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.
samedi 5 janvier 2019
How to Start Losing Weight, Straight From People Who Have Lost 35 or More Pounds
Losing any amount of weight can be overwhelming: you know you want to make a change in your life, but where do you even begin? For these 10 women, losing weight all started with an initial step. Some started out by simply walking, while others tracked everything they ate, no matter how healthy (or unhealthy) it was.
Looking to get started on your own weight-loss journey? Take advice from these women who prove that you have to start somewhere. After taking the initial step, you can go on to achieve your goals.
Related: These Women Each Lost 75+ Pounds by Counting Calories - Here's How
Beyoncé and JAY-Z Challenge Fans to Go Vegan, but Not For the Reason You Think
We can all keep hot sauce in our bag in 2019! In honor of new year's resolutions, Beyoncé and JAY-Z have a request of their fans: to eat more plant-based foods. Beyoncé has been open about her vegan diet in the past, but now the Carters are challenging fans to do the same for the sake of the environment. Beyoncé's trainer and longtime friend Marco Borges recently released a new book, The Greenprint, with an intro from JAY-Z and Beyoncé where they open up about the importance of going vegan.
"Having children changed our lives more than anything else," the couple wrote. "We used to think of health as a diet - some worked for us, some didn't. Once we looked at health as the truth, instead of a diet, it became a mission for us to share that truth and lifestyle with as many people as possible . . . The facts about plant-based eating are hard to ignore. The benefits of a single plant-based meal per day can have a profound impact on our health and the environment. Chronic diseases seem more prevalent than ever before - especially among those with lower income levels and less access to real food. It's not a poverty issue. It's not a minority issue. It's an all-of-us issue."
Related: A Dietitian Gives Foolproof Tips For Going Vegan and Getting Healthy
While many people adopt a vegan diet for the heart health benefits and better fitness performance, the Carters are thinking bigger picture: the future of the planet.
They continued, "We want to challenge you, as we challenge ourselves, to move toward plant-based foods. We all have a responsibility to stand up for our health and the health of the planet. Let's take this stand together. Let's spread the truth. Let's make this mission a movement. Let's become 'the Greenprint.'"
18 Patterned Sneakers That Are ALMOST Too Cute to Sweat In
We're all about looking cute while working out. Who says you have to sacrifice style to get your sweat session in? Whip out your favorite sports bras and your staple workout leggings and match them with one of these fly-as-hell pairs of patterned workout sneakers. There are options in every color, and patterns range from florals to geometric shapes, so whatever your style, there's a shoe for you. We feel pretty confident that all your workout pals are going to be jealous of your new sneaks, so be prepared to share your shopping secrets and see them rocking a similar pair!
Farewell, Crunches - Do These 11 Standing Exercises For Tighter, Stronger Abs
Crunches are an ab exercise I wish people would retire. They aren't that effective and can actually do more harm than good, especially if you're dealing with lower-back pain.
The 11 exercises ahead are great options if getting down on the floor is a hassle, you'd just rather not deal with the germs on the mat, or you're in need of new moves for your core routine.
Don't do all these moves at once unless you want to be extremely sore the following day. Instead, choose four to six exercises and add them into your workout, or do them alone for a quick ab blast.
Get Strong Arms, Lean Legs, and a Carved Core With This Basic (but Effective!) Dumbbell Workout
If you're totally intimidated by the weights at the gym, but you want to start strength training to get stronger or to lose weight, this workout was made for you. As long as you have a pair of dumbbells, you can do it anywhere, anytime. These dumbbell moves are basic, but you'll still get in a muscle-burning workout in under 15 minutes that will leave you sore tomorrow.
Basic Total-Body Dumbbell Workout
Equipment needed: One pair of light- to medium-weight dumbbells (three to 10 pounds). Once you get stronger, you can increase the dumbbell weight.
Directions: Repeat this 10-move workout for a total of three rounds. Focus on moving with control and with proper form. Each round should take you four to five minutes.
| Exercise | Reps |
|---|---|
| Shoulder press | 10 reps |
| Dumbbell deadlift | 10 reps |
| Dumbbell sumo squat | 10 reps |
| Upright row | 10 reps |
| Goblet squat | 10 reps |
| Triceps kickback | 10 reps |
| Alternating forward lunge with biceps curl | 10 reps (5 per side) |
| Plank dumbbell row | 10 reps (5 per side) |
| Dumbbell bench press | 10 reps |
| Seated Russian twist | 10 reps (10 per side) |
Related: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to the 50+ Best Dumbbell Exercises
5 Resolutions to Kick-Start a Happier, Healthier 2019
Are you looking to make 2019 your healthiest year yet? As a personal trainer and a Pilates instructor, I am always working with clients on how to make them stronger physically and mentally year after year, and I've compiled a list of my top five tips for a healthy 2019!
If You Are on the Mediterranean Diet and You Like Wine, We Have Some Good News
The year has just begun and already the best diet of the year has been named the Mediterranean diet. With health benefits ranging from helping you lose weight to living longer, reducing the risk of heart disease, and boosting brain health, it's no wonder this popular eating plan is getting all the praise.
The Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional diet of Mediterranean countries and is mostly plant-based with lots of nonstarchy veggies, fruit, healthy fats (mostly from olives and olive oil), nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, and fish. Red meat is eaten sparingly, and sugars and refined, starchy foods are generally off limits.
But that doesn't mean you can't indulge on this popular eating plan. In fact, one staple of the Mediterranean diet is something that's not only good for your heart but could also help you wind down and reduce stress: wine. Specifically, red wine.
"Trying to mimic what people drink on the Mediterranean, red wine is a more popular choice," registered dietitian Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, told POPSUGAR, noting that red wine offers more heart-health benefits thanks to its concentration of the antioxidant resveratrol. She recommends no more than one five-ounce glass of red wine a day for women and two for men, although she said you can drink it every day.
"One component of the Mediterranean diet is that it encourages eating meals with others, and I interpret this as including wine as well," Lauren said, adding that if you are going to drink on this diet, do so with friends or family, rather than drinking alone.
However, just because you are following the Mediterranean diet doesn't mean you have to imbibe. Too much alcohol is inflammatory and may cause you to gain weight and make less healthy choices. It also depends on your goals, Lauren said; if you are a woman trying to get pregnant, she doesn't recommend drinking any wine.
Registered dietitian and chef Julie Andrews, MS, agrees. She told POPSUGAR that while many health professionals warn against drinking alcohol since excessive alcohol can have negative health effects, drinking alcohol (especially red wine) in moderation can be beneficial.
"In general, I say if you love wine and have a healthy relationship with drinking alcohol, [as in] no personal or family history [of alcohol abuse], then go for that five ounces a day," she told POPSUGAR. "It may help support overall health, but it certainly is just a tiny part of a giant overall picture of what a healthy diet looks like. Be sure to consume plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, heart-healthy fats, lean meats, and omega-rich seafood."
Ease Into Running With This 15-Minute, Beginner-Friendly Treadmill Workout
The treadmill has a reputation for being extremely boring, but in my opinion, it all depends on the workout. To keep your workout fresh and quick, I created a workout that will help you begin to improve your endurance and stamina. It's a combination of short sprints for strength endurance, and speed and longer runs to build endurance and recover.
The Beginner Treadmill Workout
Before getting started, be sure to do a few glute-activating and core-activating drills. This will help with stability during your run and ensure that the right muscles are being used. The term "beginner" is subjective, and the speeds listed for the workout are a suggested range. If you find that they're too fast or too slow for you, feel free to adjust them.
| Time | Speed (MPH) | Incline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0:00-4:00 | 3-5 | 0 | Warmup |
| 4:00-4:30 | 6-9 | 0 | Sprint |
| 4:30-5:30 | 5-8 | 0 | Easy- to moderate-pace run |
| 5:30-6:00 | 6-9 | 0 | Sprint |
| 6:00-7:00 | 5-8 | 0 | Easy- to moderate-pace run |
| 7:00-7:30 | 6-9 | 0 | Sprint |
| 7:30-8:30 | 5-8 | 0 | Easy- to moderate-pace run |
| 8:30-9:00 | 6-9 | 0 | Sprint |
| 9:00-10:00 | 5-8 | 0 | Easy- to moderate-pace run |
| 10:00-10:30 | 6-9 | 0 | Sprint |
| 10:30-11:30 | 5-8 | 0 | Easy- to moderate-pace run |
| 11:30-15:00 | 2.5-4 | 0 | Walking cooldown |
Don't forget to stretch and foam roll once you're finished. Click here for a printable version of this workout.
These Smoothie Bowls Are So Stupidly Beautiful, You Almost Won't Want to Eat Them
Smoothie bowls have taken Instagram by storm, and I'm not complaining - maybe it's in my head, but I find smoothies more satisfying when I can eat them with a spoon rather than through a straw. And when they're as beautiful as the ones on Insta? Well, I'm not sure there's a better way to start your morning. We've rounded up 20 magical creations that look more like a dessert from a cool new restaurant than a breakfast made in your own blender. The next time you want to get creative in the kitchen, find some healthy-living inspiration here. (And invite us, please?)
These 6 Women Prove You Can Lose a Lot of Weight Without Setting Foot in a Gym
Starting on a weight-loss journey usually entails the same-old checklist: stock up on healthy groceries, start meal prepping, sign up for a gym membership, and invest in some fun workout gear. But what if we told you that you could lose weight without the dreaded (and crowded) gym?
These six women all lost 50 or more pounds without setting foot in a gym. Through a combination of tracking their food, at-home workouts, and more creative ways to get active, they all met their goals. If you want to avoid those dreaded January gym crowds or if working out in a formal setting just isn't your thing, keep reading to get inspired by these women who all lost weight and kept it off.
Citizens of Wakanda Will Flip For Lip Smacker's New Black Panther Balm
Lip Smacker's adorable Marvel lip balms have been gracing our drugstore shelves for a few years now, but the ubiquitous '90s brand has now released the coolest hero of them all: Black Panther. That's right - Chadwick Boseman has been shrunk down into the cutest little hero you've ever seen, and he smells like T'Challa Tangerine. The bite-size kitty is also a keychain, so you'll never have to go without the King of Wakanda to help you out when your lips are chapped. The Lip Smacker Black Panther Lip Balm will only run you $5, but we assure you the results will be super.
Are Microneedling Patches the New Holy Grail of Antiaging? We Asked the Pros
Needles, as any 5-year-old sitting in a pediatrician's office could tell you, can be scary as sh*t. Glide a pen with hundreds of micro versions of them across your face, piercing the skin as you sweep to ensure those antiaging ingredients really get in there, and it's enough to make you feel like a victim in Saw II. But good news! There is a slightly less invasive (and exponentially easier) option out there: microneedling patches.
"Microneedling patches are great options to enhance delivery and potentially the future of not just skin care but medicine."
Like other masks or patches, application is practically painless - you just press it on. The difference is in the sharp points ("composed of biodegradable molecules molded into the shape of tiny, virtually painless needles on an adhesive patch," said dermatologist Asmaa Chaudhry, MD, FAAD) that prick the surface of the skin to rev collagen production and smooth fine lines, then disappear. "Once your barrier is slightly pierced, enzymes inside the body begin breaking down and dissolving the outer components of the 'needle' so that the active ingredients within it are delivered to the site," she added, which leads to fewer visible wrinkles.
Sounds great and all, but does it work? Every dermatologist we spoke with answered with a resounding yes - but there's one caveat: the results won't last forever. "Only small studies on this newer technology have been performed, but in nearly all cases, the results have been promising," said Chaudhry.
For now, dermatologist Ritu Saini, MD, recommends using these microneedling patches as a temporary pick-me-up for special occasions, on areas where you have thinner skin or fine lines, like the crow's feet around the eyes. (Neurotoxins, like Botox or fillers, are still your best bets for deeper wrinkles.)
The innovations available are only the beginning, and there's a big chance they're going to be everywhere soon: "Microneedling patches are great options to enhance delivery and potentially the future of not just skin care but medicine," said dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD. "They've already been used in fields like pain management and even to deliver things like iron. In skin care, they allow us to get ingredients - the most popular being hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and other antioxidants - deeper into the skin safely."
Might as well get yourself acquainted, then, with the derm-approved picks that are paving the future of face patches. Besides, everyone knows Black Mirror is way more relevant for 2019 than Saw, anyway.
If You Have Oily Lids, You're Going to Love This Eye Shadow
My lids are pretty oily, so I typically lay down a heavy-duty primer before applying my eye shadow. Without fail, by the end of a long night, my eye shadow will have smudged or have made its way into my creases.
But the HudaBeauty Matte and Metal Melted Shadows ($25) is the exception. Upon first glance the matte and glitter shadow duo could be mistaken for a lip product. When I pulled out the wand of the matte end, it revealed a silky liquid sitting on a sponge-y, flat doe foot. I slicked on an opaque line of Private Jet (a warm rose) onto my lids and spread it up to my brow bone with my finger. In just seconds, it dried down to a powder finish that stayed on like spackling paste. Seriously, it would not move. Then, I took the brush from the glittery Shimmering Sunset shade (which tapers into a point for precise application) and added a few dots of sparkle to my lids. Again, this one wouldn't move.
This shadow will not budge, maintaining opacity even as my oily fingers tap and touch them. You can thank Huda Kattan for concocting the hardest-working eye shadow in the game.
These Affordable Beauty Products Will Transform Your Routine in 2019
As Sia reminded us, there's nothing better than a cheap thrill. For us beauty-lovers, it's got to be the excitement of finding an incredible product at the drugstore that makes us feel like we've made out like bandits with our precious loot. This year, there's plenty of affordable finds that work just as well as the expensive stuff, and will totally up your skin care and beauty style game. Check out some of our favorite picks ahead that will work for both your bank account and love of products. Trust us, you don't need that many dollars bills to have fun tonight.
This CBD Lotion Is Saving My Dry Skin (and Muscles) This Winter
During the winter, small patches of rough, dry skin take over my shoulders and my arms. They're incredibly itchy, but it's something I've grown used to and have come to expect every year since they first appeared when I was a teenager. I typically slather emollient salves and balms on the areas to soothe them, but have since decided to swap out the tubs I use for this CBD lotion.
I had initially been interested in Lord Jones High CBD Formula Body Lotion ($60) because of its pain relieving effects (it says "Pain and Wellness Formula" right on the container), as my shoulders had been sore from consecutive days of intense workouts. I pumped a small amount onto my fingertips and started rubbing it from my shoulders to down my arms. I immediately started a chorus of "oohs" and "ahhs" in my head from the cream's luxurious cooling effect.
I quickly noticed that the two itchy dry patches I'd had on the arm that I'd just moisturized were no longer making me uncomfortable. It had only been a few minutes, but I lifted my tight sleeve to find that they were practically invisible. I was surprised to find that on top of soothing my aching muscles, this lotion calmed my super dry, irritated areas. We have a couple things to thank for that. The formula combines nonpsychoactive, hemp oil and shea butter to soothe and moisturize, along with a cooling agent.
Whether you're battling aches and pains or dry skin, this lotion pretty much has it covered.
This Innovative Two-Wand Mascara Works Wonders on Short, Straight Lashes
Pyramid schemes, our current border-control plans, and ads for "pain-free" waxing kits - there are enough scams in this world. Admittedly, I thought the Beautenotions Immaculash 360 Mascara ($35) would be one of them when I first saw it. I thought, "Do I really need two brushes for my lashes?" After trying it, I'm convinced that the answer is yes.
The dual-wand sprang out of the tube when I opened it, and the label claimed the two were meant to sandwich lashes for length and volume. The smaller of the two was thin and perfect for getting close to the lash line, and reaching the hairs at the inner corner of the eyes. The other looked like the typical mascara comb. I positioned my lashes in between the two prongs, and pressed the button on the wand's handle that clamped the two combs together. When the wands closed on my lashes, I slowly swiped them upwards from the root to tip. My lashes were lifted and separated after my first swipe.
The subsequent motions lengthened and separated the fibers further until I had fluttery, long lashes that never felt weighed down. Then, I used the thin spoolie to carefully comb the fine strands of my bottom lashes. Typically, I skip mascara on my lower lashes because of how wispy they are.
Somehow, Beautenotions created a mascara that does the work of three lash tools. Genius.
Here's What 16 POPSUGAR Staffers Really Think About Fenty's New Concealer
Few things create a frenzy in the POPSUGAR office quite like a Fenty Beauty launch. When I sent out an email asking for volunteers to test out the new Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Concealer, I had a dozen coworkers storming my desk to find their perfect hue. Fortunately, because of the 50 different shades within the line, everyone was able to easily find their correct color without having to sacrifice undertone.
Read what POPSUGAR staffers really think about the buzzy launch ahead, and make sure to shop the line when it launches on Jan. 11.
Watch Wells Adams Make Lipstick and Further Prove He Is the Perfect Man
Bite Beauty has begun rolling out videos with the hashtag #HotGuysMakingLipstick, and for its first, the brand has enlisted The Bachelorette alum Wells Adams. It's not uncommon for members of Bachelor nation to get in on that #sponcon - look at all those teeth whitening and Sugar Bear hair gummy ads - but this is one we can swoon to on repeat.
The concept is simple: Bite invites hot guys into its factory, and you get to watch them swirl together the ingredients of your lipsticks. Adams has chosen a festive, bright red base with gold flecks - which kind of reminds us of Sarah Hyland's 2018 Emmy's lip look. Some parts are slow-mo. All parts are just plain sexy.
Watch Adams create a tube of Bite Beauty's newest launch, the Crystal Creme Shimmer Lip Crayon ($24), ahead.
Usher Doesn't Have Short Hair Anymore, and Just... Wow
While Usher has experimented with his look a bunch throughout the years, he's mostly known for having his iconic short Caesar cut. Apparently, the star is ready to change that, because he posted a new hairstyle to Instagram that we won't be able to get out of our heads. The singer is now wearing his hair in a retro-looking pompadour, a style that is long and tall on top of the head that was popular in the '50s and '60s and had fans like Elvis, Desi Arnaz (who you may know as Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy), and Little Richard. With such iconic devotees, it's no wonder Usher decided to try it out for himself. Check out his more classic looks, ahead.
2019's Biggest Hair Color Trends Around the World Will Give You a Case of Wanderlust
The pale colors in Thailand. Those beachy, sun-kissed ends in Brazil. Oh, and who could forget that cool new negative space technique sweeping the UK?
Look hard enough, and you can find hair color inspiration everywhere. Now, you could book a flight to an exotic location to see the country's most popular hues with your own eyes (on second thought, why don't you just go ahead and do that). If you can't, though, we've got the next best thing: a full trend forecast from the top colorists who live there.
Check out the raddest looks popping up in all your favorite destinations in 2019, plus tips on how to get each one, ahead - and save yourself the jet lag.
The New Year's Resolutions to Make For Longer and Stronger Hair in 2019
Whether you're experiencing some unexplained hair loss, or just want to rid yourself of a terrible cut - growing your length out takes work. Many factors play into the strength of your hair, but we've figured them out for you. With the help of some of our favorite experts, we've put together our resolutions for the new year. Head down the long road, below.
Attention, Singles: Get Ready to Swipe Right on the Most Popular Dating Day of the Year
That's right, all you singles out there, Jan. 6 has been declared "Dating Sunday," so it's time to get out your OpenTable app, get some flowers (or chocolates, if you ask me), and show someone some love. Hinge is predicting that Jan. 6 will be the biggest day in dating history, according to various surveys it has conducted for the past two years.
The Numbers Are In
After looking over activity data from the past two years on the Sunday right after New Year's Day, Hinge found that there was a spike in conversations. Listen up. In 2017, 41 percent more people began conversations on the app on the first Sunday after New Year's than they did the week before. The pattern continued. In 2018, 59 percent more people started conversations on the first Sunday after New Year's than they did the week before.
It appears this surge in new conversations (recorded as being based on phone numbers exchanged) is steadily rising, so 2019 will likely follow suit. The same goes for planned activities and meetups. There was also an increase in dates being set up (based on phone numbers exchanged) for those two years. In 2017, 36 percent more people set up dates on the first Sunday after New Year's than they did the week before. In 2018, 62 percent more people set up dates on the first Sunday after New Year's than they did the week before.
Well, as the numbers don't lie, it appears that that Sunday is the busiest day of the week for dating. According to Hinge's data, there was a 36 percent higher response to messages and 20 percent more conversations among users. Additionally, Hinge found that on "Dating Sunday" in 2017, the app saw a 16 percent increase in daily user activity, and in 2018, that number shot up to 23 percent. The app expects to see an even greater increase in the number of new Hinge profiles, conversations, and planned dates on Jan. 6, as singles are looking to meet someone fun and special for 2019. And as for couples, take advantage of the day and do something new and exciting together!
If you need some dating ideas, try something wintry, like ice skating or skiing, if accessible. You can also check out a cool new bar or a cozy speakeasy that's a bit more intimate. If there's some bubbly and a fireplace, even better. If you live somewhere warmer, go for a walk, bike around the city, or grab drinks outside on a patio. You can even try a fitness date, as January is a great month to work on those fitness and wellness resolutions. Pick something fun and seize the day!
The 17 Coolest Gadgets of 2019 Are So Genius, They'll Change Your Daily Life Forever
When it comes to rising tech trends, we're seeing a big focus on products that will make your life easier. Whether that means giving you time back in your day or keeping things all in one place, products are being designed to make the wearer's day better. Instead of trying to keep up with the constant stream of new stuff coming to market, let us do the hard work for you. Ahead, we rounded up the most mesmerizing, useful items you'll want to get in 2019.
vendredi 4 janvier 2019
These Are the Best Times to Go to Disneyland in 2019
Disneyland is known as the happiest place on earth, but if you don't time your vacation right, it can also be the most crowded place on earth. If you're planning a family trip to Disneyland, the first question you probably ask yourself is, "When's the best time to go?"
You want to consider the park's busiest times of the year - the holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, President's Day weekend, Easter, the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's - and times when the kiddos are out of school, like Spring break (late March through mid-April) and Summer. Not only are these the times with the highest crowds, but they can also be the most expensive. Daily tickets for Disneyland vary in price depending on demand and can reach up to $135 during peak times. Regular pricing is $117, and value days are $95.
Another thing to consider for your 2019 trip is Disneyland's long-anticipated Star Wars Land, which is opening this Summer. That will likely elevate crowds even more during its opening week (which has not been announced yet) - and the weeks and months after - as Star Wars fans flock to the park.
So if you want smaller crowds and slightly better prices, avoid those times and plan to visit midweek (Tuesdays to Thursdays are best) mid-January through mid-March, mid-April through mid-May, and mid-September through mid-November. But be aware that there also might not be as much entertainment and as many events scheduled during the slower times. Plus, both parks (Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland) typically reduce their operating hours and more frequently close attractions for refurbishment during these periods. The bottom line? Decide what's most important for you and your family to make it worth your time and money.
21 Toddler Shows on Netflix For When You Have Those “I Need a Minute Alone” Moments
Listen, sometimes we all just need a second to catch our breath, tidy the toys that our kids didn't pick up after being asked 40 times, or go to the bathroom and pee . . . alone. For those "I need a minute" moments, we believe there's no shame in that "Netflix is my coparent" game. Especially when it comes to needy, wiggly, energetic toddlers.
Ahead, our favorite shows on Netflix that make for valuable and educational screen time for your toddler (and for longer screen-time sessions, see which kids' movies are slated to stream in 2019).
Organized Fridges Are Not Just For Instagram Moms - Amazon Makes It Super Easy With These 6 Bins
If you're anything like us, you've been staring at photos of organized kitchen shelves for the better part of the week. Sure, there's the voice inside all of us that says, "But our food doesn't come in pretty rainbow-looking packaging!" or perhaps you tell yourself that you're just not the kind of parent who spends time lining things up neatly in the kitchen. But what if we told you that Amazon makes it supereasy to create a system in your fridge. Don't do it for the photo, do it for your sanity! Put the baby pouches in their own spot and your food somewhere else. Check out the products that will help you get it done in no time.
I Used to Be a Bully, but Having the Roles Reversed Changed Everything
I remember it like it was yesterday. I was heading back to my second grade classroom after lunch, and without warning, Emily - whose name has been changed for anonymity - turned around and threw up a next-level disgusting combination of calzone and chocolate milk all over my brand new cat sweater. I was traumatized, shaking and crying with embarrassment. Eventually, one of the nuns at the Catholic school I attended whisked me away to the nurse's office to change.
Although it was clearly an accident, 8-year-old me vowed to seek whatever revenge looks like at that age. With the the help of a few friends, I drummed up ways to make Emily's life miserable - not letting her sit with us at lunch, making excuses as to why we wouldn't play with her, and making her continually "try out" to be our friend at recess. Such an audition required her to walk like a model down an imaginary catwalk, say silly things to boys in our class, and think of new compliments to give us. It was asinine, and I made her do it all fully knowing I was just going to tell her no when the whistle blew to go back to class. It was especially brutal.
Related: 5 Signs Your Child Is the Classroom Bully
The torment lasted six months. That's when Emily's mom placed a phone call to our teacher explaining what was going on. I vaguely remember being summoned by a particularly scary teacher with a single wiggle of a finger, and at that point I knew I was in for it.
It took a single conversation for me to leave Emily alone for good. The gist? "If you so much as look at her wrong, you'll be spending recess inside with me for the rest of the year." Despite being a bona-fide bully, my fear of authority kept the bad behavior at bay indefinitely.
"Despite searching for Emily on social media to apologize for my wrongdoing, I never could find her. So I did what I considered the next best thing: I stood up for someone else who was being bullied."
I was able to avoid what could have been big trouble - or worse, if my parents ever found out - and because of that, I never thought about what I did until years later when the same thing happened to me in high school.
I'd generally steered clear of stereotypical teenage girl melodrama until I was accused of showing interest in a friend's ex-boyfriend. Spoiler alert: I had zero interest, but that didn't stop a handful of 15-year-olds from treating me like garbage.
Face-to-face drama was hardly a requirement anymore. The cruel text messages and the rumor mill that came with it were nasty. They would send me an invite on social media just to redact it moments later, and they attempted to shatter my self-image by hitting a few buttons on a cellphone. Nevertheless, after a few weeks I was out of the doghouse, and I couldn't stop thinking about how terribly I treated Emily as a kid.
Despite searching for Emily on social media to apologize for my wrongdoing, I never could find her. So I did what I considered the next best thing: I stood up for someone else who was being bullied. Sadly, it didn't take long to find that girl.
Within a week of my newfound mission, my partner in AP biology confided in me through tears about how she was being relentlessly tormented by two other girls via text messages. And what her bullies were saying was incredibly dangerous. There's nothing any person can do to warrant being told they "should die" or that "the world would be better off" without them. Absolutely nothing.
After asking my biology partner to send me the messages, I confronted the girls who were harassing her and told them that If they did anything like that again, I'd send all the messages to their guidance counselors, at which point they could kiss their chances of college scholarships goodbye. As one could've guessed, the communication stopped after that conversation.
No one deserves to be bullied, for anything, ever. And while I will always regret being mean to Emily, I can't change my behavior. It doesn't take years upon years of bullying to negatively affect someone's life, and my short-lived transgression as a grade schooler could have still caused irreparable damage. The only thing left to do is to put as much kindness into the world as possible. Hopefully, I'll cross paths with Emily sooner rather than later to give her the apology she deserves, even if she doesn't want to hear it.
My Family Is on a Budget, and This Is How We (Happily) Make It Work
In many ways, our family is abundant - in health, in love, and in happiness. There is one area, however, that I wouldn't mind a little extra loving, and that is the almighty bank account. While my husband and I are both hardworking, motivated, and driven individuals, student loan debt, poor financial decisions in our younger years, and expanding our family has postponed our biggest feat yet: buying our first home.
While we've had the privilege of good educations and well-earning jobs, it always seems like we have just enough to get by or not enough to keep up with our dreams. We've also been hit with a few waves of bad luck like job losses and unexpected moves. In the 11 years we've been together, we've moved 10 times (thank you, New York City rent increases). However, we've also been blessed with strokes of good luck, like job promotions and generous gifts. Yet, every time we seem to save some money, it quickly disappears.
Once our daughter was born, we knew something had to change. We read finance books, watched seminars, talked to peers and mentors, and tried to learn from our and others' mistakes. But, nothing was as helpful in our family's financial planning as bringing it back to the trusty paper and pencil (or in our case, a computer) and creating a strict budget. Over recent years, my husband and I have made intentional financial decisions that have helped smooth over the rough patches and pave the way to our family's goals. Here's what we've learned:
1. Be Co-CFOs
It's funny how many people assume that my husband makes all of the financial decisions in our home. I get it - he works in financial technology - but he will be the first to tell you that it was my conservative approach to saving our money (even if it was just a few extra dollars per paycheck) and attention to detail that helped right many wrongs. On the flip side, it was was my husband's expertise in spreadsheets that seamlessly organized our financial planning, forecasting, and balancing our budget. While we both contribute and commit to our family's financial planning individually, working as a team has paid much greater dividends.
2. Be Transparent
Earlier in our relationship, we had kept our finances separate from one another. And while this may work for some couples, we've benefited from being open and honest about every penny we spend (and save). So much so that buying surprise gifts for one another has become super hard since we both have access to every bank account! However, we found that the more information we both have to work with, the easier it is to know where we can cut back and where we can save. Knowledge is power (and more money in the bank account).
3. Be on the Same Page
At least once a week (it's more like three times a week), my husband and I balance our bank accounts and corresponding budgeting spreadsheets (automated bills, automated savings, and spending). Money talks used to be a point of contention between us before we were totally transparent about our money; however, they're now opportunities for us to bond. We love seeing if we're on track for our weekly or monthly goals, and if we're not, we love to pretend that we're competing on The Amazing Race and need to end the week (or month) in the green to win the imaginary million-dollar prize.
We also spend every Sunday talking about our short-term and long-term goals. Staying on top of our goals each week allows us to see our financial progress and make any adjustments along the way, while making sure we're honoring our individual and collective wish list.
4. Be Basic
Cash is king, they say. I don't know who they are, but chances are they're sitting on a big pile of change. We get paid bi-monthly. Therefore, each paycheck, after our automated allotments have been direct deposited into our bills and savings accounts, we withdraw our remaining "spending" money and divide it into two (one for each week in between paychecks). This helps the inevitable pitfall of spending all of your money at once. I wish I could say that we stop our budgeting there, but that would be too basic.
We then, and stay with me, allocate our weekly spending money by weekly expense (travel, groceries, toiletries, personal allowances) and activities (eating out, babysitting, miscellaneous) and assign each expense a reasonable allowance. Lastly, once our allowances are determined, we place them in their own color-coded and labeled envelope and go about our days carefree. Silly as that might seem, we're the ones laughing all the way to the bank. Paying in cash and using the (basic) envelope system helps to avoid overspending and generally leaves us under-spending (which goes straight to our house fund).
Listen, raising a family is expensive. Student loans feel criminal. And saving for something like a house can feel near impossible. But it is possible. Not only is it possible, but for every penny we count, spreadsheet we balance, inflow we track, and outflow we project, we have more than we need to do all that we want, because when you live within your means, you always have enough. The house is just a bonus!
It's Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Season - Here's What Parents Should Know
No one likes a sick kiddo. And while colds are obviously bad enough, navigating a bad case of hand, foot, and mouth disease is 10 times worse. So what exactly is this illness? It's a mild - but contagious - viral infection that's common in little kids and characterized by sores in the mouth, a rash on the hands and feet, and a fever.
And unfortunately for parents with little ones running around, kids who spend their days at school or day care are the prime demographic when it comes to coming down with the nasty bug. Think your child might be coming down with a case of HFM disease? Scroll through to get the facts as well as the lowdown on how to treat it.
Carson Daly Explains How His Life Has Changed After the Recent Loss of His Parents
Carson Daly is still healing after the devastating loss of his parents just over a year ago. His mother, Pattie Caruso, died in September 2017 of a heart attack, while his stepfather, Richard Caruso, lost his battle with bone cancer just five weeks later. In an emotional moment during Wednesday's broadcast of Today, the morning show host spoke to cohost Hoda Kotb about his New Year's Resolutions and opened up about how his outlook on life has changed since losing both of his parents.
"I don't want to get morbid, but you know I lost my parents a year and a half ago, so in the new year, I think more macro now," he said. "I think bigger than just, like, the weight, the food - all that stuff is every day, we all struggle with that, we all do the best we can. My new thing is compartmentalizing."
Daly continued, speaking about how the pain of losing two loved ones caused him to start living in the moment. "We're always looking so far forward in our calendar to find a moment of happiness, if you will, of relief from life," he said. "My thing is just 24 hours. Now I wake up and I'm like, 'Thank you God, I got a new day, a fresh day. How can I be the best husband, the best father, the best coworker, the best fellow citizen? Like, I've got today. I've got right now, in this moment.'"
Daly has been married since 2015. He and his wife, Siri Pinter, share three children together: 9-year-old Jackson James, 5-year-old Etta Jones, and 4-year-old London Rose.
Daly added later, "Life goes by so fast that for me, now, it's just like, live and marinate in that moment when I'm in a tickle fight. And then when I go to bed, it's just like, 'You know what? I hope I did good today, and if God gives me another day, I'm just gonna do it again.'"
This 1 Simple Hack Is Why My House Is Always Clean
You'd think with three kids, my house would look like the aftermath of a tornado. But - and I'm not trying to brag - my house is always clean, and it is because of one simple hack. Yup, my house-cleaning system is super easy, and takes up almost no time. Drum roll please: I perform one cleaning task each day, on a rotating basis.
You may stop by my house on any given day and assume I just spent all weekend scrubbing bathtubs, mopping floors, and polishing windows, then screaming at my kids to, well, stop existing in our house, so it stays spotless. The truth is, I only devote a few minutes each day to cleaning. Monday, maybe I'll dust. Tuesday, I clean a bathroom. Wednesday's project is another bathroom. Thursday, I'm mopping, and Friday, I vacuum. Saturday I'll wipe down the kitchen appliances. Sunday I might do windows, or change sheets.
This cleaning hack works well for me because I never become overwhelmed with chores. I don't resent having to clean my house. I know whatever task I am performing will only take a short period of time, and then I can enjoy the rest of my day. Also, no part of my home ever gets super dirty this way, as I don't go too long in between dusting or mopping.
When my kids attempt to derail my system by tracking in dirt from outside or leaving fingerprints on the refrigerator, I just take a few minutes to tidy up after them. Then I stop cleaning, without letting my cleaning spree spiral into a full-blown overhaul of the house. So best of all, my hack helps me to look at cleaning as a bite-size job, rather than a seven-course meal, and is far more appetizing in general, no matter the circumstances.
The 6 Best Air Fryers You Can Get Online (For French Fries, Duh)
An air fryer is an excellent investment. The device uses hot air instead of oil to get food crispy, so you're cooking with way less fat. Yep, that means you can enjoy healthier versions of fried foods. If you're unsure of where to shop for an air fryer, we curated a list of the very best options you can get from Kohl's. They come at a variety of price points, so there's something for everyone. Take a look.
As If "Former President" Wasn't Enough, Obama Can Now Add "Billboard Chart-Maker" to His Résumé
After much debate online, it seems the real king of R&B has revealed himself to be Barack Obama.
Billboard recently announced that the former president had landed on the Hot R&B Songs chart for the week of Jan. 5 after "One Last Time (44 Remix)" - which features a spoken word segment by Obama, who recites George Washington's farewell address - made its way to the 22nd spot.
Released shortly before the holidays, the song by Christopher Jackson and BeBe Winans is a slowed-down, gospel-inspired rendition of the Hamilton song of the same name. In 2009, Obama actually invited Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda to perform at a White House poetry jam. At the time, Miranda disclosed that he was working on the musical and even performed a version of what would go on to be the opening number. Obama would later attend Hamilton in 2015, the year it debuted on Broadway.
The internet was of course delighted by the news that Obama had landed on the Billboard charts, becoming the first president to do so, by the way. Listen to the song ahead and read a few stunned reactions from people who think the news is an excellent way to start the new year.
Wondering How to See Every Ending in Black Mirror: Bandersnatch? Use These Flowcharts
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is as impressive as it is frustrating; though the "choose your own adventure" style of the film is pretty freakin' cool, the amount of FOMO that comes from not being able to see each and every path Stefan can possibly take left me a little piqued. After all, Bandersnatch can run as long as two hours or more since there's reportedly around five hours of footage total. Who has the time?!
Fortunately, fans of the dystopian sci-fi series' latest have figured out a pretty handy way for you to go down paths you might not have known about or realized you should've chosen from the start: flowcharts. A whole lot of gloriously detailed flowcharts.
So, once you get past the "Frosties or Sugar Puffs" conundrum and you start having to choose between chopping up Stefan's dad or burying him in the backyard - a pretty tame choice by Black Mirror standards - things can get confusing. That's where these fan-made flowcharts come in, which can help you unlock endings you might not have realized even exist.
Keep reading to see a few versions of the flowcharts that people have made to help fellow fans navigate Bandersnatch, but be warned: tons of spoilers ahead!
The Final Few Seconds of The Prodigy's Horrifying New Trailer Will Absolutely F*ck You Up
There's something wrong with Miles, and it's up to Taylor Schilling to figure it out.
The Orange Is the New Black star appears in the upcoming horror film The Prodigy as Sarah, a mother whose genius-level young son (It's Jackson Robert Scott) begins to exhibit disturbing behavior. Is he suffering from a mental disorder, or is something more sinister at work? Is it possible that an evil, supernatural force has overtaken him? As Sarah struggles with her instinct to love and protect her son while also fearing for her family's safety, she goes down a twisted rabbit hole in search of answers.
The film hits theaters on Feb. 8, and both trailers that have been released so far are seriously chilling.
Trailer 1:
It Still Isn't Over! The Notebook Is Becoming a Broadway Musical
The Notebook has inspired everything from romantic engagement shoots to hilarious parodies and even a failed TV show, and now it seems Allie and Noah are heading to the Great White Way - the Nicholas Sparks romance is becoming a Broadway musical!
The 2004 film was adapted from Sparks's 1996 novel and launched stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams onto the Hollywood A-list. (And turned us into an emotional mess, for what it's worth.) Now, the Broadway version has playwright and This Is Us supervising producer Bekah Brunstetter writing the book, while Ingrid Michaelson - aka the musician behind charming hits like "Girls Like Boys" and "The Way I Am" - will be penning the music and lyrics.
"When I was approached about working on The Notebook, I had to excuse myself and go to the bathroom and cry and come back into the meeting," Michaelson, who actually starred as Sonya in Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812 last Summer, said of her involvement in the musical. "I have loved the movie and the story for so many years now that the idea of turning it into a musical overwhelmed me. The concept of unending devotion and love wrapped up in memory and family is something very close to my own personal life. The story sings to me so perfectly. I actually started writing that very night of the first meeting, before I even had the job!"
Sparks is on board as a producer alongside Kevin McCollum (In the Heights, Avenue Q, Rent) and Kurt Deutsch (the founder of Sh-K-Boom and Ghostlight Records) and also sounds 100 percent ready to see Noah and Allie's love story come to life on Broadway.
"I am thrilled to work with Bekah and Ingrid in order to make The Notebook a reality on Broadway," Sparks said in a statement about the upcoming production. "They are amazingly talented, and obviously, the story is near and dear to my heart."
Further details, like casting and the date announcement, will be revealed later on. In the meantime, we'll probably just be watching The Notebook over and over and over and over . . .
Golden Globes Ambassador Isan Elba Says Dad Idris Gave Her Just 2 Words of Advice
Isan Elba is spending her last few days as a 16-year-old in a big way: preparing to hand out trophies on the Golden Globes stage in front of some of the world's biggest stars and millions of viewers. The teen daughter of actor Idris Elba is this year's Golden Globes Ambassador (formerly known as Miss Golden Globe) and while red carpet events aren't new to her, she knows playing the coveted role is a big deal. Did her dad happen to give her any sage advice on the gig? "No," she told POPSUGAR. "This morning, I've been doing press since like 5 a.m. He texted me, like: 'Do good!' We'll see what he says on Sunday, but that's the advice I got for right now."
After a "lit" Christmas in Ghana, Elba, an aspiring filmmaker and actor herself, spent today at the Beverly Hills Hotel at a luncheon in her honor and rolling out the official red carpet with Globes hosts Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg. And she admitted she hasn't felt much stress about the big day - at least yet.
"I haven't had any nerves, and everybody's so shocked. They're like, 'Are you sure?'" Elba told us. "I literally just got my dress yesterday. Such short notice . . . So, I feel like it might hit me on the day, but right now, I think I'm just taking in the experience. It's so nice get to meet all these cool people."
On her busy day of press, Elba said she's encountered plenty of surprise around the news that her famous father - who DJs on the side - would be playing Coachella this year. "It's so unexpected," she told us. "People thought he was performing a play! They were like, 'What is he doing at Coachella?'"
So, will Elba get to go see her dad perform at the festival in April? "If he lets me," she told us, "because I'd have to miss school to do it. Please, dad!"
4 Stars We've Already Said Farewell to in 2019
It's never easy saying goodbye to Hollywood luminaries. It was hard enough losing so many legends last year, and this year certainly won't be any easier. From Bob Einstein to Daryl Dragon, we're paying our respects to the stars we've already lost in 2019.
Wondering If You've Found Bandersnatch's Best and Wildest Ending? Here's Our Ranking
To the surprise of no one, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch is the talk of the town (and the internet). The interactive Netflix film is a true feat in both technology and storytelling that will practically have your nose against the computer screen. And it's loaded with Black Mirror Easter eggs! As you now know, the experience involves making choices for the main character, Stefan, as he tries to program the game of his dreams, also called Bandersnatch. If you've watched, you've definitely landed somewhere, but have you seen the best ending the story has to offer? I've done my own ranking of the eight biggest endings to help you decide.
The Total Runtime of Black Mirror: Bandersnatch Footage Is Much Longer Than You Think
Netflix's creepy choose-your-own-adventure tale Black Mirror: Bandersnatch has become one of the first big pop culture moments of 2019. With a huge number of permutations and several alternate endings, the possibilities for storytelling seem endless. Because of the unique nature of the "episode," though, it doesn't exactly have a typical hard-and-fast runtime. If you're sitting down to play through the story, how long should you set aside?
As you might guess, that depends on which options you take over the course of the story. If you take the most straightforward path, without any choices that double back to an earlier part of the story, you can watch through the entire thing in about 40 minutes. The average viewer, the creators told Variety, takes around 90 minutes to get through the story. The runtime is based not just on which choices the viewer makes, but also on whether or not they take advantage of opportunities for do-overs or just go straight through without looping back.
It's possible, however, for some permutations to run much longer than that: two hours or more! Reportedly, there's around five hours of footage total, although it can't all be accessed in one run-through. Whether you end up choosing one of the short paths or take the long way around, the one thing that's for certain is that Bandersnatch will take you on quite the roller coaster ride.
When Ariana Grande Headlines at Coachella This Year, She'll Make History
When Ariana Grande steps out onstage to perform at Coachella later this year, the superstar will make history as the music festival's youngest artist to ever headline the event.
The 25-year-old has been in the public eye since 2009 when she began her acting career and landed roles in TV shows like Nickelodeon's Victorious, but it was her debut album, Yours Truly, that really put her on the map in 2013. Since then she's pumped out hit after hit, from the recent "Thank U, Next" to "Problem," which is why her headlining spot at Coachella is a no-brainer. What makes her appearance on the top of the line-up even more exciting - or perhaps depressing, depending on how you look at it - is that she's only the fourth female artist to ever headline the festival.
Last year, Beyoncé made history as the first woman of color to ever headline the event. In 2017, Lady Gaga headlined (filling in for Beyoncé, who was pregnant at the time), and in 2002, Icelandic singer Björk became the first-ever female headliner. Grande's manager, Scooter Braun, took a moment to celebrate her accomplishment with a post on Instagram. "See you in the 🌵," he wrote. "@arianagrande 4th female to ever headline and the youngest headliner in the history of the festival! #history congrats Ari."
As for Grande herself? Well, she seems pretty pumped.
humbled and excited as all hell @coachella 🌵 thank u
- Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) January 3, 2019
Game of Thrones: What to Know About "Great Other" and How He May Play Into the Finale
There are no shortage of gods in Game of Thrones, but one of the most important mystical names in the series is only mentioned once in passing - way back in season four.
At this point, everyone knows about the Lord of Light - also known as R'hllor - but the antithesis of Melisandre's god is rarely ever named. We're talking about the Great Other - a god that the Red Priestess tells Shireen Baratheon represents all things dark, cold, and evil. The Great Other is an agent of death who is locked in an eternal war with the Lord of Light. If the Great Other wins, then faith in R'hllor and the love and light he represent will be extinguished.
In the A Song of Ice and Fire books, Thoros of Myr describes the battle between the Great Other and R'hllor like this:
"Man once again faces the war for the dawn, which has been waged since time began. On one side is the Lord of Light, the Heart of Fire, the God of Flame and Shadow. Against him stands the Great Other, whose name may not be spoken. The Lord of Darkness, the Soul of Ice, the God of Night and Terror.
The Great Other shouldn't be confused with the Night King. At one point, the Night King was just a mortal man. The Children of the Forest are responsible for turning him into the monster he is now. He and his army are agents of the Great Other with a goal to do the bidding of their god. Melisandre even calls the White Walkers and the wights the "cold children" of the Great Other. Since the name of this mysterious god of the dark can't be spoken, it's unclear if he's meant to have an identity in the traditional sense.
One thing that fans can be certain of is the Great Other is a representation of death. In the books, Melisandre even believes that dreams are weapons used by the Great Other to pull people into the darkness. As always, the only answer to defeating this god of the cold and night is through a belief in R'hllor and his champion, Azor Ahai. Ultimately, the Great Other is simply the opposite of Melisandre's god.
Whether or not you believe that R'hllor and the Great Other truly exist depends largely on how much you buy into the theological aspects of the series. There's no denying that the amount of magic and unexplained happenings in Westeros has been on a steady rise since season one, so the idea that the Great Other has an identity that will be revealed isn't as far-fetched as it once was.
For that reason alone, you should keep an eye on the battle between light and dark, and the mortal agents tasked with fighting it, because it may be the key to Game of Thrones's grand finale.
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