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.
mercredi 5 avril 2017
7 Signs You're Losing Weight (Even When the Scale's Being Rude)
Unfortunately, the metric we've been relying on for decades - numbers on a scale - isn't always indicative of the progress you're making in your weight-loss journey. In fact, some really powerful transformations that appear to be slim downs involve very few pounds lost - some even have gained weight!
Here are some little victories to keep an eye out for - track this progress just as much if not more so than you're tracking your shed pounds.
- Your clothes are a little loose. One of the best indicators that you're making progress? How your clothes fit. If you notice you're having to keep your pants from falling down or adjusting loose clothing that used to feel tight, make a note of it and celebrate!
- You feel stronger. Tone It Up's Katrina Scott told POPSUGAR that when she was on her own weight-loss journey, the first thing she noticed was that she was able to run around her block. Before she started getting in shape, that small task felt impossible. Though it might seem trivial now that she's so strong, it was a huge leap in her fitness and weight-loss journey. Ashley German, who lost 115 pounds, said something similar: "Getting stronger psychically was a huge accomplishment for me. I had never run a mile in my life so the first time I ran a mile straight through was the absolute best feeling in the world."
- You're not eating as much. Have you been able to curb cravings and control your portions? Make sure you're taking note! Did you notice that you ate less or stopped when you were full (and it was sooner than you expected) and feel good about it? These are successes, so give yourself credit.
- Your progress photos look bangin'. Kayla Itsines told POPSUGAR that one of her favorite tips for staying motivated is to take progress photos. Even if you feel self-conscious when you're beginning your journey, it's so important to get those photos - from all the angles! You'll be so happy you did down the line, so you can do a little before and after for yourself. Plus, no one has to see but you!
- You have more energy. Esther, who lost 170 pounds, said when she started losing weight, the first indicator was her energy. "I am the person who I always was inside. I am happier, more vibrant, more engaged in all aspects in life."
- You have a new sense of space. A woman named Hailey, who lost over 100 pounds, described this as a major life change that had nothing to do with the scale. "I remember when I was overweight, I took up so much more of an area, my arms could not simply sit at my side - they instead jutted out. Or when I was sitting in class in university I could not put down the little side table attached to my seat as it did not sit flat. Once I lost the weight, this changed; I felt more confident when I was walking around and didn't feel awkward about where I stood or if I was in the way, like I had felt before."
- Your new favorite foods are healthy ones. Sticking to a diet can be super challenging, but after a while you'll find healthier foods you love. Did you fall for chia pudding or become obsessed with brussels sprouts? That's healthy progress that not only affects your weight loss but your overall health and well-being, too. You should be so proud of yourself!
The Heartbreaking Stories Behind Each of Hannah Baker's 13 Reasons Why
13 Reasons Why, Netflix's adaptation of Jay Asher's bestselling 2007 YA novel, is a devastating account of what drives a high school student named Hannah Baker to take her own life. The premise for the show is a heartbreaking but interesting one: Clay (played by Dylan Minnette) mysteriously receives a box of 13 cassette tapes from Hannah (Katherine Langford), his classmate and crush who killed herself a few weeks earlier. Each cassette, and each of the show's episodes, reveals a person (aka one of the titular "reasons") she sees as somehow responsible for her eventual decision to commit suicide. Hannah has another classmate, Tony, ensure everyone included on the tapes passes them on to the next person one by one, or else he'll release a copy of them to the public.
Since the reasons range from cruel bullying to rape, it's obvious why the people on the tapes want their secrets to stay under wraps. The show's narrative structure - a mix of presuicide flashbacks and the present day aftermath - makes it feel less like a drama and more like a tense mystery. Who, or what, killed Hannah Baker? If you're too impatient to binge the show, or you just want a clearer explanation of what's on each of Hannah's tapes, read on.
Note: major spoilers ahead!
This ASMR Expert Talks Tips For Sleeping Better
For all 600,000 of GentleWhispering's devoted YouTube subscribers, the evening is made better when Maria - the soft-speaking star of the channel and unofficial queen of the community known as ASMR - uploads a new video. Whether she's tapping a wooden hairbrush, flipping pages of a book, stroking fuzzy phone cases, making paper airplanes, or brushing the camera with a feather, her actions leave viewers feeling spellbound. I, personally, am one of those 600,000 loyal fans and can attest to the magic of autonomous sensory meridian response.
Perhaps the most famous and seemingly enigmatic trigger of ASMR is the tingly feeling that travels down the body. It's true: certain movements, such as the hairbrush-tapping, make my spine prickle like someone's scratching my scalp in real life. And while I certainly cherish the sensation, the greatest benefit of Maria's channel is something that goes far beyond the tingles. During her clips, I fall into a deep, emotionally soothing sleep, and I wake the next morning with a clear head, ready to take on the coming day. That said, I spoke with the meditative guru about all things wellness - namely, how to attain a state of total relaxation so you can get the best night of zzz's in your life. See her tips below!
1. Turn off social media.
Maria's number one tip for unwinding? Log out of social media apps well before bed, because the Facebook and Instagram rabbit holes never really end.
"Nowadays, it's very hard to fall asleep when you have things open like Twitter, with their constant nonstop notifications," she says. "So at any point, there will be something for you to look at. And that creates a confusing situation for your brain, because it's very intoxicating, and it sucks you in. And you notice that you spend an hour on Facebook instead of trying to fall asleep during that time."
And though ASMR is on YouTube (technically considered social media), Maria says if you focus on the video itself rather than, say, scrolling through the comments, you'll power down with ease.
"You don't have to follow the concept of the video at all," she says. "You just turn it on, and this way it blocks your application. You just put it next to you, and you listen to everything that's happening. Our videos are long enough that if you put it on in the background, you will have enough to fall asleep."
2. Write down your worries throughout the day.
At a certain hour every single day, Maria thoroughly analyzes all her fears and concerns, so she doesn't have to think about them again until tomorrow.
"I always suggest writing down your worries and trying to analyze why it's worrying you and what's the possible outcome," she says. "Do it during the day so at night you don't have to worry about it, because you already dealt with it earlier. Most of the time, I try to [spin] every situation into a positive perspective so that I don't drown myself in doubt and don't worry myself out too much."
Maria considers herself to be a chronic worrier, so in setting aside a specific time frame to mull over her points of frustration or stress, she's essentially organizing her anxiety.
3. Schedule your downtime in advance.
"You need to schedule downtime," Maria says. "So if you need to go to sleep in an hour, you should lower your activity levels to the minimum [in the meantime]. Set up the boundaries for your bedtime."
She recommends sticking to a regular nightly schedule - this way, your body will come to understand when it's time to go to sleep and won't put up a fight.
4. Engage in relaxing activities by yourself or with a partner.
Something as simple as coloring or listening to a calming audiobook can decrease tension and prepare you for sound shut-eye.
"Take a hot bath," Maria says. "Give yourself a massage - rub your feet, rub your arms. If you have a partner to help you with that, that's perfect as well. You can even massage each other to help you both fall asleep, because it's extremely relaxing." In fact, Maria says her longtime boyfriend regularly brushes her hair to take the edge off a tough day.
"We both know what triggers us, and we learned each other's favorite things," she says. "We can give those things through the touch and through expression. Our bond becomes that much deeper because we try to please each other, and not just on a sexual level, but on a deeper, more intimate bonding level."
5. Practice mindfulness meditation.
Immersing yourself in the world around you is a surefire way to instill a feeling of tranquility. In the evenings, Maria plays peaceful music and practices awareness of her surroundings.
"What I like to do is sit down and start analyzing everything around me," she says. "I listen to sounds, and I try to understand where they came from and how beautiful they are and how they traveled here. So it's awareness of what life is, and by analyzing the little things that surround you, such as the chair you're sitting in - it has been crafted by a person, and it has been designed and delivered to you by other people - you start feeling the love and passion for the world around you. And by doing this, you ground yourself in your surroundings. You're present in the world as much as everything else is present in the world."
This paves the way for sleep later on, relieves the jitters, and assures you of the significance of your existence. What could be more calming than that?
Wedding Music: 50 Processional Songs For Your Walk Down the Aisle
If you're planning a wedding soon, one of the most daunting (but fun) details to figure out is the music. We've got a wedding music guide so you know what you have to select tunes for, but as for those tunes, we can help. We have ideas for your first dance song and the father/daughter dance, but what about the ceremony? Your walk down the aisle kicks off the celebration, but why settle for "Here Comes the Bride?" We have a collection of processional song suggestions that span genres, from traditional and instrumental to indie and eclectic.
Why a Flight Attendant Asked a Mom With a Screaming Baby to Move
One mom was pretty much living the fear of every parent who has ever traveled alone with kids on a recent Southwest flight. She was with her two young girls when according to a neighbor sitting nearby, her baby burst into a major meltdown. No matter what the mom did, she just couldn't console her baby or put an end to the "very loud" crying fit.
Carrie Jaboor was seated behind the mom and watched as an airline employee walked up to the mom and asked calmly asked her to come to the back of the plane. However when she turned around, the exchange was the complete opposite of what she expected. "I looked back and saw him blowing bubbles for the little girl until she stopped crying as he was also giving tissues to the mother and consoling her as she was crying too," Carrie shared with the Love What Matters Facebook page. "There are some seriously kind people in this world."
Although some could have been more than a bit annoyed by the child's crying, this kind flight attendant didn't blame the mom and instead showed compassion to both the parent and her child.
90+ Celebrities You Should Be Following on Snapchat
As more and more of your favorite stars hop on the Snapchat wagon, figuring out how to add them to your friends list can become a difficult task. Celebrities use the social media platform to share sexy selfies, funny videos, or behind-the-scenes footage, but unlike Instagram and Twitter, there are no verified accounts, so trying to hunt them down can seem like an endless mission. To make your life easier, we've rounded up the top celebrities you should be following. Keep reading to see which of your favorite stars are on Snapchat (and be sure to follow POPSUGAR), and then check out the hottest celebrity Snapchat accounts.
Wedding Music: 50 Processional Songs For Your Walk Down the Aisle
If you're planning a wedding soon, one of the most daunting (but fun) details to figure out is the music. We've got a wedding music guide so you know what you have to select tunes for, but as for those tunes, we can help. We have ideas for your first dance song and the father/daughter dance, but what about the ceremony? Your walk down the aisle kicks off the celebration, but why settle for "Here Comes the Bride?" We have a collection of processional song suggestions that span genres, from traditional and instrumental to indie and eclectic.
After People Trolled His Makeup Fail, James Charles Clapped Back in the Most Hilarious Way
Known for his impressively flawless highlight and killer brow game, James Charles is definitely one of our go-to vloggers when we're in need of some refreshing makeup inspiration. But the CoverBoy star recently proved that even the experts have off days, and he's taking it in stride like the true champ he is.
At an event in early March, James stopped to snap a few photos with fans and shared one of them on his Twitter. It looks like the camera's flash made his face look a tad pasty compared to the rest of his body - a common issue we're all secretly prone to.
my face is WAY too light bc of flashback lol there's no denying that but it was actually a filtered photo, here's the original casper pic 😕 http://pic.twitter.com/V5uIL23HYt
- FLASHBACK MARY (@jamescharles) March 5, 2017
Naturally, trolls from the dregs of the internet employed the power of Photoshop to exaggerate James's ghostly face makeup, and the memes started rolling in.
@jamescharles thanks to you, I'm no longer afraid of death and believe in becoming a ghost in the afterlife 💕 http://pic.twitter.com/dvhl5VraUG
- azim (@luxebutera) March 5, 2017
A whole month later, people are still somehow not over the whole thing, as memes are still being made. Although James admitted that he was initially pretty upset about them, he's now starting to acknowledge them on social media and finding humor in the whole situation.
best one yet http://pic.twitter.com/hBmjlswFN3
- FLASHBACK MARY (@jamescharles) April 3, 2017
And he even used it as fuel to make a hilarious new video tutorial mocking the haters. We couldn't think of a better way to handle a makeup fail! Ahead, see some of the most chuckle-inducing memes to date, followed by James's epic video response to the shade-throwers.
Tom Holland Basically Pulled a Hannah Montana While Preparing to Play Spider-Man
When it comes to concealing a famous identity, few are as skilled Peter Parker. The 15-year-old web-slinger is forced to balance his regular life and his crime-fighting alter-ego, which Tom Holland got a major taste of while preparing for Spider-Man: Homecoming. Since he's not a household name just yet, the 20-year-old British actor was sent undercover to a high school in NYC to prepare for the role, so he could experience what being an American student is really like. "I sent him to the Bronx High School of Science, because that's the kind of school that Peter Parker would go to," director Jon Watts revealed to POPSUGAR and a group of other journalists on the set last Summer. "He was so blown away by how hard the kids worked, how smart everyone was, and the thing he remarked on was just everyone was exhausted, and that's what I remember from high school."
Holland went all-in on the experience, too, donning a fake name and accent to blend in. "I am in no way a science student, and some of the teachers would call me up in front of the class and try and get me to do equations and stuff. It was so embarrassing," he recalled. "But it was actually really, really informative, because schools in London are so different. I would go to school every day in a suit and tie, it was just boys, and to be in a school where you can be free and let loose and be with girls was so different." The experiment only lasted for three days, and according to Holland, none of his classmates were ever the wiser. "I actually have videos on my phone of me interviewing people and asking them what they thought of the new Spider-Man in [Captain America:]Civil War, and they're like, 'Oh he's great! I love him!'" he said. "Some people were like, 'Nah, I don't love him,' and I'm standing right in front of them. It was really fun."
Even with Spider-Man: Homecoming in the works and roles in Invincible and In the Heart of the Sea, he says that he doesn't "get recognized all that much." Whenever he's in his suit, however, Holland loves to make the day of his younger fans. "We went to a children's hospital in the suit [the other day], and that for me was perfect. To make these kids happy was incredible," he said. "The best is when they actually believe I'm Spider-Man and they're like, 'How do the webs work?' and I'll have to say, 'Oh, I don't have the suit on.' That for me is one of the best things about being Spider-Man, convincing little kids that I can actually do that sort of stuff." Once he swings into theaters on July 6, we have a feeling he won't stay unrecognizable for long.
Ivanka Trump: “Where I Disagree With My Father, He Knows It”
"So where I disagree with my father, he knows it. And I express myself with total candor." -- @IvankaTrump https://t.co/FGIY88ARqb http://pic.twitter.com/upXDrUDn86
- CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) April 5, 2017
Ivanka Trump has been under serious scrutiny since her father was elected 45th president of the United States. While she initially said she was just going to be "a daughter" and not be involved in the administration, things have definitely changed. In her first TV interview since becoming assistant to the president, Ivanka sat down with Gayle King of CBS This Morning, where she opened up like never before - discussing her goals for her new role, the criticism she and husband Jared Kushner have faced for being "complicit," and what happens when she disagrees with her father, President Donald Trump.
Many have blamed Ivanka's lack of social media presence and her silence on social media regarding political issues on her being "complicit." Saturday Night Live even mocked her silence with a skit for fragrance ad named Complicit, but Ivanka reasserts herself and her job in the recent interview. "If being complicit is wanting to, is wanting to be a force for good and to make a positive impact then I'm complicit," she said. "I don't know that the critics who may say that of me, if they found themselves in this very unique and unprecedented situation that I am now in, would do any differently than I am doing."
Ivanka added, "So I hope to make a positive impact. I don't know what it means to be complicit, but you know, I hope time will prove that I have done a good job and much more importantly that my father's administration is the success that I know it will be."
Ivanka insisted that critics do not understand the rare position she is in and that her decision to not take to Twitter or make public statements does not mean that she doesn't have an opinion on the topic or that she doesn't care. "I would say not to conflate lack of public denouncement with silence," Ivanka said. "In some case it's through protest and it's through going on the nightly news and talking about or denouncing every issue in which you disagree with. Other times it is quietly, and directly, and candidly."
She explained that she's never silent when it comes to disagreeing with her father, and anyone who even flipped on the TV during the 2016 presidential election knows that Donald Trump does not fare well with opposing views, but it's not the same when it comes to his daughter.
"Where I disagree with my father, he knows it, and I express myself with total candor," she explained. "Where I agree, I fully lean in and support the agenda and hope that I can be an asset to him and make a positive impact. But I respect the fact that he always listens. It's how he was in business. It's how he is as president."
Gayle pointed out that many news articles claim Ivanka and her husband Jared are "the moderating force in the White House," and that they will tell President Trump the "hard truths." Ivanka agreed and said that many of the people the President surrounds himself with, including herself and Jared, will be straight up about issues at hand. "But I think most of the impact I have, over time, most people will not actually know about," she revealed.
Check out the full transcript of Ivanka's interview with Gayle King here.
Jennifer Aniston Stunned in This Daring Leather Minidress
Jennifer Aniston stepped out in LA Tuesday night to support her husband Justin Theroux. The gorgeous couple struck a pose in matching black ensembles at the season three premiere of HBO's The Leftovers, which Justin stars in.
While the night was all about Justin, we couldn't look away from Jennifer in her daring leather ensemble. She stunned in a look that differs from her typical fashion choices in a one-shouldered minidress from designer Brandon Maxwell's FW 17 collection. The number features a modern ruffle accent on the side. Jennifer finished her look off with gold Jennifer Meyer open circle earrings and black satin strappy sandals by Gianvito Rossi. Have a look at her full look and shop similar versions of her leather dress below.
90+ Celebrities You Should Be Following on Snapchat
As more and more of your favorite stars hop on the Snapchat wagon, figuring out how to add them to your friends list can become a difficult task. Celebrities use the social media platform to share sexy selfies, funny videos, or behind-the-scenes footage, but unlike Instagram and Twitter, there are no verified accounts, so trying to hunt them down can seem like an endless mission. To make your life easier, we've rounded up the top celebrities you should be following. Keep reading to see which of your favorite stars are on Snapchat (and be sure to follow POPSUGAR), and then check out the hottest celebrity Snapchat accounts.
After People Trolled His Makeup Fail, James Charles Clapped Back in the Most Hilarious Way
Known for his impressively flawless highlight and killer brow game, James Charles is definitely one of our go-to vloggers when we're in need of some refreshing makeup inspiration. But the CoverBoy star recently proved that even the experts have off days, and he's taking it in stride like the true champ he is.
At an event in early March, James stopped to snap a few photos with fans and shared one of them on his Twitter. It looks like the camera's flash made his face look a tad pasty compared to the rest of his body - a common issue we're all secretly prone to.
my face is WAY too light bc of flashback lol there's no denying that but it was actually a filtered photo, here's the original casper pic 😕 http://pic.twitter.com/V5uIL23HYt
- FLASHBACK MARY (@jamescharles) March 5, 2017
Naturally, trolls from the dregs of the internet employed the power of Photoshop to exaggerate James's ghostly face makeup, and the memes started rolling in.
@jamescharles thanks to you, I'm no longer afraid of death and believe in becoming a ghost in the afterlife 💕 http://pic.twitter.com/dvhl5VraUG
- azim (@luxebutera) March 5, 2017
A whole month later, people are still somehow not over the whole thing, as memes are still being made. Although James admitted that he was initially pretty upset about them, he's now starting to acknowledge them on social media and finding humor in the whole situation.
best one yet http://pic.twitter.com/hBmjlswFN3
- FLASHBACK MARY (@jamescharles) April 3, 2017
And he even used it as fuel to make a hilarious new video tutorial mocking the haters. We couldn't think of a better way to handle a makeup fail! Ahead, see some of the most chuckle-inducing memes to date, followed by James's epic video response to the shade-throwers.
Tom Holland Basically Pulled a Hannah Montana While Preparing to Play Spider-Man
When it comes to concealing a famous identity, few are as skilled Peter Parker. The 15-year-old web-slinger is forced to balance his regular life and his crime-fighting alter-ego, which Tom Holland got a major taste of while preparing for Spider-Man: Homecoming. Since he's not a household name just yet, the 20-year-old British actor was sent undercover to a high school in NYC to prepare for the role, so he could experience what being an American student is really like. "I sent him to the Bronx High School of Science, because that's the kind of school that Peter Parker would go to," director Jon Watts revealed to POPSUGAR and a group of other journalists on the set last Summer. "He was so blown away by how hard the kids worked, how smart everyone was, and the thing he remarked on was just everyone was exhausted, and that's what I remember from high school."
Holland went all-in on the experience, too, donning a fake name and accent to blend in. "I am in no way a science student, and some of the teachers would call me up in front of the class and try and get me to do equations and stuff. It was so embarrassing," he recalled. "But it was actually really, really informative, because schools in London are so different. I would go to school every day in a suit and tie, it was just boys, and to be in a school where you can be free and let loose and be with girls was so different." The experiment only lasted for three days, and according to Holland, none of his classmates were ever the wiser. "I actually have videos on my phone of me interviewing people and asking them what they thought of the new Spider-Man in [Captain America:]Civil War, and they're like, 'Oh he's great! I love him!'" he said. "Some people were like, 'Nah, I don't love him,' and I'm standing right in front of them. It was really fun."
Even with Spider-Man: Homecoming in the works and roles in Invincible and In the Heart of the Sea, he says that he doesn't "get recognized all that much." Whenever he's in his suit, however, Holland loves to make the day of his younger fans. "We went to a children's hospital in the suit [the other day], and that for me was perfect. To make these kids happy was incredible," he said. "The best is when they actually believe I'm Spider-Man and they're like, 'How do the webs work?' and I'll have to say, 'Oh, I don't have the suit on.' That for me is one of the best things about being Spider-Man, convincing little kids that I can actually do that sort of stuff." Once he swings into theaters on July 6, we have a feeling he won't stay unrecognizable for long.
The 25 Best Exercises to Tone Your Abs (and None of Them Are Crunches)
Let's be honest: crunches aren't the most exciting of exercises. And they're not always the most effective way to tone your abs anyway. If you're bored with your sit-up routine, here are 25 fun and effective moves to mix up your workout and tone your midsection!
- Additional reporting by Emily Bibb and Jenny Sugar
So Cool! Stay Inside a Glass Igloo at This Arctic Resort in Finland
If you want to stay in an "igloo" without freezing your ass off, the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is perfect for you. Based in Finland, the resort's guests get to stay in sleek, modern igloos made of glass. The transparent structures are especially perfect for viewing the Northern Lights as you fall asleep. It's best to visit during aurora season from late August to the end of April - that's when the night sky is most captivating. But don't let that stop you from visiting in the summertime too! There are activities like husky safaris and mountain biking to do in the warmer months.
It costs around $440 per night to stay in one of these nifty igloos. That's not bad considering it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Take a look at all the cool photos and the resort's official video for the inside scoop.
Get Excited - We're About to Learn a Hell of a Lot More About Jupiter
On Feb. 2, NASA's Juno spacecraft captured this stunning image of Jupiter's cloud tops. The mysterious dark spot is believed to be "a Jovian "galaxy" of swirling storms," according to a NASA press release. "Every time we get near Jupiter's cloud tops, we learn new insights that help us understand this amazing giant planet," wrote NASA.
NASA recently announced its plans for the Juno spacecraft to make its fifth flyby over the gas giant planet in order to discover new details about the planet's "origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere." The recordings from Juno's first flyby over Jupiter's cloud tops in 2011 is expected to be released within the next few months. Are you excited?
The 25 Best Exercises to Tone Your Abs (and None of Them Are Crunches)
Let's be honest: crunches aren't the most exciting of exercises. And they're not always the most effective way to tone your abs anyway. If you're bored with your sit-up routine, here are 25 fun and effective moves to mix up your workout and tone your midsection!
- Additional reporting by Emily Bibb and Jenny Sugar
8 Fan-Favorite Contestants From Bachelor Nation With Kids
There have been a lot of relationships between contestants over the years The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have been on TV, but unsurprisingly, there are few lasting relationships as a result of the shows - and even fewer babies. However, some of Bachelor Nation's biggest fan favorites have graced our social media feeds with photos of their sweet little babes, and we can't get enough.
From the Sutters, who have been married for over 10 years, to newer couples that got their start on the reality show and some who found love after the cameras stopped rolling, these are everyone's favorite contestants with kiddos.
Cutting Out Sugar Would've Killed Me by Now If It Weren't For Cinnamon
One of the key pieces of advice people will give you when you start any kind of diet is to have a support system. A friend, family member, co-worker, significant other, or accountability partner of some sort can help you stay on track and keep you together. They're there for you when you feel like you can't go on, supporting you through the tough times.
My support system is cinnamon. I'm joking, but I'm also totally serious. Cinnamon is getting me through my sugar cleanse. Let's rewind a little.
I gave up sugar for Lent. It was less for dietary reasons, more for the spiritual, mental, and emotional challenge, but that's beside the point. I cut cane sugar, rice syrup, coconut sugar, agave, maple syrup, honey, and any food that has added sugar. Naturally occurring sugars (like lactose in yogurt and fructose in fruit) are fair game, but sweets are off the menu. Even sauces that have "organic cane syrup," nut butters with coconut sugar, and salad dressings with honey are out of my life for the time being (until Easter).
It sucks. Do you know what kinds of foods have added sugar? THE BEST KINDS. I want something sweet all the time. I didn't eat a ton of sugar to begin with, but I enjoyed having little bits here and there, and realize now how much small, sweet treats are part of my everyday eating. I'm more conscious than ever about consumption, but my cravings have yet to go away . . . and I quit cold turkey over a month ago.
Back to cinnamon, my strength, my rock. As it turns out, this sweet-tasting spice is amazing for curbing sugar cravings and steadying blood sugar levels, and has a slew of other health benefits. And I've been putting it in EVERYTHING.
Worried that I had created a new vice for myself, I consulted registered dietitian Lisa Eberly, who told me that I was perfectly fine to spice up my diet with cinnamon. "It's on par with turmeric," she said. "Cinnamon is fantastic for inflammation, which helps with so many things - definitely RD approved."
You can put cinnamon in so many foods - mixed into plain Greek or Icelandic yogurt (I highly recommend coconut chips in addition to cinnamon!), in smoothies and protein shakes, in oatmeal and overnight oats, on toast, and even into soups. When I'm having a craving, I reach for the cinnamon, dump it into a blender or bowl, and don't look back.
I know I mentioned that I still have cravings and miss sugar, but adding cinnamon to my foods has made this all the more tolerable. The cravings might be emotional more than anything, but even if your willpower is iron-clad, it's still hard to fight off temptation when the office brings doughnuts or a server at a restaurant puts dessert down at the table next to you. I probably wouldn't survive this without cinnamon, honestly, and if you're trying to quit cold turkey on sugar, I suggest you try this out, too.
Breaking Down Melania Trump's Official Portrait Outfit, Sparkly Neck Tie and All
There are many style differences between Melania Trump and former First Lady Michelle Obama, but Melania makes that no more clear than in her her first official portrait, which was just released by the White House along with the following statement: "I am honored to serve in the role of First Lady, and look forward to working on behalf of the American people over the coming years."
While some Twitter commenters are calling out her 13-carat engagement ring, we are more focused on the detailing of her Dolce & Gabbana blazer. Melania nixed classic jewelry - Michelle Obama famously wore strands of pearls for both her portraits - for an embellished neck tie covered in sequins. The style update is notable and frankly pretty unmissable though Melania's outfit is black. (No one ignored the sleeveless silhouette of Michelle's LBD in 2009 either.)
Despite past scrutiny about first lady fashion choices, many people are noting that Nancy Reagan wore a pussy bow blouse in her signature red in 1981, a silhouette that Melania seems to favor that can even be considered modest. At the end of the day, Melania's neckerchief offers a glittering wink to remind us of her ties to the fashion industry. After all, it's certainly garnering plenty of comments (both positive and negative) on Stefano Gabbana's Instagram tribute, thanking Melania for choosing one of his looks.
Here's a List of Businesses to Boycott - or Support - If You Oppose Trump
Donald Trump's controversial views have led several businesses to take a clear stance for or against him. If you're looking for a list of these businesses to help inform your consumer decisions, we're here to help.
Who's Against Trump?
From the moment he announced his presidential campaign, Donald Trump created enough controversy that some businesses cut ties with him. Macy's stopped selling Trump's line of menswear after he declared most Mexican immigrants were rapists and murderers, and stood by their decision even after the election. NBC also cut ties with him, canceling their broadcast of the Miss USA pageant, which Trump owned, and replacing him as the host of Celebrity Apprentice.
Designers like Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, and Sophie Theallet have also made clear their disapproval of the president by refusing to dress the future first lady, Melania Trump. Additionally, an ever-growing list of artists rejected invitations to perform at the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. The list includes Elton John, Garth Brooks, Gene Simmons, Andrea Bocelli, Charlotte Church, and Jennifer Holliday.
Who Supports Trump, and How?
Of course, some businesses have expressed their support of Trump. One recently publicized case was that of L.L.Bean, which Trump praised in a tweet before he took office, thanking Linda Bean, heiress to the company, for her support. He also urged his supporters to buy the brand's products. (As president, he is now prohibited from endorsing specific brands by the Office of Government Ethics.) The tweet was issued in response to a $30,000 donation Bean made in support of Trump, which was recently revealed to have exceeded the annual limit for individuals.
Thank you to Linda Bean of L.L.Bean for your great support and courage. People will support you even more now. Buy L.L.Bean. @LBPerfectMaine
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2017
An online group, Grab Your Wallet, has compiled a list of businesses that consumers who oppose Trump could consider boycotting. These businesses fall into two categories. The first includes companies who have not necessarily openly expressed support for Trump, but who continue to carry either his brand's products or those manufactured for his daughter Ivanka Trump's brand. This category includes large companies like Amazon, even though its CEO, Jeff Bezos, who also owns the Washington Post, has been harshly criticized, and even threatened, by Trump. Macy's, despite having stopped selling Trump's clothing line, is also on the list, because the retailer continues to sell Ivanka's products. Other big names currently on the list include Bed Bath & Beyond, Bloomingdale's, Sears, Walmart, Saks Off Fifth, Winners, Kmart, and Lord & Taylor.
The second category includes companies who have supported Trump more directly, whether through public endorsements, donations, or advertising. For example, Steve Forbes, the chairman of Forbes Media, has publicly endorsed Trump, as have Hobby Lobby CEO David Green, Yuengling Beer owner Dick Yuengling Jr., and NASCAR CEO Brian France. Others have actively raised funds for or donated to the Trump campaign, such as New Balance chairman Jim Davis, who reportedly donated nearly $400,000, and of course, Linda Bean.
The website also points out companies who are advertisers on NBC's The New Celebrity Apprentice, of which Donald Trump remains executive producer. This category includes Tyra Banks's beauty line Tyra Beauty, the juice company Welch's, and Trident gum.
Finally, the website mentions a list of businesses for which a boycott case could be made, but which Grab Your Wallet has decided to exempt for various reasons. For example, PayPal cofounder Peter Thiel has actively supported Trump, but because Thiel is no longer involved with the company, PayPal is not on the boycott list. The Washington Post is also spared, despite being owned by Jeff Bezos (see above), because of the importance of maintaining free press and capable journalism under President Trump.
The 25 Best Exercises to Tone Your Abs (and None of Them Are Crunches)
Let's be honest: crunches aren't the most exciting of exercises. And they're not always the most effective way to tone your abs anyway. If you're bored with your sit-up routine, here are 25 fun and effective moves to mix up your workout and tone your midsection!
- Additional reporting by Emily Bibb and Jenny Sugar
8 Fan-Favorite Contestants From Bachelor Nation With Kids
There have been a lot of relationships between contestants over the years The Bachelor and The Bachelorette have been on TV, but unsurprisingly, there are few lasting relationships as a result of the shows - and even fewer babies. However, some of Bachelor Nation's biggest fan favorites have graced our social media feeds with photos of their sweet little babes, and we can't get enough.
From the Sutters, who have been married for over 10 years, to newer couples that got their start on the reality show and some who found love after the cameras stopped rolling, these are everyone's favorite contestants with kiddos.
Cutting Out Sugar Would've Killed Me by Now If It Weren't For Cinnamon
One of the key pieces of advice people will give you when you start any kind of diet is to have a support system. A friend, family member, co-worker, significant other, or accountability partner of some sort can help you stay on track and keep you together. They're there for you when you feel like you can't go on, supporting you through the tough times.
My support system is cinnamon. I'm joking, but I'm also totally serious. Cinnamon is getting me through my sugar cleanse. Let's rewind a little.
I gave up sugar for Lent. It was less for dietary reasons, more for the spiritual, mental, and emotional challenge, but that's beside the point. I cut cane sugar, rice syrup, coconut sugar, agave, maple syrup, honey, and any food that has added sugar. Naturally occurring sugars (like lactose in yogurt and fructose in fruit) are fair game, but sweets are off the menu. Even sauces that have "organic cane syrup," nut butters with coconut sugar, and salad dressings with honey are out of my life for the time being (until Easter).
It sucks. Do you know what kinds of foods have added sugar? THE BEST KINDS. I want something sweet all the time. I didn't eat a ton of sugar to begin with, but I enjoyed having little bits here and there, and realize now how much small, sweet treats are part of my everyday eating. I'm more conscious than ever about consumption, but my cravings have yet to go away . . . and I quit cold turkey over a month ago.
Back to cinnamon, my strength, my rock. As it turns out, this sweet-tasting spice is amazing for curbing sugar cravings and steadying blood sugar levels, and has a slew of other health benefits. And I've been putting it in EVERYTHING.
Worried that I had created a new vice for myself, I consulted registered dietitian Lisa Eberly, who told me that I was perfectly fine to spice up my diet with cinnamon. "It's on par with turmeric," she said. "Cinnamon is fantastic for inflammation, which helps with so many things - definitely RD approved."
You can put cinnamon in so many foods - mixed into plain Greek or Icelandic yogurt (I highly recommend coconut chips in addition to cinnamon!), in smoothies and protein shakes, in oatmeal and overnight oats, on toast, and even into soups. When I'm having a craving, I reach for the cinnamon, dump it into a blender or bowl, and don't look back.
I know I mentioned that I still have cravings and miss sugar, but adding cinnamon to my foods has made this all the more tolerable. The cravings might be emotional more than anything, but even if your willpower is iron-clad, it's still hard to fight off temptation when the office brings doughnuts or a server at a restaurant puts dessert down at the table next to you. I probably wouldn't survive this without cinnamon, honestly, and if you're trying to quit cold turkey on sugar, I suggest you try this out, too.
Cutting Out Sugar Would've Killed Me by Now If It Weren't For Cinnamon
One of the key pieces of advice people will give you when you start any kind of diet is to have a support system. A friend, family member, co-worker, significant other, or accountability partner of some sort can help you stay on track and keep you together. They're there for you when you feel like you can't go on, supporting you through the tough times.
My support system is cinnamon. I'm joking, but I'm also totally serious. Cinnamon is getting me through my sugar cleanse. Let's rewind a little.
I gave up sugar for Lent. It was less for dietary reasons, more for the spiritual, mental, and emotional challenge, but that's beside the point. I cut cane sugar, rice syrup, coconut sugar, agave, maple syrup, honey, and any food that has added sugar. Naturally occurring sugars (like lactose in yogurt and fructose in fruit) are fair game, but sweets are off the menu. Even sauces that have "organic cane syrup," nut butters with coconut sugar, and salad dressings with honey are out of my life for the time being (until Easter).
It sucks. Do you know what kinds of foods have added sugar? THE BEST KINDS. I want something sweet all the time. I didn't eat a ton of sugar to begin with, but I enjoyed having little bits here and there, and realize now how much small, sweet treats are part of my everyday eating. I'm more conscious than ever about consumption, but my cravings have yet to go away . . . and I quit cold turkey over a month ago.
Back to cinnamon, my strength, my rock. As it turns out, this sweet-tasting spice is amazing for curbing sugar cravings and steadying blood sugar levels, and has a slew of other health benefits. And I've been putting it in EVERYTHING.
Worried that I had created a new vice for myself, I consulted registered dietitian Lisa Eberly, who told me that I was perfectly fine to spice up my diet with cinnamon. "It's on par with turmeric," she said. "Cinnamon is fantastic for inflammation, which helps with so many things - definitely RD approved."
You can put cinnamon in so many foods - mixed into plain Greek or Icelandic yogurt (I highly recommend coconut chips in addition to cinnamon!), in smoothies and protein shakes, in oatmeal and overnight oats, on toast, and even into soups. When I'm having a craving, I reach for the cinnamon, dump it into a blender or bowl, and don't look back.
I know I mentioned that I still have cravings and miss sugar, but adding cinnamon to my foods has made this all the more tolerable. The cravings might be emotional more than anything, but even if your willpower is iron-clad, it's still hard to fight off temptation when the office brings doughnuts or a server at a restaurant puts dessert down at the table next to you. I probably wouldn't survive this without cinnamon, honestly, and if you're trying to quit cold turkey on sugar, I suggest you try this out, too.
The Walking Dead Cast Actually Looks Pretty Fresh Without the Blood and Grime
After seven seasons of The Walking Dead, it's safe to say the cast has changed quite a bit. And yet, for all the blood and grime and stringy hair they've acquired season to season, there's one context in which we've never really seen any of them: we're talking full-blown red carpet glamour. To give you a break from all the emotional scars of a post-apocalyptic zombie world, we've found ultragorgeous pictures of the show's biggest players. Keep reading to see how good they look in real life, then prepare yourself for season eight.
The Backstreet Boys Help a Fan Pull Off a Larger-Than-Life Marriage Proposal
Longtime Backstreet Boys fan Kitty Tung was in for quite the surprise when she recently attended a meet-and-greet with boyfriend James Guan at the band's Larger Than Life residency show in Las Vegas. Not only did the Backstreet Boys help arrange an epic proposal for her, but they also serenaded her while her boyfriend got down on one knee. "When the Backstreet Boys started singing, I was trying to remain calm, but my heart was beating so fast. It was so surreal and I couldn't believe that the Backstreet Boys helped him pull this off," she told ET. The couple have been fans of the Backstreet boys for years now, so it was only right that they played a part in their special moment.
This Is What Celeste's Monterey Apartment in Big Little Lies Would Cost IRL
If you tuned into the finale of Big Little Lies, you might've been surprised by how nice Celeste's secret two-bedroom apartment was. Sure, it paled in comparison to the multi-million dollar modern waterfront mansion she shared with husband Perry – but it was still way nicer than the average digs. We found ourselves coveting its light-filled rooms, stunning ocean views, beachfront location, and charming living room complete with fireplace. We even wondered if this Monterey hideaway was within reach of a normal person's budget, and to find out we found a strikingly similar apartment available for sale right now.
The charming property is located in a gated community directly on the sand (one of only two complexes in Monterey with this type of direct waterfront location) and offers two-bedrooms and two-baths spread out over 1,083 square-feet of space. It's currently being sold for - wait for it - $825,000. That's more than double the February 2017 average cost of a new home in the US. While it's a bargain compared to the seaside palaces characters like Renata and Madeline lived in, it's still very expensive.
Turns out, the Big Little Lies lifestyle is pricey no matter how you slice it. Keep reading to check out the beautiful property ahead.
Britney Spears's $7M Mansion Is a Small Piece of Paradise
Britney Spears knows a lucrative deal when she sees one. The star just sold a Mediterranean-style mansion in Thousand Oaks, CA. Built in 2010, the property sits on an 8,456-square-foot property in the Lake Sherwood community. Britney originally asked a whopping $8.995 million when she listed the property in Spring 2016 but wound up selling it for a discount at $7 million flat. In addition to a 180-degree view of the Santa Monica mountains, there is a game room, a movie room, two offices, an open kitchen with a formal dining room, and, of course, two ginormous walk-in closets fit for a Hollywood starlet.
Though Britney is saying bye to the mansion, whoever just scooped up up this incredible property will sleep in comfort knowing she once walked the halls and still lives in the neighborhood. As for where Britney will live, the real-estate-savvy singer already owns another $7.4 million Italian villa in the same area. Read on to see the spacious abode she just sold from all angles.
Outfits to Try When You Have "Nothing to Wear" to a Wedding
Knowing what's appropriate to wear to a wedding is one thing, but actually finding it in your closet or your favorite store is quite another. To be successful, you'll need some inspiration - plenty of outfit ideas that fit the fancy dress code but are understated enough not to take away from the bride on her big day.
Luckily, the 37 ensembles here are a happy medium. They consist of demure hemlines, fresh prints, pretty pastel shades, and, most importantly, loads of style. We promise that in these looks, you'll feel confident enough to be the first guest on the dance floor once the reception starts.
The Walking Dead Cast Actually Looks Pretty Fresh Without the Blood and Grime
After seven seasons of The Walking Dead, it's safe to say the cast has changed quite a bit. And yet, for all the blood and grime and stringy hair they've acquired season to season, there's one context in which we've never really seen any of them: we're talking full-blown red carpet glamour. To give you a break from all the emotional scars of a post-apocalyptic zombie world, we've found ultragorgeous pictures of the show's biggest players. Keep reading to see how good they look in real life, then prepare yourself for season eight.
Outfits to Try When You Have "Nothing to Wear" to a Wedding
Knowing what's appropriate to wear to a wedding is one thing, but actually finding it in your closet or your favorite store is quite another. To be successful, you'll need some inspiration - plenty of outfit ideas that fit the fancy dress code but are understated enough not to take away from the bride on her big day.
Luckily, the 37 ensembles here are a happy medium. They consist of demure hemlines, fresh prints, pretty pastel shades, and, most importantly, loads of style. We promise that in these looks, you'll feel confident enough to be the first guest on the dance floor once the reception starts.
You've Never Seen Anything Like This Italian Villa Where Old Hollywood Used to Let Loose
When it was first constructed in the 1500s, the Villa d'Este on Lake Como served as a resort for ecclesiastical leaders and local politicians. A few renovations and centuries later, the palatial complex hosted glamorous celebrities and was even the site of an infamous murder.
Though the villa started out as a sort of spiritual resort center, it became a private residence in 1815 when Caroline of Brunswick moved in shortly after separating from King George IV. Decades after her death, the villa became a proper hotel open to the public . . . the very wealthy public, that is. During the Golden Age of Hollywood, celebrities like Bette Davis and Clark Gable vacationed there. Alfred Hitchcock was particularly fond of the villa and visited many times throughout his lifetime.
Around this same time, a notorious murder took place inside of the villa. In 1948, Pia Bellentani shot her lover Carlo Sacchi after he had continued to see other women. The murder took place right after a fashion show that was being held at the villa that evening. Despite the grisly incident, the Villa d'Este continued being an aspirational travel destination and still hosts many celebrities and fashion insiders.
A night's stay does not come cheap: a room can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. According to many reviews on Trip Advisor, however, tourists can still stop by the villa for a lakeside lunch or a walk through the gardens.
Ahead, you'll find pictures of the timeless and over-the-top estate.
Think You Know the Most Used Spells in Harry Potter? The Answer Might Stupefy You
Image Source: Everett Collection
Since Hermione Granger taught Ron Weasley how to properly pronounce Wingardium Leviosa in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the pair and their fellow friends ended up performing many more spells - hundreds more, in fact.
One seriously devoted data analyst fan, Skyler Johnson, was so curious about the use of spells in the franchise that he categorized when and how often each spell is used in a neat chart. Each book is represented by a different color and hovering over a specific dot will allow you to see the context in which the spell is used.
On the left-hand side, you can choose to rank the spells by most occurrences or order of appearance. The most used spells are Accio, Expecto Patronum, and Stupefy. One spell was only said once in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Waddiwasi. Interestingly, the most spells performed occurred in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, followed by Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
The thorough graph is sure to delight any Potterhead - however, take it from us: looking at the chart for too long can totally kill your productivity.
13 Copycat Cheesecake Factory Recipes For When You're on a Budget
If The Cheesecake Factory tops your list of go-to restaurants for special occasions, you'll be glad you found this roundup of copycat recipes. The next time you've got a serious craving for the avocado egg rolls or Reese's cheesecake, try staying in and making them for yourself instead of going out. Ahead, find 13 recipes either inspired by or similar to The Cheesecake Factory's best menu items, from savory appetizers to sweet desserts. Because the one thing better than eating your favorite restaurant food is eating it from the comfort of your couch, right?
Pepsi Has Pulled Its Controversial Commercial With Kendall Jenner
Update: The Pepsi commercial is no longer available to watch on YouTube. According to The Daily Beast reporter, Olivia Messer, Pepsi is pulling the ad. The company added, "We also apologize for putting Kendall Jenner in this position." Jennifer Maloney, a reporter at the Wall Street Journal, also confirmed that Pepsi is pulling the ad and tweeted out the company's full statement.
Pepsi's statement. http://pic.twitter.com/ge8uMcamGa
- Jennifer Maloney (@maloneyfiles) April 5, 2017
We've reached out to Pepsi for additional comment.
Original story: Sometimes, companies hit the right tone when it comes to making statements in commercials. Most of the time, however, the company ends up looking out of touch and leaves the internet shaking its head at it. The newest club member to this group? Pepsi, along with Kendall Jenner, for a ridiculous, tone-deaf commercial.
The commercial starts off innocently enough with a protest taking over the streets, signs like "Join the Conversation" popping up. But as Kendall Jenner, clad in a blond wig and taking part in a photo shoot, notices the crowd, she realizes where she needs to be - the protest. Kendall wipes off her lipstick and joins the protest, grabbing a Pepsi can in the process. If you're not cringing yet, you will when Kendall walks up to a line of police officers and hands one a Pepsi can. The image is an allusion to when Ieshia Evans, who was standing peacefully in front of police officers at a protest in Baton Rouge, LA, was arrested. Watch the entire commercial below.
The internet collectively lost it when Pepsi aired this commercial.
If Kendall were a black man, the cop would think the @pepsi was a gun, open fire, get paid leave and not be charged with murder
- Steph Carter (@CarterSteph__) April 4, 2017
the Boston Tea Party, but, like, Pepsi cans are throwing Coke cans into Boston Harbor?
- Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) April 4, 2017
*Cop raises nightstick over unarmed black person*
*Black person timidly offers cop Pepsi in their hand*
*Cop apologizes, hugs them*- Tax-free Hands. (@thewayoftheid) April 4, 2017
People also took the time to call out Kendall Jenner for participating.
-this is the closest we have ever seen a kardashian be to activism and it's a fake protest in a pepsi ad she was paid millions to appear in
- jack wagner (@GrimmKardashian) April 4, 2017
Others couldn't help but make fun of the entire situation.
Who wants to let me film them handing a Pepsi to a riot cop at the next big Portland Protest?
- doug brown (@dougbrown8) April 4, 2017
Look I'm as woke as the next guy, but even cops shouldn't have to drink Pepsi.
- Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) April 4, 2017
Some people wondered how Coca-Cola's day was going.
Pepsi just did a brilliant ad for Coke
- Nic Sampson (@NicSampson) April 4, 2017
that pepsi ad made me want to buy a coke.
- quinta b. (@quintabrunson) April 4, 2017
Mostly, the internet now officially hates Pepsi.
[Ordering last meal on death row]
Guard:... And to drink?
Me: Coke.
Guard: Pepsi OK?
Me: *executes myself*- Jules (@SaltyCorpse) April 4, 2017
3 Easy Steps to Make Your Urban Garden a Reality This Spring
The hardest part about becoming an urban gardener is making the leap from wanting and thinking about a plot in the city to actually starting one. I would know - I made a few feeble attempts over the years (note: starting from seeds takes forever, basil doesn't particularly love water, and yes, squirrels will steal everything you grow if you let them).
If you're tired of scrolling through Instagram and seeing all the gorgeous blooms from lifestyle bloggers or looking out your window and seeing the side of the next building over, read on for 3 easy steps to make your urban garden a reality this spring.
1. Know what you want to grow
Before you even google tips for starting an urban garden and how to choose the right supplies, make a list of the plants or types of plants you want to have in your garden. Which ones do you already know (snapdragons, pansies, basil, etc.)? Do you want to have flowers, herbs, or vegetables?
Making this your very first step will help the overwhelming task of creating a garden be significantly more doable.
2. Know your space
Perhaps most important is having an understanding of your space. Regardless of what you want to grow, it may be dictated by your environment. Different plants need different types of soil, hours of sunlight, and amounts of water. The amount of water and type of soil can be readily fixed in an urban garden, so really, you just need to know how many hours each day your garden area receives direct or indirect sunlight. This will have the greatest impact on the plants you can successfully grow in your garden. So, take the list you made of the plants you know, and would like to grow, and see if they work best with partial or full sun.
Of course, not all of us living in the city are lucky enough to have outdoor space - not even a fire escape! In these instances, I'm sorry, I've been there. But don't worry, a sunny windowsill can still work great, as does investing in a grow light and a hydroponic indoor plant system.
3. Start small
If you're just getting started with gardening, don't try to tackle it all at once - start with two or three plants, get them under your belt and growing strong before expanding your garden. I know, I know, it's so tempting to make a huge trip to Home Depot or make an order online, but less really is more when you're first digging in.
Keeping in mind the different needs of each plant, you want to make sure you have enough resources to ensure all the plants grow strong and bloom. For example, if you only have one corner of shade, you don't to make that big trip and come home with enough plants to fill half your outdoor space that all want partial sun. You won't be able to give all of them what they need.
Sometimes none of the above matters, and the hardest part is simply starting. That's okay. It's natural for hobbies to fall on the priority list when life gets hectic. But when you're ready to start planting, don't let the millions of options of pots, plants, different soils, fertilizers, gardening gloves, trellises, etc. bog you down (read: avoid the online browsing trap!). Pick the first pot you see that you like, bring home the plants you're familiar with/that will grow well with the amount sunlight you have, and begin.
As Janet Kilburn Phillips once said, "There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments."
The 1 Way Queen Elizabeth II Can Make or Break a Royal Marriage
Image Source: Getty / Pool
Prince Harry's relationship with Suits actress Meghan Markle has many people pining for another royal wedding, but zero bells will be ringing for the couple until Meghan impresses his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II - and gets it in writing. Due to the Royal Marriages Act 1772, the monarch has the right to veto the marriage of a member of his or her family and is required to give formal consent to any family marriages in order to guard against those that could "diminish the status of the royal house." The fact that Meghan is a divorcée - she was married to Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2013 - has been widely speculated to hurt her chances, but it actually won't. Not only have modern royal marriage rules become more lax than in previous years, but the queen has technically dealt with that kind of drama before.
Image Source: Hugo Burnand / AFP / Getty Images
While the Royal Marriages Act originally meant that all royal family members needed consent from Queen Elizabeth in order to marry, a change in the law in 2013 now only applies to the six people closest in line to the throne - Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Harry, and Prince Andrew - who need to seek out the queen's permission before popping the question. With the birth of Charlotte in May 2015, Princess Beatrice of York became seventh in line and her sister Eugenie slid down to eighth, so they can essentially marry whoever they want without checking with their grandmother first.
Before proposing to Kate Middleton in October 2010, Prince William had to get the thumbs up from Queen Elizabeth, and according to BBC News, she "readily gave her consent." Elizabeth signed an detailed notice of approval to the union of "Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton." The notice was dated Feb. 9, 2011, just two months before Kate and William tied the knot.
Though it's been reported that Harry is "besotted" with Meghan and that she's met his father, brother, and sister-in-law so far, she has yet to meet the queen. If Harry is looking to propose, he'll likely need to earn the queen's blessing sometime soon; and if she objects to Meghan as a worthy wife or feels that she isn't a good addition to the family, she has the right to rule their marriage "invalid." That's right - Harry's grandma could literally say "Nah" and his plans to tie the knot could come crashing down.
Contrary to popular belief, there are no rules that require a prince to marry someone of royal or aristocratic blood, or even a British citizen - but religion is where it gets dicey.It's not something she has ever done, and she likely wouldn't start with an American actress. Contrary to popular belief, there are no rules that require a prince to marry someone of royal or aristocratic blood, or even a British citizen (and in the case of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, an incoming royal can even be divorced) - but religion is where it gets dicey. There is no legal barrier that keeps a royal from marrying someone of Jewish, Buddhist, or Muslim faith, or even an atheist, but under the Act of Settlement of 1701, no one in the direct line of succession could marry a Catholic and keep their right to the throne. This is because the monarch also serves as Head of the Protestant Anglican Church of England, which was established back in the 16th century by Henry VIII. In 2015, amendments were made that now allow royal family members to marry a Roman Catholic and become king or queen - however, a Roman Catholic royal still cannot become the monarch. For instance, if Prince George marries a Catholic and raises his children in that faith, they could be prohibited from taking the throne.
Image Source: Odd Anderson / AFP / Getty Images
Where her divorce is concerned, Harry's girlfriend shouldn't be too worried. There have been a handful of royal family members who have past marriages and those who have carried on relationships with divorcées. Perhaps most famous was Elizabeth's uncle, Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry his divorced American socialite mistress Wallis Simpson, which resulted in Elizabeth's father George VI becoming king. In the '50s, the queen's sister, Princess Margaret, ended her relationship with divorced Group Captain Peter Townsend in favor of her royal status (and went on to get divorced some 30 years later). And as we all know, the queen's eldest son Prince Charles split from Princess Diana and went on to marry his mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles. It was Elizabeth who, likely fed up with doing damage control for Charles and Diana's extramarital affairs, urged the couple to divorce. In December 1995, Buckingham Palace announced that the queen had written separate letters to the couple advising them that "an early divorce is desirable" - an unprecedented move at the time. Their divorce was finalized in August 1996, but as the mother of heirs to the throne, Diana remained an official member of the royal family until her death the following year.
Prince Charles sought the approval of his mother before proposing to Camilla, and their engagement was announced in February 2005. The following month, the queen released her official letter of consent to their union, and the two were married at Windsor Guildhall in England on April 9, followed by a Church of England Service of Prayer and Dedication at St. George's Chapel. Charles is the first member of the royal family to have a civil ceremony rather than a religious wedding, and his parents were not in attendance for their town hall event. It was reported that because the queen "does take her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England very seriously," she felt it would "be inappropriate to attend that particular part of the wedding." She and Philip were there for the prayer and dedication service and also held a reception for the newlyweds in Windsor Castle.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still quite a new couple by most relationship standards, but should they start talking marriage, she'll likely have a pretty easy time becoming a princess - because while marrying into the royal family isn't exactly a piece of cake, there are fewer hoops to jump through than most would think.
13 Copycat Cheesecake Factory Recipes For When You're on a Budget
If The Cheesecake Factory tops your list of go-to restaurants for special occasions, you'll be glad you found this roundup of copycat recipes. The next time you've got a serious craving for the avocado egg rolls or Reese's cheesecake, try staying in and making them for yourself instead of going out. Ahead, find 13 recipes either inspired by or similar to The Cheesecake Factory's best menu items, from savory appetizers to sweet desserts. Because the one thing better than eating your favorite restaurant food is eating it from the comfort of your couch, right?
Yay! Camila Mendes Promises "More Spanish" to Come on Riverdale Very Soon
If you're already a Riverdale addict, then prepare to become even more obsessed; Brazilian-American star Camila Mendes just revealed that Spanish-speaking fans might be gaining even more from the show than other viewers. When POPSUGAR and a group of reporters caught up with Mendes in the show's WonderCon press room, the actress promised that there are more references to her character's Latina background coming soon.
"I do speak more Spanish; and it's a nod to the comics as well, what I say," Mendes told press outlets. That means that, for those bilingual Riverdale fans, there's a whole other side to the story to gain. As if we needed another reason to love the series! Camila, who also speaks Portuguese, is already our favorite lady on the show . . . and now we've got even more reason to root for her character, Veronica!
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux Look Damn Good Together on the Red Carpet
Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux made a striking pair when they attended HBO's season three premiere of The Leftovers in LA on Tuesday night. The couple, who recently rang in Jennifer's 48th birthday in Mexico, held hands and flashed sweet smiles as they walked down the red carpet in their matching black ensembles. Justin's show returns to HBO on April 16, though for some, it's bittersweet as it is also the final season. The third season finds the Garvey family relocating again, this time to Australia, but some of it will also take place in Texas.
Just last week, Justin attended CinemaCon in Las Vegas, where he not only promoted his latest project, The Lego Ninjago Movie, but also dished on Jennifer's special birthday celebration in Cabo. "We do special things. I did a little night for her birthday where we went to a special dinner and had a piñata," he revealed.
You'll Feel So Blessed by These Slow-Cooker Recipes This Easter
Before the stress of planning an Easter menu sets in, remember the humble slow cooker! It can braise carrots, warm up ham, cook potatoes, makes insane cheesecake, and so, so much more. Let all of these ideas inspire your menu planning for the big Sunday feast.
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