21 février 2019
Reese's "Thins" Exist Now - So This Means We Can Eat More of Them, Right?
The thinner the Reese's cup, the more we can eat, right? After blowing chocolate-lovers away with heart-shaped Reese's puffs cereal, a heart-shaped Reese's skillet, and even a Reese's bouquet for Valentine's Day, the candy company just won't quit. As of March 2019, Reese's THiNS - which are 40 percent thinner than the original Reese's cup - will be sliding their way onto shelves and straight into the mouths of anyone who wants to experience the classic Reese's taste in a slightly smaller package.
Available in both milk and dark chocolate, Reese's ThiNS will be individually wrapped and available in a small 3.1 oz bag ($2.49) or a 7.37 oz sharing bag ($4.09), but if I'm honest, I'll probably just keep them to myself. At 170 calories per serving, they might just be the perfect treat to hide in your car or keep in your office for an afternoon pick-me-up! (Or two.)
Move Over, Main Course! These Easter Sides Are Fresh Out of the Kitchen and Comin' in Hot
Easter is a time for new beginnings and family gatherings around the dinner table. If you're looking to refresh your Easter meal with something new this year, we have a plethora of delicious options that will put even the most tempting chocolate bunnies to shame. Bring on the oohs and aahs with these show-stopping side dishes that just might have your loved ones forgetting all about the honey-baked ham. Check out these irresistible Easter recipes ahead!
Not Sure How to Clean an Area Rug? Keep 'em Looking Brand New With These 4 Steps
Area rugs can add a lot of style and function to almost any room. Put one in your kitchen to keep your feet comfortable while you're cooking or doing the dishes, make one the focal point of your living room while amping up the coziness, or put one next to your bed so you feel the plush, soft comfort when you swing your feet onto the floor every morning. And of course, they can help you distract from that ugly flooring in your rental. But while area rugs are useful and beautiful, they're not immune to mess and can attract all manner of grime, crumbs, spills, stains, and dust. But the good news is that, because they're so portable, they're pretty easy to clean with the right know-how. Here's what you need to do.
1. Vacuum Both Sides
With carpet, you can only vacuum one side, potentially pushing dust and crumbs further into the fibers rather than sucking them up. An area rug, on the other hand, can be vacuumed more thoroughly on both sides. Vacuum the fiber side first, then flip it over and vacuum the back. If it's still dusty and you have some outdoor space, you can hang it over a railing and gently knock the remaining dust out with a broom handle.
2. Wash the Rug With Carpet Shampoo
To give your rug a good, deep clean, wash it with a carpet shampoo. First, test out the shampoo on a discreet area of the rug to check that it's safe for the color and fibers of your rug. You should let the shampoo sit for a couple of hours to be sure. When you know the shampoo is safe, dampen your rug with clean water. Then, with a sturdy brush, work the shampoo into the carpet, paying special attention to stained areas. *Note: This method is best for low-pile rugs, and DIY washing your shag rug this way isn't a good idea. Leave shag rugs or other expensive rugs to a professional to prevent damage!
3. Rinse the Rug
Once you've worked out all of the stains and dirt from your rug with the brush and shampoo, read the shampoo instructions and, if they say so, leave the shampoo to sit for a while. After this period of time, rinse your rug thoroughly. Carpet shampoo, much like hair shampoo, can leave a residue that will leave your rugs sticky, dull, and looking dirty.
4. Let the Rug Dry
Rugs can take a long time to dry depending on their thickness and material that they're made of, so we wouldn't recommend washing your rugs right before having dozens of people over for a dinner party. To dry your rug, first wring out as much excess water as you can. Then, hang it to dry in an area where it will be protected and undisturbed, like a garage or laundry room. It may take a day or longer to dry, but it's important to be patient and let it dry completely before putting it back in place. Finally, vacuum your rug one more time to bring the tufts and fibers back to life.
Love Pixar's Bao? This Video Re-Creates the Director's Mom's Actual Dumpling Recipe
Oscar-nominated short Bao is proof that Pixar has a formula for hitting us right in the feels. Stuffed to the brim of the bamboo steamer with adorable moments, the 2018 Pixar short film has quickly become a favorite for parents and kids alike. And now, thanks to YouTube chef and cookbook author Andrew Rea (aka Binging with Babish), the secret to making your own bao dumplings has been revealed. In celebration of the movie's 2019 Oscar nomination, Rea made a video using Bao director Domee Shi's mother's actual recipe for the Chinese dumpling dish, and our chopsticks are ready.
While Bao stands out as the first Pixar short to have a female director, Shi's mother's recipe for bao is special in its own way because it combines a mouthwatering mixture of ground pork, Chinese cabbage, carrots, and scallions, all wrapped up in a chewy (and supercute!) dumpling wrapper. The best part is that they steam in only 15 minutes before they're hot and ready to eat. So grab some chopsticks, because these little dumplings are definitely the perfect comfort food to soak up some of those inevitable Pixar tears.
These Pioneer Woman Mugs Are the Perfect Addition to Your Farmhouse-Inspired Kitchen
A post shared by The Pioneer Woman Mercantile (@pwmercantile) on Feb 19, 2019 at 6:56am PST
It's no secret that Ree Drummond is a domestic goddess. The blogger, food writer, and television personality has been charming us for years as The Pioneer Woman, giving us major life goals with her drool-worthy recipes and enthusiasm for the simple ranch life. By now, The Pioneer Woman has become a well-established brand through her shop, the Mercantile, which sells a range of cute, country-inspired home goods, kitchen wares, and more. But if you just can't get enough of her Southern charm, these new The Pioneer Woman mugs ($10) will certainly catch your eye!
These gorgeous mugs come in a classic diner shape, with a slight hourglass silhouette that makes them stand out from other coffee mugs. In typical Ree style, the bottom half of the mug is covered in a beautiful floral pattern in vintage-inspired hues that are giving us serious '70s vibes. The golden yellow font and matching line around the top are the finishing touches that add a modern detail to the pretty design.
We can imagine that coffee, tea, or any other kind of hot beverage is sure to taste even better in this stunning mug (while whipping up one of her delicious recipes, of course). The only issue you may have is deciding to buy one just for yourself or a whole set to share when family and friends are over.
Hostess Is Celebrating 100 Freaking Years With - What Else? - a Birthday Cupcake
Hostess is celebrating its 100th birthday in a pretty special way: the indulgent snack brand recently introduced a Birthday CupCake as part of its annual CupCake Craze program. The new flavor is made to taste like - you guessed it - a birthday cake, and it features golden cake with rainbow sprinkles baked inside it and vanilla creme filling. The cupcake is then topped off with even more rainbow sprinkles, because obviously one can never have enough, and Hostess's signature squiggle.
In addition to the centennial snack, Hostess has also added two limited-edition flavors to its lineup: Strawberry CupCakes and Mint Chocolate CupCakes. Each flavor is available for purchase at grocery stores nationwide in multipack format as well as single-serve. Look ahead to get a more detailed look at the Birthday CupCake, and check out some that have already been spotted in stores!
Target Just Released a Boho Luggage Collection, and Summer, We're Comin' For You!
Don't have your Summer vacation(s) booked yet? Then boy oh boy, do we have something that'll motivate you to kiss procrastination goodbye and start planning ASAP. An affordable travel and luggage collection just exclusively landed at Target, and every single item will make you feel like you already have your toes buried in the sand in your dream tropical destination.
The collection hails from Justina Blakeney, a designer, author, and the creative mind behind Jungalow, a dreamy blog dedicated to bohemian home decor inspiration. Filled with fun prints and splashes of color, the line features suitcases, bags, and travel accessories like luggage tags and a cozy neck pillow. We personally have our eyes on the creamsicle-orange carry-on! In true Target fashion, the Jungalow collection is easy on the wallet, with prices ranging from just $8 to $130. Keep reading to shop every piece, but hurry - a few items are already starting to sell out online!
6 Insider Secrets For Living Life to the Fullest on Your Spring Getaway
OK travelers, real talk. Have you ever gotten home from a big trip only to think about all the little things you would've done differently? Or maybe it took a few days to shut off your brain and fully get into relaxation mode? Either way, sometimes it takes a little doing to find your vacation groove. (Been there!)
We call it Spring break because that's exactly what it's supposed to be - a break. It's a chance to escape any stresses of daily life and treat yourself to some much needed (and deserved) R & R. In fact, a recent study shows that taking a vacation helps to eliminate stress and can even prolong your life. So when you embark on this season's big getaway, remember the goal is to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment from your seaside escape, West Coast road trip, excursion to a new country, or whatever your plans might hold. It's for the sake of science, after all. To help you fully unwind, we linked up with travel experts to share their foolproof secrets for making the most out of the big Spring getaway.
This Man Autotuned His Cat Howling For Food in the Mornings
Joaquin Baldwin - an animation artist at Disney and an especially smart pet owner - recently almost broke the internet after he shared a video of his autotuned cat Elton howling for food in the mornings. Although cat-owners everywhere definitely sympathize with getting stepped on and cried at by their four-legged friends at all hours of the morning, Joaquin is one of the few people to really capitalize on the noise.
He captioned the hilarious video: "Autotuned the cat because he won't shut up in the mornings. I don't know how this helps but I did it anyway." And, welp, the idea is genius.
After Joaquin shared the video on Twitter on Feb. 17, Elton's sweet voice went viral. So far, the adorable video has racked up a whopping 216,000 likes and more than 85,000 retweets.
Here's a List of Everything You Need to Do After You Change Your Name Post-Wedding
One thing that can put a damper on your post-wedding buzz is all the confusion that comes with changing your maiden name to your new married name. Sure, the actual process of changing your name is pretty simple, but then you're faced with having to change your personal information basically everywhere (*cue the freak out*).
Figuring out where to start and trying to remember everything you need to do when you get a new last name can be daunting, so we've made a handy to-do list for you. The easiest thing to do is to start with your legal obligations first - the stuff that must have your correct, up-to-date name on it - before tackling the more fun stuff, like social media. Work your way down the following list so that you can officially start living that Mrs. life!
- Update your social security information. You'll keep the same number but your name will be changed on your new card.
- Change your driver's license. To do this, you'll need your current license, your marriage certificate, and your new updated social security card.
- Get a new passport.
- Change your name on any bank accounts that you have.
- Get new credit or debit cards.
- If you use checks, order new ones.
- Make sure your work place has a note of your name change for wage and tax purposes.
- Update your information on the electoral register.
- If you have a pension or mortgage, both of these will need to be updated with your current name.
- Any bills or direct debits that you pay will need a note of the change.
- Do you pay for breakdown coverage on your car? If so, give them a call and update your details.
- Notify all of your doctors' offices.
- Update any membership details, like gyms or magazine subscriptions.
- If you want to, update your personal and work email addresses.
- And lastly, change all the social media sites you use to display your new last name.
Holy Sh*t, There's a Chicken & Waffles Pizza Coming to Papa John's
Have you ever been in the midst of devouring a plate of chicken and waffles when you suddenly thought to yourself, "Damn, this would taste amazing on a pizza"? Neither have we, but now that we know that it's set to become an official Papa John's pizza topping, we're not NOT excited about it. Papa John's announced on Feb. 19 that a brand-new Hot Honey Chicken & Waffles Pizza is making its way to the pizza chain's menu later this year.
Power to the pizza people. We're giving YOU the chance to pick our next Specialty Pizza! Check out the final choices below and follow your heart - you can't go wrong!
- Papa John's Pizza (@PapaJohns) February 4, 2019
The pizza - which comes topped with crispy chicken, waffle crumbles, bacon, cheese, and a drizzle of honey - was the recent winner of Papa John's "Pick Our Next Pizza" poll. The poll was launched via Twitter in early February when the restaurant announced that it was giving its 600,000 followers the opportunity to vote for its next Specialty Pizza. According to the tweet, the users could choose from four different pizzas: Huevos Rancheros, topped with chorizo, eggs, onions, tomatoes, cheese, and Ranchero sauce; The Roast, made with pulled pork, bacon, and chili hoisin BBQ sauce; The Un-Pizza, an assemblage of pizza toppings without any dough; and Hot Honey Chicken & Waffles.
After 52,000 people cast their votes, Hot Honey Chicken & Waffles ended up being the overall winner, taking 70 percent of the final vote, according to a rep for the brand. The new pizza will be available in North America "later this year," and like other Papa John's Specialty Pizzas, its availability and pricing will vary by location.
These Photos of Little Kids With Their Giant Dogs Are Actually Everything We Dream Of
Andy Seliverstoff, a photographer based in St. Petersburg, Russia, is 100 percent confident that dogs are truly man's best friend. While Andy has loved big dogs ever since a long-haired St. Bernard came into his life 25 years ago, he didn't start incorporating them into his work until he was asked to shoot a few photos for some friends years back.
"A couple Summers ago, some good friends asked me to shoot their toddler on a walk," Andy told POPSUGAR. "We agreed to meet at a neighborhood park, and they arrived at the shoot with not just their daughter, but with their dog as well - a fawn Great Dane. So we decided not just to photograph 2-year-old Alice, but her dog, too."
As soon as Andy shared the pictures on social media, they instantly took off for obvious and adorable reasons.
"Giant dogs are devoted, as well as gentle and careful with their little owners and smaller-size dogs."
"I posted these first photo shoots on Facebook and soon found out how popular and touching they were. Nobody, it seems, could remain indifferent to the juxtaposition of those large dogs and little kids," he said. "Since my circle of friends and my hobby as a dog show photographer give me access to a large number of dog owners, I decided to continue working on this subject. That is how Little Kids and Their Big Dogs ($36) was born."
Although Andy's series is essentially every dog-owner's version of heaven, he admits there there is still a stigma out there when it comes to big pups.
"I was always surprised when people asked me things like: 'Aren't you afraid?' and 'How do you cope with it?' This prejudice against large dogs that I encountered gave rise to my idea of showing that the size of a dog doesn't matter at all," said Andy. "Giant dogs are devoted, as well as gentle and careful with their little owners and smaller-size dogs."
Andy hopes to squash any misconceptions about big dogs' demeanors through his work. "It's no secret that some owners who become new parents are concerned about the dog's relative size," he said. "And that's very sad. Large dogs are gentle nurses for the kids who grow up with them. And most surprising is the close, emotional interrelation between the child and his or her great friend. It demanded to be shown."
Scroll through to get a look at some of Andy's stunning photography and try not to adopt a shelter full of pups in the process.
Chip and Joanna Are Opening a Coffee Shop, and We Already Know It'll Be Freakishly Perfect
Chip and Joanna Gaines continue to give their fans what they want: decor inspiration, their signature aesthetic, and, in this case, caffeine. A spokesman for the couple's Magnolia lifestyle brand recently confirmed they would be opening a coffee shop in Waco, TX, by the end of the year. John Marsicano told People, "An official name for the coffee shop has not yet been announced, but we're excited to share more details in the coming weeks!"
The coffee shop will join the many other businesses the former Fixer Upper hosts have opened in the town. In addition to the Magnolia Market home store, Chip and Joanna have also opened the Silos Baking Co., known for its rich cupcakes, as well as the Magnolia Table sit-down restaurant, which offers a hearty menu and breakfast all day.
According to the Waco-Tribune Herald, the forthcoming coffee shop will feature indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a convenient to-go window. (There will, of course, be pastries, in addition to coffee and tea.) For anyone already making arrangements, it will be located at 418 S. Eighth St. - around the corner from the famously repurposed silos, where Magnolia Market is located. In the meantime, check out very pleasing pictures of Chip and Joanna's existing food ventures ahead.
12 Stylish Home Decor Pieces You Won't Believe We Found at Walmart - All Under $50
If you're looking to spruce up your space without breaking the bank, one place you should consider shopping is Walmart. Even though it may not be the first retailer that comes to mind for stylish decor, you'll be pleasantly surprised by its abundance of cute and affordable housewares. To make browsing easier, we shopped its site and uncovered the 12 most stylish pieces you can buy for less than $50. From lamps to rugs, take a look at our favorites ahead.
Get Your Home Ready For Summer With These 14 Pretty Pieces of Patio Furniture
When the weather's nice, we'll do anything to be outside as often as possible. That means if your home has outdoor space, you want to make it as inviting as possible with some cool patio furniture. Well, Walmart's latest home decor line, MoDRN, is here to transform what you think of when you think outdoor furniture. The collection is sleek, useful, and envy-inducing. Get ready to swoon.
Use the KonMari Method on Your Email Inbox With These 4 Easy and Joyful Steps
Has the little red bubble in the corner of your phone's mail app reached an embarrassingly high number? (Mine's 2,864 and counting.) If it's more than just the new batch of emails you woke up to this morning, it's time you KonMari your inbox.
When you finally tackle the pile of papers on your desk with "the life-changing magic of tidying up," it's time to get your electric affairs - word documents, Google Drive, photo albums, that "miscellaneous" folder on your desktop - in order, too. The emails that have been racking up in your inbox since you started your job, the ones you said you'd read later but never do, and the ones that come from a subscription list you only signed up for to save on your first (and only) order are a good place to start.
The KonMari method has two parts: first, discarding; then, deciding where to store things. And with these tips to tidy up your mailbox, it's as easy as it sounds. Keep reading to see them all now, and prepare to have your virtual life clean and organized!
This Wedding Photographer Shared His Favorite Shots, and They Will Take Your Breath Away
Photographer Jeffrey Lewis Bennett first impressed us with his cool wedding GIFs, and now he's back with some seriously spectacular photos that will have you believing in the inexplicable magic of love.
The Detroit-based wedding photographer travels all over the US covering weddings and engagements and along the way has captured some beautifully romantic and emotional moments between couples.
Out of all the thousands of photos Bennett has taken this past year, he's sharing his favorite wedding and engagement photos and GIFs of 2018. From a newlywed couple's spontaneous tree swing to another's epic sunset kiss with the Pacific Coast as the backdrop, these shots perfectly represent the joyful, silly, fun, beautiful, and uniquely magical sides of love.
See the extraordinary wedding photos and GIFs ahead.
Samsung Is Releasing a Foldable Smartphone, and Our Wallets Are Trembling
After months of speculation, Samsung has finally named its highly anticipated folding smartphone: the Galaxy Fold. With six camera lenses and a foldable 7.3-inch AMOLED Infinity Flex Display, this powerhouse of a phone is a bonafide game changer.
Samsung gave the world a first look at the new phone at its launch event, Samsung Unpacked, on Wednesday in San Francisco. The Galaxy Fold will have a 4.6-inch display, but when unfolded, the display will be a whopping 7.3 inches. The Galaxy Fold is optimal for the ultimate multitasker. When unfolded, the new multiactive window system lets you open and navigate up to three apps at once. It's backed by a next-gen AP chipset and 12 gigabytes of RAM data storage, so you can seamlessly use this high-powered phone.
Ten years after the first Galaxy, we didn't just change the shape of the phone, we changed the shape of tomorrow. #GalaxyFold
Learn more: https://t.co/gYYGF4ZvdJ pic.twitter.com/C8s0Jxdhkz- Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) February 20, 2019
The device will come in four colors: Space Silver, Cosmos Black, Martian Green, and Astro Blue. Samsung's new smartphone will cost you a pretty penny - $1,980, to be exact. It will be available for purchase beginning on April 26. If you're in the market for new headphones, you can pair the device with Samsung's new Galaxy Buds for $149.
The Galaxy Fold may have stolen the show, but Samsung released a full slate of new products. The company expanded its smartphone line with the new Galaxy S10, the Galaxy S10 Plus, the Galaxy S10e, and the Galaxy S10 5G. Samsung also released new smart watches: the Galaxy Watch Active, the Galaxy Fit, and the Galaxy Fit E.
Coming to Terms With My Anti-Abortion Upbringing
The following post originally appeared on The Fem Word, a global platform amplifying women's voices and stories.
I had my first encounter with our nation's abortion debate on an otherwise unremarkable day when I was about eight.
The details are fuzzy - I don't remember where I was exactly or where my mother and I were driving to - but I starkly remember the protest signs bearing graphic images of aborted fetuses surrounding our car. I remember crying, terrified, in the back seat. Despite this experience, I wouldn't learn exactly what the word "abortion" entailed until long after I was sent to Catholic school.
From 5th grade until I left for college, I wore some version of plaid and studied hard to ensure my theology grade did not drag down my GPA. On mass days, classes would come second to sitting in pews and being berated for not closing our hymnals quietly enough. I joined the choir and eventually become a cantor both out of my love for music and because any Catholic school chorister will tell you it makes time fly. We would pray for all the saints, the ill, the dying and deceased, our neighbors, and the unborn babies.
Our sex education was limited to "don't" and "but only in marriage to make children" once in 5th grade and once in 8th grade. As a sophomore in high school, one health class period was devoted to discussing sexually transmitted infections. To this day, I can't spell chlamydia without looking it up - or explain how it differs from gonorrhea. There were no lessons about birth control (outside of abstinence, of course), and no talk of how to negotiate the tricky sexual politics we, especially the girls, inevitably would face.
"Even after I left the Church in my late teens, I struggled to reconcile my progressive perspective with my inner conflict about abortion."
Each January, I would watch some of my peers, teachers, and parent chaperones board a bus to march for life in Washington, D.C. I'll admit I didn't quite understand why anyone would willingly stand out in the cold and (sometimes) inclement weather just to prove a point. That being said, I was one of half a million people walking, chanting "my body, my choice," and waving signs to protest the Trump administration at the inaugural Women's March in 2017. Things change. Perspectives change. People change. I know I did.
But getting to that point in an environment that precludes discussion of complex moral issues and actively perpetuates harmful rhetoric about women's bodies and choices is not simple. Growing up, my standing in the anti-abortion camp was a given - though, much like sex, never talked about. For much of my adolescence, abortion was a bogeyman - the A-word that represented the ultimate transgression and gravest of sins for women: ending a life and placing her own above another's. In that silence, as there so often is with silence, there was stigma and shame.
Shame is an effective tool. Feelings of guilt can be so potent and insidious that even those, like myself, who leave the capital "C" Church find themselves wrestling with the cultural and religious lessons they internalized as children. Rather than reveal our shame for the world to see and potentially stigmatize, we stay silent and hide our questions, our traumas, and our dissent.
Even after I left the Church in my late teens, I struggled to reconcile my progressive perspective with my inner conflict about abortion. It wasn't enough that I felt like a bad Catholic for questioning the Church's and my formative community's stance on women, sexuality, and gender. I also felt like a bad feminist for even having to think about whether I believed in a woman's right to choose what is best for her over what had been drilled into me for years - that life begins at conception. But what about her life, I wondered.
It's more than religion, though. Our culture wrongs women continuously in many ways, including thrusting upon us the expectation that motherhood is our ultimate and most sacred of destinies. In school, this expectation was telegraphed to us constantly ("Hail Mary… blessed are thou among women"). Then there was the only viable alternative as communicated to us by male priests: becoming a nun.
Even today, when I share that I am not considering or planning for children in my future, I am told that I will change my mind or even met with outrage. This reaction is spurred in part by our societal belief that women must put the needs of others above their own, and that to do otherwise for any reason is not only selfish but shameful. This stigma exists even in spite of research from the Guttmacher Institute finding that 59 percent - nearly 6 in ten - of women having abortions in the United States are already mothers.
"There was no single defining, light bulb moment when I stepped over the no man's land between anti-abortion and pro-choice."
Let me be clear: there is nothing wrong about wanting to be a mother. Just as there is nothing wrong with not wanting to be a mother. Having that choice, however, is vital to helping us as a culture overcome this idea that women are meant for a specific biological and emotional destiny. That women cannot and should not be the center of their own lives, even for a moment.
There was no single defining, light bulb moment when I stepped over the no man's land between anti-abortion and pro-choice. My realization that I believe wholly and passionately in a woman's right to choose was something that came to me as gradually as watching snow cover a lawn. My views, however, were tempered in the furnace of the 2016 election and the anti-woman, anti-choice policies and rhetoric that dominate our daily cultural discourse ever since.
Today we face an administration that is more openly hostile toward abortion than we have ever seen. Political candidates openly run on promises of overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that effectively legalized abortion nationwide, and which these politicians and their constituency view as a moral blight on our country. Supreme Court justices are nominated (and confirmed) in part because they have records indicating they will support an anti-abortion agenda.
Critics calling for the government to "defund" Planned Parenthood (for which abortions make up approximately 3 percent of all the organization's services) fail to seriously consider the ramifications for those who rely on Planned Parenthood's necessary cancer screenings, birth control, STD testing, and both sex and reproductive education services.
States like Missouri, Kentucky, Utah, and Tennessee continue to pass abortion restrictions devoid of scientific evidence that tie up clinics and providers in red tape with the explicit purpose of making abortions more challenging or even outright impossible for some women (especially women of color) to access. These targeted legislative hit jobs have led to the rise of unethical crisis pregnancy centers, which are notorious for using coercive tactics to counsel reluctant women against abortion. This past June, the Supreme Court ruled 5-to-4 that these centers need not provide abortion information to pregnant visitors.
Finally, inaccuracies and flat-out lies about abortion - that having an abortion will hurt a woman's future fertility, or that women who have abortions are more likely to suffer mental health issues or develop breast cancer - continue to perpetuate a toxic cycle of shame and ignorance.
The truth is that even despite declining rates, abortion is a common experience for women in the United States, as nearly one in four will terminate a pregnancy in her lifetime. In fact, it's so common that Catholic women have abortions at relatively the same rate as all women. The reasons for terminating a pregnancy can be complex and related to a multitude of personal, medical, and socioeconomic factors beyond whether the woman is for or against abortion. Arguments that rob women of the choice to prioritize their own bodies, desires, and lives reduce women to being of second importance.
Some in the anti-abortion movement will argue that they believe women deserve better than abortion. I agree with them on part of that sentence: that women deserve better. My counter argument is that abortion - much like comprehensive health and reproductive care, policies that mandate paid family leave, and unfettered access to birth control - can be part of that better for women living in a society that purports to value freedom and choice, but only for some.
To be transparent: I have never had an abortion because I have never been pregnant. This fact, however, neither discredits my opinion nor discounts my voice.
I also have never before had this discussion out loud and with other women. It was only at this most recent Women's March, as I walked with my friends in the cordoned-off streets of Washington, D.C., that I brought up the subject in an effort to organize my thoughts. After all, it was an appropriate setting.
On our way to the gathering point, we stepped over remainders of the previous day's March for Life. Anti-abortion stickers stuck to metal sign posts. A box three-fourths-filled with leftover anti-abortion posters. Discarded flyers and buttons being swept up in the street. To me, they were strange reminders of the life I had once lived. A life I left for one of choice and possibility for myself, my sisters, the women I do and don't know, and, should I choose to have them, my daughters.
5 Things I Really Wish I'd Known Before Being in an Open Relationship
Relationships are tricky business. Some say monogamy is overrated; some believe it's the only way. After my divorce, I decided that I should try out a variety of relationship styles to figure out exactly what I wanted. I'd been in a committed relationship for the majority of my adult life, and jumping into another one felt off somehow. "If this one didn't work out, why wouldn't another turn out just the same?" I asked myself. Of course, that was just my post-breakup brain talking. Committed, monogamous relationships are wonderful, but I was ready to try something new.
As I dipped my toes into the world of open relationships, I started by asking Google some questions: What is an open relationship exactly? How do you find other people who are interested in this setup? What books should I read about polyamory and the like? What if I don't want to be someone's secondary relationship?
Google didn't let me down, providing at least one billion different links to read (seriously). A book that continuously popped up was The Ethical Slut. A friend also suggested reading Mating in Captivity, just to feel out both sides of this precarious coin. Soon, I found a new relationship and shared what books I was reading with him. I cringed slightly, awaiting his response to my suggestion that we have an open relationship when we had only been seeing each other for a couple of months. Surprisingly, though, he was open to it. I was excited, but as it turns out, I was so unprepared for what it was actually like. Here are five things I wish I had known about being in an open relationship before actually being in one.
- A foundation of healthy communication is critical. Relationships bring out every emotion and feeling, and that's before you add in extra people. If you struggle with healthy communication, i.e. no yelling, name calling, shaming, passive aggressiveness, and so on, then adding other romantic relationships into the mix might just exacerbate things. Opening your relationship isn't necessarily a solution for a couple who are already struggling. Healthy communication should be your starting point. Do you really want to be in this primary relationship? If so, what are your reasons for wanting an open relationship?
- Set some ground rules beforehand. Do you have dealbreakers when it comes to an open relationship? Maybe you only want things to be open at certain times, like when visiting a sex club. Or maybe you're OK with hookups that are mostly physical, but you're against your partner developing a more romantically intimate relationship with someone else. Maybe sex is OK, but no sleeping over at each other's houses. Whatever your MO is, vocalize it. Your partner won't know what your needs are if you don't share them.
- It's easier to accept the idea of your partner having sex with someone else than actually navigating it in real time. That communication thing will come in handy here. Setting some ground rules is essential before venturing into open relationship territory. But even if you talk about everything that might make you uncomfortable - BAM! - something you least expected to bother you will. It's just part of the deal and something that you have to work through together. When we first ventured into other relationships, I asked my partner to share the first time he had sex with someone else so I could process it. I wasn't expecting the grief that I felt, but it was important for me to feel that so I could make an informed choice about whether I could do this thing or not.
- Be secure in who you are as a person. This seems obvious, and maybe others don't struggle with this, but there are times when my partner would be sharing things with me about a different partner (communicate if you want to hear about other partners), and what was being shared was completely opposite of how our relationship was. That inner critic began to pipe up in my head, saying, "She's better than you are. Prettier. More fun." Bat that critic down, and love yourself because you are enough. Your partner's affection for someone else doesn't diminish who you are as a person in the slightest. I don't want to be like someone else, and neither should you. If fears of "What if my partner decides to be with that other person?" pop into your head, acknowledge them. None of us are obligated to anyone else. If our partner, or we, decide to leave a relationship, that's OK. It's OK to move on. And it's also OK to grieve those losses if they occur.
- Know that everything is temporary. I often have an all-or-nothing mentality (maybe it's the Scorpio in me). When I say everything is temporary, I mean that every second of every day, things change. Some things are out of our control, and some things aren't. If something isn't working for you, voice it. Change it. If you were comfortable with something before but no longer are, say so. Just because you choose a path doesn't mean it's set in stone. If you or your partner want to continue this lifestyle and the other doesn't, that's OK. It might mean having to walk away from the relationship, or it might mean redrawing some boundaries that everyone is comfortable with.
Being in an open relationship isn't for everyone. I grew up in a very rigid, close-minded area where I didn't know such a thing existed. Allow yourself, if you want, to consider the idea, especially if it's something that has piqued your interest in the past. Treat yourself with compassion, patience, openness, and probably a healthy dose of humor (because, hey, it makes for good stories) if you decide to give an open relationship a try. You might just love it. Or you might not. But that's the beautiful thing about life; you can always change your mind.
Target Just Released a Boho Luggage Collection, and Summer, We're Comin' For You!
Don't have your Summer vacation(s) booked yet? Then boy oh boy, do we have something that'll motivate you to kiss procrastination goodbye and start planning ASAP. An affordable travel and luggage collection just exclusively landed at Target, and every single item will make you feel like you already have your toes buried in the sand in your dream tropical destination.
The collection hails from Justina Blakeney, a designer, author, and the creative mind behind Jungalow, a dreamy blog dedicated to bohemian home decor inspiration. Filled with fun prints and splashes of color, the line features suitcases, bags, and travel accessories like luggage tags and a cozy neck pillow. We personally have our eyes on the creamsicle-orange carry-on! In true Target fashion, the Jungalow collection is easy on the wallet, with prices ranging from just $8 to $130. Keep reading to shop every piece, but hurry - a few items are already starting to sell out online!
Can People Tell When You Look at Their Instagram? We Have Good and Bad News
One of the best things about Instagram is having the ability to anonymously and innocently stalk people - old boyfriends, friends, weird family members, potential dates, etc. If their profiles are public, you can scroll through their grids, check out their photos, and pray you don't accidentally double tap. But have you ever wondered if the people you're creeping on can tell you've been lingering on their page? Or how sometimes the people you look at and don't follow still tend to show up more in your feed? Well, we have good news. Nobody can see when or how often you look at their Instagram page or photos. The bad news? People can see who views their Instagram stories and videos.
Julian Gutman, product lead for Instagram Home, recently explained how Instagram's feed and stories work and how certain things show up. "The people that show up on that list are not the people that stalk you the most," he told The Verge. "It's actually based on your activity and the people that you're closest to." He added that if you look to see who's viewed your story multiple times, you may notice new names popping up higher in the feed, and that's simply because Instagram wants to show you new data from the last time you checked. So it has nothing to do with who's stalking you, but who you're stalking.
Unfortunately, Instagram is super tight-lipped about its algorithms and how exactly they figure out what shows up for you. But according to TechCrunch, what shows up in your feed is all about how you interact with the accounts you follow. The three main things include your interest (how much Instagram thinks you'll care about a post based on your past behavior), recency (how recently a post was shared), and relationship (how close you are to the person based on your commenting, being tagged in their posts, etc.).
So, if you're hoping to stay incognito, don't watch someone's Instagram stories or posted videos (any video they post to their page, including Boomerangs). And an FYI, according to Instagram, a view is counted if a video is played for three seconds or more.
Not Sure How to Turn Off Your iPhone X Without a Home Button? Here's the Simple Trick
The iPhone X has gained popularity for a ton of good reasons. The Apple device, which has a retail price of $899 with no monthly contract, offers a stainless steel design, high-quality photos, and even Face ID, which makes your face your security password. But if you recently got an iPhone X, you may be wondering one simple thing: how do you turn it off?
One of the most obvious characteristics that the iPhone X has that earlier iPhone models do not is its all-screen design, which lacks the traditional home button. And with the absence of a home button, powering down your phone might be a bit confusing. And while the process is slightly different than before, it's still easy nonetheless.
First, press and hold down the side button, which is on the right side of the phone, and one of the volume buttons, which are on the left side of the phone. After pressing and holding these together, a slider will appear at the very top of your screen that says "slide to power off." Drag the slide over to the right, and voila, your iPhone is completely powered down. If you need to turn it on again, all you have to do is press the right side button until you see the Apple logo pop onto the screen.
This new way of shutting down your phone may feel a bit strange at first, but you'll get the hang of it in no time!
6 Insider Secrets For Living Life to the Fullest on Your Spring Getaway
OK travelers, real talk. Have you ever gotten home from a big trip only to think about all the little things you would've done differently? Or maybe it took a few days to shut off your brain and fully get into relaxation mode? Either way, sometimes it takes a little doing to find your vacation groove. (Been there!)
We call it Spring break because that's exactly what it's supposed to be - a break. It's a chance to escape any stresses of daily life and treat yourself to some much needed (and deserved) R & R. In fact, a recent study shows that taking a vacation helps to eliminate stress and can even prolong your life. So when you embark on this season's big getaway, remember the goal is to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment from your seaside escape, West Coast road trip, excursion to a new country, or whatever your plans might hold. It's for the sake of science, after all. To help you fully unwind, we linked up with travel experts to share their foolproof secrets for making the most out of the big Spring getaway.
These Zodiac Signs Are the Least Likely to Marry
Marriage definitely isn't for everyone. When it comes to the white dress, romantic ceremony, and fancy flowers, some people want it and some don't. And that's totally fine! With domestic partnerships becoming more popular and people focusing on things like travel and career instead of marriage, saying "I do" isn't as common as it used to be. And there are certain traits based on the different zodiac signs that might make you more likely to get married than others. Maybe it's about your level of commitment or need for freedom. Or it could be about having a super intense checklist and comparing your relationship to that of others. Either way, some signs are more about marriage than others. Here are the signs least likely to marry, ranked from least to most.
Go the Distance! 13 Ways to Be a Better Long-Distance BFF
Maintaining any kind of friendship requires time and commitment. But living far away from each other does add an extra layer to that. Some people think that long-distance relationships and friendships are doomed to fail because they can't withstand the time and separation. But coming from a West Coast California girl with an East Coast Boston BFF, it is possible to stay close (and it's so special!). It just means that you might have to approach that friendship a little differently, because, simply put, it is different. Lucky for us, there are more ways to stay connected than ever before. So, whether you want to work on bettering your friendship or just want to maintain your closeness, keep reading for 13 simple ways to be a better long-distance BFF.
Related: My Best Friend Broke Up With Me and I'm Still Not Over It
My Mom, Daughter, and I Take a Girls' Trip Every Winter, and You Should, Too
As a Midwesterner, I like to say that I'm a fan of the seasons, but I'm lying. I pretty much despise Winter. Sure, I'll admire the beauty of the first snowfall and revel in the guilt-free nature of Netflix binges in front of a fire (it's too cold to do anything else), but really, my favorite part of Winter is escaping it. And my favorite excursion, undoubtedly, is the annual trip my mom, my daughter, and I take for a long weekend in February.
I love the men in our lives, but there's something about a girls-only getaway that's so extraordinary.
Our destination is a resort where drinks are served on the beach and by the adjacent pool and the preferred mode of transportation is a golf cart. And while that's all part of the allure, it's really the company that makes this particular trip one that I know all three of us will cherish for the rest of our lives.
Don't get me wrong: I love the men in our lives - grandpas, dads, uncles, and brothers - but there's something about a girls-only getaway that's so different and extraordinary. As wonderful as those boys and men of ours may be, their agendas and ideas of what constitutes fun are often much different than our own. But when it's just the ladies, we can fully relax and bond while doing the things we love, which, yes, includes shopping, spa-going, and sunning.
Some of my own favorite childhood memories involve taking big-city trips with my grandma, aunt, and mom, where we would spend hours wandering the stores on Chicago's Michigan Avenue, then retire to our hotel room to chat about everything under the sun and order room service. I remember listening to them call their husbands to check in, but, truthfully, we didn't miss them a bit. We were loving every minute of glorious girl time.
Our annual beach vacation gives my 7-year-old daughter this same wonderful experience with the added benefits of a few extra days and escaping the cold, and I know she appreciates both as much as I do. Away from school schedules and family routines, we're able to just enjoy each other, and any time her moodiness or my stubbornness threatens that enjoyment, Grandma is there to quell the storm and remind us how lucky we are to have each other. And we are so lucky.
This trip, like my childhood girls' trips, won't last forever. One day, my daughter won't think sharing a room with her mom and grandma sounds like a dream, and one day, my mom won't be around for us both to love on. But this year, and hopefully next year and the year after that, we're all on the same page, thrilled to have quality time together. And I plan to soak up every minute of it.
If You Constantly Feel Hungry, You Might Be Making This Crucial Mistake During Meals
Whether you're trying to lose weight or simply maintain what you've got, there's nothing that will sabotage your efforts faster than a craving for, well, anything you can get your hands on. But sometimes in an attempt to eat healthier, you make yourself hungrier by depriving your body of the nutrients that keep you full and help you avoid that mid-afternoon trip to the vending machine.
One of those nutrients: fiber. "Not all carbs are equal, and simple sugars like white breads, pastas, and rice provide initial satisfaction, but wear off quickly, so within an hour of eating, you're likely to feel hungry again," Colleen Wysocki-Woods, MS, RDN, owner of Zest Nutrition in Fort Collins, CO, told POPSUGAR. "This is because glucose, which is found in each of these foods along with sweets, is quickly metabolized. It's the first source for energy, meaning we use the calories from glucose for everything from exercise to involuntary functions like breathing."
On the other hand, fiber-rich complex carbs get digested slower and help us feel fuller longer. These include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains like brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, and oats - all of which reduce spikes in insulin and prevent the "crash" some people feel after eating sweets and simple sugars. Adults should eat at least 25 grams of fiber per day, which is best achieved with about 9 grams at each meal, Colleen explained.
Protein is also a key component for staving off hunger. "Because protein takes longer than carbs to digest and doesn't send our blood sugars on a roller coaster ride, we tend to feel more stable and satiated after eating it," Colleen said. Protein can come in the form of any animal products from poultry, meat, and fish, to eggs, yogurt, and cheese. Plant-based proteins include beans, corn, soy, and tempeh, as well as whole grains like quinoa.
Finally, you also need fat for a completely balanced meal, though you should reach for healthy options, like avocados, nuts and nut butters, flaxseed, and oily fish like salmon, tuna, and sardines. "Healthy fats also allow us to feel satiated for a long period of time. At eight to 12 hours, fats take the longest of all macronutrients to digest, which explains why we feel full after eating guacamole," Colleen said. So, if you find you don't feel full with just a plate of baked chicken and vegetables at dinner, add a healthy fat, such as a side salad with avocado or olive oil dressing to feel more satisfied without wrecking your diet.
Tone Your Legs, Butt, Arms, and Abs - Every Inch! - With This 1 CrossFit Exercise
You're gonna be sore tomorrow. Just set yourself up for that. These wall balls are that intense! Walking might be an issue, because your legs and butt are going to feel a little wobbly. Oh, and your abs - try not to laugh tomorrow. Your arms? Someone else will have to brush your hair.
This standard CrossFit move is a total-body exercise; it will make you strong and build muscle, and it's also a cardio move. Really, it's the complete package! All you need are a soft medicine ball (not a hard slam ball) and a wall or a target on a rig. Start off light, with an six- or eight-pound med ball, and work your way up to a 14- or 20-pound ball.
Wall Ball
- Stand in front of a wall holding your med ball with both hands in front of your chest.
- Squat down low with your hips below your knees. As you straighten your legs, throw the ball up to a specific spot on the wall or a target, about eight to 10 feet from the floor. You want to use the power of your lower body to propel the ball up, coming onto the balls of your feet.
- Keep your arms extended, ready to catch the ball after it bounces off the wall. This counts as one rep.
- Complete three sets of 15 to 20 reps.
When you catch the ball on its way down, absorb its weight into your squat. Try to maintain a graceful, rhythmic movement, although your legs and arms will be on fire and you'll feel like your lungs might explode. You may hate wall balls more than burpees, but there's no denying it's the ultimate exercise for an efficient workout if you're short on time.
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