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 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 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.
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 is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
Michael B. Jordan is calling on Hollywood to be a part of social progress. On Saturday, the 33-year-old actor attended a Black Lives Matter march in LA where he delivered an impassioned speech about thorough diversity in the entertainment industry. He shared how his roles in the films Fruitvale Station, Fahrenheit 451, Black Panther, and Just Mercy made a huge impact on him and his fight for equality.
Michael also opened up about his production company, Outlier Society, and its efforts to enact the "inclusion rider" policy, which enforces diverse hiring practices. "We're in the heart of Hollywood right now - one of the world's most powerful industries, and I'm an active member of that," he said. "They need to go on notice. I dedicated my production company to an inclusion rider, but it has to go beyond that."
He then directly addressed businesses that he's connected to, saying, "All my brands, anybody that deals with me, if you have racist beliefs, if you have a racist bone in your body, if you're not with me, if you don't stand with me and people that look like me, then you don't need to be with me, and that's point-blank period."
The actor additionally shared his suport for defunding the police and reallocating financies to causes that benefit all people. "I want us to invest in Black staff," he said. "I'm proud to have an inclusion rider and all that good stuff, and I use my power to demand diversity, but it's time that studios and agencies - all the agencies, all these buildings that we're standing in front of, I wish you'd do the same. You committed to a 50/50 gender parity in 2020 - where is the challenge to commit to Black hiring, Black content led by Black executives, Black consultants? Are you policing our storytelling as well?"
He ended by encouraging everyone to vote and continue making their voices heard. "I just want to be here, be present, and show you guys that I'm here with you," he said. "So, let's keep this sh*t going." Read Michael's full speech below, then keep scrolling to see more powerful photos from the march.
We can't be quiet. I played four very, very important characters that affected my life. Oscar Grant was one of them. Oscar Grant was killed by police on the BART train station in Oakland. I had the opportunity to embody who he was. I got an opportunity to feel the pain of his family - his daughter, his mother - I lived with that for a really long time. It weighs on you. I also played a fireman in Farenheit 451, who was thirsting for knowledge. He joined a revolution. The producer of that movie made me really realize the lengths that the government and oppressors will go to keep knowledge out of your hands. They know that if we unlock this up here, that we'll be unstoppable, and they're scared of that.
Black Panther, Killmonger - he was an activist, a revolutionary. He's the product of a village that does not accept that child, cast him out. He will burn that village to the ground . . . I also had the opportunity and the honor to play Bryan Stevenson. He dedicated his life to combating the racial legal system that we have right now, and, in doing so, I learned. I learned his tactics, I learned his mentality, I learned his approach to things - very calm, very strategic, very thoughtful.
We have to be approximate. We have to be close to issues. That's why I love to support everybody that's out here because we have to be here together, shoulder to shoulder. We're in the heart of Hollywood right now - one of the world's most powerful industries, and I'm an active member of that. They need to go on notice. I dedicated my production company to an inclusion rider, but it has to go beyond that.
So, to the brands that support me, to all the productions, to the studios, to all the businesses and partnerships that I have, if you have any financial ties to police, we have to relook at our business. We have to stop hiring police. We have to cut off their support. That's why I'm committed to hiring private security at all my events - private security only. All my brands, anybody that deals with me, if you have racist beliefs, if you have a racist bone in your body, if you're not with me, if you don't stand with me and people that look like me, then you don't need to be with me, and that's point-blank period.
So I got a few things that I really want to get. So, invest, right? I want us to invest in Black staff, I'm proud to have an inclusion rider and all that good stuff, and I use my power to demand diversity, but it's time that studios and agencies - all the agencies, all these buildings that we're standing in front of, I wish you'd do the same. You committed to a 50/50 gender parity in 2020 - where is the challenge to commit to Black hiring, Black content led by Black executives, Black consultants? Are you policing our storytelling as well?
So let us bring our darkness to the light - Black culture, the sneakers, sports, comedic culture that you guys love so much. We've dealt with discrimination at every turn. Can you help fund Black brands, companies, cultural leaders, Black organizations? A great agent doesn't have to be a great organizer, but a great agent could advocate for relationships with organizers. Will you support nonprofits as working to solve problems of our industry that our industry created?
And you gotta vote. Everybody says it. It's a very easy thing to do. I hear it, I respect it, but voting has never been more important than it is today . . . We can't vote today, but what we're doing today will make our voices heard and values heard. We've got to keep doing it, we've got to keep agitating things, we can't be complacent, we can't let this moment just pass us by. We have to continue to put our foot on their necks. And just know that we are with you guys. I ain't up here for all the extra stuff, man. I just want to be here, be present, and show you guys that I'm here with you. So, let's keep this sh*t going.
Homemade ice cream is such a treat, and when it's made in a mason jar, well, it's even better, in my opinion! This simple recipe was easy, refreshing, and fun to make. Normally, ice cream is made with heavy cream, but I experimented with full fat coconut milk to make a dairy-free version. The vanilla flavor really stood out in the finished product, even though the recipe only calls for 1/2 teaspoon, which I loved.
To get started with this recipe, you'll need to gather your ingredients, procure a 16-ounce mason jar, and that's about it! The simplicity is real here, folks.
Once your ingredients are safe and sound inside of your sealed mason jar, it's time to shake like crazy. Because I used coconut milk, I feel like I had to shake a lot more to achieve any sort of creamy result, but if you're using heavy cream, it should only take five minutes max. Be prepared to put in the work for this dessert!
You'll know it's time for your jar to hit the freezer when the contents double in volume and the texture becomes supercreamy (for me, my coconut milk thickened a bit but didn't necessarily double in volume and still turned out pretty yummy!). Freeze this bad boy for a few hours until it's nice and solid.
Scoop it out of the mason jar when the time is up, top with your favorite toppings, and enjoy - quick, before it melts!
Delish
Homemade ice cream is such a treat, and when it's made in a mason jar, well, it's even better, in my opinion! This simple recipe was easy, refreshing, and fun to make. Normally, ice cream is made with heavy cream, but I experimented with full fat coconut milk to make a dairy-free version. The vanilla flavor really stood out in the finished product, even though the recipe only calls for 1/2 teaspoon, which I loved.
To get started with this recipe, you'll need to gather your ingredients, procure a 16-ounce mason jar, and that's about it! The simplicity is real here, folks.
Once your ingredients are safe and sound inside of your sealed mason jar, it's time to shake like crazy. Because I used coconut milk, I feel like I had to shake a lot more to achieve any sort of creamy result, but if you're using heavy cream, it should only take five minutes max. Be prepared to put in the work for this dessert!
You'll know it's time for your jar to hit the freezer when the contents double in volume and the texture becomes supercreamy (for me, my coconut milk thickened a bit but didn't necessarily double in volume and still turned out pretty yummy!). Freeze this bad boy for a few hours until it's nice and solid.
Scoop it out of the mason jar when the time is up, top with your favorite toppings, and enjoy - quick, before it melts!
Delish
Roxie Washington, the mother of George Floyd's 6-year-old daughter, Gianna, gave an emotional statement at a press conference on June 2 after George was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25.
"I wanted everybody to know that this is what those officers took from me," Roxie said during a press conference through tears, as she motioned to Gianna. "At the end of the day, they get to go home and be with their families. Gianna does not have a father."
Roxie continued, sharing just one of the many heartbreaking results of George's death: Gianna will now have to navigate life without her dad. "He will never see her grow up, graduate, he will never walk her down the aisle," she said. "If there's a problem she's having and she needs her dad, she does not have that anymore. I'm here for my baby and I'm here for George because I want justice for him. I want justice for him because he was good. No matter what anybody thinks, he was good."
"He will never see her grow up, graduate, he will never walk her down the aisle."
Later in the press conference, Roxie shared that George did everything he could to give his daughter a better life. "He still took care of us, he provided for us," she said. "[He was] living here, working."
George's friend, former NBA player Stephen Jackson, added: "His whole reason for being in Minnesota was to work and drive trucks," he said. "That's why he came here, and he was doing that. He was doing great here, he was turning the curve, and then this happened. So he was doing this for her."
Homemade ice cream is such a treat, and when it's made in a mason jar, well, it's even better, in my opinion! This simple recipe was easy, refreshing, and fun to make. Normally, ice cream is made with heavy cream, but I experimented with full fat coconut milk to make a dairy-free version. The vanilla flavor really stood out in the finished product, even though the recipe only calls for 1/2 teaspoon, which I loved.
To get started with this recipe, you'll need to gather your ingredients, procure a 16-ounce mason jar, and that's about it! The simplicity is real here, folks.
Once your ingredients are safe and sound inside of your sealed mason jar, it's time to shake like crazy. Because I used coconut milk, I feel like I had to shake a lot more to achieve any sort of creamy result, but if you're using heavy cream, it should only take five minutes max. Be prepared to put in the work for this dessert!
You'll know it's time for your jar to hit the freezer when the contents double in volume and the texture becomes supercreamy (for me, my coconut milk thickened a bit but didn't necessarily double in volume and still turned out pretty yummy!). Freeze this bad boy for a few hours until it's nice and solid.
Scoop it out of the mason jar when the time is up, top with your favorite toppings, and enjoy - quick, before it melts!
Delish
Tia Mowry is sharing her thoughts on white privilege as it pertains to her own family. As a biracial daughter to a Black mother and white father, Tia saw instances in which her father's inherent privilege was made apparent when juxtaposed with her mother's experiences. In an Instagram post accompanied by a photo of Tia with sister Tamara and their mother at a 2007 movie premiere, Tia reflects on her Sister, Sister days and what she hopes will come of the current movement toward racial justice.
"Growing up #biracial, mom is black and dad is white, it was very clear to me seeing the #privilege that my dad had as opposed to my #mother," she wrote. "Some examples, during our #sistersister days when traveling for work we would often fly first class. There were several times my mother was asked if she was in the right seat."
Tia shared another example from when her family was looking to buy their first house. When Tia walked into a model home with her mother and siblings, her mom was told the houses were sold out. Once her dad walked in behind them, "it was a different story."
Related: This Teen Breaks Down 16 of the Unwritten Rules He Has to Follow as a Young Black Man
Although those stories date back to the '90s, Tia is hoping that change is truly coming over 20 years later. "My #goal is to see #change. This year has been a tough year. Several tears have been shed. However, a friend told me these tears will not be wasted. The #love and #support around the world has kept me going," she wrote. "A #change is gonna come."
Although doctors advise parents to use physical barriers - SPF clothing, umbrellas, and shades - rather than lotions to protect babies younger than 6 months old from dangerous, cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays, babies and kids older than that should get protection from SPF creams as well. The Environmental Working Group (EWG)'s recommendations for the best sunscreens for kids is considered somewhat of a definitive list of safe options, but how does it makes its decisions when it comes to health and safety?
According to EWG Senior Scientist David Andrews, inactive ingredients like retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) and oxybenzone are the ones that parents need to steer clear of. "By and large, the [sunscreens] that do well in our database are the ones that are mineral-based products with a higher percent of zinc oxide, as well as some of the products with titanium dioxide," he said.
"When people use higher SPF values, we're concerned that it leads to a change in behavior and an increased time in the sun and that you apply less of it."
While parents have been getting the message about switching from chemical sunscreens to mineral versions, one of the group's biggest concerns is how parents are using them. "[Consumers] are looking to buy higher and higher SPF values," Andrews said. "When people use higher SPF values, we're concerned that it leads to a change in behavior and an increased time in the sun and that you apply less of it. Those products may not be as effective in blocking both UVA and UVB radiation. So we steer consumers toward SPF 30 to SPF 50 products and lower, and we really think that is the sweet spot of the products that are available in the marketplace."
So what's a parent to do when trying to choose a safe sunscreen? First, check the EWG's site and app for a list of the safest (and most harmful) options for your family. If you have been using a sunscreen featured on past years' lists, know that the EWG strategically changes things up every year, so what may have been featured as one of the best sunscreens of 2019 may no longer be considered so in the eyes of the EWG.
"The products found in our Guide to Sunscreens may vary from year to year since we rebuild each year's guide from scratch," Carla Burns, a research and database analyst who manages the updates to the EWG Guide to Sunscreen, told POPSUGAR. "We try to capture as many products as we can find currently available on the market, but the products don't overlap 100 percent from year to year. Also, products are often reformulated, which could also change the score and/or disqualify a product from being on our Best-Rated Products list. This year, we strengthened our criteria for UVA protection, and some SPF products did not meet our updated criteria. For products to be included on our Best Scoring Sunscreens for Kids list, there are criteria that the products need to meet, and since formulations may change and product availability differs each year, there may be some variability from our 2019 list."
There are 180 sunscreens with a green rating in EWG's 2020 Guide to Sunscreens - despite only a handful of sunscreen being featured as the year's highest rated - so be sure to check the guide to see if your favorite brand is a "green" EWG brand. And keep reading to see and shop the EWG's top 15 picks for 2020!
Maintenance cuts and color transformations might initially send you to a hair salon or barbershop, but the community and atmosphere will make you a regular. After coronavirus-related closures rippled through the United States in late March, the industry was forced to take a temporary hiatus. Business owners worried about staying afloat; stylists feared the long-term effects of losing their incomes; these safe, familiar, and functional spaces became inaccessible for beloved clients to enjoy - including those created to serve the LGBTQ+ community.
Queer, genderless, and LGBTQ+ owned salons and barbershops play crucial roles in the industry. They're inclusive to all, fairly priced (i.e. gender-neutral services), and create open, affirming, and judgment-free spaces. And like any other salons right now, they're trying to navigate the fallout of the last two-plus months of closures. Ahead, we checked in with two business owners to see how they're doing it: Kylee Howell of Friar Tuck's Barbershop in Salt Lake City, UT, and Jamie DiGrazia of Logan Parlor in Chicago, IL. Read on to discover how you can help support them during this time.
From the start, for both business owners, responding to the pandemic was rooted in community and a desire to best serve the ones they built. Ultimately, that meant closing up shop. For the safety of her customers, Howell made the tough decision early: "I closed Friar Tuck's down at least three weeks before our city/state mandated it," she said. "With the CDC telling us we shouldn't be touching our own faces, it made sense to me that I shouldn't be touching anyone else's." And as the virus spread quickly, DiGrazia pivoted her strategy to take control of the few areas she could. "The last few months have been about learning to let go," Digrazia told POPSUGAR. "To really know that by not working we are keeping ourselves and others safe has been a concept I never thought would affect our community."
Next came all the administrative work (filing for unemployment, PPP loans, potential appeals) and the beginning of a long and stressful waiting game - financially and mentally. "I get so much of my human and social connection and interaction as a barber. My guests become my friends, my family," Howell said. "Many folx thought [the closure] would be like a three-month vacation, but for much of it I was on edge and stressed about my business staying afloat."
To ease some of the stress, clients found new ways to support the businesses and stylists beyond immediate services. "Our loyal guests have purchased gift cards, shopped our online store, and even donated to our team's GoFundMe," DiGrazia said. She also had requests to pick up styling products and shampoos curbside. Howell saw a similar response with prepaid services, merchandise, and the simple gesture of checking in to see how she was doing. Since reopening a few weeks ago, her clients have also donated much-needed supplies, like hand sanitizer and cleaning products. "It was tough to get my hands on those things to open back up safely, both due to price and availability. I'm so grateful that folx see that and we are working together to fill in those gaps."
But their clients' willingness to help isn't a coincidence. It's a direct result of the communities that Howell and DiGrazia have built - and the importance of these spaces within the LGBTQ+ community. Howell describes it well: "[The virus] doesn't discriminate against gender, political beliefs, sexual orientation, etc. It's just science." That said, it continued to teach her about the customers she serves. "I knew how important this space was in my community before, but with as many folx who reached out to help keep the lights on, there's no doubt about it."
Looking for actionable ways to help? There are options at every level, both monetary and completely free. If you're able, a little extra tip can go a long way, or even shifting your buying habits by purchasing products in the salon. Sharing on social media and by word of mouth is appreciated, too. But both business owners agree: amplifying their voices and mission is key.
"Making people aware that we exist and we don't conform to social norms inside or outside of the salon will help breed our salon culture," DiGrazia said. "We hope to inspire the industry to offer gender-free pricing and styles as we believe hair has no gender and want to create looks for people that are suited [to] their personality, hair type, and face shape - not how they may or may not identify." And, Howell adds, supporting these businesses and their owners can help fix larger issues within the industry. "Queer folx who own these spaces - especially queer people of color - do not always have the same access to resources as their straight counterparts in business. Speak about this, share resources, and now that we have seen plainly those cracks in the system, work to make them better even when there isn't a global pandemic going on!"
Looking for a salon in your area? Visit the Dresscode Project and Strands For Trans for more info.
If you're exploring different ways to holistically aid your inflammation pain, talking to your doctor about adding a yoga practice into your daily routine could be a source of relief.
But, first, know that not every inflammation-focused yoga practice is going to look the same. That's because inflammation pain (both acute and chronic) presents itself in many ways - since it can stem from a wide variety of underlying health problems, from infection to stroke to arthritis.
So, instead of directly guiding you through a flow, we're calling on two professionals to help you navigate your journey in treating inflammation pain - starting with yoga practices worth considering.
"Forms of yoga that include heat [and] warmth may benefit those with inflammatory responses. Other types of yoga, including Vinyasa and Kundalini, may help with specific spinal movements that allow for increased flexibility and decreasing rigidity," Dr. Sheri Dewan, MD, a board-certified neurosurgeon at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, tells us.
Kimberlee Bonura, PhD, a triple-certified yoga instructor registered with the Yoga Alliance and a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, adds that restorative yoga "can reduce the levels of stress hormones like cortisol and other physiological markers of inflammation in the body."
Restorative yoga is not about pushing, sweating, and powering through, she explains. "It's about listening to your body, relaxing, and feeling good in the pose."
No matter the practice, understanding the signals that your body sends you mid-flow is essential.
"It is important to distinguish between discomfort and pain," Bonura says.
If a yoga pose feels uncomfortable, it could be OK to work through it to improve your strength and flexibility.
But, she says, pain is never good - take that as your body's internal warning signal to stop what you're doing.
"If you are having pain with a flow or a pose, then you shouldn't be doing that flow or that pose - at least not at that time. Take a step back. Find an adapted version or modification of the pose that provides similar benefits without discomfort," Bonura confirms.
Dr. Dewan agrees, too, that all yoga flows should be modified to prevent inflammation pain.
Working with a certified professional (even virtually!) who has specialized training in your condition and can guide you through modifications, moves, and tools (like blocks or straps) will help you avoid putting unnecessary stress on your body.
And although it's up to the discretion of the professional you're working with, know that Dr. Dewan generally feels that 30-45 minutes of yoga a day is a great goal to strive for - although no one should feel discouraged if they can't meet that quota. Bonura agrees. "Doing a little consistently is more valuable than doing a lot occasionally. Doing yoga for five or 10 minutes each day will yield more long-term results than doing a longer workout inconsistently," she says.
Especially if your inflammation inhibits your sleep - and in return, your healing - Bonura feels that adding a 5-10 minute sequence into your bedtime routine is a great way to improve sleep quality and promote relaxation.
Although more individual research is required before you can feel good in a yoga practice, know that any step - or stretch - toward relief is one in the right direction.
Click here for more health and wellness stories, tips, and news.
Releasing pent-up energy has always been one of the driving forces behind my commitment to daily workouts - but sometimes my eagerness to get moving actually does more harm than good.
Case in point: I'll skip the warmups of my at-home bodyweight classes and jump into the workout right when the instructor sounds off a set of pushups.
It's a bad habit that could actually be detrimental to my body, and I'm now dedicated to breaking it, thanks to this advice from Barry's trainer and Nike Run Club Head Coach Chelsea Cox.
"Warming up before bodyweight workouts is necessary!" Cox tells me.
"A proper warmup will help to raise body temperature, increase blood flow to muscles, and loosen joints - which means your muscles will be more prepared to take on the stress and tension of the exercises. Along with preparing your muscles for an awesome workout, a proper warmup helps to engage your brain in the patterns of the movement, which means you will have more coordination and focus while completing your exercises."
In other words, you'll physically feel better during a bodyweight class if you complete a warmup before getting started.
To be totally honest, once I got my impatience under control and started committing to my instructors' warmup directions, my squats felt more powerful, the range of motion in my pushups improved, and mentally, I felt more ready to take on a challenging set of burpees.
Taking the time to prep your muscles might also help prevent your chances of getting hurt while exercising - this is especially important while exercising solo at home.
"Without preparing your body for the workout ahead, it puts [your body] at risk of preventable and severe injuries," Cox explains.
"Warming up, as in its name, will increase your body's temperature and increase blood flow which will help provide your muscles with more oxygen and nutrients it needs to help wake them up and let them know you are getting ready for something great!"
Another interesting fact - Cox says that warming up releases what's called "synovial fluid" - responsible for reducing friction around your joints, which helps prevent injury.
As someone who deals with post-workout knee pain, I found this particularly interesting.
"Think of your body as Play-Doh, and how much easier it is to sculpt Play-Doh into the shapes you want when it's warm rather than cold," Cox adds.
As for the warmup best practices for a bodyweight workout, set aside at least five to 10 minutes - though Cox says it really all depends on how long your workout is, its intensity, and environmental factors like temperature - and focus on dynamic exercises, rather than static stretching.
Cox's advice really helped me value that first few minutes of a live, instructor-led Zoom workout class so much more - and I know that, within time, this practice of fully prepping my body will become second nature to my solo workouts, too.
Click here for more health and wellness stories, tips, and news.
Related: 8 No-Equipment Workouts You Can Do Just About Anywhere - Cardio Included
If we're going to root out the systemic racism that pervades this country, Americans - white Americans, in particular - have enormous work to do. Before we can raise a new generation of antiracist children, we have to first turn inward and do the work of educating ourselves. It's not incumbent on members of the Black community to make us understand the brutal realities of racism - it's on the rest of us to take a seat, listen, and learn from the ample resources that already exist.
Below, we've rounded up a small sampling of podcast episodes that tackle issues from housing discrimination and historically racist land-ownership policies to police brutality and white fragility.
In 2020, with the tragic deaths of Black men playing out on the evening news and protests against police brutality taking place in cities across the country, it's hard to understand how anyone could deny the existence of white privilege. But in conversations with friends and loved ones, I've learned that there are still many who associate privilege with wealth and opportunity, two things that are often out of reach for people living in underserved, mostly white communities.
I know this because I grew up white in one of the poorest states in the country, where loss of industry has devastated the economy and the opioid epidemic has increasingly led to children being placed in foster care, and even necessities like clean water aren't guaranteed. People are suffering, but not because of the color of their skin - and that's where we must draw the distinction, if we ever hope to confront racial injustice and effect meaningful change.
Once an academic term, white privilege refers to the benefits that come with being in the racial majority, regardless of your socioeconomic status. While approaching this topic with people in my own life, I've found that presenting this thought exercise can help someone who's resistant to recognizing this reality. As a white person, you may not be able to live in your preferred neighborhood because the cost of housing is too high, not because you were made to feel unwelcome based on the color of your skin. When you walk into a store, you're unlikely to be perceived as someone who might shoplift, even if your bank account sits at zero. And while getting a ticket may make it harder to feed your family, being pulled over by police is unlikely to put you in immediate danger.
The same isn't true for people of color - and the Black community, specifically - even if some members of that community have privileges you don't. As Black journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones wrote in The New York Times magazine following the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile at the hands of the police in 2016, there's always the risk that "if stopped by the police, we may be stripped down to our most basic of elements, that one part of us that is a complete fiction: our race. And that fiction - the American crime of blackness - can turn a broken taillight into a death sentence."
And there is even more data to present to convince people that this privilege makes a difference in the outcome of our lives. White children who are born into poor families are more likely to accumulate wealth in adulthood than poor Black children, likely due in part to underrepresentation in top colleges and discrimination in hiring. And when they do get accepted into an elite university, as many Black people have detailed, white students are more likely to be characterized as having overcome adversity to earn their spot than fulfilling some quota.
That is white privilege, and it's the result of hundreds of years of systemic racism that can only be dismantled when white people acknowledge that we experience the world very differently than people of color. That important work starts at home.
I hate going into a workout with a full stomach, coffee included - which doesn't help the fact that an energizing boost of caffeine often fuels my best sweat sessions.
But, like many of my daily dilemmas, an episode of Shark Tank introduced me to a solution: Neuro Mints ($21) - breath mints that promote energy and focus. Although they aren't touted as a workout product, I was immediately compelled to call in a free sample for my cause.
The mints are advertised as FDA-compliant, vegan, gluten-free, aspartame-free, and sugar-free - plus, the brand is transparent about the product's natural green tea caffeine, L-theanine, B6, and B12 vitamin ingredients. Still, I checked in with Angie Asche, MS, RD, CSSD, a sports dietitian and the owner of Eleat Sports Nutrition, to make sure they were safe before including them in my fitness routine. I recommend you do the same with your doctor, too.
"One serving size (or one mint) provides 40 mg of caffeine, which should be completely safe pre-workout," Asche explained, as one mint equals about a half a cup of coffee.
With the OK from Asche, I popped one mint about 45-60 minutes before taking on some Pilates YouTube workouts. Asche recommended this timeline because that's when blood levels of caffeine peak post-consumption, offering the best results for exercise.
I'm naturally a low energy person, so I was excited to see how effective the mints were as I zoomed through a full-body Pilates session with ease - my vitality even lasted for about three hours after I rolled up my yoga mat.
Related: Here's How to Feel Energized - Not Destroyed - When You Work Out
Jitters, panting, anxiousness, a crash - I didn't feel any of it. But, my boyfriend (who, for the record, rarely consumes caffeine) claims he experienced some of those effects after testing one out himself. That's why it's important to note that these mints will impact every individual differently.
With that said, Asche warned that since some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others, it's important to avoid using Neuro Mints for the first time before a big race or game.
And while we are on the topic of Asche's concerns - she confirmed that although the serving size is safe for a workout, she doesn't recommend them for all athletes.
"Besides the caffeine content, which is at a safe level, this product also contains artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, which can lead to GI distress [like] diarrhea, bloating, and gas," Asche said.
For runners who are prone to bathroom breaks mid-race or who have IBS, she warned to avoid this product altogether - but that could also depend on your tolerance of sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners.
If you never skip your morning coffee or are known to ignore serving sizes, Asche suggested avoiding the mints, so you don't consume too much caffeine.
Neuro Mints aren't part of my daily workout routine, but I do keep them close by for when I can't get through squats without the interruption of a yawn - and, as you know, I'll be passing on coffee those days, too.
Jaleesa and Amber knew each other long before before they fell in love. The two grew up in small towns that were just 10 miles away, and they crossed paths countless times over the years with their overlapping interests, from church choir to basketball. The couple officially met when Amber was hosting an event through her nonprofit organization and Jaleesa attended to show her support. Soon after, Amber reached out to Jaleesa on Facebook and told her how beautiful she thought she was. "She claimed she was just letting me know, but she was running game lol," Jaleesa wrote in an email to POPSUGAR. Since then, the two have been inseparable.
"Marriage was [and] is important to both of us, and it was something we discussed at the very beginning," Jaleesa said. "One day as we were talking, we shared our Pinterest wedding inspiration and it was the same stuff!" While the pair agreed on the theme for their April 2019 wedding, which they described as rustic-vintage-bohemian, Jaleesa took on all the decor duties to save money, and the hard work (and late-night YouTube tutorials) paid off. From the wood signage to the circular ceremony arch and "foreva eva" cake topper, every detail came together beautifully. This is even more impressive considering they had a major change of plans just days before the big day.
The couple had originally planned to have an outdoor wedding in their backyard, but due to a last-minute change in weather, they had to find a new venue. Just three days before the ceremony, Jaleesa and Amber secured a charming farmhouse in Greenville, SC, which was the perfect outdoor setting for them to host their intimate group of wedding guests.
Jaleesa walked down the aisle in a romantic off-the-shoulder lace dress, while Amber rocked a stylish white suit jacket with burgundy pants. Before the wedding, Jaleesa gave Amber a small pin that she could wear inside her jacket. "The pin included photos of some of her dear family members whom she would have wanted to be there with us, and I wanted to be sure that they could be with her as she walked down the aisle," Jaleesa said.
During the ceremony, the couple's boys joined them at the altar and the family was able to embrace in a hug for a prayer. That, along with seeing Amber wearing the handmade pin, were the two most special parts of the wedding for Jaleesa. Don't miss out on seeing the sweet photos of these moments.
Jaleesa and Amber's dreamy wedding is filled with happy tears, big smiles, and stunning decor inspiration - see all of it, captured beautifully by photographer Amber Robinson, ahead!
In a world dominated by body standards that society deems acceptable, photographer Tara O'Meara wanted to shake things up, so she started doing boudoir photography. "My inspiration is empowering all women to embrace what makes them themselves," Tara told POPSUGAR. When she began doing boudoir photography, she really wanted everyone to simply unapologetically be themselves. "There is so much negativity in the world, and women are putting a ton of pressure on themselves. Too often we find ourselves trying to fit into a box of the perfect friend, wife, mother, instead of celebrating what makes us, well, us," Tara said.
"After my shoot I feel like I could conquer the world."
Tara's model for this shoot, Talyia, strongly agreed with Tara's views. "The purpose of the boudoir photo shoot to me is not to show how sexy you are to other people or to prove that you have to have minimal clothes on to be sexy," Talyia told POPSUGAR. "It is to empower you and show you how beautiful you are."
Talyia adds, "After my shoot I feel like I could conquer the world. It's not for your husband, not for your girlfriend, it's not for your partner. It's for you! To show how badass you truly are. And the pictures help remind you of it when some things get hard." Amen to that.
And no, sexy boudoir shoots aren't one-size-fits-all. "You don't have to be a size 2 and naked with a perfect body, you just be you. Be empowered by you, be loved by you," Talyia wrote in an Instagram post, and we could not agree more.
In fact, the shoot was such a success that Tara scheduled a second one with Talyia, this time incorporating honey, a popular "prop" in boudoir. Some of the most striking images include Talyia on a rattan peacock chair wearing a shimmery burnt orange dress and green necklace. She looks so fierce and confident - keep reading to see these two fantastic boudoir photo shoots.
In a world dominated by body standards that society deems acceptable, photographer Tara O'Meara wanted to shake things up, so she started doing boudoir photography. "My inspiration is empowering all women to embrace what makes them themselves," Tara told POPSUGAR. When she began doing boudoir photography, she really wanted everyone to simply unapologetically be themselves. "There is so much negativity in the world, and women are putting a ton of pressure on themselves. Too often we find ourselves trying to fit into a box of the perfect friend, wife, mother, instead of celebrating what makes us, well, us," Tara said.
"After my shoot I feel like I could conquer the world."
Tara's model for this shoot, Talyia, strongly agreed with Tara's views. "The purpose of the boudoir photo shoot to me is not to show how sexy you are to other people or to prove that you have to have minimal clothes on to be sexy," Talyia told POPSUGAR. "It is to empower you and show you how beautiful you are."
Talyia adds, "After my shoot I feel like I could conquer the world. It's not for your husband, not for your girlfriend, it's not for your partner. It's for you! To show how badass you truly are. And the pictures help remind you of it when some things get hard." Amen to that.
And no, sexy boudoir shoots aren't one-size-fits-all. "You don't have to be a size 2 and naked with a perfect body, you just be you. Be empowered by you, be loved by you," Talyia wrote in an Instagram post, and we could not agree more.
In fact, the shoot was such a success that Tara scheduled a second one with Talyia, this time incorporating honey, a popular "prop" in boudoir. Some of the most striking images include Talyia on a rattan peacock chair wearing a shimmery burnt orange dress and green necklace. She looks so fierce and confident - keep reading to see these two fantastic boudoir photo shoots.
In a world dominated by body standards that society deems acceptable, photographer Tara O'Meara wanted to shake things up, so she started doing boudoir photography. "My inspiration is empowering all women to embrace what makes them themselves," Tara told POPSUGAR. When she began doing boudoir photography, she really wanted everyone to simply unapologetically be themselves. "There is so much negativity in the world, and women are putting a ton of pressure on themselves. Too often we find ourselves trying to fit into a box of the perfect friend, wife, mother, instead of celebrating what makes us, well, us," Tara said.
"After my shoot I feel like I could conquer the world."
Tara's model for this shoot, Talyia, strongly agreed with Tara's views. "The purpose of the boudoir photo shoot to me is not to show how sexy you are to other people or to prove that you have to have minimal clothes on to be sexy," Talyia told POPSUGAR. "It is to empower you and show you how beautiful you are."
Talyia adds, "After my shoot I feel like I could conquer the world. It's not for your husband, not for your girlfriend, it's not for your partner. It's for you! To show how badass you truly are. And the pictures help remind you of it when some things get hard." Amen to that.
And no, sexy boudoir shoots aren't one-size-fits-all. "You don't have to be a size 2 and naked with a perfect body, you just be you. Be empowered by you, be loved by you," Talyia wrote in an Instagram post, and we could not agree more.
In fact, the shoot was such a success that Tara scheduled a second one with Talyia, this time incorporating honey, a popular "prop" in boudoir. Some of the most striking images include Talyia on a rattan peacock chair wearing a shimmery burnt orange dress and green necklace. She looks so fierce and confident - keep reading to see these two fantastic boudoir photo shoots.
In a moving video shared to his Instagram on Thursday, Good Morning America host Michael Strahan expressed his anger in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Michael spoke about his frustration from seeing no resolution or justice after having the same conversation over and over again about police brutality and racial inequality.
"It's very hard to understand as a Black man why the color of your skin makes people scared of you," the former NFL player said. "As a Black man in this country - a country that's supposed to be free, a country that's supposed to have your back, supposed to be your country . . . but not have the freedoms you're fighting for others to have, not having the respect you're fighting for others to have, but expected to give respect is the hardest part."
"What a way to meet me, by pulling me over for doing nothing."
Michael shared his own experience with the police, revealing that he was pulled over for no reason while driving just a week and a half prior. However, once the officer looked into the car and saw that it was Michael driving, he changed his tune. "He goes, 'Oh, Michael, I'm such a big fan. When I was a kid, I'd go trick-or-treating just to come by your house hoping to meet you," Michael explained. "What a way to meet me, by pulling me over for doing nothing." He emphasized that this was one of many times he had been noticed by officers in the past simply because of the color of his skin.
While Michael expressed his anger, he also said he was holding on to hope. He urged his followers to stop depending on others to change for them and instead focus on making changes themselves. "I hope my kids can grow up and be in a place that's better than the place we're in right now," he said. Watch the powerful video in full above, and find out what you can do to fight for racial justice and the end to police brutality.
In a moving video shared to his Instagram on Thursday, Good Morning America host Michael Strahan expressed his anger in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Michael spoke about his frustration from seeing no resolution or justice after having the same conversation over and over again about police brutality and racial inequality.
"It's very hard to understand as a Black man why the color of your skin makes people scared of you," the former NFL player said. "As a Black man in this country - a country that's supposed to be free, a country that's supposed to have your back, supposed to be your country . . . but not have the freedoms you're fighting for others to have, not having the respect you're fighting for others to have, but expected to give respect is the hardest part."
"What a way to meet me, by pulling me over for doing nothing."
Michael shared his own experience with the police, revealing that he was pulled over for no reason while driving just a week and a half prior. However, once the officer looked into the car and saw that it was Michael driving, he changed his tune. "He goes, 'Oh, Michael, I'm such a big fan. When I was a kid, I'd go trick-or-treating just to come by your house hoping to meet you," Michael explained. "What a way to meet me, by pulling me over for doing nothing." He emphasized that this was one of many times he had been noticed by officers in the past simply because of the color of his skin.
While Michael expressed his anger, he also said he was holding on to hope. He urged his followers to stop depending on others to change for them and instead focus on making changes themselves. "I hope my kids can grow up and be in a place that's better than the place we're in right now," he said. Watch the powerful video in full above, and find out what you can do to fight for racial justice and the end to police brutality.
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