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 13 avril 2019
We Tried to Stump Issa Rae on Trivia About Herself, and Damn, She Has an Excellent Memory
As soon as you catch approximately 37 seconds of Issa Rae on literally any screen, you're immediately hooked and forever a fan. These are just the facts. Whether you came on board during her show Awkward Black Girl, or more recently from HBO's Insecure, one thing is for sure: you're going to want to catch Issa in her latest comedy, Little.
In the new film - which was casually created and executive produced by insanely talented 14-year-old Marsai Martin - Issa stars as April, the assistant to her demanding and slightly terrifying mogul boss Jordan (Regina Hall). Jordan wakes up one day to find that she's been reverted back to her 13-year-old self (played by Marsai), and must relive middle school all over again.
In celebration of the new film, we decided to quiz Issa to see just how well she really knows herself - in which we tried to stump her on everything from the awards she's won . . .
. . . to her celebrity fans.
See just how well she did in the video above, and be sure to catch Issa in Little when it hits theaters Friday, April 12!
Want to hear more from Issa Rae? Get your tickets now to join us at POPSUGAR Play/Ground on June 22 and 23 in NYC!
Nicole Kidman's Hottest Moments of All Time Will Make You Sweat Profusely
They say age is just a number, and Nicole Kidman is living proof of that. The 51-year-old actress has been in the spotlight since the '80s, and she only seems to get hotter with time. Whether she's acting on screen or strutting down the red carpet, Nicole always manages to look incredible. Don't believe us? Just take a look at her sexiest moments ahead and see for yourself!
Get Your Night Lights Ready - Here's the Annabelle Comes Home Cast
Thought James Wan was taking a break from horror altogether when he worked on Aquaman? Well, he's still going to be producing the sources of your nightmares this year, including the skin-crawling Annabelle Comes Home. If you're obsessed with the Conjuring universe like us, you're in for a treat with the third installation of the creepy doll movie. The upcoming film will, of course, feature our favorite horror patriarch and matriarch: Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga. But you'll also see fresh blood (perhaps confronting actual blood by the looks of the terrifying trailer) such as Mckenna Grace and Madison Iseman. Check out the cast ahead - we promise there won't be any jump scares!
I Walked an Extra 1,000 Steps Each Week For a Month, and I'm Shocked at How Great It Felt
Listen, if Harley Pasternak tells me all I have to do to stay in shape is get in some steps, then I'm definitely going to try it. Actually, this celebrity trainer's go-to weight-loss tip is truly just to go for a walk. And while he firmly believes you should aim for 10,000 steps a day, don't be discouraged if you're below that (me!), because Harley has a plan to increase your steps. I tried this ultimate walking plan to see if it was doable and how I'd feel, and it actually went better than I thought it would. Check it out.
What Is Harley's Walking Plan?
Harley's plan to increase your steps for weight loss is incredibly simple. You start at your baseline of steps and for the first week of the month, you add 1,000 steps per day. For week two, you add another 1,000 steps. It's the same with weeks three and four, so at the end of the month, you've added 4,000 steps to your day compared to where you started.
Like I said, Harley assumes your plan starts at 10,000 steps, because he wants everyone to be walking at least that many per day, but realistically, I knew I wasn't walking nearly that many. The first thing I did was buy a step tracker, because I didn't own one and the health app on my phone has never worked properly. I got this Zunammy ($11) at Target and it served me well.
On the day before I started the plan, I went through my typical day to see where I landed on step count, which was right around 5,000, give or take a few steps. So 5,000 was my baseline, and by the end of the month, I'd have that number up to 9,000 steps per day.
How I Got Those Extra Steps
On day one, I walked farther from my office for lunch and found that it increased my steps by a considerable amount, helping me hit my first goal of 6,000 steps easily. As the weeks went on, I found myself walking farther to lunch spots or getting off the train at a different stop to walk home or to the office. It became clear that adding steps here and there was more attainable than taking longer walks.
Weekends were the worst part of this because I hate leaving my apartment. It's the only time I have to relax, and I love more than anything to not put on real clothes and truly just stay in bed all weekend. The first two weekends, I was still really excited about this plan, so I bribed myself with a reward for completing my steps. Wouldn't you know it there's a Starbucks approximately 3,000 steps away from my apartment? The walk there and back was perfect.
By the fourth week, I was struggling to hit my step count on some days, simply because I was so busy with my day job and my evening job of freelancing. I would have to build in extra time to accommodate for so many more steps, and there was one day I was so close to 9,000, but it was late and I didn't want to leave again so I walked laps around my apartment.
Likewise, I didn't hit my step count on the final weekend, though I tried. It was rainy and I was tired, so it just didn't happen.
So, Will I Keep It Up?
I felt so good overall from adding the extra steps to my routine. I'm not sure I lost any actual weight (I'm in a fight with my scale right now), but I felt a lot better. And the one or two days where I missed meeting my goal, I could feel it. I also found that walking extra made me feel rejuvenated during the day and actually helped me sleep a little bit better at night. As someone who is incredibly bad at sleeping, I'll take any help I can get.
Not to mention I've grown quite fond of my step tracker's goal notification. The little buzz that it gives me makes me feel like a champion. So I've decided to lower my step goal slightly until I feel like I can master that number (7,500), and then I'll ultimately bump it up to get 10,000 steps a day.
6 Reasons RunDisney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend Is the Most Magical Race on Earth
Walt Disney World recently wrapped up its RunDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend - which includes a 5K and 10K, in addition to the 13.1 - and in a surprise to literally no one who has ever visited a Disney park, it was magical. If you've been thinking about participating in a RunDisney event - or running your first race, period - you should move the princess-themed races to the top of your list. Race weekends are jam-packed with fun, and I'm not just talking about the obvious perks of getting to spend a few days in the park, enjoying the attractions and delicious food. Here are just a few reasons runners love this particular race so much.
- There's amazing merchandise. Every year during the Princess Half Marathon Weekend, RunDisney unveils some of the most beautiful and exclusive merchandise, including wine glasses, Tervis tumblers, race-themed Minnie ears, spirit jerseys, pins, and magnets. Runners can find all of this at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, where the race expo is held.
- Everyone dresses in costume. Part of the fun of Princess Half Marathon Weekend is that almost everyone is wearing some type of costume. Whether they pull the look together themselves or choose to buy a costume or themed t-shirt, the princess vibe is strong. Some people even do character mashups (think: Jedi Anna).
- The finisher medals are awesome. Each distance has a theme, right down to the medals that are presented to runners at the finish line. In the past, medals have been designed in the likeness of the princesses from Tangled, Sleeping Beauty, Brave, The Little Mermaid, and Frozen.
- Characters line the course. Yes, there's a good chance you'll find Disney princesses and sidekicks - and sometimes even villains - in both the pre- and postrace areas and along the course. You'll likely also be greeted by the park's biggest stars: Mickey and Minnie.
- Every mile is Instagram-worthy. There are photo opportunities throughout the race, from backgrounds set up by race staff to princess-themed mile markers, park icons, and cast members with fun signs.
- The postrace food is out of this world. You deserve a treat after 13.1 miles, and there are an abundance of options within the park (this is Disney, after all), from Mickey waffles to those towering Dole Whips.
Still need convincing? Scroll through to see some of the best photos from this year's race.
We Found Your New Summer Beverage: This Light and Refreshing Boozy "Kombrewcha"
Kombucha, the fermented probiotic tea, is one of the trendiest beverages around, so obviously one of your first questions might be: can I make it alcoholic?
The answer is yes; in fact, it's already slightly alcoholic on its own, with 0.5 ABV. That's low enough that the drink is labeled nonalcoholic, so you won't really feel it. The health benefits are legit, though: kombucha is great for your gut and a good source of antioxidants, though rumors of its metabolism-boosting effects aren't quite true. If you're looking for an actual buzz along with all of that, there are a few options out there, including the fantastically named Kombrewcha.
We should note that Kombrewcha isn't the booziest of beverages, with only 3.2 percent ABV per drink - about one percentage point behind most light beers. But if you love your kombucha and want to mix it with a light summer buzz, it might be worth a try. The brand says it's perfect for mid-week happy hours or drinking around the pool: low-key, relaxed, and refreshing.
The beverage, soon to be available in convenient and Instagram-friendly cans, contains black tea, cane sugar, and yeast, with all-organic and gluten-free ingredients. The original Kombrewcha flavor "tastes somewhere between a beer and a cider," the website says. The brand also offers Royal Ginger, Lemongrass Lime, and Berry Hibiscus flavors. For those looking to get a little more bang from their buck when it comes to boozy drinks, Kombrewcha also offers a guide to making your own cocktails with its products.
Currently, you can only get Kombrewcha at select locations in NYC and Miami; check out their store locator to see exactly where it's available. (For Southern California drinkers, check out the equally attractive JuneShine hard kombucha.) With kombucha continuing to grow in popularity, we'll be waiting for the day that Kombrewcha can expand its range. Until then, check out the pretty packaging and impressively simple and healthy nutrition information ahead.
This Female Caddie - and Living Legend - Is on the Green Once Again at the Masters
We're in the heart of the Masters right now, but unless you're a major golf fan, you're probably not paying much attention to the side players on the course: the caddies. You see caddies carrying golf bags and handing off clubs, but their job actually goes much further than that, measuring yardages from ball to green and giving advice before crucial strokes. Caddies can work with golfers for years, receiving cuts of their winnings and even getting their own sponsorships.
All of which gives you even more of a reason to keep your eyes peeled this weekend when Fanny Sunesson is on the green. A professional caddie since 1989, Fanny is the only female caddie to have won a PGA tour major - and the only woman so far to be recognized in the Caddie Hall of Fame. She retired from full-time caddying in 2012 after a career that would be legendary by any standard: according to Golf.com, she's won four majors, several Ryder Cups, and a Players Championship in her 23-year career.
This weekend, though, Fanny is back on the course at Augusta National for the Masters tournament, caddying for fellow Swede Henrik Stenson. She was his caddie for five years before her retirement, and she has plenty of experience at the Masters: she won it twice with English golfer Nick Faldo, in 1990 and 1996. She was just 23 at the time of their first win, which vaulted her into the history books.
"I thought of it as a chance to see the world," Fanny said of her decision to start caddying so young, in an interview with CNN Living Golf. "Maybe do it for a year and travel in Europe. It ended up being a few more years than a year."
"She's always been so well-prepared and has every number possible and [has] seen the course," Stenson said in an interview with Golf Channel. "It's fun to catch up and be out together again."
Fanny is still in retirement, with no plans to return to caddying full-time; for the most part, she now works as a coach. For this weekend, though, you can catch the living legend out on the green once again.
30+ Must-Have Gifts For the Women Who Love All Things Fitness in 2019
Leggings and gym memberships aren't the only kinds of gifts you can give to women who love to work out. We've rounded up some of the best ideas you can give. Whether she's a runner, a weightlifter, a yogi, or an occasional cyclist, she could use - and thoroughly enjoy - just about every one of these products. Peruse the list, and see what she'll like best (and maybe set aside a couple to get for yourself).
In Honor of Warm Weather, May We Present Our 20 New Favorite Running Shorts
There are a lot of great things about warmer weather, but one of our favorites is the ability to work out outside. If you're hitting the trails or doing a bootcamp in the park, you need a fun, functional pair of shorts. And this season, there are so many great options to pick from. Think cool bike shorts and bright, loose options. Now, let's move.
Related: As Someone Who Lives Their Life in Leggings, I Might Have Found My Favorite Pair
These 11 Workout Sneakers Almost Never Go on Sale but Are Majorly Discounted This Week
Nordstrom is having a major Spring sale this week, and its sneaker selection is almost too good to be true. From names like Nike to APL and Asics, these brands rarely have their most popular pairs on sale, but we found them. To save you time in hunting down your perfect pair, we curated a list of its hottest finds ahead. These deals only last until April 22 and sizes are selling fast, so hurry and shop before you're too late.
FYI, Costco Sells Cauliflower Rice in Bulk (and For a Ridiculously Cheap Price, Too)
Love noshing on cauliflower rice but simply can't be bothered with pulling out your bulky food processor to make it from scratch? You're not the only one. Luckily, Costco has a mess-free alternative that's easy on the wallet and able to satisfy your low-carb stir-fry cravings in a pinch.
Select locations of the wholesale retailer are selling pouches of Nature's Earthly Choice cauliflower rice - in bulk, of course. Each box contains six convenient 8.5-ounce packages that you simply pop in the microwave for 90 seconds before enjoying. The best part? You only have to fork over $10 for a week's worth of the low-calorie, keto-friendly rice alternative. You're the real MVP, Costco.
Speaking of calories, let's take a look at exactly how many are in each serving, shall we? Below is a full breakdown of the nutrition information for each half-cup serving (aka roughly half a pouch).
- Calories: 25
- Total Fat: 0 grams
- Sodium: 30 milligrams
- Total Carbohydrates: 5 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 2 grams
It's Time to Transform Your Workout Wardrobe With These 8 Nike Essentials
As a fitness professional - I'm a trainer and a fitness editor - I spend a lot of my time in workout gear. I'm always looking for the best products that are functional and won't make me cry immediately after purchasing because of how expensive they are.
The one brand I always find myself getting leggings, sports bras, socks, and even running sunglasses from is Nike. In my opinion, they always have the best colorways and designs, not to mention that the product can withstand intense gym sessions and is cozy enough to wear on days when I'm dressing for extreme comfort.
If you're new to the workout game or just need some advice on the best Nike workout gear out right now, I've got you covered. Ahead you'll find all the workout gear I'm currently lusting over and wanting to put to the test.
There Are Several Ways to Practice Intermittent Fasting, but This 1 Is Probably Most Effective
Even if you know someone who has lost weight while intermittent fasting, you might be skeptical. After all, you've always been told that the formula for weight loss is calories in, calories out - so how can a plan that doesn't require counting calories, at least not in the traditional sense, actually work? The answer is relatively simple: fasting is thought to shift hormone levels so your body can more easily access stored fat. But there's more than one method for doing this and a few common mistakes that can throw you off track. Here's how to make sure your efforts are rewarded.
Which Method of Intermittent Fasting Is Most Effective?
As with most diets, results hinge on a number of factors, Monica Auslander Moreno, MS, RD, LDN, nutrition consultant for RSP Nutrition, told POPSUGAR. There are two main types of IF: time-restricted eating, in which you fast for, say, 12 or 16 hours each day and eat only during the remaining window, and plans that require you to eat very few calories for whole days at a time (never consecutively). The best method is the one you'll practice most consistently.
"If someone is more likely to mindlessly snack at night, then setting a 'cutoff' time for food will restrict intake, and weight loss will likely occur," Monica said. Likewise, "some people actually are nauseous in the morning, so skipping breakfast may be welcome for them," she explained, while others may risk overeating later in the day in an attempt to make up for the meal they lost. Figuring out which times of day you're most hungry - and when you can go without - can help you choose the plan that's right for you.
That said, alternate-day fasting - in which you consume no more than 500 calories every other day - has a higher dropout rate than other low-calorie diets, according to research published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Time-restricted IF, on the other hand, may feel less grueling to follow than a low-calorie diet. So, if you've had a difficult time with conventional dieting, simply narrowing that window may be more effective for you, Megan Casper, MS, RDN, a dietitian and owner of Nourished Bite Nutrition in New York City, told POPSUGAR. Though more long-term studies need to be conducted, Megan also noted that IF has benefits aside from weight loss, including lower blood pressure, improving metabolism, and reducing inflammation.
Mistakes to Avoid While Intermittent Fasting
Unlike traditional diets, IF doesn't place limits on calories or eliminate any one type of food from your plate. While this is freeing, it can also get you into trouble. If you eat only poor quality foods when you're not fasting, it's unlikely you'll lose weight or reap any of the other health benefits associated with IF.
Both Megan and Monica noted that two common pitfalls of IF are extreme hunger and fatigue, which can cause you to focus more on when you can eat than what you should eat. This can result in eating empty calories and junk food over healthy, filling options. It's important to make good choices during the day, while also thinking critically about how any one plan will affect other aspects of your life, from your social life to your exercise routine, and even your sleep, Monica explained.
The good news is, if you can make it work for you, IF may be a safer bet, even in the long-term. Research shows that it may result in less muscle mass lost than conventional diets, and muscle is essential for your metabolism. "Going on a low-calorie diet, whether it be a fast or [other type of] diet, causes you to first lose muscle and water weight," Megan said. "People typically think this means the diet is working, but once they go back to their normal diets, their metabolism has slowed down, and they usually gain the weight back and then some." So, sticking with IF could mean you lose weight more steadily and keep it off.
Achieve "Whatever You Set Your Mind to" in Vanessa Hudgens's First-Ever Activewear Line
It's no secret that Vanessa Hudgens is a fitness fanatic, which is exactly what she told POPSUGAR ahead of her first-ever activewear launch with Avia. Her tried-and-true workouts, she said, are Pilates, yoga, and indoor cycling - it's what she calls the "best recipe" for her body. So, it only made sense that she would eventually create a collection of fitness attire (after all, she said, you can find her working out almost every single day).
"I think that there's nothing better than walking into a workout class already feeling confident, and the way to do that is to be wearing something that you feel really good in. I was like, 'I should just make my own designs and make stuff that I would want to wear.' And it's exactly that," she explained. "It's perfect for everyday activities and also perfect for just lounging around. It's stylish and it's cool, and I'm really excited about it."
The 30-year-old actress said she picked Avia for this debut collection because she trusted the brand's ability to bring her vision to life with quality apparel. The line features pieces like retro-striped and strappy bras, boyfriend tees, and cropped fleece crews. The wide-leg lounge pants are one of Vanessa's favorites because they're the perfect "throw-on-and-go" necessity after a workout, and comfy clothes after fitness classes are, she said, "an after-self-love" type of thing for her. Vanessa also highlighted one of the mesh sets: a high-waisted legging and bra pair with material that's similar to black fishnet. "It's really breathable, you feel really supported, and it looks kind of sexy," she said. Then, there's the floral-printed pieces, which stood out to me the most because, for flowers, they're quite fierce. The print was inspired by one of her favorite Adidas sweaters.
This collection, she said, represents her: a person who "loves fitness and wants to feel confident." It's a collection for the modern woman always on the go. "We are all built differently for a reason, but I think that it is really important to be healthy and to be fit because it's not just a physical thing, it's a mental thing, too," Vanessa said. "If you push yourself physically, then you know that you can conquer anything, and then you go into the rest of the day and the world and feel more confident, because you know you can achieve whatever you set your mind to." Ahead, check out some of the Avia Vanessa Hudgens collection available now at avia.com and select Macy's stores. Prices range from $38 to $74, and there's so much variety, you'll want it all.
A Trainer Reveals the "5 Cornerstones" of Fat Loss and Why You Should Start Implementing Them
Fad diets, fancy boutique fitness studios, "miracle" weight-loss shakes - embarking on weight-loss journey can be overwhelming. So what's worth spending your hard-earned money on and what can you skip?
To shed fat, you just need to pay attention to what Eric Bowling, an NASM-certified personal trainer at Ultimate Performance in Los Angeles, calls the five cornerstones of fat loss. Success doesn't require any pricey supplements or specific fitness gear or an all-organic-non-GMO-dairy-free-no-fun-no-smiles diet. If you boil it down to these five basics, with a little sweat, hard work, and consistency, you will see results.
Scroll ahead for Eric's weight-loss tips to shed body fat and reach your goals.
Related: If You Want to Lose Belly Fat in 2 Months, You Need to Do These 8 Things
These Brides Said "I Do" to Healthier Habits Before Their Weddings, and You Need to See Their Weight-Loss Transformations
Looking and feeling the best you can on your wedding day is what every bride wishes. From their dress to their hair and makeup look, brides-to-be can perfect their big day appearances months in advance. That's also true when it comes to a bride's weight and wedding dress size, if they so choose to change that. Many women have weight-loss goals before their big day, and their hard work and dedication pays off in more ways than one.
We found some of the best pre-wedding transformations that will leave you in awe, and have you saying "I do" to healthier lifestyle changes, too.
Related: Sit Back and Relax, Because We Found the Best Seating Charts For Any Kind of Wedding
Ariana Grande Shared "Terrifying" Brain Scans Revealing Her Levels of PTSD
Image Source: Getty / Mike Coppola
Ariana Grande has been very open about her mental health struggles following the Manchester bombing at her concert in 2017, but now, she's showing fans a deeper level of her post traumatic stress disorder seen in brain scans. On Thursday, Ariana posted a photo to her Instagram Story revealing what a "healthy brain" and a "PTSD brain" look like. "Guys . . ." she addressed what appears to be a group chat. Just like the "PTSD brain," Ariana's own brain scans show many highlighted areas. "Hilarious and terrifying, not a joke," she wrote.
It's unknown what prompted Ariana to have the brain imaging done, but her openness with fans is so important to the ongoing conversation about mental health. In June of last year, the singer opened up to British Vogue about how PTSD impacted her life. "It's hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss. But, yeah, it's a real thing," she said. "I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of [PTSD] as well. Time is the biggest thing. I feel like I shouldn't even be talking about my own experience - like I shouldn't even say anything. I don't think I'll ever know how to talk about it and not cry."
Image Source: Instagram user arianagrande
But more than anything, Ariana's explained that therapy is what's gotten her through these low times. "Therapy has saved my life so many times," she wrote on Twitter in November. "If you're afraid to ask for help, don't be. U don't have to be in constant pain & u can process trauma. I've got a lot of work to do but it's a start to even be aware that it's possible."
Now, Ariana is in the middle of her Sweetener world tour and getting ready to headline Coachella. It may seem out of character for a celebrity to be so open about mental health, but it's something that means so much to her fans. "PTSD is so hard to live with y'all can't even start to imagine it. @ArianaGrande you're so strong ilysm I'm with you," one wrote on Twitter, and we couldn't agree more.
Vegans, This Dairy-Free Gelato Is About to Make Your Summer So, So Sweet
Even if you're not vegan, every once in a while, it's nice to have a little less lactose in your life. Our love for dairy-free ice creams like the dairy-free flavors of Halo Top is already well documented (we even have recipes so you can make your own!), so imagine our excitement when we heard that an authentic Italian vegan gelato was coming to the market.
Valsoia offers not one, not two, but three varieties of dairy-free gelato: almond-based, coconut-based, and cashew-based. They're all approved for vegans and some are gluten-free as well. As an added layer of security, Valsoia manufactures its products in its own factory, giving customers a guarantee that their gelato won't be cross-contaminated.
The flavors are pretty classic, including pints of chocolate, salted caramel, mint chocolate chip, and pistachio, but anyone looking to add a traditional Italian flavor can go with tiramisù, cappuccino, or tartufo (chocolate truffle). Tasty-looking ice cream bars, sandwiches, and cones are also available. As of now, you can get your vegan gelato fix from select grocery stores in 13 states, including New York (Wegmans), Illinois (Jewel), northern California (Safeway), and Florida (Earth Fare). Valsoia's store locator can help you find a location to buy near you.
And if you're curious about the difference between gelato and ice cream, first know that you can't go wrong with either. Since gelato is churned more slowly than ice cream, though, it contains less air and has a denser consistency and richer taste. Gelato also uses much less cream, giving it less fat than ice cream.
Valsoia isn't exactly a health food; some flavors have up to 30 grams of sugar per serving. But if you're looking for a sweet treat on a vegan diet, pick up a pint and indulge. Read on for more flavors and nutrition info.
Carrie Lost 128 Pounds Eating 6 to 8 Times a Day (and, Yes, That Included Dessert!)
Obesity and depression were the background noise of most of Carrie Bair's (@carebair_7 on Instagram) life. She told POPSUGAR, "I was completely imprisoned by them, as each one fed the other." She was anxious and depressed, so she ate and slept often. She became obese because food was like medicine to her. "It made me feel better for a little bit, but eventually that moment would pass, leaving me feeling depressed and anxious once again from eating and not taking care of myself," Carrie said. Keep reading to find out how Carrie was able to get past her depression and lose 128 pounds.
I Ate Dessert Every Night For a Week to See How It Would Affect My Weight Loss - Here's What Happened
I want to start this article off by saying people should eat whatever they want to, whenever they want to. There are no "good" or "bad" foods, just foods that are more nutritious than others. Nothing should be "off-limits," and if you're trying to lose weight (that's great if that's your goal, but don't feel pressured to!), you shouldn't deprive yourself.
OK, now that we got that out of the way, I should admit that I am one of those people on a weight-loss journey. Not because I'm trying to achieve a certain aesthetic or because I feel pressured to - I didn't even try to lose weight before my wedding! - but I noticed my weight creeping up the last couple years. Since I have PCOS, I'm more at risk for developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. I want to get my health under control, and also be a little lighter so I can power through my workouts (less weight to try and pull during pull-ups!) and be more agile.
I've been using a calorie-tracking app to track my food and I aim to stay within a calorie target each day. Since starting this journey, I'm down 10 pounds - slowly, but surely. Since this isn't a specific diet and my only goal is to hit a specific calorie target, no foods are "off-limits." This gives me room to enjoy my favorite foods (in moderation, of course) and never feel deprived.
I should also admit that I'm not a huge sweets person: cake doesn't tempt me, I couldn't care less about cupcakes, and I would rather have a slice of pizza than a piece of tiramisu. But I do like something sweet after dinner, and if I told myself dessert was completely off limits, it would make me crave it more, leading to an unhealthy binge and probable weight gain. So I wanted to enjoy dessert every night for a week and see if that had any impact on my weight loss. Turns out, there's a method behind this way of thinking.
Registered dietitian and ACSM-certified personal trainer Jim White recommends his clients enjoy 150 calories of whatever they want at the end of the day, even if they are trying to lose weight. "Everyone needs a little break from dieting, and I feel 150 calories each day of discretionary calories won't break the bank, especially if it's budgeted in," Jim explained. "Think of it like the carrot at the end of the day." He added that the end-of-day treat doesn't necessarily have to be dessert; it can be a glass of wine, a small bowl of chips, or a mini bag of popcorn. It will help you get through each day and help you stick to your plan.
Jim said if you can budget for this 150 calories within your daily calorie target, it won't have an impact on your weight-loss goals at all. But even if you go over by 150 calories every once in a while, it won't totally derail your progress. With those words of wisdom in mind, my experiment began.
What I Ate For Dessert
A big part of this experiment was being able to eat the sweet foods I enjoy. A handful of berries wasn't going to cut is as dessert if what I was really craving was a piece of chocolate. So I made it work, and was just careful to measure out portion sizes. I'm a big fan of Skinny Dipped Almonds, and made room for a serving (about 15 almonds) of the Chocolate Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate Mint flavors. I love chocolate and peanut butter, as well as chocolate and mint together, so eating these chocolate-covered almonds was enough to satisfy my sweet tooth. Each serving had about 150 calories, 12 grams of fat, 11 grams of carbs, and seven grams of sugar.
My other go-to treat was dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joe's. I buy the little packs of the wrapped ones from the checkout line and keep them in my freezer. Each piece is big enough and sweet enough to be satisfying. One peanut butter cup is about 67 calories, four grams of fat, seven grams of carbs, and six grams of sugar. I was usually satisfied after one or two pieces. Other desserts I reached for were a square or two of 72 percent cacao dark chocolate (67 calories, 5.7 grams of fat, 5.6 grams of carbs, and 3.3 grams of sugar per square) or a tablespoon of chocolate peanut butter from RXBAR (90 calories, 6.5 grams of fat, 4 grams of carbs, and 1.5 grams of sugar per tablespoon) with an apple.
Since I knew the nutritional information for everything I was eating, I was able to factor it into my daily calorie budget. But even if I didn't necessarily allot for dessert that day and went over my daily calorie target with dinner, I still treated myself every night before bed.
What Happened After I Ate Dessert Every Night For a Week
My weight fluctuates like crazy and the scale continues to surprise me - I could gain three pounds overnight or lose a half a pound after a weekend eating nothing but pizza and Aperol spritzes - so I wasn't sure what would happen after my week of eating dessert. But after weighing myself one week after starting my experiment, I was down a little over two pounds! It was a pleasant surprise and a reminder that I can still eat the foods I love and am craving without impeding my progress.
I should also note that, in general, I weigh myself every few days. I have a fraught history with the scale - I used to weigh myself obsessively every day - and while the number on it used to have a huge impact on my mood (positively and negatively), I no longer tie my happiness to what the scale says. If it's a higher number than I'm expecting, I acknowledge that and move on with my day.
What I Learned
When I would try (unhealthily) to lose weight in the past, I had an all-or-nothing mentality. I would cut out everything I considered "bad," including sweets and dessert, all in the name of losing weight. I could last for maybe a week or two, but would crave sweets and salty carbs so heavily. Inevitably, I would not only give in to my cravings, but go on a full-on binge buying candy from CVS or giant cookies from the bakery.
By eating a little bit of something sweet each night after dinner, I was able to honor my cravings without going on a sugar binge. It was enough to satisfy my sweet tooth and leave me feeling good before bed - no sugar rush or inevitable crash and stomachache like after a dessert binge.
Sometimes I don't crave something sweet after dinner, in which case I'm totally satisfied with my evening meal. But other times I do, and I know that if I reach for one of my go-to desserts, I shouldn't beat myself up about it. I can enjoy the foods I love and still stay on track with my goals.
This "Handbalancer" Can Do Crazy Things Upside Down and Even Gravity Is Like, "What?!"
Is nailing a handstand one of your lifetime goals? Well, meet your new inspiration. Morgan Rose Moroneyhas "Handbalancer & Coach" in the description on her Instagram account, and these videos prove she is the real deal. She must spend more time on her hands than on her feet! If you want to learn how to master a handstand, looking through these videos will prove to you that practice makes perfect strong, stable, and beautiful!
10 Healthy Breakfast Sandwich Recipes to Jump-Start Your Day
For many of us, breakfast is easily the most anticipated meal of the day - especially if there's something delicious and satisfying involved. Everyone loves a good breakfast sandwich, even though they don't always have a reputation for being healthy. Luckily, there are many ways to make one so. Here are 10 healthy breakfast sandwich options, from open-faced avocado toast to lightened-up egg wraps.
vendredi 12 avril 2019
Don’t Let Marie Kondo’s Appearance Mislead You, We Need More Female Asian Role Models
The following post was originally published on Medium.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you will have heard of the Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo. Since her decluttering makeover Netflix series dropped at the start of the year, the general hysteria, especially in America, has been palpable - even her name has become a colloquial verb, to 'Marie Kondo' your home. On watching the show, my knee-jerk reaction to her as presenter, character, and Japanese woman wasn't something to be particularly proud of. I found her annoyingly cute and perfect - something about her whiter-than-white cardigan, her pristine eyelashes and the tone of her spoken Japanese. I saw her as a caricature of patriarchal norms and a symbol of the submissive Japanese woman. Threatened, I joked that she was some sort of OCD sociopath that would obsessively cleanse her body as soon as she left the chaotic Americans' houses.
But Marie Kondo is a fierce force to be reckoned with. Alongside TV show Queer Eye, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo has successfully reinvigorated the tired home-makeover genre with the KonMari method, a mindful decluttering exercise that asks homeowners to purge any possessions that no longer "spark joy." Right now, Marie Kondo is the biggest Japanese export, a phenomenon with legit business credentials. In 2015, she was named in Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people, she has sold more than 11 million copies of her book Spark Joy worldwide, and there really can't be many non-English-speaking Japanese women presenting their own Netflix series (she has a translator on the show.) If that isn't impressive enough, there are plans for a lifestyle-based e-commerce site, KonMari, that has the potential to rival Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop.
"Why, when there aren't many female Asian role models out there, hadn't I welcomed her with open arms?"
Why, when there aren't many female Asian role models out there, hadn't I welcomed her with open arms? And why, especially when I consider my personal MO to be cute and fierce, was I threatened by this feminine version of a successful businesswoman? As a half-Japanese, half-English woman, having had my initial judgement, I was curious to unpick the underlying bias from both my Asian and white sides - to understand not only why the show didn't "spark joy" in me but also to unpack my negative visceral reaction to her.
My Japanese childhood provided me with a more traditional set of values than life in England. Back in the '90s, when I was at secondary school in Nagoya, like most teenagers, I was doing my best to blend in, feeling the pressure to be more feminine and a cuter version of myself. The word cute is synonymous with Japan, so much so that you may well already know the word, kawaii, but a term you are less likely to know is "burikko," which refers to women who fake their cuteness to attract the opposite sex. The performance usually involves being ditzy, talking in a high-pitched voice, and sometimes even acting younger or babyish. The popular girls at school would use this word to bully other girls. At the time, we were young, confused, and trying on different versions of ourselves, but now I realize we were competing, even demonizing instead of supporting each other, and all of this to impress some boys. The Japanese patriarchy dictates what a woman should be, and from a young age as girls, we are taught by society that being cute or feminine are valuable assets. As my Japanese mother used to say, "Being funny won't help you meet a suitable husband." Of course, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with choosing to be kawaii or enjoying cute things, but my initial judgement of Marie Kondo has partially stemmed from my upbringing in Japan and Japanese sexism: something of the burikko mentality has stuck, making me suspicious of the motivation behind ultrafeminine women.
It wasn't just Marie Kondo's hyperfemininity; I was also intimidated by just how perfect she was. Japan is a nation of perfectionism, known for its immaculate attention to detail and precise levels of organization. From an education system that requires pupils to clean their own classrooms to a train network that always runs on time, an upbringing in Japan provides one with an organically instilled and innate sense of organization, cleanliness, and tidying. However, this exemplary standard to be perfect has its downfalls, putting immense pressure on its people. As a mixed-race Asian friend of mine who grew up in Tokyo put it, "It's incredible to consume and enjoy the heightened perfection in Japan as a lazy white person, but it can be too much pressure to live as an Asian person." Nowhere does this idea of perfection manifest itself more strongly than in the Japanese patriarchy's idea of the woman, and therein lies another unconscious bias for me. Marie Kondo's appearance represents a sexist standard of perfection - petite, pretty, and polite - that I have and always will struggle to keep up with.
My British upbringing didn't do anything to help me find Marie Kondo's brand of femininity appealing either. In my 20s, I was influenced by career self-help books Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office and Sheryl Sandberg's book Lean In, which advised women that to advance in one's career, being nice or likeable wasn't going to earn you a seat at the table. Certainly, the experience of my early career, working in the male-dominated music industry, was that being "girlie" was anything but a useful asset if you wanted to be taken seriously. Although Sheryl Sandberg was a feminist icon at the time, she was also accused of being elitist, and looking back, I also see her ideas were aimed predominantly at white feminists, not at WOC and certainly not feminine Asian women. It wouldn't be for another decade, until the likes of Ali Wong and Constance Wu started coming through, that I really found my cute-yet-fierce Asian role models.
There is also appeal in America for the perfect feminine Japanese woman described above, but to understand the organizing consultant's success stateside and my final Marie Kondo bias, there is more to this trope than first meets the eye. The key to the KonMarie method's connecting in America lies in the collective subconscious connection that many non-Asian people hold of a "spiritual" east. Early features from the New York Times and Wall Street Journal picked up on the spiritual side of her organizing and created a fresh narrative for her, manifesting her as the Asian personification of the Western phrase "Cleanliness is next to godliness." While the spiritual side of her organizing was mostly ignored in Japan, in America, her background of working several years as an attendant maiden in a Shinto shrine has made for an authentic story and an unlikely crux to her charm. Even Marie Kondo herself, according to this Forbes Japan interview, was surprised by her rise to fame in the States, but when asked how she broke America, she also puts it down to the interest in the spiritual aspect of her work. Although any references to this spirituality within the actual TV show are fairly muted, the potent combination of the media's narrative and the "oriental" fantasy trope have made her an authentic superstar. Earlier this year, Marie Kondo appeared on American TV show The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and just like in her TV series, where homeowners would kneel, as if praying, taking a moment to show their gratitude toward their homes, she joined the host to meditate on Colbert's appreciation for the studio. Colbert jokes saying "I don't understand what you are saying when you say it . . . but I would follow you to a cult compound and never leave," and while this is all fairly harmless, part of me, mainly my Japanese side, feels uncomfortable that the organizing consultant is being painted as some sort of magical sage with mystic cleansing powers. It's not just Colbert here, and even though I can see that these tropes have actually aided Marie Kondo to carve out a niche for herself in the dominant culture, I can't help but feel uncomfortable as on a level they are simply racist.
Having said all this, I won't let Marie Kondo's appearance mislead me. I choose to see through my initial judgements of the ultrafeminine woman, the perfect woman, the patriarchal woman, and the "oriental" woman because I won't let the veneer of these sexist and racist biases prevent me from seeing the fierce Asian woman that she is. I am again reminded that I need to support not criticize, admire not compete, as women are entitled to look like and be whatever version of their successful selves they want to be. Marie Kondo is making room at the table for Asian women next to the Sheryl Sandbergs and Gwyneth Paltrows of the world. So join me in welcoming in this cute, fierce business lady, because after all, we need more diverse role models and leaders.
The Wedding Day Photo Checklist: Pin Now, Save For Later
It'll all go by so fast. Walking down the aisle, swaying to the first dance, and waving goodbye in the getaway car are memories you'll want to remember for the rest of your wedded life. We compiled the ultimate list of must-snap wedding day moments and created a nifty checklist that you can pin, print out, and give to your photographer before the festivities begin.
Having this idea list on hand will ensure that all the T's are crossed and I's are dotted when it comes to your wedding photos. If you're on the road to marital bliss, then pin or print out our ultimate wedding day photo checklist to ensure the big moments are captured. Download it now!
Pre-Wedding Primp & Prep
- Wedding dress portrait
- Bridesmaids getting ready
- Bride getting dressed
- Groomsmen getting ready
- The bridal portrait
- The first look (if not during the ceremony!)
- The rings
- Bride's bouquet
Ceremony
- Vows/altar backdrop
- Floral arrangements
- Family at the ceremony
- Bride walking down the aisle
- Groom watching the bride walk down the aisle
- The vows
- Any ceremony traditions
- Ceremony landscape
- The first kiss
- Couple walking down the aisle together
-Additional reporting by Lisette Mejia
Meet Katie Bouman, the 29-Year-Old Who Made It Possible to See a Black Hole
ICYMI: On April 10, the first official image of a black hole was released for all of us to see. According to the National Science Foundation, the photo - which shows a black hole in the center of the Messier 87 galaxy sitting 55 million light years away - is a result of a massive effort coordinated by researchers all around the world and their cultivation of "five petabytes of data." It's an incredible feat, as many have already pointed out, but none of it would have happened without Katie Bouman, a 29-year-old MIT graduate who created an algorithm to make obtaining a photo of the massive void possible.
According to a TEDx Talk that the former computer science student gave back in 2016, trying to photograph a black hole is similar to trying to take a picture of an orange on the surface of the moon - it's difficult and would require a telescope the size of the Earth itself. Since that isn't possible, Bouman sought out an alternative method that involved developing a network of telescopes scattered around the globe. Watch the video above to get a look at how Bouman led the charge on testing out ways to make it possible to see something "that, by definition, is impossible to see."
This Year's Go-To Tropical Vacation Spot Is Baha Mar in the Bahamas
More than 10 years in the making not to mention $4.2 billion in investments, the Baha Mar Resorts in Cable Beach near Nassau in the Bahamas are the newest tropical adventure you're seeing over and over again on your Instagram feed.
The Baha Mar holds three hotel brands - the Grand Hyatt at around $350 a night, SLS Hotels starting at $500 a night, and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts from $700 a night - each with its own set of amenities offering more than something for everyone. Highlights across all three brands include 10 incredible swimming pools, outdoor bars, colorful luxury cabanas, more than 20 restaurants, a spa, a children's club, luxury shopping, and access to stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, water hammocks, floating lounges, and snorkels.
There's also a 100,000-square-foot casino overlooking the ocean (the largest casino in the Caribbean), and an animal complex called The Sanctuary, home to wildlife including green sea turtles, stingrays, nurse sharks, more than 50 species of reef fish, and a flamingo habitat, where a chief flamingo officer is said to take care of the birds. Sounds straight out of a movie, but it's real - just peep ahead for photos of the Instagram-friendly resort.
Does Cannabis Make You Creative? It’s Complicated
The following post was originally published on Miss Grass.
A woman smokes a joint at the DOPE Cup in Portland, Oregon, on October 4.
"This is quite good. I might be a creative genius!" is what my friend mumbled to me - internal monologue clearly up to max volume - when we were about 18. She was finishing off the piece de resistance that was her contribution to the lower third of an "exquisite corpse" drawing, doodled with me and another friend on a notepad. Whether or not the drawing itself was good (it wasn't) isn't the point. The point is she thought it was good. The weed she'd smoked had obviously loosened her up; made her more creative. Like my friend, most of us take that kind of assumption as a given. But the story of cannabis and creativity isn't so black and white.
Jenna Habayeb is the CMO of Canndescent, a premium cannabis company whose just-released Stylus pen (that resembles a gorgeous writing pen) is a THC vaporizer made for the creative process, complete with the tagline "Write your story." Aside from the literal meaning, Habayeb says, "It's about the idea of self-discovery and choosing your effect to create your own journey or story." And when it comes to her own journey with cannabis as a tool to unlock creativity, she believes "cannabis really helps with that, and when it comes to being creative it expands and opens your mind. It's like it unlocks this stream of curiosity and questioning, which is so great for the creative process and just pushing you to think outside the norm."
She continues: "I find that I get interesting, creative ideas that I can apply to a whole range of different aspects of my life and work." Habayeb is far from the only one with that hot take. Steve Jobs said smoking cannabis made him feel "relaxed and creative," while the great Maya Angelou said "walking on the streets became high adventure, eating my mother's huge dinners an opulent entertainment, and playing with my son was side-cracking hilarity." Then there are creatives like Susan Sontag, Martha Stewart, and even William Shakespeare, apparently. Blazers, all.
"It's not an accident that I include the option of a glass [of wine] or some quality cannabis during most AllSwell workshops," says Laura Rubin, the founder of AllSwell, a passion project that sees her hold journaling workshops, host creative excursions, and more - all with therapeutic self-expression as her North Star. She, too, believes induced states can lower our inhibitions, meaning we're more likely to freely express ourselves without judgment. Recently, in partnership with Miss Grass and Canndescent, Rubin hosted a creative journal-writing workshop that was designed to do just that - and the rave reviews spoke for themselves.
"If you're all locked up, worried about your output being great, it can prevent you from making anything at all," Rubin says. "That's, in part, where writer's block comes from. Removing a self-critical filter with some help in the form of a substance ally can help jump-start that process."
Jade Daniels of Portland-based weed-positive creative agency and brick-and-mortar store, Ladies of Paradise, agrees. "Some of my best work has come when I've been super stoned," she says. "I find myself thinking of things in depth and contemplating situations and ideas when I'm high that I normally wouldn't consider sober."
Her business partner, Harlee Case, echos her sentiments: "I basically can't write music without smoking weed. To be careful and careless at the same time, I have to be high. Consuming cannabis lets me trust my instincts and really let my heart lead." That description of being both careful and careless is something anyone who's smoked flower and gone about creating something - anything - will understand immediately. At once, there's focus and fluidity. Vigilance and carefree decision making. The perfect creative storm.
If it sounds dreamy, that's because it is. But, as anyone who's been there can also attest to, it's not all strokes of genius and prolific artistic output when you get high. You could also get sidetracked. Or find that elusive part of the brain responsible for productivity has fallen asleep on you, metaphorically if not quite literally. It's a delicate dance between creative bursts of inspiration, and koala-like desire to simply hang TF out, with no art-making or great American novel-writing necessary.
Rubin knows what I'm on about: "For some folks, they can be most creatively productive in a near-monastic state of [sober] simplicity because the fewer the distractions, the clearer the channel. There's no one-size-fits-all recipe. I think there are as many relationships to cannabis as there are people, and those ebb and flow based on where individuals are in their lives."
Mennlay Golokeh Aggrey is the author of The Art of Weed Butter and an interdisciplinary cannabis entrepreneur legally working with marijuana since 2005. She knows all about the "double-edged sword" that can be stoned creativity. "I cannot smoke a fatty joint and expect to write a masterpiece," she says. "Unless it's CBD flower. Otherwise I'd get too caught up on its perfection and might not get as much down on paper. I can, however, design (websites, graphics, vignettes) beautifully when I'm high."
What's weird is that even science kind of agrees. Despite many, many studies into the link between cannabis and creativity, the jury is more or less still out when it comes to the implications for the stoned auteurs among us. Some evidence even points to the possibility of the high artiste trope as being just that; a stereotype. Weed may not make you as creative as you think it does.
Take the results of one 2012 UK study. According to the team's findings, getting high on the reg may actually decrease creative thinking skills; however, they're quick to add, cannabis's effects vary depending on an individual's personality. But that's not the full story either (thank goodness).
A 2017 study from Washington State University found that creative people are simply more likely to enjoy getting high. The researchers suggest: "While mainstream media has propagated the idea that cannabis expands the mind and enhances creativity, our results show that the link between cannabis and creativity is largely a spurious correlation driven by differences in personality (i.e., openness to experience) that are related to both cannabis use and augmented creativity."
As primary author of the study and graduate instructor in psychology at Washington State University, Emily La France tells me, "openness to experience" is a personality trait. "Being very open to experience makes a person more willing to try different things and seek out new experiences," she says. "Individuals who are very open to experience tend to be more likely to try mind-altering substances, such as cannabis; they also tend to be creative."
She adds: "There is some evidence from previous research - not my own - that acute states of intoxication induced by cannabis (or alcohol) may enhance some forms of creative thought. So, there may be some truth to the idea that intoxication from cannabis (or alcohol), may help people generate ideas when they are working on a problem."
Further supporting cannabis's case as a tool for creative thinking (if not output) overall is the fact that a study conducted in 2010 showed that marijuana's "primary property" is its ability to increase the "hyper-priming process." What's that, you ask? Just the process your brain goes through when making connections between two similarly unrelated things.
What they're describing is the golden, sacred "Aha!" moment. THC fans know it well. It's the ability to connect the dots. To see one thing and make comparisons to another. You know, to view the world through the lens of an artist. Daniels, with no awareness of the study, sums it up by saying, "Being high opens up your mind and makes you think about things differently, and with that openness and free thinking allows you to create and execute ideas in elevated ways."
And if that's not creative, I don't know what is. "Ideas come to mind under the effects of cannabis that normally wouldn't be present," she continues. "Thoughts and actions are executed differently when you're high, and I find myself feeling more artistic and creating something with new ideas and ways outside of the norm."
Of course, this doesn't mean that you need cannabis to be creative. Far from it. As La France puts it, "Just because there is a link between cannabis use and creativity certainly does not mean that all individuals who use cannabis are more creative than those that don't. Furthermore, I believe you can increase your creativity throughout your lifetime through practice, critical thought, and by seeking out new experiences."
On the flip side, if you're looking to explore using THC-based cannabis products (like the new Stylus) for the first time, go slow and experiment. "Everyone is creative deep down. Cannabis is a tool to unlock it," says Case. And if you're looking for specific ideas, Daniels is your gal. "I'd recommend smoking before doing activities or grabbing some materials to collage, paint, or write and seeing where your mind takes you," she says.
Aggrey has similar advice. "It's arrogant for me to tell non-cannabis users what to do with their lives," she says. "However, if there is a moment in time when they feel comfortable trying cannabis for the first time, in a safe and comfortable space – I'd recommend they try something creative during that moment. Just to assess how it feels."
She continues: "Honestly, I am creative whether I'm high or not. And sometimes I'm not creative. That's just the way it works. Personally, it's about where my biorhythms are at and if I'm in a good place mentally – rather than if I've consumed cannabis."
So can we definitely state that there's a link between cannabis and being more creative? It's complicated, friends. Despite findings around openness to experience and the hyper-primer process, there's no statistical case for the creative benefits of cannabis overall - and a little evidence to say that in some cases, it might have a slight negative effect.
But that's the thing about creativity; it's elusive as hell. The ancient Greeks thought a goddess had to visit you (which rarely happened, presumably) just to get a glimpse of authentic inspiration.
Capturing the essence of creativity is not unlike trying to describe a really good high. You can try, but you won't be doing it justice. Anyways, "measuring" creativity in a scientific lab is fascinating, but possibly a little antithetical to the cause. If you're the kind of person that ~feels~ creative when high, then maybe you are. And even if you aren't, at least having a really good time. More power to you.
Hang Out With Some of Disney's Most Chilling Villains at Disney World's After-Hours Spectacular
When the princesses are away, the villains will play. Disney's most dastardly villains are creeping out from the shadows of Disney World and taking over the Magic Kingdom this Summer in a chilling, late-night spectacular - and you've never seen Maleficent like this before.
Disney villains are the characters we're supposed to detest, but what if they had control over the happiest place on Earth? As part of the park's annual Disney After Hours event from June 6 to Aug. 8, guests are invited to walk on the wild side and experience the Magic Kingdom through the eyes of Disney's most nefarious crew - but what kind of dark magic do they have hidden up their sleeves?
During the park's limited-time event, Hades and Meg from Hercules will set the stage of Cinderella's Castle ablaze in an all-new production called Villains Unite the Night, with special guest appearances from Jafar, Dr. Facilier, and Maleficent. Guests will also be able to experience special villain-inspired enchantments on rides like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as enjoy low wait times on 20 of the Magic Kingdom's most popular attractions. Dibs on the Haunted Mansion!
The coolest part? Maleficent's dragon will be creeping through the park in parade float form and breathing fire wherever she goes, making for a sinister surprise and some amazing selfies. As for the food? There will be desserts, drinks, and dishes inspired by The Red Queen, Cruella de Vil, Maleficent, Hades, and Dr. Facilier, and even Emperor Zurg will be available to guests who attend this special event.
But there is one important thing to note: while all of our favorite villains will be entertaining guests into the wee hours of the night, they will not be available for character meet and greets during Disney After Hours. The event runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on select nights, but park guests are invited to enter as early as 7 p.m. to enjoy some food and fireworks before the true show begins. Tickets go on sale on April 29 and can be purchased in advance for $139 per adult or child, plus tax, or purchased on the day of the event for $144 per adult or child, plus tax.
Tickets are limited, so swipe 'em up ASAP, and check out the full date list for the Villains After Hours event ahead:
- Thursday, June 6
- Thursday, June 13
- Thursday, June 20
- Thursday, June 27
- Monday, July 1
- Thursday, July 11
- Thursday, July 18
- Thursday, July 25
- Thursday, Aug. 1
- Thursday, Aug. 8
This Married Couple's Steamy Canyon Photo Shoot May Cause You to Sweat Profusely - It's THAT Hot
There are many ways to celebrate your love for your spouse after the wedding, and this couple decided to express their devotion to each other with a passionate photo shoot. Andrea and Logan's shoot was even more dramatic thanks to a stunning canyon setting in Page, AZ. Andrea wore a white plunging bodysuit with a cape, a sexy twist on the bridal gown and veil, while Logan looked sharp in black suit and tie.
"The couple then celebrated their love on top of Horseshoe Bend with a steamy day-after session," said photographer Victoria Taylor. Andrea wore a red dress with thigh-high slits and a plunging neckline as they posed for the hot and heavy shoot. For her final outfit, she changed into a little black dress with lace detailing and embroidery. The happy couple popped a bottle of Champagne as they overlooked the breathtaking view of the canyon. See all the photos now, and have some cold water handy!
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