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.

mardi 20 décembre 2016

23 Fashion Gifts For the Ultimate Kate Middleton Fan

There aren't many women who can compete with Kate Middleton when it comes to her sophisticated style. So who better to source for inspiration when it comes to holiday gifts? After all, you want the presents you give to be just as classic and memorable as the ones you receive.

One scroll through some of the duchess's strongest looks tells you she's got a wardrobe full of well-crafted pieces, most of which transcend what's "in fashion." Kate's tailored coats, sapphire jewels, and elegant dresses look just as lovely every time she wears them - even if it's years later.

Read on for 23 items that fit the bill, plenty of which come from Kate's favorite designers, feature her go-to patterns, and take the form of her go-to silhouettes. Even if your BFF, mom, or sister isn't as royally obsessed with Kate as you are, there's no doubt she'll love one of these timeless gifts.

TV Dinners: Make the Infamous Beef Wellington From Hell's Kitchen

20 Store-Bought Foods That You Can Easily Make From Scratch

Perhaps one of your culinary resolutions for this year is to make more things from scratch. If that is the case, we applaud you: making store-bought items from scratch is a great way to improve basic cooking techniques and understand what goes into the foods we know and love. Not only do you get to control what goes into your food this way, but the flavors are often fresher and bolder than their store-bought counterparts. Here are 20 homemade recipes that we think you should try.

At Least One of These 17 Pies Needs to Make It Onto Your Christmas Menu - Trust Us!

We're just going to say it: we wouldn't blame you if you decided to scratch your traditional Christmas plan of a juicy oven-baked turkey (or lechón) for a menu consisting only of the 17 pies ahead. We too have at some point regretted eating so much in the first and second courses of the night, leaving no space for dessert, but we're not making that mistake this year. We'll be tasting the dulce de leche pie and having a full slice of the coffee one, and we'll definitely pretend the pineapple pie is healthy, allowing us to have more of the brigadeiro kind. Please, join us!

Federal and provincial ministers play the percentages in health-care talks

Finance Ministers 20161219

On her way into what would prove to be another inconclusive meeting about Canadian medicare, Jane Philpott felt it necessary to remind everyone that this isn't about "percentages." "What's most important is the people," the health minister explained. But it is about the percentages: who pays and how much.

Federal and provincial ministers play the percentages in health-care talks

Finance Ministers 20161219

On her way into what would prove to be another inconclusive meeting about Canadian medicare, Jane Philpott felt it necessary to remind everyone that this isn't about "percentages." "What's most important is the people," the health minister explained. But it is about the percentages: who pays and how much.

Jessica Alba Shares the Gifts She Loves to Receive and Give During the Holiday Season

This holiday season, POPSUGAR Latina tapped some of our favorite celebrities to share the gifts they would like to receive or give.

If like us you've always dreamed about being a fly on the wall while Jessica Alba shopped, you'll be happy to hear that while we haven't figured out how to morph into a tiny insect, we did manage to find a different way to take a peek into her must haves for the season: we secured her holiday shopping list!

The actress and beauty entrepreneur, owner of The Honest Company, shared with us 10 presents she'll be buying, wrapping, and giving to friends and family who need to be pampered, love to be healthy, and enjoy the finer things in life. Ahead you'll find her picks and hear straight from Jessica on why she loves each and every single product. Get shopping, Jessica Alba style!

The New Year's Resolution Every Mom Needs to Make This Year

This is the time of year we all reflect on what was and what we want the future to be. We take stock of our successes and failures, we pledge to do better at work, get more involved in our communities, try harder to control our sugar cravings, and to get to the gym. The list of what we aren't doing well enough is, for most of us, endless. There is always more; there is rarely a crossed finish line.

This is especially true when you're a mom. Our reviews come not in the form of professional pats on the back or raised salaries. Our "bosses," a title that can feel both figurative and, many days, literal, regularly tell us we're the best one minute and the worst just moments later. And the stakes are oh so high. Our jobs are not about filing the correct reports or closing the next deal. They are about shaping lives, and not just any lives, but the lives of the people we love most in the whole world.

So, of course, it would be easy for a mom to make the same resolution every year: this year, I will be a better mom.

Nothing feels more important, yet it is a fool's errand. If you're reading this, you already are a better mom. You are thoughtful about your role. You are focused on being great for your children. You have sacrificed sleep and sanity and independence and probably your prebaby body for them, willingly. Are you perfect? Of course not. None of us are. But you are good enough, better than most.

So this year, make another resolution, one that's about you, not your children. Resolve to enjoy motherhood more.

Let me be clear: this has nothing to do with being more fun. It's not about sitting on the ground and playing Legos for hours, especially if you hate playing Legos. It doesn't mean you should immediately put on your coat and boots and make a snowman with your kids, unless being in the snow brings you joy. It certainly doesn't mean you need to take your kids to the pool every day next Summer, despite your mild allergy to the sun.

What it does mean: you should resolve to find the parts of being a mom that bring you the most happiness and vow to make them happen more. If you love reading to your child, then find time to do it every single day. If crafting or drawing or baking is your thing, then do it more. If watching movies on the couch under a blanket is your kind of fun, then stop feeling guilty about the screen time.

You should resolve to find the parts of being a mom that bring you the most happiness and vow to make them happen more.

The second part of the resolution involves cutting out some of the things you truly hate about motherhood. Of course, you can't eliminate changing diapers or dealing with midnight wake-ups and temper tantrums, but there are things in your control. If playing chauffeur to endless classes and practices is stealing your joy, realize that your kids don't need to be in every possible activity. They will still be successful adults. If constantly hosting play dates is driving you crazy, cut back. Your kids will still have friends. If you simply feel overwhelmed, then find a way (a gym, a Mom's day out program, an affordable babysitter) to get away more frequently . . . even if it's just so you can go to Target by yourself.

Realize that your satisfaction is just as important as your children's. In reality, your happiness affects theirs just as much as their joy fuels yours. It is a codependent situation, despite how often we moms feel like we're giving without getting much back.

So make this the year that you embrace the truth, the one that has always been lying close beneath the surface of our lives as mothers, filled with the daily struggle of making lunches and doing homework, picking up toys, and folding laundry. Your happiness matters. You must make it a priority. Doing so benefits everyone, including your children.

These Fancy-Schmancy Party Dresses Will Put You in the Holiday Mood

So, you got invited to one of those fancy holiday parties where you'll need a really great dress. You're looking for something that feels sophisticated but sexy: perhaps a silk slip with a ruffle here or a lace panel there. If you've graduated from casual get-togethers to soirées, we're at your service from Thanksgiving to New Year's.

Read on to shop luxe-looking pieces at a range of price points. You'll definitely fall in love with some of the silhouettes ahead that cost a pretty penny. But hey, think of the investment as an early gift to yourself. There's no denying you'll get plenty of wear out of any of these floor-sweeping gowns, evening-appropriate minis, and lavish jumpsuits.

People Are Losing Their Damn Minds Trying to Find the Panda in This Photo

Remember the insane feelings you felt trying to figure out whether the dress was black and blue or white and gold? Prepare yourself for something similar - trying to find a panda in a sea of snowmen in this puzzle.

Hungarian-based artist Gergely Dudás, or Dudolf, created this puzzle that's going viral and driving the Internet completely crazy. He first shared it on Facebook on Dec. 16, and since then, the post has been shared more than 100,000 times, with over 25,000 comments and 70,000 likes. Check it out:

There's a panda amongst them!
Can you find it?

Posted by Dudolf on Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Several of the comments are people either boasting how quickly they found it or how long it's taken them . . . only to still not be able to find it.


If that was easy enough for you, try finding the cat within all the owls in another puzzle by Dudás.
Still can't find it? Here you go:

This Technique Will Make All Your Selfies Supersexy

Have you heard of squinching? Up until we read Who What Wear's exposé, neither had we - but trust us, once you see it, you'll recognize it! (Full disclosure: we initially thought it was some kind of cleaning product.) Portrait photographer Peter Hurley invented and coined the term for the revolutionary technique, and it's the easiest way to make any selfie worthy of profile-picture status. Celebrities (especially sexy dudes) do this all the time on the red carpet.

Squinching is a portmanteau of squinting and pinching, which is what you should apparently be doing with your eyes in every photo. According to Hurley, having wide eyes in an image makes you look afraid or uncertain. Squinching is the key to looking confident! "Narrow the distance between your lower eyelid and your pupil," advised Hurley, "bringing the top lid down just a touch." Still not convinced? A few real people took some before-and-after shots to prove the technique's power for ourselves.

11 Holiday Cookies That'll Make You the Most Popular Person at Work

Embrace the giving spirit of the season and surprise your co-workers with a sweet treat. Everyone enjoys an extra cookie or two over the holidays; here are 11 ideas to inspire your baking adventures. You'll likely become the most popular person in the office.

- Additional reporting by Camilla Salem

Baking Basics: 10 Tips For Beginner Bakers

Every baker must begin somewhere, yet the calculated science behind baking is not always simple and intuitive for some, especially cooks who prefer to improvise in the kitchen instead of following a recipe verbatim. If you're new to baking or have had rough (aka messy or burned) experiences in the past, here are 10 tips every beginner baker should peruse before firing up the stove.

9 Christmas Dessert Table Ideas For Kids

Let's get this party started! The holidays are always fun, but don't you think they're more fun now that you have kids? Shinning lights look a little brighter through the eyes of a child, and mama's gonna do everything she can to make her tot's eyes sparkle just a little bit brighter this season.

Dessert tables are all the rage for parties these days, so why not set up one in your home for your next holiday family gathering? Kids, both big and small, will love them! Check out these 9 sweet tables for some sweet inspiration.

38 Holiday Style Tips From Kate Middleton and the Rest of the Royals

It seems like every year, right around the start of Winter, we begin to source the royals for all our style inspiration. There's something about their glittering, glamorous dresses and the way they coordinate color that feels festive, just in time for the holidays. Why just admire Kate Middleton, Crown Princess Victoria, Queen Letizia, and the rest of this regal bunch from afar when we can try their looks out for ourselves when we attend our holiday parties?

These ladies know how to work a red carpet, playing up their eye-catching dresses with jewels that add just the right amount of glow. They choose bold silhouettes that are ladylike but often subtly sexy - a look we aim for when we go out.

Read on for 38 fashionable ensembles our favorite royals have worn, all of which are totally appropriate for the swanky soirées you might attend to ring in the New Year. Here's fair warning: you're going to be the center of attention.

Treat Yourself (and Loved Ones) to Vanilla Hot Chocolate Mix

Unfollow a Friend on Facebook Without Them Knowing

I know you know what I'm talking about. Everyone has one, that Facebook friend who will not stop with the constant stream of Facebook status updates. Maybe you accepted a friend request from a girl you knew in high school to be nice, only to be bombarded about her child's every giggle, coo, and poop. Or there's the friend who's bored at work and needs to let you know whenever he desires a soy latte.

Creating groups is one way to keep updates from showing up in your news feed, but my best friends for sanity on Facebook are the "Hide" and "Unfollow" buttons. To use them, just hover over the chatty offender's status update. Click the arrow on the top right corner, and you can choose to hide that particular story or unfollow from their updates altogether.

If you long for more options (of course you do), click through the gallery to find out how to selectively unsubscribe from certain kinds of updates, like those from pages.

20+ Rudimentary Recipes Every 20-Something Should Know How to Make

Who says you can't start resolutions before the year is over? We've compiled a list of 51 foodie resolutions to check off, including this compilation of beginner-friendly recipes to master.

Regardless of your skill level at the stove, it never hurts to go back to basics and focus on rudimentary recipes that are the building blocks for so many other dishes. These aren't too complicated or expensive, and once you master them, we reassure you that you'll use them over and over again. Here are fundamental dishes that every home chef should know how to make.

- Additional reporting by Anna Monette Roberts

There's Only 1 Word to Describe These Stylist-Approved New Year's Eve Looks - Stunning!

Can you believe another year has come and gone? This year had its happy and tough moments, and although I'm sad to see it go, I'm also incredibly excited for 2017. The night of Dec. 31 will be as fashion-filled as every other year, and I have eight great outfits to get you ready to take on the next 12 months.

Stylist Irma Martinez, who has worked with celebrities like Thalia, Sofia Vergara, Daisy Fuentes, and Eva Longoria, shares her most useful fashion secrets with POPSUGAR Latina. Find her book El Manual del Estilista on Amazon.

44 Completely Rational Reasons My 3-Year-Old Tantrumed Today

We all have rough days, but 44 tantrums in one day is a new record. From our friends at Babyology, read about the hilarious and rational problems that were worth crying about for this 3-year-old!

Have a threenager at home? Please, pull up a chair, pour a glass of wine, and enjoy these completely reasonable reasons my 3-year-old daughter cracked it today. Yes . . . all of these outbursts happened in a 24-hour period. I wish I was making this up.

My daughter's favorite pastime these days is to yell at me. Today, rather than simply struggle through the daily tantrums and tears, I decided to track them. Every time my daughter whined, cried, screamed, kicked, or lay on the floor with her feet in the air, I wrote it down.

My daughter discovered 44 problems worth crying about. And almost half of them occurred before 9 a.m.

  1. She wanted to wear her Elsa shirt (which is in the dirty clothes pile).
  2. She put her underwear on backwards.
  3. I put the wrong episode of Strawberry Shortcake on.
  4. I didn't get her breakfast quickly enough.
  5. She didn't want cereal. She wanted oats.
  6. I gave her the wrong bowl for her oats. She wanted the bowl that her uneaten cereal was in.
  7. She spilled oats on her knee.
  8. She wanted the small spoon.
  9. I gave her the yellow blanket instead of the pink blanket.
  10. She wanted to wear her Elsa dress instead of her Elsa shirt.
  11. It's not her birthday today.
  12. Her seat belt felt funny.
  13. Her brother looked at her in the car.
  14. The cat wouldn't let her pick him up by the tail.
  15. She couldn't open the wrapper to her muesli bar.
  16. I opened the wrapper to her muesli bar too much.
  17. Her muesli bar broke in two.
  18. When coloring in, I used the wrong color of blue for Cinderella's dress.
  19. I sat on her imaginary friend.
  20. She put her shoes on the wrong feet.
  21. Peppa Pig ended.
  22. I cut her sandwich into triangles.
  23. I cut her second sandwich into squares.
  24. I wouldn't let her play in the car.
  25. I suggested we take a nap.
  26. She dropped her hat on the road.
  27. I didn't let her answer the phone.
  28. I sat on the wrong side of the couch.
  29. It started to rain.
  30. I had to cook dinner.
  31. Her brother talked to her.
  32. She spilled her water.
  33. I used the red towel to clean it up. I should have used the pink one.
  34. I had a shower without her.
  35. I helped her brother with his homework.
  36. She lost her doll's pink shoe.
  37. I asked her to take a bath.
  38. I asked her to get out of the bath.
  39. The towel felt itchy.
  40. Her brother got his pajamas on quicker than she did.
  41. I turned the page of her bedtime story incorrectly.
  42. Teddy fell off the bed.
  43. I didn't tickle her arm properly.
  44. I yawned.

The next time your toddler screams the house down because you didn't cut his sandwich right, just remember, there is a whole world of moms and dads out there, cutting the crusts off their triangle sandwiches and silently cursing the skies for this difficult stage in parenting.

Please, share the completely illogical reasons your toddler lost it today so I can revel in the fact I am not alone.

And let's prepare to do it all over again tomorrow. Because even the worst of tantrums can be erased with a simple cuddle, kiss, and "I love you, Mommy."

Master This Basic, Butter-Rich Pie Crust Recipe

These Eye Shadow Palettes Are Too Beautiful to Use, but Just the Right Amount of Pretty to Give

You know that friend of yours who is obsessed with makeup? Yes, that one - the one who watches hours on end of YouTube tutorials. We have the perfect presents for you to give her (or him!) and leave her seriously impressed. These 15 palettes offer a wide array of eye shadow shades (from colorful and highly pigmented to work appropriate) and are, simply put, beautiful. But most importantly - for you at least - they're all under $100. Keep scrolling to see our picks.

12 Moments That Prove Chrissy Teigen Was 2016's Most Badass Anti Mom-Shamer

Since the birth of her daughter, Luna, in April of this year, Chrissy Teigen has swiftly become one of our absolute favorite celebrity moms. Between her no-BS attitude, dry sense of humor, and unshakeable confidence, we haven't been able to get enough of her, but she has certainly had enough of a certain type of internet troll: the mommy-shamer.

Even before Luna was born, Chrissy dealt with critics throughout her pregnancy, but once her little bundle arrived, it only got worse. Being in the public eye and having your every move watched can't be easy, but Chrissy has handled the attention and shamers like a total pro. Although we would love to see an end to mom-shaming in 2017, we'd be pretty lost without Chrissy's badass retorts.

Read through for 12 incredible times Chrissy completely shut down mommy-shamers in 2016.

16 Weight-Loss Techniques That Work

You're like a little train, slowly but strongly chugging along on your track of weight loss. You've figured out by now that it's not one major thing that works - you find success by implementing a lot of small choices. If you could use some new healthy techniques, give these a try. Hopefully they'll help you to reach your weight-loss goals even faster.

16 Weight-Loss Techniques That Work

You're like a little train, slowly but strongly chugging along on your track of weight loss. You've figured out by now that it's not one major thing that works - you find success by implementing a lot of small choices. If you could use some new healthy techniques, give these a try. Hopefully they'll help you to reach your weight-loss goals even faster.

Inspire Your Fit Friend With These 30 Motivational Quote Gifts

When it comes to staying fit and active, sometimes finding motivation is half the battle! If you're looking for the ideal gift for your awesome fit friend, we've got some words for you - say all the right things with inspirational messaging on yoga mats, sporty tanks, and posters for their room, gym, or home office.

Inspire Your Fit Friend With These 30 Motivational Quote Gifts

When it comes to staying fit and active, sometimes finding motivation is half the battle! If you're looking for the ideal gift for your awesome fit friend, we've got some words for you - say all the right things with inspirational messaging on yoga mats, sporty tanks, and posters for their room, gym, or home office.

3 Ways Breakfast Can Help You Lose Weight

Some people think skipping breakfast is a great weight-loss tactic. The logic being that they're cutting calories out of their daily intake; unfortunately, it doesn't work out that way. Most people will make up for the calories later on in the day. Eating a meal in the morning can actually help you reach your weight-loss goal, and here are three reasons why.

  1. Breakfast jump-starts your metabolism: If you skip the first meal of the day, your metabolism actually slows down to conserve energy. Studies show that those who eat breakfast regularly lose weight, keep it off, and are less likely to be overweight. Breakfast eaters also more likely to exercise regularly. So be sure you eat breakfast, and enjoy it within an hour after waking up.
  1. Protein reduces cravings for sweets: The high amount of protein in popular breakfast choices such as Greek yogurt, whole grains, and eggs will give you energy, so you'll be less likely to reach for sugary, high-calorie pick-me-ups like pastries and specialty coffee drinks.
  2. Fiber satiates hunger and flattens your belly: Cereal, made from whole grains, and fresh fruit are both great breakfast choices because they're high in fiber. Fiber not only keeps you feeling full longer so you're less apt to feel snacky between meals, it also reduces the bloating associated with constipation, which makes your tummy appear flatter.

3 Ways Breakfast Can Help You Lose Weight

Some people think skipping breakfast is a great weight-loss tactic. The logic being that they're cutting calories out of their daily intake; unfortunately, it doesn't work out that way. Most people will make up for the calories later on in the day. Eating a meal in the morning can actually help you reach your weight-loss goal, and here are three reasons why.

  1. Breakfast jump-starts your metabolism: If you skip the first meal of the day, your metabolism actually slows down to conserve energy. Studies show that those who eat breakfast regularly lose weight, keep it off, and are less likely to be overweight. Breakfast eaters also more likely to exercise regularly. So be sure you eat breakfast, and enjoy it within an hour after waking up.
  1. Protein reduces cravings for sweets: The high amount of protein in popular breakfast choices such as Greek yogurt, whole grains, and eggs will give you energy, so you'll be less likely to reach for sugary, high-calorie pick-me-ups like pastries and specialty coffee drinks.
  2. Fiber satiates hunger and flattens your belly: Cereal, made from whole grains, and fresh fruit are both great breakfast choices because they're high in fiber. Fiber not only keeps you feeling full longer so you're less apt to feel snacky between meals, it also reduces the bloating associated with constipation, which makes your tummy appear flatter.

10 Ways to Update Your Winter Beauty Look on a Tight Budget

The drastic drop in temperature come January requires a beauty arsenal reboot (can you say polar vortex?). We're trading our silky lotions for creamy body butters, astringent toners for hydrating facial essences, lip glosses for matte lipsticks, and so on. But that doesn't mean we're blowing a whole paycheck on updating our makeup bag, though. We've found 10 Winter essentials that don't cost more than $10 - and trust us, they look chic, not cheap. Click through to discover your new beauty obsessions.

20 Organizational Things to Do Around the Kitchen This January

Consider this your official kitchen-cleaning checklist for 2017. If your mantra for the New Year is something along the lines of "new year, new me, fresh start," your kitchen is the perfect place to start. All of these small improvements - like cleaning your oven and purging your fridge of old condiments - add up to make a big difference. Your kitchen will become a happier (and much cleaner) place as you check off each of the following tasks you can do around the kitchen next month.

Why Are There No Plus-Size Women on America's Next Top Model?

In 23 cycles of the show, only one plus-size model has won.

3 Ways to Make Healthy, Nutrient-Filled Popcorn at Home

Sofia Vergara's Sexy Dance Moves Were the Best Moment of This Year's Award Season - Hands Down!

Pitbull brought all the high-energy Latin flavor to the 2016 Grammy Awards stage in February. Mr. Worldwide - who won his first Grammy ever for his Spanish-language album Dale in a tie with Natalia Lafourcade - made Latinos everywhere proud with his sexy show-closing performance, featuring his hit "El Taxi" and single with Travis Barker, Joe Perry, and Robin Thicke, "Bad Man."

Oh, and did we mention Sofia Vergara was there? On stage? Dancing? Because she was and it was the best moment of award season without a question. The Colombian-born Modern Family actress slipped out of an el taxi prop as Pitbull mentioned her name on his song and started shaking her hips in a short and sparkly gold dress. We're really not sure how anyone stayed seated at the Staples Center after that. Watch it all go down above - it's literally a performance you have to see over and over to believe.

70 Gifts For the Cat-Lover in Your Life - All Under $25

Everyone knows a cat lady, I bet. And if you don't, I volunteer to be the cat lady in your life. And I have hand-selected all of the cat-lover gifts in this gallery as the perfect picks for this holiday season. There's a little something for any cat fan out there, and what makes it even better is that everything here is $25 or less. So let's get shopping!

Try This 2017 Healthy Self-Care Challenge

Reduce stress and live a healthier life this year by making your New Year's resolution about self-care. With simple, practical indulgences, you'll find outlets to balance the stresses of your day to day and give yourself the mental strength to take on more challenges in 2017. And it's not selfish - when you feel better and take better care of yourself, you're able to give more to others, too. Get after bigger and better goals in the coming months by taking care of number one with some much needed TLC.

  1. Get at least one massage (more if you can!).
  2. Try a restorative yoga practice.
  3. Start using and diffusing essential oils; try lavender, eucalyptus, rose, and more.
  4. Gratitude journal several times throughout the month to remind yourself of what you're grateful for.
  5. Find an awesome therapist, and commit to regular sessions.
  6. Spend more time alone, on your own schedule, with no one telling you what to do.
  7. Plan a vacation with your best friend - even if it's a weekend staycation!
  8. Try acupuncture, reiki, or another natural healing practice.
  9. Spend at least one day a month this year doing an outdoor activity, like forest bathing or grounding.
  10. Find a healthy smoothie or salad recipe that you absolutely love, and make it at least once a month.
  11. Get at least eight hours of sleep a night, especially on weeknights.
  12. Commit to going on a walk daily, even if it's only five minutes of fresh air outside to clear your head.

14 Gifts For Anyone Who Likes Dogs More Than People

We all know the type - those people who like dogs way more than other people - and we understand. Dogs love unconditionally and don't judge us when all we want to do is stay in and drink wine and watch Netflix. They just join us for the fun. If you have one of those people in your life, they are sure to appreciate any one of these dog-centric gift options.

Try This 2017 Healthy Self-Care Challenge

Reduce stress and live a healthier life this year by making your New Year's resolution about self-care. With simple, practical indulgences, you'll find outlets to balance the stresses of your day to day and give yourself the mental strength to take on more challenges in 2017. And it's not selfish - when you feel better and take better care of yourself, you're able to give more to others, too. Get after bigger and better goals in the coming months by taking care of number one with some much needed TLC.

  1. Get at least one massage (more if you can!).
  2. Try a restorative yoga practice.
  3. Start using and diffusing essential oils; try lavender, eucalyptus, rose, and more.
  4. Gratitude journal several times throughout the month to remind yourself of what you're grateful for.
  5. Find an awesome therapist, and commit to regular sessions.
  6. Spend more time alone, on your own schedule, with no one telling you what to do.
  7. Plan a vacation with your best friend - even if it's a weekend staycation!
  8. Try acupuncture, reiki, or another natural healing practice.
  9. Spend at least one day a month this year doing an outdoor activity, like forest bathing or grounding.
  10. Find a healthy smoothie or salad recipe that you absolutely love, and make it at least once a month.
  11. Get at least eight hours of sleep a night, especially on weeknights.
  12. Commit to going on a walk daily, even if it's only five minutes of fresh air outside to clear your head.

5 Ways to Keep the Spark Alive in Your Long-Term Relationship





Image Source: Thalia

Singer, actress, fashion designer, entrepreneur, writer, and mom of two Thalia shares her parenting, lifestyle, fashion, and beauty tips as POPSUGAR Latina's contributor.

Being married or in a long-term relationship is a blessing, but it is not easy. It requires work, effort, lots of patience, and infinite understanding to succeed. If it were too easy, where would the excitement be? After a good number of years together, some couples start becoming more friends and less lovers, and some drift apart due to conflicting work schedules and separate interests. But there are things we can do to make it better, to work on keeping the spark alive! Here are five tactics I like.

Respect each other.

First and foremost, we have to understand that people in a marriage, long-term relationship, etc. need to respect each other's individuality. It is not about wanting to change your partner and telling them what to do and what not to do. It is about accepting the other person exactly as he or she is. Remember why you got together in the first place and the qualities that attracted you to your partner. I still cherish the moment I met my husband. We were on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. The qualities that attracted me to him that day are still the main reason why I love him so much today.

Image Source: Thalia

Develop a joint plan and make memories together.

Maybe both of you would like to renovate the house? You are eager to start a new yard project or try every single restaurant to find the best burger in your city? Recruit your partner! Be creative and enthusiastic about it! Share ideas and find common ground. By helping each other, and planning projects together, you become closer as a couple and you end up spending quality time together. There are so many ways to achieve this! You can also plan a trip, exercise to lose some weight together and support each other, or go rock climbing! The important thing is to make it fun and enjoy each other's company.

Remember to have your own time to do the things you like.

I have talked about having "me time" before, and it also applies to this one. We all have friends we like to see, hobbies, interests, and personal appointments we like to do and take care of on our time. It is important to find a balance in a relationship, and this includes being happy with yourself. For example, I like to get together with my girlfriends for lunch or meet them for dinner and a play in NYC. Seeing my friends makes me happy, and my husband is the same way. If you are both communicating and agreeing on your activities outside the relationship, and you are committed, and respectful of your partner's feelings and needs, it should work out.

Image Source: Thalia

Write a joint bucket list.

My husband and I have our own bucket lists, but we have decided to find items from them that we can do together. In my case, I am much more of an outdoor explorer and extreme-sport enthusiast, but he is not. Therefore, we have discussed trips and activities that we would both enjoy, and those include traveling through Cambodia, spending a whole month at a beautiful beach town fishing and relaxing, and visiting Machu Picchu in Peru, among others. If you both review your lists and interests together, you will see that a great adventure is just around the corner!

Keep the flame of love alive.

Even though it sounds like a total cliché, don't dismiss it yet. This is of utmost importance! Without love for each other, there is no relationship left. My motto is "small details go a long way." Leave a sweet note on your partner's desk or inside his/her pockets or bag. Text a simple, loving note at a random point during the day. Those things work. Many times, people lose perspective and forget why they got married in the first place. And even though in some relationships, passion may dwindle, if there is still love, there is a base to continue being happy. Show you care; show you want to be close.

Sitting down to watch a TV show or a movie together is a good opportunity to be close and feel each other's warmth. I love it when my husband softly scratches my back, massages my shoulders, or when we simply hold hands. That physical contact can be so powerful! It is important in order to create and maintain a lasting connection. Endorphins will get high and brain chemistry will allow you to feel the love.

These are some of the reasons why I love doing what I call Hug Therapy ("Terapia de Abrazos") on my social media accounts on Saturdays. It encourages loving each other. I am not an expert on love and relationships, but if I can help one person succeed in a long-term relationship, I will be extremely happy. It is great to feel loved and to give love, and I would like for you to experience that, too. I am a hopeless romantic - what can I say?

Image Source: Thalia

Related:

'Huge gap' between mental health needs and funding, expert says after health deal fails

hi-depression-872-istock

A failure to reach a deal on health-care funding has sparked a renewed call by some experts and advocates to boost funding for mental health, with one psychologist saying there's a "huge gap between the burden of illness and how much we're investing."

'Huge gap' between mental health needs and funding, expert says after health deal fails

hi-depression-872-istock

A failure to reach a deal on health-care funding has sparked a renewed call by some experts and advocates to boost funding for mental health, with one psychologist saying there's a "huge gap between the burden of illness and how much we're investing."

This Is What It's Really Like on the Ground at a Competitive Dog Show

The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin took place this month in Orlando, FL, and more than 5,000 dogs descended upon the Central Florida city to compete for the ultimate title of best in show. In covering dog shows I've above all learned one thing: they're all pretty much the same. In each show, hundreds of perfect dogs are judged on their conformation, or how well they represent the breed to carry on the bloodline. A winner is selected from each of the breeds to then move onto the group judging. This is often the part seen on TV. Judges pick a winner from each group and then those winners compete for best in show. Here's one thing people maybe don't realize: the dogs aren't necessarily being judged against each other. They're all being judged against the breed. So while a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever both compete in the Sporting group, the judge is comparing each breed against what is considered conformation for that specific breed. The same process goes for best in show.

But what you see on TV when you tune in (Jan. 23 on Hallmark for the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin) isn't the whole story. It's condensed and edited and while still enjoyable, it's just not everything. I, however, have gotten to see everything, and while the magic of television makes it go faster, it's nothing compared to getting up close and personal with these pups on show days. Keep reading to see a few behind-the-scenes tidbits of this weekend's show, and tune in to watch the telecast on Jan. 23. Or, if you're OK with spoilers, you can find out all the winners here.

Heat Up Your Holidays With a Britney Spears Dance From The Fitness Marshall

Burn calories and work your booty to this crazy-fun and sexy dance from The Fitness Marshall, our favorite YouTube dance trainer. The latest and greatest hit from Britney Spears, "Slumber Party," is equal parts fun and fierce, and you're going to burn some serious calories, all while having a great time.

Heat Up Your Holidays With a Britney Spears Dance From The Fitness Marshall

Burn calories and work your booty to this crazy-fun and sexy dance from The Fitness Marshall, our favorite YouTube dance trainer. The latest and greatest hit from Britney Spears, "Slumber Party," is equal parts fun and fierce, and you're going to burn some serious calories, all while having a great time.

24 Times Selena Gomez's Sexy Hair Sent Us Straight to the Hair Salon

You are not the only one who swoons over Selena Gomez's hair - she has a Pantene contract to prove that - or immediately books a salon appointment when she steps out on the red carpet wearing an elaborate updo or with a new hair color and cut. We too pay close attention to her every braid, blowout, and bun, which is why we've been keeping track of her sexiest hairstyles through the years. We're talking disheveled bedhead styles, voluminous waves, and even embellished buns worthy of their own Pinterest board. Check them out straight ahead.

9 Things to Cut Out in 2017 to Be Healthy

It's time for New Year's resolutions, and we know many of you are planning on cutting back on the unhealthy things in your life. But that doesn't always mean junk food or sweets - we've got some habits that might be holding you back from your healthy goals that you should definitely consider eliminating this year.

Here's what we're cutting out in 2017 to have our healthiest year yet.

  1. Negative self talk: Stop being mean to yourself. Just stop. You are enough! You ARE strong! You're capable. Start giving yourself more compliments, and make this year about no negative self-talk - ever. The more you berate and degrade yourself, the harder your year will be; you'll also have a much harder time reaching your healthy goals.
  2. Your scale: Look - quantifiable goals are great, but the scale can be an evil enemy, and doctors agree! If you've been obsessed with the scale and every decimal point on your weight, it's time for that thing to go. In the trash. Forever. Remember that a number on a scale doesn't reflect the hard work you're putting in, and the numbers absolutely do not define you.
  3. Workouts you hate: Not everyone likes running, and that's OK. Forcing yourself into a workout that you hate definitely won't encourage you to keep working out. There are alternatives to running - and so many other kinds of cardio exercises. If you hate bootcamp classes, try barre. Hate barre? Stop doing it! Try yoga. If something's not working, try a new studio or new instructor. Keep going until you find something that clicks, but absolutely do not keep going to a class or attempting a workout you don't like.
  4. Exercising to "fix" or change a part of your body: Working out because you "hate" your body is the worst thing you can do. Exercise makes you feel good - it celebrates your body, makes you feel empowered, and sends a rush of feel-good endorphins through your body. Working out will boost your energy, improve your health, and can change your mood for the better, alongside so many other benefits. Celebrate your body, don't try to "fix" it.
  5. Kale (or that one food you just can't stand): A lot of you hate kale. So stop forcing it! You don't need kale to be healthy! Maybe it's not kale, but it's another healthy food you've been forcing yourself to eat under the pretense that it's healthy, and you "need it" to be healthy yourself. This just isn't true, and if your diet consists of things you don't love, you're not going to stay on that diet for very long. For a more sustainable diet, experiment more with other healthy foods to find out what you do love. You'll be eating healthier all the time!
  6. Perfectionism: Striving for a goal is great; striving for perfection is unhealthy. Giving yourself unrealistic or unattainable goals is detrimental to your mental and your physical health. That desire for perfectionism can often be a defense mechanism, when you're either consciously or subconsciously protecting yourself from the judgment of others. Focus that energy on progress, not perfection, and you'll have a much better year.
  7. Calorie counting: This year, stop obsessing over calories - especially if it has created a negative relationship with food. Food is fuel, and we need calories to have strong muscles, bones, and a functioning body! There are so many ways to track your food and eat healthy without calorie counting. If you need the data and numbers to stay in control of your healthy eating, try looking into counting macros - you'll have a healthy balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates each day.
  8. Stress: Whether you have clinical anxiety or you've been stressing way too much in 2016, your compromised mental health can have a seriously negative impact on your health. Stress can cause weight gain, bloating, physical pain, skin problems, and more. Quite a setback for your healthiest year yet, right? To relax and cut out stress in 2017, get yourself a great therapist, or try a self-care practice like diffusing essential oils.
  9. Everything that is holding you back: What is keeping you from being your best self and living your best life? Is it an unhealthy relationship, a terrible job that drains you of your energy, or a deep-seated fear? Let. It. Go. Cut the people out who don't support you. Say goodbye to work that doesn't make you feel good - or worse, makes you feel bad. Remove unnecessary obligations that keep you from reaching your physical, mental, and personal goals. This is YOUR time! Replace these things with activities that help you reach your goals, a job that fosters your creativity and empowers you, and relationships with people who build you up.

9 Things to Cut Out in 2017 to Be Healthy

It's time for New Year's resolutions, and we know many of you are planning on cutting back on the unhealthy things in your life. But that doesn't always mean junk food or sweets - we've got some habits that might be holding you back from your healthy goals that you should definitely consider eliminating this year.

Here's what we're cutting out in 2017 to have our healthiest year yet.

  1. Negative self talk: Stop being mean to yourself. Just stop. You are enough! You ARE strong! You're capable. Start giving yourself more compliments, and make this year about no negative self-talk - ever. The more you berate and degrade yourself, the harder your year will be; you'll also have a much harder time reaching your healthy goals.
  2. Your scale: Look - quantifiable goals are great, but the scale can be an evil enemy, and doctors agree! If you've been obsessed with the scale and every decimal point on your weight, it's time for that thing to go. In the trash. Forever. Remember that a number on a scale doesn't reflect the hard work you're putting in, and the numbers absolutely do not define you.
  3. Workouts you hate: Not everyone likes running, and that's OK. Forcing yourself into a workout that you hate definitely won't encourage you to keep working out. There are alternatives to running - and so many other kinds of cardio exercises. If you hate bootcamp classes, try barre. Hate barre? Stop doing it! Try yoga. If something's not working, try a new studio or new instructor. Keep going until you find something that clicks, but absolutely do not keep going to a class or attempting a workout you don't like.
  4. Exercising to "fix" or change a part of your body: Working out because you "hate" your body is the worst thing you can do. Exercise makes you feel good - it celebrates your body, makes you feel empowered, and sends a rush of feel-good endorphins through your body. Working out will boost your energy, improve your health, and can change your mood for the better, alongside so many other benefits. Celebrate your body, don't try to "fix" it.
  5. Kale (or that one food you just can't stand): A lot of you hate kale. So stop forcing it! You don't need kale to be healthy! Maybe it's not kale, but it's another healthy food you've been forcing yourself to eat under the pretense that it's healthy, and you "need it" to be healthy yourself. This just isn't true, and if your diet consists of things you don't love, you're not going to stay on that diet for very long. For a more sustainable diet, experiment more with other healthy foods to find out what you do love. You'll be eating healthier all the time!
  6. Perfectionism: Striving for a goal is great; striving for perfection is unhealthy. Giving yourself unrealistic or unattainable goals is detrimental to your mental and your physical health. That desire for perfectionism can often be a defense mechanism, when you're either consciously or subconsciously protecting yourself from the judgment of others. Focus that energy on progress, not perfection, and you'll have a much better year.
  7. Calorie counting: This year, stop obsessing over calories - especially if it has created a negative relationship with food. Food is fuel, and we need calories to have strong muscles, bones, and a functioning body! There are so many ways to track your food and eat healthy without calorie counting. If you need the data and numbers to stay in control of your healthy eating, try looking into counting macros - you'll have a healthy balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates each day.
  8. Stress: Whether you have clinical anxiety or you've been stressing way too much in 2016, your compromised mental health can have a seriously negative impact on your health. Stress can cause weight gain, bloating, physical pain, skin problems, and more. Quite a setback for your healthiest year yet, right? To relax and cut out stress in 2017, get yourself a great therapist, or try a self-care practice like diffusing essential oils.
  9. Everything that is holding you back: What is keeping you from being your best self and living your best life? Is it an unhealthy relationship, a terrible job that drains you of your energy, or a deep-seated fear? Let. It. Go. Cut the people out who don't support you. Say goodbye to work that doesn't make you feel good - or worse, makes you feel bad. Remove unnecessary obligations that keep you from reaching your physical, mental, and personal goals. This is YOUR time! Replace these things with activities that help you reach your goals, a job that fosters your creativity and empowers you, and relationships with people who build you up.

If You Want to Lose Weight, Here's Why You Should Try Matcha

Ready to take your morning caffeine habit to the next level? It may be time to replace your loose leaves or cup of coffee with matcha. A powdered form of steamed and dried green tea leaves that has been used in Japanese tea ceremonies for centuries, matcha tastes like a grassier, brighter version of the regular stuff. Think of it as the "healthy espresso of green tea," say David Mandelbaum and Jessica Lloyd, owners of matcha purveyor Panatea. So just how healthy is the green powder? A study found that one serving of matcha has 137 times more disease-fighting polyphenols, called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), than a brewed mug of conventional China Green Tips - the equivalent of up to 10 cups of regular green tea! With such an antioxidant punch, it's no wonder that matcha just may be the new superfood. Read on for why it could just be a miracle in a mug.

Weight-loss concentrate: EGCG has been shown in some lab studies to boost metabolism, and other research has shown that EGCG may help stop the growth of new fat cells. While more studies are still needed to confirm results in humans, add to this the fact that drinking green tea instead of sugary drinks can help you save calories, and opting for a healthy matcha-based drink (like this lower-calorie version of Starbucks's green tea latte) may just be a wise weight-loss decision.

Disease-fighter: The concentrated levels of antioxidants in matcha are hard to beat, especially considering catechins in green tea have been shown to have cancer-preventing as well as immunity-boosting effects, including helping prevent high-risk health workers from catching the flu.

Daily detox: Matcha may just help keep your body functioning in tip-top shape; a lab study in rats with type 2 diabetes found that a daily dose of matcha provided a protective effect on their liver and kidney systems. Other research has found that green tea drinkers had a 33 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes by helping reduce blood glucose levels - the more green tea they drank, the lower the risk.

Jitter-free energy: A serving of matcha has less caffeine than an espresso, but its nutrient makeup just may give you more energy. Because the tea leaves used to make matcha are protected from sunlight before being harvested and steamed, the leaves retain much of their natural chlorophyll (which is why matcha is so green), a substance that has been shown to help boost energy. Plus, green tea is an excellent source of the mind-calming amino acid L-theanine, which means you may just feel more awake and alert without the late-afternoon caffeine crash.

When buying matcha, be sure and check each product so you know you're buying high-quality tea with the most health benefits. "The more vibrantly green the matcha is, the higher the chlorophyll and amino acid content," David and Jessica advise. Also, check labels and watch out for additives and sugars, which some matcha products contain. For the perfect cup, David and Jessica recommend heating water until near boiling (180°F) and whisking in matcha powder in a "M" or "W" motion.

If You Want to Lose Weight, Here's Why You Should Try Matcha

Ready to take your morning caffeine habit to the next level? It may be time to replace your loose leaves or cup of coffee with matcha. A powdered form of steamed and dried green tea leaves that has been used in Japanese tea ceremonies for centuries, matcha tastes like a grassier, brighter version of the regular stuff. Think of it as the "healthy espresso of green tea," say David Mandelbaum and Jessica Lloyd, owners of matcha purveyor Panatea. So just how healthy is the green powder? A study found that one serving of matcha has 137 times more disease-fighting polyphenols, called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), than a brewed mug of conventional China Green Tips - the equivalent of up to 10 cups of regular green tea! With such an antioxidant punch, it's no wonder that matcha just may be the new superfood. Read on for why it could just be a miracle in a mug.

Weight-loss concentrate: EGCG has been shown in some lab studies to boost metabolism, and other research has shown that EGCG may help stop the growth of new fat cells. While more studies are still needed to confirm results in humans, add to this the fact that drinking green tea instead of sugary drinks can help you save calories, and opting for a healthy matcha-based drink (like this lower-calorie version of Starbucks's green tea latte) may just be a wise weight-loss decision.

Disease-fighter: The concentrated levels of antioxidants in matcha are hard to beat, especially considering catechins in green tea have been shown to have cancer-preventing as well as immunity-boosting effects, including helping prevent high-risk health workers from catching the flu.

Daily detox: Matcha may just help keep your body functioning in tip-top shape; a lab study in rats with type 2 diabetes found that a daily dose of matcha provided a protective effect on their liver and kidney systems. Other research has found that green tea drinkers had a 33 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes by helping reduce blood glucose levels - the more green tea they drank, the lower the risk.

Jitter-free energy: A serving of matcha has less caffeine than an espresso, but its nutrient makeup just may give you more energy. Because the tea leaves used to make matcha are protected from sunlight before being harvested and steamed, the leaves retain much of their natural chlorophyll (which is why matcha is so green), a substance that has been shown to help boost energy. Plus, green tea is an excellent source of the mind-calming amino acid L-theanine, which means you may just feel more awake and alert without the late-afternoon caffeine crash.

When buying matcha, be sure and check each product so you know you're buying high-quality tea with the most health benefits. "The more vibrantly green the matcha is, the higher the chlorophyll and amino acid content," David and Jessica advise. Also, check labels and watch out for additives and sugars, which some matcha products contain. For the perfect cup, David and Jessica recommend heating water until near boiling (180°F) and whisking in matcha powder in a "M" or "W" motion.

Play All Your Favorite '80s and '90s Video Games Online For Free

Your inner child is going to totally freak out once you find out that almost 2,400 MS-DOS games are available to play online for free. Straight from the '80s and '90s, games like Oregon Trail, Master of Orion, and Donkey Kong are just a click away thanks to the Internet Archive. The site is best known for its Wayback Machine, a repository filled with pictures of old websites. Now you have instant access to thousands of favorite computer games from the past - just try not to die from typhoid or cholera as you ride your wagon to the west.

3 Photos of Yolanda Foster in a Swimsuit That Look Just Like Gigi Hadid

You don't need us to tell you that Gigi Hadid looks good in a bikini. Countless Seafolly campaigns, the 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and oh, maybe that Victoria's Secret runway she walked down confirm she can rock a two-piece.

But what you may not know is that Gigi's modeling prowess can be traced back to her mama, Yolanda Foster. Yolanda began a 15-year stint in the industry when she signed with Ford Models at 16, and, needless to say, she looked just as hot in a swimsuit.

Yes, both Yolanda and Gigi were blessed with gorgeous figures and sultry glares that the fashion world will never forget. But even more importantly, these women are talented, fearless supermodels who can work a camera like it's nobody's business.

Read on to see the uncanny resemblance between this lovely mother-daughter duo. But here's fair warning - your mind is about to be blown!

The Prettiest Harry Potter Book Covers in All the Universe

Someone grab my inhaler, because graphic design student Kincso Nagy reimagined the entire Harry Potter series like never before for her final university project. Die-cut covers, interactive pop-outs throughout, and expanding trifolds only scratch the surface of the redesigned books. There are some seriously drop-dead gorgeous illustrations that bring Hogwarts, the Forbidden Forest, 4 Privet Drive, and all of the wizarding world's most beloved characters to life. And the beauty doesn't stop there. Potterheads, there's a special surprise awaiting you when the lights go off. Watch the magic unfold before you in the gallery!

Also, don't forget to check out our list of more epic fantasy series you need to read before you die.

25 Fit Gifts Under $25 That Will Help Make the Holidays Healthy

The $25 price point is perfect for a Secret Santa exchange, white elephant, gifts for friends in a group, or even a coworker. We've rounded up an awesome selection of some of the best fitness gifts you can find - all under $25. Whether your BFF is taking up boxing and needs some cute pink gloves, or your helping someone start a healthy journey in 2017 with a sports nutrition starter kit, there's something for everyone, in a very affordable price range.

25 Fit Gifts Under $25 That Will Help Make the Holidays Healthy

The $25 price point is perfect for a Secret Santa exchange, white elephant, gifts for friends in a group, or even a coworker. We've rounded up an awesome selection of some of the best fitness gifts you can find - all under $25. Whether your BFF is taking up boxing and needs some cute pink gloves, or your helping someone start a healthy journey in 2017 with a sports nutrition starter kit, there's something for everyone, in a very affordable price range.