Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
mardi 6 juin 2017
A Simple Brain Trick For Dealing With Mean People
For all the times we've felt angry or hurt but not fully expressed our emotions, we turn to our friends at YourTango for a new way of thinking about conflicts.
Genius.
"I am so sick of moving you out of apartments. I've moved you out of five apartments in four years and enough is enough!!"
"You know Jeremy threw me out and I have to move today! I thought we were friends, but I guess if you have to go to your niece's baptism instead of helping me move my few paltry items a few blocks that tells me how you really feel about me!"
"If I gave you a kidney you'd think I was a bad friend!"
"Don't worry about it, because you wouldn't give me a kidney if I was on death's doorstep!"
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!" (sound of me screaming)
This is an argument I had with a "friend." Except for the fact that the friend wasn't actually present!
It was the argument I had in my head waiting in line at the grocery store to buy laxatives since my annoyance rendered me constipated.
Have you ever had feuds with those you love or loathe in your head? Literally spending hours - nay, days and weeks - grappling with this person and they don't even know about it?
I'm going to say this because I want you to know that I love you and I'm on your side: You may be right.
This person you're arguing with in your head may indeed be a martyr, sadist, cheater, suffocatrix (not a word, but should be) and just all-around annoying as crap. But if this is a person you must have in your life (a child, a mother-in-law, a boss, a co-worker, a spouse you don't want to divorce) then the bottom-line is: it's your problem.
And you're the only one who can fix it.
So, here's how to deal with mean people:
My client Christine came to me for advice about her mom, Susan. This was their cycle:
- Susan frequently offered to pay for things when she was with Christine; restaurant bills, movie tickets, cab rides which Christine often accepted.
- Susan also had unexpected fits of rage directed toward Christine which included blaming, shaming and crying.
- Following which Christine spent days arguing with her mother in her head!
This was taking up a great deal of room in Christine's emotional life.
When we're dealing with mean people, it helps to understand that they have emotional triggers stemming from childhood hurts that cause them to act out in destructive ways. Christine's mom might've been a people-pleaser (giving to maintain serenity in her childhood home), who ended up resenting it and exploding at inappropriate times in adulthood.
First, I told Christine she had to create a healthy boundary by not allowing her mom to pay for her. Until she did that she'd feel responsible for Susan's flare ups.
Next, I gave her a little brain trick to learning how to deal with mean people.
We've all sustained emotional childhood injuries because no parents are perfect, but there's definitely a sliding scale and mean people may be more injured than the rest of us. So let's trick ourselves.
If you knew the person raging, criticizing, guilting or shaming you had been in a traumatic car accident and had sustained a brain injury, and that every time they acted out it was the brain injury at fault, how would that make you feel?
Maybe you'd feel more neutral. After all, you don't have to take the mean behavior personally, it's that damn brain injury.
Maybe you'd feel less ashamed, less defensive. Less triggered yourself.
Maybe you could detach from them with compassion. Because nine times out of ten it's not about you.
Maybe then you could act, rather than react to the mean person's behavior.
Christine stopped allowing her mom to buy her things. That pissed Susan off too! (People aren't always happy when we set healthy boundaries.) She blew up at Christine, saying she'd always need her help and eventually come begging for money.
Christine stepped outside of the situation and observed her mother like a doctor would her patient. Boy was that brain injury wreaking havoc. Christine just let that wave of aggression roll on by.
Eventually, Susan calmed down, since Christine wasn't fighting back. That's when Christine was able to reach for her mother's hand and say, "You don't have to give me money to see me. I love you, and that's enough."
Christine had NO IDEA where that came from. But she was available to it. Susan burst into tears and they embraced. While their relationship isn't perfect, they've come to a new level of understanding.
So give it a try when your boss goes off on you or your mother-in-law criticizes your mothering. Consider that an injured part of them makes them mean. Don't take it personally. Take a deep breath, detach.
More from our friends at YourTango:
Arya Has a New Weapon in Game of Thrones Season 7, and It's VERY Important
Fiery Game of Thrones favorite Arya Stark just isn't herself without a weapon in hand - notably, her custom-made sword, Needle. But a new blade strapped to her hip in promotional material for the show's seventh season has fans buzzing, and for good reason: it's the very same Valyrian steel dagger that paves the way for the War of the Five Kings way back in season one.
If you're thinking, "Whoa, back up a bit," don't worry: we've got background on the dagger and why it's so important that Arya appears to be carrying it in season seven. Fans first noticed the blade on Arya's hip in Maisie Williams's new Entertainment Weekly cover and costume reveal.
While naysayers were quick to shoot down the inclusion of the dagger as some sort of prop fluke, another GOT season seven promo featuring the dagger - a Facebook post from HBO Nordic - seems to confirm that it was intentional.
Why It's Significant
You might recall the dagger from season one, when an assassin is sent to Winterfell to kill a comatose Bran Stark in his own bed. Of course, because Catelyn Stark doesn't stray far from Bran's side during this time, she intercepts the assassination attempt with her bare hands, fighting off the attacker until Bran's direwolf, Summer, mauls him.
This leads Catelyn to King's Landing in search of the dagger's owner, where Lord Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish reveals that the dagger belongs to Tyrion Lannister. Armed with this knowledge, the lady of Winterfell proceeds to take Tyrion hostage when they cross paths on the King's Road, sparking events that lead to Ned Stark's death, and thus the War of the Five Kings.
Of course, it turns out that said dagger had actually been lost in a bet; Tyrion Lannister has nothing to do with the assassination attempt on Bran Stark. Littlefinger merely uses the knife's origins to sow chaos and mistrust between Winterfell and King's Landing, knowing that war will suit his own purposes. (In the books, Joffrey Baratheon is the one who sends the assassin to kill Bran).
What the Dagger Could Mean For Season 7
So, why is it significant that Arya has the dagger in season seven? Well, we've previously predicted that Arya will kill Littlefinger this season, upon returning to Winterfell and finding him attempting to manipulate her remaining family members.
Arya is no stranger to sweet revenge, and stabbing Littlefinger with such a significant blade would be just up her alley.
An important facet of this prediction is that Arya will run into The Hound while traversing The Riverlands, and that he will reveal the extent of Littlefinger's betrayal of the Stark family. The knowledge that Baelish betrayed Ned Stark to the Lannisters in season one, then essentially sold Sansa Stark to a monstrously abusive husband in season six, would easily be enough to prompt Arya to murder him.
But if The Hound also reveals the true story behind the assassination attempt, Arya will have even more reason to slay Littlefinger. After all, by intentionally misinforming Catelyn about the dagger, he sparks events that directly leads to the deaths of Ned, Catelyn, and Robb Stark - and, as far as Arya knows, the rest of her siblings, too.
And wouldn't the justice of killing the wormy, manipulative Littlefinger be all the more sweet if done with the very dagger that started it all? Arya is no stranger to sweet revenge, and stabbing Baelish with such a contextually significant blade would be just up her alley.
As for how Arya comes to possess the dagger, so far we've only got vague guesses. Guess we'll have to wait until season seven begins to see what's in store, eh?
How a Mom Used Her Earrings to Prove That She Was Invisible After Giving Birth
Like many new moms, Anastasia Aligiannis noticed that things changed after giving birth to her baby boy. She felt like she had become completely invisible and to prove her point, she took out one of her earrings.
It took seven months before anyone noticed that she was only wearing one earring, despite being surrounded by family and friends. "All those social interactions, and no one ever looked me square in the face and noticed," she shared on Facebook. "It sort of cemented to me that as a very busy mom of then two children under two who 'just stayed at home' or 'didn't work.' I had almost become invisible not just to society, but to my family and friends, and really maybe even to myself."
Anastasia explained that even conversations over the phone followed a similar pattern: people asking how her children and husband are but never following up with asking about her. "I guess people figured if the people it was my responsibility to care for were OK, then I must be," she wrote.
Although many new moms can relate and may even smile in recognition, Anastasia made it clear that the point of her post wasn't to be funny but instead to send a message. "If today you are feeling overwhelmed, invisible or like you don't matter, you do. You are so important and are probably the cog that keeps everything running smoothly," she wrote. "Keep up the good work, and if no one else says it to you this week, know that you are invaluable in the work you do and your sacrifices do not go unnoticed."
Orly’s New Collection Finally Makes It Possible For Muslims to Wear Nail Polish
Many Muslim men and women are not able to wear regular nail polish because it conflicts with prayer practices. The coats of polish are believed to create a barrier over the skin, which prevents water from touching every part of the body during ablutions, but Orly's new polish collection offers a solution. In an effort to bridge the diversity gap in the beauty world, the polish brand has teamed up with Muslim Girl to release a new collection of six halal-certified polishes, all of which let oxygen and moisture pass through the polish.
The Breathable line called #HalalPaint features adorably sassy polish names like Haram-Bae, The Perfect Amani-Cure, What the Fatima?, Ig-Noor the Haters, and more, named by MuslimGirl.com founder Amani Al-Khatahtbeh and the Muslim Girl team.
"This line is important because there are so many girls and young women who aren't represented in mainstream beauty," Azmia Magane, Muslim Girl chief of staff, said in a press release. "They either don't fit that definition or see things about them that are designed without them, instead of for them and by them. This is our way of bridging the gap."
And this collection is exactly that and more. While it created by Muslim women for Muslim women, all women (or men!) can wear it. In addition to the polishes being made of 100 percent halal ingredients, making them permitted under Islamic law, they are made with great ingredients - like argan oil, pro-vitamin B5, and vitamin C - to promote healthy nails.
"Many of us are the girls who could never find our names on a keychain, so we wanted to make sure we provided that experience through the collection," Al-Khatahtbeh said. This collection is an incredible way to acknowledge the diverse religions that also exist in the beauty world. Although the polishes were made for Muslim women, anyone can wear them!
The six-piece collection is available for preorder on halalpaint.com for $49 and will ship on July 1, 2017. Keep reading to see photos of the stunning colors.
Orange Is the New Black Refresher: Here's How Season 4 Wraps Up
Orange Is the New Black season five comes back this month, and things pick up right after the season four finale and revolve around that important character death. Since you're just launched into all the action (and there's no "previously on Orange Is the New Black" sequence to prep you, we're reminding you of everything that went on in the finale, so you're not lost when the season starts. It's been a year, after all!
What Went Down:
Upset with Caputo for defending Bayley rather than honoring Poussey in a televised statement about her death, several inmates begin marching through Litchfield and rallying others along the way. Soon, practically the entire prison riots through the halls to express their anger at the situation and how terribly they've been treated throughout the entire season. They're so furious that the COs can't stop them.
The COs are clearly outmatched, but Humphrey attempts to whip out a gun he'd snuck inside. Having previously done truly gross things, like forcing Maritza to eat either 10 dead flies or a baby mouse at gunpoint and egging Suzanne and Maureen to physically fight each other, he's one of, if not the most, awful guards around. But he gets what's coming to him when Maritza shoves him to the ground before he can shoot anyone. Daya then gets ahold of the gun and, after some hesitation, points it right at Humphrey's face as the inmates cheer.
That tense moment is exactly where that storyline ends for season four. The actual last scene of the season is a bittersweet shot of Poussey, after much of the finale explores one of her most memorable nights ever through flashbacks. She looks directly into the camera and flashes the sweet smile everyone will miss.
Orange Is the New Black Refresher: Here's How Season 4 Wraps Up
Orange Is the New Black season five comes back this month, and things pick up right after the season four finale and revolve around that important character death. Since you're just launched into all the action (and there's no "previously on Orange Is the New Black" sequence to prep you, we're reminding you of everything that went on in the finale, so you're not lost when the season starts. It's been a year, after all!
What Went Down:
Upset with Caputo for defending Bayley rather than honoring Poussey in a televised statement about her death, several inmates begin marching through Litchfield and rallying others along the way. Soon, practically the entire prison riots through the halls to express their anger at the situation and how terribly they've been treated throughout the entire season. They're so furious that the COs can't stop them.
The COs are clearly outmatched, but Humphrey attempts to whip out a gun he'd snuck inside. Having previously done truly gross things, like forcing Maritza to eat either 10 dead flies or a baby mouse at gunpoint and egging Suzanne and Maureen to physically fight each other, he's one of, if not the most, awful guards around. But he gets what's coming to him when Maritza shoves him to the ground before he can shoot anyone. Daya then gets ahold of the gun and, after some hesitation, points it right at Humphrey's face as the inmates cheer.
That tense moment is exactly where that storyline ends for season four. The actual last scene of the season is a bittersweet shot of Poussey, after much of the finale explores one of her most memorable nights ever through flashbacks. She looks directly into the camera and flashes the sweet smile everyone will miss.
Watch Luis Fonsi Explain the Lyrics of "Despacito" - the Meaning Might Shock You
Luis Fonsi is spilling all of the sexy tea behind the lyrics of "Despacito." In a video for Genius, the Puerto Rican singer opened up about the song's origins, saying: "I wish I had a better story, but, honestly, I woke up one morning with 'Despacito' in my head. It was that simple and that obvious." But Luis came around pretty quickly, giving himself a little more credit for the sensual lines behind the song.
Going line by line in the song, Luis revealed "Despacito" talks about having uncontrollable feelings for a woman but wanting to slow down things and enjoy them as they heat up. We already knew that, but did you also know that he purposely incorporated the phrases "this is how we do it down in Puerto Rico" and "ay, bendito" in a nod to his country?
In case you didn't already know, the song has been on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for weeks and shows no sign of stepping down from the No. 1 spot. Watch the video above to find out what else Luis had to say about the lyrics, plus how Justin Bieber asked to be on the remix.
Backpacking Checklist: Items You Need to Remember For Your Adventure
No matter the destination, backpacking can be such an incredible way to travel. Think about it - you don't have the heavy load of a rolling suitcase to drag behind you. And we all know dragging suitcases over cobblestone streets is no fun. However, the only caveat when it comes to backpacking is that whatever you pack, you must carry.
Now, I know what you're probably thinking: "How heavy can those extracute dresses you stashed in your backpack at the last minute really be!?" But when you're sprinting to catch your train or trying to frantically condense your bag as much as possible to avoid hefty baggage fees, even the slightest thing can weigh you down.
I say all of this from experience. While I used to be the average overpacker - better to be overprepared, right!? - when I had the opportunity to backpack across Europe last Summer, I quickly realized what I did truly need for my journey, as well as the items I could have left behind at home.
While packing can be one of the most daunting tasks of any adventure, knowing what you'll need - and not need - for your trip will save you time, frustration, and unnecessary backaches, which is why I'm excited to share my packing list with you. From clothes and shoes to toiletries and travel accessories, I've curated a list to cover all your bases, no matter where your adventure takes you.
Watch Luis Fonsi Explain the Lyrics of "Despacito" - the Meaning Might Shock You
Luis Fonsi is spilling all of the sexy tea behind the lyrics of "Despacito." In a video for Genius, the Puerto Rican singer opened up about the song's origins, saying: "I wish I had a better story, but, honestly, I woke up one morning with 'Despacito' in my head. It was that simple and that obvious." But Luis came around pretty quickly, giving himself a little more credit for the sensual lines behind the song.
Going line by line in the song, Luis revealed "Despacito" talks about having uncontrollable feelings for a woman but wanting to slow down things and enjoy them as they heat up. We already knew that, but did you also know that he purposely incorporated the phrases "this is how we do it down in Puerto Rico" and "ay, bendito" in a nod to his country?
In case you didn't already know, the song has been on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for weeks and shows no sign of stepping down from the No. 1 spot. Watch the video above to find out what else Luis had to say about the lyrics, plus how Justin Bieber asked to be on the remix.
17 Tweets About Growing Up Latinx That'll Have You Nodding So Hard
We know you wouldn't trade the (sometimes complicated, sometimes wacky, always fun) experience of growing up Latinx. Strange family traditions, unorthodox ways of making kids do chores, countless hours kissing everyone hello then goodbye at a gathering . . . we know there are many memories Latinx on the internet share, whether they are from Cuba, El Salvador, or Chile.
The Twitter hashtag #growinguplatino shows off just a few of those moments, and we've rounded them up here into a list that will either make you nod, laugh, roll your eyes, or all of the above. Either way, we know you can seriously relate.
The Tear-Jerking Way 1 Girl Honored Her Parents' Strength at Her Graduation
On Madeleine Tarin's high school graduation day, she knew the exact family portrait that she wanted to take. Not because she had been considering lighting or angles but because she and her parents had done it before - 17 years ago.
In the original photo, Madeleine was just a toddler celebrating her mom's accomplishments, and she wanted to re-create the meaningful snapshot in honor of how far their family has come together. "My mom was 15 while pregnant with me, she had me at 16. My dad was 17," Madeleine shared with the Love What Matters Facebook page. "My parents were judged a lot during this time but stayed strong together."
The grateful teen explained that after she was born, her parents each lived with their own parents while still working to raise her together, and now she has two little sisters who are also looking up to her parents as role models. "They were determined to make it and provide me with a future," she wrote. "Today, they have a strong, loving marriage."
The original photo has served as a source of inspiration for Madeleine over the years, and she knew that she wanted to take it again after accepting her college offer and decided that high school graduation was the perfect opportunity. "I also wanted it to be a reflection to show them how far we've come together as a family. My parents have always been my motivation to be successful in high school and now strive to do well in college," she wrote. "I couldn't ask for a more loving, supportive family than the one God gave me. Yeah that's right, we made it TOGETHER."
This Genius Packing-List System Makes Sure You Never Bring Too Much
Packing is a pain in the ass - but it doesn't have to be! As an ex-overpacker, I know the struggles of needing every bit of room and the fear of not taking what you might need. But I realized every trip that I only wore less than half of what I packed, meaning I wasted bag space and too much time planning my outfits. To make the packing process more efficient and to make my life easier, I thought of a method that has seriously changed the way I travel. A piece of paper and a pen are all you need to ensure you only take what you need. It's like an outfit planner and packing list all in one! Pro tip: pack your list so you don't forget anything on your way back.
17 Tweets About Growing Up Latinx That'll Have You Nodding So Hard
We know you wouldn't trade the (sometimes complicated, sometimes wacky, always fun) experience of growing up Latinx. Strange family traditions, unorthodox ways of making kids do chores, countless hours kissing everyone hello then goodbye at a gathering . . . we know there are many memories Latinx on the internet share, whether they are from Cuba, El Salvador, or Chile.
The Twitter hashtag #growinguplatino shows off just a few of those moments, and we've rounded them up here into a list that will either make you nod, laugh, roll your eyes, or all of the above. Either way, we know you can seriously relate.
The Tear-Jerking Way 1 Girl Honored Her Parents' Strength at Her Graduation
On Madeleine Tarin's high school graduation day, she knew the exact family portrait that she wanted to take. Not because she had been considering lighting or angles but because she and her parents had done it before - 17 years ago.
In the original photo, Madeleine was just a toddler celebrating her mom's accomplishments, and she wanted to re-create the meaningful snapshot in honor of how far their family has come together. "My mom was 15 while pregnant with me, she had me at 16. My dad was 17," Madeleine shared with the Love What Matters Facebook page. "My parents were judged a lot during this time but stayed strong together."
The grateful teen explained that after she was born, her parents each lived with their own parents while still working to raise her together, and now she has two little sisters who are also looking up to her parents as role models. "They were determined to make it and provide me with a future," she wrote. "Today, they have a strong, loving marriage."
The original photo has served as a source of inspiration for Madeleine over the years, and she knew that she wanted to take it again after accepting her college offer and decided that high school graduation was the perfect opportunity. "I also wanted it to be a reflection to show them how far we've come together as a family. My parents have always been my motivation to be successful in high school and now strive to do well in college," she wrote. "I couldn't ask for a more loving, supportive family than the one God gave me. Yeah that's right, we made it TOGETHER."
Your Abs Will Be on Fire After This 100-Rep Core-Blasting Workout
Chisel and strengthen your core without leaving the floor! These four moves may seem simple and basic, but doing each move for 25 reps ups the intensity, making them incredibly effective. Your belly muscles will be burning in just a few minutes. Want more of a burn? Repeat this 100-rep ab workout two or three times.
The Striking Transformation of Victoria Beckham's Little Black Dress
In recent history, Victoria Beckham has been inclined to wear color. Perhaps the playful vibe of her new Target collaboration is swaying her in that direction, or maybe Victoria is just open to change. Change she has, since the days of Posh and the iconic "little Gucci dress" she slipped into in everybody's favorite movie Spice World.
But despite Victoria's more modern fashion sense, she has not forgotten her roots nor the power of a simple black sheath. These days, she might be sporting the look with her signature glove pumps instead of sky-high platform boots, but year after year - and as seasons change - Victoria's LBDs mean business. Scroll to track their transformation over the past decade.
Your Abs Will Be on Fire After This 100-Rep Core-Blasting Workout
Chisel and strengthen your core without leaving the floor! These four moves may seem simple and basic, but doing each move for 25 reps ups the intensity, making them incredibly effective. Your belly muscles will be burning in just a few minutes. Want more of a burn? Repeat this 100-rep ab workout two or three times.
The Striking Transformation of Victoria Beckham's Little Black Dress
In recent history, Victoria Beckham has been inclined to wear color. Perhaps the playful vibe of her new Target collaboration is swaying her in that direction, or maybe Victoria is just open to change. Change she has, since the days of Posh and the iconic "little Gucci dress" she slipped into in everybody's favorite movie Spice World.
But despite Victoria's more modern fashion sense, she has not forgotten her roots nor the power of a simple black sheath. These days, she might be sporting the look with her signature glove pumps instead of sky-high platform boots, but year after year - and as seasons change - Victoria's LBDs mean business. Scroll to track their transformation over the past decade.
12 Times Poussey and Taystee's Friendship Was the Best Part of OITNB
When you get past all the khaki jumpsuits and the shocking backstories and finally wipe your tears away, the core of Orange Is the New Black can be found in the intense, sweet, and oftentimes hilarious friendships between Litchfield's finest. The best of the bunch is arguably the bond between Taystee Jefferson and Poussey Washington, played by real-life best friends Danielle Brooks and Samira Wiley. In honor of the upcoming season, take a look back at their most memorable moments together.
12 Times Poussey and Taystee's Friendship Was the Best Part of OITNB
When you get past all the khaki jumpsuits and the shocking backstories and finally wipe your tears away, the core of Orange Is the New Black can be found in the intense, sweet, and oftentimes hilarious friendships between Litchfield's finest. The best of the bunch is arguably the bond between Taystee Jefferson and Poussey Washington, played by real-life best friends Danielle Brooks and Samira Wiley. In honor of the upcoming season, take a look back at their most memorable moments together.
10 Things to Know About Broadway Breakout Star Ben Platt
Image Source: Getty / ANGELA WEISS
Broadway's Dear Evan Hansen is stealing the hearts of audiences everywhere this season, and that's in large part due to its star, Ben Platt. Not only does the 23-year-old actor blow everyone away with his portrayal of the socially awkward, anxiety-ridden teen eight times a week, but he's just as charming off stage as he is on. Even if you're not theater-obsessed, odds are, you've probably seen his face before. Pitch Perfect ring a bell? With the Tony Awards approaching this weekend, brush up on these key facts about the rising star below.
- He was born and raised in LA. Even though Ben is a Broadway sensation, he actually grew up on the West Coast. He attended the prep school Harvard-Westlake School in LA and graduated in 2011. He is still close friends with his high school classmate Beanie Feldstein, who is Jonah Hill's sister.
- He grew up in a musical family. It's no surprise that Ben has a love for theater - it runs in his blood. His father, Marc Platt, is the producer behind La La Land and Wicked. His brother Jonah is also in the business, having starred as Fiyero in the latter musical on Broadway. Ben and his four siblings were often dubbed the Von Platts (based on the Von Trapps from The Sound of Music) for their musical talents growing up.
- He's Jewish. Ben is very open about his Jewish background. His mom, Julie, credits their religious upbringing to keeping their kids so grounded in Hollywood.
- His first big role was when he was 9. He played Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Kristin Chenoweth, who went on to star as Glinda in his father's production of Wicked. The two actually met backstage when Marc came to see Ben's performance.
- He deferred from Columbia to be in The Book of Mormon. After graduating high school, Ben was accepted into Columbia University in New York but put his education on hold to star in The Book of Mormon. He played Elder Arnold Cunningham in the Chicago tour from December 2012-October 2013 and again in the Broadway show from January 2014-January 2015.
Image Source: Everett Collection
- He was in an a cappella group on stage and in real life. Ben is well-known for playing the nerdy Treblemaker Benji Applebaum in Pitch Perfect. Interestingly enough, he was also a member of Columbia's musical group Nonsequitur A Cappella.
- He originally auditioned for Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen's creators) when he was 17. Before landing the title role in the musical, Ben auditioned for a different Pasek and Paul original called Dogfight, about a group of Marines on the eve of shipping out to Vietnam. Even though they thought Ben was "incredible," he was a little too young for the cast. Following the audition, Benj sent him a Facebook message mentioning another idea they were developing and suggested they stay in touch. Fast forward a few years later, and the trio were working together on Broadway.
Image Source: Matthew Murphy
- He has some insane rituals for his role. Ben takes his role in Dear Evan Hansen very seriously, even if that means living a "monkish existence." His castmates say that he rarely goes out for a celebratory drink at the end of the week and often goes straight home to rest his voice. Aside from getting nine or 10 hours of sleep each night, he also has a strict diet to make sure he stays healthy but can also pass for an anxiety-ridden teen. He's not allowed to eat gluten or dairy, he takes zinc and oregano supplements, and he has two physical therapy sessions a week to make sure his posture doesn't become too much like his character Evan's.
- He's the youngest winner of the Drama League Awards. In May, Ben won the organization's distinguished performance award, which recognizes a performance on the New York stage in the past year and can only be won once in a performer's career. At 23, he became the youngest winner in the award's history.
- He's up for his first Tony. Ben is a front runner to take home best performance by an actor in a leading role at the Tony Awards this year. Not only would it be his first win, but it is also his first nomination.
Dad's "Family Height Chart" Will Make You Want to Start One Just Like It
Perhaps the most ubiquitous family tradition is charting kids' heights on a door frame. There's something especially sentimental about having your kid stand up against the door frame as you mark where the top of their head hits the wall and to look at all the past notches to show their growth through the months and years.
One dad's height chart, however, easily puts most others' to shame. As he was writing in his 3-year-old's measurements, he shared a picture to Reddit:
"Added my daughter to the wall this weekend," he wrote. "My family's height chart goes back to the 1920s, and she is the fifth generation to go on there."
The chart isn't just a door frame but a piece of wall he hung up - he said the living heirloom likely started in his grandmother's Summer house, but when they sold the home, they simply "took the wall with them." He also joked that when he was looking back for his own measurements, he kept finding ones from "my dad in the '50s."
Incredible!
Prepare to Lust After Urban Decay's New Naked Heat Palette - Swatches Included!
Raise your hand if you blindly buy any and all Urban Decay palettes. (Raises hand.) For me, it doesn't matter what shades come in the palettes, because I know that there will be several shades that flatter my eye color, even if every one isn't the perfect match. As someone with hazel eyes, though, I'm psyched with the reveal of Naked Heat ($54), the newest addition to the Naked palette family, which includes varying shades of amber, orange, and sienna - all perfect for enhancing the green in my eye color. And it's perfect timing, too: these shades are popular on Instagram and the red carpet.
The 12 new shades include En Fuego, a matte red; Ounce, an ivory shimmer; Sauced, a terra-cotta matte; and Ember, a deep metallic copper-burgundy. According to Urban Decay, this palette is the most "shade-driven" one the brand has done. It was built off the popularity of shades from other palettes, like Bitter from Vice4.
If you want to try the fiery trend but aren't in the market for another palette, the brand also launched three new limited-edition Vice Lipsticks ($17) and two 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($20) to correspond with the eye shadow. Note that this is the first time UD has done something like this - releasing a palette and other products inspired by it at the same time! The warmer lipstick shades include Fuel, Heat, and Scorched, plus Alkaline and Torch liners.
You can pick up all the products during a limited pre-sale on June 12 at UrbanDecay.com; it officially launches June 30. Take a look at the gallery to see swatches of each product, and let us know in the comments which is your favorite!
How to Stop Notifying Everyone When Updating Your LinkedIn
Do you know that every time you make a change on LinkedIn, your connections get an update of your tweaks? If you don't want your every move watched by your network, turn the notifications off. After all, not only do you want to avoid spamming your LinkedIn friends every time you change your profile picture, but you might also want to keep the timing of the changes private. Here's how to turn the notifications off:
- Log into your LinkedIn account.
- Hover over your name on the upper-right corner of your page, and a dropdown menu should appear. Click on the settings option.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page, go to the privacy controls section, and click "Turn on/off your activity broadcasts." You'll see a small pop-up that will let you check or uncheck a box that gives people updates. Uncheck the box, and save your changes.
Prepare to Lust After Urban Decay's New Naked Heat Palette - Swatches Included!
Raise your hand if you blindly buy any and all Urban Decay palettes. (Raises hand.) For me, it doesn't matter what shades come in the palettes, because I know that there will be several shades that flatter my eye color, even if every one isn't the perfect match. As someone with hazel eyes, though, I'm psyched with the reveal of Naked Heat ($54), the newest addition to the Naked palette family, which includes varying shades of amber, orange, and sienna - all perfect for enhancing the green in my eye color. And it's perfect timing, too: these shades are popular on Instagram and the red carpet.
The 12 new shades include En Fuego, a matte red; Ounce, an ivory shimmer; Sauced, a terra-cotta matte; and Ember, a deep metallic copper-burgundy. According to Urban Decay, this palette is the most "shade-driven" one the brand has done. It was built off the popularity of shades from other palettes, like Bitter from Vice4.
If you want to try the fiery trend but aren't in the market for another palette, the brand also launched three new limited-edition Vice Lipsticks ($17) and two 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($20) to correspond with the eye shadow. Note that this is the first time UD has done something like this - releasing a palette and other products inspired by it at the same time! The warmer lipstick shades include Fuel, Heat, and Scorched, plus Alkaline and Torch liners.
You can pick up all the products during a limited pre-sale on June 12 at UrbanDecay.com; it officially launches June 30. Take a look at the gallery to see swatches of each product, and let us know in the comments which is your favorite!
10 Things to Know About Broadway Breakout Star Ben Platt
Image Source: Getty / ANGELA WEISS
Broadway's Dear Evan Hansen is stealing the hearts of audiences everywhere this season, and that's in large part due to its star, Ben Platt. Not only does the 23-year-old actor blow everyone away with his portrayal of the socially awkward, anxiety-ridden teen eight times a week, but he's just as charming off stage as he is on. Even if you're not theater-obsessed, odds are, you've probably seen his face before. Pitch Perfect ring a bell? With the Tony Awards approaching this weekend, brush up on these key facts about the rising star below.
- He was born and raised in LA. Even though Ben is a Broadway sensation, he actually grew up on the West Coast. He attended the prep school Harvard-Westlake School in LA and graduated in 2011. He is still close friends with his high school classmate Beanie Feldstein, who is Jonah Hill's sister.
- He grew up in a musical family. It's no surprise that Ben has a love for theater - it runs in his blood. His father, Marc Platt, is the producer behind La La Land and Wicked. His brother Jonah is also in the business, having starred as Fiyero in the latter musical on Broadway. Ben and his four siblings were often dubbed the Von Platts (based on the Von Trapps from The Sound of Music) for their musical talents growing up.
- He's Jewish. Ben is very open about his Jewish background. His mom, Julie, credits their religious upbringing to keeping their kids so grounded in Hollywood.
- His first big role was when he was 9. He played Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Kristin Chenoweth, who went on to star as Glinda in his father's production of Wicked. The two actually met backstage when Marc came to see Ben's performance.
- He deferred from Columbia to be in The Book of Mormon. After graduating high school, Ben was accepted into Columbia University in New York but put his education on hold to star in The Book of Mormon. He played Elder Arnold Cunningham in the Chicago tour from December 2012-October 2013 and again in the Broadway show from January 2014-January 2015.
Image Source: Everett Collection
- He was in an a cappella group on stage and in real life. Ben is well-known for playing the nerdy Treblemaker Benji Applebaum in Pitch Perfect. Interestingly enough, he was also a member of Columbia's musical group Nonsequitur A Cappella.
- He originally auditioned for Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen's creators) when he was 17. Before landing the title role in the musical, Ben auditioned for a different Pasek and Paul original called Dogfight, about a group of Marines on the eve of shipping out to Vietnam. Even though they thought Ben was "incredible," he was a little too young for the cast. Following the audition, Benj sent him a Facebook message mentioning another idea they were developing and suggested they stay in touch. Fast forward a few years later, and the trio were working together on Broadway.
Image Source: Matthew Murphy
- He has some insane rituals for his role. Ben takes his role in Dear Evan Hansen very seriously, even if that means living a "monkish existence." His castmates say that he rarely goes out for a celebratory drink at the end of the week and often goes straight home to rest his voice. Aside from getting nine or 10 hours of sleep each night, he also has a strict diet to make sure he stays healthy but can also pass for an anxiety-ridden teen. He's not allowed to eat gluten or dairy, he takes zinc and oregano supplements, and he has two physical therapy sessions a week to make sure his posture doesn't become too much like his character Evan's.
- He's the youngest winner of the Drama League Awards. In May, Ben won the organization's distinguished performance award, which recognizes a performance on the New York stage in the past year and can only be won once in a performer's career. At 23, he became the youngest winner in the award's history.
- He's up for his first Tony. Ben is a front runner to take home best performance by an actor in a leading role at the Tony Awards this year. Not only would it be his first win, but it is also his first nomination.
Dad's "Family Height Chart" Will Make You Want to Start One Just Like It
Perhaps the most ubiquitous family tradition is charting kids' heights on a door frame. There's something especially sentimental about having your kid stand up against the door frame as you mark where the top of their head hits the wall and to look at all the past notches to show their growth through the months and years.
One dad's height chart, however, easily puts most others' to shame. As he was writing in his 3-year-old's measurements, he shared a picture to Reddit:
"Added my daughter to the wall this weekend," he wrote. "My family's height chart goes back to the 1920s, and she is the fifth generation to go on there."
The chart isn't just a door frame but a piece of wall he hung up - he said the living heirloom likely started in his grandmother's Summer house, but when they sold the home, they simply "took the wall with them." He also joked that when he was looking back for his own measurements, he kept finding ones from "my dad in the '50s."
Incredible!
How Could Flamin' Hot Cheetos Possibly Taste Better? With Chipotle Ranch, That's How
In an unexpected and exciting move, Cheetos has vastly improved its Flamin' Hot flavor with the addition of Chipotle Ranch. Yes, you read that right: Flamin' Hot Chipotle Ranch Cheetos are officially a thing.
The spicy snack was rolled out on a preview basis in May and it is now available in select big-box stores throughout the nation - namely Walmart, Target, and Safeway, according to food blogger Junk Banter. Though they were expected to hit shelves in July, it seems as though Frito-Lay has expedited that process. To find a bag near you, simply enter your zip code and select the snack from a dropdown menu on Frito-Lay's official website.
The flavor will likely only be available for a limited time, so you might want to act fast. Want to know if they're even worth it? Oh, they are. As Junk Banter said, "Buy with confidence."
7 Fun, Easy Ways to Capture Your Travels After Your Trip
Whether it's the allure of discovering new places, learning new languages, or chowing down on new cuisines, whatever your favorite part is about immersing yourself in a new culture, there's one thing for certain: traveling is good for the soul.
But don't think just because your adventure ends, the good times can't keep rolling. One of the best parts about traveling is finding ways to capture those unforgettable memories so you can forever reminisce about them. So instead of feeling the pressure to post every single amazing experience on Instagram right when it happens, put your phone away knowing we've got you covered with seven fun, easy ways to track your travels. Ready to get started?
How My Unlikely TV Habit Gives Me Newfound Hope For Democracy
2017 has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year for democracy.
Amidst a flurry of rollbacks, repeals, and pull-outs from the Trump administration, I've found myself searching for signs of the checks and balances I was taught to expect - hell, demand! - from our government. At the very least, some semblance of the (mostly) rational thinking that has traditionally been put forth by from the people in charge would be nice. Our legislative, executive and judicial branches feel exceedingly broken; it's as though the very ideals they were founded on are on the chopping block. Amidst all the chaos, however, there's one clear, shining beacon of hope. And despite how insanely boring it may sound, it comes in the form of congressional hearings.
Before your eyes glaze over, hear me out.
I've never been one of those people who actively seeks out the inner workings of government for entertainment. That is to say, you'll never catch me cross-checking the expected budget against realistic targets, or angrily shaking my fist at clauses in the full text of the AHCA, or hosting watching parties for bill votes. I'm more of a cable-news-and-internet gal, and the simple act of trying to watch hearings on CSPAN nearly put me off entirely. I don't get the channel in HD, and the pixelating images and distorted audio tends to make me feel like I've gone back in time. But once I discovered that I could stream the channel on my phone, the game instantly changed.
Almost overnight, I found myself becoming the kind of person who calls up friends and family and rants about how crazy and tunnel-visioned one senator was, or how one tiny detail that was maybe said offhandedly might actually be the truth we'd all been searching for. Congressional hearings were like the real-life version of Law & Order, except instead of being ripped from the headlines, they were making the headlines. As I said to my boyfriend a couple weeks ago, the congressional hearings were giving me life. They were a reminder of how things are supposed to work - and how two sides of the aisle can coexist in a way that feels like there's an end to all these means.
The Senate and House Select Committees on Intelligence have held several open, televised hearings on the Russia investigation over the last few months. And it's here that members of both chambers - and both parties - call witnesses to the stand and interrogate them on the things that we, the public, deserve to know the truth about. The witnesses can't reveal everything in open testimony, but the things that we're allowed to hear outside of the closed doors of briefing rooms have been some of the most incredible television I've ever watched. From Sally Yates telling the world that there was a "compromised situation" in the White House with Michael Flynn, to James Clapper's sassy clapback on the definition of leaks, to John Brennan's uncertainty about whether there was collusion - it was all pure, unadulterated infotainment.
Ultimately, it's the products of the quest for truth - and often, the direct acknowledgement of things that feel like they can't be right or just - that I've found solace in. To be clear, it's not a perfect process. The politics of both sides shows through in ways that are often cringeworthy. The leading questions, direct jabs across the aisle, and blatant disrespect to certain individuals almost always lead to an awkward silence thereafter, which is both completely intolerable and totally gripping. But at the same time, the fact that I ams watching something that feels like a defense against a broader insanity sweeping the country makes me feel like maybe, somehow, there is a reason to believe we'll get through these insanely dark times.
In just a few days, former FBI Director James Comey will give testimony in front of members of the Senate for the second time this year. It's a big deal: since he first took the stand back in May, he's been fired by the president and has been the center of wide-ranging questions about what's gone down - not just since Trump took office but in the lead-up to the election itself. And Comey is no stranger to the theatrics inherent to these hearings.
It was almost exactly 10 years ago that Comey testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on NSA surveillance. It was there that he dropped the bombshell that then-President George W. Bush had attempted to get Attorney General John Ashcroft to sign off on a wiretapping program from his hospital bed - and the only reason that they weren't able to pull it off was that Comey himself had run to the hospital and interceded in the nick of time. Not only was this "improper conduct" something that would stain the Bush administration for years thereafter, it also established Comey's reputation as a top-notch storyteller, buttressed by the fact that all of his stories were 100 percent verified truths.
Comey's testimony in early May was somewhat of a show-stopper in and of itself, with his now-infamous revelation that the fact that he may have influenced the election in any way made him "mildly nauseous." And while many of us may still question the motivation behind the timing and presentation of his announcements on the Clinton email scandal, it only adds to the dramatic tension that will play out when he takes the stand on Thursday to finally tell the story that's been years in the making. (Plus, as we now know, Comey is a meticulous note taker, and the man has receipts.)
Ultimately, we have no idea what will come of Thursday's hearings, or if any charges will be brought as a result of the investigations which the special prosecutor and the congressional committees are undertaking. But what I can definitively say, without a doubt, that in a year full of unexpected and disappointing developments, congressional hearings have given me hope for democracy. And for now, that's enough for me.
How Could Flamin' Hot Cheetos Possibly Taste Better? With Chipotle Ranch, That's How
In an unexpected and exciting move, Cheetos has vastly improved its Flamin' Hot flavor with the addition of Chipotle Ranch. Yes, you read that right: Flamin' Hot Chipotle Ranch Cheetos are officially a thing.
The spicy snack was rolled out on a preview basis in May and it is now available in select big-box stores throughout the nation - namely Walmart, Target, and Safeway, according to food blogger Junk Banter. Though they were expected to hit shelves in July, it seems as though Frito-Lay has expedited that process. To find a bag near you, simply enter your zip code and select the snack from a dropdown menu on Frito-Lay's official website.
The flavor will likely only be available for a limited time, so you might want to act fast. Want to know if they're even worth it? Oh, they are. As Junk Banter said, "Buy with confidence."
No Such Thing as Balance: Moms Get Real About Career and Family
In the film Bad Moms, Amy Mitchell, played by actress Mila Kunis, reaches her breaking point. With the stress of trying to manage her children's busy schedules, meet her boss's expectations, and earn respect from the "perfect mothers" in the PTA, Mitchell decides to let go of some of her responsibilities and be a bad parent for once.
Along with two other stressed-out moms, played by Kathryn Hahn and Kristen Bell, she gets drunk at a bar, throws a massive house party, and trashes a grocery store. Mitchell even ignites a war with the president of the PTA when she brings store-bought doughnut holes to the school's bake sale, which clearly violates the no-sugar, no-eggs, and no-milk rules.
Unfortunately, not all women can rebel in such a dramatic fashion, but this film does show the significant amount of pressure that is placed on working mothers.
In 2014, Care.com, "the world's largest online destination for finding and managing family care," surveyed almost 1,000 moms. It found that one in four women cries alone at least once a week due to the stress of trying to balance her career, children, and chores.
But balance is unrealistic, according to Monica Coleman, who is a mother of two and a program training and technical assistance consultant for a CDC-funded project to reduce teen pregnancy in the Mississippi Delta. "You're always going to have issues at home that you take to work that impact your performance," she said. "You're always going to have some issues at work that eventually may impact how you're feeling when you go home at the end of the day, so there's really no separating the two."
Courtney Shelton, who is the associate director of event services at the University of Memphis and a mother of three children, ages 7, 3, and 2, agrees with Coleman. "I feel it's a misconception to think there's a balance in your work life and personal life," she said. "I think you have to be OK knowing that it's going to be chaotic and at certain times one will outweigh the other."
Mommy Guilt
According to a 2015 survey by Pew Research Center, 39 percent of full-time working mothers said they don't spend enough time with their children. This often leads to "mom guilt."
Cindy Brewer, cofounder of LEO Events, a global event planning company in Memphis, TN, has definitely experienced some remorse as a working mother. Because she runs a business that plans events for Fortune 500 companies and other local organizations like Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Brewer is not always able to attend her children's activities, which is extremely difficult for her - especially when her husband, who is also a cofounder at LEO Events, and family aren't available.
"It's a very hard place to be. It just makes you feel [like] you're letting a child down . . . and I don't want to ever be in that position, but it's happened," she said.
Moms deal with their guilt in different ways.
Belinda Simpson is a director of community outreach for a nonprofit in Memphis and is also very hands-on with her two sons, ages 15 and 17. As a single mom, spending time with her boys is important, and when she has to work overtime at the office, Simpson admits that she spoils them to make up for it - which sometimes they use to their advantage, she says.
"If I work too much during the week, if I have too many after-work activities that go into the evening, I feel guilty if I'm not home with them," she said. "When I do get back home, it's extra treats, extra going out, buying game cards, something to make me feel better."
Working Fewer Hours
Though women feel guilt when they work too much, the truth of the matter is that they still make more sacrifices than men when it comes to family life. Forty-two percent of moms compared to 28 percent of dads said they reduce work hours more to care for their children, according to a study by the Pew Research Center.
Forty-two percent of moms compared to 28 percent of dads said they reduce work hours more to care for their children.
Melissa Bamford, a sociology professor at the University of Memphis, says that society expects women to sacrifice their work for their children. "The lack of quality child care in the United States speaks to an underlying assumption that women should be home raising their children," she explained. "Although most women work, usually because two-parent families need two incomes, this idea that women should still be the primary caretakers has not gone away. There are cover stories or big huzzahs when men are the primary caretakers and women are the primary breadwinners because we see this as backwards in our society."
Lindsay Ball, CEO of Memphis Mom Blog, a website that provides information about parenthood, is all too familiar with leaving work to care for her son. Formerly working as an entomologist, Ball's life changed when she found out that she was pregnant. Not only that, she soon realized that she would be an only parent as she and her son's biological father parted ways. With trying to juggle work and her son's schedule, Ball had to make a tough decision.
"My career was more of a man's world so it was really hard. Then whenever I had [my son], I got to the point where I was like, 'I can't keep doing this because I have to be able to keep the same hours as his day care,' and you're really limited in that," she said. "So I ended up making a lot less money than I was worth, but I was able to be a parent still to him."
Jeanie Whinghter is another mom who left her corporate job to spend more time with her three children. She now works in higher education, which gives her more flexibility. "The thing that I found most challenging is that I would be at work and I would really be just thinking about my child," she said. "Just the silly stuff. His nanny would text me about his poop and I'll think, 'Oh my gosh, what kind of poop was it,'" she said, bursting out in laughter. "So my heart was really with my child and I knew that I needed to make a change, so I could be more engaged with my children's lives." In order to spend more time with their kids, some women choose to work in lower-paying industries like restaurants.
Jennifer Fitz is a bartender at Fox and Hound in Memphis. She says that though she works late hours (the bar doesn't close until 3 a.m.), she is able to spend more time at home with her son than if she were working a corporate job. "I'm a bartender at Fox and Hound, and I hate to say this, but if I had a big-girl job right now, I don't think that I would be able to spend quite as much time with my son as I want to, and it's nice having money in your pocket every night of the week. It's not guaranteed like a steady 9-to-5 every week, but you do make a good amount of money." She added, "You work later hours, but I think you work less hours than that 40 hours a week period, so you may be exhausted, but you do have more hours with your child."
Mommies in a Man's World
According to a Pew study, motherhood isn't a top barrier that's keeping women from obtaining executive positions anymore. However, that's not to say that discrimination doesn't still exist.
Lori Spicer Robertson is the chief communications and engagement officer for United Way of the Mid-South. She has worked for a number of local companies and was passionate about making sure organizations kept corporate social responsibility, inclusion, culture development, and change management top of mind to ensure a healthy work environment. However, that did not exempt her from discrimination or the unconscious bias that plagues women every day in the workplace. She recalled a time in one of her prior roles when she was singled out in a meeting after having her son.
"I had a gentleman say to me, 'Lori, we forgot about you. Next time you should decide if you really want to advance your career or if you want to stay home and have babies,'" she recalled. "I thought, 'I can't believe this person just said this aloud in a meeting in front of all these people.' Then I thought, 'That's his reality and because most of the men in his position have wives that don't work outside the home, their lens or their model of women is to be at home with children,' which is honorable, to say the least if that's what you choose to do, but if you do choose to have a corporate career, you have to know going in to it that it's going to be a challenge."
Ball has also experienced discrimination in the workplace. She explained how some of her male colleagues viewed pregnant women when she worked as an entomologist. "Being pregnant in that work environment was very, very difficult. People just don't have the patience for you to move slower, be tired, need to get off your feet," she said. "Men tend to think, 'Well, you did this to yourself. You knew this would happen. You're just looking for excuses.' And honestly, I used to think that until I was in that position."
Children Benefit From Working Moms
Although some men may think women need to stay at home, it does children good to see their moms working, according to a study by Harvard Business School professor Kathleen McGinn. She found that women who had working mothers are more likely to work outside the home and are given more responsibility at work. In addition, men who had working moms are more likely to help with housework and family. Brewer says being a working mom helps her children understand values. "One of the strongest benefits of being a working mom is that I know that I am able to provide for my family and that I know that I'm instilling values of hard work in my children," she said. "If anything, I hope that my children walk away from their high school graduation with a strong work ethic and knowing that hard work definitely is a part of life and how it pays off in the long run."
Simpson also believes that there are strong benefits to being a working mom. "[It shows] them perseverance in how to go after their dream, show them how you make sacrifices but also they see the awards that are reaped when you make those sacrifices," she explained. "So just being role models and showing them the steps you have to take to get the things you want in life."
Though it may be tough juggling motherhood and work, Ball believes that it's possible. "I'm not a perfect business owner, I'm not a perfect boss, I'm not perfect by any stretch, I'm definitely not a perfect wife," Ball said. "I'm still figuring that one out, but at the end of the day, I try to make sure that everyone I'm in contact with is happy. To me, that is doable."
8 Things You Don't Know About Aldi, Straight From an Insider Employee
We reached out to an Aldi spokeswoman, Liz Ruggles, to find out the answers to our burning questions. How is it possible that everything is so cheap?! Turns out, there's a good reason for that and for the mandatory quarter per cart . . . oh, and for the self-bagging, too. Curious about the behind the scenes of one of the most budget-friendly grocery stores in America, one that attracts 32 million customers each month? Read ahead to get the scoop.
There's a reason prices are so low.
"We're obsessed with value, and by taking a simple approach to grocery shopping, we're able to keep our costs down. We don't have hidden expenses because we choose to save shoppers money rather than have nonessential grocery store services like in-store banking, pharmacies, and check cashing. We also skip the fancy shelving and keep our products right in their display boxes, which saves us (and our shoppers) time and money. We are dedicated to reducing our impact on the environment. So we ask our shoppers to bring their own reusable grocery bags or buy a few at checkout to use for all their trips to Aldi. At our stores, shoppers also pack their own groceries to keep our checkout lines moving."
There's a strategy behind the mandatory purchase of a cart for a quarter.
"Shoppers deposit a quarter to use a cart at our stores, and when they return the cart to the corral, they get their quarter back. This saves everyone money because our staff can focus on serving shoppers inside the store instead of collecting the carts from outside of the store. For many people, this becomes an opportunity to pay it forward. Our shoppers will often just pass their cart onto the next shopper, instead of returning it to the corral."
Aldi has in-house test kitchen chefs.
"We have in-house taste testers, aka our Aldi Test Kitchen Chefs. Our chefs hit pause on developing recipes at least twice a year to taste the quality of our products before they hit the shelves - every single Aldi product. They want to make sure our brands are as good, if not better, than the national brands."
You can return any Aldi-exclusive product for a full refund.
"We're so confident in the quality of our products that we offer a double guarantee, which means if for any reason customers don't like an Aldi-exclusive brand product, we'll give them their money back and replace the item."
Aldi donates expired foods.
"Each of our divisions has the option to contribute to local charities, donate product to causes in their areas, and encourage employees to volunteer with local community organizations. In 2015, we also grew our partnership with Feeding America to make it easier for our stores to donate expired or lightly damaged product to food banks in our communities."
The best way to save money is to buy Aldi-exclusive brands.
"Smart shoppers have found that switching from national brands to Aldi-exclusive brands can save them up to 50 percent on their grocery bill. We also have Aldi Finds - these premium food and household products are only in stores for a limited time. Product variety depends on the season, and there's usually a theme for the week's Finds. For example, starting Dec. 7, we have some great gift options."
Fresh produce is among the bestselling products.
"In 2015, our top selling products included staple items such as eggs, milk, and butter, as well as our fresh produce items such as strawberries, bananas, grapes, and oranges. Additionally, with our Never Any! product line, we offer fresh meat that never contains added antibiotics, hormones, or animal byproducts."
There's no MSG, artificial coloring, or hydrogenated oil in Aldi's products.
"Aldi got rid of added MSG, certified synthetic colors, and partially hydrogenated oils from all of our exclusive brand food products. And more than 90 percent of the products on our shelves are under our exclusive brands."
8 Things You Don't Know About Aldi, Straight From an Insider Employee
We reached out to an Aldi spokeswoman, Liz Ruggles, to find out the answers to our burning questions. How is it possible that everything is so cheap?! Turns out, there's a good reason for that and for the mandatory quarter per cart . . . oh, and for the self-bagging, too. Curious about the behind the scenes of one of the most budget-friendly grocery stores in America, one that attracts 32 million customers each month? Read ahead to get the scoop.
There's a reason prices are so low.
"We're obsessed with value, and by taking a simple approach to grocery shopping, we're able to keep our costs down. We don't have hidden expenses because we choose to save shoppers money rather than have nonessential grocery store services like in-store banking, pharmacies, and check cashing. We also skip the fancy shelving and keep our products right in their display boxes, which saves us (and our shoppers) time and money. We are dedicated to reducing our impact on the environment. So we ask our shoppers to bring their own reusable grocery bags or buy a few at checkout to use for all their trips to Aldi. At our stores, shoppers also pack their own groceries to keep our checkout lines moving."
There's a strategy behind the mandatory purchase of a cart for a quarter.
"Shoppers deposit a quarter to use a cart at our stores, and when they return the cart to the corral, they get their quarter back. This saves everyone money because our staff can focus on serving shoppers inside the store instead of collecting the carts from outside of the store. For many people, this becomes an opportunity to pay it forward. Our shoppers will often just pass their cart onto the next shopper, instead of returning it to the corral."
Aldi has in-house test kitchen chefs.
"We have in-house taste testers, aka our Aldi Test Kitchen Chefs. Our chefs hit pause on developing recipes at least twice a year to taste the quality of our products before they hit the shelves - every single Aldi product. They want to make sure our brands are as good, if not better, than the national brands."
You can return any Aldi-exclusive product for a full refund.
"We're so confident in the quality of our products that we offer a double guarantee, which means if for any reason customers don't like an Aldi-exclusive brand product, we'll give them their money back and replace the item."
Aldi donates expired foods.
"Each of our divisions has the option to contribute to local charities, donate product to causes in their areas, and encourage employees to volunteer with local community organizations. In 2015, we also grew our partnership with Feeding America to make it easier for our stores to donate expired or lightly damaged product to food banks in our communities."
The best way to save money is to buy Aldi-exclusive brands.
"Smart shoppers have found that switching from national brands to Aldi-exclusive brands can save them up to 50 percent on their grocery bill. We also have Aldi Finds - these premium food and household products are only in stores for a limited time. Product variety depends on the season, and there's usually a theme for the week's Finds. For example, starting Dec. 7, we have some great gift options."
Fresh produce is among the bestselling products.
"In 2015, our top selling products included staple items such as eggs, milk, and butter, as well as our fresh produce items such as strawberries, bananas, grapes, and oranges. Additionally, with our Never Any! product line, we offer fresh meat that never contains added antibiotics, hormones, or animal byproducts."
There's no MSG, artificial coloring, or hydrogenated oil in Aldi's products.
"Aldi got rid of added MSG, certified synthetic colors, and partially hydrogenated oils from all of our exclusive brand food products. And more than 90 percent of the products on our shelves are under our exclusive brands."
1 Tiny Detail in This New Game of Thrones Clip Hints at a Reunion For Arya and Sansa
If you thought that just because the seventh season of Game of Thrones is almost here we'd quit discussing wild theories, think again. The latest possibility comes from Reddit user N355UN0, who noticed something pretty telling in a video interview with the show's costumer, Michele Clapton (which you can watch above). Interspersed with shots of her jaw-dropping creations for all of the characters are brief behind-the-scenes moments, including a shot of Arya (Maisie Williams) riding on a horse with the hilt of Needle clearly visible - similar to how she is in the season seven trailer - and one of Sansa (Sophie Turner) striding through a crypt at Winterfell. At first glance, no big deal. Upon second glance (and then a third, and possibly a fourth), it sure looks like a woman in Sansa's scene is also holding Needle. So, is a Stark family reunion in the works?
The idea that they might reunite lines up with a recent Entertainment Weekly photo spread that showed Arya on a horse in a location that looks a hell of a lot like Winterfell or Castle Black. If it's the former, it would be the first time she's returned to her family's home since departing in season one with her father, Ned. She's been out of town for a while, but word has to have spread about Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and Sansa taking back Winterfell from Ramsay Bolton, and it stands to reason she'd want to make her way back there.
As always, it's difficult to believe anything other than misery could happen on Game of Thrones, but why else would Needle be in a behind-the-scenes shot at Winterfell? Even if it doesn't pan out, the chips for an Arya-Bran reunion are also in place. In October, Williams and costar Isaac Hempstead Wright (who plays Bran) were spotted on set together in Northern Ireland, where scenes featuring Winterfell and Castle Black are typically shot. The only problem with this theory is that we technically have no idea where she is, since last we saw she was at the Twins, killing Walder Frey and his sons.
On top of the interesting shot of Arya and Sansa, the video also includes a look at what some of the other characters are getting up to. Samwell Tarly (John Bradley-West) is seen hanging out in the Citadel library, while the Hound (Rory McCann) is dressed in heavy Winter gear (is he following Arya to the North?) and throwing some fake snow in front of a fan. Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) pops up as well, going for a quick stroll down the beach where he'll eventually meet up with Jon, Daenerys, and Ser Davos. The short clip of Jon is probably from a similar scene, since he's standing on a cliff with the ocean behind him, and no snow in sight.
Are you convinced? As much as we hate to admit it, it does hold a little more water than the theory that Ser Davos is Azor Ahai.
No Such Thing as Balance: Moms Get Real About Career and Family
In the film Bad Moms, Amy Mitchell, played by actress Mila Kunis, reaches her breaking point. With the stress of trying to manage her children's busy schedules, meet her boss's expectations, and earn respect from the "perfect mothers" in the PTA, Mitchell decides to let go of some of her responsibilities and be a bad parent for once.
Along with two other stressed-out moms, played by Kathryn Hahn and Kristen Bell, she gets drunk at a bar, throws a massive house party and trashes a grocery store. Mitchell even ignites a war with the president of the PTA when she brings store-bought doughnut holes to the school's bake sale, which clearly violates the no sugar, no eggs, and no milk rules.
Unfortunately, not all women can rebel in such a dramatic fashion, but this film does show the significant amount of pressure that is placed on working mothers.
In 2014, Care.com, "the world's largest online destination for finding and managing family care," surveyed almost 1,000 moms. They found that one in four women cry alone at least once a week due to the stress of trying to balance their careers, children, and chores.
But balance is unrealistic, according to Monica Coleman, who is a mother of two and a program training and technical assistance consultant for a CDC-funded project to reduce teen pregnancy in the Mississippi Delta. "You're always going to have issues at home that you take to work that impact your performance," she said. "You're always going to have some issues at work that eventually may impact how you're feeling when you go home at the end of the day, so there's really no separating the two."
Courtney Shelton, who is the associate director of event services at the University of Memphis and a mother of three children, ages 7, 3, and 2, agrees with Coleman. "I feel it's a misconception to think there's a balance in your work life and personal life," she said. "I think you have to be OK knowing that it's going to be chaotic and at certain times one will outweigh the other."
Mommy Guilt
According to a 2015 survey by Pew Research Center, 39 percent of full-time working mothers said they don't spend enough time with their children. This often leads to "mom guilt."
Cindy Brewer, co-founder of LEO Events, a global event planning company in Memphis, has definitely experienced some remorse as a working mother. Because she runs a business that plans events for Fortune 500 companies and other local organizations like Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Brewer is not always able to attend her children's activities, which is extremely difficult for her - especially when her husband, who is also a co-founder at LEO Events, and family aren't available.
"It's a very hard place to be. It just makes you feel [like] you're letting a child down . . . and I don't want to ever be in that position, but it's happened," she said.
Moms deal with their guilt in different ways.
Belinda Simpson is a director of community outreach for a non-profit in Memphis and is also very hands-on with her two sons, ages 15 and 17. As a single mom, spending time with her boys is important and when she has to work overtime at the office, Simpson admits that she spoils them to make up for it - which sometimes they use to their advantage, she says.
"If I work too much during the week, if I have too many after work activities that go into the evening, I feel guilty if I'm not home with them," she said. "When I do get back home, it's extra treats, extra going out, buying game cards, something to make me feel better."
Working Less Hours
Though women feel guilt when they work too much, the truth of the matter is that they still make more sacrifices than men when it comes to family life. Forty-two percent of moms compared to 28 percent of dads said they reduce work hours more to care for their children, according to study by Pew Research Center.
Forty-two percent of moms compared to 28 percent of dads said they reduce work hours more to care for their children.
Melissa Bamford, a sociology professor at the University of Memphis, says that society expects women to sacrifice their work for their children. "The lack of quality childcare in the United States speaks to an underlying assumption that women should be home raising their children," she explained. "Although most women work, usually because two parent families need two incomes, this idea that women should still be the primary caretakers has not gone away. There are cover stories or big huzzahs when men are the primary caretakers and women are the primary breadwinners because we see this as backwards in our society."
Lindsay Ball, CEO of Memphis Mom Blog, a website that provides information about parenthood, is all too familiar with leaving work to care for her son. Formerly working as an entomologist, Ball's life changed when she found out that she was pregnant. Not only that, she soon realized that she would be an only parent as she and her son's biological father parted ways. With trying to juggle work and her son's schedule, Ball had to make a tough decision.
"My career was more of a man's world so it was really hard. Then whenever I had [my son], I got to the point where I was like, 'I can't keep doing this because I have to be able to keep the same hours as his daycare,' and you're really limited in that," she said. "So I ended up making a lot less money than I was worth, but I was able to be a parent still to him."
Jeanie Whinghter is another mom who left her corporate job to spend more time with her three children. She now works in higher education, which gives her more flexibility. "The thing that I found most challenging is that I would be at work and I would really be just thinking about my child," she said. "Just the silly stuff. His nanny would text me about his poop and I'll think 'Oh my gosh, what kind of poop was it,'" she said bursting out in laughter. "So my heart was really with my child and I knew that I needed to make a change, so I could be more engaged with my children's lives." In order to spend more time with their kids, some women choose to work in lower-paying industries like restaurants.
Jennifer Fitz is a bartender at Fox and Hound in Memphis. She says that though she works late hours (the bar doesn't close until 3 a.m.), she is able to spend more time at home with her son than if she were working a corporate job. "I'm a bartender at Fox and Hound, and I hate to say this, but if I had a big-girl job right now, I don't think that I would be able to spend quite as much time with my son as I want to, and it's nice having money in your pocket every night of the week. It's not guaranteed like a steady nine-to-five every week, but you do make a good amount of money." She adds, "You work later hours, but I think you work less hours than that 40 hours a week period, so you may be exhausted, but you do have more hours with your child."
Mommies in a Man's World
According to a Pew study, motherhood isn't a top barrier that's keeping women from obtaining executive positions anymore. However, that's not to say that discrimination doesn't still exist.
Lori Spicer Robertson is the chief communications and engagement officer for United Way of the Mid-South. She has worked for a number of local companies and was passionate about making sure organizations kept corporate social responsibility, inclusion, culture development, and change management top of the mind to ensure a healthy work environment. However, that did not exempt her from discrimination or the unconscious bias that plagues women every day in the workplace. She recalled a time in one of her prior roles when she was singled out in a meeting after having her son.
"I had a gentleman say to me, 'Lori, we forgot about you. Next time you should decide if you really want to advance your career or if you want to stay home and have babies,'" she recalled. "I thought, 'I can't believe this person just said this aloud in a meeting in front of all these people.' Then I thought, 'That's his reality and because most of the men in his position have wives that don't work outside the home, their lens or their model of women is to be at home with children,' which is honorable, to say the least if that's what you choose to do, but if you do choose to have a corporate career, you have to know going in to it that's it's going to be a challenge."
Ball has also experienced discrimination in the workplace. She explained how some of her male colleagues viewed pregnant women when she worked as an entomologist. "Being pregnant in that work environment was very, very difficult. People just don't have the patience for you to move slower, be tired, need to get off your feet," she said. "Men tend to think 'Well, you did this to yourself. You knew this would happen. You're just looking for excuses.' And honestly, I used to think that until I was in that position."
Children Benefit from Working Moms
Although some men may think women need to stay at home, it does children good to see their moms working, according to a study by Harvard Business School professor Kathleen McGinn. She found that women who had working mothers are more likely to work outside the home and are given more responsibility at work. In addition, men who had working moms are more likely to help with housework and family. Brewer says being a working mom helps her children understand values. "One of the strongest benefits of being a working mom is that I know that I am able to provide for my family and that I know that I'm instilling values of hard work in my children," she said. "If anything, I hope that my children walk away from their high school graduation with a strong work ethic and knowing that hard work definitely is a part of life and how it pays off in the long run."
Simpson also believes that there are strong benefits to being a working mom. "[It shows] them perseverance in how to go after their dream, show them how you make sacrifices but also they see the awards that are reaped when you make those sacrifices," she explained. "So just being role models and showing them the steps you have to take to get the things you want in life."
Though it may be tough juggling motherhood and work, Ball believes that it's possible. "I'm not a perfect business owner, I'm not a perfect boss, I'm not perfect by any stretch, I'm definitely not a perfect wife," Ball said. "I'm still figuring that one out, but at the end of the day, I try to make sure that everyone I'm in contact with is happy. To me, that is doable."
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