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.
vendredi 2 juin 2017
Fall TV: See When Your Favorite Shows Are Premiering This Year
Unfortunately, some of our favorite TV shows have already been canceled this year, but luckily, there's something we can all look forward to: Fall TV premieres. Both new and existing shows will be coming back in a few months, from the debut episode of Young Sheldon to the second season of Stranger Things. A few networks have released their lineups, and now we have a better idea of when some of the season's most anticipated premieres will happen. Grab your calendar and check them out!
CBS
Monday, Sept. 25
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - Young Sheldon (special season debut)*
9 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
9:30 p.m. - Me, Myself & I*
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Tuesday, Sept. 26
8 p.m. - NCIS
9 p.m. - Bull
10 p.m. - NCIS: New Orleans
Wednesday, Sept. 27
8 p.m. - Survivor
9 p.m. - Seal Team*
10 p.m. - Criminal Minds
Friday, Sept. 29
8 p.m. - MacGyver
9 p.m. - Hawaii Five-0
10 p.m. - Blue Bloods
Sunday, Oct. 1
8:30 p.m. - Wisdom of the Crowd*
9:30 p.m. - NCIS: Los Angeles
Monday, Oct. 2
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - 9JKL*
9 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
9:30 p.m. - Me, Myself & I
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Sunday, Oct. 8
10 p.m. - Madam Secretary
Monday, Oct. 30
8 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
8:30 p.m. - 9JKL
9 p.m. - Me, Myself & I
9:30 p.m. - Superior Donuts
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Thursday, Nov. 2
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - Young Sheldon (regular time period)
9 p.m. - Mom
9:30 p.m. - Life in Pieces
10 p.m. - S.W.A.T.*
HBO
Sunday, Sept. 10
10 p.m. - The Deuce
Netflix
Tuesday, Oct. 31
12 a.m. - Stranger Things
(* = new shows)
Fall TV: See When Your Favorite Shows Are Premiering This Year
Unfortunately, some of our favorite TV shows have already been canceled this year, but luckily, there's something we can all look forward to: Fall TV premieres. Both new and existing shows will be coming back in a few months, from the debut episode of Young Sheldon to the second season of Stranger Things. A few networks have released their lineups, and now we have a better idea of when some of the season's most anticipated premieres will happen. Grab your calendar and check them out!
CBS
Monday, Sept. 25
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - Young Sheldon (special season debut)*
9 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
9:30 p.m. - Me, Myself & I*
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Tuesday, Sept. 26
8 p.m. - NCIS
9 p.m. - Bull
10 p.m. - NCIS: New Orleans
Wednesday, Sept. 27
8 p.m. - Survivor
9 p.m. - Seal Team*
10 p.m. - Criminal Minds
Friday, Sept. 29
8 p.m. - MacGyver
9 p.m. - Hawaii Five-0
10 p.m. - Blue Bloods
Sunday, Oct. 1
8:30 p.m. - Wisdom of the Crowd*
9:30 p.m. - NCIS: Los Angeles
Monday, Oct. 2
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - 9JKL*
9 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
9:30 p.m. - Me, Myself & I
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Sunday, Oct. 8
10 p.m. - Madam Secretary
Monday, Oct. 30
8 p.m. - Kevin Can Wait
8:30 p.m. - 9JKL
9 p.m. - Me, Myself & I
9:30 p.m. - Superior Donuts
10 p.m. - Scorpion
Thursday, Nov. 2
8 p.m. - The Big Bang Theory
8:30 p.m. - Young Sheldon (regular time period)
9 p.m. - Mom
9:30 p.m. - Life in Pieces
10 p.m. - S.W.A.T.*
HBO
Sunday, Sept. 10
10 p.m. - The Deuce
Netflix
Tuesday, Oct. 31
12 a.m. - Stranger Things
(* = new shows)
Rihanna, LeBron James Superfan, Can't Resist Trolling Kevin Durant at the NBA Finals
Image Source: Getty / Thearon W. Henderson
Are Rihanna and Kevin Durant currently engaged in a bitter feud? Probably not, honestly, but whatever was going down between them at the NBA Finals game on Thursday night was extremely entertaining. The singer and Bates Motel actress attended Game 1 in the finals series at Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA, where the LeBron James superfan cheered on the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors. She supported #23 at the start of the game by dabbing courtside and even told off a Warriors fan complaining about her blocking their view. It was great:
Amazing.
Rihanna bows to LeBron then hits a dab and small waves a Warriors fan telling her to sit down.
💀 http://pic.twitter.com/q0IyIPIbGK- Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) June 2, 2017
Unfortunately for both Ri and LeBron, it soon became pretty clear that Kevin Durant was leading the Warriors to a big win. Naturally Rihanna wasn't pleased, so she and personal assistant Jenn Rosales engaged in some light heckling as he shot a free throw:
Listen: Rihanna yells "BRIIIIIICK!!!" at Durant during free throw, he stares her down twice 😂 (h/t @tshent) http://pic.twitter.com/XYdFOv9mc3
- Rob Perez (@World_Wide_Wob) June 2, 2017
As a potential response to her yelling, Kevin appeared to stare her down after he hit a three later on in the game, which you can see below (at the :36 minute-mark):
The Warriors won 113-91, and at the postgame press conference a reporter asked if the staredown was on purpose, since "social media was buzzing" about it. "I don't even remember that," Kevin responded, while teammate Steph Curry joked, "Don't get in that trap." For her part, Rihanna was filmed walking out of the arena after the game seeming decidedly unbothered, saying that the loss "doesn't matter, b*tch. The king is still the king." Here's hoping Rihanna shows up for Game 2.
11 Disney Baby Shower Themes That Are Beyond Magical
There's always a way for Disney fans to incorporate a touch of magic into their special days, whether it be through a wedding theme or a baby's gender reveal. However, a Disney theme really shines when it comes to planning a baby shower for a mama-to-be who has a soft spot for Disney classics. Whether she's an Aladdin-lover or obsessed with Cinderella, there are a variety of enchanting, Disney-inspired baby shower theme ideas that will leave her speechless.
Check out these 11 celebrations that are nothing short of magical.
13 Monogrammed Gifts Your Bridesmaids Will Love
Show your bridesmaids how much you appreciate their participation with a sweet gift. Something personalized will demonstrate how much the women in your life mean to you. We found monogrammed present ideas that are both pretty and thoughtful. Your bridal party will love how special these items are, plus they will be usable long after the wedding. Take a look!
Wonder Woman Is an Important Step Forward For the DC Universe - and Women Everywhere
She couldn't have been more than 7, maybe 8 years old. She bounced into the movie theater to see Wonder Woman rather than walked, excitedly hopping from one foot to another as her dad followed close behind. She wore a homemade costume, complete with a glittering gold crown, a baby blanket tied around her neck as an impromptu cape, and some wrist wraps made out of tinfoil. Smiling from ear to ear, she sat down a few rows in front of me, and I couldn't get her face out of my mind for the film's entire run, which clocks in at a lengthy but enjoyable two hours and change.
Yes, director Patty Jenkins's take on the beloved female superhero has finally arrived, and praise Hippolyta, it's fantastic.
Over the last few years, Warner Bros.' attempts to bring DC Comics characters to the big screen haven't exactly gone well, critically speaking. After Christopher Nolan's stellar run with his Dark Knight trilogy in the early aughts, Zack Snyder's joyless Man of Steel fell flat in 2013. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (also directed by Snyder) and David Ayer's Suicide Squad came along three years later, and though they raked in some serious cash for Warner Bros. - Batman v Superman earned an astounding $873 million, while Suicide Squad pulled in $745 million - the reviews were unkind, to say the least (they hold 26 percent and 25 percent ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively).
When Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman briefly popped up in 2016's Batman v Superman and effortlessly stole the show from Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, a lot of fans' excitement rightly came with a trace of trepidation - would DC let us down again with another dark and dour trudge? The answer is a resounding no.
Even though Wonder Woman is still in the same DC Extended Universe as its predecessors, the film lacks their cynical tone and style in favor of showcasing an endearing and earnest superhero. Diana's naiveté has yet to be dimmed by the gritty realities of defending a humanity that doesn't necessarily deserve her, and Gadot brings a surprising amount of levity to the role. The fiery demigoddess from the island of Themyscira, which is inhabited solely by a race of female warriors called the Amazons, is steadfast in her beliefs that peace can be achieved for mankind if only she can destroy Ares, the god of war.
She gets her chance to save the world when the film's damsel in distress - Steve Trevor (the ridiculously charming Chris Pine), an American spy working undercover for British intelligence during WWI - crashes just off the shore of her island. After recovering from the shock of meeting a guy for the first time, Diana convinces him to take her to the land of man (erm, London) as a favor for saving his life, so she can kill Ares and put an end to the war she believes he's responsible for.
Diana approaches customs of modern civilization with a wide-eyed curiosity. She questions Steve about things like why a man and woman are holding hands on the sidewalk, and a memorable sequence sees her kicking and punching her way out of the restrictive, frou-frou 1900s outfits he wants her to wear to blend in. At the same time, she's unrelentingly fierce and highly skilled when it comes to combat (being raised by Amazonian women will do that, I imagine) and refuses to let (or even bother to understand why) her status as a woman might hold her back in Steve's world. She charges into a room full of all male military generals with the same ferocity she has on the battlefield. She also has a refreshingly frank (and positive) approach to sex and never once falters or pauses to question her own self-worth. In other words, she's literally and figuratively smashing the patriarchy.
All of this is, of course, owed to both Gadot's performance and Jenkins's smart decisions behind the camera. There's a seamless streamlining of years of comic book history and a straightforward introduction to the Greek mythology that is woven into the fabric of Wonder Woman's mythos. Absent are clunky tie-ins to Justice League or other DC characters (save for two quick references to Bruce Wayne and Wayne Industries at the beginning and end of the film), which gives Wonder Woman a sense of individuality and lightness. Rather than shoehorning in teases or Easter eggs for future movies, Jenkins tells Diana's origin story simply. Diana is the star, and it's all the better for it.
Along with its pivot away from the feel of other DC properties, it's hard not to notice the parallels to Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger. Like Steve Rogers, Diana is idealistic and passionate about what she believes in, and much of Wonder Woman is wrapped up in the carnage of war. The action scenes are excellent (slo-mo for days), and the era of "the war to end war" provides the perfect backdrop for Diana's strength and freedom to rail against. In the 1910s, women couldn't vote, were barely a part of the workforce, and certainly weren't allowed to be a part of government; Diana is the antithesis of those values in every way.
This is never more apparent than in her first real tangle with the Germans, who are posited as one of the film's big bads. Uninhibited by the restraints of an average human body, she ignores the pleas of all the men around her to stay down, instead stepping bravely out into the no man's land of the trenches to save an occupied village on the other side. Flinging machine gun bullets off of her armor with a steely determination and advancing on the enemy in a way none of the other soldiers ever could, it ends up being the film's biggest stand-up-and-cheer moment.
As I watched Diana in this scene, I found myself truly moved, struggling to keep the rising lump in my throat at bay. I couldn't help but think of that little girl dressed in her homemade costume, staring up in wonder at an empowering female character dismantling the rules of what women can be and what they can do. She, and tons of other young women out there, finally have a superhero of their own to grow up with and be inspired by in a time when they need it most. It's because of this that Wonder Woman transcends being just a really good superhero movie - it's so, so much more than that. What Jenkins and Gadot have accomplished, carving out a space for women in a fandom that has long been dominated by men, is incredibly important. In an age when Black Widow can't even get her own action figure, let alone a solo film, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Wonder Woman is here, and she's here to stay.
11 Disney Baby Shower Themes That Are Beyond Magical
There's always a way for Disney fans to incorporate a touch of magic into their special days, whether it be through a wedding theme or a baby's gender reveal. However, a Disney theme really shines when it comes to planning a baby shower for a mama-to-be who has a soft spot for Disney classics. Whether she's an Aladdin-lover or obsessed with Cinderella, there are a variety of enchanting, Disney-inspired baby shower theme ideas that will leave her speechless.
Check out these 11 celebrations that are nothing short of magical.
Demand for mental health care growing at Canadian universities
A recent investigation shows that demand for mental health care at UBC and universities across Canada is growing, but some students say universities services aren't enough.
Cracker Barrel's Oozing S'mores Dessert Is All You Need This Summer - No Campfire Required
Nothing says Summer like a campfire-cooked dessert, and Cracker Barrel has unveiled a new oozing treat to answer all of our s'mores needs. The new Campfire S'more dessert starts with a graham cracker crust under a chocolate fudge brownie and is topped with a toasted marshmallow (of course) and melted Hershey's milk chocolate on top. The sweet treat is completed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and Hershey's chocolate drizzled over it. If it sounds incredible, that's because it is.
This over-the-top dessert is the creation of our Summer dreams, and the best part is, we don't have to do any of the work to get the perfect s'more! The chain has also announced new Summer meals like Campfire Chicken, Campfire Beef, and more, all of which are wrapped in tin foil and served with Cracker Barrel's famous flaky biscuits or corn muffins.
The drool-worthy Cracker Barrel Campfire Meals will be available through Aug. 6, which gives us plenty of time to get our s'more on!
Remember Zima? The Clear, Alcoholic Soda From the '90s Is Back!
Like me, you may have been too young to drink Zima in the '90s, but who can forget those strange commercials? Or, more accurately, they were zomething different. The clear, citrusy malt soda made by Coors positioned itself as a refreshingly cool beer substitute. Though it was discontinued in 2008, it's coming back (exclusive to Walmart) thanks to the current craze for hard seltzers. Though Zima's entering a tough, competitive market in 2017, we're thinking nostalgia is on its side. After all, everyone has freaked out about the return of Clearly Canadian!
Why Do the Most Inclusive TV Shows Get Canceled?
Image Source: Netflix
This week, Netflix did the unthinkable and canceled its cult hit show Sense8. A statement from VP of Original Content Cindy Holland said, "It is everything we and the fans dreamed it would be: bold, emotional, stunning, kickass and outright unforgettable. Never has there been a more truly global show with an equally diverse and international cast and crew, which is only mirrored by the connected community of deeply passionate fans all around the world." And in this aspect, Holland would be right. Sense8 was and is arguably one of the most inclusive and diverse shows in TV history. It depicts a staggering variety of races, sexualities, and cultures.
To make matters worse, there's a sort of salt-in-the-wound effect here that has fans extra angry. The first season of the show dropped in June 2015, meaning its audience had to wait nearly two years to see how the story continues. Netflix announced the cancellation just a month after dropping the second season . . . on June 1. Which, as you may or may not know, is the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month. As one fan noted on Twitter, several of the show's narratives are currently only half-finished.
As much as we could harp on Sense8 for eight or so more paragraphs, the show isn't the only one to receive what seems to be a premature cancellation. Just last month, The Real O'Neals got the ax from ABC, thus eliminating another series with a gay main character. Furthermore, when you look over this season's other canceled shows, you realize it's not just about the LGBTQ community, it's also about shows that prominently feature people of color. Freshman series Pitch, with a black woman as the lead, didn't earn a second season. The Get Down, another Netflix darling, only got one season. Other diverse shows, like American Crime, Dr. Ken, and Rosewood, were all nipped as well. All of these shows made powerful strides toward inclusion in their own various ways, and they also all had something else in common: loyal, passionate fan bases that didn't want to see their shows go.
In the past few months, Pitch fans rallied behind the #KeepHerinTheGame campaign, and avid viewers of The Real O'Neals got in on a movement called #TheRealReason. The latter was met with an outpouring of tweets: fans revealed how the show had educated them and their families. LGBTQ youth expressed how much it meant to have someone they could relate to on mainstream TV. When it comes to Pitch, it wasn't just about impassioned fans. The show premiered with stellar reviews in the Fall. So, why the hell are we still losing these shows?!
Image Source: Fox
It boils down to numbers. When it comes to the cancellations of Pitch and The Real O'Neals, it's all about viewership. In January, Fox CEO and Chairman Gary Newman said the network was very happy with Pitch, but they "would've loved to see a bigger audience." Ratings from The Real O'Neals hovered around three million in season two, making it ABC's lowest-performing comedy.
Truth be told, Netflix doesn't typically share that kind of data and didn't cite it as a reason for cancellation, but it's a safe bet something similar was at play. After all, Netflix is notorious for canceling very few of its original series. The Get Down and Sense8 are among the first. It just goes to show: you can have an exceptional show with noted critical acclaim, and that still won't be enough. These networks want money.
That's the real tragedy here, and that's why it's so upsetting. Each of these three shows did something magnificent for the LGBTQ community and minorities. They were diverse and inclusive. As groups of people who are constantly erased in mainstream media, who struggle every year to get their stories on TV and in movies, shows like The Real O'Neals, The Get Down, Sense8, and Pitch really, really matter. Doesn't this kind of representation, excitement, enthusiasm, and positive feedback mean more to a network than revenue?
Image Source: Netflix
The real bullsh*t is that these underrepresented communities will always be the minority population in the United States. We're a smaller group of individuals, so even when we're all excited about something, we just can't make the same impact as a wider audience. And yet, we'll always be held to the same standard. We'll always be expected to deliver the same kinds of ratings as a show like The Big Bang Theory.
Netflix, with its generosity and openness and willingness to give niche audiences a chance, seemed like the media champion of content for marginalized individuals of our society. It never seemed like numbers mattered all that much, as long as they were making a stunning impact. But now that Sense8 and The Get Down are gone, we're not sure.
Cracker Barrel's Oozing S'mores Dessert Is All You Need This Summer - No Campfire Required
Nothing says Summer like a campfire-cooked dessert, and Cracker Barrel has unveiled a new oozing treat to answer all of our s'mores needs. The new Campfire S'more dessert starts with a graham cracker crust under a chocolate fudge brownie and is topped with a toasted marshmallow (of course) and melted Hershey's milk chocolate on top. The sweet treat is completed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and Hershey's chocolate drizzled over it. If it sounds incredible, that's because it is.
This over-the-top dessert is the creation of our Summer dreams, and the best part is, we don't have to do any of the work to get the perfect s'more! The chain has also announced new Summer meals like Campfire Chicken, Campfire Beef, and more, all of which are wrapped in tin foil and served with Cracker Barrel's famous flaky biscuits or corn muffins.
The drool-worthy Cracker Barrel Campfire Meals will be available through Aug. 6, which gives us plenty of time to get our s'more on!
Mom Shares the Sheer Heartbreak of Having Stillborn Identical Twins at 37 Weeks
When Jacqueline Hoy and her husband found out that they were expecting third and fourth children, these Australian parents were shocked. Neither had twins in the family, and after the initial surprise wore off, they began happily making plans for their expanding family.
According to Jacqi, who is also mom to 8-year-old Lachlan and 2-year-old Edward, her third pregnancy was uncomplicated. The couple decided early on to name their identical twins Henry and William, and the boys were healthy at every doctor's visit. However, when Jacqui woke up one morning near the end of her pregnancy, she knew something was different.
At this point, Jacqui was 37 weeks pregnant, and the doctors planned to induce her in a few days. "I saw the boys two days earlier during a scan and they were kicking and had normal heartbeats," Jacqui told POPSUGAR. "There was absolutely no indication that it would end the way it did."
Jacqui explained that her pregnancy was considered "high risk" because she was carrying multiples but never dwelled on that label any further. Until she woke up on that Monday morning, dropped her oldest off at school, and noticed that her twins were unusually quiet. "I drank a glass of ice and lay down on the lounge as this normally gets them moving," Jacqui wrote in a post for Whimn. "But after an hour I wasn't sure that I was feeling them at all. I then had a sudden urge to throw-up, so I called the hospital to come in."
When the midwife had a hard time finding the heartbeats, she wasn't too alarmed because she knew it could be difficult with twins, but when her obstetrician came in, he delivered the devastating news: Henry had died. "The overwhelming pain that took over my body was uncontrollable," she wrote. "I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare and I needed to wake up. But I couldn't escape."
The doctor found William's heartbeat and immediately performed an emergency C-section. "I remember lying on the table surrounded by what felt like 30 people working on me, telling me that I was okay and to keep breathing," she wrote. "But the whole time I wanted to yell and scream, 'Please just put me out. Make this pain stop.'"
When she started to wake up after the surgery, the first thing she registered was hearing her husband crying. She immediately understood what that meant and didn't want to open her eyes. She knew that as soon as she did, she'd be hit with the news that William didn't make it either. "The week that followed, all I had was questions, too much pain and the most unbelievable broken heart. I remember that somebody once said to me, 'You won't know love until you have a child.' I don't disagree with that statement," she wrote. "But I can assure you, you won't know heartbreak until you lose a child."
Since the devastating end to her pregnancy, Jacqui said that each day is difficult and surviving "the firsts" has been the hardest part. She explained that in the weeks that followed, her body didn't know that her babies had died. "It had to run its natural pre-birth course: of the milk coming in and recovery from a major surgery. Only I wasn't holding my two precious rewards at the same time," she wrote.
Doctors officially diagnosed Henry's death as an "unexplained stillbirth" and explained that William died due to their shared placenta. It's been three months since this unimaginable turn of events, and Jaqui's family of four is still trying to recover. "The constant reminders of the hopes we had for our family are often really difficult as well and seeing little bubbas when out and about pulls at the heart strings like you wouldn't believe," she said. "Some days my husband is my rock and other days I am his rock but we have found that we need to be really open and honest with each other about how we are feeling otherwise the partnership doesn't work."
In addition to publicly sharing their story, the parents have also become ambassadors for Stillbirth Foundation Australia in order to help prevent other families from enduring similar pain. "Six babies every day are stillborn in Australia, that's one every four hours," Jaqui said. "We are hoping that by coming forward, other families will feel confident in doing the same and this can help to create the awareness needed."
She also hopes that unity among families who have suffered this loss and being vocal about their tragedies will help to put pressure on governments for research funding. "Not having a reason why our babies aren't here with us breaks my heart every day," she said. "If more research is done, maybe we could then be given reasons why and they will be able to find out strategies to prevent it from happening to others."
Why Do the Most Inclusive TV Shows Get Canceled?
Image Source: Netflix
This week, Netflix did the unthinkable and canceled its cult hit show Sense8. A statement from VP of Original Content Cindy Holland said, "It is everything we and the fans dreamed it would be: bold, emotional, stunning, kickass and outright unforgettable. Never has there been a more truly global show with an equally diverse and international cast and crew, which is only mirrored by the connected community of deeply passionate fans all around the world." And in this aspect, Holland would be right. Sense8 was and is arguably one of the most inclusive and diverse shows in TV history. It depicts a staggering variety of races, sexualities, and cultures.
To make matters worse, there's a sort of salt-in-the-wound effect here that has fans extra angry. The first season of the show dropped in June 2015, meaning its audience had to wait nearly two years to see how the story continues. Netflix announced the cancellation just a month after dropping the second season . . . on June 1. Which, as you may or may not know, is the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month. As one fan noted on Twitter, several of the show's narratives are currently only half-finished.
As much as we could harp on Sense8 for eight or so more paragraphs, the show isn't the only one to receive what seems to be a premature cancellation. Just last month, The Real O'Neals got the ax from ABC, thus eliminating another series with a gay main character. Furthermore, when you look over this season's other canceled shows, you realize it's not just about the LGBTQ community, it's also about shows that prominently feature people of color. Freshman series Pitch, with a black woman as the lead, didn't earn a second season. The Get Down, another Netflix darling, only got one season. Other diverse shows, like American Crime, Dr. Ken, and Rosewood, were all nipped as well. All of these shows made powerful strides toward inclusion in their own various ways, and they also all had something else in common: loyal, passionate fan bases that didn't want to see their shows go.
In the past few months, Pitch fans rallied behind the #KeepHerinTheGame campaign, and avid viewers of The Real O'Neals got in on a movement called #TheRealReason. The latter was met with an outpouring of tweets: fans revealed how the show had educated them and their families. LGBTQ youth expressed how much it meant to have someone they could relate to on mainstream TV. When it comes to Pitch, it wasn't just about impassioned fans. The show premiered with stellar reviews in the Fall. So, why the hell are we still losing these shows?!
Image Source: Fox
It boils down to numbers. When it comes to the cancellations of Pitch and The Real O'Neals, it's all about viewership. In January, Fox CEO and Chairman Gary Newman said the network was very happy with Pitch, but they "would've loved to see a bigger audience." Ratings from The Real O'Neals hovered around three million in season two, making it ABC's lowest-performing comedy.
Truth be told, Netflix doesn't typically share that kind of data and didn't cite it as a reason for cancellation, but it's a safe bet something similar was at play. After all, Netflix is notorious for canceling very few of its original series. The Get Down and Sense8 are among the first. It just goes to show: you can have an exceptional show with noted critical acclaim, and that still won't be enough. These networks want money.
That's the real tragedy here, and that's why it's so upsetting. Each of these three shows did something magnificent for the LGBTQ community and minorities. They were diverse and inclusive. As groups of people who are constantly erased in mainstream media, who struggle every year to get their stories on TV and in movies, shows like The Real O'Neals, The Get Down, Sense8, and Pitch really, really matter. Doesn't this kind of representation, excitement, enthusiasm, and positive feedback mean more to a network than revenue?
Image Source: Netflix
The real bullsh*t is that these underrepresented communities will always be the minority population in the United States. We're a smaller group of individuals, so even when we're all excited about something, we just can't make the same impact as a wider audience. And yet, we'll always be held to the same standard. We'll always be expected to deliver the same kinds of ratings as a show like The Big Bang Theory.
Netflix, with its generosity and openness and willingness to give niche audiences a chance, seemed like the media champion of content for marginalized individuals of our society. It never seemed like numbers mattered all that much, as long as they were making a stunning impact. But now that Sense8 and The Get Down are gone, we're not sure.
Remember Zima? The Clear, Alcoholic Soda From the '90s Is Back!
Like me, you may have been too young to drink Zima in the '90s, but who can forget those strange commercials? Or, more accurately, they were zomething different. The clear, citrusy malt soda made by Coors positioned itself as a refreshingly cool beer substitute. Though it was discontinued in 2008, it's coming back (exclusive to Walmart) thanks to the current craze for hard seltzers. Though Zima's entering a tough, competitive market in 2017, we're thinking nostalgia is on its side. After all, everyone has freaked out about the return of Clearly Canadian!
49 Islands You Must Visit Before You Die
There's a big world out there filled with islands just waiting for your arrival. We curated the 49 best islands across the globe that you absolutely must visit before you die. Time to get out the bucket list.
Jelly Donut Oreos Are Surprisingly Not the Worst!
Our first reaction after hearing about Jelly Donut Oreos was not exactly, "Can't wait to try!" But, adhering to our strict Oreo-investigating rules, we set out to try them with low expectations. Though this is certainly not the best Oreo flavor of all time - Marshmallow Crispy forever claims that title - we are happy to report it's definitely not the worst! The Golden Oreo cookies with a raspberry center and "custard outer ring" (which doesn't taste much different than Oreo's regular cream filling) are surprisingly good. You don't have to be a fan of jelly doughnuts to willingly devour a couple of these cookies.
Judging by the aroma of artificially flavored raspberry-jelly icing, we braced ourselves for our first bites. But despite the strong smell, the flavor is not nearly as artificial tasting. Some of us got Pop-Tart vibes from the fruity flavor, which we definitely didn't mind. Here's a sampling of our editors' initial reactions during our taste test:
- "The smell is off-putting, but they don't taste as bad as anticipated."
- "Way better than my reaction to 'eww' when I saw the flavor."
- "Wow! Such a huge surprise. Tastes like raspberry jam! Super tasty with the golden cookie."
You've got a limited time to try this Walmart-exclusive flavor, so pick it up the next time you spot it at the store, and catch up on the best new Oreo flavors of the year so far.
Game of Thrones: Who's About to Get Down in Season 7?
Yeah, yeah, there's a "Great War" coming on Game of Thrones. Blah, blah, blah. In the initial trailers, it's all anyone talks about. We get it. But let's forget all the blood and the battle and the dragons for just a moment. What about all the sex?! It's like the other half of the unshakable Game of Thrones formula! Luckily for all of us, we've already gotten a few hints about some romance that's potentially brewing in the show's seventh season. Let's break down who's flirting, who's making out, and who's totally going to get it on once the next chapter begins.
Jelly Donut Oreos Are Surprisingly Not the Worst!
Our first reaction after hearing about Jelly Donut Oreos was not exactly, "Can't wait to try!" But, adhering to our strict Oreo-investigating rules, we set out to try them with low expectations. Though this is certainly not the best Oreo flavor of all time - Marshmallow Crispy forever claims that title - we are happy to report it's definitely not the worst! The Golden Oreo cookies with a raspberry center and "custard outer ring" (which doesn't taste much different than Oreo's regular cream filling) are surprisingly good. You don't have to be a fan of jelly doughnuts to willingly devour a couple of these cookies.
Judging by the aroma of artificially flavored raspberry-jelly icing, we braced ourselves for our first bites. But despite the strong smell, the flavor is not nearly as artificial tasting. Some of us got Pop-Tart vibes from the fruity flavor, which we definitely didn't mind. Here's a sampling of our editors' initial reactions during our taste test:
- "The smell is off-putting, but they don't taste as bad as anticipated."
- "Way better than my reaction to 'eww' when I saw the flavor."
- "Wow! Such a huge surprise. Tastes like raspberry jam! Super tasty with the golden cookie."
You've got a limited time to try this Walmart-exclusive flavor, so pick it up the next time you spot it at the store, and catch up on the best new Oreo flavors of the year so far.
Can You Spot the Kid Drowning in This Public Pool Before the Lifeguard Does?
A day at the pool isn't all fun and games - and no one knows that better than the lifeguard.
Drowning can happen in the blink of an eye and even when people are within arm's reach of the victim. As much as we think we might notice someone struggling in the water, drowning is often a silent killer.
Thankfully, in this real-life video taken at a public wave pool, a boy is spotted drowning within seconds by a resourceful lifeguard - likely well before anyone watching this footage, even knowing what to search for, could spot him.
The lifeguard sounds her whistle, swims out to the boy who lost hold of his floating ring, and carries him to safety.
One important factor to note is that this video includes sound, but you never hear the boy's cries for help. That's because when someone is drowning, contrary to what many assume, they can't call out - there isn't time to inhale or exhale. Often, they aren't able to wave their arms, which was a lucky ability for the child at this particular pool.
So can you find him?
If You're Thinking About Sticking Around For a Wonder Woman Postcredits Scene, Don't
Superhero films and Easter-egg-filled postcredits scenes practically go hand in hand these days. Marvel is particularly fond of the trend, recently packing in a whopping five end-credits scenes in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. For anyone annoyed by the practice (and I'm with you, because the bathroom line is crazy by the time all of those names go by), Wonder Woman skips out on including a postcredits scene entirely. It's not exactly surprising, either, since the DC Universe hasn't exactly embraced adding extra scenes. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice neglected to include one, although Suicide Squad did (as well as Man of Steel back in 2013).
Wondering why? "I'm not going to say we'd never do one," producer Chuck Roven explained to Cinemablend recently. "There was one in Suicide Squad. But I don't think that we want to feel that we're forced to do something just because we didn't in the past." Luckily, director Patty Jenkins's take on the kickass female superhero is strong enough to survive excluding a gimmicky tease for Justice League. As of Wednesday afternoon, Wonder Woman is sitting pretty at 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, which is higher than its Marvel counterparts (The Avengers scored 92 percent, and Iron Man has 94 percent) and leaps and bounds above Batman v Superman (which has 26 percent) and Suicide Squad (25 percent). If you want to stick around just to enjoy the incredible theme song playing over the credits, though, feel free.
This Beloved Lush Product Is Back in Stock Thanks to Your Demands
Some spread awareness to save the bees; Lush fans worked hard this Spring to #SaveScrubee! Not the same thing - making sure bees are preserved is a very important global cause - but we still support beauty fans fighting to bring back a limited-edition product.
Here's what happened: For Mother's Day, Lush launched this adorable Scrubee bar ($8). The buzzy bar was an instant hit. It offers rock star ingredients: exfoliating ground almonds with coconut shell pieces married with hydrating honey, cocoa, and shea butter. It's the perfect duo for soft, cleansed skin.
Scrubee fans campaigned on Twitter and Instagram to make sure the bar became a mainstay product in Lush's offering, and it was just announced that their bathing dreams are coming true. Lush confirmed that it will launch at the end of July!
"Our fans like to keep us on our toes," says Brandi Halls, Lush's Director of Brand Communications, said in a press release. "We were so blown away by their demand to #SaveScrubee that we had to do right by them. Scrubee has officially been saved and is part of our year-round lineup."
See? You do have power on social media, people! Congrats to all of the Scrubee lovers out there.
J Balvin Just Released a Very "Bonita" Song That Screams Summer Hit
J Balvin along with the Puerto Rican duo Jowell and Randy just released their new song "Bonita" with a music video that will grab everyone's attention. Balvin is always rapping about pretty ladies and this time it's no exception.
The music video is very different from other's that Balvin has released before. It features a lot of animations and is filled with emoji and references to Instagram. In the video, Balvin rocks a bunch of different looks that show just how much he loves to play around with his style. The upbeat tempo of the song is sure to have everyone dancing the night away. Watch it all go down in the video above.
How to Apologize to Your Kid When You Screw Up
There's power in a sincere apology. Our friends at Fatherly break down why it's important to teach your kids this skill and how it starts with you.
Love means always having to say you're sorry. Couples get this. They understand apologies are necessary in order to ensure they keep doing stuff like having sex and not sleeping on the couch. Parents, however, no matter how often they say sorry to each other, are often loathe to extend the courtesy of an apology to their kids. Apologies, after all, can erode authority, and making amends via gifts produces more consistent results. But there's a practical reason for showing remorse: Unapologetic parents raise unapologetic kids.
"What we're doing as parents is teaching kids how to be good human beings," says Dr. Laura Markham, author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids. "It doesn't happen through lectures, but what they actually experience."
Markham explains that when a kid has a parent that never apologizes, they're likely to conclude that apologies are unimportant. And that learning sticks, even if a parent consistently insists that their child apologizes to siblings or a friend. A sorry-less parent shows by example that apologizing causes a person to lose status or prestige. Kids, in turn, learn that sorries are a bad thing.
"By modeling an apology we're saying one of the most meaningful things in life is your connection with other humans with whom you share a bond of love," says Markham.
But parents screw up all the time. If they're not stumble-bumming around and breaking toys, they're forgetting to read a story, or leaving the juice in the kitchen, or forgetting to buy more goldfish crackers. Apologizing for all of those things would be pretty exhausting. It's not necessary, but Markham suggests that it might actually be the easiest approach.
"In fact, I would advocate for apologizing for small things so it feels less loaded," she explains. Still, she notes that apologies don't have to be some heartfelt, eye-to-eye concession full of weight and portent. In fact, it only has to be three words: "Oops, I'm sorry."
This approach is effective because it acknowledges that kids and adults perceive social interactions in very different ways because of their very different brains. As a kid grows, the small slights, like a change of plan or a forgotten promise, are regarded as full-on betrayal. There's a reason for this: Children lack the executive functions to regulate emotions because their prefrontal cortex is still under construction. Some children overreact and it's important to put the brakes on that, but an upset kid is probably not showing signs of being "spoiled," just symptoms of neurological development.
"At that point, you do have to acknowledge the kid's feelings with the apology," says Markham. "You're not just doing it to make them feel better. You're helping them express themselves and solve the problem."
Suddenly the apology becomes a normalized courtesy. It becomes an acknowledgment that something was missed and that's totally okay because people aren't perfect. In that environment, imperfection and graciousness are not at odds. Neither are conflict and love.
Parents can start this trend as early as toddlerhood. For the twos and threes, communication barriers present natural instances for conflict. As a kid struggles to show a parent they want, it's easy for an adult to get frustrated as they try to address a kid's desires (You want the red one? The blue one? The cookie? What!?). But once the toy or snack is retrieved, Markham notes that there's a fine opportunity for parents to acknowledge the difficulty of the situation, with a simple "I'm sorry, I couldn't understand." She notes that this isn't some major issue. So no need to invest in guilt. The point is making the "sorry" part of life.
Markham also suggests that parents fight the urge to buy their kids off. As tempting as it might be to throw candy or cheap toys at the problem, it's not really teaching them right values.
"Buying people off is not a message we want to give kids," says Markham. "You want to make an emotional repair."
Because the important part of apologizing to a kid has nothing to do with redress. It's about repairing the perceived rupture in the relationship while teaching them empathy and grace. It's an act of love.
18 Sex-Filled Films to Stream on Netflix
For when you want some good, clean onscreen lovin' that's not porn, I've found an array of sexy films available on Netflix. There are foreign flicks, romantic comedies, period pieces, and everything in between (the sheets) - perfect for solo watching or date night. So hop into bed with one of these steamy movies tonight!
10 Latina-Owned Beauty Brands You Want to Get Your Hands On ASAP
Behind every great makeup brand there's an innovative creative mind, and in the case of these 10 beauty companies, the lead has been taken by a Latina.
Each woman is dedicated to empowering anyone who wears makeup to look and feel their best, and each brand features trendy products you'll want to add to your everyday routine. From your beloved Beautyblender to that Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in Lolita you wear all the time, these are the brands and beauty buys you should know.
There Are So Many Transgender Stories to Tell - and I'm Hell-Bent on Telling Them
Before I moved to NYC, a good friend of mine lent me one final word of advice: "If there is anything - anything at all - you can do in this world besides acting, do that instead." Film and television are industries notorious for churning out iconic silver-screen legends and spitting out the rest who couldn't make the cut. Actors routinely face rejection and criticism in the audition room and are constantly compared to their contemporaries, from their skills to their looks. The stakes feel even higher when you find yourself grouped into a niche typecast. That is to say, you are easily lumped with other actors who fit a particular descriptor - blond, tattooed, old, or in my case, transgender.
As a transgender actress, opportunity comes on a double-edged sword. If a film or show is seeking transgender talent, you have a considerably better chance of getting the audition than the majority of cis actors out there. However, the roles available to transgender artists, while certainly growing and improving, are often limited to archaic stereotypes and unsavory characters. It was not until my fourth or fifth audition as a downtrodden, junkie, crossdressing prostitute that I fully understood the gravity of my friend's earlier advice.
Typecasting, frustrating and limiting as it can be, has also allowed me to meet just about every other trans actress working on the East Coast, because we all end up at the same casting calls. There is comfort in being able to confide in other women who not just relate but empathize and experience the exact same struggles. It is a tight and fiercely supportive community to be a part of, because each of us knows that our only chance to make change in this competitive and cut-throat world is if we speak as a unified whole. Progress is an often slow and uphill battle, but just in the past year alone we have seen amazing trans-positive and trans-collaborated works like Her Story and Transparent rise to recognition. It is deeply affirming to see girls like myself making headway, but there is still so much work to be done.
It was about this time last year I felt particularly defeated about my career and seriously considered abandoning acting, the city, and the dream I followed so far from Missouri. I questioned my strength to face another stereotype or demoralizing role and doubted my ability to bring face and change for my community. I was beside myself, but then, all golden bright and shiny, there was the 2016 Emmys. When Jeffrey Tambor was awarded for best actor in a comedy series for Transparent, he took his place on stage to say:
"To you people out there - you producers and you network owners and you agents and you creative sparks . . . Please give transgender talent a chance."
My heart shook.
"Give them auditions, give them their story. Do that . . . We have work to do. I love you."
It was as though Hollywood embodied was speaking directly to me and every other transgender actor and creative alike, validating our work and our fight. It felt, at the very least, that we mattered, and our talent was worth celebrating.
Later, Laverne Cox, dressed and glowing like the award show itself, carried Tambor's call-to-action in her own words while presenting another award.
"Give trans talent a shot. I would not be here today if somebody didn't give me a chance."
I was in absolute hysterics, sobbing and laughing all at once. I cheered at my television and cried into my boyfriend's arm. If only in this short moment on a single television award broadcast, I knew the world was listening. I was proud to be one of those people Mr. Tambor was advocating for and in love with my identity as a transgender woman. I'm not sure if the universe was listening or if God was watching, but everything I needed to know was given to me in that moment, and I knew I was far from giving up my dreams.
The Safe Place Prince Harry and Prince William Were When Diana Died
Princess Diana passed away in a tragic car accident in Paris in August 1997, and the abrupt loss of her life is still felt by both her family and the public that loved her. Diana, who had a tumultuous marriage to Prince Charles and a complicated relationship with the royal family in general before her death, didn't bring her children, Prince William and Prince Harry, with her during that fateful trip. Instead, the two boys, who were 15 and 12 at the time, were with their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
William and Harry were wrapping up spending the Summer with the queen at Balmoral Castle, a royal residence in Scotland. Since Diana's accident happened after midnight, the queen instructed her staff to not disturb the boys and to let them sleep in before telling them the news. She also reportedly had them remove all TVs and radios from the castle so the boys wouldn't hear gossip about their mother's death and could grieve in private.
Despite Queen Elizabeth receiving harsh backlash for the way she handled Diana's death, William later opened up about just how much his grandmother's consideration meant to him all those years ago. "Having lost my mother at a young age, it's been particularly important to me that I've had somebody like the queen to look up to and who's been there and who has understood some of the more complex issues when you lose a loved one," he said in the Sky News's documentary The Queen at 90. "She's been incredibly supportive and I've really appreciated her guidance."
Sizzle the Calories Away With This Dance-Party Workout
Is this a dance party or a workout? You tell us, but when it comes to torching major calories, we're partial to dance cardio. Join us for this 45-minute workout from Simone De La Rue, creator of Body by Simone - the hottest workout in Hollywood. If you're not in the mood to jump, we provide low-impact modifications through the entire workout. Put on your dancing shoes, press play, and get ready to get down.
On Anna: Alo Yoga, Onzie, and APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs)
On Simone and Dancers: Jonathan Simkhai X Carbon38 and Body by Simone Newton Shoes
J Balvin Just Released a Very "Bonita" Song That Screams Summer Hit
J Balvin along with the Puerto Rican duo Jowell and Randy just released their new song "Bonita" with a music video that will grab everyone's attention. Balvin is always rapping about pretty ladies and this time it's no exception.
The music video is very different from other's that Balvin has released before. It features a lot of animations and is filled with emoji and references to Instagram. In the video, Balvin rocks a bunch of different looks that show just how much he loves to play around with his style. The upbeat tempo of the song is sure to have everyone dancing the night away. Watch it all go down in the video above.
10 Latina-Owned Beauty Brands You Want to Get Your Hands On ASAP
Behind every great makeup brand there's an innovative creative mind, and in the case of these 10 beauty companies, the lead has been taken by a Latina.
Each woman is dedicated to empowering anyone who wears makeup to look and feel their best, and each brand features trendy products you'll want to add to your everyday routine. From your beloved Beautyblender to that Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in Lolita you wear all the time, these are the brands and beauty buys you should know.
This Beloved Lush Product Is Back in Stock Thanks to Your Demands
Some spread awareness to save the bees; Lush fans worked hard this Spring to #SaveScrubee! Not the same thing - making sure bees are preserved is a very important global cause - but we still support beauty fans fighting to bring back a limited-edition product.
Here's what happened: For Mother's Day, Lush launched this adorable Scrubee bar ($8). The buzzy bar was an instant hit. It offers rock star ingredients: exfoliating ground almonds with coconut shell pieces married with hydrating honey, cocoa, and shea butter. It's the perfect duo for soft, cleansed skin.
Scrubee fans campaigned on Twitter and Instagram to make sure the bar became a mainstay product in Lush's offering, and it was just announced that their bathing dreams are coming true. Lush confirmed that it will launch at the end of July!
"Our fans like to keep us on our toes," says Brandi Halls, Lush's Director of Brand Communications, said in a press release. "We were so blown away by their demand to #SaveScrubee that we had to do right by them. Scrubee has officially been saved and is part of our year-round lineup."
See? You do have power on social media, people! Congrats to all of the Scrubee lovers out there.
Sizzle the Calories Away With This Dance-Party Workout
Is this a dance party or a workout? You tell us, but when it comes to torching major calories, we're partial to dance cardio. Join us for this 45-minute workout from Simone De La Rue, creator of Body by Simone - the hottest workout in Hollywood. If you're not in the mood to jump, we provide low-impact modifications through the entire workout. Put on your dancing shoes, press play, and get ready to get down.
On Anna: Alo Yoga, Onzie, and APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs)
On Simone and Dancers: Jonathan Simkhai X Carbon38 and Body by Simone Newton Shoes
Can You Spot the Kid Drowning in This Public Pool Before the Lifeguard Does?
A day at the pool isn't all fun and games - and no one knows that better than the lifeguard.
Drowning can happen in the blink of an eye and even when people are within arm's reach of the victim. As much as we think we might notice someone struggling in the water, drowning is often a silent killer.
Thankfully, in this real-life video taken at a public wave pool, a boy is spotted drowning within seconds by a resourceful lifeguard - likely well before anyone watching this footage, even knowing what to search for, could spot him.
The lifeguard sounds her whistle, swims out to the boy who lost hold of his floating ring, and carries him to safety.
One important factor to note is that this video includes sound, but you never hear the boy's cries for help. That's because when someone is drowning, contrary to what many assume, they can't call out - there isn't time to inhale or exhale. Often, they aren't able to wave their arms, which was a lucky ability for the child at this particular pool.
So can you find him?
How to Apologize to Your Kid When You Screw Up
There's power in a sincere apology. Our friends at Fatherly break down why it's important to teach your kids this skill and how it starts with you.
Love means always having to say you're sorry. Couples get this. They understand apologies are necessary in order to ensure they keep doing stuff like having sex and not sleeping on the couch. Parents, however, no matter how often they say sorry to each other, are often loathe to extend the courtesy of an apology to their kids. Apologies, after all, can erode authority, and making amends via gifts produces more consistent results. But there's a practical reason for showing remorse: Unapologetic parents raise unapologetic kids.
"What we're doing as parents is teaching kids how to be good human beings," says Dr. Laura Markham, author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids. "It doesn't happen through lectures, but what they actually experience."
Markham explains that when a kid has a parent that never apologizes, they're likely to conclude that apologies are unimportant. And that learning sticks, even if a parent consistently insists that their child apologizes to siblings or a friend. A sorry-less parent shows by example that apologizing causes a person to lose status or prestige. Kids, in turn, learn that sorries are a bad thing.
"By modeling an apology we're saying one of the most meaningful things in life is your connection with other humans with whom you share a bond of love," says Markham.
But parents screw up all the time. If they're not stumble-bumming around and breaking toys, they're forgetting to read a story, or leaving the juice in the kitchen, or forgetting to buy more goldfish crackers. Apologizing for all of those things would be pretty exhausting. It's not necessary, but Markham suggests that it might actually be the easiest approach.
"In fact, I would advocate for apologizing for small things so it feels less loaded," she explains. Still, she notes that apologies don't have to be some heartfelt, eye-to-eye concession full of weight and portent. In fact, it only has to be three words: "Oops, I'm sorry."
This approach is effective because it acknowledges that kids and adults perceive social interactions in very different ways because of their very different brains. As a kid grows, the small slights, like a change of plan or a forgotten promise, are regarded as full-on betrayal. There's a reason for this: Children lack the executive functions to regulate emotions because their prefrontal cortex is still under construction. Some children overreact and it's important to put the brakes on that, but an upset kid is probably not showing signs of being "spoiled," just symptoms of neurological development.
"At that point, you do have to acknowledge the kid's feelings with the apology," says Markham. "You're not just doing it to make them feel better. You're helping them express themselves and solve the problem."
Suddenly the apology becomes a normalized courtesy. It becomes an acknowledgment that something was missed and that's totally okay because people aren't perfect. In that environment, imperfection and graciousness are not at odds. Neither are conflict and love.
Parents can start this trend as early as toddlerhood. For the twos and threes, communication barriers present natural instances for conflict. As a kid struggles to show a parent they want, it's easy for an adult to get frustrated as they try to address a kid's desires (You want the red one? The blue one? The cookie? What!?). But once the toy or snack is retrieved, Markham notes that there's a fine opportunity for parents to acknowledge the difficulty of the situation, with a simple "I'm sorry, I couldn't understand." She notes that this isn't some major issue. So no need to invest in guilt. The point is making the "sorry" part of life.
Markham also suggests that parents fight the urge to buy their kids off. As tempting as it might be to throw candy or cheap toys at the problem, it's not really teaching them right values.
"Buying people off is not a message we want to give kids," says Markham. "You want to make an emotional repair."
Because the important part of apologizing to a kid has nothing to do with redress. It's about repairing the perceived rupture in the relationship while teaching them empathy and grace. It's an act of love.
We Can't Get Enough of Steph Curry's High Kick During Game 1 of the NBA Finals
During Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals, the Golden State Warriors made it clear that they're seeking revenge after losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers last year. While Kevin Durant was getting attention from Rihanna and the Warriors did beat the Cavs, Steph Curry is the one who really deserves an applause. After the point guard drilled a three-point shot, he celebrated in one of the most epic ways imaginable: with a set of high kicks.
Check out the celebration below.
Steph Curry with the long 3 and the high step http://pic.twitter.com/UazxKT5BXB
- CJ Fogler (@cjzero) June 2, 2017
Curry may be one of the best shooters the league has ever seen, but honestly, if the team loses the series, he's got a high kick that could land him a new career. We're thinking either a Rockette, a cheerleader, or even a punter for the NFL. The Warriors still remain undefeated in the playoffs this season, but we'll see if any of the Cavaliers players can beat Curry's high kick.
Keep reading to see some of the hilarious reactions to Curry's celebratory high kicks.
When you turn on the lights in your room and see a spider http://pic.twitter.com/inEYKdb6jR
- Eric Fawcett (@Efawcett7) June 2, 2017
When you gotta make sure you're not wearing these. http://pic.twitter.com/VxF8OhMs9W
- Karen Howell (@karenehowell) June 2, 2017
If the league doesn't work out for curry, he's got this to fall back on😅 http://pic.twitter.com/TD1fzAZbaB
- Jamie (@jmefaith16) June 2, 2017
When you see that roach that owes you rent crawling around on the kitchen floor #warrios #NBAFinals http://pic.twitter.com/2PbrN5O9oH
- Emmie Ay (@BUTTERFLY0187) June 2, 2017
I Got Fired For Writing Like a Girl
"We're letting you go. Today will be your last day." It doesn't get more transparent than that.
My supervisor broke the news after asking, "Can we chat for a moment?" and escorting me into a conference room. I was clueless as to how stereotypically ominous that scenario was. I had close to zero work experience, and I had started interning with the company only six months prior. In fact, I was certain that she was going to promote me to the full-time Junior Copywriter position, thus making me a real New York City ad woman. But that didn't happen. Instead, my ambition was rewarded with my getting fired.
I remember blinking away tears while appreciating the honesty. After all, millennials like myself crave transparency in the workplace. Give it to us straight. Tell us what's going on. Be honest with us. That's exactly what my supervisor did. In that stark conference room, I was told that I wasn't good enough. It hurt, but it was honest so I had no problem accepting it. Little did I know, there was more honesty to be divulged.
My supervisor struggled as she explained that I was getting fired even though she approved me for the full-time position. As her eyes welled up, she explained that Dave, the cofounder of the company, felt that I was a slow learner and not the right fit. His decision simply trumped hers.
I liked Dave. When I interviewed with him, we talked about Korean Airlines and how terrible its advertising was. Nothing but whitewashed flight attendants with smiles plastered across their faces. Their contrived teal blue accents were more synonymous with Tiffany jewelry boxes than Asian airplanes. As we laughed about it, I felt like he would be more than a boss - he would be a creative mentor who I could look up to.
Being part of his 50-person advertising agency felt like some sort of honor. He was an advertising hot shot who had more than 25 years of experience under his belt, including the ABSOLUT campaign. He knew how to think big. He knew what he was talking about. He knew talent when he saw it. And here he was, taking a chance on a girl with minimal writing experience and a portfolio full of nothing. He gave me my lucky break. I felt forever in his debt.
That was six months ago. On the day I was fired, he didn't say one word to me. No goodbye. No explanation. No handshake. The only thing I heard him say was from the other side of the office. He said it to my supervisor when she confirmed that the deed was done; she fired me. He responded with confidence. His words traveled from his desk, across the office floor, to my cubicle as if he wanted me to hear it.
"Good job," he told her.
If there was such a thing as too much transparency, that would be it. His response was honest to the point of insult, and when I heard it, I quietly began to pack my things. I left without so much as a goodbye to my friends in the office. I was too ashamed to even look at them. Then as I walked out the door, what started as acceptance and teary eyes turned into devastation and ugly crying. I felt myself unravel.
Was I really that bad at my job? How could I not know how terrible I was? What else did I suck at? Why did he say that I'm a slow learner? F*ck, why couldn't I just learn faster? How am I going to tell my parents that I got fired? What am I going to do for money? Do I belong in this industry? Do I even deserve to be a writer? Why is this happening?
That year, about 15.4 percent of employed Americans were laid off or discharged according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's 20.5 million people. So, on the worst day of my career, I was in good company at the very least. All of us fell neatly into their "Layoffs and Discharges" category. It's an interesting naming convention. Specifically, "discharges." First of all, gross. Secondly, can't they just call it what it is? People who got fired. Discharge still sounds unpleasant - both in the bodily and professional sense - so let's just say what it really means.
I thought that was the saving grace of this whole situation. The transparency of it all. Dave's brutal honesty. But a few months later, I found out that I didn't even have that. I went to a former co-worker's birthday party where I hung out with my old colleagues. It was a good excuse for me to say a proper farewell. There, my ex-supervisor was honest with me. She explained the real reason why I got fired.
"Dave thought we had too many female writers," she said. "I'm so sorry."
There were three writers in the agency. One male writer who was hired a few months after me and two female writers (me and my supervisor). Among us, we evenly divided the work, which included brands that appealed to both men and women. Apparently, Dave took notice of his female-skewed copywriting department, and it didn't sit well with him. Having more than one female writer was one too many.
I never experienced sexism in the workplace, so it came as a shock. So much so that I denied its existence. There was no way this was true. Dave was an open-minded, creative type, and half of his staff was female. He was so progressive. New York City was so liberal. The world was so accepting. My generation didn't have to worry about small-minded discriminations of the past. But there I had it: the honest reason why I was let go. The transparency that I so desperately wanted. The horrible truth that I could barely fathom.
One female designer was told not to speak and to let her male counterpart do the talking.My former co-workers were not as surprised. One woman told me that when she moved on from the company, Dave told her how difficult it would be for a woman like her to find a job. Another said that he bragged about hiring women of color as if they were trophies. One female designer was told not to speak and to let her male counterpart do the talking. I think one woman described it best when she said that Dave was like a bird collector. He wanted to have an assortment of women at his company, all of them doing as told while silently on display.
In a USA Today piece on workplace discrimination, Jillian Berman wrote, "Women face a variety of unconscious stereotypes in the workplace that hold them back." One of those unconscious stereotypes being that women can't do "men's work." While Dave didn't openly discriminate, his actions were clearly motivated by some unspoken belief that undervalued a woman's ability to perform. I suppose he considered copywriting to be "men's work" too.
As I consulted my former colleagues, I felt resentment building while the truth settled in. There was nothing I could do. I lacked the confidence to confront Dave. I had no tangible proof of discrimination. I didn't have the funds for some my-word-against-his lawsuit. My only move was to learn from the situation and to commiserate with my female colleagues, who held me together with their empathy and resilience.
Perhaps the only silver lining was what coincidentally occurred after I was fired. The day after I unraveled outside of the company doors, I had an interview. I happened to schedule it in case I didn't get the full-time position at Dave's company.
She was an executive creative director at a larger advertising agency. She exuded confidence through red hair and an understated outfit comprised of a flowing blouse and khakis. I, on the other hand, was overdressed. An uncomfortable pencil skirt and blazer combo to make up for the professional experience that I so clearly lacked. But I needed to fake it. I needed to make her believe in me.
"So why did you leave your last job?" she eventually asked.
I told her something about needing to learn more and exploring new opportunities. A blend of truth and fiction. As I fumbled with my words, she silently nodded along while squinting her eyes and furrowing her brow. It was the same look of understanding that my female colleagues would later give as we exchanged stories about Dave. Somehow, this female leader knew that there was more to my haphazard explanation. As if she knew what the aftermath of rejection - and perhaps even sexism - looked like.
"How about this," she propositioned. "You start work next Monday."
And just like that, I was deemed worthy again. I was given a seat at the table by a fellow female. I was now a real New York City ad woman. I let out a sigh of relief as I shook her hand and accepted the offer. As I got ready to leave, she got my attention before I walked out the door.
"And don't worry about that guy," she told me.
"Who?" I asked.
"The guy who ran your last agency," she smirked. "I'll write him a love letter for giving you up."
It was disarming, and I thanked her for it. She saw right through me. And her words had something far more valuable than transparency - they had compassion. I don't know what I said for the jig to be up, but that day, my female boss seemed to know exactly what I went through. Even before I knew myself. I still wonder what I said for her to be so sure, but perhaps some messages don't need to be transparent for them to be clear.
The Unexpected Truth I Had to Confront After Counting Calories For a Month
One of the first thoughts I had after I got engaged was, "Ugh, does this mean I have to get fit?" I'm not consciously unhealthy, but as a naturally slim person, I like to trick myself into thinking I'm healthier than I am. That's why when my fiancé recommended we start using a calorie-counting app to track our diet leading up to the big day, I readily agreed. I love organization, and as someone who does eat a veggie-heavy salad five out of seven days of the week, I figured this wouldn't significantly impact my life. It did - but not in the way I anticipated.
This is where I should note that calorie-counting apps aren't for everyone. Calories aren't all that you should take into account when considering a diet plan, and in fact, I have some friends who would consider them to be a trigger for disordered eating habits. I've always had a healthy relationship with food, so if anything, I figured the experiment might provide some insights into the way that I eat - especially because the app I selected, Lose It!, gives you a breakdown of your nutrients.
What I discovered wasn't necessarily related to the types of foods I ate or how often I ate them. I found that I could easily stay within my suggested calorie limit by not going back for seconds or skipping a scoop of ice cream. Like I said, I eat a lot of salads. The horrible but undeniable truth I had to face? I need to get my ass out and exercise.
It's not that I don't have time to exercise or that I haven't found the right way to do it. I just hate it. I don't like running, I don't want to go to your spinning class, boot camp sounds like hell, and the only time I consistently went to the gym was in college - because it was free, and I wanted to have a hot bod. (Whatever, leave me alone.) I joined a gym as an adult, went to two personal training sessions, and never went back. Not liking exercise is a part of my personality. It's something that my friends and coworkers know about me. It's a small but seemingly important sliver of my identity.
In my official "wedding prep" stage, I pushed back plans to finally go back to hot yoga for months and bought gym shoes that I just wore to run errands. But now, this calorie-counting app was staring me in the face, telling me that I would be allotted more calories if I went for a jog. I don't want to go for a damn jog. I want to eat my chicken and vegetables and watch Law & Order: SVU for five hours until my muscles are gelatinous.
I consulted our resident fitness editor, who confirmed that yes, exercise is as important as nutrition. (Blerg.) She also told me that lack of exercise tends to lead to some weird side effects as you age, like your back starts hurting. I'm not going to say my back already hurts, but I'm not not going to say it.
The challenge was to find an exercise that I don't hate. Hot yoga suits my interests because everything is slow and calculated. There's no rigorous movement, and the heat is so overwhelming that you're practically forced to think about how your body feels. I actually love it, but it's also time-consuming. A class is 90 minutes, and that's not including transportation to and from the studio and the shower you ultimately have to take after. I wanted a quicker option.
On a whim, I signed up for another app: a dog-walking one. I love animals, and my fiancé had suggested I sign up as a joke. I did it, and after a surprisingly rigorous application process, I became a certified Wag walker. Owners put in requests for 30- or 60-minute walks, I get a text message, and I hop off the couch and go walk a dog. I choose when I want to walk, where, and which dogs. I'll walk after work and on weekends. I meet all kinds of dogs, and I've seen more of my neighborhood in two months than I have in the two years that I've lived there. And I get paid cash money. (I swear this isn't an advertisement, it's just the best exercise loophole ever.)
I don't care about having sculpted arms for my strapless wedding dress, I just don't want to atrophy. I'm starting to feel healthier (mentally as well as physically), and my world is expanding. I don't need permission to eat an extra scoop of ice cream, but sometimes it feels good to pick up a walk after a big meal. It's also kind of nice to feel the muscles working in my calves again. I knew they were still there.
The Unexpected Truth I Had to Confront After Counting Calories For a Month
One of the first thoughts I had after I got engaged was, "Ugh, does this mean I have to get fit?" I'm not consciously unhealthy, but as a naturally slim person, I like to trick myself into thinking I'm healthier than I am. That's why when my fiancé recommended we start using a calorie-counting app to track our diet leading up to the big day, I readily agreed. I love organization, and as someone who does eat a veggie-heavy salad five out of seven days of the week, I figured this wouldn't significantly impact my life. It did - but not in the way I anticipated.
This is where I should note that calorie-counting apps aren't for everyone. Calories aren't all that you should take into account when considering a diet plan, and in fact, I have some friends who would consider them to be a trigger for disordered eating habits. I've always had a healthy relationship with food, so if anything, I figured the experiment might provide some insights into the way that I eat - especially because the app I selected, Lose It!, gives you a breakdown of your nutrients.
What I discovered wasn't necessarily related to the types of foods I ate or how often I ate them. I found that I could easily stay within my suggested calorie limit by not going back for seconds or skipping a scoop of ice cream. Like I said, I eat a lot of salads. The horrible but undeniable truth I had to face? I need to get my ass out and exercise.
It's not that I don't have time to exercise or that I haven't found the right way to do it. I just hate it. I don't like running, I don't want to go to your spinning class, boot camp sounds like hell, and the only time I consistently went to the gym was in college - because it was free, and I wanted to have a hot bod. (Whatever, leave me alone.) I joined a gym as an adult, went to two personal training sessions, and never went back. Not liking exercise is a part of my personality. It's something that my friends and coworkers know about me. It's a small but seemingly important sliver of my identity.
In my official "wedding prep" stage, I pushed back plans to finally go back to hot yoga for months and bought gym shoes that I just wore to run errands. But now, this calorie-counting app was staring me in the face, telling me that I would be allotted more calories if I went for a jog. I don't want to go for a damn jog. I want to eat my chicken and vegetables and watch Law & Order: SVU for five hours until my muscles are gelatinous.
I consulted our resident fitness editor, who confirmed that yes, exercise is as important as nutrition. (Blerg.) She also told me that lack of exercise tends to lead to some weird side effects as you age, like your back starts hurting. I'm not going to say my back already hurts, but I'm not not going to say it.
The challenge was to find an exercise that I don't hate. Hot yoga suits my interests because everything is slow and calculated. There's no rigorous movement, and the heat is so overwhelming that you're practically forced to think about how your body feels. I actually love it, but it's also time-consuming. A class is 90 minutes, and that's not including transportation to and from the studio and the shower you ultimately have to take after. I wanted a quicker option.
On a whim, I signed up for another app: a dog-walking one. I love animals, and my fiancé had suggested I sign up as a joke. I did it, and after a surprisingly rigorous application process, I became a certified Wag walker. Owners put in requests for 30- or 60-minute walks, I get a text message, and I hop off the couch and go walk a dog. I choose when I want to walk, where, and which dogs. I'll walk after work and on weekends. I meet all kinds of dogs, and I've seen more of my neighborhood in two months than I have in the two years that I've lived there. And I get paid cash money. (I swear this isn't an advertisement, it's just the best exercise loophole ever.)
I don't care about having sculpted arms for my strapless wedding dress, I just don't want to atrophy. I'm starting to feel healthier (mentally as well as physically), and my world is expanding. I don't need permission to eat an extra scoop of ice cream, but sometimes it feels good to pick up a walk after a big meal. It's also kind of nice to feel the muscles working in my calves again. I knew they were still there.
Articles
