Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
vendredi 18 janvier 2019
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.
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.
20 Microaggressions Transgender People Are Tired of Hearing
Conventional wisdom tells us that backhanded compliments are not cute - as a matter of fact, they are not compliments at all. They're nothing more than thinly disguised insults, and when it comes to marginalized groups, they're frequently microaggressions. By definition, a microaggression is a comment or action that expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group.
I am a black transgender woman, and I face these microaggressions daily, while scrolling through Tinder or simply walking down a sidewalk minding my own business. Microaggressions surrounding my gender identity can come in the form of "I didn't know you were trans, you look just like a woman!" or "You're cute for a trans!" - lest we forget that the word transgender is not a noun or a verb and therefore should not be used with such incorrect and offensive grammar.
I am also a transgender woman with passing privilege and one who is garnered conventionally pretty. However, although these conventional privileges allow me safer access to spaces that others within my community may not be awarded, I am doubly marginalized as a black person and transgender woman. If I am not clocked as transgender, I still face the various microaggressions that come with being a black girl; expressions such as "you're pretty for a black girl" or "what are you mixed with?" or harassment such as touching my hair or questioning my intellect on a given subject.
These types of microaggressions aren't just situational to me but to the transgender community as a whole. Every day, cisgender people harass my community with these forms of microaggression - even if it's unintentional. With that in mind, I asked people in the transgender and nonconforming community to share microaggressions they have experienced at least once in their lifetimes in the hopes of educating everyone on what qualifies as a compliment - and what's downright offensive.
Did You Know the iPhone Has a Magnifier Tool? Until Now, Neither Did We
Picture this: You're on an amazing date, you forgot your glasses at home, the menu comes, and it's a blurry mess of words. You already said, "I'll have what he's having," on the previous date, so the panic ensues. The iPhone's handy flashlight can only do so much in a dimly lit restaurant, so what you really need is a magnifying glass. Well, drumroll, please . . . there's one hiding right on your phone! Twitter user geo_jones_ recently brought this underrated iPhone feature to our attention, writing, "I was today years old when I found out there was a magnifier glass on the iPhone." Us too, Geoffrey; us too.
For all the times you've squinted to read tiny instructions or missed delicious side dishes hiding on the bottom of a menu, the Magnifier is here to save you, and it zooms in a lot further than your camera. To turn on the function, go to Settings, General, Accessibility, and Magnifier, and toggle it to "on." Voila! You can also add the tool to your Control Center for easy access.
According to CNBC, if you have an iPhone X or later version, triple tap the button on the right-hand side of your phone to use the tool. If you have an iPhone with a Home button, tap it three times to access the magnifying glass. You can even capture a picture while zooming, because you know you're going to need those laundry instructions again later. Ahead, see how to use the Magnifier tool, and see how people across the internet are reacting to discovering this awesome feature.
10 Gadgets That Will Help You Live Your Best Life in 2019
Now that 2019 is in full swing, it's time to talk about tech. We're lucky enough to live in a time when we have access to so much technology that's both functional and good-looking. Today, you can get text messages on your wrist, track your heart rate, and listen to your favorite music with sound quality that's better than a concert. We've found some of the gadgets we've been eyeing for the new year at Walmart, so keep reading to shop our 10 favorites.
The #10YearChallenge Is Harder on Women Than You Think
One of the first internet challenges to go viral this year on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter is #HowHardDidAgingHitYou, or the #10YearChallenge. The challenge requires users to share a photo from 10 years ago side-by-side with a current photo. Millennials and Gen-Zers have participated with gusto - mostly because their decade-old picture is of awkward pubescence or wide-eyed youth, and though they are older, they are still "young." But this activity is likely a lot less fun for older women - especially those without access to a glam squad, or cosmetic procedures - because it reduces conversations about age to physical appearances. Recently, prize-winning French writer Yann Moix (age 50) sparked outrage for his, well, outrageous comments on:
- How he was "incapable" of loving women over 50.
- How they were "invisible" to him (they are "too, too old").
- And the pièce de résistance, "[t]he body of a 25-year-old woman is extraordinary. The body of a woman of 50 is not extraordinary at all".
The reality is that aging hits women harder than men in many aspects of modern life. In light of the way this year has begun, it's a good time to reflect on how women and men are forced to age differently.
How aging actually hits women is far more insidious than feeling bad about wrinkles and stray grays (though that is harmful enough).
Let's start with appearance. For women, concerns with body image encompass being told we should look eternally youthful. We are taught to live at war with our age. The near-constant message we receive is to prevent and deny everything about aging. Lie about the number. Gray roots are dreadful. Your face must be as creaseless as a freshly starched shirt. Any natural signs of getting older are embarrassing and need to be combated immediately - from the smallest sag to the tiniest droop. Social media has been fundamental in perpetuating unrealistic body images, enabling and encouraging us to be constant voyeurs, and perpetuating Facetuned (touched-up) images that are unrealistic. Studies suggest this obsession has exacerbated mental health issues in younger users fixated on their body image, and it certainly doesn't help adult women feel better about themselves, either. Through targeted ads, Facebook and Instagram have profited from and enriched corporations that promise to help you regain your radiance (apparently, only the young are radiant) by erasing fine lines and wrinkles overnight. Booming market capitalizations owe much to the pillaging of women's insecurities.
I'm all for women making their own decisions, including about their bodies. Like every woman, I have internalized many social expectations around gender and age, and am certainly not shaming anyone for facelifts or Botox. These choices say little about them, but do speak volumes about the world we inhabit. In her book Hunger, Roxane Gay asks, "[W]hat does it say about our culture that the desire for weight loss is considered a default feature of womanhood?" Social media challenges like #HowHardDidAgingHitYou enable this culture to thrive, such that the desire to look young has also become a default feature of womanhood.
How aging actually hits women is far more insidious than feeling bad about wrinkles and stray grays (though that is harmful enough). Older women face increased discrimination at the workplace, with gender-based mistreatment peaking for women in their 40s.They also suffer a hiring disadvantage. Older women get fewer callbacks than older men, or younger applicants of both sexes, seriously hampering their retirement security. As far as Hollywood is concerned, Amy Schumer's Last F*ckable Day sketch encapsulates how a woman's employability is directly tied to her sexual currency. Other biases around older women include the perception of them as sexless, even though sexual ability does not decrease with age for women.
A social change in our attitude toward aging - including dissociating it from physical appearances - is crucial for both women and men. But the myopic #10YearChallenge excludes the more profound experiences of growth and change that accompany getting older. Perhaps shows like Big Little Lies and movies like The Favourite and Girls Trip, all starring women in their 40s and older, are signaling a shift in the way that women are represented. Nonetheless, older women remain at a social disadvantage - even our everyday language is more ageist toward women. A simple way to make getting older more holistic and inclusive for all women could be to rebrand it as the #LookHowFarYouHaveComeChallenge. This might seem trivial, but a linguistic overhaul may spark the cultural change we need.
Donald Trump Welcomes the Clemson Tigers With a Buffet of Fast Food at the White House
The Clemson Tigers won the national college football championship on Jan. 7, and the White House hosted them to celebrate on Jan. 14. To mark the occasion, the president and White House staff set up a candlelit dinner with silver platters of . . . fast food. Silver platters of fast food. Fast foo - am I in the twilight zone? Sadly, I am not. The dinner for the national champs was an array of Big Macs, McDonald's chicken nuggets and dipping sauces, and items from Wendy's and Burger King; "Great American food," as Trump put it.
"I like it all. I like it all. It's all good stuff, great American food. And it's going to be very interesting to see at the end of this evening how many are left," POTUS said. When he spoke earlier in the day about his plans for the fast-food feast, he said, "I would think that's their favorite food."
Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders weighed in on the decision, saying a lot of the White House staff is furloughed (and not getting paid) during the ongoing government shutdown and that Trump gave of his own bounty in providing the meal. "Much of the residence staff at the White House is furloughed," Sanders said, "so the president is personally paying for the event to be catered with some of everyone's favorite fast foods."
It's no secret that fast food is a big part of Trump's diet, but to serve it at a celebratory dinner for a big group of world-class athletes? Interesting choice. See more photos and reactions to this gourmet feast ahead.
I Was Today Years Old When I Learned This iPhone Hack For Closing All Safari Tabs at Once
If you're anything like me, you collect iPhone Safari tabs like it's your freakin' job. A handful of Thai restaurant menus here and a few randomly googled celebrity factoids there, and next thing you know, you're 174 tabs deep and in serious need of a cleanse. Sound familiar?
Luckily, you don't have to cramp up your thumb while exiting out of your endless tabs, because there's a little-known iPhone and iPad feature that lets you delete 'em all at once - yes, really! As pointed out by Twitter user Joey Taralson, all you have to do is open up your Safari app and hold down the tab icon in the lower right-hand corner until a window pops up giving you options to close all your tabs, close just the current one, open a new private tab, or open a regular tab. Genius!
As it turns out, Joey isn't the only one who's just now discovering this nifty tab-closing shortcut. Tons of people have recently tweeted in amazement while sharing the trick with their equally mind-blown followers. It's safe to say this feature is a total game changer, just like that handy-dandy space bar hack that went viral last year, despite the fact that it's been around for ages.
If Being on Planes Freaks You Out, Try Flying With These Relaxing Beauty Products
Nervousness when flying on an airplane impacts about 40% of Americans - and we get it. Combining pressure changes and the idea of being suspended in the air for a sustained period of time can be extremely stressful. We're not saying these TSA-approved beauty products will cure your aviophobia, but they might just be able to calm you and relieve some of the unwanted fears of flying.
This Heated Scarf Is Designed to Keep You Warm For 5 Hours, and I Already Feel Cozy
If you're like me, you can never seem to escape the feeling of being cold. Fuzzy socks and heated slippers are good friends of mine, but a heated scarf? I had never heard of such a thing until Dr. Scarf was put on my radar. A company called Dr. Battery, which is headquartered in British Columbia, claims to have invented the world's first heated scarf that warms you up as you wear it around your neck. Yep, I'm in.
The scarf is made of a soft material that combines polyester, anion fabric, and graphene fabric. It releases anions (and therefore heat) when turned on, and I'm no scientist, but all I need to know is that means it heats me up. Dr. Scarf has two adjustable heat settings that you can choose from (high and low), and it snaps together with magnetic buttons. It also comes with a power bank and a three-in-one charging cable that lets you also charge your phone(s), which is a plus.
Right now, the scarf has a Kickstarter page and has not yet met its goal. And not having tried it myself, I can't vouch for its effectiveness, but I can look forward to the possibility of any and all heated products keeping me cozy. See more photos of this life-changing scarf ahead, and learn more on the Kickstarter profile.
You'll Crack Up When You See What These Zodiac-Inspired Pencils Say About YOUR Sign
Sure, you could continue toiling away at work using a basic, uninspiring writing utensil . . . or you could stock your desk with colorful pencils inspired by your very own zodiac sign! These colorful astrology-themed pencils hail from Always Fits, an online boutique that sells an assortment of cheeky gifts like profane oven mitts and curse-word-adorned dish towels. Each set includes eight pencils with funny sayings that relate to all 12 of the zodiac signs and their signature traits.
Perfection-seeking Virgos will definitely be drawn to the "Let Me Overthink That" pencil, whereas fun-loving Leos will likely giggle at the "My Aura Shoots Rainbows & Glitter" one. Check out all the spot-on phrases ahead, and buy yourself or your fellow astrology-lover a set of pencils before they sell out!
45 Stylish Vacation Clothes So Comfy, You'll Never Travel Without Them Again
Packing for your next vacation doesn't have to be stressful. To make it easier, we shopped for the comfiest and cutest clothes that are lightweight, easy to pack, stylish, and, most importantly, cozy. Ahead you'll find our top picks of dresses, tops, skirts, crossbody bags, sandals, and more, so you'll be ready in no time. Keep scrolling to pick your favorites and plan your next getaway.
2019 Is Your Year to Travel Like a Pro, Thanks to These 31 Life-Saving Products
Even if you're a seasoned travel pro, heading off on a new adventure can be stressful. To make sure you ditch your drama of tangled cords and missing passports, we scoured the internet and uncovered over 30 insanely genius travel products you've probably never heard of, and will never be able to live without again. Keep scrolling to shop for your next getaway.
- Additional Reporting by Hilary White
Friendly Announcement: Taco Bell's $1 Nacho Fries Will Be Back Soon!
Fries and nacho cheese go together like, well, most things and nacho cheese, and Taco Bell finally added a menu item that combines the two. The fast-food restaurant introduced Nacho Fries to menus last year, but sadly, the fries disappeared after the initial launch came to an end. Now for the good news: they're back nationwide beginning on Jan. 24! This addictive side - which only costs $1, by the way - features french fries "with bold Mexican seasoning" served with "a dippable side of warm nacho cheese," according to Taco Bell.
While every location will have the menu item for a limited time beginning on Jan. 24, a select few locations will give them out at random - for free - on Jan. 18 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to a Taco Bell press release. If you're near one of the 10 Taco Bell locations, consider yourself lucky.
Taco Bell first tested Nacho Fries at the beginning of last year in Irvine, CA, and left the rest of the country drooling over the possibility of trying them. If you missed out on this cheesy concoction the first time around, you've got another chance to try it for a limited time (and another excuse to plan a Taco Bell run with your friends). This might be the best news you'll hear all day!
This Magical Hotel in Sweden Lets You Sleep Among the Trees, and the Views Are Unreal
If going to a cozy getaway is your favorite way to relax and unwind, you'll feel more at ease just looking at photos of the Treehotel in Sweden. Like something out of a dream, this tucked-away hotel offers rooms perched among the pine forest of northern Sweden, and the views are unreal. The hotel offers different rooms with names like the Bird's Nest, the Cabin, and the UFO (it really is shaped like a flying object), all modern variations of tree houses designed by Scandinavian architects that let you sleep among nature - in a luxurious way.
Treehotel is so remote that you have to fly from Stockholm to the Lulea Airport, and then the hotel organizes a car service from there or you can take a train. You can choose to completely disconnect and enjoy time in nature, but the rooms are equipped with WiFi just in case. There's also an impressive restaurant on the property serving local ingredients, and daytime activities include dog sled tours, ice fishing, photography walks, and more. Prices range from about $100 to $800+ per night, depending on the time of year and type of room. Ahead, see photos of this breathtaking destination, and you'll immediately add it to your bucket list.
50 Adorable Names For Your Dog in 2019
Welcome home, sweet pooch! If you're adding a four-legged furry friend to your family this year and are looking for the paw-fect name to call them by, some of the best names for dogs in 2019 are adorable no matter the breed of your new best friend. Take a peek through a few of our favorite names - some of which are going to be really trendy for all of the good boys and good girls this year - below!
Most Stuf Oreos Are Here, and We Can't Even Fully Articulate How Massive They Are
For its latest creation, Oreo isn't changing a thing about the cookie's signature sweet flavor. Though the brand has recently experimented with many flavors including chocolate peanut butter pie, strawberry shortcake, and rocky road, Oreo's latest release is all about the same classic cookie . . . just in a very different size.
Most Stuf Oreos started hitting shelves at the start of the year, and they make the brand's Double Stuf and Mega Stuf Oreos look like child's play. This supersized iteration joins the other recently released flavors, including Carrot Cake Oreos and the berry-flavored Love Oreos. Based on the social media reaction, it seems like Most Stuf Oreos are a hit so far. Check out a few posts ahead!
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!
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 gray 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 looks 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 me, 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 badly, 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 lives 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.
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.
We Asked a Doctor How Long a Cold Is Contagious, and You Guys, It's Alarming
Colds are the worst, in part because they're just so ridiculously contagious. "The 'common cold' is caused by a variety of respiratory viruses, the most common of which is the rhinovirus," John E. Anderson, DO, an internal medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, told POPSUGAR. Adults average at least two colds each year, because germs are coughed or sneezed into the air, eventually making their way into our systems.
"The best way to avoid catching a cold is to avoid aerosol exposure," Dr. Anderson said. "Wash your hands and keep them away from mucous membranes such as your eyes, nose, and mouth."
Still, it's almost inevitable that you'll end up catching the virus at some point - and if you do, you'll need to know how to prevent the spread. "Incubation of the virus ranges from one to five days, meaning you can be infected for several days before the symptoms occur," Dr. Anderson said. And you may be contagious longer than you thought. "We can shed the virus for up to three weeks, meaning we can infect others," he added. Yikes.
Unfortunately, because colds are caused by viruses and not bacteria, there's no prescription treatment - you have to simply let the cold run its course, though other remedies may help ease the symptoms. The Center for Disease Control recommends that you stay home for 24 hours after you've had a fever, but even once you've returned to business as usual, you should cover your cough and sneeze, and disinfect any surfaces you touch.
Don't Waste Calories at a Bar: 5 Low-Calorie Cocktails to Order at Happy Hour
When you're worried about calories, drinking the wrong cocktail can make all the difference. Two drinks out with the girls suddenly turns into a 1,000-calorie night. Vodka sodas are always a safe bet but can get boring quickly. The next time you're out at a bar or restaurant, order one of these cocktails instead - all good and all well under 200 calories!
If You Want Strong and Tight Abs, This Is the Exercise You Need to Be Doing
Most people train their abs for vanity (hello six-pack!), but having a strong core is essential to doing every day activities, even walking. A strong core (with or without a six-pack) is the secret to having great posture, running faster, and preventing injuries like lower-back pain. Improve your core strength (and get sexy, toned abs while you're at it) with this twist on the classic plank.
Plank With Knee Tap
- Start resting on all fours.
- With your palms flat, raise up off your knees onto your toes. Keep your hands directly below your shoulders.
- Contract your abs to keep yourself up and prevent your bottom from sticking up. Remember to keep your belly button pulled in.
- With your head and spine in line, keep your back flat - don't let it curve. Picture your body as a long, straight board.
- With control, slowly tap your left knee to the ground without moving your hips. Lift your left knee back up, returning to the starting position. Repeat the same movement with the right leg. This completes one rep.
- Complete two sets of 10 reps.
Jillian Michaels Says to Avoid This Habit at the Gym If You Want to See Results
We know it can be frustrating to put time and effort into your workouts only to not see progress. Or maybe you noticed results after a few months of work, but suddenly hit a plateau. While some exercise is better than nothing at all, you could be doing yourself a disservice if you do the same workouts every day: the same spinning class, the same sprints on the treadmill, or the same five arm exercises.
"Anything repetitive is bad," Jillian Michaels, fitness expert and creator of the My Fitness by Jillian Michaels app, told POPSUGAR. "Your body adapts and stops progressing." She also explained that doing the same thing over and over again is more likely to cause overuse injuries.
Even though it's important to find an exercise you like, work on switching up your workouts to keep your body guessing. If you're lifting weights, focus on your upper body one day and your lower body the next. For cardio, try alternating among spinning, jogging, the rowing machine, or a HIIT class. It's important to have multiple workouts in your arsenal to really see progress.
What Exercises Burn the Most Belly Fat? These 20 (and Here's a 40-Minute HIIT Workout Using Them)
Although it's impossible to spot-reduce certain parts of your body, when you lower your body fat percentage, those areas will start to lean out. If belly fat is an area you are trying to target, while healthy eating is key, there is one type of exercise proven to diminish belly fat: high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
David Chesworth, an ACSM-certified personal trainer and wellness coach at Hilton Head Health, told POPSUGAR that a combination of HIIT and the right nutrition plan can help reduce belly fat. Bodyweight and dumbbell moves are great exercises you can use in HIIT workouts. You just need to focus on working hard for a certain amount of time, followed by a period of rest, and then repeat.
Not sure how to start? If you're sweating it out at home, here's a basic HIIT workout plan you can use. Just modify it based on the moves you prefer and the body parts you want to target (example moves are listed below). ACE-certified fitness instructor John Kersbergen suggests that doing HIIT workouts that combine strength-training moves three to four times a week is enough to start seeing results.
40-Minute HIIT Workout
Equipment needed: One pair of light dumbbells and one pair of heavy dumbbells
Directions: Choose what four exercises you want to do (two bodyweight moves and two dumbbell moves). Perform each exercise for 40 seconds followed by a 20-second rest. Repeat the four-minute circuit 10 times for a total of 40 minutes.
| Time | Exercise |
|---|---|
| Minute 1: 40 seconds on, 20 seconds rest |
Bodyweight cardio move |
| Minute 2: 40 seconds on, 20 seconds rest |
Dumbbell exercise (low weight, high rep) |
| Minute 3: 40 seconds on, 20 seconds rest |
Bodyweight strength-training exercise |
| Minute 4: 40 seconds on, 20 seconds rest |
Dumbbell exercise (high weight, low rep) |
Here are some examples of each:
| Bodyweight cardio exercise | Dumbbell exercise (low weight, high rep) | Bodyweight strength-training exercise | Dumbbell exercise (high weight, low rep) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burpees | Alternating forward lunges | Push-ups | Deadlifts |
| Jump squats | Seated Russian twists | Air squats | Thrusters |
| High knees | Dumbbell swings | Side elbow plank with leg lift | Overhead presses |
| Lateral bunny hops | Sumo squats with bicep curls | Diamond sit-ups |
Chest presses |
| Mountain climbers | Plank with row | Elbow plank hip dips | Dumbbell squats |
Keep reading for details on how to do each move.
If You Want to Lose Weight With Intermittent Fasting, Follow This 11-Step Guide
You keep hearing these two little words - intermittent fasting. If you want to learn more about what it is, why people do it, and how to do it, this is the guide for you! We'll answer all the basic questions about intermittent fasting (also referred to as IF) so you can decide if it might be right for you.
If you read through this guide and decide to take the IF plunge, be sure to check with your doctor first!
Here's How Many Minutes You'd Need to Walk Each Day to Lose Weight, According to a Trainer
Walking may seem too simple to be an effective form of exercise, but if you play your cards right, this familiar movement can be a lean, mean, weight-loss-generating machine. While a casual 10-minute stroll won't do it, you don't need to spend hours on your feet, either.
"You should aim for about three to five sessions of cardio a week that are around a half hour," Courtney Meadows, an NASM-certified personal trainer and fitness coach, told POPSUGAR. "For beginners, even walking 10 minutes a day is a great place to start. Increasing your walking time by just five minutes will get you there."
Courtney suggests walking at an easy pace for five minutes or more to warm up and get your body ready to burn fat.
"If you can, it's best to use a heart rate app when walking to make sure you're in the right zone for fat loss," Courtney explained. "After the warmup, you'll want to get your heart rate to 60 to 70 percent of your maximum heart rate," which you can find by subtracting your age from 220. "You'll want the majority of your workout to be in this stage with a five-minute cooldown," she said.
While finding a cardio regimen that gets results is important, Courtney noted that it should also be one you enjoy. When exercise becomes second nature, it's much easier to stay on track.
Considered Trying WW? Here's Everything You Need to Know About the Program
It seems like everyone knows someone who's been on WW. Personally, I've been on several different versions of the program over the years - dating back to the time when it was still known as Weight Watchers - and I've found success with each one. What I find most refreshing about WW is that you don't necessarily feel like you're on a diet, because you can still eat whatever you want. It's just a matter of teaching yourself best practices in choosing good foods.
If you're considering trying WW for yourself but aren't entirely sure what to expect, we've put together a crash course, covering everything from what to eat to how to track your SmartPoints. Here's to finding your own success, whatever that means for you.
Here's What You Need to Know About the New Diet That Has the Potential to Save the World
Move over, keto diet; there's a new diet ready to take the throne. According to a new report published in The Lancet, people should eat less meat and sugar and more fruits and vegetables, NBC News reported.
Making these nutritional changes would lead to more sustainable methods in agriculture, cause less pollution, and contribute less to global warming and climate change. "Food systems have the potential to nurture human health and support environmental sustainability, however our current trajectories threaten both," the commission said.
To be honest, we aren't surprised by their findings. Even Beyoncé and JAY-Z have started a challenge to go vegan in order to positively impact your health and the environment. If you aren't quite ready to go 100 percent plant-based, the planet diet is a good first step to take.
And it's not just the environment you'll be helping; this diet can improve your health, too. According to the Eat-Lancet Commission summary report, if everyone switched to a diet that was 50 percent lower in red meat and sugar and ate more fruits and vegetables, approximately 11 million fewer people would die prematurely every year. "Healthy diets have an optimal caloric intake and consist largely of a diversity of plant-based foods, low amounts of animal source foods, contain unsaturated rather than saturated fats, and limited amounts of refined grains, highly processed foods and added sugars," the commission said.
If you're ready to improve your health and help save the world, here are 10 ways to eat a more plant-based diet.
These New Nike Leggings Are Made For Every Type of Workout - You Definitely Need a Pair
If you've been inspired to purge your closet after watching Marie Kondo's Tidying Up series on Netflix, we've found the only workout legging you'll need from this point forward.
Nike is always releasing gear we can't wait to get our hands on - remember these iridescent leggings? - and it's done it again with the Nike One Training Tight. We first spotted the leggings on Nike Women's Instagram Story, where they explained it's designed for every workout imaginable: running, dancing, basketball, skating, lifting, and boxing, to name a few. Not only is it designed to help you feel and perform your best while working out, it's made for everyday life like running errands and binge-watching your favorite TV shows.
There's a style for everyone - crops, full length, and 7/8 length - and all we've got to say is get a pair (or two) now, because these are definitely going to sell out fast. Check out the Nike One Legging ahead.
5 Pieces of Home Gym Equipment That Will Revolutionize Your Workouts in 2019
One of the biggest trends in fitness is the expanding market for on-demand workouts. (After all, we're just so busy.) Being able to exercise in the privacy of your own home while still feeling like you're part of a class might be just what you need to step up your game and bring your fitness to a whole new level. And, if a class structure isn't what you crave? There are innovations in other types of equipment, too - like a sleek, chic treadmill that folds down small enough to fit under your bed. For real! Keep reading to get started building the home gym of your dreams.
We're Just Going to Say It: Nike's Making Our Favorite Sneakers in 2019
There's just something about seeing that iconic check mark that makes a sneaker feel legit. It's like an automatic seal of approval; when you wear Nike, you know it's going to perform, and it's going to look good. This year, we're looking for the best sneakers out there, and spoiler alert: we're into these 18 Nike pairs.
20 of Our Favorite Black Leggings, Because Yes, They're All Different
If the thought of color in your workout wardrobe is blasphemous, you've come to the right place. Black leggings are perhaps the foundation of our athleisure look, and it's easy to see why; they go with everything, and always look sleek and polished. But, with all the different iterations available, finding the right pair can feel like an impossible task. But no more - these are our 20 favorite black leggings. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to the gym.
How Magnesium Supplements Helped Regulate My Anxiety
Generalized anxiety is one of the most common ailments in our society, affecting 40 million adults ages 18 years or older in the United States today. The odd part is is how taboo it still feels. It is common to focus on this issue as something that is "in our heads," and part of that is true - things like yoga, meditation, and exercise really do provide relief. However, with such a large chunk of our population suffering from a variety of symptoms attributed to anxiety, it is important to look at the environment or physical aspects.
Finding a solution in a natural supplement was a big relief, and when I added it to my daily diet and felt results, I was grateful.
A lot of what initiates this type of fearful thinking has to do with the balance (or lack thereof) of chemicals in our bodies. As someone who has gone in and out of anxiety-ridden bouts, I started to take action myself and look into things that might be missing from my day-to-day diet or life that may help keep my body and mind in check. I felt like sorting through the foundation of the problem and finding a natural relief was the smartest way to approach solving this issue. Turns out, after some research, I found nutritionists, doctors, and therapists who have all recommended taking magnesium supplements. I already took vitamins daily, but this extra boost of such a vital mineral ended up being a huge game changer when it comes to fighting anxiety.
What Magnesium Does
Magnesium, like all vitamins, is ideally obtained through eating magnesium-rich food. Foods like sunflower seeds, almonds, shrimp, spinach, and avocados are high in it, but sometimes the way things are grown or processed may have a different effect on how our body absorbs it. This is where having a magnesium supplement can help. Magnesium supports the regulation of cortisol levels (or stress hormones), so it is vital mineral in our diet for keeping such emotions in balance. Studies have shown that it seems to have an effect on our hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the glands that are associated with stress.
Additionally, 90 percent of serotonin (the feel-good hormone) is made in the gut. Since this hormone is usually known as a brain transmitter, many don't realize that its production begins in our stomachs. This means that gut health is of utmost importance when it comes to fighting anxiety, depression, and stress. However, when magnesium levels in the gut are low, it can change the habitat of the ecosystem in our stomachs and, therefore, negatively affect our capability of creating serotonin, keeping us in that feeling-low/anxious zone.
So, not only does magnesium regulate stress hormones, but it also helps to create the happy ones.
How It Has Helped Me
I was personally never comfortable with added medication and all the side effects that come with it into my body to help fight my anxiety. Once I started doing the necessary research into finding natural ways to help fight it and keep it at bay, I found magnesium as an option. Once I made that a part of my diet, I could feel the positive effects it had on my body and mood. Of course, different things work for different people, so it is always wise to discuss such contributions to your diet with your doctor. However, my personal experience made me a believer, as I felt more leveled and at ease even when life factors like work contributed to stress.
What I Pair It With
I pair my magnesium supplement (one a day) intake with other anxiety-fighting remedies as well, such as taking probiotics and fiber (to help keep that gut health in check), exercise, eight-plus hours of sleep, stretching, and dry brushing (I'm telling ya, sometimes the little things can work too!), and so far, I've found a great recipe that allows me to feel comfortable, happy, and well. You can also get magnesium through Epsom salts while soaking in a bath if taking a pill is not of comfort to you.
Ultimately, it is important to take a proactive stance on your own diet, lifestyle, triggers, and stressors when it comes to managing anxiety. But it is also important to go back to the basics of our bodies and learning how they function. Finding a solution in a natural supplement was a big relief, and when I added it to my daily diet and felt results, I was grateful.
As always, talk to your doctor and/or therapist, but this is one remedy you can feel good about trying and will likely be able to enjoy its positive effects!
You Could Always Use Another Pair of Running Sneakers, and These 10 Are on Sale
The new year is alive and well, and we've noticed, unsurprisingly, that the gym is more packed than usual. Everyone is focused on getting fitter and stronger right now, and to do that, you need a great pair of running shoes. Adidas makes some of the most comfortable pairs we've ever worn, and the 10 pairs ahead are on sale. Consider that a win for both your health and your wallet.
If You Need a Moment of Self-Care This New Year, Try 1 of These 13 Diffusers
The latest wellness trend we can't get enough of? Diffusers. Aromatherapy has been a practice for a long time; who doesn't have certain scents they find soothing? But now, you don't have to light a candle or spray perfume. Just use an essential oil diffuser, which emits the essential oils of your choice into the air, bringing a sense of peace and calm to the space. It's really amazing how such a little device can drastically change your demeanor. There's already a lot going on in 2019, and whether you're heading into stressful work situations, need a great present for your wellness-obsessed friend, or just want to prioritize your self care, you've got to go with a diffuser.
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