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 17 janvier 2019
11 January Essentials I Personally Own That Are So Good, I Wear Them Constantly
When I tell people I shop for a living, they usually think I'm joking. It's too good to be true, right? But it's the real deal! As a shopping editor, I'm constantly on the hunt for the hottest products readers should know about. Often, I find a few things for myself along the way. That's why I curated a list of items I've personally purchased and worn myself - this is stuff that's worth buying.
Read on to take a look at what I'm loving, with a few personal photos included. From fashion essentials to beauty must haves, there's something for everyone. Don't be a couch potato, these releases won't stick around for long.
If You Think Flats Are Boring, These 15 New Pairs Will Change Your Mind in 2019
As fashion experts, the new year gets us beyond excited for up-and-coming trends - especially when it comes to shoes. We're predicting that flats will be even bigger in 2019. There are so many stylish options that work with dresses as well as jeans and trousers. The opulent fabrics, glitzy embellishments, and unique shapes will be just as relevant in several months as they are right now. Run, don't walk, toward these smart investments.
2019's Most Wearable Trends
Gazing into a crystal ball would be fun, but the Spring 2019 runways are the surest predictors of the trends that'll line your closet. For the nostalgic type, designers revived some oldies-but-goodies with a contemporary spin - bucket hats and flip-flops, crocheted items, and sweet cardigans. And for the risk-taker, there's plenty of new fodder: a throwback to the iconic pop-star aesthetic from the early aughts - think low-slung hip-huggers and corsets, the likes of which will conjure up images from Britney's heyday. Beyond that, there's a soft new color palette to love - dreamy sorbet colors that'll deliver a much-needed spot of sunshine when your wardrobe needs it most. We know, we hate waiting, too; but get a first glimpse at what's to come when Spring 2019 hits.
- Additional reporting by Sarah Wasilak and Nikita Ramsinghani
- Spring Fashion Trends 2019: Surfer-Inspired
- Spring Fashion Trends 2019: Sorbet Colors
- Spring Fashion Trends 2019: Crochet
- Spring Fashion Trends 2019: Cardigans
- Spring Fashion Trends 2019: Lamé
- Spring Fashion Trends 2019: Early 2000s
- Spring Fashion Trends 2019: Hip Cutouts
- Spring Fashion Trends 2019: Denim Redone
- Spring Fashion Trends 2019: Vests
6 Shoe Trends You'll See on Stylish Women Everywhere in 2019
If you're wondering which shoes are going to be huge in 2019, you've come to the right place, my fellow fashion-lovers. After taking a look at what styles and trends made it onto the runways and the streets, we've created a list of six distinctive shoe trends that are no doubt gonna take over this year.
You can say goodbye to dad sneakers and say hello to statement trainers à la Gucci's rhinestone strapped trainers. It's also time to start following your animal instincts with bold animal-print shoes. Read on to see what made the list, and then start adding your favorites selects to your shopping cart to get the look.
Even Gaston Would Eat Off This Gorgeous Beauty and the Beast Dishware
When it comes to collecting Disney merch - we're talking jewelry, princess-inspired Le Creuset cookware, and glittery mouse ears - the sky is truly the limit. Recently, we came across a new understated Beauty and the Beast dishware line from Disney that we absolutely need in our lives. And while we're not too keen on inviting the Beast over for dinner - his table manners were lackluster at best! - we're beyond excited to serve our next home-cooked meal on this magical china. From gorgeous plates to two different types of wine glasses, scroll through to get a look at the Gaston-approved collection and try not to buy every single last piece.
Jennifer Garner Faced Her Junk Drawer Like Marie Kondo, and She Found the Most Absurd Items
Marie Kondo might possibly be the most influential person of our present day. After her Netflix series, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, was released earlier this month, she had parents cleaning out their kids' toy bins, people completely wiping out their closets, and even Jennifer Garner facing the hell that is her junk drawer. We all have that one drawer filled with random sh*t that we will never need but refuse to throw out. Even TV's most organized human, Monica Geller, had a secret closet filled with junk! But the famous KonMari method had Jennifer bracing hers, and well, that right there is powerful.
On Wednesday, Jennifer shared a video on Instagram cleaning out her drawer with the Marie Kondo method, and it's safe to say very few of these things "spark joy." Yeah, we're lookin' at you, rain bonnet! From PopSockets to doubloons, watch the video to see all the hilarious things Jennifer found while using the Marie Kondo method to clean out her drawer, and maybe, just maybe it'll inspire you to do the same.
22 Places to Put Toys Besides the Floor
There's a never-ending dance in my house, and I do it every night. I gather all of the stacking cups, rattles, blocks, and balls and put them back into the wicker basket I've been using for toy storage. As my child gets older, the amount of toys we accumulate is only going to grow, so I'm planning ahead now. If you're in a similar boat and tired of seeing the hodgepodge of Legos and stuffed animals on the floor every day, take a cue from organized parents and pick up toy storage bins that do the job. From options with lids to nets that hang high above the ground, here are 22 ideas to get you started.
Le Creuset Is Releasing 4 New Calming Colors, and We're Feeling Zen Already
As soon as I hear the words "Le Creuset," I instantly want to grab a cookbook, channel my inner Julia Child, and get to work on my next kitchen masterpiece. Whether it's lugging my beloved Dutch oven from the shelf onto the stove or adding a few small pieces to my growing French ceramic collection, Le Creuset deserves a prime spot in my kitchen - it's the crème de la crème of cookware. Fortunately, for anyone who's just as obsessed with the brand as I am, it recently announced that it's releasing four new calming colors - Meringue, Sea Salt, Fig, and Coastal Blue - and why, yes, we're feeling much more zen already. Scroll through to get a look at the newest hues and try not to buy every last one.
How the Government Shutdown Is Putting All Pregnant Women at Risk
If you're pregnant, you might want to avoid eating out for the foreseeable future. Due to the record-long government shutdown, federal food safety officials have either been working without pay or not working at all. FDA food inspectors were off the job since Dec. 22 until Jan. 15, when some of the workforce returned to resume inspections on high-risk foods. The FDA is responsible for inspecting cheese, leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, seafood, juice, and more, which means the shutdown may be impacting the integrity of the food supply and putting pregnant women and their unborn children at risk. If you're pregnant, you can protect yourself by cooking for yourself and avoiding risky foods.
Foods to Avoid During the Shutdown
"Because there are fewer inspectors monitoring products that are of high risk to pregnant women, they need to be even more careful about the food they consume," said Bill Marler, a food safety attorney and activist who played a role in crafting the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011. As a result of the shutdown, Marler told me there could be a greater risk of an listeria outbreak. Pregnant women are more likely to contract listeria, an infection from foodborne bacteria that can cause miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, or birth defects. Right now, it's even more important to avoid the list of risky foods for pregnant women. You should consult with your own ob-gyn, but they often include:
- Soft cheese
- Deli meats
- Pâte
- Undercooked meat, poultry, or seafood
- Sprouts
- Precut fruits and vegetables
- Prepackaged salads or sandwiches
- Unpasteurized juice
- Marler also thinks it's best to skip "ready to eat" food, which could include leafy greens, ice cream, or peanut butter
The FDA inspects produce like leafy greens. Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography/ Diggy Lyod
"I would only eat things I could cook myself."
The USDA, which inspects meat, poultry, eggs, and catfish, has been working without pay throughout the shutdown. It's required by law that all meat products are inspected before they are sold, but the same requirement does not apply to the food inspected by the FDA, which accounts for 80 percent of the American food supply, as well as some imports. After weeks, the FDA is now restarting routine inspections on high-risk products like soft cheeses, seafood, custard-filled bakery products, risky fruits and vegetables, unpasteurized juices, and baby formula. Still, Marler thinks the overall stress of the shutdown could impact those who are still working: "They're essentially being asked to protect us while being worried about other things."
Based on his experience, Marler suggested pregnant women take extra precautions during this time. "I would only eat things I could cook myself," he said, adding that it might be the time to skip eating out. "If you go out to dinner, you're putting the risk of cooking it into another person's hands."
When Will Things Return to Normal?
If you're pregnant, you're probably wondering how long until you can enjoy a fresh salad or a meal out without worrying. Even after the shutdown is over, it could take a while for the system to return to how it was before. "If I were a pregnant woman, I would wait for a while after the government opened again until I felt confident that the system was working. At least a couple of weeks," Marler said. In addition to testing and enforcing safety standards, the FDA spends time educating companies about best practices. During the shutdown, that's not happening, and it could take time to make up the loss. In addition, some federal food safety employees might start looking for new, more reliable jobs. "The FDA doesn't have enough inspectors even when there isn't a shutdown," Marler said, which means the shutdown is only adding to the problem.
There is some good news, though. Food companies do some testing themselves and if they identify an outbreak in their products, they have a legal obligation to alert the public. "Food safety continues to be grocers' greatest priority despite this government shutdown," Heather Garlich, a spokesperson for the Food Marketing Institute, told POPSUGAR. FMI advocates for food retail businesses, like grocery stores. While Garlich said vulnerable populations like pregnant women should always take extra care, she assured me that food retailers and suppliers continue to do what they can to keep food in their control safe. "Namely, they maintain their food safety action plans, guard supply chain controls, perform routine retail food safety training, and work to relay critical food safety information to their customers," she said. Hopefully that and some extra precautions from expecting women will be enough.
30 Unique Gifts That Will Make Your SO Feel Truly Special This Valentine's Day
This Valentine's Day, instead of gifting your partner the usual flowers or chocolates, get them something that stands out. This task is easier said than done though, so we made it easier and shopped for you. We unearthed everything from birthstone rings to funny cards and even heated pillows. So go the extra mile this year and treat them to one of these unique and fun gifts. Shop our favorites.
These Pups Deserve a Round of Appaws For Looking This Good in These Weddings
Choosing who to have in your wedding is never an easy decision, but these photos prove that having your pup as a part of the big day only makes it better. Complete with miniature tuxedos and delicate flower crowns, these dogs look almost as beautiful as the brides.
Just be careful if you decide to invite your furry friend to the big event - they just might give the bride and groom a run for their money. They can't help that they look so cute!
Time to Put Baby in a High Chair? Here Are Our Top 9 Picks
If your child is getting ready to graduate from a breast-milk or formula-only diet and begin experimenting with finger foods, you're likely in the market for a high chair. It's important your little one sit upright while mastering their pincer grasp, plus, they'll be able to chew and swallow better in this position. Not sure where to start your search? Here are nine high chairs that parents are loving this year.
This Baby Had a "Graduation" to Celebrate Leaving the NICU, and the Photos Will Melt Your Heart
Bodie Blodgett's last day in the NICU was one for the books. On Jan. 9, the 2-month-old was discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit at Pittsburgh's UPMC Children's Hospital after spending 60 days there. To celebrate, his parents dressed him up in a cap and gown and threw him a mini graduation ceremony that's currently making me cry real tears.
According to People, Bodie was born prematurely before being diagnosed with Pierre Robin Sequence, a rare disease that causes infants to be born with a smaller than normal lower jaw. The newborn spent two months in the NICU recovering from jaw surgery and learning how to properly eat before he was finally able to go home with his family. In a video posted online, Bodie is seen being carried through the hospital by his mother on the day of his graduation, while nurses and doctors are clapping and cheering the family on to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance."
The whole thing is too adorable for words and I dare you to try and make it through without cracking a smile. Read ahead to see a few photos that were taken during the moment.
Did Someone Say Free Slime? Grab Your Kid and Head to Michaels For a Day of Fun!
Slime: it's one of those inescapable materials that all parents must endure . . . sort of like a rite of passage. And slime comes in so many varieties now: edible, rainbow, and even strawberry-flavored Unicorn Slime. If you think you're getting away with a Valentine's Day without it, you're oh so wrong.
Michaels is hosting a MAKE break Slime Your Heart Out event dedicated to the squishy goo, and you know your kid will want to go! On Feb. 9, head to your local Michaels from 1-3 p.m. for a fun-filled afternoon of glittery mix-ins. If you're on the fence about bringing your little one to the event, consider this: you won't have to clean anything up!
25 Genius Kitchen Gadgets That Will Change Your Life in 2019 - For Less Than $50
If you're looking for an extra hand in the kitchen this year, we found the next best thing. Ahead, you'll find 25 useful kitchen gadgets you likely never knew existed but will totally love. Whether you're in need of handy vegetable slicers, a multipurpose skillet, or a personal rice cooker, we found it all. The best part: it's all under $50, so you can get more than just one. Keep scrolling to shop our top picks.
Related: The 20 Coolest Smart Home Gadgets You Can Buy in 2019
My Boyfriend Refuses to Consider My Favorite Baby Name of All Time For a Really Stupid Reason
For as long as I can remember - specifically, as far back as 6 years old - I've loved the name Jack. I played the 1996 movie Jack, starring Robin Williams, on VHS over and over throughout my childhood (it was the '90s, so no one cared that it was PG-13 and most certainly not yet for my eyes), and then in 1997, my parents took me to see Titanic (again, so not appropriate, guys), and my love for the classic, traditional name only grew. Fast forward 22 years, and Titanic is not only my favorite movie of all time, but Jack is 110 percent still the only name I've ever consistently cared about when it comes to naming my future son. I never thought there'd be any reason I couldn't use it (trust, all of my friends have been briefed on the fact that I'd end them should they steal the name from me) until I met my boyfriend, and his freakin' family cat named - you guessed it - Jack.
I knew very early on in my and Matt's relationship that we were the real deal, which is when I began to panic about the fact that his adorable 8-year-old cat had stolen my future baby's thunder (I've literally had dreams in which I'm holding a newborn baby boy and sobbing because I want to name him Jack so bad, but Jack the cat is glaring at me menacingly - yes, I'm serious. Help). It's also when we started to lightheartedly fight about using the name - fairly frequently, I might add.
His reaction is the same every time; he says, "Jack is a cat's name," and though he says it playfully, I do know that he's serious.
I can't remember exactly how I first told him that Jack is the only boys' name I have ever wanted to use for a son, but since then, because he insisted Jack is a "cat name," I've started pointing out humans named Jack every chance I've gotten. A player on our favorite hockey team named his son Jack, which I saw as an opportunity to shove my phone into Matt's face while informing him: "Casey Cizikas's wife had their baby. His name is a human name. It's Jack." When I got him hooked on This Is Us? Oh look, another human man with the name Jack. His reaction is the same every time; he says, "Jack is a cat's name," and though he says it playfully, I do know that he's serious.
I love baby names so much that I've carved out a pretty niche beat for myself here at POPSUGAR, and haven't met a baby name article opportunity I didn't like (barring this Fortnite baby names post, which I just could not write). Because of that, I've noted tons of names over the years that I'd love to give a baby girl, and have even written some down should I end up with more than one boy. But invariably, with every baby name post I write, new names push out the old ones on the list I've been keeping on my phone for nearly a decade. Every name but Jack.
Sure, I could end up never having a boy, rendering this ongoing argument about whether or not Jack is a human name completely moot. But for now, I'll keep teasing Matt every time a person named Jack comes into our life and reminding him that, though we will be having children together, I'll be the one pushing said children out of my hoo-ha. And should one of them be a boy, his name is going to be Jack, damn it.
Amazon Sells a Suitcase That Children Can Ride, and Real Talk, Does It Work For Adults?
If you've ever traveled with your kids, you have a firm grasp on the quantity of things you have to lug around. None of it is extraneous, either. You really do need all of that with you. What makes things more difficult, however, is factoring in the moments when your child is out of their stroller. Whether you are flying and have checked it or are taking the train and don't have the hands to carry one, you know how impossible it is to also carry your child! Goodbye, spine. Luckily, there's an amazing invention just for families like yours. Imagine a suitcase that holds your child for you!
My Daughter's Back Talk Was the Worst - Until I Started Doing These 5 Things
Lately, my almost 8-year-old daughter, a formerly sweet child who has historically seemed to like me, has decided that when it comes to certain situations - getting dressed, taking showers, doing homework, going to bed . . . really any time I'm moving her toward a task she's not excited about - I am the enemy. And in her little world, enemies deserve some serious sass, and boy, is she dishing it out. As a person who appreciates sarcasm and has been known to roll my eyes and deliver a healthy dose of cheek, I get the impulse, but as her mother, I am not appreciating being the target of her back talk.
"Honey, we're running late; you have to pick an outfit for school now," I'll say, trying not to get angry that the clothes we laid out last night specifically to avoid this situation are now lying in a rejected heap on the floor. "I'm trying to, mo-om, but you're not helping, so whose fault is this? Yours!" she'll respond in the meanest voice ever, terrifying me because can you imagine how bad her teenage years are going to be?! "Please talk to me kindly and respectfully, and I'll be more willing to help," I correct her, long ago learning that talking back to a back talker goes nowhere. And that's when the huffing and eye rolling begin. Luckily, I've started using a few tactics to change her attitude, and they seem to be working (most days). If you're in a similar sassy situation, here's how to deal.
- Keep calm. You'll probably want to remind your child that you don't deserve their vitriol (hello, you're the parent!) and start doling out major consequences, but instead, take a deep breath . . . or 10. Talk to them in a calm, kind tone and hope they'll respond similarly. Think before you speak; you don't want to add more intense emotion to the situation. Are your words going to escalate the problem or potentially defuse it? If you can't get your child to calm down and you feel like you're losing control, walk away and give yourself and your child some time to regroup.
- Understand the root of the problem. Your child is acting out to you because you're a safe place, so don't take it personally. Ask pointed questions about things that might have caused your child's distressed state. Did something happen at school or at a sporting event? By trying to figure out the root cause together, you're teaching your child that they need to take time to evaluate their negative emotions instead of just taking them out on others.
- Talk about acceptable behavior and create consequences. Once things have calmed down, it's time to set some boundaries for what will and will not be tolerated in your family. While expressing emotions is a good thing, name calling, yelling, and making irrational demands are not. Tell your child that participating in those behaviors will have consequences - loss of play dates or screen time usually works in my house - and be sure to follow through with those consequences if your child goes off track.
- Take a look in the mirror. Our children learn from our behaviors, even when we wish they wouldn't, so do some self-evaluation. Do you talk to your spouse, friends, or other family members in a condescending or derogatory manner? Make sure you're always speaking in a respectful way, and your child is more likely to do the same.
- Praise better behavior. When your kid gets through a tough situation that has formerly led to back talk and meltdowns without resorting to those bad behaviors, be sure to praise them: "I really like how you listened when I said it was bedtime and went without complaining. Now we have time for an extra book." Rewarding good behaviors is a helpful deterrent for future bad ones.
Getting a Midwife Was the Best Decision I Made During My Second Pregnancy
Switching from an obstetrician to a midwife was, by far, the best decision I could have made regarding my prenatal care with my second baby. After being bullied into a C-section with my first child after only 18 hours of labor, I knew I had to switch caregivers if I was lucky enough to get pregnant again. So, before my husband and I even tried conceiving our daughter, I started doing my research to make the change.
She gave me a safety net during my pregnancy and delivery, and I always felt safe and strong knowing that she was there.
I knew that finding a doctor who also accepted patients striving for a VBAC (vaginal birth after C-section) would be tough, but I had no idea how tough. No one in my county would even contemplate offering me that option. So, after speaking with a friend who delivered her first baby naturally with a midwife, I decided that was the way to go. Thankfully, I found a clinic about an hour away who allowed their patients to attempt a VBAC if that's what they truly wanted.
I'll never forget the first time I met my midwife after my husband and I found out we were expecting baby number two. She must have thought I was insane because I asked for an ultrasound when I was only seven weeks pregnant. "Twins run in my family - like three straight generations," I said. "I feel a little crazy asking for an ultrasound so soon, but I'm nervous." "Oh, you're not nuts," my midwife said. "Let's see how many babies you have cooking in there!" There was only one.
After that relief set in, I sat on the bench with the stiff hospital gown around me. I felt like I finally found someone who didn't immediately dismiss me and my needs, and I knew I could relax a little. From there, my midwife asked, "Do you have any questions about this pregnancy right off of the bat? I know it's your second baby." Still a tad nervous, I took out a folded piece of paper I had tucked away behind my back." "I have 11," I said. "Well then," she said while pulling up a chair, ready to get comfortable. "Let's get started."
My midwife took the time to answer all 11 of my questions, most of them surrounding natural childbirth. If I had done that at my last doctor's office, any of the OBs would have scoffed at my list instead of giving me the time I deserved.
My midwife made me feel like a woman who was about to give life to another human being - not another number she needed to get through. Instead of just delivering babies, she made me feel like she wanted to focus on me being a strong mother and woman in order to deliver a baby. She helped me throughout my pregnancy, answering all of my questions anytime I needed her (and I had a lot!). Most importantly, she stood by my side during my 50-hour VBAC, even when I wanted to give up, because she believed in me. She didn't bully me into a C-section because I wasn't progressing fast enough for her. She always made sure me and the baby were safe, and then encouraged me to stick to my birth plan.
I know there are plenty of amazing and caring OBs out there. I just had a bad experience, and getting a midwife ended up fitting my personality and birth plan so well. She gave me a safety net during my pregnancy and delivery, and I always felt safe and strong knowing that she was there. I couldn't have done it without her.
You’ll Wish You Could Go Back and Redo Your First Period With This Handy Kit For Tweens
The year is 2002. I'm in a Limited Too (RIP) dressing room with my mother trying on - most likely - bright pink tearaway pants that read "Limited" on the tush, when my jeans pull my underwear down a bit to reveal a brownish-red stain. I am immediately informed (loudly, might I add), it looks like the beginning of my first period. I'm a month shy of 12 and my mom just embarrassed me so hard. I slowly melt into the fitting room's dingy, glitter-dusted carpet.
In a perfect world, my mom would have been a bit quieter, taken me to the drug store for a few essentials, and taught me everything I needed to know at home that night. Instead, she strapped me to a pad so giant, I looked like I'd reverted to diapers, and said "It'll be over in a few days" (it lasted SEVEN days - thanks for nothing, Ma!). Had Rael's First Period Kit existed back then, things might have been a little different (mainly, less traumatic).
Launched in 2017 with "a mission to provide natural and organic feminine care products that don't sacrifice comfort or functionality," Rael is now looking to help tweens and teens navigate their first visit from that bitch, Mother Nature. Rael's genius kit, which is available on its site and Amazon, includes packs of petite pads, regular pads, and panty liners; a pair of blank period underwear; a package of feminine wipes; a tea tree facial sheet mask; acne-healing patches; and a handy pouch that can be filled with essentials and thrown straight into a purse or school bag.
"We know it's not always easy watching your children grow up so fast, but we're here to help," reads the kit's product description. "We have just the right feminine care products so your teens don't have to worry about leaking at school, when they're sleeping, or anywhere for that matter. Not only are our organic cotton period products safe and healthy for teens, but they also perform."
Check out the kit below, and if your tween or teen's first period is looming, investing in one of these seems like the perfect way to make their first period seem not only manageable, but way more exciting than it actually is. The kit doesn't include adult-diaper-size pads, so that's already a good start.
This Mom's Cats Became Best Friends Forever With Her Newborn Daughter and I'm Squealing
Cassie Carter, a mom and cat-lover from Australia, wanted her three cats to get along with her baby girl Alina more than anything. But after giving birth and spending three days in the hospital, she wasn't exactly sure how her fur babies would react to her real one.
"Out of my three cats, only my black-and-white one Kanye was all right around Alina at first," Cassie told POPSUGAR. "[My black cat] Drake was wary of us for the first few days because we smelled like the hospital, but he started warming up to me again before Alina. He was obsessed with my pregnant belly so I thought it was strange that he took a while to start loving her."
"Every day he got more and more comfortable around her and now doesn't leave her side!"
Although Cassie was thrilled that Kanye took an instant shining to Alina, she was eager to see if Drake would get used to having a new roommate.
"Drake was a bit scared of her at first, but he got more and more curious as the days went on," she said. "The first time he sat with her was on the couch but he ran off as soon as she moved. Every day he got more and more comfortable around her and now doesn't leave her side!"
While Cassie and her husband are adamant about never leaving Alina alone with her kitties - after all, you can never be too safe! - she loves how close all of her babies have become.
"Drake has his own little blanket in her cot that he sleeps on to reduce the cat hair she comes into contact with," explained Cassie. "Even though I'm not worried about him hurting her, he's not allowed in her room overnight just to be safe."
Scroll through to get a peek at all of Alina's adorable adventures with her four-legged friends - and try not to squeal in the process!
The Definitive Guide to Visiting Disney World With Kids
You know those families who go on at least one Disney vacation a year, have a detailed itinerary, and know the entire park like the palm of their hand? Well nothing except serious dedication will turn you into one of those . . . but we asked a few of them for Walt Disney World trip-planning pointers! Check out our list of must-do tips for families vacationing at the Orlando resort, and your next trip to the Magic Kingdom will be extraspectacular.
I Talk to My Kids About Sex Because My Parents Didn't Talk About It With Me
"When do you plan to have 'the talk'?" one mom asked me at the playground. I wasn't sure what she meant. "Oh, you mean talking to my kids about sex? We've been having conversations in that realm since they were infants," I responded to her horrified expression. I tried to explain my reasoning to help her understand that I wasn't ruining my child's innocence, but trying to raise healthy, body-positive, open-minded children who didn't have to hide their eyes and giggle uncontrollably at the age of 15 when someone says the word "vagina." It's also because I had the exact opposite with my own parents.
When I was younger, I was incredibly naive. "Let her keep her innocence for as long as possible," my mom would say to people. When I was 13 - after I got confused by everyone's laughter in the movie theater when Doofy went into the bedroom with a vacuum cleaner in Scary Movie - she started to inquire if I knew anything at all about sex. When I said I didn't understand why everyone thought that scene was so funny, my mom and older sister went into hysterics.
It took me a very long time to shake off the shame and trauma surrounding sex and such a restrictive upbringing.
"If you plan to have sex . . ." she started to say later that day in the mall food court, her boyfriend sitting next to her. My insides froze. I practically stuck my fingers in my ears saying, "La la la, I can't hear you!" My family barely hugged each other, let alone spoke about physical intimate relations. If anything, I imagine they thought that if I didn't know, I would be less curious. "It's better you wait until your married, anyway. There's less heartache that way," she said after I refused to be submitted to such an embarrassing experience.
Fast-forward to me at 19 years old. I had so far avoided having a boyfriend because I was always told to "never want to lie down next to a boy because they'll only want sex." I didn't know how sex worked, let alone what a penis looked like. Growing up in Arkansas, I didn't even know that it was "allowed" for me to have physical relationships with women, too, although I was already having emotionally intimate relationships with them. All I knew was that sex was a taboo topic. I distinctly remember the conflicting message that came at me from all sides growing up in the Bible Belt. "Don't have sex before marriage, but if you do, make sure you use birth control. Except you can't get birth control without saying your having sex and that would be wrong. So don't have sex before marriage." That was the end of it. The full extent of my sexual education. Abstinence.
It took me a very long time to shake off the shame and trauma surrounding sex and such a restrictive upbringing, even after moving to a substantially more progressive area. Some of it still lingers in my psyche, making me feel wrong or broken somehow. But sex is a healthy and natural experience that doesn't need all of these rules and stigma around it, which is why I've decided to keep the one-and-done "talk" out of my house, and instead have open discussions with my children about consent, properly identifying body parts, mechanics of making a baby, how they're formed, and all the different types of relationships and identities there are.
My kids are 4 and almost 8, and they know what a vulva and penis are. They know that a penis has sperm in it and that sperm travels through the vaginal canal on its way to fertilize an egg. They know that a man and a woman, two women, two men, or one parent can have a baby in a variety of ways. They know that some women have a penis. They know that some people don't want children, and that's OK. They know that their bodies are their own and are encouraged to take full ownership over what they want done to their bodies. As they grow, the conversations will evolve and be more focused on what they're experiencing in the moment. I imagine when they become teenagers they'll have a full mental toolbox on what sex can be like, for pleasure or for purpose. They'll know how to practice safe sex. And they'll know that they can always have an open, safe discussion with their mother about their sexual experiences, if they so choose.
I Promise You, Whatever Way You Fold Your Kid's Clothes Is Garbage Compared to the Marie Kondo Method
The other day, I was talking to a friend about Marie Kondo (as we all were) and how the best gift that woman gave me was teaching me to fold clothes so they stack vertically in drawers rather than in a pile. My friend's reply: "Oh, I know! But does she realize it's impossible to do that with kids?!"
Stop. It. Right. There.
On the contrary, there's no better place to put her folding method into practice than with kid clothes!
Most parents are well aware of how a once-tidy dresser drawer can turn into a jumble of crumpled shirts and pants with one visit from their child.
Still, I see the disconnect. Most parents are well aware of how a once-tidy dresser drawer can turn into a jumble of crumpled shirts and pants with one visit from their child. Why go to all the trouble of carefully folding tiny sweaters and tinier leggings only to have them destroy it all in a matter of hours?
That was my mentality when I first did the KonMari method a few years ago. I employed her philosophy to every aspect of my home, except anything to do with my then-2-year-old daughter. I considered them exempt: who was I to determine what sparked joy with a toddler, and at that point, I was satisfied with bins of barely folded clothes that I'd just reach into when getting her dressed.
But, recently, that now-4-year-old got her first official dresser, and it needed some type of organization. I tried stacking the clothes traditionally, but that inevitably meant that every time she'd rip the bottom shirt out from the bottom of a pile, the six shirts stacked on top of it would go flying onto the floor.
So, on a desperate whim, I switched it up and folded her items in thirds before stacking them vertically, like they were in a little clothing filing cabinet. Take a look:
Get Comfortable: We Found 53 Perfect Presents For Every Woman in Your Life
Put that mug of hot chocolate down! It's time to get to the real business of the holidays: Christmas shopping. We know it can be hard to find presents for the women in your life, so that's why we created the ultimate gift guide for you to browse through. These items are excellent for mothers, grandmothers, sisters, BFFs, friends, and any other gal you know. Whether she's a fashion girl, couch potato, techie, or makeup maven, we have something she'll be thrilled to receive. You don't even have to get out of your pajamas to look through these goodies; they're all available to purchase online. Let's get going!
Walmart Is Selling a Reese's Bouquet, So I Know What I Want For Valentine's Day
Don't just settle for flowers this Valentine's Day; give your partner a whole damn Reese's bouquet ($45) instead. Thanks to Walmart, candy-lovers can now get a bushel of chocolate-peanut-buttery goodness to celebrate a special occasion. Sure, a fragrant floral arrangement is a beautiful present, but can you eat it? I don't think so. Instead, consider giving a gift that'll warm someone's heart and fill their belly.
This blooming bouquet of Reese's combines 36 packs of the peanut butter cups with bright orange faux flowers. How romantic! This is an especially sweet way to show you care . . . or snatch up a batch for yourself - no judgment!
These Pups Deserve a Round of Appaws For Looking This Good in These Weddings
Choosing who to have in your wedding is never an easy decision, but these photos prove that having your pup as a part of the big day only makes it better. Complete with miniature tuxedos and delicate flower crowns, these dogs look almost as beautiful as the brides.
Just be careful if you decide to invite your furry friend to the big event - they just might give the bride and groom a run for their money. They can't help that they look so cute!
34 Gifts For Men So Cool, You'll Want to Steal Them For Yourself
This Valentine's Day, don't just get the guy in your life another pair of socks. You can make him feel loved by treating him to something truly special. To help you find the perfect match, we curated a list of the coolest products out there for every type of guy. From camping gear to fitness trackers and electronics, we have no doubt you'll find his present ahead. Keep reading to shop our top picks.
In Case You Didn't Know, Trader Joe's Sells Flowers That Are Cheaper Than a Cup of Coffee
Trader Joe's makes going to the grocery store so much better, not only because of its (super) affordable prices and cute food packaging, but also because of its impressive flower selection. It's easy to miss the flower display amid the grocery shopping madness, but trust us: these flowers will make your market run better than ever.
With flower arrangements under $5, Trader Joe's has our hearts in full bloom. Check out some of these arrangements made from nothing but Trader Joe's best. Next time you're shopping, be sure to stop and smell the roses.
I Live in a Tiny NYC Apartment, And This Trunk Is Helping Me Live Like Marie Kondo
In 2019, I've resolved to get my home organized. But, when you live in a very small apartment, keeping things neat and tidy becomes more of a necessity than a general goal. Closet and drawer space are scarce, and I needed someplace to put sweaters, books, and general odds and ends once shelf space was out of the question. In an attempt to Marie Kondo my life, I found this Beautify Storage 2 Piece Trunk Set ($106). And, wow, is it a game changer.
My apartment is basically all white, with shades of grey and tan thrown in on occasion, so I wanted something minimal to match my decor. This trunk is just that: pristine white, and the pop of rose gold accent hardware makes it feel luxurious and much more expensive than it actually is. The fact that it comes with two trunks is ideal, because I can separate them into different categories, and not get confused about which one I need to open. As an added bonus, next to my couch, it'll look like a really chic makeshift end table. These pretty trunks come in four colors, so it'll be easy to find one that looks beautiful in your space, and trust us, you won't know how you lived without the extra storage.
My Boyfriend Refuses to Consider My Favorite Baby Name of All Time For a Really Stupid Reason
For as long as I can remember - specifically, as far back as 6 years old - I've loved the name Jack. I played the 1996 movie Jack, starring Robin Williams, on VHS over and over throughout my childhood (it was the '90s, so no one cared that it was PG-13 and most certainly not yet for my eyes), and then in 1997, my parents took me to see Titanic (again, so not appropriate, guys), and my love for the classic, traditional name only grew. Fast forward 22 years, and Titanic is not only my favorite movie of all time, but Jack is 110 percent still the only name I've ever consistently cared about when it comes to naming my future son. I never thought there'd be any reason I couldn't use it (trust, all of my friends have been briefed on the fact that I'd end them should they steal the name from me) until I met my boyfriend, and his freakin' family cat named - you guessed it - Jack.
I knew very early on in my and Matt's relationship that we were the real deal, which is when I began to panic about the fact that his adorable 8-year-old cat had stolen my future baby's thunder (I've literally had dreams in which I'm holding a newborn baby boy and sobbing because I want to name him Jack so bad, but Jack the cat is glaring at me menacingly - yes, I'm serious. Help). It's also when we started to lightheartedly fight about using the name - fairly frequently, I might add.
His reaction is the same every time; he says, "Jack is a cat's name," and though he says it playfully, I do know that he's serious.
I can't remember exactly how I first told him that Jack is the only boys' name I have ever wanted to use for a son, but since then, because he insisted Jack is a "cat name," I've started pointing out humans named Jack every chance I've gotten. A player on our favorite hockey team named his son Jack, which I saw as an opportunity to shove my phone into Matt's face while informing him: "Casey Cizikas's wife had their baby. His name is a human name. It's Jack." When I got him hooked on This Is Us? Oh look, another human man with the name Jack. His reaction is the same every time; he says, "Jack is a cat's name," and though he says it playfully, I do know that he's serious.
I love baby names so much that I've carved out a pretty niche beat for myself here at POPSUGAR, and haven't met a baby name article opportunity I didn't like (barring this Fortnite baby names post, which I just could not write). Because of that, I've noted tons of names over the years that I'd love to give a baby girl, and have even written some down should I end up with more than one boy. But invariably, with every baby name post I write, new names push out the old ones on the list I've been keeping on my phone for nearly a decade. Every name but Jack.
Sure, I could end up never having a boy, rendering this ongoing argument about whether or not Jack is a human name completely moot. But for now, I'll keep teasing Matt every time a person named Jack comes into our life and reminding him that, though we will be having children together, I'll be the one pushing said children out of my hoo-ha. And should one of them be a boy, his name is going to be Jack, damn it.
23 Whole Foods Staples For Busy People
I may or may not have chosen my apartment based on its one-and-a-half-block proximity to a Whole Foods . . . What can I say? I'm a native Texan and have been a fan for life, having grown up going to the second-ever location in Houston. Admittedly, I sometimes do feel like I'm shopping at Whole Paycheck, but I know I'm investing in my health and in high-quality brands. When it comes to the staples in my life, from milk and butter to berries and yogurt, I buy them all from Whole Foods. These are the products that always end up in my basket.
The Only Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe You'll Ever Need
We all know and love chicken noodle soup. It's a classic that can't be beat. Whether or not it can truly heal a cold, a warm bowl of this soup is definitely medicine for the heart and soul. Light yet filling, flavorful, and creamy without the cream, it's soup heaven. The five key ingredients for any chicken noodle soup are chicken, egg noodles, chicken broth, carrots, and celery. The most important part, though, is all the fresh herbs and spices. This is what will take your chicken noodle soup from zero to 100 instantly. A combination of oregano, thyme, and parsley create this harmonious dish.
Here, we've taken a classic recipe and turned it into an Instant Pot-friendly one. It's perfect for the whole family on a chilly night when cozying up by the fire.
This Mom's Cats Became Best Friends Forever With Her Newborn Daughter and I'm Squealing
Cassie Carter, a mom and cat-lover from Australia, wanted her three cats to get along with her baby girl Alina more than anything. But after giving birth and spending three days in the hospital, she wasn't exactly sure how her fur babies would react to her real one.
"Out of my three cats, only my black-and-white one Kanye was all right around Alina at first," Cassie told POPSUGAR. "[My black cat] Drake was wary of us for the first few days because we smelled like the hospital, but he started warming up to me again before Alina. He was obsessed with my pregnant belly so I thought it was strange that he took a while to start loving her."
"Every day he got more and more comfortable around her and now doesn't leave her side!"
Although Cassie was thrilled that Kanye took an instant shining to Alina, she was eager to see if Drake would get used to having a new roommate.
"Drake was a bit scared of her at first, but he got more and more curious as the days went on," she said. "The first time he sat with her was on the couch but he ran off as soon as she moved. Every day he got more and more comfortable around her and now doesn't leave her side!"
While Cassie and her husband are adamant about never leaving Alina alone with her kitties - after all, you can never be too safe! - she loves how close all of her babies have become.
"Drake has his own little blanket in her cot that he sleeps on to reduce the cat hair she comes into contact with," explained Cassie. "Even though I'm not worried about him hurting her, he's not allowed in her room overnight just to be safe."
Scroll through to get a peek at all of Alina's adorable adventures with her four-legged friends - and try not to squeal in the process!
Peeps Cereal Has Arrived at Target, and Yep, It Makes Your Milk Taste Like Marshmallows!
Peeps are invading breakfast time - again! Just a few weeks after International Delight's Peeps coffee creamer made its debut, Kellogg's quietly dropped a brand-new cereal inspired by the fluffy Easter candies. The limited-edition breakfast treat combines white marshmallows with pink, blue, and yellow cereal pieces covered in sugary dots reminiscent of those found on Apple Jacks or Oreo O's. So yeah, your milk is gonna taste pretty sugary once you devour a bowlful.
So far, it looks like the family-size boxes of Kellogg's Peeps cereal have only been spotted on shelves at Target, and shoppers who've gotten their hands on a box are pretty into the flavor. "It's strange but it works!" one Instagram user admitted. "The sweetness is a nice balance; not too sweet but not bland." Another happy customer quipped that you get a "huge [whiff] of vanilla" when you open the box and that "the milk is super sugary and sweet at the end." Um, we're sold! Now, who's down for a trip to Targé?
The 20 Coolest Smart Home Gadgets You Can Buy in 2019
2019 is going to be the year of at-home help when it comes to technology. From smart security systems to mops that self-clean your home and lights that sync up with music, these handy devices somehow make your day to day a little easier (and more enjoyable). To save you even more time, we searched the internet and uncovered the 20 coolest at-home gadgets of the year, so all you have to do is click "buy" and it will be delivered right to your door. Be careful shopping though, because you're bound to want them all. Take a look.
Move That Bus! Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Is Getting a Reboot
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is on its way back to the small screen, and it has a new home to boot. The Ty Pennington-hosted home improvement series is getting a reboot that's set to air on HGTV, after the previous nine seasons aired on ABC for nearly a decade. HGTV has plans to produce 10 brand-new episodes that are expected to debut in early 2020, though the network hasn't made clear who, if anyone, from the original series will return to the show.
In the event that you're someone who never had the chance to properly stan Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's original iteration - or if you just need to pump yourself up before the 2020 premiere - HGTV has also secured the rights to air 100 episodes of the show in the US and the Caribbean. That means you have a full year to marathon though all of the episodes before the reboot makes its debut. Guess I know what I'll be doing until then.
Oreo Is Selling New Valentine's Day Cookies With the Cutest Messages on Them
Following the lead of Lava Cake Hershey's Kisses and Heart-Shaped Starburst Jellybeans, a new Oreo flavor is the latest addition to the list of cutesy Valentine's Day snacks. The new Oreos - called Love, Oreo - are made with classic chocolate cookies and a "sweet and tangy" berry-flavored creme filling, and each one comes with a cute message printed on both sides à la conversation hearts. The sayings include phrases like "Let's Twist," "Dunk in Love," and "Xoxo Oreo."
Love, Oreos are currently available at select retailers for around $3 a pack - but fair warning that they've received some pretty mixed reviews so far, with blogger Dad Bod Snacks comparing the flavor to that of cherry limeade. "Which I'm not a fan of, sadly," he wrote. Still, for anyone who's interested in stocking up on Valentine's Day snacks early, the cookies are available at Target and Walmart.
Diet Coke Just Released 2 Fruity Flavors, and They're Unlike Anything You've Tried Before
Diet Coke will never go out of style, but that doesn't mean it can't switch up its flavors sometimes. That's exactly what the brand is doing at the start of 2019, so get ready to introduce your palate to two new varieties that are pretty unexpected. Blueberry Acai and Strawberry Guava Diet Coke are officially on shelves as of this month! These refreshing new options still taste like the Diet Coke you know and love, but with an extrasweet twist.
I got my hands on a few cans ahead of the launch, and I conducted a blind taste test for fellow POPSUGAR editors. Here are a few of their flavor guesses - some are more spot on than others.
Strawberry Guava
- Strawberry
- Bubblegum
- '90s candy
- Gum
Blueberry Acai
- Raspberry
- Black cherry
- Lip Smackers
- Watermelon
- Melted candy
It's clear that you definitely get a berry vibe from each of the new flavors, and each sip is more delicious than the last. Whether you have a sweet tooth or just want to change up your afternoon caffeine break, look for one of the sleek, 12-ounce cans individually or in eight-packs. These fun new flavors join the lineup of other Diet Coke flavors, including Ginger Lime, Twisted Mango, Zesty Blood Orange, and Feisty Cherry.
Nothing Can Top the Look on This Groom's Face When He First Sees His Christmas Bride
Christmastime is a wonderful time. With the heavenly white snow, beautifully decorated trees, and glimmering lights, it's hard not to fall in love with the whole season. Aside from the beauty of the season, this bride wanted to incorporate some fun into her big day, and that wasn't complete without a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer mask. Trust us, you will want to see this!
Besides the hysterical first look from the groom, the wedding dazzled with holiday cheer. The venue was decorated with at least five Christmas trees, about a hundred strands of twinkling lights, and it even featured a choir made up of bridesmaids. The photographer, Rachel Whitehurst, had this to say about the happy couple:
"When I think of a Christmas wedding, this is what I dream of. Liz and Pat are two of the most fun humans I have ever met, and their wedding was one I will never forget. Deep red curtains, sparkling gold lights, the smell of pine, and a warm wooden ceiling made the venue feel both cozy and otherworldly. It was full of goofiness (literally . . . their recessional song was 'Eye to Eye' from A Goofy Movie), but also felt magical - like that feeling I remember from childhood laying beneath the ornamented tree on Christmas Eve."
Take a look at their beautiful day ahead, and try not to laugh when you see the bride's big Rudolph reveal!
This Spinning Ice Disk in Maine Looks Like Something You'd See in Space
In what seems like some form of meteorological wizardry, an almost perfectly circular ice disk was seen rotating along the Presumpscot River in Westbrook, ME, on Jan. 16. Though the disk reportedly began to melt as temperatures warmed up, it stayed spinning long enough to catch the attention of local news stations, and eventually the entire internet after a drone video by Bulldog Aerials made its rounds.
Ice disks form when a river's accelerating water causes larger mounds of ice or slush to break apart. Because of the consistently moving flow of water, the smaller pieces of ice gravitate toward one another, and as they rotate, surrounding mounds and rocks "shave" the ice into a smooth, more uniform circle.
While a moderately rare occurrence in general, ice disks of this size are especially so. According to California Institute of Technology Physics Professor Kenneth G. Libbrecht, most ice disks have a 20- to 30-foot range - this one looks about 300 feet across. "It might be a world-record size, if anybody were keeping track," he told The New York Times. See more videos of the mesmerizing weather phenomenon ahead.
Amazon Sells a Suitcase That Children Can Ride, and Real Talk, Does It Work For Adults?
If you've ever traveled with your kids, you have a firm grasp on the quantity of things you have to lug around. None of it is extraneous, either. You really do need all of that with you. What makes things more difficult, however, is factoring in the moments when your child is out of their stroller. Whether you are flying and have checked it or are taking the train and don't have the hands to carry one, you know how impossible it is to also carry your child! Goodbye, spine. Luckily, there's an amazing invention just for families like yours. Imagine a suitcase that holds your child for you!
The Definitive Guide to Visiting Disney World With Kids
You know those families who go on at least one Disney vacation a year, have a detailed itinerary, and know the entire park like the palm of their hand? Well nothing except serious dedication will turn you into one of those . . . but we asked a few of them for Walt Disney World trip-planning pointers! Check out our list of must-do tips for families vacationing at the Orlando resort, and your next trip to the Magic Kingdom will be extraspectacular.
12 Valentine's Day Gifts That Will Win You Points For Creativity
Ready or not, Valentine's Day is upon us, and finding the perfect gift is half the battle. While flowers are always lovely, finding something personal and creative will make your SO smile and know that you thought of them. If you're looking to do something a little different this year, try one of these 12 gifts.
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