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 28 février 2017
This Brain Treatment Could Be a Cure For Anorexia, Depression, and More
For those suffering from life-threatening eating disorders, a new hope comes from a treatment called deep brain stimulation (DBS). This FDA-approved treatment has historically been used for neurological disorders (primarily involving physical tremors); a study in the Annual Review of Neuroscience said this treatment has a "dramatic clinical benefit" for Parkinson's, Tourette's, and depression. Another study said it may be "the most significant single advance in decades in the treatment of neurological disorders."
Now, researchers are looking to DBS as a treatment for anorexia recovery. DBS is a neurosurgical procedure that implants a "brain pacemaker" (electrodes) into the brain (the particular area of the brain in which the electrodes are inserted is dependent on what the patient's symptoms are). An electrical current (which the patient doesn't feel) stimulates those different parts of the brain.
Because the procedure is typically quite risky with potentially life-threatening side effects, this surgical treatment is reserved for patients with extreme cases whose symptoms are not alleviated with medication. A 2012 study stated that DBS is a "valuable option for weight restoration in otherwise-refractory and life-threatening cases" but that "further scientific investigation is essential to warrant the long-term efficacy and safety."
And until recently, not much else has been said about DBS's role in weight recovery. In a small but detailed study conducted at the University of Toronto Department of Surgery (published just last week), 16 severely underweight patients between the ages of 21 and 57 underwent deep brain stimulation, and the results were particularly positive. These patients - who were averse to all other treatments before DBS - experienced increased BMI and "significant improvements in measures of depression." The study found that a year post-treatment, the patients were still healthy, saying that DBS is "well tolerated, and is associated with significant and sustained improvements in affective symptoms, BMI, and changes in neural circuitry at 12 months after surgery."
This Brain Treatment Could Be a Cure For Anorexia, Depression, and More
For those suffering from life-threatening eating disorders, a new hope comes from a treatment called deep brain stimulation (DBS). This FDA-approved treatment has historically been used for neurological disorders (primarily involving physical tremors); a study in the Annual Review of Neuroscience said this treatment has a "dramatic clinical benefit" for Parkinson's, Tourette's, and depression. Another study said it may be "the most significant single advance in decades in the treatment of neurological disorders."
Now, researchers are looking to DBS as a treatment for anorexia recovery. DBS is a neurosurgical procedure that implants a "brain pacemaker" (electrodes) into the brain (the particular area of the brain in which the electrodes are inserted is dependent on what the patient's symptoms are). An electrical current (which the patient doesn't feel) stimulates those different parts of the brain.
Because the procedure is typically quite risky with potentially life-threatening side effects, this surgical treatment is reserved for patients with extreme cases whose symptoms are not alleviated with medication. A 2012 study stated that DBS is a "valuable option for weight restoration in otherwise-refractory and life-threatening cases" but that "further scientific investigation is essential to warrant the long-term efficacy and safety."
And until recently, not much else has been said about DBS's role in weight recovery. In a small but detailed study conducted at the University of Toronto Department of Surgery (published just last week), 16 severely underweight patients between the ages of 21 and 57 underwent deep brain stimulation, and the results were particularly positive. These patients - who were averse to all other treatments before DBS - experienced increased BMI and "significant improvements in measures of depression." The study found that a year post-treatment, the patients were still healthy, saying that DBS is "well tolerated, and is associated with significant and sustained improvements in affective symptoms, BMI, and changes in neural circuitry at 12 months after surgery."
Who Is Jordan Horowitz? Get to Know the Man Who Graciously Handled That Oscars Flub
This year's best picture win - and loss - at the Oscars will forever go down in infamy. While presenting the winner, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway pulled a Steve Harvey when they incorrectly named La La Land as the big winner of the night (Moonlight actually took home the honor). Even though it was painfully awkward to watch as the whole cast and crew was already on stage saying their thank yous, the film's producer handled the whole thing graciously as he stopped in the middle of his speech to announce the rightful winner. So, who exactly was the unspoken hero of the night?
His name is Jordan Horowitz (not to be confused with the film's writer Justin Hurwitz), and just like the rest of the production team, his success is starting at a young age. At only 36 years old, the NYC native, who is married to writer Julia Hart, already has a Golden Globe under his belt - and it's not for La La Land. In 2011, he nabbed best picture for a musical or comedy for The Kids Are All Right, starring Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo. Even though he didn't win an Oscar this year, he is certainly gaining a lot of praise for how well he handled the incredibly awkward moment. "It was a difficult situation, there's no doubt about that," he told ET afterwards. "But listen, things get thrown at you and you've got to kind of roll with it. And as I said, I was deeply happy to be able to give it to those guys. It really . . . . I don't know. It's shocking, and I'm at a little bit of a loss for words."
Over 35 of the Best Costumes From the Disney Princess Half-Marathon
Mirror, mirror on the wall, whose race day costume is the cutest of them all? It's impossible to pick! These Princess runners raced a 10K and half-marathon this past weekend at Disney World Orlando for the Disney Princess Half-Marathon weekend and Glass Slipper Challenge, inspiring us with their mileage, their smiles, and, of course, their attire.
The creativity this year was out of control - check out these women and start planning for your future princess race!
Who Is Jordan Horowitz? Get to Know the Man Who Graciously Handled That Oscars Flub
This year's best picture win - and loss - at the Oscars will forever go down in infamy. While presenting the winner, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway pulled a Steve Harvey when they incorrectly named La La Land as the big winner of the night (Moonlight actually took home the honor). Even though it was painfully awkward to watch as the whole cast and crew was already on stage saying their thank yous, the film's producer handled the whole thing graciously as he stopped in the middle of his speech to announce the rightful winner. So, who exactly was the unspoken hero of the night?
His name is Jordan Horowitz (not to be confused with the film's writer Justin Hurwitz), and just like the rest of the production team, his success is starting at a young age. At only 36 years old, the NYC native, who is married to writer Julia Hart, already has a Golden Globe under his belt - and it's not for La La Land. In 2011, he nabbed best picture for a musical or comedy for The Kids Are All Right, starring Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo. Even though he didn't win an Oscar this year, he is certainly gaining a lot of praise for how well he handled the incredibly awkward moment. "It was a difficult situation, there's no doubt about that," he told ET afterwards. "But listen, things get thrown at you and you've got to kind of roll with it. And as I said, I was deeply happy to be able to give it to those guys. It really . . . . I don't know. It's shocking, and I'm at a little bit of a loss for words."
13 Recipes That Have Avocado Dressing Drizzled All Over Them
You already know that avocado makes everything better, but these recipes show that it can totally transform a boring dish into a wonderful and delicious bite. Take plain romaine hearts with tomatoes, pour a bit (or a ton) of creamy avocado dressing, and you'll be devouring that lettuce like you've never seen greens before. The same goes for grilled shrimp - add avocado, and boom! You find yourself eating a whole plate of them with gusto. Those and 11 more recipes follow here. Get ready to buy avos by the case!
Over 35 of the Best Costumes From the Disney Princess Half-Marathon
Mirror, mirror on the wall, whose race day costume is the cutest of them all? It's impossible to pick! These Princess runners raced a 10K and half-marathon this past weekend at Disney World Orlando for the Disney Princess Half-Marathon weekend and Glass Slipper Challenge, inspiring us with their mileage, their smiles, and, of course, their attire.
The creativity this year was out of control - check out these women and start planning for your future princess race!
Here's How the Cast of La La Land Reacted to That Best Picture Oscars Flub
This year's Oscars ended with one of the biggest surprises in history. In case you've been living under a rock and somehow missed it, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway pulled a Steve Harvey when they named La La Land best picture instead of Moonlight, the rightful winner. While the flub was definitely awkward (and actually exactly like the ending of La La Land), producer Jordan Horowitz stopped everything and announced, "There's a mistake. Moonlight, you guys won best picture. This is not a joke. Moonlight has won best picture," before holding up the card for the cameras, which read Moonlight. From Emma Stone to Damien Chazelle to Ryan Gosling, see how the cast of La La Land reacted to that entire mess.
How Not Drinking Became the New Happy Hour
Being social shouldn't make you feel like crap the next day. Yet even as adults, many of us feel peer pressure to drink. Anyone who's uttered the words "I'm not drinking tonight" knows how awkward it can feel. Suddenly, you're a huge downer. Some friends seem to wonder if you're really invested in the evening - aren't they worth the headache tomorrow?
Dry January provides an easy excuse for people who want a break from booze. But what if it could last all year?Each year, Dry January provides an easy excuse for people who want a break from booze. But what if it could last all year? Many want to create a lifestyle that is holistically healthy - and regular drinking can get in the way of this. Today there are more options for those who don't want to make a tradeoff between seeing friends and feeling good. Daybreaker, an early morning dance party, will inspire you do the seemingly impossible task of dancing while sober. Conscious Family Dinner parties are creating a place to meet strangers without relying on drinking. And many bars and restaurants are taking the mocktail more seriously, giving "sober curious" people legit options when meeting friends for drinks.
After trying a Dry January myself, I found it made me more open to seeing friends. If I don't have to worry about a hangover the next day (which I sadly get after even one glass of wine), I'm more likely to say yes to catching up with friends. And the more you order mocktails or sparkling water, the less friends seem to care. This dry social scene is making temperance cool, or at least fun, while also making the world a more friendly place for pregnant women and those dealing with addiction.
Sober Events Are Blending Wellness and FunBen Rolnik started the Conscious Family Dinner as a way to help people connect more intimately. A dinner party that has much more than food, the most recent event offered laughter meditation, collective breathwork, self pep talks, and a song circle. "The Conscious Family Dinner is like a mini festival," Rolnik explains. "We live in a time when people are more connected than ever, with Facebook, texting, Snapchat, and Instagram. Yet so many feel starved for true intimacy, depth, and belonging." He wants to change that for the mostly 20- and 30-somethings who attend his events.
Rolnik believes the Conscious Family Dinners have grown because they're not a party, but rather "a homecoming of beautiful souls and consciousness leaders." Alcohol is decidedly not a part of the Conscious Family Dinner, which leaves some shocked by how much fun they can have without alcohol. "The guests who are surprised have usually never entered into an environment where people engage openly, honestly, and vulnerably with each other." Rolnik thinks that most people are interested in healthy social events, but "they just don't know how, or don't have a space to practice."
Attending Conscious Family Dinners helped Tanya Khani, 27, see the value of alcohol-free social events. "It's amazing what becomes of sober conversations," she says, finding they lead to more intimate connections. "I love that everyone's intoxicated mask is removed." Khani has seen a shift in her social scene calendar since she started going. "I'm happy to say that most of my events are dry, alcohol-free," she notes. "When you're committed to being fully present and alive, alcohol doesn't quite fit that theme anymore."
"It's amazing what becomes of sober conversations."Radha Agrawal is the cofounder of Daybreaker, a similar booze-free event with a greater focus on fitness. Daybreaker is a morning dance party held monthly. It started in 2013 and quickly gained in popularity, spreading to 17 cities. According to the organizers, the event attracts young professionals and creative types in their early 20s through late 30s. Daybreaker starts at 6 a.m. The first hour is a fitness event, like yoga, open to 200 people. At 7 a.m., the dance party starts and lasts until 9 a.m. These last two hours are open to 600 guests.
"When we first launched Daybreaker, we were like, 'OK, people have to forget that they're sober,'" Agrawal recalls. In order to give people a natural high, Daybreaker uses the element of surprise: "Every 15 minutes, we introduce what we call a wow moment," Agrawal explains, "which has everything from dueling saxes or a dance trio or a fire thrower or a drum line or a breakdance community."
Stephanie Bagley is in her early 30s and has been going to Daybreaker since the beginning. "I barely miss any NYC Daybreakers," she admits. Bagley says the amount of fun you have without booze is eye opening. "The energy and glow you have after is even more telling . . . you want to share it with the world." According to Bagley, Daybreaker is free of judgement and awkwardness, and she says you would be "hard-pressed to find even one person not giving it all they've got on the dance floor." The physical activity provides its own high, which Agrawal calls the Daybreaker DOSE. Each "morning rave" is optimized to naturally release dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins, according to Agrawal.
Each "morning rave" is optimized to naturally release dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins.Hosting the event in the morning also helps remove the need for alcohol: "Everyone's slate is clean. Everyone's coming from the same place: their bed. Everyone is sober. Everyone is energetic," Agrawal explains. She thinks we turn to substances as social lubrication for various reasons. "People take drugs and alcohol because they're tired," Agrawal suspects. "Maybe their friends are dragging them out. They're just like, 'OK, I need to take some alcohol because I need energy." In addition to being tired, your mood might make you crave a drink. Maybe you had a long day at the office or got in a fight with your significant other. In the morning, these stress factors don't come into play as much as they do after a long day.
Caitlin Low, 28, lives in San Francisco and decided to attend Daybreaker recently. "One of my friends doesn't drink much and had been wanting to try it out," she says. "There were a couple other friends who had been curious, so we said, 'Why not? Let's try something new and get our sweat on before work.'" Low recalls that she and her group dressed up, fitting in with a crowd that was also in crazy outfits. "We danced, drank kombucha, and watched some acro yoga." She describes dancing while sober as fun but also "a little weird." Ironically, Low says that thanks to all the action, "we actually felt a little hungover all day even though no alcohol was involved." While she doesn't plan to fit Daybreaker into her regular fitness or social routines, she's glad she tried.
Rolnik has a theory about why social events and alcohol seem inseparable. "Many people feel the pressure of having to go out and look good and be the funniest, most entertaining, most successful, most attractive, and most popular person in the room." He thinks this makes us feel crushed under anxiety to perform. Sometimes, he said, "alcohol stops being merely a pleasure and becomes a way to numb out feelings of discomfort, insecurity, unworthiness, and shame." In those situations it's important to cultivate alternative solutions.
Club Soda NYC, a "social experiment" hosted by wellness expert Ruby Warrington of The Numinous website, also has a similar message. Explaining the concept on her site, Warrington says that "modern drinking culture makes it easier, often way too easy, to choose booze as our go-to method for feeling good (by simply numbing the bad)." The Shine, an "alcohol-free variety show," hosts events in New York City and Los Angeles, which feature live music, storytelling, and meditation.
You Can Still Leave Room For CelebrationNeither Rolnik nor Agrawal think drinking is inherently bad. They just oppose dependance and support building a sense of community without it. "I don't personally think there's anything wrong or bad with alcohol or partying," Rolnik admitted. But, he said, if we want to improve our quality of life and increase opportunities for healthy fun, we must develop a skill for "sober partying." "It is vital to having a good time anywhere you are: at home, in the office, in traffic, shopping, hiking, or Thanksgiving dinner, " he said.
Drinking should be an exceptional treat, not a rule for socializing. "Alcohol or any natural drug should be done intentionally," according to Agrawal. She cited a wedding or birthday as the type of special occasion that would lead her to participate in drinking. She recommended people create intention around it and be very thoughtful about drinking in a safe space around friends you really trust. "That to me is absolutely a wonderful way to get outside your head and your body and into a different part of your brain," Agrawal said.
Taking a long walk with a friend or doing a workout class together are a few old-school ways to connect with people without alcohol.With events like Daybreaker, Agrawal hopes people will find a way to be cultivate authentic relationships without relying on alcohol as a crutch. "People who feel like they're out of place or feel like they don't have a strong community, people who feel like they lack friends and real relationships are the ones most often prone to drink," she believes. In addition to creative booze-free spaces like Conscious Family Dinner and Daybreaker, people have other ways to build these real relationships without booze. Taking a long walk with a friend or doing a workout class together are just a few ways to connect with people without alcohol.
Virgin Cocktails Are Making a ComebackImagine if you could have a delicious cocktail without the hangover. Good news: you can! Bartenders are taking virgin drinks more seriously, offering those who want to "grab a drink" without booze more options.
In my own experience, I've found mocktails are a great way to feel included in a social event when you don't feel like drinking the hard stuff. In San Francisco, I often ask bartenders to whip up whatever they're feeling and have been pleasantly surprised with fizzy and refreshing citrusy drinks that sometimes come with a cucumber ribbon or fresh mint leaves. (And they're often half the price of regular cocktails.) On a weeknight, when you're not planning to get too buzzed, you won't even notice the booze is missing.
In 2015, food industry site Eater declared a mocktail revolution. The article compared the growing beverage options for nondrinkers to improved options for nonmeat eaters. Often these options aren't on a restaurant's menu, but don't be afraid to ask.
Mixologist Brian Van Flandern, who wrote the book Vintage Cocktails, told the site, "People who don’t drink alcohol are looking for a great nonalcoholic option and are willing to pay a premium." High-end restaurants want in. Thomas Keller’s Per Se in New York and French Laundry in Napa, CA, have offered nonalcoholic beverage pairings for years, with drinks made of lavender or juniper. New York's two-star restaurant Atera offers a Temperance Pairing with its tasting menu. At $105 per person (just for the drinks!), the restaurant doing some pretty creative things, like "champine" paired with fish roe. The drink is made in-house with Douglas fir. And in London, Redemption Restaurant and Bar offers guests vegan dishes and a mocktail-only drink list.
How the Movement Fits In With Traditional RecoveryAs the "sober curious" trend gets popular, how does it fit in with people who are actually sober and in alcohol recovery? Dr. Antonio De Filippo, medical director at Ocean Breeze Recovery in Florida, thinks it's an overall positive development. His patients in recovery often crave ways to meet people besides at a bar. Events like Daybreaker or Conscious Family Dinner provide options. "One of the great positive things that can come of this is people having a venue to meet others that aren’t interested in using substances," said Dr. De Filippo.
"Having these opportunities for people in recovery is a wonderful thing because we’re naturally social animals that crave interaction."People in recovery should still be mindful of triggers to drink, like smoking cigarettes. "You can never remove all the triggers, but putting everything in a healthier context will most certainly be helpful," he said. Overall, he believes "having these opportunities for people in recovery is a wonderful thing because we’re naturally social animals that crave interaction."
If you've tried a Dry January, you may have noticed how connected alcohol is to socializing. If we want to separate the two, we have to do things that are genuinely engaging. Dr. De Filippo has some tips, which he gives his patients. "It is important to integrate social experiences with entertainment. For example, music and dancing would be helpful. Also having other nonalcoholic refreshments would be beneficial, things like juices." Essentially, we cannot just remove alcohol from socializing without adding something back. Events like Daybreaker accomplish this by providing healthy breakfast treats and "wow" factors. These entertaining experiences are more authentically fun. Alcohol, on the other hand, can sometimes act as a distraction from otherwise empty interactions.
People Crave a Consistently Healthy LifestyleAlcohol comes with some awesome health benefits. Researchers have found a link between wine and reducing the risk of Alzheimer's. And beer might be able to lower the risk of heart attacks, strengthen bones, protect against diabetes, and increase antioxidants in our bodies. In addition, moderate drinkers have been known to live longer.
"For many, the key isn't throwing out all the good with the bad. It's moderation."For many, the key isn't throwing out all the good with the bad. It's moderation. We all know the difference between having a glass of wine with a nice meal and the yucky feeling we get after drinking one (or four) too many at happy hour. The trend toward dry fun is all about avoiding the crappy physical and mental side effects that come from too much social drinking. I can't tell you how much better I feel each morning I wake up without any hint of a headache, and I've noticed my jeans fit a little looser since I stopped drinking.
The shift in attitude toward drinking appeals to the same women who consider cutting back on sugar, something alcohol has plenty of, by the way. It's about building up new habits consistent with our personal wellness goals. If you're serious about a healthy lifestyle, it's hard to honestly justify three glasses of Sauvignon Blanc after yoga or a SoulCycle class followed by a boozy brunch. By becoming more committed to social experiences without drinking, you'll amplify the benefits of your other healthy habits. And you don't even have to sacrifice the fun.
How Not Drinking Became the New Happy Hour
Being social shouldn't make you feel like crap the next day. Yet even as adults, many of us feel peer pressure to drink. Anyone who's uttered the words "I'm not drinking tonight" knows how awkward it can feel. Suddenly, you're a huge downer. Some friends seem to wonder if you're really invested in the evening - aren't they worth the headache tomorrow?
Dry January provides an easy excuse for people who want a break from booze. But what if it could last all year?Each year, Dry January provides an easy excuse for people who want a break from booze. But what if it could last all year? Many want to create a lifestyle that is holistically healthy - and regular drinking can get in the way of this. Today there are more options for those who don't want to make a tradeoff between seeing friends and feeling good. Daybreaker, an early morning dance party, will inspire you do the seemingly impossible task of dancing while sober. Conscious Family Dinner parties are creating a place to meet strangers without relying on drinking. And many bars and restaurants are taking the mocktail more seriously, giving "sober curious" people legit options when meeting friends for drinks.
After trying a Dry January myself, I found it made me more open to seeing friends. If I don't have to worry about a hangover the next day (which I sadly get after even one glass of wine), I'm more likely to say yes to catching up with friends. And the more you order mocktails or sparkling water, the less friends seem to care. This dry social scene is making temperance cool, or at least fun, while also making the world a more friendly place for pregnant women and those dealing with addiction.
Sober Events Are Blending Wellness and FunBen Rolnik started the Conscious Family Dinner as a way to help people connect more intimately. A dinner party that has much more than food, the most recent event offered laughter meditation, collective breathwork, self pep talks, and a song circle. "The Conscious Family Dinner is like a mini festival," Rolnik explains. "We live in a time when people are more connected than ever, with Facebook, texting, Snapchat, and Instagram. Yet so many feel starved for true intimacy, depth, and belonging." He wants to change that for the mostly 20- and 30-somethings who attend his events.
Rolnik believes the Conscious Family Dinners have grown because they're not a party, but rather "a homecoming of beautiful souls and consciousness leaders." Alcohol is decidedly not a part of the Conscious Family Dinner, which leaves some shocked by how much fun they can have without alcohol. "The guests who are surprised have usually never entered into an environment where people engage openly, honestly, and vulnerably with each other." Rolnik thinks that most people are interested in healthy social events, but "they just don't know how, or don't have a space to practice."
Attending Conscious Family Dinners helped Tanya Khani, 27, see the value of alcohol-free social events. "It's amazing what becomes of sober conversations," she says, finding they lead to more intimate connections. "I love that everyone's intoxicated mask is removed." Khani has seen a shift in her social scene calendar since she started going. "I'm happy to say that most of my events are dry, alcohol-free," she notes. "When you're committed to being fully present and alive, alcohol doesn't quite fit that theme anymore."
"It's amazing what becomes of sober conversations."Radha Agrawal is the cofounder of Daybreaker, a similar booze-free event with a greater focus on fitness. Daybreaker is a morning dance party held monthly. It started in 2013 and quickly gained in popularity, spreading to 17 cities. According to the organizers, the event attracts young professionals and creative types in their early 20s through late 30s. Daybreaker starts at 6 a.m. The first hour is a fitness event, like yoga, open to 200 people. At 7 a.m., the dance party starts and lasts until 9 a.m. These last two hours are open to 600 guests.
"When we first launched Daybreaker, we were like, 'OK, people have to forget that they're sober,'" Agrawal recalls. In order to give people a natural high, Daybreaker uses the element of surprise: "Every 15 minutes, we introduce what we call a wow moment," Agrawal explains, "which has everything from dueling saxes or a dance trio or a fire thrower or a drum line or a breakdance community."
Stephanie Bagley is in her early 30s and has been going to Daybreaker since the beginning. "I barely miss any NYC Daybreakers," she admits. Bagley says the amount of fun you have without booze is eye opening. "The energy and glow you have after is even more telling . . . you want to share it with the world." According to Bagley, Daybreaker is free of judgement and awkwardness, and she says you would be "hard-pressed to find even one person not giving it all they've got on the dance floor." The physical activity provides its own high, which Agrawal calls the Daybreaker DOSE. Each "morning rave" is optimized to naturally release dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins, according to Agrawal.
Each "morning rave" is optimized to naturally release dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins.Hosting the event in the morning also helps remove the need for alcohol: "Everyone's slate is clean. Everyone's coming from the same place: their bed. Everyone is sober. Everyone is energetic," Agrawal explains. She thinks we turn to substances as social lubrication for various reasons. "People take drugs and alcohol because they're tired," Agrawal suspects. "Maybe their friends are dragging them out. They're just like, 'OK, I need to take some alcohol because I need energy." In addition to being tired, your mood might make you crave a drink. Maybe you had a long day at the office or got in a fight with your significant other. In the morning, these stress factors don't come into play as much as they do after a long day.
Caitlin Low, 28, lives in San Francisco and decided to attend Daybreaker recently. "One of my friends doesn't drink much and had been wanting to try it out," she says. "There were a couple other friends who had been curious, so we said, 'Why not? Let's try something new and get our sweat on before work.'" Low recalls that she and her group dressed up, fitting in with a crowd that was also in crazy outfits. "We danced, drank kombucha, and watched some acro yoga." She describes dancing while sober as fun but also "a little weird." Ironically, Low says that thanks to all the action, "we actually felt a little hungover all day even though no alcohol was involved." While she doesn't plan to fit Daybreaker into her regular fitness or social routines, she's glad she tried.
Rolnik has a theory about why social events and alcohol seem inseparable. "Many people feel the pressure of having to go out and look good and be the funniest, most entertaining, most successful, most attractive, and most popular person in the room." He thinks this makes us feel crushed under anxiety to perform. Sometimes, he said, "alcohol stops being merely a pleasure and becomes a way to numb out feelings of discomfort, insecurity, unworthiness, and shame." In those situations it's important to cultivate alternative solutions.
Club Soda NYC, a "social experiment" hosted by wellness expert Ruby Warrington of The Numinous website, also has a similar message. Explaining the concept on her site, Warrington says that "modern drinking culture makes it easier, often way too easy, to choose booze as our go-to method for feeling good (by simply numbing the bad)." The Shine, an "alcohol-free variety show," hosts events in New York City and Los Angeles, which feature live music, storytelling, and meditation.
You Can Still Leave Room For CelebrationNeither Rolnik nor Agrawal think drinking is inherently bad. They just oppose dependance and support building a sense of community without it. "I don't personally think there's anything wrong or bad with alcohol or partying," Rolnik admitted. But, he said, if we want to improve our quality of life and increase opportunities for healthy fun, we must develop a skill for "sober partying." "It is vital to having a good time anywhere you are: at home, in the office, in traffic, shopping, hiking, or Thanksgiving dinner, " he said.
Drinking should be an exceptional treat, not a rule for socializing. "Alcohol or any natural drug should be done intentionally," according to Agrawal. She cited a wedding or birthday as the type of special occasion that would lead her to participate in drinking. She recommended people create intention around it and be very thoughtful about drinking in a safe space around friends you really trust. "That to me is absolutely a wonderful way to get outside your head and your body and into a different part of your brain," Agrawal said.
Taking a long walk with a friend or doing a workout class together are a few old-school ways to connect with people without alcohol.With events like Daybreaker, Agrawal hopes people will find a way to be cultivate authentic relationships without relying on alcohol as a crutch. "People who feel like they're out of place or feel like they don't have a strong community, people who feel like they lack friends and real relationships are the ones most often prone to drink," she believes. In addition to creative booze-free spaces like Conscious Family Dinner and Daybreaker, people have other ways to build these real relationships without booze. Taking a long walk with a friend or doing a workout class together are just a few ways to connect with people without alcohol.
Virgin Cocktails Are Making a ComebackImagine if you could have a delicious cocktail without the hangover. Good news: you can! Bartenders are taking virgin drinks more seriously, offering those who want to "grab a drink" without booze more options.
In my own experience, I've found mocktails are a great way to feel included in a social event when you don't feel like drinking the hard stuff. In San Francisco, I often ask bartenders to whip up whatever they're feeling and have been pleasantly surprised with fizzy and refreshing citrusy drinks that sometimes come with a cucumber ribbon or fresh mint leaves. (And they're often half the price of regular cocktails.) On a weeknight, when you're not planning to get too buzzed, you won't even notice the booze is missing.
In 2015, food industry site Eater declared a mocktail revolution. The article compared the growing beverage options for nondrinkers to improved options for nonmeat eaters. Often these options aren't on a restaurant's menu, but don't be afraid to ask.
Mixologist Brian Van Flandern, who wrote the book Vintage Cocktails, told the site, "People who don’t drink alcohol are looking for a great nonalcoholic option and are willing to pay a premium." High-end restaurants want in. Thomas Keller’s Per Se in New York and French Laundry in Napa, CA, have offered nonalcoholic beverage pairings for years, with drinks made of lavender or juniper. New York's two-star restaurant Atera offers a Temperance Pairing with its tasting menu. At $105 per person (just for the drinks!), the restaurant doing some pretty creative things, like "champine" paired with fish roe. The drink is made in-house with Douglas fir. And in London, Redemption Restaurant and Bar offers guests vegan dishes and a mocktail-only drink list.
How the Movement Fits In With Traditional RecoveryAs the "sober curious" trend gets popular, how does it fit in with people who are actually sober and in alcohol recovery? Dr. Antonio De Filippo, medical director at Ocean Breeze Recovery in Florida, thinks it's an overall positive development. His patients in recovery often crave ways to meet people besides at a bar. Events like Daybreaker or Conscious Family Dinner provide options. "One of the great positive things that can come of this is people having a venue to meet others that aren’t interested in using substances," said Dr. De Filippo.
"Having these opportunities for people in recovery is a wonderful thing because we’re naturally social animals that crave interaction."People in recovery should still be mindful of triggers to drink, like smoking cigarettes. "You can never remove all the triggers, but putting everything in a healthier context will most certainly be helpful," he said. Overall, he believes "having these opportunities for people in recovery is a wonderful thing because we’re naturally social animals that crave interaction."
If you've tried a Dry January, you may have noticed how connected alcohol is to socializing. If we want to separate the two, we have to do things that are genuinely engaging. Dr. De Filippo has some tips, which he gives his patients. "It is important to integrate social experiences with entertainment. For example, music and dancing would be helpful. Also having other nonalcoholic refreshments would be beneficial, things like juices." Essentially, we cannot just remove alcohol from socializing without adding something back. Events like Daybreaker accomplish this by providing healthy breakfast treats and "wow" factors. These entertaining experiences are more authentically fun. Alcohol, on the other hand, can sometimes act as a distraction from otherwise empty interactions.
People Crave a Consistently Healthy LifestyleAlcohol comes with some awesome health benefits. Researchers have found a link between wine and reducing the risk of Alzheimer's. And beer might be able to lower the risk of heart attacks, strengthen bones, protect against diabetes, and increase antioxidants in our bodies. In addition, moderate drinkers have been known to live longer.
"For many, the key isn't throwing out all the good with the bad. It's moderation."For many, the key isn't throwing out all the good with the bad. It's moderation. We all know the difference between having a glass of wine with a nice meal and the yucky feeling we get after drinking one (or four) too many at happy hour. The trend toward dry fun is all about avoiding the crappy physical and mental side effects that come from too much social drinking. I can't tell you how much better I feel each morning I wake up without any hint of a headache, and I've noticed my jeans fit a little looser since I stopped drinking.
The shift in attitude toward drinking appeals to the same women who consider cutting back on sugar, something alcohol has plenty of, by the way. It's about building up new habits consistent with our personal wellness goals. If you're serious about a healthy lifestyle, it's hard to honestly justify three glasses of Sauvignon Blanc after yoga or a SoulCycle class followed by a boozy brunch. By becoming more committed to social experiences without drinking, you'll amplify the benefits of your other healthy habits. And you don't even have to sacrifice the fun.
The Most Popular New Drink From McDonald's Shamrock Line Wasn't Even Advertised
When we heard about the new additions to McDonald's Shamrock drink menu this year, we were pumped. But it wasn't until we went to our nearest McDonald's to try all the new items that we realized the best one isn't even on the advertised menu. You're looking at the Shamrock Iced Coffee, which is a secret menu item that we managed to discover thanks to an insider tip from the McDonald's employee who made the Shamrock Mocha for us to try (which, by the way, is just as perfect as McDonald's Peppermint Mocha). The employee told us this is the most popular Shamrock drink, aside from the original Shamrock Shake.
The Shamrock Iced Coffee (about $2) did appear on the touchscreen self-ordering kiosk at our local McDonald's, but not every location's standard menu (above the cashiers) may feature this item. Since you might not find this iced coffee on the menu along with the Chocolate Shamrock Shake, Shamrock Chocolate Chip Frappe, Shamrock Hot Chocolate, and Shamrock Mocha, here's how to order it.
- Order your preferred size of an iced coffee, and ask to add the McCafé Mint Mocha Flavored Syrup. Depending on what size you order, you'll get two to four pumps mixed into your coffee.
- You can order it with cream or no cream; just speak up about your preference.
The cold coffee drink is rich, chocolaty, minty, and refreshing. It honestly reminds us Bay Area residents of the (cheaper version of the) Philz Mint Mojito, one of the most popular drinks in San Francisco. Suffice it to say, if you love mint-chocolate anything, you'll want to order this iced coffee every morning, so try out the limited-edition off-menu item while you can.
25 of the Best Black Sitcoms Ever - and Where to Watch Them
It's no secret that one of the most popular - and effective - ways to address social issues is through humor. For over 50 years now, there have been a plethora of sitcoms that address one of the most common concerns of today: race. Ahead are a list of African-American sitcoms that portray the "black experience" in all its various forms, focusing on economic, social, political, religious, and gendered issues. However, despite their heavy topics, each show is guaranteed to make you laugh. Take a look to discover some of the best black sitcoms and where to watch!
We Guarantee You Missed This Hilarious Chrissy Teigen Moment at the Oscars
Image Source: Getty / Kevork Djansezian
Few people were having as much of a good time on the Oscars red carpet than Chrissy Teigen. In addition to flaunting her goals-worthy relationship with husband John Legend, the Twitter queen also finally met her celebrity crush Sunny Pawar. Apparently all the excitement tired her out, though. Once the show got going, there was a cut-away shot to Meryl Streep sitting in the audience, and although most eyes were on the 20-time Oscar nominee, something was up with a certain Sports Illustrated model in the background. The moment happened during Casey Affleck's acceptance speech for best actor, and it sure looks like Chrissy is taking a nap on John's shoulder. If we were constantly shutting down social media trolls, whipping up delicious meals, hanging with our adorable daughter, and tired of all these unfair wins in 2017, we'd probably want to take a quick snooze, too (for the record, she eventually woke up).
We Guarantee You Missed This Hilarious Chrissy Teigen Moment at the Oscars
Image Source: Getty / Kevork Djansezian
Few people were having as much of a good time on the Oscars red carpet than Chrissy Teigen. In addition to flaunting her goals-worthy relationship with husband John Legend, the Twitter queen also finally met her celebrity crush Sunny Pawar. Apparently all the excitement tired her out, though. Once the show got going, there was a cut-away shot to Meryl Streep sitting in the audience, and although most eyes were on the 20-time Oscar nominee, something was up with a certain Sports Illustrated model in the background. The moment happened during Casey Affleck's acceptance speech for best actor, and it sure looks like Chrissy is taking a nap on John's shoulder. If we were constantly shutting down social media trolls, whipping up delicious meals, hanging with our adorable daughter, and tired of all these unfair wins in 2017, we'd probably want to take a quick snooze, too (for the record, she eventually woke up).
10 Times Jane the Virgin's Alba Villanueva Was Basically Your Abuela - in GIFs
We've said it before and we'll say it again: Jane the Virgin is one of the most relatable shows on TV - and, no, not because of its dramatic storylines. There's something about the characters that just seems so . . . real.
Alba Villanueva, Jane's grandmother, is no exception. The eldest member of the Villanueva clan, played by Ivonne Coll, embodies everything great about Latina grandmas. From her judgmental looks to her religious zeal and all her lovable quirks, Alba's familiar nature is one of the many reasons we can't stop watching the show. Read on for further proof (in GIF form) that she's basically your abuela, too.
lundi 27 février 2017
My Parenting Style: Survivalist
A helicopter mom, I am not. And I'm not a tiger or a dragon either. I don't practice attachment parenting, and I believe free range is better for chickens than children. So what kind of mom am I? I am a survivalist. To me, the definition is simple. While most of the time I try to raise my kids in a nurturing, educationally rich, nutritiously sound environment, sometimes, the s*@# just hits the fan (or, more likely, my most expensive rug). And when temper tantrums, fevers, or general fussiness is the order of the day, all bets are off . . . and the cartoons come on. And I am totally, 100 percent OK with that. So how do you become a survivalist mom? Here's my handy guide to my "whatever gets you through the day" philosophy.
- Feed them healthy foods, at least half of the time. The days you get in all five food groups, give yourself a pat on the back. But the ones that are filled with chicken nuggets, ice cream cones, lollipops, and nary a vegetable? Those will happen, too, and your kids will survive. While scrambled eggs, whole-grain toast, and fresh strawberries would be a great breakfast, the frozen, maple-syrup-topped, pumpkin-spice waffles and SpongeBob-wrapped yogurt tube my daughter ate this morning? That's perfectly acceptable, too.
- Get them to sleep, by whatever means necessary. I coslept with my kids for the first couple months of their lives, then kicked them out of my bed for good, and they've been perfect sleepers ever since. And if you believe that, you're as delusional as I was about the ease of sleep training. These days, my 3-year-old only naps in the car and my 8-month-old prefers to nap with a boob in his mouth. So I spend part of my afternoons driving around aimlessly and another big chunk topless. Nighttime is slightly better for me . . . mostly because my husband is in charge of putting my daughter to bed. Last night, he snuck out after 20 minutes, content that her snoring meant she was totally out. Ten minutes later, she was schooling him on where he was supposed to be sleeping. "What were you thinking, daddy?" was her ultra-accusatory intro. After being thoroughly reamed about his disappointing behavior, my six-foot-three-inch husband apologized and climbed back into her pink-sheeted, stuffed-animal-occupied bed for another hour. When it comes to sleep, we know who's boss.
- As long as their clothing won't make them freeze or sweat to death, we're good. This was a hard one for me because I've always been a bit obsessed with style, and my daughter has a closet full of lovely little dresses, tops, and jackets, all designed to turn her into the Crewcuts model I know she could be. But for the last month, pretty much every day, she's been wearing a cheap-o Target t-shirt, a pair of Gap leggings two sizes too small, and a pink tutu that also doubles as her preferred sleepwear. And honestly, I just can't muster the energy to fight the good fashion fight anymore. She thinks she looks beautiful, and that's all that matters. Well, that and the fact that when it's a choice between the sequin-covered Hello Kitty ballet shoes she wants and the hip and practical Superga sneakers I want, I know I'll never win.
- Let the screen calm the beast. Sometimes I think that I should really feel guilty that my daughter knows every Disney Junior character's name and sometimes recites show plotlines like they happened to her in real life. "Mommy, remember when Princess Sofia turned into a cat today? That was so funny." But, in truth, I'm just glad she prefers Doc McStuffins and Daniel Tiger to Dora and Caillou (I just can't take those voices!), and I'm grateful for TV's ability to give me a few minutes of peace during even our most stressful days. There are times when our screen time is perfectly limited to a quick show in the morning and one before bed, but there are others, when she's sick or just in her most crazy-diva mood, when we've watched Shrek on repeat. On those days, I tell myself that tomorrow will be better. And if not, I have three new Little Einsteins episodes on my DVR.
Award Season Scorecard: How Many Wins and Nominations the Biggest Movies Had
The Oscars finally happened this week, and despite a gargantuan flub, Moonlight emerged victorious as best picture, though La La Land held its own all season long. If you want to see how the season's biggest movies stacked up in wins and nominations (and snubs), we've laid out how the biggest movies of 2017's award season did in one handy scorecard.
26 Talented Women Who Swept Award Season
We've finally passed the grand finale of award season: the Oscars. Last year, Brie Larson emerged as a triple threat after her stunning performance in Room; Larson got all three big awards under her belt (gown?). On the actor side, Leo had a similar story when it came to his role in The Revenant. It's an impressive accomplishment, but these two are hardly the first ones to take home the Oscar/Golden Globe/SAG Award triple crown - it's happened more times than you might think. In fact, both Emma Stone and Viola Davis are the latest additions to the list! Just check out all these other famous ladies who walked away triple winners.
- Additional reporting by Maggie Pehanick and Quinn Keaney
Forget That La La Land Snafu - These Movies Didn't Even Get 1 Oscar This Year
All the Oscar headlines may be about how La La Land was mistakenly awarded best picture when Moonlight was the actual winner in the category, but perhaps we need to take a beat and stop feeling sorry for La La Land, which still went home with six Oscars. The real bummer is for the movies that went home totally empty-handed this year. There were so many good movies in 2016, as evidenced by the nine best picture nominees, and there were so many incredible movies that got no recognition on Sunday night. So before you go feeling sorry for La La Land again, check out these four movies with multiple Oscar nominations that were totally shut out of the 2017 Oscars.
10 TV Shows With Black Leads You Should Be Watching
Over the past few years, there has been influx of diverse casts and stories being brought to life on the small screen. Content creators have finally realized that the best way to reach a diverse audience is to give them characters and narratives they can truly relate to. Their efforts have paid off, and we now have shows like Donald Glover's Atlanta and Issa Rae's Insecure. Black and brown faces are now a more prominent part of a new television era, one that is wonderfully in color. To highlight that, we've rounded up 10 great shows with black leads that are definitely worth curling up to watch.
The EGOT: Which Stars Are Almost There?
Now that the Oscars are over, and another award season has officially come and gone, it's time to take stock. The EGOT - an acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony - is Hollywood's grand slam of awards, and only a handful of celebrities (like Audrey Hepburn, Whoopi Goldberg, and Mel Brooks) have made the list. This year, Viola Davis snagged a best actress win, meaning she's only a Grammy away from achieving record status. Veteran actress Jessica Lange also only needs a Grammy, while stars like Taylor Swift, Adele, and Sam Smith are halfway there. Wondering who else is making progress?
Watch 4,000 Balloons Filled With Glitter Explode - Because You Know You Want To
To promote the brand's new television offering, Sony put together a commercial using 4,000 white balloons filled with a combined 1,500 kilograms of glitter, naturally. The contagiously charming video then shows what happens when you pop all of those glitter-filled balloons in a stunning, abandoned casino in Romania. (Spoiler alert: it's pretty damn magical.)
The commercial was originally released in September 2016, however, it picked up steam again recently partly due to a video from Select All that shows how the commercial came together. For one, the behind-the-scenes video confirms that, yes, real glitter was involved in the making of the commercial.
It also divulges that the team, led by American director Andre Stringer, only had two chances to capture the beautiful exterior shot. And for those of you wondering, the glitter used was biodegradable, so if any of it landed in the ocean, it would dissolve.
Watch the incredible video above.
The EGOT: Which Stars Are Almost There?
Now that the Oscars are over, and another award season has officially come and gone, it's time to take stock. The EGOT - an acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony - is Hollywood's grand slam of awards, and only a handful of celebrities (like Audrey Hepburn, Whoopi Goldberg, and Mel Brooks) have made the list. This year, Viola Davis snagged a best actress win, meaning she's only a Grammy away from achieving record status. Veteran actress Jessica Lange also only needs a Grammy, while stars like Taylor Swift, Adele, and Sam Smith are halfway there. Wondering who else is making progress?
The EGOT: Which Stars Are Almost There?
Now that the Oscars are over, and another award season has officially come and gone, it's time to take stock. The EGOT - an acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony - is Hollywood's grand slam of awards, and only a handful of celebrities (like Audrey Hepburn, Whoopi Goldberg, and Mel Brooks) have made the list. This year, Viola Davis snagged a best actress win, meaning she's only a Grammy away from achieving record status. Veteran actress Jessica Lange also only needs a Grammy, while stars like Taylor Swift, Adele, and Sam Smith are halfway there. Wondering who else is making progress?
There's a Best Dressed Waiting to Be Crowned at the Oscars Afterparty
Just because they didn't walk the Oscars red carpet in these looks doesn't make these stars' afterparty outfits any less noteworthy. In fact, we'd argue that the annual Vanity Fair Oscars fete brought out a lineup of gowns that could rival anything we saw at the Academy Awards. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding - the designer ensembles below: Kate Bosworth had herself a Cinderella moment in J. Mendel. Ruth Negga stepped out in a fresh-from-the-runway Oscar de la Renta gown. Kerry Washington married sophistication and sex appeal in this Michael Kors Collection gown. Allison Williams was sleek and fashion-forward in Miu Miu. Karlie Kloss brought the drama in a red Naeem Khan gown; and Viola Davis switched up her ceremony look to celebrate her win in a chic Brandon Maxwell suit (bonus points for those Stella McCartney creepers!).
Now that you have the details, it's time to make some decisions. Who won the Oscars afterparty?
Patricia Arquette Says Alexis's Oscars In Memoriam Snub Is a "Slight to the Trans Community"
Sunday's Oscars left everyone with their jaws on the floor after actress Faye Dunaway accidentally announced La La Land as winner for best picture (Moonlight was the real winner), but that isn't the only thing people are talking about. Alexis Arquette, who passed away from a heart attack back in September, was noticeably omitted from the In Memoriam tribute, and her sister Patricia is disappointed. "Alexis was a great actor, and had 70 credits, and was really brave to live her truth as a trans woman, and they didn't include her in the memorial," she told ET. "I think that was a real slight to the trans community, especially at this time, when trans kids can't even go to the bathroom in the United States of America at school. It says a lot about the lack of inclusion. Trans kids can really never look at anyone and see their heroes, and I think that was a big mistake."
Patricia also revealed that she was "not surprised" by the snub, adding, "The reality is, trans people are ignored all the time in our culture and our community. They have their civil rights taken away. They're a very disrespected community." While Alexis wasn't included in the tribute, Australian producer Jan Chapman's picture was mistakenly used to represent the late Janet Patterson. The Academy has yet to comment on either incident.
Josh Hartnett and His Girlfriend Are Expecting Their Second Child
Josh Hartnett and girlfriend Tamsin Egerton are expanding their family. The couple are expecting their second child together, E! News reports. While the duo has yet to release an official statement, the English actress debuted what appears to be a baby bump at Vanity Fair's Oscars afterparty on Sunday. Josh and Tamsin first met on the set of The Lovers in 2010 and are already parents to a 1-year-old daughter, whose name has not been released.
Patricia Arquette Says Alexis's Oscars In Memoriam Snub Is a "Slight to the Trans Community"
Sunday's Oscars left everyone with their jaws on the floor after actress Faye Dunaway accidentally announced La La Land as winner for best picture (Moonlight was the real winner), but that isn't the only thing people are talking about. Alexis Arquette, who passed away from a heart attack back in September, was noticeably omitted from the In Memoriam tribute, and her sister Patricia is disappointed. "Alexis was a great actor, and had 70 credits, and was really brave to live her truth as a trans woman, and they didn't include her in the memorial," she told ET. "I think that was a real slight to the trans community, especially at this time, when trans kids can't even go to the bathroom in the United States of America at school. It says a lot about the lack of inclusion. Trans kids can really never look at anyone and see their heroes, and I think that was a big mistake."
Patricia also revealed that she was "not surprised" by the snub, adding, "The reality is, trans people are ignored all the time in our culture and our community. They have their civil rights taken away. They're a very disrespected community." While Alexis wasn't included in the tribute, Australian producer Jan Chapman's picture was mistakenly used to represent the late Janet Patterson. The Academy has yet to comment on either incident.
Josh Hartnett and His Girlfriend Are Expecting Their Second Child
Josh Hartnett and girlfriend Tamsin Egerton are expanding their family. The couple are expecting their second child together, E! News reports. While the duo has yet to release an official statement, the English actress debuted what appears to be a baby bump at Vanity Fair's Oscars afterparty on Sunday. Josh and Tamsin first met on the set of The Lovers in 2010 and are already parents to a 1-year-old daughter, whose name has not been released.
Where Can You See the Oscar Winners Next? These Big Movies
Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Mahershala Ali, and Casey Affleck can all call themselves Oscar winners, but that doesn't mean their work in Hollywood is done! Far from it; each actor has several exciting projects in the works. From a Disney adaptation to a Neil Armstrong biopic, find out what's in store for 2017's most critically lauded actors.
The 10 Pictures You'll Want to Take of Your Tots Each Month
If you're anything like us, since you've had kids, you rarely put your camera down! While it's fun to simply snap away, I turned to mom and photographer Jennifer Little, founder of Fort Collins, CO-based Sugar Photography, to see what she considers to be the essential photos to take of her kids each month, ultimately creating a chronicle of her little ones' growth. Keep reading to see what she includes on her list!
23 Movies You Absolutely Won't Believe Were Nominated For an Oscar
When thinking of the kind of movies typically nominated for an Oscar, stories of extreme survival, remarkable transformations, or personal tragedy usually come to mind, but Norbit? Or Tropic Thunder? Or even a film about a BDSM-obsessed billionaire? Surprisingly enough, some eyebrow-raising flicks have made their way into the elite pool that are officially able to associate themselves with the Academy. From best makeup to best picture, keep reading to see every film that scored a shocking nod below.
5 Things to Crush, Crumble, and Smash With Your Citrus Squeezer
A citrus squeezer is one of those tools that you can get a lot of mileage out of just in its intended use. Think of all the dishes, sauces, and beverages that call for citrus juice - salad dressings, micheladas, and, of course, fresh-squeezed lemonade - the humble citrus squeezer makes it all happen. However, citrus fruits aren't the only food that you can fit snugly in the bed of a citrus squeezer and violently squish with glee.
In fact, there are items that are neither citrus nor fruit that can use some squeezing in order to yield something useful for cooking. Here are five completely unexpected foods that you can transform with a citrus squeezer.
Your Disney-Loving Heart Is Going to Freak Out Over These Cute Macarons
French macarons have been a chic trend for a few years now, but a new spin on the trend is decorating the pastries in adorable styles. Bakeries have been experimenting with icing their treats like animals, unicorns, and even Disney characters.
If you're a fan of the sweet, chewy snack (and who isn't?), you're about to fall in love with these Disney-themed designs. The creators of these delightful desserts have fashioned everything from Star Wars-themed sweets to Disney-princess-adorned morsels, making it so there is a macaron for every Disney-lover.
Getting inspired? Try making these tasty treats yourself with a DIY recipe and easy decorating tips.
Read on to see all the Disney magic.
5 Apps That Will Give Your Photos a Cool, Retro Look
No feeling can replicate the old days of taking photos and seeing them later on film. It was like a surprise every time you developed film, since it took a few hours or days to process. And even though we have smartphones with incredible cameras, it doesn't stop us from gazing longingly at vintage-looking photos. Want to try out the look and feel on your photos? Try the following apps for iOS, and prepare to treasure your memories even more.
Kate Middleton and Prince William Attend the Queen's Royal Reception in London
It's been a busy month for Kate Middleton, what with visiting young RAF Air Cadets and participating in a philanthropic foot race, but the duchess isn't slowing down just yet. On Monday, Kate stepped out with Prince William for a reception at Buckingham Palace in London to mark Queen Elizabeth II's launch of the UK-India Year of Culture. Dressed in a shimmering Erdem dress, Kate mingled with several Indian representatives at the event, which included Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The program is one of the many patronages Kate is involved with and aims to strengthen the cultural ties between both counties and celebrates the 70th anniversary of India's independence.
Kate Middleton and Prince William Attend the Queen's Royal Reception in London
It's been a busy month for Kate Middleton, what with visiting young RAF Air Cadets and participating in a philanthropic foot race, but the duchess isn't slowing down just yet. On Monday, Kate stepped out with Prince William for a reception at Buckingham Palace in London to mark Queen Elizabeth II's launch of the UK-India Year of Culture. Dressed in a shimmering Erdem dress, Kate mingled with several Indian representatives at the event, which included Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The program is one of the many patronages Kate is involved with and aims to strengthen the cultural ties between both counties and celebrates the 70th anniversary of India's independence.
The Best Street Style From Day 5 at Milan Fashion Week
And just like that, the style set landed in Milan for the third stop on their global Fashion Week tour. We imagine their suitcases are filled with day dresses and outerwear that could stop traffic - plus plenty of Gucci in tow. Read through to see what editors, influencers, and tastemakers are wearing for Milan Fashion Week.
Take a Stroll Through This Beautiful Butterfly Garden Birthday Party
A garden party for a 2-year old? Oh yeah!
When a sweet little girl has a birthday, you know mama is going to go all out. This butterfly garden birthday party - with a whimsical dessert table tent and lots of special handmade details - is sure to inspire you to plan the party of the year for your little fluttering butterfly!
Scroll through to see all of the beautiful details.
Printables: Frog Prince Papierie
The Scary Things That Happen When You Don't Get Enough Sleep
Sleeping is one of those things that we all say we're going to do more of . . . and then never actually do. But it's a more serious problem than you think. While we were getting serious about drinking more water and adding more sleep to our schedules, we began to wonder what would happen if we didn't follow through. We know what happens when you don't drink water (it's scary), but what about when you don't sleep?
As it turns out, the effects can be crazy serious - and weight gain isn't even the worst of it.
Milder Effects
In the earlier stages, you'll experience effects like:
- Stress
- Weakened immune system
- Lowered sex drive
- Forgetfulness
- Impaired judgment and higher risk of accident
- Blemishes, dull skin, puffiness, or dark circles
Severe Effects
When you consistently don't get enough sleep, it takes a serious toll on your body - it can even lead to death.
- Greater chance of coronary heart disease and/or stroke
- Greater chance of developing diabetes
- Higher risk of cancer
- Worsened symptoms of depression
- Worsened symptoms of anxiety
- Weight gain
- Shortened life span and increased risk of death
Symptoms of Fatigue
Before you notice the effects of skipping zzzs, you'll likely notice these symptoms that may be indicators you have a serious problem.
- Tiredness (seems obvious, but . . . )
- Headaches
- Faintness or dizziness
- Aches, chills, or muscle soreness
- Loss of appetite or nausea
- Unusual irritability, moodiness
- Physical fatigue and muscle weakness
- Blurred vision
Zoom In on These Memes and You'll Understand Why the Internet Is Obsessing Over Them
It always feels like the internet has too much time on its hands, but the newest meme definitely proves this point. It's not as random as the "what in tarnation" meme but pretty close. This time around, the internet is asking people to zoom in on a certain part of a photo. The result? An endless trail of zooming in to other parts of the same photo. It's one of those memes you need to see to try to understand it completely. Take a look for yourself, and remember to tap on the tweet to zoom in on the photo.
The Scary Things That Happen When You Don't Get Enough Sleep
Sleeping is one of those things that we all say we're going to do more of . . . and then never actually do. But it's a more serious problem than you think. While we were getting serious about drinking more water and adding more sleep to our schedules, we began to wonder what would happen if we didn't follow through. We know what happens when you don't drink water (it's scary), but what about when you don't sleep?
As it turns out, the effects can be crazy serious - and weight gain isn't even the worst of it.
Milder Effects
In the earlier stages, you'll experience effects like:
- Stress
- Weakened immune system
- Lowered sex drive
- Forgetfulness
- Impaired judgment and higher risk of accident
- Blemishes, dull skin, puffiness, or dark circles
Severe Effects
When you consistently don't get enough sleep, it takes a serious toll on your body - it can even lead to death.
- Greater chance of coronary heart disease and/or stroke
- Greater chance of developing diabetes
- Higher risk of cancer
- Worsened symptoms of depression
- Worsened symptoms of anxiety
- Weight gain
- Shortened life span and increased risk of death
Symptoms of Fatigue
Before you notice the effects of skipping zzzs, you'll likely notice these symptoms that may be indicators you have a serious problem.
- Tiredness (seems obvious, but . . . )
- Headaches
- Faintness or dizziness
- Aches, chills, or muscle soreness
- Loss of appetite or nausea
- Unusual irritability, moodiness
- Physical fatigue and muscle weakness
- Blurred vision
Meet Cathy Hughes, Urban Media Maven
Cathy Hughes went from teen mom to media mogul, and as the "godmother" of urban radio, she became the first black woman to own a publicly traded company.
Meet Cathy Hughes, Urban Media Maven
Cathy Hughes went from teen mom to media mogul, and as the "godmother" of urban radio, she became the first black woman to own a publicly traded company.
See All the Oscars Glamour in Black and White
Between the gorgeous red carpet gowns, poignant speeches, and audience mingling, the Academy Awards delivered on the celebrity moments we wanted to see. While we can't exactly say that the ceremony went off without a hitch, there was plenty of glamour to behold - and the best way to see it is in black and white.
See All the Oscars Glamour in Black and White
Between the gorgeous red carpet gowns, poignant speeches, and audience mingling, the Academy Awards delivered on the celebrity moments we wanted to see. While we can't exactly say that the ceremony went off without a hitch, there was plenty of glamour to behold - and the best way to see it is in black and white.
10 of This Year's Oscar Winners You Can Watch Right Now
Listen, we all fall behind here and there. Whether or not you tuned in to all the madness at the Oscars on Sunday night, we recognize that it's pretty difficult to watch every single nominee before the big night. Now that we have a fresh list of winners, it's time to get cracking. Are there any films you want to see in the wake of the ceremony? We've compiled a list of feature-length movies, documentaries, and shorts you can watch right now.
Review into Hugh Papik's death calls for cultural training for health care workers
An investigation into the case of an Aklavik elder who died of a stroke after being mistaken for drunk is recommending the Northwest Territories implement mandatory cultural safety training for all health care workers.
Review into Hugh Papik's death calls for cultural training for health care workers
An investigation into the case of an Aklavik elder who died of a stroke after being mistaken for drunk is recommending the Northwest Territories implement mandatory cultural safety training for all health care workers.
NYC's Cookie Dough Shop Is What Your Childhood Dreams Are Made Of
Remember being young and wanting to eat all the cookie dough that your mom was trying to bake into cookies? And your mom would tell you you shouldn't do that because of the eggs but you did it anyway, because cookie dough is God's gift to our stomachs? Yeah, Do Cookie Dough Confections creator Kristen Tomlan absolutely understands that, which is why she created a cookie dough that can be eaten raw. Her recipes use a pasteurized egg product and heat-treated flour, so you can rest assured that they're fully safe to eat by the scoopful.
I popped into Do's brand-new storefront in New York to check out this cookie dough that's taking over Instagram to see what all the hype is about, and you guys: I get it. Do is an experience. The employees are all upbeat and friendly and really passionate about the sweet treats they're handing over to you, and let me tell you, those sweet treats are amazing. The cookie dough menu contains 16 flavors, including gluten-free and vegan options, and I tried every last one. You can't go wrong with selecting the Signature Chocolate Chip option, which Kristen credits as being the most popular. "We easily sell three times as much of the Signature than any of the other flavors. Easily," she said.
All the dough is made on site, and you can even peek into the kitchen through the large glass windows while you're waiting in line for your dough creation. The shop goes through more than 1,000 pounds of dough in a day, which is no surprise considering the fact that the shop constantly has a line across the street to get in. I wondered if there was a magical time to show up to find the shortest line, and guess what? There isn't. It's always at least an hour long, but it's so worth the wait.
Once you've made it inside the shop, here is exactly what you should do: go to the fridge and get a container of the Signature Chocolate Chip for later. When you get to the counter, you have two ideal options: if you're into peanut butter, go with Fluffernutter (peanut butter base with dark chocolate chips and marshmallow fluff) and Nuts For Nuts (peanut butter base with peanut butter cups and candies) in a chocolate chip cone; if you're not into peanut butter, do Heavenly (sugar cookie base with Nutella, chocolate chips, caramel bits, and sea salt) with Brownie Batter (brownie batter base with chocolate chips) in a chocolate chip cone. Obviously add sprinkles on top no matter what you get, because everything is better with sprinkles.
Your container of the Signature Chocolate Chip will last in the fridge for up to three weeks or in the freezer for up to three months and can even be baked into real cookies, but let's be real, nothing is lasting more than three hours or ever making it into an oven.
Look through for a sneak peek at Do's shop and make sure you check it out for yourself if you're in the area. Your taste buds and your stomach will thank you.
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