Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
samedi 9 mai 2020
Experts Are Against Schools Ending the Academic Year Early Because It Teaches "When It's Hard, Give Up"
To call the process of suddenly launching remote learning for more than 50 million children across the nation a challenge might be the greatest understatement in the history of the public school system. So, perhaps, it's no wonder that some districts are giving up on Zoom classes and "distance learning" programs and ending the academic year early.
"I don't envy any official who feels the best decision is to end the school year early. But canceling all instruction doesn't solve the problem."
According to The Wall Street Journal, school districts in Washington DC, Georgia, Texas, and beyond are ending several weeks early after "concluding that it was too cumbersome for teachers, students, and parents." And this is after weeks of educators loosening reins on attendance - a system many schools have abandoned - and grades. Most schoolwork has been deemed optional, and advancement to the next grade level has generally gotten blanketed approval despite the absence of up to a third of the school year's lessons.
A superintendent near Atlanta, who said teachers were struggling with how to learn to do their jobs online while simultaneously teaching students, decided that "it made sense to us to get rid of the stress and get ready for the following school year."
The reasons to stop and recalibrate are certainly understandable.
"Even for neurotypical, able-bodied children with access to a device, reliable WiFi, and a dedicated study space, there can still be obstacles to learning from home," Oona Hanson, an educator and parenting coach offering one-on-one workshops, told POPSUGAR.
But does that mean it's the right move to opt out early?
"School district leaders are in a really tough position," Hanson said. "Inequity has always been a problem in our education system, and this crisis is making the gaps wider and more obvious. I don't envy any official who feels the best decision is to end the school year early. But canceling all instruction doesn't solve the problem."
Ending the Academic Year Early Sets At-Risk Students Even Further Behind
In particular, it doesn't solve the inequity problem.
"Similar to my previous concerns regarding equity and inclusion in the impacts of remote learning, simply ending the year early because remote learning is 'too tough' is not a viable option for students from low-income communities or for students who are already behind in their academics," Katie Simon, the dean of curriculum and instruction for a charter management organization in New York City, told POPSUGAR.
"Kids are learning incredible lessons right now. Teaching them to give up when things are hard shouldn't be one of them."
In fact, summer learning loss is one of the most significant causes of the achievement gap between students from lower- and higher-income families, not only because that's when students from low-income households struggle to find and afford food or a place to stay.
It's also because, as Hanson pointed out, "well-resourced" families are likely to continue to provide at-home learning and enrichment opportunities not available to all students. So what happens when the "summer slide" - which causes low-income students to be up to three years behind their peers by the time they reach fifth grade - is extended by a few weeks or even a month? They are pushed even further behind.
"I also worry a lot about students who normally receive on-campus services for special education or other needs," Hanson said. "These kids and their families need a lot of support."
Ending the Academic Year Early Widens the Education Gap For All Students
All students - even those in non-economically-disadvantaged communities - stand to suffer with school out of session earlier, Simon said, noting research that suggests that, on average, students lose two months of reading skills over the summer.
And although managing the logistics of remote learning can be challenging for families, particularly those with parents working full time, she said "it's less a call to action for families but to our school districts" to continue to offer what they can in the form of education. "Schools owe it to our kids to exhaust all efforts in supporting them," she said. "The inherent, albeit sometimes subconscious, privilege in giving up on remote learning is simply not a solution."
Simon and Hanson implore schools to think outside the box.
"Many districts are, rightly, prioritizing meals for students who would be receiving nutrition at school," Hanson said. "But with certain safety protocols in place, schools can use similar distribution methods to provide learning materials."
In fact, Simon learned that one charter school has been mailing hard copies of work to families to eliminate the burden of internet access and then calling students to review the assignments.
"Another charter organization in California is setting up free WiFi hotspots at socially distanced locations in front of their schools for kids to work at in hourly chunked time slots," she said. "Teachers are truly some of our nation's most ingenious resources, and all around us, we're seeing levels of compassion, ingenuity, and dedication like never before. Even outside the world of education, there are organizations, companies, and businesses going well beyond the call to action to support remote learning."
Ending the Academic Year Early Sends the Wrong Message
Simon said it'd be foolish to shut down the growth and progress that has been made in such a short time span. "With all these people pouring energy into this work, we can't give up now," she said. "This work is too urgent."
Hanson agreed: "Kids are learning incredible lessons right now about how to weather a storm. Teaching them to give up when things are hard shouldn't be one of them."
On that note, Simon wants families to consider the larger message early closures are sending. "I don't just mean the obvious negative lesson of 'when things are hard, give up,' but the subliminal message we're giving our kids that 'this feels difficult, and you're not worth my time - your future is something we can catch up on later, I just can't invest my time in you right now.' Our kids are too precious. And our future demands that we don't give up."
Need a Laugh? This Dad's Spoof on What Kids Are Like While Social Distancing Should Do It
Kids In Quarantine"I'm in a round!" is the new "Gimme a minute!" 😂😂
Posted by Life of Dad on Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Now that many of us have been social distancing for a few weeks with the family, it's safe to say that pretty much all of our buttons have officially been pushed from a parenting standpoint. Rather than going crazy between virtual learning, working, and making dinner every single night, sometimes you need to just sit back and laugh. Thankfully, comedian Brent Popolizio from Life of Dad put together a hilarious spoof showing what kids have been like while staying home, and it's all too familiar.
Whether he's describing our children's obsession with video games, their demanding breakfast orders, or the fact that no matter what the heck they're doing, they're still bored, we've heard it all before. Watch until the end to feel completely reassured other parents get as many headaches as you do!
My Mom Taught Me This Cooking Tip, and It's the Most Helpful Thing I've Learned
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a house where my mom cooked for our family of six just about every night. My mom is Italian and grew up with seven sisters and two brothers in New York, so her knack for cooking and love of food likely stemmed from sitting down to home-cooked meals with a family of 12 on a regular basis. You could say she knows a thing or two (thousand) about cooking.
Now that I'm an adult and love cooking just as much as she does, I'm always trying to master the art of cooking as a 20-something on a budget. I rely on my mom's passed-down knowledge more than I could have imagined, and while she taught me plenty of recipes (everything I know about pasta, I owe it to her) and has answered an embarrassing number of my mid-cooking-panic questions over the phone, there's one solid piece of cooking advice that has stuck with me the most:
You Can Make Something Out of Nothing
As in, you don't need a recipe to cook something, and you don't have to have a full pantry and fridge to get dinner on the table. My mom is the queen of pulling scraps from the fridge and freezer and seemingly magically turning them into a cohesive, family-approved meal. If she had a dollar for every time one of her kids asked her, "What's for dinner?" she'd definitely be a millionaire, and what I didn't know growing up was that a lot of times she didn't even know what was for dinner as she began making dinner. But lo and behold, she'd make it happen. She'd usually aim to combine some type of protein with a starch and a vegetable, even if that meant throwing everything in a dish and baking it in the oven. My dad has lovingly and hilariously named these creations "bakes." "Oooh, what do we have here, a cheesy chicken bake?" he'll say if he peers into the oven and sees a casserole dish filled with various unidentifiable ingredients. And you know what? They were always delicious.
Related: 45 Mother's Day Gifts That Are Perfect For the Mom Who Loves to Spend Time in the Kitchen
Thanks to my mom's ability to improvise, my family rarely resorted to takeout and instead had much healthier and more budget-friendly dinners, and I think this is a mantra that everyone can benefit from. While sometimes you might quite literally have nothing to work with, there are staples you should always have on hand that make this "no recipe" cooking method a lot easier: eggs (you can put anything in an omelet), chicken (keep it in the freezer and defrost the day you plan to use it), pasta (the ultimate blank-canvas ingredient), and frozen vegetables (no need to always buy fresh at the risk of letting them go bad). Also, save everything (that quarter of an onion will come in handy the next time you sauté garlic or want to add caramelized onions to something).
So now whenever I open my fridge and see a few random jars, some partially wilted spinach, and leftover chicken, I don't think, "time to go out." I think, "what would my mom make?"
- Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
This Mom's "Drunk Dial" Thank-You Call Is Pretty Much How Teacher Appreciation Week Looks This Year
I Appreciate Teachers So HardIt’s Teacher Appreciation week! If social distancing has taught moms anything, it’s to appreciate teachers! Big shout-out to all the teachers this week and always! Virtual hugs, thanks, and cheers to you all! . #teacherappreciationweek #teachers #angelpeople #thankyou #whatyouredoingmatters #love #gratitude #askforaraise #presents #freevacations #allinclusive #monday #maythefourthbewithyou
Posted by imomsohard on Monday, May 4, 2020
It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and if physical distancing has taught parents anything, it's to appreciate teachers.
Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley, the comedy duo behind I Mom So Hard, put together a video that's a painfully accurate accounting of why we value the role of teachers now more than ever.
From navigating Zoom classes that start at 8:11 a.m. to harping on our kids' iPad time (by complaining, "don't you feel like you should watch a movie or TV or something?"), they perfectly reveal why most parents aren't cut out for homeschooling.
The best part of the vid? When Kristin drunk-dials her kid's teacher.
"Hi! I just wanted to tell you that I'm really so grateful for everything you've ever done," she says between gulps of wine while hiding out in a closet. "I regret saying or having any thoughts that teachers have a cush job because you guys get the summers off. I've got two students right now, and they're so mean . . . and they're mine. I don't know how you do it. I wanted to put in two weeks on Day 1."
She ends the desperate call with an even more desperate proclamation: "I love you. I, like, really, really love you."
And because we may not have it in us to craft a thank-you card between learning common core math and pretending to pay attention in conference calls, consider just sending this video to the teachers in your lives. They'll get the message.
My Mom Taught Me This Cooking Tip, and It's the Most Helpful Thing I've Learned
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a house where my mom cooked for our family of six just about every night. My mom is Italian and grew up with seven sisters and two brothers in New York, so her knack for cooking and love of food likely stemmed from sitting down to home-cooked meals with a family of 12 on a regular basis. You could say she knows a thing or two (thousand) about cooking.
Now that I'm an adult and love cooking just as much as she does, I'm always trying to master the art of cooking as a 20-something on a budget. I rely on my mom's passed-down knowledge more than I could have imagined, and while she taught me plenty of recipes (everything I know about pasta, I owe it to her) and has answered an embarrassing number of my mid-cooking-panic questions over the phone, there's one solid piece of cooking advice that has stuck with me the most:
You Can Make Something Out of Nothing
As in, you don't need a recipe to cook something, and you don't have to have a full pantry and fridge to get dinner on the table. My mom is the queen of pulling scraps from the fridge and freezer and seemingly magically turning them into a cohesive, family-approved meal. If she had a dollar for every time one of her kids asked her, "What's for dinner?" she'd definitely be a millionaire, and what I didn't know growing up was that a lot of times she didn't even know what was for dinner as she began making dinner. But lo and behold, she'd make it happen. She'd usually aim to combine some type of protein with a starch and a vegetable, even if that meant throwing everything in a dish and baking it in the oven. My dad has lovingly and hilariously named these creations "bakes." "Oooh, what do we have here, a cheesy chicken bake?" he'll say if he peers into the oven and sees a casserole dish filled with various unidentifiable ingredients. And you know what? They were always delicious.
Related: 45 Mother's Day Gifts That Are Perfect For the Mom Who Loves to Spend Time in the Kitchen
Thanks to my mom's ability to improvise, my family rarely resorted to takeout and instead had much healthier and more budget-friendly dinners, and I think this is a mantra that everyone can benefit from. While sometimes you might quite literally have nothing to work with, there are staples you should always have on hand that make this "no recipe" cooking method a lot easier: eggs (you can put anything in an omelet), chicken (keep it in the freezer and defrost the day you plan to use it), pasta (the ultimate blank-canvas ingredient), and frozen vegetables (no need to always buy fresh at the risk of letting them go bad). Also, save everything (that quarter of an onion will come in handy the next time you sauté garlic or want to add caramelized onions to something).
So now whenever I open my fridge and see a few random jars, some partially wilted spinach, and leftover chicken, I don't think, "time to go out." I think, "what would my mom make?"
- Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
My Mom Taught Me This Cooking Tip, and It's the Most Helpful Thing I've Learned
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a house where my mom cooked for our family of six just about every night. My mom is Italian and grew up with seven sisters and two brothers in New York, so her knack for cooking and love of food likely stemmed from sitting down to home-cooked meals with a family of 12 on a regular basis. You could say she knows a thing or two (thousand) about cooking.
Now that I'm an adult and love cooking just as much as she does, I'm always trying to master the art of cooking as a 20-something on a budget. I rely on my mom's passed-down knowledge more than I could have imagined, and while she taught me plenty of recipes (everything I know about pasta, I owe it to her) and has answered an embarrassing number of my mid-cooking-panic questions over the phone, there's one solid piece of cooking advice that has stuck with me the most:
You Can Make Something Out of Nothing
As in, you don't need a recipe to cook something, and you don't have to have a full pantry and fridge to get dinner on the table. My mom is the queen of pulling scraps from the fridge and freezer and seemingly magically turning them into a cohesive, family-approved meal. If she had a dollar for every time one of her kids asked her, "What's for dinner?" she'd definitely be a millionaire, and what I didn't know growing up was that a lot of times she didn't even know what was for dinner as she began making dinner. But lo and behold, she'd make it happen. She'd usually aim to combine some type of protein with a starch and a vegetable, even if that meant throwing everything in a dish and baking it in the oven. My dad has lovingly and hilariously named these creations "bakes." "Oooh, what do we have here, a cheesy chicken bake?" he'll say if he peers into the oven and sees a casserole dish filled with various unidentifiable ingredients. And you know what? They were always delicious.
Related: 45 Mother's Day Gifts That Are Perfect For the Mom Who Loves to Spend Time in the Kitchen
Thanks to my mom's ability to improvise, my family rarely resorted to takeout and instead had much healthier and more budget-friendly dinners, and I think this is a mantra that everyone can benefit from. While sometimes you might quite literally have nothing to work with, there are staples you should always have on hand that make this "no recipe" cooking method a lot easier: eggs (you can put anything in an omelet), chicken (keep it in the freezer and defrost the day you plan to use it), pasta (the ultimate blank-canvas ingredient), and frozen vegetables (no need to always buy fresh at the risk of letting them go bad). Also, save everything (that quarter of an onion will come in handy the next time you sauté garlic or want to add caramelized onions to something).
So now whenever I open my fridge and see a few random jars, some partially wilted spinach, and leftover chicken, I don't think, "time to go out." I think, "what would my mom make?"
- Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
This $15 Sherpa Pullover Is My No. 1 Cozy Piece, and I Test Loungewear For a Living
Being cozy is always my priority, even when it's May. On chillier nights or when I'm working from home, I like to wear clothes that are easy to lounge around in. Enter the Old Navy Plush Sherpa 1/4-Zip Pullover ($15, originally $45) - when I wear this, I feel like I'm living inside a cloud. It's incredibly soft and includes the perfect side pockets that fit my phone.
Besides being ridiculously comfortable, this pullover is also quite cute. I love the pop of pink on the collar, and the zipper is rose gold. Honestly, it's so heavily discounted, I might as well get a couple more. If you don't believe me, just read the 1,800 awesome reviews on Old Navy's site - other customers are as obsessed as me.
Read on for all the details, and treat yourself to this fluffy little treasure before it sells out. I'm stocking up today.
We'll Spare You the 900+ Pages and Tell You What Happens in I Know This Much Is True
What's the only thing better than Mark Ruffalo? Two Mark Ruffalos. A six-part HBO miniseries, I Know This Much Is True, is premiering on May 10, and in it, Ruffalo plays twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey. The Place Beyond the Pines' Derek Cianfrance directed the series, and other cast members include Rosie O'Donnell, Kathryn Hahn, Juliette Lewis, Melissa Leo, Archie Panjabi, and Imogen Poots. Another important tidbit: the series is actually based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Wally Lamb. We're not sure how close the series will stick to the source material, but if you're curious and don't have time to read the 900-page tome before the series' debut, here's a quick synopsis to fill you in.
Like several of Lamb's other novels, I Know This Much Is True is set in the fictitious town of Three Rivers, CT, and the story is narrated by former high-school English teacher Dominick Birdsey. In the beginning of the novel, readers are introduced to Dominck's twin brother, Thomas, who, despite having paranoid schizophrenia, leads a relatively normal life and maintains a job at a coffee stand - as long as he takes his medication. However, there are times when Thomas experiences severe episodes, and while visiting the Three Rivers Public Library in 1990, Thomas convinces himself that cutting off his own hand will put an end to the Gulf War. Following the episode, Thomas is sent to the state hospital for observation.
Dominick, who both resents and feels responsible for his "older" brother, fights to get Thomas transferred from the depressing hospital into a better environment. Unfortunately, Dominick already has a lot on his plate. His wife left him after their only child died from sudden infant death syndrome, and in his grief, he left teaching to take on a job as a house painter. On top of that, he's struggling with PTSD, and for both his and his brother's sake, Dominick starts seeing a psychologist from the hospital, who also serves as Thomas's new aid. Through Dominick's therapy sessions, it's revealed that the twins don't know who their father is and suffered extensive abuse at the hands of their stepdad. Before dying from breast cancer, the twins' mother left Dominick with their grandfather's autobiography so that he may learn more about their mysterious past.
Eventually, after Dominick discovers and exposes the sexual abuse taking place at the hospital, Thomas is released, but he soon dies from apparent suicide. Following his death, Dominick learns the identity of their birth father - and he also learns that his mom had shared the truth with Thomas long before, though never with him. He feels further betrayed when he discovers that his live-in girlfriend, Joy, has fathered a baby with another man, from whom she also contracted HIV. (Oh, and that secret lover is also Joy's half-uncle.) Dominick is given a chance to reconcile with his ex-wife, and they eventually decide to remarry and adopt Joy's daughter. In the end, Dominick is able to cope with all the loss and pain he's experienced by starting fresh with his wife and their new child.
35 POPSUGAR Fitness Instagram Live Workouts to Get You Moving and Sweating at Home
Need a little home workout motivation? We're teaming up with expert trainers on our POPSUGAR Fitness Instagram page to lead you through inspiring, muscle-strengthening, heart-pounding live workouts. In case you miss any of them, we're adding them to the POPSUGAR Fitness Instagram feed and rounding them all up here so you can follow along when you have time. Choose from a variety of workouts including HIIT, dance cardio, and yoga. Get ready to get sweaty and have fun, and stay tuned to our Instagram for even more live workouts to come!
This $15 Sherpa Pullover Is My No. 1 Cozy Piece, and I Test Loungewear For a Living
Being cozy is always my priority, even when it's May. On chillier nights or when I'm working from home, I like to wear clothes that are easy to lounge around in. Enter the Old Navy Plush Sherpa 1/4-Zip Pullover ($15, originally $45) - when I wear this, I feel like I'm living inside a cloud. It's incredibly soft and includes the perfect side pockets that fit my phone.
Besides being ridiculously comfortable, this pullover is also quite cute. I love the pop of pink on the collar, and the zipper is rose gold. Honestly, it's so heavily discounted, I might as well get a couple more. If you don't believe me, just read the 1,800 awesome reviews on Old Navy's site - other customers are as obsessed as me.
Read on for all the details, and treat yourself to this fluffy little treasure before it sells out. I'm stocking up today.
What I'm Doing at Home to Feel Calm and Centered During These Uncertain Times
Being required to stay at home is a dream come true for some. If you're anything like me, you thrive in quiet spaces and can spend days on end without human interaction. I only have a few close friends, and even before the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked remotely. That said, at some point, even the most introverted among us can start to miss visits from family and happy hour specials with friends. So, how can you stay centered while social distancing, and keep yourself from feeling like the walls are closing in on you?
While I can't control what's happening outside the safety of these walls, I can control my immediate surroundings.
For me, one of the most effective strategies is letting light in. I open as many window blinds as possible to liven up the space and keep my house from feeling like a ghost town. While I can't control what's happening outside the safety of these walls, I can control my immediate surroundings. It's a way of taking my power back and reminding myself that I can positively influence my mood. It's so helpful to see the sunshine peeking through, and the green on the trees reminds me that there is life in abundance, no matter how grim things seem.
Because the news can be frightening, I've also been taking occasional breaks from the digital world. The internet is a source of laughter for me, but it fuels my fears, too. After a while, reading the news and scrolling through social media started to make me feel like the situation on the ground was insurmountable. So, I deleted the Instagram app from my phone for a few days, and began limiting the number of times I check the news to strike a healthier balance.
I'm also journaling daily. It's a simple way of airing my thoughts and putting those nagging worries down on paper, instead of ruminating on them and working myself into a frenzy. After journaling, I take a few moments to close my eyes and meditate. Not only does this help me stay present, but the entire process helps me become more aware of how stress is affecting my mood and behavior and brings me clarity.
Finally, to calm my nerves when I feel trapped, I declutter. When my environment is cluttered, it's almost as if it adds to the racket going on in my head. So, I throw out things I don't need, creating space for positive thoughts and feelings. In a literal sense, it also makes my space feel airy and easier to navigate.
If there's anything I've learned it's that, while being at home for so long can be a scary prospect, it's also an opportunity to slow down and be present. It's something we seldom find the time to do in our fast-paced world. Instead of allowing it to eat away at you, find solitude by rediscovering the simple pleasures that make you feel alive. It could be dancing to unreasonably loud music while you make breakfast. Perhaps it's taking a longer nap than usual. What's most important is that you find an activity that brings you peace and do it often.
We'll Spare You the 900+ Pages and Tell You What Happens in I Know This Much Is True
What's the only thing better than Mark Ruffalo? Two Mark Ruffalos. A six-part HBO miniseries, I Know This Much Is True, is premiering on May 10, and in it, Ruffalo plays twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey. The Place Beyond the Pines' Derek Cianfrance directed the series, and other cast members include Rosie O'Donnell, Kathryn Hahn, Juliette Lewis, Melissa Leo, Archie Panjabi, and Imogen Poots. Another important tidbit: the series is actually based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Wally Lamb. We're not sure how close the series will stick to the source material, but if you're curious and don't have time to read the 900-page tome before the series' debut, here's a quick synopsis to fill you in.
Like several of Lamb's other novels, I Know This Much Is True is set in the fictitious town of Three Rivers, CT, and the story is narrated by former high-school English teacher Dominick Birdsey. In the beginning of the novel, readers are introduced to Dominck's twin brother, Thomas, who, despite having paranoid schizophrenia, leads a relatively normal life and maintains a job at a coffee stand - as long as he takes his medication. However, there are times when Thomas experiences severe episodes, and while visiting the Three Rivers Public Library in 1990, Thomas convinces himself that cutting off his own hand will put an end to the Gulf War. Following the episode, Thomas is sent to the state hospital for observation.
Dominick, who both resents and feels responsible for his "older" brother, fights to get Thomas transferred from the depressing hospital into a better environment. Unfortunately, Dominick already has a lot on his plate. His wife left him after their only child died from sudden infant death syndrome, and in his grief, he left teaching to take on a job as a house painter. On top of that, he's struggling with PTSD, and for both his and his brother's sake, Dominick starts seeing a psychologist from the hospital, who also serves as Thomas's new aid. Through Dominick's therapy sessions, it's revealed that the twins don't know who their father is and suffered extensive abuse at the hands of their stepdad. Before dying from breast cancer, the twins' mother left Dominick with their grandfather's autobiography so that he may learn more about their mysterious past.
Eventually, after Dominick discovers and exposes the sexual abuse taking place at the hospital, Thomas is released, but he soon dies from apparent suicide. Following his death, Dominick learns the identity of their birth father - and he also learns that his mom had shared the truth with Thomas long before, though never with him. He feels further betrayed when he discovers that his live-in girlfriend, Joy, has fathered a baby with another man, from whom she also contracted HIV. (Oh, and that secret lover is also Joy's half-uncle.) Dominick is given a chance to reconcile with his ex-wife, and they eventually decide to remarry and adopt Joy's daughter. In the end, Dominick is able to cope with all the loss and pain he's experienced by starting fresh with his wife and their new child.
What I'm Doing at Home to Feel Calm and Centered During These Uncertain Times
Being required to stay at home is a dream come true for some. If you're anything like me, you thrive in quiet spaces and can spend days on end without human interaction. I only have a few close friends, and even before the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked remotely. That said, at some point, even the most introverted among us can start to miss visits from family and happy hour specials with friends. So, how can you stay centered while social distancing, and keep yourself from feeling like the walls are closing in on you?
While I can't control what's happening outside the safety of these walls, I can control my immediate surroundings.
For me, one of the most effective strategies is letting light in. I open as many window blinds as possible to liven up the space and keep my house from feeling like a ghost town. While I can't control what's happening outside the safety of these walls, I can control my immediate surroundings. It's a way of taking my power back and reminding myself that I can positively influence my mood. It's so helpful to see the sunshine peeking through, and the green on the trees reminds me that there is life in abundance, no matter how grim things seem.
Because the news can be frightening, I've also been taking occasional breaks from the digital world. The internet is a source of laughter for me, but it fuels my fears, too. After a while, reading the news and scrolling through social media started to make me feel like the situation on the ground was insurmountable. So, I deleted the Instagram app from my phone for a few days, and began limiting the number of times I check the news to strike a healthier balance.
I'm also journaling daily. It's a simple way of airing my thoughts and putting those nagging worries down on paper, instead of ruminating on them and working myself into a frenzy. After journaling, I take a few moments to close my eyes and meditate. Not only does this help me stay present, but the entire process helps me become more aware of how stress is affecting my mood and behavior and brings me clarity.
Finally, to calm my nerves when I feel trapped, I declutter. When my environment is cluttered, it's almost as if it adds to the racket going on in my head. So, I throw out things I don't need, creating space for positive thoughts and feelings. In a literal sense, it also makes my space feel airy and easier to navigate.
If there's anything I've learned it's that, while being at home for so long can be a scary prospect, it's also an opportunity to slow down and be present. It's something we seldom find the time to do in our fast-paced world. Instead of allowing it to eat away at you, find solitude by rediscovering the simple pleasures that make you feel alive. It could be dancing to unreasonably loud music while you make breakfast. Perhaps it's taking a longer nap than usual. What's most important is that you find an activity that brings you peace and do it often.
I Can't Wait to Be Able to Give Mi Mamá a Hug Again
Image Source: Maria G. Valdez
The second Sunday of May hasn't affected me in the almost nine years that I've been living in the United States. In the Dominican Republic, Mother's Day is celebrated the last Sunday of May, so that's the day I would FaceTime my mom to find my family together having lunch and congratulate all the mamás there.
This year, however, something is different. American Mother's Day is coming at me hard. I hear my friends' plans of surprising their mothers by showing up at their houses to drop off flowers or presents, or just to see them in person - at a distance - and tell them they love them. I wish I could do that. I wish seeing my mom were as easy as driving to her house.
Yes, technology is great, and before this pandemic, that's how I'd join in the celebrations back home. But I also knew when I'd be back in the DR hugging and kissing everyone, telling them about my adventures in New York City, and, obviously, dodging the "Y el novio?" question young Latinas are bombarded with the minute we step into a room full of our relatives.
Image Source: Robert Vasquez Photography
Today, I don't know for sure when I'll be able to see my parents in person. I do know this will pass, and I do know flying will eventually become second nature to me again. But in the meantime, the uncertainty of the when is making me feel more nostalgic than ever.
I haven't seen my mother since January, when I was lucky enough to celebrate my birthday and her birthday - they happen to be in the same week - back home. We hugged tight and said our I-love-yous before I left for the airport, not knowing it would be the last time for a while we'd be able to embrace like that.
I miss her so much. Like most Latinas, I rely a lot on mi mamá. She's my rock, my confidante. She's the person I call when I need anything, when I need to talk to someone, when I need advice, or when I want to celebrate a milestone or accomplishment. She's been my biggest cheerleader and supporter throughout my whole life, even when I wasn't the best daughter.
When NYC started closing down, I called her and told her that toilet paper, paper towels, and any form of disinfectant were scarce in the city. In true Latina mom form, she found all three and shipped them to me the next day so that I wouldn't need anything. I still don't know how she did it.
Image Source: Maria G. Valdez
She's unstoppable and powerful, and she'll stop at nothing until she knows my siblings and I are taken care of. She reminds us to wear masks and gloves if we need to go outside for any reason and keeps us in check with the grocery items we need to get so we have just what we need throughout the week.
My mom is the type of person that will really leave a mark on your life if you meet her, and that mark is exponentially bigger on me, her daughter. That's why not being able to hug her, kiss her, or even see her in person is hitting me a little harder this Mother's Day, and I know I'm going to go through the same range of emotions on Dominican Mother's Day, as my Dominican friends and I get creative in order to surprise our moms.
Don't get me wrong, we'll most likely do a Zoom lunch and have a wonderful time, laughing, reminiscing, and planning for the future, but I can't wait for the time when I get to see my mom in person and give her the biggest hug of my life.
5 Resistance-Band Exercises That Will Tone Even the Trickiest Spots
Bodyweight exercises are great, but if you want to ramp up your strength training, it's time to start working out with a resistance band. Resistance bands are inexpensive, and by placing extra tension on your muscles, they help to sculpt areas that are often hard to hit, while increasing your overall strength.
Get started with this routine from Austin Johnson, national personal training manager for Gold's Gym. You'll do 15 reps of each exercise for three rounds, with a 60-second rest in between each round. This circuit hits your triceps, biceps, legs, abs, and butt, making it a total-body toner. And while these moves are demonstrated using a resistance band with handles, any type of resistance band will work.
5 Resistance-Band Exercises That Will Tone Even the Trickiest Spots
Bodyweight exercises are great, but if you want to ramp up your strength training, it's time to start working out with a resistance band. Resistance bands are inexpensive, and by placing extra tension on your muscles, they help to sculpt areas that are often hard to hit, while increasing your overall strength.
Get started with this routine from Austin Johnson, national personal training manager for Gold's Gym. You'll do 15 reps of each exercise for three rounds, with a 60-second rest in between each round. This circuit hits your triceps, biceps, legs, abs, and butt, making it a total-body toner. And while these moves are demonstrated using a resistance band with handles, any type of resistance band will work.
I Loved Sweetener Until I Tried These Zero-Sugar, Vitamin-Infused Cold Brew Shots
I've never been a morning person, and as a mom to three boys, I need all the energy I can muster, so I have to rely on coffee to get me going for the day. Although I've always preferred to sweeten my coffee, I was intrigued when I came across Humblemaker Coffee Co. Cold Brew Shots ($28 for eight).
Last year I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and since then, I've been a lot more cognizant about what I'm putting into my body. I battle pain and crippling fatigue every day, like I'm always coming down with a nasty bug. Sometimes I have a bad flare up where it feels like every joint in my body is aching simultaneously, and sugar seems to only make these flares worse.
Although I've always preferred to sweeten my coffee, I do enjoy premium cold brew and figured that these two-ounce shots would be a perfect sugar-free pick-me-up, with the added benefit of vitamins and antioxidants. Humblemaker's cold brew shots are made with responsibly sourced, organic coffee that is brewed cold from start to finish. They come in three unique flavors: Boomtowne, a triple strength, black cold brew with B complex vitamins, biotin, and folate; Black Sea, a Turkish cold brew with cardamom and clove, as well as L-theanine and ginseng; and my personal favorite, La Fonda, a Mexican cold brew with cinnamon and cacao, blended with vitamin C, selenium, and antioxidants from green tea.
These shots can be added to your morning coffee or smoothie, but I prefer to drink them straight up - a no-fuss, tasty way to power up while I make breakfast for my kids. My body tends to be stiff and sore in the morning, and these cold brew shots help to at least clear the brain fog while my joints loosen up. I also find them to be helpful later in the day, a much healthier option for getting over that early-afternoon slump than a sugary snack or drink.
I didn't think I could give up my hefty dollop of sweetener, but Humblemaker's cold brew shots have changed my mind. Drinking a full cup of cheap, hot black coffee isn't my thing, but adding these yummy little drinks to my morning routine feels like a no-brainer.
Misty Copeland and 31 Ballerinas From Around the World Danced Together, and It's Mesmerizing
Like countless other arts organizations, ballet companies depend on ticket sales to stay in operation, but selling tickets is impossible when performance venues are closed. The coronavirus outbreak has shut down theaters, museums, galleries, studios, and opera houses, and as a result, culture is suffering just as much as the economy. Of course, artists and performers who don't know when they'll see another paycheck are also taking a major hit. That's why American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland and her former colleague, Joseph Phillips, decided to launch Swans for Relief, a special video performance featuring dancers from ballet companies around the world.
With help from the Entertainment Industry Foundation and seed funding provided by K Period Media, Copeland and Phillips were able to organize the virtual event with the goal of raising money for ballet dancers struggling with rent and other living expenses. The video performance features 32 ballerinas representing 22 ballet companies from 14 countries, including the US, the UK, Australia, South Africa, Norway, Russia, Cuba, France, the Philippines, Canada, Austria, Mexico, Denmark, and China. Though scattered throughout the world, the 32 dancers all perform a variation from Le Cygne (The Swan), accompanied by cellist Wade Davis, and the result is pretty magical.
While the video performance is free to watch, the campaign asks that supporters donate whatever they can on Swans for Relief's GoFundMe page. Copeland and Phillips hope to raise $500,000, and those proceeds will be distributed to the relief funds of the participating dancers' companies.
As the organizers explained on the GoFundMe page, "Art brings people together to provide a beautiful escape, and ballet in particular is a very unifying experience both on and off the stage, filled with history and imagination." This video certainly proves how powerful it is when performers with a shared cause come together.
I Loved Sweetener Until I Tried These Zero-Sugar, Vitamin-Infused Cold Brew Shots
I've never been a morning person, and as a mom to three boys, I need all the energy I can muster, so I have to rely on coffee to get me going for the day. Although I've always preferred to sweeten my coffee, I was intrigued when I came across Humblemaker Coffee Co. Cold Brew Shots ($28 for eight).
Last year I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and since then, I've been a lot more cognizant about what I'm putting into my body. I battle pain and crippling fatigue every day, like I'm always coming down with a nasty bug. Sometimes I have a bad flare up where it feels like every joint in my body is aching simultaneously, and sugar seems to only make these flares worse.
Although I've always preferred to sweeten my coffee, I do enjoy premium cold brew and figured that these two-ounce shots would be a perfect sugar-free pick-me-up, with the added benefit of vitamins and antioxidants. Humblemaker's cold brew shots are made with responsibly sourced, organic coffee that is brewed cold from start to finish. They come in three unique flavors: Boomtowne, a triple strength, black cold brew with B complex vitamins, biotin, and folate; Black Sea, a Turkish cold brew with cardamom and clove, as well as L-theanine and ginseng; and my personal favorite, La Fonda, a Mexican cold brew with cinnamon and cacao, blended with vitamin C, selenium, and antioxidants from green tea.
These shots can be added to your morning coffee or smoothie, but I prefer to drink them straight up - a no-fuss, tasty way to power up while I make breakfast for my kids. My body tends to be stiff and sore in the morning, and these cold brew shots help to at least clear the brain fog while my joints loosen up. I also find them to be helpful later in the day, a much healthier option for getting over that early-afternoon slump than a sugary snack or drink.
I didn't think I could give up my hefty dollop of sweetener, but Humblemaker's cold brew shots have changed my mind. Drinking a full cup of cheap, hot black coffee isn't my thing, but adding these yummy little drinks to my morning routine feels like a no-brainer.
Misty Copeland and 31 Ballerinas From Around the World Danced Together, and It's Mesmerizing
Like countless other arts organizations, ballet companies depend on ticket sales to stay in operation, but selling tickets is impossible when performance venues are closed. The coronavirus outbreak has shut down theaters, museums, galleries, studios, and opera houses, and as a result, culture is suffering just as much as the economy. Of course, artists and performers who don't know when they'll see another paycheck are also taking a major hit. That's why American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland and her former colleague, Joseph Phillips, decided to launch Swans for Relief, a special video performance featuring dancers from ballet companies around the world.
With help from the Entertainment Industry Foundation and seed funding provided by K Period Media, Copeland and Phillips were able to organize the virtual event with the goal of raising money for ballet dancers struggling with rent and other living expenses. The video performance features 32 ballerinas representing 22 ballet companies from 14 countries, including the US, the UK, Australia, South Africa, Norway, Russia, Cuba, France, the Philippines, Canada, Austria, Mexico, Denmark, and China. Though scattered throughout the world, the 32 dancers all perform a variation from Le Cygne (The Swan), accompanied by cellist Wade Davis, and the result is pretty magical.
While the video performance is free to watch, the campaign asks that supporters donate whatever they can on Swans for Relief's GoFundMe page. Copeland and Phillips hope to raise $500,000, and those proceeds will be distributed to the relief funds of the participating dancers' companies.
As the organizers explained on the GoFundMe page, "Art brings people together to provide a beautiful escape, and ballet in particular is a very unifying experience both on and off the stage, filled with history and imagination." This video certainly proves how powerful it is when performers with a shared cause come together.
If You Love Reformation's Dresses, These Are the 14 You'll Want For Summer
We love Reformation for its versatile and flattering dresses, and we can't wait to snag a new one this season. Whether you're looking for a comfortable midi dress to wear around the house or a cute mini to take selfies in, the site has it all. Top help find the best options, we made it easy and uncovered the hottest picks right now.
The brand let us in on a secret of its bestselling and most popular picks of the season, so all you have to do is shop. Plus, we added in a few of our favorites that are on our wish list right now, too. Keep reading to shop them all and upgrade your closet ASAP.
If You Love Reformation's Dresses, These Are the 14 You'll Want For Summer
We love Reformation for its versatile and flattering dresses, and we can't wait to snag a new one this season. Whether you're looking for a comfortable midi dress to wear around the house or a cute mini to take selfies in, the site has it all. Top help find the best options, we made it easy and uncovered the hottest picks right now.
The brand let us in on a secret of its bestselling and most popular picks of the season, so all you have to do is shop. Plus, we added in a few of our favorites that are on our wish list right now, too. Keep reading to shop them all and upgrade your closet ASAP.
Get to Know Todd Spiewak, Jim Parsons's Other Half of Almost 20 Years
Jim Parsons, known for his award-winning role as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory, has an equally talented and equally low-key other half as his biggest cheerleader: his husband, Todd Spiewak. Todd, who is an Emmy-nominated producer himself, met Jim back in 2002 on a blind date. At the time, Todd was working as a graphic designer in the advertising industry, and he and Jim hit it off on their karaoke date.
Todd holds a BFA in graphic design from Boston University and worked on campaigns with notable brands like American Express, Barnes & Noble, and The New York Times. In the years since Todd and Jim have been together, Todd has moved into the TV industry, and his most notable project is as executive producer for the show Young Sheldon. He and Jim also own their own production company called That's Wonderful Productions that they started in 2015.
As a couple, Jim and Todd remain pretty private about their lives, even forbidding cell phones at their wedding in 2017. They wed at New York City's famed Rainbow Room in May of that year after Jim had dealt with fielding questions for years about whether or not the two would get married. The couple do show up on red carpets together from time to time, especially to support organizations they care about, like GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, which honored them both with the Inspiration Award in 2013. Check out some of the other events the two have gone to together in the gallery ahead.
vendredi 8 mai 2020
These Adorable Inflatable Pools Start at $33, So You Have Permission to Start Summer Early
Minnidip is giving us a taste of Summer, just as we're pulling ourselves out of these last spring weeks. As we stock up on pool floats and frozen cocktails, warmer weather takes up more space in our brains. Seems like everything's calling out to the playful months ahead, including these adorable kiddie pools.
The standard-sized Minnidip inflatable pools ($45 to $80 each) fit up to three adults and are ideal for kids ages 6 and up, while the new "minni-minni" inflatable pools ($33) are smaller and made for kids ages 3 and up. Grab yourself a watermelon- or lemon-themed pool, as designed by Emily Vaca. With sizes that range from 4-feet wide and 1-foot tall for the minni-minni to 6.5-feet wide and 1.8-feet tall, a group of kiddos can easily splash around to cool down. Are you dreaming of backyard R&R already? Ahead, see all the Minnidip pools available, and check the Minnidip website for restocks. These are so popular, they are selling out fast!
- Additional reporting by Tara Block
Dunkin's DIY Doughnut Kits Are Packed With Sprinkles and Frosting For Decorating at Home
Hold onto your sprinkles, dessert-lovers, because Dunkin' Donuts now has DIY doughnut kits. So who's ready to have an at-home doughnut decorating party? The kits, available at select locations across the country, come in small boxes of four doughnuts for $6 or large boxes of nine doughnuts for $10.
The idea for the kits was born after Norma Valkenaar, a Dunkin' Donuts employee in Concord, CA, asked to bring home some doughnuts, frosting, and sprinkles at the end of the day for her two nephews. After seeing how happy the boys were, Norma and her boss Matt Cobo started creating kits to drop off on doorsteps in their local neighborhoods. As a result of the kind gesture, Dunkin' franchise owners across the country have begun following in their footsteps.
"This is our small way of trying to brighten someone's day," said Matt. "The simple joy of getting to create your own donut can make kids light up, and if we can be a part of creating that moment, that makes us happy." Keep scrolling to take a look at some of the sweet creations doughnut-lovers have already managed to make with their DIY doughnut kits ahead.
Kelly Clarkson on Her Son's Progress With Speech Therapy Following Hearing Issues
Image Source: Getty / Taylor Hill
Parenting curve balls will hit you when you least expect them, and Kelly Clarkson and her husband Brandon Blackstock can absolutely relate. In a recent interview with People, Kelly revealed that her 4-year-old son Remy suffered a wax buildup in his ears when he was younger, creating speech and hearing issues for him, but he's recently made some impressive progress. "He had a speech problem because he had this ear problem when he was a baby; we didn't know," she said. "But way deep down in his ears, he got clogged up with a ton of wax where we thought, almost, he was deaf because he spoke as if he was underwater."
While the issue was only temporary, Kelly explained that the wax buildup set her son back nine months in terms of progress with his speech. So she and her husband have been working hard to help him improve everyday. "He's still [seeing] his speech therapist via Zoom," she said. "The big milestone for us is Remy getting to really find out his own personality and his identity, because it's been frustrating for him to not be able to really vocalize his emotion . . . The fact that he's making full sentences now and full-on engaging with us is really a blessing."
As a mom to 4-year-old Remy and 5-year-old River Rose, Kelly knows how difficult parenting can be given the current state of the world. As a special treat to expecting moms, Kelly is partnering with Carter's apparel company to host ShowHER Love, a virtual baby shower for moms whose baby showers have been cancelled amid the coronavirus outbreak. The event is exclusive to 100 lucky moms and registration is open through May 23.
Kelly is currently social distancing in a cabin in Montana with Brandon, his 13-year-old son Seth, River Rose, and Remy. "We've been in really close quarters and it's been kind of nuts, I'm not going to lie," she added. At the end of the day, Kelly is glad she and her family are safe, and she hopes to continue spreading positivity to her fans.
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