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.
jeudi 21 juin 2018
Every Disney Fan Should Complete This Incredible, Edible Bucket List
If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, the abundance of food options across all four parks can be overwhelming, but rest assured that these 28 foods have been well-researched and reviewed in person so you know everything here is 100 percent worth your money (and the calories). While a few iconic treats have made the list (like the Mickey pretzel and Dole Whip), some are a little more obscure (pork nacho fries, anyone?). Expect this list to be a little sweet, partially covered in gooey cheese, and just a tad bit spiked, for those partaking. No Disney trip is complete without scouting out the best foods!
How Moving 6 Times in 3 Years Made Me a Minimalist
Nearly three years ago, I stood in my parents' garage watching strangers sift through my things while I tried not to cry. I had just ended a toxic relationship with an abusive partner, but he was also my first love, and we were happy once. We shared an apartment (my first) for three years, and now I was getting rid of all its furnishings. Each item I sold triggered dozens of memories, both good and bad, and I sold them all.
Since then, I've lived in three different time zones and each move was more intense than the one that came before it. I moved from Missouri to Brooklyn with nothing but a suitcase and my laptop bag, then six months later, I gave away all my furniture and moved back to Missouri with the same ensemble. Nine months passed before a troubling cocktail of violent neighbors and bed bugs led me to burn all my furniture and move into my parents' basement. And less than one year after that fiasco, I drove across the country to pursue a job in Los Angeles - with only $300 in my bank account and a couple of suitcases in my trunk. I drove back across the country five months later to visit family and save up for my own place, and after two months in Missouri, I was finally able to afford my own apartment in Long Beach. I packed my car as full as I could and gave away the things that didn't fit and headed back to the West Coast.
The past three years have been as stressful as they have been adventurous, but the whole experience has taught me so much about letting go of things - literally. Don't get me wrong, I still like to hang art on my walls and I own five pairs of earrings, but I've sold, gifted, or burned most of my earthly possessions over the past three years, and it's helped me realize that my viewpoint on minimalism was extremely skewed for a long time. I used to equate a minimalist lifestyle with scarcity and boredom, but moving six times in three years made me realize it's actually just a functional, sustainable, and peaceful way to live.
Since all of my clothes, shoes, and accessories can fit into one large suitcase these days, I rarely agonize over what I'm going to wear. I own fewer dishes and towels than I used to, so I'm more motivated to wash my dishes daily and I'm less likely to let my laundry pile up. And because I try not to hang onto too many things that I don't use regularly, I could pack up my entire apartment in a day if needed. But perhaps more importantly than all of that, embracing minimalism has given me a sense of peace that I didn't have before. I know now that I could lose most of my possessions and still be completely OK, because I don't actually need that much to live well, and stuff can (usually) be replaced.
I'm certainly not the most hardcore minimalist you'll ever meet, but I have picked up a few tricks along my journey. Here are just a few of my tips for getting started:
- If you feel overwhelmed by your pantry, closet, garage, storage unit, etc., set a timer for 30 minutes and just do what you can.
- If you haven't worn something in six months, give it to someone who will.
- If you've never read a book you own, and don't particularly want to read it, donate it to someone who will/does.
- If you have Spotify, Apple Music, or any streaming service, gift, sell, or toss those CDs you've been hanging onto. You don't need them.
- If you are stockpiling old Christmas cards, receipts, hair elastics that have lost stretchiness, or anything else on this list, just get rid of it.
It took moving six times in three years for me to understand that minimalism isn't about doing without, it's about simplifying your life and learning how to let go. With a few notable exceptions, my happiness and security aren't tied to the things I own. For me, that's what embracing minimalism is all about.
19 Awesome Things to Do Alone
Sometimes we're so concerned with finding a way to fill every single minute of every day interacting with people that we forget to take a step back and give ourselves some quality "me" time. Spending time alone is a way to recharge your mental batteries and regroup - everybody needs to do it now and then! So get over your fear of missing out or your reservations about being seen somewhere solo, and embark on a mission to treat yourself to these 19 dates with yourself.
23 Chicken Recipes Made in a Slow Cooker
Some weeks work, social obligations, and household tasks pile up, making the idea of cooking a meal seem fanciful, even unachievable. When that happens, let your slow cooker be your savior. Armed with this piece of equipment, dinner can practically cook itself. Here, we rounded up more than 20 recipes made with a crowd-pleasing, affordable ingredient: chicken.
10 Tricks For the Best Homemade Salads
Do you have a whole plateful of salad woes? If you find that your homemade salads just aren't as good as those in restaurants, perhaps the problem rests in the prep of the salad, the choice of ingredients, or the dressing itself. Integrate these 10 tricks into your salad-making routine, and we promise, you'll toss better homemade salads in no time.
Tired of Overspending on Furniture? This Midcentury Line on Amazon Is So Affordable!
Shelling out thousands for new furniture seems to be the norm these days, but we have a hard time getting on board with that. While there are a number of more affordable retailers out there, they seem to always lack in quality. We haven't lost all hope, though, because we recently discovered Rivet, a line of cool furniture from Amazon, and we can't get enough. The midcentury pieces are not only stylish and functional, but they won't cost you a fortune. We rounded up a list of our favorites, so all you have to do is shop. From a velvet tufted sofa to a sleek marble lamp, take a look.
60+ Fast and Easy Vegan Dinners That'll Fill You Up
Vegan fare is sometimes - incorrectly - perceived to be rabbit food. And sure, that can be the case with some salad, pasta, and grain-based recipes, but it doesn't have to be. (And frankly, plenty of dishes made with dairy, meat, or eggs won't keep you full either.) To dispel that myth, we've rounded up more than 60 recipes that are vegan, supertasty, fast and easy, and filling.
Related: 20 Protein-Packed Meals That Don't Contain a Single Piece of Meat
15 Classy Bites to Pass Around at a Wedding Cocktail Hour
The best part of any wedding is the cocktail hour. It's after the ceremony but before the dinner, so it's the first time that all the guests mingle. Plus, the drinks are flowing and there are plenty of delicious hors d'oeuvres to nibble on. If you're planning your wedding and looking for inspiration when it comes to the appetizer hour, we've got you covered. Here are 15 of our favorite finger foods.
100 Ideas For a Pound of Chicken
Fact: the pound of chicken sitting in your fridge or freezer doesn't always turn into the most exciting dinner, but it is helpful to have on hand. If you need some serious inspiration to shake up your routine, look no further than this ultimate list of chicken recipes - 100, to be exact. Some of them are perfect for speedy weeknight dinners (five-ingredient chicken piccata), and others are ideal for weekend projects (spicy butternut squash ramen with chicken and mushrooms, anyone?). From one-pan meals to pastas, casseroles, crispy tenders, and much more, there's sure to be a recipe you can't wait to try.
10 Filipino Foods You Should Know About
Filipinos are the second largest Asian American demographic in the country, yet Filipino food has only just begun receiving mainstream recognition. Maybe it's because the first time you saw Filipino food, it was on an episode of Fear Factor or Bizarre Foods. I was certain that by now, everyone in America must have been invited to a Filipino pot luck, complete with a roasted suckling pig, mountains of lumpia, and plastic take-home containers for all guests to make sure they have baon (leftovers) for the next week. Alas, if you haven't experienced the delights of Filipino food yet, I'm glad to be here to share some dishes from my motherland, hopefully disrupting any exotifying stereotypes mainstream media might have painted otherwise.
Unicorn Macarons Might Just Be the Most Effing Magical Dessert We've Ever Seen
If you fangirled over unicorn chocolate bark, prepare to fall head over heels for the latest magical dessert trend that's stealing our hearts: unicorn macarons! These petite pastries are just like any other macaron - crisp on the outside yet chewy and creamy on the inside - except they've gotten a colorful makeover that any Lisa Frank fan would appreciate.
There are many variations of this swoon-worthy dessert trend, as some are simply multicolored macarons covered in sprinkles while others are adorned with horns or cut into the shape of the mystical creature. No matter what route you choose, you can easily DIY them at home by starting with a basic French macaron recipe (or our Fruity Pebbles macaron recipe), which calls for ingredients like almond meal and egg whites, then decorating the treats however your unicorn-loving heart desires. If you prefer sticking to a tried-and-true recipe, the baking extraordinaires behind Loving Creations For You have the perfect unicorn macaron recipe, complete with custom-made templates for cutting out the animal shapes. And if baking isn't your forte but you still want to get your hands on one of these bite-size goodies, take a road trip to Georgia for the adorably decorated unicorn macarons at Mac Lab Bakery & Cafe!
Ready to DIY these and in need of some inspiration to get you started on your baking journey? Keep reading to see how different pastry-lovers have prepared this picture-perfect dessert.
The Bestselling Couch on Walmart Is Chic and Affordable - and Converts Into a Bed
Looking for vintage furniture that won't cost a fortune? Consider investing in replicas. They will give you an old-school look without the giant price tag. This Novogratz Vintage Linen Upholstered Futon ($345, originally $399) is currently the bestselling couch on Walmart, and for good reason.
The sleek sofa converts into a bed, so it's great for entertaining. It comes with two bolster side pillows to complete the look. It's easy to assemble and you can't beat that insanely affordable price.
"We have gotten so many compliments on the two matching sofas we bought," one customer wrote. "They are very midcentury modern and no one can believe the cost. We're thrilled."
If you're shopping for a new couch, snag this one while it's still around.
The 1 Homemade Condiment You Should (and Can) Make Immediately
If you already make your own salad dressings, then why not take it a step further by preparing your own condiments, too? One of the easiest and most decadent ways to dress up salads, appetizers, meats, and even desserts is balsamic glaze. It only requires one bottle of balsamic vinegar and 10 minutes. Here's the really easy method.
Make the Most of Summer With This Patio Furniture - All From Amazon!
Summer means we're spending every free minute outside. In order to take advantage of the swimming season and the long nights, we need some furniture, because nobody wants grass stains all over their white Summer dress. We searched Amazon for all the patio essentials you need, whether you're furnishing an entire backyard or a small balcony. Just keep reading to shop our picks!
5 Words and Phrases to Ban From Your Vocabulary to Improve Your Mental Health
Though the expression says "talk is cheap," I'm not so sure this is always true. In fact, my experience giving therapy to hundreds of people tells me that talk, in fact, can be very, very costly to our health and well-being if we're saying the wrong things. I present you with the words and phrases that should be banned from our vocabularies to improve the state of our precious mental health.
1. "But . . ."
Who knew this three letter word could be so consequential? Interestingly, "but" is defined as a word that "indicates the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated." I would go to the gym, but I'm just too tired. I would save money, but I really want that new Prada bag. The moment we utter this conjunction, it's as if we have no choice but to obey only one of our desires.
The thing about saying "but" is that it glosses over the complexity of our experiences and encourages us to think in black-and-white terms. Life is not a simple thing. As such, I encourage people to start replacing their but's with and's to help make space for the nuances of their experiences. Surely we can want to go to the gym and feel tired, can't we? The moment we start swapping 'but' with 'and,' we give ourselves a hell of a lot more wiggle room.
2. "Should"
"Should" is a word of obligation. It's also loaded with scripts from our culture, society, or family of origin that we often aren't particularly aware of. When you say you should go to the party despite feeling exhausted, for example, the idea that you should prioritize being social versus well-rested didn't come out of nowhere; somewhere along the way, you absorbed that message from somewhere or someone. The question is: Where did it come from? Who said it to you most often? Any time you hear a "should" slip out of your mouth, let it be an invitation to be curious about where it stems from and how it's affecting your day-to-day behaviors.
3. "I deserve it."
There's an air of entitlement that comes with this phrase, no? After all, it implies that you are so worthy, important, hard-working, or what have you that it would be ludicrous for you to not be rewarded. In reality, I'd argue that none of us "deserve" anything other than basic human rights. Beyond that, none of us really deserve anything. Certainly, we can feel like we've earned things, but saying we deserve something is akin to saying we expect to be rewarded and will be displeased if we aren't. Furthermore, using this phrase sets us up for a potentially damaging reward-versus-punishment mentality. For example, in saying you deserve that glass of wine after a long day, you're also implying that you don't deserve to deprive yourself. Again, this lures us into an overly simplistic, black-or-white way of thinking that ignores the complexities of our experiences. Instead of saying you deserve something, say you'd really like something instead. That way, your expectations stay in check and you resist thinking of life's happenings as rewards or punishments.
4. "I hope."
Now, when I invite you to remove "I hope" from your vocabulary, I'm not saying you shouldn't be hopeful. What I'm saying is that hoping for something implies that it's out of reach. "I hope to open my own business one day" sounds very different from "I am going to open my own business one day." Indeed, there's sense of complacency to saying you hope to do something. Hoping isn't what you need; doing is.
5. "Never" and "always"
These are absolute terms that are far too unforgiving. When we say our partner never does the dishes or that they're always late, what we're really doing is perpetuating negative (and inaccurate) self-talk and relationship cycles. Further, we stop ourselves from being able to see the positive moments in our relationship or life in general when we're so fixated on these fleeting negative moments. Even replacing "always" with "often" and never with "rarely" is a step in the right direction.
These words and phrases are so common in our everyday vocabulary that we likely don't notice how often we actually say them. But making these simple changes can have profound impacts on your mental health and overall well-being, particularly in terms of expanding your perspective and catalyzing mental flexibility.
You Need to Try These Mouthwatering Recipes From Joanna Gaines’s Cookbook, Magnolia Table
Anyone who's ever watched HGTV's Fixer Upper will immediately recognize Joanna Gaines's style in her new cookbook, Magnolia Table. It looks like the homes she designed on the show: clean lines, a lot of white space, bright pages and photography, and a general black-and-white aesthetic.
And it's perfect timing for this book too! Fans who were sad to hear there won't be new episodes on HGTV anytime soon, since the finale aired in April, can bring a dose of the Gaines family into their kitchens.
Magnolia Table is filled with family stories and memories surrounding meals; individual favorites (for Chip, it's anything breakfast); diverse recipes that celebrate Joanna's diverse background: Texan (queso dip, fried chicken, Gaines chili . . .), Korean (her mom's bulgogi - find the recipe below), and Lebanese (her grandfather's recipe for Syrian doughnuts and fatayer); and some recipes that are used in their restaurant by the same name in Waco, TX, like her specialty biscuits and chocolate chip cookies (see below for the original recipe).
In the introduction, Joanna shares her own food journey, from the first meal she made for Chip in their first home (a spaghetti-and-meatballs dish with bread and butter that didn't go so well) to how she began to explore recipes from his family, like the Gaines's chili, and sharing recipes from her family with him, like the "Stevens family breakfast tradition: toasted peanut butter and jelly sandwiches dipped in black coffee" . . . which sounds delicious. Everything she describes sounds delicious. When she's writing about food and recipes, it's like she's staging them for readers in a way, just like she staged homes at the end of each episode of Fixer Upper for the full effect.
Fast-forward to when Chip and Joanna had four children under four who they had to feed and she turned to casseroles, slow-cookers, and "big pots of hearty soup that could simmer for a while." These types of meals are still her go-tos when she's having a busy week.
As her kids grew, they began to voice what they liked, and so meals became more elaborate. The kitchen counter and dining table are a focal point of their home. Joanna tries to tailor meals every week based both on the family's schedule and what's growing in their garden.
Even after Fixer Upper exploded, their family gained international fame, and their businesses continued to expand, she still prioritized time to cook meals from scratch in the evenings. In fact, that's how she de-stresses. "I stick my hand in a bowl of flour to begin to make pie crust, or peel some potatoes, and all of a sudden my thoughts slow down. I begin to unwind," she writes.
Cooking isn't a chore to her, and she suggests that a change in perspective can make it something we all look forward to.
She divides her cookbook into several simple and useful sections. She begins with what she usually has in her pantry and the essential tools for cooking, from measuring utensils to biscuit cutters, spatulas to a large cast-iron skillet. Then she has her recipes divided by meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers and starters, and dessert, along with two special sections dedicated to soups and salads and side dishes.
"I've learned to approach planning dinner the same way I plan interiors," she writes. She always thinks about layers and textures. First, she'll choose a main dish, and then the sides that would complement it. And always, always dessert, like her favorite lemon pie recipe!
Try out Joanna's original recipes from Magnolia Table ahead.
Mom's Bulgogi With Cucumber Kimchi Salad
"My mom grew up in Seoul, South Korea, with a mom who was an amazing cook. I can personally vouch for this because in the 1980s my grandmother and uncle moved in with us in our home in Wichita, Kansas, where I grew up. What I remember most about that time is my grandmother cooking amazing food nonstop. When my grandmother passed away I know my mom regretted never having really learned from her how to cook proper Korean dishes. She ended up adopting a much more American style of cooking and by the time my sisters and I were on the scene, she had long since perfected a few dishes for my steak-and-potato-loving dad. But around that same time she had a lot of Korean friends living nearby, and she learned enough from them that by the time my kids were born, she was often preparing traditional Korean dishes for them, like seaweed soup.
It's funny to me that they're growing up eating much more authentic Korean food than I ever did. Mom's bulgogi, though, is more of an American-Korean hybrid, much sweeter than traditional bulgogi, and she serves it on a bed of white rice. Mom has us over once a month and this is what she always makes. It's my kids' very favorite food in the world, so I knew I had to include it in this book. Getting the recipe on paper was a bit of a challenge. My mom had no idea what the measurements were or how to describe what she does, because, as she said, she just does it. (Writing this book made me realize just how alike we are in this way.) But eventually, we figured it out, and I'm so glad we did because now I've captured the blueprint to what will always be a beloved meal for my kids.
We've never had Mom's bulgogi with anything other than her cucumber kimchi salad, which has a clean, fresh flavor that perfectly complements the sweet barbecued beef."
Prep: 20 minutes, plus 4 to 5 hours marinating
Cook: 10 to 20 minutes
Cool: none
Servings: Makes 6 to 8 servings
Bulgogi Ingredients
3 cups packed light brown sugar
1½ cups soy sauce
5 tablespoons sparkling dessert wine, such as Banfi Rosa Regale, or sparkling grape juice
3 tablespoons sesame oil
2 green onions (light and dark green parts), chopped, plus 1/4 cup sliced for serving
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 to 5 pounds beef tenderloin, rib-eye, top sirloin, or sirloin steak, thinly sliced (see Note)
Cucumber Kimchi Salad Ingredients
2 English cucumbers, peeled if desired, cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 green onions (light and dark green parts), thinly sliced on the diagonal
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 to 2 teaspoons gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes; see Tip)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 to 1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
For Serving
Steamed white rice
1 to 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion (light and dark green parts) as needed, for garnish
3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted, for garnish
- Marinate the bulgogi: In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, wine, sesame oil, green onions, garlic, and pepper until well combined. Add the beef and coat it completely in marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 4 to 5 hours.
- To make the cucumber kimchi salad: In a medium bowl, combine the cucumbers, green onions, garlic, gochugaru, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil, and salt to taste and stir gently. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prepare a hot grill. If the pieces of beef are so small that they may fall through the grates, use a grilling skillet or place a sheet of foil on the grill.
- Grill the beef on both sides until medium-well, 3 to 5 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Don't crowd the skillet or foil, so do this in batches if necessary. As you finish each batch, transfer it to a serving platter and continue with the remaining beef.
- Serve the bulgogi on top of steamed rice. Garnish with green onion and toasted sesame seeds and spoon the cucumber kimchi salad alongside.
- Store the leftover bulgogi and cucumber kimchi salad in separate covered containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
NOTE: My mom usually has the butcher slice the beef for this dish when she buys it. If you live near a Korean market, they often sell packages of sliced rib-eye or top sirloin; sometimes they're even marked specifically for bulgogi. If you buy big pieces to cut yourself, freeze the meat for about 30 minutes before cutting so that it's easier to slice thinly and cut against the grain.
TIP: Gochugaru, or Korean red pepper, is commonly used in kimchi. It adds precisely the right amount of heat and unique flavor to the cucumber salad. Authentic Korean brands are readily available at Asian grocery stores or online, and the McCormick spice company packages it as well.
From Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines. Copyright © 2018 by Joanna Gaines. Reprinted by permission of William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
"My dad has an intense sweet tooth, just like me. One afternoon when I was around ten years old, Dad got a hankering and he enlisted me to help him make Toll House chocolate chip cookies. That was the first time he and I had ever baked together. Since then, whenever I make chocolate chip cookies, including the ones from this recipe, I think of him and that special afternoon we spent together in the kitchen. I developed this recipe over the years, after experimenting with a few classics and having them come out flat every time. I wanted something that was chunky, beautiful, and also delicious. In the end, one big change I made was to cut back on the butter. I do truly believe that butter makes everything better and no one is more surprised than I am about how amazing these taste even though they're made with less of the good stuff than most traditional chocolate chip cookies."
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: Under 30 minutes
Cool: 1 hour
Servings: Makes about 40 cookies
Ingredients
2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 heaping teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1½ cups semisweet chocolate chips (see Tip)
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer), beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs and beat until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until blended.
- Turn the mixer off and add the flour mixture to the bowl. Mix on medium just until the flour is mixed in, then turn the mixer to high speed for a few seconds to pull the dough together; it will be chunky.
- Add the chocolate chips and beat on high for about 5 seconds to thoroughly and quickly mix in the chips.
- Drop by large spoonfuls on the lined baking sheet; don't flatten them. Bake until lightly browned on top, 10 to 11 minutes. Cool on the pan on a rack for 1 minute, then transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Store the cookies in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to three days.
TIP: Depending on what you're in the mood for, you can add ½ cup more or less chocolate than what is called for.
From Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines. Copyright © 2018 by Joanna Gaines. Reprinted by permission of William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. All images (c) Amy Neunsinger.
James Corden Reenacts Cats, Evita, and More in an Epic Crosswalk the Musical Video
Seeing iconic musicals like Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Evita, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat performed live on Broadway is a serious treat for any musical theater-lover, but what about watching them on the sidewalk as you're on your way to work in the morning? Or from the window of a passing bus? That's what happened to a whole bunch of commuters in London recently when James Corden hit the streets for a memorable edition of his "Crosswalk the Musical" segment. This time around, The Late Late Show host took on "a cornucopia of songs" from legend Andrew Lloyd Webber, who actually pops up briefly for a cameo. Even if you're not a Broadway fan, seeing Corden hissing at dogs on the street while dressed as a giant cat is a gift in and of itself. Watch it above!
31 NC-17 Movies That Are Basically Porn With a Plot
There should be no shame in your sex-filled movie-loving game. Porn with a plot is a thing - and it's basically a thing called an NC-17 movie. If you like your steamy scenes against the backdrop of a dramatic, interesting, or thrilling story, then these sexy movies are exactly what you need. From foreign films to dark love stories and even straight-up comedies, these movies will fulfill your NC-17 fantasies . . . and maybe spark some new ones too.
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!
In a State Plagued by Suicide, 1 Researcher Is Taking a Revolutionary Approach
Michael Staley wants to find out why people die by suicide. His job and title reflect this unique quest: he's the psychological autopsy examiner for Utah, working in the state's Office of the Medical Examiner. The role was created to analyze the state's suicide problem by connecting the scientific data with the human - and Staley is the only person in America with such a job. He's embarking on a years-long, first-of-its-kind project to study suicide in the state and how it impacts marginalized communities like LGBTQ+ youth and Native Americans.
He does this through "psychological autopsies," conducting hours-long interviews with the deceased's family and friends, exploring and excavating the lives of suicide victims, to understand their problems and the circumstances that troubled them. He does this in the hopes of connecting suicide with lived lives - specifically connecting this to Utah's unique suicide troubles: the state has the fifth highest suicide rate in the country; suicide is the leading cause of death for kids ages 10 to 17, and Utah has the highest ratio of suicides to homicides.
A sociologist, Staley specializes in prevention. As a cisgender man who is gay, he knows all too well that queer persons are at a greater risk for suicidal ideation and other mental health issues. It's a constant source of friction, regardless of whether he is directly or distantly addressing the subject, as there are more questions about queer suicide than answers. His work can be morbid, a side effect of the subject that his personal life helps mitigate (Staley says his partner is "the bumper guard" to his daily tragedies), but in many ways, his dedication to the subject is the culmination of a life exploring the problem of premature deaths and why they happen.
"I devote the vast majority of my time to people who actually die by suicide," Staley explains to POPSUGAR. "And we don't know that queer people account for more of those deaths than the actual population." Staley provides two reasons for this nebulousness: there are no recordings of how many LGBTQ+ Americans die by suicide, and there are no set numbers on the queer populations, as they have routinely been left out of research like the US Census. There simply aren't accurate population counts for the community. "In general, in science we're not good at counting either of those things," he says. "We're working on it."
Staley can pinpoint where this interest began: during his teen years in rural Montana, where he attended a high school with only 320 students. In his four-year tenure, seven students died, some by suicide and some by other circumstances.
"I remember going to school and sitting there and the intercom going off, saying, 'So-and-so died,'" Staley recalls. "It kept happening over and over. One day the Spanish teacher completely fell apart, telling us, 'Would you please stop dying?' That's the most explanation that I got from anyone."
Staley's interest grew after taking a sociology class during his undergraduate studies at Carroll College in Montana. Suicide was a major focus in his sociological studies since the subject is considered the bedrock of the social sciences. "We were talking about the empirical, scientific understanding of suicide," Staley says. The draw of personalizing the science of people - and his professor's highlighting how to recognize suicidal behaviors in a person - captured him, illustrating how the discipline could create real change and possibly save lives.
After graduating with a degree in sociology, Staley pursued a PhD at the University of New Hampshire, where he studied the sociology of AIDS and infectious diseases. He eventually moved to Utah in 2014 to understand "safer sex practices - or the lack thereof" in the state's LGBTQ+ Latter Day Saint community, but he ended up being redirected to suicide. "What I ended up doing a lot of the time was dealing with mental health crises," he says. "I had to take two different people to the hospital - because they were suicidal - after they told me that they had plans."
"I remember going to school and sitting there and the intercom going off, saying, 'So-and-so died. It kept happening over and over."
Staley found - from firsthand and personal experience - that one of the sources of the problem is the tension between being queer and being Mormon, of living conservatively and living your truth.
"I was working with gay, bisexual, queer, and questioning young men," Staley says of his early Utah work, specifying that these were the persons who came to support groups he attended. "Young men have a harder time coping with their sexuality and the expectations of their communities. There's a religious conservatism here. You can't be LGBTQ and hold the highest calling in the church. Therefore, there's no way to move forward. There's this role conflict."
Suicide, in Staley's mind, is much more complicated than one environmental factor or one mental health issue. What he does know is that Utah has a unique problem, which is exactly why the state created the role he now fills; while there is no proof that these suicides are taking place among predominately queer or Mormon people (Staley, again, notes there isn't enough research or population counts to support this), this is an all too common misconception in the state.
"Look at the comments in the Salt Lake Tribune articles, particularly the ones where we talk about teenagers," he says. "They all quickly devolve into this really polar argument that it's all gay Mormons who are killing themselves. That, I think, is toxic."
Staley sees this opinion as dangerously myopic and a disservice to suicide prevention, as it oversimplifies an issue that lies at the intersection of many personal problems, and, again, highlights the research gap dedicated to LGBTQ+ populations in America.
"There's just so much contour to suicide," he says. "When we label the problem as a 'gay Mormon problem,' we will miss so many deaths. The deaths that come across my desk every day are not all LGBT people and are not all LGBT Mormons. Some of them are, but we're not yet at a place where we're systematically collecting data about either religion or sexual orientation and gender identity. Nobody is, in the country. We can't definitively say those things."
If there's anything that Staley's work points to, it's the resounding chorus minority communities have championed for years: everything is intersectional - even suicide. There isn't one or two smoking guns, no single Goliath to strike down, to rid communities of suicidal risk. If he had to point in directions of main culprits, he'd put his efforts on equipping men with emotional dexterity in addition to loosening the bonds of religion.
"Young men are miserable," he explains. "We do not teach our young men to emote in healthy ways. We teach them how to emote in extremely unhealthy ways: to be a man and suck it up. That's the worst emotional-intelligence building."
For religion, specifically Mormonism, the problem can be examined by contrasting the suicide rates in Utah vs. conservative Christian states in the South. "The suicide rates in those places are not astronomically through the roof like it is in Utah," he says. "Why would you have one high suicide [rate] in one place but not the other? I think that's because . . . there's something to the culture here in Utah that creates expectations, and we don't know what that is."
As pervasive as it is, suicide is still a subject that is so incredibly nuanced and abstract. But Staley is optimistic and knows that better suicide prevention will be developed by closely studying the issue, by using personal stories to build scientific solutions that can cater to specific communities, specific problems, and their resulting overlaps.
"My expertise is in research and is getting data out of people who are hurting," he says. "Let's address the pipeline between feeling hopeless and being suicidal. If we can do that . . . I genuinely believe we can re-engineer the way that we do prevention so that we're spending millions to save hundreds of lives. And that's where we need to be."
Instagram Video Just Got a Major, TV-Inspired Upgrade - Get All the Details!
Instagram video is about to get a TV-inspired makeover - and some major stars including Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, and Madelaine Petsch are already on board. On June 20, the social media app announced it would be launching long-form video with a new offering called IGTV.
"It's time for video to move forward and to evolve . . . Whatever we do, it has to be mobile first," Instagram cofounder Kevin Systrom told a crowd of reporters at the SF event. "We built something brand new: we call it IGTV."
IGTV will be available on the home screen of the Instagram app, as well as in its own standalone app. The IGTV app should be available in the coming days. The new effort marks a big change for Instagram, where video clips currently cap out at 60 seconds, and puts it squarely in competition with YouTube and Snapchat's Discover feature. Instagram also used the event to announce that it has reached the impressive 1 billion user mark.
10 Filipino Foods You Should Know About
Filipinos are the second largest Asian American demographic in the country, yet Filipino food has only just begun receiving mainstream recognition. Maybe it's because the first time you saw Filipino food, it was on an episode of Fear Factor or Bizarre Foods. I was certain that by now, everyone in America must have been invited to a Filipino pot luck, complete with a roasted suckling pig, mountains of lumpia, and plastic take-home containers for all guests to make sure they have baon (leftovers) for the next week. Alas, if you haven't experienced the delights of Filipino food yet, I'm glad to be here to share some dishes from my motherland, hopefully disrupting any exotifying stereotypes mainstream media might have painted otherwise.
I Attended an All-Female Cannabis Retreat, and It Was Even More Amazing Than I Expected
"Make sure you grab some breakfast and hit the dab bar!" It was 8:40 in the morning and this was my first set of instructions when I arrived at the campgrounds just south of Half Moon Bay, CA. I shouldn't have expected anything less than a wake and bake at Ganja Goddess Getaway, a weekend-long retreat for female-identifying cannabis enthusiasts and basically my dream vacation.
I unfortunately missed the 4/20 festivities the day before - which were reportedly "f*cking epic" - so I joined the following morning from San Francisco instead. Some women were just getting out of their tents while others were sleepily eating breakfast or taking their first dabs of the morning. In case you're unfamiliar with dabbing, it involves heating a small amount of cannabis extract on a "nail" surface (that's usually scorched with a blow torch) and inhaling through a dab rig (a bong-like contraption). It's a potent method of consumption and probably sounds/looks gnarly to those who've never dabbed. So, I grabbed a poppyseed muffin and got in line for my turn.
Ganja Goddess Getaway was founded by cannabis expert Deidra Bagdasarian, aka Miss Bliss. At the start of 2016, Deidra had the idea for a cannabis retreat for women and began reaching out to the cannabis community. By the end of the year, she partnered with four more women who make up the founding sisters today. Although GGG is hosted at various sites throughout California, from the Bay Area to Coachella Valley (with the exception of one event in Oregon), the mission is the same for all: "To help women connect to their inner goddess using cannabis as a creative and spiritual self-improvement tool. And to get high AF," Deidra said.
My overnight stay with about 130 other women included activities like morning meditations, a women in cannabis panel, belly dancing, laughter yoga - and of course, all-you-can-smoke weed. The only rule, aside from "puff, puff, pass," was that no alcohol was permitted on grounds, as it was prohibited by the event center. In hindsight, the no-booze policy was probably for the best because I had never been so high for 28 hours straight before this weekend. In addition to the dab bar, Joint Ferries walked around regularly making sure everyone had something to smoke on. The joints, volcanoes (a giant bag of vaporized cannabis), edibles, pipes, and blunts the size of King Kong's fingers never slowed down. It was more weed than I knew what to do with, and I never thought I'd find myself running away from a joint before. "Please, no more, I can't," I laughed half-jokingly, half-in all seriousness. At one point around the campfire, we had lost track of how many joints were in rotation and we'd end up with two joints at a time. I thought I smoked a ton of weed, but damn, these women could hang.
Being completely stoned off your ass among a hundred strangers can really go either way, which is why I didn't expect to feel so comfortable with every woman there. When I first pulled up to the address, I had no idea which direction the campgrounds were in. Thankfully, two sisters from Wisconsin who had just returned from their quest for coffee helped me carry my things to the site, setting the tone for the rest of the weekend. Never at any point did I feel judged by anyone there, and never did anyone walk past me without smiling and saying "hi."
But one thing I most appreciated was the eclectic mix of people. It was such a beautiful and diverse range of ages (from 21 to 70-somethings!), ethnicities, backgrounds, etc. Over half of the sisterhood traveled from out of state and even out of the country to enjoy a weekend of legal marijuana with other women. I met a mother and daughter who were using their trip as a bonding experience, childhood friends from Miami who had found out about GGG on Facebook, and mothers who live in states where marijuana still isn't legalized and constantly fear hearing a knock on their door. Despite all of our differences, one thing each and every one of us shared was our love for cannabis. If others could hear how passionately these women spoke about it, it would make even the biggest skeptics reconsider their stance.
In-between workshops, some of us smoked and colored in adult coloring books while others wrote sweet notes to other sisters on the Goddess Board, but many of us were also participating in engaging conversations about cannabis. Living inside my bubble of San Francisco, I often forget that weed is unwelcome in most parts of the US. Women shared stories of how they use it to relieve nerve pain, how marijuana helps them be a better parent, and how frustrating it is to live in a state that still supports green prohibition. The fact there was zero cell reception also helped us stay present and connected to one another.
Ganja Goddess Getaway is far more than just about getting high - although that's also a huge component. It's built on sisterhood, self-love, friendship, inclusivity, and female empowerment, all of which I witnessed and felt during my stay. There were crystals and tears and plenty of other things that would normally make me uncomfortable. But because everyone who was part of this retreat was so incredibly open-minded and welcoming, I felt a strong need to reciprocate in the same sense. It felt like Summer camp as a kid - but better. Not only because there was endless weed available, but because I was able to be a part of this community of incredible women I never would've had the chance to meet otherwise. After the closing awards ceremony, social handles and hugs were exchanged, and I officially became part of a community of Ganja Goddesses.
How to Make Missionary Your Most Orgasmic Position Ever
Blah, blah, blah, missionary is the worst, blah, blah. This is what we've all been told in the wake of sexual liberation. Women no longer have to lie back in this tired position. Now that we are sexually free, the position options abound and we can do away with missionary.
Um, hold up. Missionary is the best. I know that is an unpopular opinion, but it's true.
You get to lie back and relax, you can totally focus on your pleasure, and you have full access to your partner's face for sloppy makeouts. It's intimate and sexy to have your bodies smooshed together in all that sexy, melty goodness.
"Lie back and think of England"? More like lie back and do zero work during sex, so yay.
The issue arises when you're not doing missionary correctly. If you're hating on missionary, I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess it's because you're not having orgasms during missionary.
Don't throw missionary to the bottom of the bucket along with your worn-out sex toys. You don't want to deprive yourself of the gloriousness that is old faithful. Here is how to make missionary your most orgasmic position ever. You are so welcome in advance.
1. The pillow method
For women, missionary's greatest design flaw is the lack of clitoral stimulation that comes with straight-up spread-eagle sex. It's hard to reach down and touch yourself when your partner's abdomen is squishing you and the pelvis is too far down to rub against. Your partner runs into the same problem. He or she is busy staying upright.
Enter coital alignment technique (CAT), or the pillow method (the cute name I made up). What you need to get in on that pelvic action is a lift. Take two to three pillows and place them under your butt for some extra elevation. This will allow your partner to hit your G-spot and give you the ability to rub your clit against his or her pelvis. Boom. Orgasms galore.
2. Get Eva
Dame Products is a company founded by women for women. Its innovative vibrator, Eva, makes missionary the best position ever. You'd think I was making money with how much I push this vibrator, but I'm not. It's just life-changing.
Eva looks like a beetle. It is small, cute, and nonthreatening to any partner. Its wings hook under the labia, while its body sits on the clitoris, giving you clit action while having penetrative sex, completely hands-free.
While you can use Eva in any position, the weight of your partner's body pushing down on an already buzzing vibrator will get you off in just a few minutes. This toy legitimately made me multi-orgasmic, and that rarely happens in my world.
3. Engage the nipples
Nipple play isn't for everyone, but for some of us, nipple suction or squeezing during sex can take us from a merely pleasurable experience to explosive orgasm. In missionary, your partner has easy access to your nipples. He or she can reach their head down to suck/lick/bite them.
Since you're on your back and don't require any balance, you can reach up and tease your own nips. While you can grab your nipples in a variety of positions, missionary is unique in that you are totally hands-free (unless you're rubbing your clit . . . but who says you can't have both? You do have two hands, after all).
4. Slow it down, cowgirl
Instead of going straight to Pound Town, slow the sex down. You want to concentrate on everything that is happening to your body. You don't have to choose slow sex every time you bang, but enjoying the change of pace can be the thing you need to come.
Light some candles, put on a sexy playlist on Spotify, and up the intimacy. Passionately kissing your partner while you feel their weight on top of you can help you feel close and connected. Sometimes that's all you need to achieve orgasm. Just kidding, you also need your clit engaged, but you know what I mean.
5. Introduce a little light bondage
Up all the passion set in motion by your partner's body on top of yours by adding in some handcuffs. Have your partner secure your hands above your head. This will give you the feeling of being totally consumed and ravished, which for some is very sexy.
Just be sure to get those pillows under your butt so you can get that much needed extra lift and hip tilt. Hands-free is all fun and games until you can't stimulate the clitoris.
6. Practice deep, measured breathing
In cowgirl, the only thing you're focusing on is not dying from the intense cardio workout that you are currently enduring. There is no time to breathe into anything when you're busy trying to breathe at all.
In missionary, you can focus on your breath and your body. It's a lot like meditation, only a lot sexier. It's a rare luxury in sex to have the opportunity to chill.
Lie back and breathe deeply. Feel the way the air fills and leaves in your body. The rush of oxygen can help you feel more relaxed and present, therefore helping you feel calm enough to let go and orgasm.
7 Healthy Travel Destinations You Should Add to Your Bucket List
Chemicals are out and all-natural everything is in. There's a surging urge to eat, live, and play better these days. However chaotic the world may seem, there's a rising number of us who are yearning for inner peace in favor of healthier physical and spiritual living.
A wellness revolution is in motion, and with that comes the desire to not only eat and live well, but travel well, too. For those healthy globetrotters who have been bit by the travel bug, there is a cure. There is an ever-evolving list of cities to fall in love with, oceans to explore, and mountains to climb. So, what are some wellness destinations that you can add to the list (for now)? All of you yogis, spiritualists, surfers, hikers, and chillers will want to keep reading.
10 Tips For How to Book a Cruise That Isn't Crazy Expensive
Cruising is a favorite mode of travel for many people, but it's not without its drawbacks. There's often a bunch of unexpected hidden charges, and you may find the big vacation splurge you saved for ended up a lot more expensive than planned. That said, there are lots of ways to score a better deal than you may have imagined possible.
To find the best deals on cruises, try waiting until Wave Season, which takes place from January through March. "It's basically a period of time where all of the cruise lines come up with their best promotions of the year to incentivize travelers to book nice and early," said Allison Kobasky, co-owner of Over the Moon Vacations, a luxury travel-planning company.
During this promo period, you'll find everything from discounted cruise fares to added perks such as unlimited beverage packages, shore excursion credits, prepaid gratuities, and onboard spending money. Here are all of the ways you can save when booking a cruise.
1. It pays to be local
If there's a cruise port in your state, you're in luck. Many cruise lines offer resident discounts that shave up to 40 percent off regular cruise fares. "If you can travel last-minute, the savings are even better," said Kobasky. "We find that cruise lines offer their unsold cabins at majorly discounted resident rates about a week before sailing, assuming those are the people that can hop on the ship with only a few days' notice." If the price goes down or a better promotion comes out before you've made final payment, you can always have your price adjusted. Trick of the trade!
2. Book early
"As supply and demand would indicate, cruise lines generally have the best offers further from the sailing date," said Lori Sheller, the vice president of cruise development for Tourico Holidays. If you wait until the last minute, you risk higher prices and limited cabin inventory.
3. Take a peek at the last minute
That considered, if you're the spontaneous type or you just didn't have the foresight to book early, you may not be completely out of luck. "Check sites like LastMinuteTravel.com. Oftentimes if cruises have a few extra rooms they need to sell before launch date, they'll offer them at killer rates," said Sheller.
4. Look for deals
Sign up to receive emails from all your favorite travel deal websites for promotions and last-minute deals. For example, sign up for CruCon Cruise Outlet's weekly email and receive deal alerts from all of the major cruise lines that can save you up to 80 percent off the cruise line direct prices. Also, research coupons, deals, and cash-back options. You can also sign up for cash-back sites such as TopCashback.com and receive cash back on your cruise purchases through third-party sites. Stacking sales is a great way to get the most bang for your buck. Expedia offers 12 percent cash back, Princess Cruises offers three percent cash back, and Orbitz offers $40 cash back.
There are also apps that offer serious deals. "Free on iOS and Android, Cruise Deals App allows the user to set her own price. As an example, choose 'New York City' as a departure port and $60 as a max price per night. You'll get a push notification when a cruise is offered out of NYC at that price," said Jeremy Camosse, owner of TheMusterStation.com. Once you've booked, download Ship Mate iOS or Android. You can set a price alert for your sailing. "If the price of your cruise moves by more than one percent, you'll get a notification. If your price drops, you can often recover the difference in onboard credit," said Carmosse.
5. Get the drinks package
Snagging a cruise offer that includes unlimited drinks is key - you don't realize how often you'll order a cocktail at the pool or a bottle of wine at dinner - and it really adds up. "Travelzoo often runs cruise deals with unlimited drink packages, and the value is immense. You won't have to worry about footing a hefty bill at the end of your trip," said travel and lifestyle expert Tara Kraft from Travelzoo.
6. Pay more upfront to save more later
The upfront cost of a luxury cruise line like Regent might seem a bit daunting, but when you factor in that everything is included (airfare, premium drinks, shore excursions, etc.) and the high-quality cuisine and service you're getting, it's completely worth it, said Kraft.
7. Try a travel agent
Consider leaving the deal search to the expert. Cruise agents will save you time and money. "They get you the best discounts and amenities (gifts, shipboard credit, etc.)," said Sheller. After all, they're professionals.
8. Prebook shore excursions
Make the most of your destination cruise experience. "Whether through the cruise line or third-party shore-excursion companies, book your activities in advance and save big," said Sheller.
9. Tour share with other cruisers
"If you're looking for shore excursions that won't break the bank, consider sharing a tour with fellow cruisers - you can explore independent excursions options, then split the cost across the group. To meet others you'll be cruising with, Cruise Critic offers Roll Calls, where you can meet and interact with other cruisers who will be sailing with you. One caveat: if your tour runs late, the cruise ship isn't obligated to wait for cruisers who booked their own excursions (they will for those who booked through the cruise line), so be sure your tours give plenty of time to return to the ship prior to its departure," said Colleen McDaniel, senior executive editor of Cruise Critic.
10. Disconnect
WiFi packages on ships are very expensive and the service leaves a lot to be desired, cautioned Sheller. Turn off your data roaming and disconnect - you're on vacation!
43 Bangin' (and Beautiful) Tattoos
Tattoos are beautiful, badass, and undeniably sexy. Their level of sexiness can of course depend on where you put them and what you're getting. If you want to own your fierce confidence by displaying it in ink, then prepare to be very inspired by these beautiful, bangin' tattoos we rounded up. We want them all.
These Disneybounds From Dapper Day Will Make Your Retro-Loving Heart Flutter
Disneybounding - the creative practice of using regular apparel to channel a Disney character, food, or attraction - is always fun, but it's a whole different ballgame on Dapper Day. The semiannual event, which was founded to encourage fashionable park visitors to don their favorite vintage getups for a festive and oh-so-dapper Disney experience, attracts the most creative Disneybounders in the game. And the looks on display at the Spring 2018 Dapper Day meetup at Disneyland were some of the most incredible yet with intricate costumes inspired by characters, entire movies, and even Disneyland attractions themselves!
Check out these retro-fabulous Disneybounds and start taking notes. Whether you're gathering ideas for just yourself, a couples costume, or a group getup, this is definitely your perfect source of inspiration. Between other Dapper Day celebrations and Halloween, there's never a wrong time to appreciate - and draw inspiration from - these creative Disney costumes. The hard part is picking one favorite!
If You Have 30 Seconds, You Can Help Children Separated From Their Parents at the Border
Update: On June 20, Donald Trump signed an executive order promising to stop the practice of separating children from their parents at the border. The order, however, is written to allow for the indefinite detention of families and children together - another inhumane practice which is currently prohibited by law. In addition, the order does not address reuniting the thousands of children who have been separated from their parents already, making it just as urgent as ever for us to continue advocating for them.
Original story: As horror stories about what migrant children and parents are enduring at the US border continue to roll in, it's easy to feel powerless to help - but we shouldn't. The truth is there are many things regular American citizens can do to help push for an end to the Trump administration's separation policy by holding our lawmakers accountable, donating money to organizations that support migrant families, and raising our voices against this human rights abuse, which that has ripped some 2,000 children away from their parents in just the last six weeks.
Related: Former First Lady Laura Bush Denounces Donald Trump's Immigration Policy: "It Is Immoral"
Read on for four tangible ways you can make your voice heard and advocate for the end of this policy - in as little as 30 seconds.
23 of the Safest Sunscreens For Kids and Babies - Including Drugstore and Amazon Options!
Every year, the Environmental Working Group evaluates and reevaluates all of the new and old sunscreens on the market to ensure that it's informing consumers of the safest (and the most harmful) of the bunch based on a number of factors.
"The majority of sunscreens we assessed do not meet EWG's standards for safety and efficacy. About 67 percent of the products contain worrisome ingredients, like oxybenzone or retinyl palmitate, or offer inferior sun protection . . . [which] is especially worrisome for children because they are more vulnerable to sun damage. Getting severe sunburns as a child can double a person's lifetime chances of developing serious forms of skin cancer," Carla Burns, an EWG research analyst, told POPSUGAR.
She added, "EWG's best advice for concerned parents is to choose a product from our list of best-scoring kids' sunscreens. The products on this list don't contain troubling ingredients like oxybenzone, which is a skin sensitizer and hormone disruptor that is harmful to both adults and kids. . . . Overall, EWG recommends that people choose mineral-based products with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide active ingredients, avoid products with hazardous ingredients like oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate, choose lotions or sticks over sprays, and always choose products between SPF 15 and 50."
Everyone should be wearing sunscreen when outside on a sunny day, especially kids and babies, so read ahead to find out if your go-to brand is on this year's list of the safest products. If it isn't, the EWG is offering up these 23 as the best for you to buy, and many of them are available at drugstores and on Amazon!
I Bought This Heated Toilet Seat on Amazon - Now I Never Leave My Bathroom
My apartment doesn't have a heater, so needless to say, my morning bathroom stop is pretty chilly. Recently, my toilet seat was in desperate need of a replacement, so my roommates and I decided check out our options on Amazon and discovered this Brondell LumaWarm Heated Nightlight Toilet Seat ($136). We were so excited about the idea of being able to afford what felt like a luxury item, so, without hesitation, we ordered it.
It comes in two sizes, elongated and round, which was a foreign concept to me, but after a quick Google search, I learned that toilets are, in fact, made in two different shapes and you can figure out which one you have by measuring the length of your current seat.
We were excited when it arrived within just a few days, and it was easy to install - all we needed was a screwdriver. In order for it to work, we made sure we had an outlet close to the toilet because it is powered by plugging into the wall. It features three different heat settings and even a blue nightlight.
We instantly fell in love with it. Sitting on a regular toilet just doesn't feel the same anymore. The price tag was totally worth it.
I'm Not Ashamed to Say It - Alcohol Saved Our Sex Life After Kids
After our second child was born, it took a little longer for my husband and I to get back into the bedroom. My first baby was born via C-section, so although I had given birth to my second baby, it was the first time a tiny human had actually traveled through my downstairs business. Long story short: sh*t wasn't the same down there.
I was scared to have sex again, and to make matters worse, I joked that my daughter grabbed my libido on her way out. I had zero sex drive, was too damn exhausted, and honestly, never even thought about sex. But when my husband and I left for our first getaway after baby number two to an out-of-state wedding, I knew the sex had to come. Yes, with a hotel room and no children, I knew I couldn't avoid sex any longer.
Call me a lush, but I don't care. Drinking the booze worked.
There we sat, in the tight row of the airplane in seats E1 and E2. As the plane took off, we quickly ordered four (yes, four) Captain and Cokes. We guzzled them down like freshmen at their first frat party. I instantly relaxed. And then, I brought up the elephant in the room that couldn't be ignored for a second longer: "Umm, our daughter is almost 4 months old and we still haven't had sex," I said. "Yeah, I've noticed," my husband joked. My buzz intensified. "I'm kind of scared about it, but this alcohol is helping already," I said.
As we continued our journey to watch another couple start from the very beginning, the drinks continued to flow. My husband would have taken me into that tiny airplane bathroom if I would have let him. He didn't even notice the fact that my mom-of-two body could still hold a tiny kangaroo under my pouch - and he didn't care. When we got to our destination, we sauntered into our hotel room and did the deed. And to be very honest, it did hurt. I felt where I tore. But my husband was gentle and we leaped over the hurdle of awkwardness together.
After our trip, things began to heat up again. And you know what kept helping? The booze. Our new routine became watching The Voice while snuggled up on the couch with wine in our hands. It unwound me. The beer goggles made me feel sexy enough to actually enjoy sex. It was like we were newlyweds again. That king-size bed hadn't seen that much action since we were trying to conceive. Call me a lush, but I don't care. Drinking the booze worked, and when you're trying to reconnect with your spouse, you'll willing to try anything (almost). It was my magic potion to sexual gratification, and I was totally OK with it.
We don't necessarily depend on alcohol to keep us satisfied in the sex department anymore, but it doesn't hurt. And it most definitely got me back to feeling like a wife again - not just a mother. Having sex again after kids doesn't always sound very appealing. And yes, sometimes it's scary. But after getting over the awkward first couple of times with your partner, it does get better. It's OK to be nervous (your body just went through so much!), so but if you're open and honest with your partner, trust them, and yes, maybe enjoy a few cocktails, I guarantee you'll have a little fun again - just like you used to.
It's Not Your Imagination - Your MIL Hates You Since You Gave Birth to Her Grandchild
You had her favorite and only grandchild and so your mother-in-law couldn't be any more excited! Technically, you should be her favorite person, and for a while there, you were. She called and texted you constantly and couldn't wait to hear more about how the baby was doing. She even asked how you felt after labor (or a C-section) and brought you a little postbirth present. You two were sort of like BFFs. Well, as close as you can be with someone who's not your own mom and as close as she can be with someone who, well, took her son away. Sniff.
But now? Oh, it's a whole different ball game. Before you could do no wrong, as the bearer of the greatest of all: the grandbaby. But now? Now you are doing everything wrong, according to your dear old mother-in-law. Here are three signs your MIL kind of hates you after having her grandchild.
First She Says: "Don't Do That!"
She questions your every parenting move, from the type of diapers you use to your nursing or feeding process/schedule or what have you. She reminds you of what she did as a young mother, in a way to validate her own parenting, but also to tell you that "Hey lady: you are doing it all wrong!"
You've started telling her less, simply out of fear that you will get her angry or worse, get yourself entangled in a fight.
Then: She Gets In Her Son's Ear
Even if your hubby ignores her, she starts to bother him about what it is that she believes you're doing wrong. This way, she believes, she will have her son on her side and can get you to stop whatever supposedly offensive behavior you're doing. It's not that she hates you exactly, but more that as she sees you with the new baby, a part of her longs for those days back herself. A part of her is envious. Another part of her believes that she truly knows what is best for her grandchild and doesn't want to give up on her opinions.
Mostly, her son is tired of being in the middle and probably is on your side.
The best approach? Simply validate her feelings by saying, "I appreciate how much you care for the baby and that you may have done things differently than I am, but things always change with time and I am doing my best."
In other words? Don't engage the beast!
Lastly: She Admonishes You Publicly
She doesn't hold back from sharing her feelings about you and your parenting in public because most likely, you're following your own maternal instincts and not hers so therefore, she has "had enough." Whether it's at a family gathering or you have invited her to lunch or the park, you'll know she really dislikes you by how she picks you apart, whether it's for the dress you decided to wear, how you dressed your baby, how you breathe, where you bought your groceries, or where you plan on having your child's first birthday party.
Basically, you're doomed. How do you manage this situation?
You can't change her, but you can manage how you respond to her.
- First: Don't feed the fighting. Ignore her catty comments.
- Second: Acknowledge her care for her grandchild and that you're sure she was a great parent who raised great kids and that you're learning your own parenting style much how she did.
- Third: If she starts to be nasty, end the visit or tell your hubby, "It's time to leave now."
- Fourth: Kill her with kindness and include her. Yes, include her! Ask her for her input on other matters. Invite her to special events she might like and when she is nasty, always be kind. Will this stink for a while? Yes, but it may be that she's feeling threatened by you or perhaps just lonely or uninvolved. Making her feel needed may be the trick!
- Fifth and final: Avoid spending time with her alone if it's that bad and none of the other steps work.
It's not always easy getting along with your MIL but hopefully, this little angry stage will pass in time. In the meantime, take the high road and turn the other cheek!
Tea Drinkers, You'll Love This Elephant Mug (on Amazon!) For Its Handy Little Bag Holder
If you're addicted to sipping on a hot cup of tea every day, we have the perfect product for you. This cute Elephant Mug ($30) is available on Amazon Prime and the design is genius. The little elephant head acts as a compartment for your tea bag. That way, when you're done brewing, you don't have to get up to throw the bag away. It's a lazy person's dream come true.
The mug itself is made with a speckled glaze and a satin finish. It's both microwave and dishwasher safe, so it's quite easy to use over and over again. This would be an adorable gift - who else wants this mug? You better buy it before it sells out!
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