Category Archives: LIFE

9 Beautiful Movies About Travel

We watch movies to laugh, to learn, and to feel something new. In large part, we watch them to escape reality. We experience something through the screen that we might not experience otherwise. It’s a glimpse into someone else’s life—a chance to put your own mind on mute while you live in another world for a few hours. And while nothing beats packing your bags and leaving on an adventure, an inspiring travel film comes in second. Maybe your schedule doesn’t allow a getaway; or perhaps you haven’t found something budget-friendly. Maybe you simply want to cure your case of wanderlust without having to get up off the couch. Whatever your reasons may be, if you’re looking for some of the most beautiful movies about travel, you’ve come to the right place.

1. Eat Pray Love

Liz Gilbert (Julia Roberts) seemingly has it all: the career, the husband, the home. But after going through a rather painful divorce, she’s left feeling lost and isolated. She embarks on a journey around the world to rediscover herself, indulging in delicious food in Italy, learning the power of prayer in India, and finding peace and love in Bali. Eat Pray Love is not just visually stunning; it grabs a hold of your heart and doesn’t let go.

2. Into the Wild


Here’s something many of us considered doing at one point in our lives: After graduating from college, Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) leaves behind all his belongings, gives his savings to charity, and hitchhikes to Alaska to experience and live in the wilderness. What makes this even cooler is that it’s based on a true story.

3. Wild


You’ll never forget Reese Witherspoon’s portrayal of Cheryl Strayed after the end of her marriage and her mother’s passing. Hopeless and self-destructive, Strayed embarks on a thousand-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail—alone. This movie makes you feel unlike any other film will, as you share in her journey of fear, finding hope, and ultimately, healing.

4. The Beach


This is certainly a movie of unpredictable adventures. While traveling in Bangkok, American backpacker Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) comes across a map that reportedly leads to an isolated island paradise kept a hidden secret from most. He’s able to make his way to this beach utopia but soon learns that everything is not as it seems. DiCaprio’s performance is, as always, unforgettable.

5. Under the Tuscan Sun


Similar to Eat Pray Love, this movie follows a woman named Frances (Diane Lane)—a professor and author—who has just found out that her husband is leaving her for the woman he’s been having an affair with. She escapes her home in San Francisco for a trip to Tuscany with the help of a friend, and in a series of somewhat odd events, ends of purchasing a run-down villa. It’s a beautiful story of heartache, healing, and remembering how to love yourself.

6. Lost in Translation

An unlikely friendship forms between aging movie star Bob (Bill Murray) and recent college graduate Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson)—both of whom are a little lost in life—when they cross paths in Tokyo. The movie portrays not just the isolation they feel being in a strange country, but also the obstacles they face in their own personal lives.

7. The Bucket List


Full disclosure: This one is a real tearjerker. But it’s hard to resist the touching story of Edward (Jack Nicholson) and Carter (Morgan Freeman)—two men from very different walks of life with one thing in common: their terminal illnesses. Together, they decide to ditch the hospital to scratch off the items on their bucket lists. While their adventures certainly brighten their days, it’s ultimately the friendship they form that gets them through their troubles.

8. Vicky Cristina Barcelona


Gal pals Vicky and Cristina are enjoying their summer in Spain when they meet and are immediately fascinated by an artist named Juan Antonio. While he finds himself attracted to the both of them, he’s still hooked on his ex-wife, who is quite the emotional (and also unstable) character. The film won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy.

9. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants


Based on the book by Anne Brashares, this flick follows four best friends who spend the summer apart. While they can’t be together, a pair of jeans that magically fits all of them is passed between them, keeping them together in another way, and sharing in their adventures.

5 Money Myths You Shouldn’t Believe

Real talk: how much thought do you give to your personal finances? The mention of the topic may cause you to break out in a hot sweat. Cool it. Despite what you may think, managing your money doesn’t have to be the terrifying unknown, despite all the money myths blurring reality.

When you take control of your finances, it can be a liberating experience. “It’s almost an empowerment conversation,” explains Dr. Sean Stein Smith, accounting expert and assistant professor at Lehman College, part of the City University of New York, “because money can be a difficult topic to talk about for a lot of people, for a whole host of reasons.”

An analogy he likes to use is that of a bus driver: are you the one driving the bus or are you being driven by it? The answer should be clear enough. “You’re the one driving the bus on the highway that is your life and money is the gas.”

While you certainly need money to get places in life, it by no means determines the direction you go in. So, let’s take a quick moment to bust open some of the most common money myths.

The Top 5 Money Myths

1. Your Personal Life and Financial Life Are Separate

person doing finances

“We all know that everyone is pulled in a whole bunch of different directions — it’s your personal life, it’s your work life, educational life,” explains Dr. Stein Smith. “It’s almost as if your personal finances are off on an island alone and really, that is not the case. Personal finances influence — and are influenced by — every other aspect of your life.”

Rather than seeing your money as a separate issue, it should be a central part of your day-to-day life. In the same way we spend time looking at social media apps and our email, we should be keeping on top of our finances and monitoring them. What’s more, thanks to the blessings of modern technology, doing so couldn’t be easier.

“If you’re trying to figure out how your personal finances are influencing the rest of your life, take advantage of all of the tools that are out there to keep an eye on it on an ongoing basis,” says Dr. Stein Smith.

“Almost every kind of app has the ability to email you notifications when there is a charge on that account or even give you a text message update or push notification.” Of course, when you’re out in public, safety comes first. Before you log in to a banking app or even an e-commerce site, be sure to connect to a secure network.

2. If You’re in Debt, It’s Too Late to Fix Your Finances

woman stressed about finances

If financial freedom is heaven, then debt has to be hell. When you’re struggling to dig yourself out of money woes, the thought of dealing with your finances can be too much to bear. You might think you’ve already lost out and the best you can do is simply try to get by. And yet, it’s that defeatist attitude that stops you from moving forward.

“If you know that you have debt, it can be quite frightening to even go and take a look at that information. What I always try to say is that when you’re a kid and there’s a monster under the bed or in the closet, it can be terrifying,” says Dr. Stein Smith. “But after you actually go under the bed and take a look at it with a flashlight or go into the closet and look, it’s not so bad after all, right? There is no monster.”

No matter what financial situation you’re in right now, there are ways in which you can improve it. Dr. Stein Smith says there are tactics you can take to get a better handle on your money.

For example, you could consolidate your debt using a credit card with low interest or start by paying off your debt with the highest interest first. What matters is you stop ignoring your financial woes and take action.

3. You Need a Lot of Money to Build Your Wealth

busting money myths

Only millionaires can build wealth, right? Um, wrong. You don’t need a massive lump sum of money to start investing in your future. If you’re looking for a way to start building your personal wealth, the key is to start small.

“If your employer offers a 401k, 403b, or any other option like that and they offer any sort of matching, take advantage of it,” says Dr. Stein Smith. “Put in every dollar up to that matching threshold, and then you will get that employer matching; that’s the closest way to get free money or to get a guaranteed return on your investment.”

4. There’s a “Right” Time to Save for Your Future

woman putting coin in piggy bank

“I’d say there’s no time that is too early,” says Dr. Stein Smith. “The one idea I try to push is even if you don’t want to think of it as saving for retirement, then break it down into saving for whatever short-to-medium term goals are interesting to you.”

Since attempting to save for retirement can be an intimidating feat, he recommends starting small and working your way up to that goal. Choose short-term targets, such as saving for a vacation, a down payment on a car, or even money to go back to college. Practicing saving for smaller, more manageable things is a great place to start.

“Whatever goals are important to you,” he explains. “I’d focus your saving efforts there and build on that. And then over time, as you get better at it, your orientation and your outlook might actually change.” When you see how saving benefits you, you might just find that tackling that big old retirement fund feels less intimidating.

5. You Don’t Have Time to Manage Your Money

woman pointing to watch

It’s a common myth that keeping on top of your personal money is too time-consuming to handle. When you work it into your daily routine, it doesn’t have to be a stress.

“If you have half an hour to be on Twitter every day, then you definitely have ten minutes to go through your personal financial data to make sure that everything is 1) accurate and 2) up to date,” says Dr. Stein Smith. “Check that you aren’t accidentally paying for stuff you’re not using anymore or that a person who has joint access to your account hasn’t accidentally signed you up for something else.”

Start Small, but Start Now!

Taking control of your personal finances is easier than you think. You don’t have to tackle all your money issues at once — start small and chip away at it bit by bit. If you’d like some unbiased financial advice, head to 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy. You can also follow Dr. Sean Stein Smith on Twitter at @seansteinsmith.

The Best Sleep Money Can Buy

Let’s talk about sleep, baby. Be honest. Are you getting enough? Probably not, if: someone snores way too loud, flops from side to side all night, hogs the blankets or drags their workday baggage into bed like a soggy duvet. Sleep deprivation doesn’t help when you’re paying the cost to be the boss at the office, the gym, or the carpool lane.

The good news is that you actually can twist the “snooze or lose” equation in your favor without medicinal aid. But it’ll still cost ya. Business is booming for innovators in the deep sleep industry, and it’s truly in your best interest to buy in. Here, we’ve selected six items to help you get the best sleep money can buy.

Ghosts in “The Machine”

The launch of Casper’s new dual-layered pillows haunts competitors because they uphold the “snooze control” mystique that the brand’s mattresses have generated.

Casper Pillow
The Casper Pillow | Image Courtesy of ©Casper

Sound Asleep

Without the need for headphones or the threat of disturbing a bedmate, the Dream Pad pillow emits soothing musical vibrations through the inner ear via a wireless connection with smart phones.

dreampad pillows bed
All four sizes of the Dreampad pillows | Image courtesy of Dreampad

Siesta in Sync

Consumer Reports ranks the Ikea MORGONGÅVA (queen-size) mattress among the market’s best for ease of movement and lowest disturbance of a partner’s peaceful slumber. Bonus: It’s one of the few Ikea items outside of the food court that doesn’t require assembly.

couple sleeping in bed

Dryer Sheets

Recycle the bed sweat you dread nightly with a 37.5 (Celcius) Sheet Performance set that gradually converts absorbed moisture into a vapor that regulates body temperature and reduces the need to flip the pillow over and over.

sheets in bed
Image via Stocksnap under license CC0

Rise and Shine

Hit the sack with your mind at ease, knowing that the Crane + Canopy Nova Duvet cover lightens the chore of making the bed in the morning.  The design combines the duvet cover and flat sheet, shortening the time needed to straighten up and start fresh by 80 percent.

Bedroom interior in modern style, 3d images

Haute Pajamas

Fashion’s most influential arbiters currently rave about the “pajama look” that dispels previous notions about how to work the pre-dawn walk of shame. Suddenly, it’s stylish to stroll out for breakfast wearing little else than what looks like your boyfriend’s shirt. Labels like For Restless Sleepers defy explanations of how, when or where you slept.

fashionable sleep

5 Celebrity Parents Who Used Surrogates

The road to parenthood can be fraught with speed bumps, from infertility to being single to sexual orientation. So, we’re highlighting five famous men and women who have bridged the “infertility gap” by using surrogates to expand their families.

Tyra Banks

“[When] I was 23-years-old, I used to tell myself ‘in three years I’m going to have kids,'” says Tyra Banks, a former supermodel, entrepreneur, and CEO. “When I turned 40, the one thing I was not happy about is that I did not have kids.” After years of IVF procedures, in January of 2016, the 43-year-old actress and her longtime boyfriend, Norwegian photographer Eric Asla, welcomed their first child, York Banks Asla, via surrogate.

“He’s got my fingers and big eyes and his daddy Erik’s mouth and chin,” Banks wrote in an Instagram post accompanying the photo of his baby hat. “We thank the angel of a woman that carried our miracle baby boy for us. We pray for everyone who struggles to reach this joyous milestone.”

While the couple of five years split last October, it’s been reported that the America’s Next Top Model host is working on having another baby, again with the help of a surrogate. She’s itching for a mini-version of herself to dress up. “I don’t just want one child. I want a litter,” Banks said. “And I want to be the kind of mom where my child can come to me for anything.”

Kim Kardashian West

Kim Kardashian and Kayne West—arguably the world’s most famous celeb couples—have long been open about their struggles with fertility. During the birth of their first child, North, Kardashian suffered from placenta accreta: a dangerous complication where the placenta grows so deeply into the uterus that it cannot be separated after delivery, resulting in postpartum hemorrhage and infertility.

“My doctor actually had to stick his entire arm in me and detach the placenta with his hand, scraping it away from my uterus with his fingernails,” she says. “After all of that, I still had a piece of placenta attached inside of me, and I had to have surgery to remove it. Then I had another surgery to remove the scar tissue.”

After struggling to conceive their second child, Saint, the couple opted to have their third via surrogate. On January 15, 2018, Kardashian wrote on her website: “We are incredibly grateful to our surrogate [37-year-old Lorena] who made our dreams come true with the greatest gift one could give [our daughter Chicago] and to our wonderful doctors and nurses for their special care.”

Party of 5

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Jimmy Fallon

After struggling for five years to get pregnant, Jimmy Fallon and his wife, producer Nancy Juvonen, have something new to write thank you notes about: they’ve been accepted into the two-daughters club. “It’s true. [For both pregnancies] we had a surrogate. I can’t say anything more because I don’t know what the rules are,” said Fallon, clarifying why the pregnancies were kept top secret. “I just want to say that there are angels in Dallas, Texas, so thank you so much.”

The proud papa of daughters Winnie Rose, 4, and Frances, 3, The Tonight Show host says their “awful” and “depressing” struggle was more than worth it. His advice: “If there’s anyone out there who is trying and they’re just losing hope…try every avenue; try anything you can do, ’cause you’ll get there. You’ll end up with a family, and it’s so worth it.”

Lucy Liu

“I was so passionate and so directed in working on my career…[that] it never occurred to me that time was flying by,” says actress, producer, and singer Lucy Liu.  “[The TV-show Elementary]…gave me the ability to take a moment, take a breather, and in that time I was able to then make the decision to go ahead and use a surrogate,” Liu said.

In August of 2015, when the single mother introduced her newest bundle of joy, Rockwell Lloyd Liu, via Instagram, she was negatively criticized by fans on social media. She responded by saying, “You don’t have to have a traditional family. It doesn’t matter the machinations of how things occur. How you love and parent a child is most important. That’s the support system, really.”

Keeping the whole family safe!! Thanks @nuna_usa

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Ellen Pompeo

Although Ellen Pompeo is typically hush-hush about her personal life, the Grey’s Anatomy actress and her husband, producer Chris Ivery, announced the arrival of their third child, son Eli Christopher who was born via a surrogate, on Instagram in December of 2016. Pompeo gave birth to the couple’s first daughter, Stella Luna, while their second daughter, Sienna May, was also born via a surrogate.

The highest-paid primetime actress opened up about the surrogacy process on Jimmy Kimmel Live!: “This is an incredible thing to do with your life, to give the gift of carrying someone’s child. I am forever grateful and feel very blessed and grateful to her—she who will remain anonymous. I was there with her when they inseminated her, and we held hands. I looked into the microscope, and I saw the embryo.”

When your mama stunts…..@harryjoshhair as usual 📸 by @hellmannsam

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These 6 Matcha Recipes Will Level Up Your Cooking Skills

Antioxidants – check. Good for your metabolism – check. Good for your heart – check. By now you’re likely well versed in the benefits of matcha. Part of the Japanese culture since the 12th Century, the superfood has been showing up at cafes, restaurants, and health food stores throughout the U.S. in recent years. But as popular as matcha is, its grassy taste is still a bit of an acquired one. Luckily you don’t just have to drink matcha to get its benefit. The green tea is a versatile cooking ingredient, you can add into shakes, hot chocolate, and even pasta. Check out these matcha recipes that make it easy to add the superfood into your everyday diet.

 

Blueberry Matcha Cooler

Blueberry Matcha Cooler by Raw Generation
Blueberry Matcha Cooler by Raw Generation

This refreshing smoothie from Raw Generation was made for spring. It’ll keep you energized all morning or work as an afternoon pick-me-up.

Serves: 1

Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c frozen blueberries

1 1/2 c water (or use a bottle of your favorite Raw Generation juice as your liquid ingredient)

1 tsp matcha green tea powder

1 tbsp coconut oil

A few dashes of ginger

Optional-sweeten with a couple of dates

Puree ingredients in blender until smooth and enjoy!

 

Matcha Green Tea Gelato

Matcha green tea gelato
Match Green Tea Gelato by Chef Jimmy MacMillan

Chef Jimmy MacMillan, a pastry chef with DineAmic Group, is a huge fan of matcha. “The flavor profile has such a unique rich taste that it is simple to include it in just about any dessert.” His recipe for matcha gelato will let those with a sweet-tooth get their ice cream fix without the guilt.

Serves: 8

Time:1 hour

Ingredients:

2 tbsp matcha green tea powder

3 oz sugar

1 oz milk powder

1 oz egg yolks

16 oz milk sup Bia

2 1/2 oz butter

In a small plastic container with a lid, combine matcha green tea powder, sugar, and milk powder.

In a small saucepan, whisk together milk and egg yolks. Add butter and warm over low heat, stirring constantly until butter is melted.

Add the combined matcha powder, sugar, and milk powder mixture to the saucepan, a little at a time, stirring continuously.

Gently raise heat and continue stirring until gelato mixture reaches 150F.

Strain through a fine mesh strainer into bowl and chill immediately to 46F.

Blend on low speed with hand blender (this will create a superior mouth feel).

Process in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Keep Matcha Green Tea Gelato frozen until ready to serve.

 

Matcha Hot Chocolate

Matcha Hot Chocolate by Hello Fresh
Matcha Hot Chocolate by Hello Fresh

 

Upgrade the childhood favorite with a bit of matcha. This matcha hot chocolate recipe from Hello Fresh is full of chocolatey goodness with a superfood boost sure to help you relax after a long day.

Serves: 2

Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 tbsp matcha powder

10 oz milk

50 g white chocolate

3-4 large marshmallows

Sift matcha powder into a saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons milk and whisk until no lumps remain. Whisk in remaining milk and add white chocolate.

Heat over medium-low, and stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is warm.

Top with marshmallows and a sprinkle of matcha powder.

 

Matcha Pasta

Matcha-Pasta by Jenny Dorsey
Matcha Pasta by Jenny Dorsey

Yes, there is such a thing as matcha Pasta and it’s delicious. Professional chef and artist Jenny Dorsey created this matcha Pasta recipe that adds a healthy twist to comfort food.

Serves: 8

Time: Roughly 90 minutes

Ingredients:

400g 00 flour

100g semolina flour

20g culinary grade matcha powder

10g salt

345g eggs

Add flours, matcha, and salt to KitchenAid mixer. Create a well and add eggs.

Knead with dough hook, 2-3 minutes, until mixture forms a ball. Remove dough and knead by hand for 10 minutes.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and let rest 1 hour.

Process through pasta sheeter and/or slicer to desired shape.

Suggested toppings: dashi cream sauce, crab, ikura (salmon roe), uni and nori flakes.

Almond Green Tea Pancakes

Almond Green Tea Pancakes by Birch Benders
Almond Green Tea Pancakes by Birch Benders

There are more ways to add matcha to your morning routine than simply tea. Birch Benders’  recipe for Almond Green Tea Pancakes has us planning Sunday brunch on a Monday.

Makes: 2 stacks

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

3/4 c Birch Bender Protein Pancake & Waffle Mix

2/3 c almond milk

4 tbsp matcha powder

Almonds for garnish

Heat a griddle or skillet to medium-high heat, about 375°F. The pan is hot enough when flecks of water sizzle off quickly after contact. If using a cast iron pan, keep an eye on your heat as the pan will hold heat well and you may need to turn down your burner over time.

Lightly grease pan.

Heat almond milk to a light simmer, about 170°. Stir in matcha powder.

Combine Birch Benders and matcha-infused milk. Using a 1/4 c measure, scoop batter into pan, one or two pancakes at a time, depending on the size of your pan.

Cook until bubbles have formed and popped, and the sides are mostly dry.

Turn once, cook an additional minute. Remove from heat. Store in a 200° oven while you continue making all the batter into pancakes.

Top with maple syrup and garnish with almonds.

 

Matcha Shortbread Cookies with Vanilla Bean Glaze

matcha recipes
Matcha Cookies by Mountain Rose Herbs

These vanilla glazed cookies from Mountain Rose Herbs are so good, you’ll crave the last crumb.

Makes: 36 Cookies

Time:  30 minutes, active time

Ingredients:

Matcha Shortbread Cookies

  • 2 c organic flour
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 c organic powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp organic matcha powder
  • 2 sticks (1 c) organic unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract

Vanilla Glaze

Cookies:

Sift the dry cookie dough ingredients into a small bowl.

In another bowl, cream the softened butter, sugar, and almond extract. Mix in dry ingredients.

Divide dough in half and shape into a log. Wrap dough.

Chill dough for at least a half-hour in the refrigerator until completely firm.

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Lightly flour your work surface, top of dough, and knife.

Cut log into 1/4-inch slices.

Place on silicone baking mat or parchment paper lined baking sheets. Leaving 1/4-inch between slices.

Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden at the edges.

Allow cookies to cool completely before glazing.

Glaze:

Split a vanilla bean in half and scrape out the seed pulp.

Reserve the pulp.

Add the outer pod into your bottle of homemade vanilla extract, optional.

Slowly heat the chopped white chocolate in a double boiler and stir until melted.

Stir in the vanilla bean seed pulp.

Slowly add heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, stirring until smooth.

Gradually cool glaze, stirring every few minutes until firm enough to spread without running.

Glaze cookies with a butter knife.

Allow glaze to set before serving or storing. If you’re in a rush, place the glazed cookies in the freezer for five minutes.

 

How to Stop Snoring From Ruining Your Relationship

You tuck yourself in between freshly washed sheets, find that perfect position, pull down your eye mask, and start to drift off to the land of nod. It’s a blissful feeling. You feel your troubles and worries melting away as you gently fall to sleep. Then you hear it. It sounds like large pieces of gravel being thrown around in a cement churner. The continuous, repetitive, and hella annoying sound of your partner snoring is back. It wakes you from your doze. You can’t ignore the sound. What’s more, it could be affecting more than your 40 winks. How’s a gal to deal? If you learn how to stop snoring — or at least reduce it — both you and your partner will sleep more soundly.

Women who sleep next to snorers are three times more likely to report cases of insomnia, according to The Married Couples Sleep Study. Researchers also found a strong link between partners who snore and low levels of satisfaction in the marriage. Yes, that means bae’s noisy nighttime problem could be destroying your relationship, one irritating sound at a time. So, how can you put a stop to it?

Encourage Them to Make Healthy Changes

You shouldn’t ignore that snore! Snoring could be a sign of underlying health problems. Previous research into the area has suggested this sleep condition could indicate some serious future health risks. While there’s no need to panic, you may want to talk to your partner and encourage them to get checked out. A quick trip to the doctor could be just the thing to set your mind at rest.

Additionally, there are some health changes your partner could make that may lessen the snoring or (fingers crossed!) stop it altogether. The NHS suggests quitting or cutting down on smoking and not drinking alcohol before bed. It can’t hurt to ask your partner to make these simple lifestyle changes.

pouring wine from a bottle

Ask Them to Sleep on Their Side

You may have heard rumors that people’s sleep position affects their snoring, but surely that can’t be the case, right? Well, the jury’s out on this one. While there’s no solid research in the area, many seem to believe when people sleep on their side, the snoring stops.

The theory says a person’s ability to breathe is directly affected by the position in which they happen to sleep. On their back, their tongue and the soft palate of their throat touch. That blockage causes the continuous vibrations that contribute to snoring. Asking your partner to switch things up and sleep on their back could prevent this from happening.

Improve Their Sleep Routine

Of course, snoring is a sign of poor sleep. You don’t need to be a doctor to know that. With that in mind, helping your partner create a healthy sleep routine could be the answer. Experts believe being overtired and generally getting less sleep than needed leads to snoring in the long-term. You likely know your partner’s sleep habits better than anybody else, and so this is an area in which you can help.

Work together to establish a regular “bedtime” when you both start to wind down. Making a routine (and sticking to it) could be the way to ensure your partner gets the rest they need. For example, you could turn household gadgets off at 10:00 p.m. each night and start to get ready to wind down. These small habits could mean better sleep each night.

falling asleep

Invest in Anti-Snoring Devices

In the quest to get a good night’s sleep, you’re not alone. Luckily, there are many devices out there that could help your partner quit snoring once and for all. Here are some examples you may want to try.

Mouthpieces

One of the most popular types of anti-snoring devices out there must be the mouthpiece. Brands such as VitalSleep and SnoreRx stock mouth guards that could help diminish snoring or even stop it completely. These devices are supposed to hold the jaw in a certain position that keeps the airways open. Nice.

Sprays

You can also get over-the-counter anti-snoring sprays such as Nytol Snoring Spray or Snore Zip. Your partner just needs to spray these formulas into their mouth before they hit the hay. The idea is these should relax the throat and stop the airways from closing. Reviews are mixed, but it may be worth a try!

Earplugs

Okay… earplugs aren’t exactly anti-snoring devices. If you can’t get your partner to stop snoring, it could be worth investing in some. Don’t make the mistake of getting foam plugs as they won’t block out the sound. Instead, you should try gel or wax earplugs, which will mold to the shape of your inner ear and help you get some rest.

Never underestimate the impact a good night’s sleep has on you. When you’re not getting the rest you need, you’re not yourself. You can’t just ignore the problem. Take action and do something about your partner’s snoring so you both can catch some much needed ZZZs.

couple laying in bed

The 5 Most Inspiring Twitter Accounts

As you get older, you realize inspiration isn’t always handed to you. Sometimes, you have to go out and find it. And in our current culture, you might be finding yourself having to look really hard. In a time when strangers say the most hateful things on the internet, remember there is still abundant inspiration and happiness waiting for you just a few clicks away. Want love? Peace? Motivation? Creativity? Positivity? Warmth? We’ve rounded up some of the most inspiring Twitter accounts. Check it out!

The 5 Most Inspiring Twitter Accounts

1. Simon Sinek


Simon Sinek (@simonsinek) is an author, motivational speaker, and consultant. You might have heard of some of his books, like Start With Why and Leaders Eat Last. While he speaks a lot to people in any kind of leadership position, his Twitter page is jam-packed with inspirational tidbits about compassion, self-improvement, and creating the life you want.

2. Jen Sincero


Jen Sincero (@JenSincero) is a #1 New York Times best-selling author, coach, and motivational speaker. A lot of her work centers on helping you become the very best you that you can be. She offers helpful advice for growing financially, professionally, and — oh yeah — kicking butt at everything else in life, in general.

3. Gabby Bernstein


International speaker and #1 New York Times best-selling author Gabby Bernstein (@GabbyBernstein) is a self-described spirit junkie. Even if you don’t consider yourself spiritual, her tweets about finding peace and happiness and filling your life with love will instantly warm your heart.

4. The Dalai Lama


Nobody knows inspiration like the Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama). In a time when hate fills the internet, his comforting words will bring you peace and hope in a way no one else can. His message is simple, really: live a life full of love, and the world will be a better place for it.

5. Lori Greiner


Lori Greiner (@LoriGreiner) of Shark Tank is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, and humanitarian — and she also happens to be empowering woman across the globe. Her wise words apply to a lot more than business. Visit her Twitter page when you need someone to help reignite that fire inside of you.

Traveling Abroad for the First Time: 5 Lessons You Learn

Traveling abroad is an exciting escape, but it’s also life-changing. Outside your own country, you’re exposed to exotic cultures, curious mannerisms, new languages, extraordinary food, and a different pace of life. How can anyone expect to return home the same person? I noticed a shift in my perspectives after my first international vacation. Peculiar topics (at least for me) began popping into my conversations and I saw my home through anything but rose-colored glasses. These changes strengthened each time I traveled, and eventually, I made the leap to move abroad. Perhaps no two journeys are the same, but here are some lessons plenty of people can agree on learning after traveling abroad for the first time.

1. Traveling Abroad Teaches You to “Tune in” More

Sometimes, it seems like we live in a world where everyone wants to be noticed and heard yet few people pay attention. While traveling abroad, language barriers slow down chatter and help us fine tune our listening skills. Having so many new and unique things to see also makes traveling exhilarating and keeps us on our toes. The only way to absorb as much as possible is by looking, listening, and being in the moment. Otherwise, you risk missing something amazing.

2. You Realize the Significance of Speaking More Than One Language

About 25% of Americans can carry a conversation in a second language, according to a Gallup study from 2001. For Europeans, however, 54%, 25%, and 10% speak a minimum of two, three, and more languages respectively. Those percentages increase in other regions. You notice this difference when traveling abroad. Being multilingual makes international travel easier. Plus, people who speak more than one language reap cognitive benefits and notice advantages in their lifestyles.

3. Traveling Teaches You the Cultural Significance of Food and Mealtimes

eating spanish food while traveling abroad

This experience may be stronger or weaker depending on where you go. For example, I noticed food much less in Australia than I do now in Spain (two words: paella and jamon!). Nonetheless, there is a strong link between food and culture, and how or what people choose to eat reflects social values and unique perspectives. Food brings families together, helps cultures celebrate and mourn, and links local history with the present.

4. It Teaches You to Appreciate History

While traveling abroad, history becomes three-dimensional. You can see it, touch it, and even taste and smell it. Places that you once read about are suddenly in front of you, and there are no pictures or words that can replace the awe of seeing something in person. Neither are there history books that can tell a story like a local who has lived through a significant period.

5. You’ll Learn How Brave You Can Be

looking at the eiffel tower

Each time we’re presented with a challenge, we learn something new about ourselves. Although you may now say, “I would never do (fill in the blank),” there is something to say for the phrase, “When in Rome.” Suddenly you’re eating snails, SCUBA diving with sharks, riding on the back of a motorcycle taxi, or (fill in the blank).

Which lessons have you learned while traveling abroad?

Is Gluten-Free for Me?

Pizza, cookies, even waffles—these days it seems like everything and everyone is going gluten-free. It’s one of the health trends du jour with no signs of stopping anytime soon. Since 2009, the number of people going sans gluten has tripled and today 1 in 3 Americans say they are trying to avoid gluten.

Chances are you know someone who doesn’t eat gluten and maybe you’ve even tried or are considering cutting back on gluten yourself. Nearly 72 percent of Americans that avoid gluten are considered PWAGs, people without celiac disease avoiding gluten. But before you commit to the gluten-free diet it’s important to understand what gluten is and if avoiding it is helpful or harmful for those without a gluten intolerance. Consider this your gluten-free cheat sheet.

 

Wait, what is gluten?

Gluten is old. People have eaten gluten for at least the past 10,000 years. In that time gluten has become one of the most consumed proteins in the world.

At its basic level, gluten is what helps bread rise and gives it its chewy texture. It’s a protein found in wheat and other grains including spelt, barley, and rye, that’s created when the protein molecules glutenin and gliadin come into contact and from a bond, such as when bakers knead dough. Essentially, gluten is an edible glue that holds food together.

grocery gluten-free products

 

Got it. So is gluten bad?

For the vast majority of people, gluten is nothing to worry about.

About 1 percent of the population has a severe intolerance to gluten. Suffering from what is known as celiac disease, when these people eat gluten it causes digestive issues, weight fluctuations, and inflammatory conditions. It’s not known exactly what causes celiac disease, although there is an increased risk for those that have a family member with the disease. Those with celiac disease should avoid gluten.

Some people without celiac disease have what’s known as “non-celiac gluten intolerance.” These people may experience fatigue, mood swings, stiff joints, acne, and other side effects when they eat gluten. But the percentage of the population suffering from “non-celiac gluten intolerance” is small. A 2015 study found that of the people who avoid gluten, roughly 86% of them can tolerate gluten just fine.

 

So, how do I decide if I should go gluten-free or not?

If you’re concerned about gluten you should talk to your doctor so that they can rule out celiac disease. After that, if you want to try a gluten-free diet, there’s probably not much harm in it (again, it’s a good idea to talk to your health care professional first), and then commit to going gluten-free for a set period of time, such as 4 to 6 weeks.

To do that, you’ll want to remove all refined grains from your diet: breads, most baked goods, pastas, beer (yes, most beer has gluten in it). You also likely need to stay away from many foods promoted as gluten-free like those cookies in the supermarket because many foods labeled as gluten-free have a ton of sugar in them. Basically you’ll need to become a pro at reading labels and be aware that your daily meal habits may take a bit more work, at least at first.

 

Will I benefit from a gluten-free diet?

Maybe. There’s no easy answer. After 4-6 weeks of no gluten see how you feel and work with your health professional to slowly reintroduce gluten. You may find that you feel better when you’re not eating gluten or you may notice no change at all.

Look Younger Naturally With These 5 Face Yoga Poses

Move over Botox, there’s a new fountain of youth in town: face yoga. A natural, non-invasive alternative to risky facelifts and expensive face creams, face yoga tones and firms the 57 muscles in your face and neck.

“The benefits of practicing face yoga are anti-aging, reducing lines and wrinkles, lifting and firming, improving skin tone, reducing headaches and eye strain, relaxing tension, giving an energetic appearance to the face, and a healthy glow,” says Danielle Collins, the world’s leading face yoga expert.

Because the muscles are smaller than those in the body, it also takes a lot less time for them to increase in strength and tone. A few minutes per day could make you look three years younger, says a new study published by Northwestern University.

Need a “natural facelift”?  We asked Collins to teach us five facial exercises that’ll lift, firm, and reduce wrinkles.

Swan’s Neck

Reduce wrinkles on the side of your neck and face  If there’s anything that shows the creeping effects of age, it’s the loose skin on your neck and face. Whether you have a double chin, drooping jowls, or a “turkey neck”—you know the sagging skin pooled under your chin that ruins your selfies and screams “gobble gobble”—it’s probably your least-favorite body part.

If the war against the waddle has you feeling like an ugly duckling, then it’s time to channel your inner swan. Turn your head 45 degrees to the upper right and pucker your mouth really hard. You’ll feel the stretch in the left front of your neck. Hold for five seconds. Then repeat one more time.

Swan's Neck face yoga
Reduce wrinkles on the side of your neck and face using Swan’s Neck, a face yoga pose

 

The Hook

Lift and define your cheekbones  It’s nearly impossible to get near the pantheon of the World’s Most Beautiful People without cheekbones that look like skyscrapers. Why? They’re a sign of a symmetrical face—meaning the two sides of your face would line up perfectly if you folded it down the middle. A universal symbol of beauty, high cheekbones also have a sexual connotation.

“Women are effectively advertising their general fertility with their faces,” says Miriam Law Smith, a researcher at the University of Saint Andrews. “In evolutionary terms, it makes sense for men to favor feminine fertile women. Those that did would have had more babies.” While makeup contouring gives the illusion of high cheekbones, you can also get them with this asana. Simply make your index fingers into hooks and stroke them under your cheekbones 10 times.

Double Victory

Banish your eye bags  Do your under-eye bags make you look like you’ve gone twelve rounds with a boxer? While your puffy eyes might be the result of allergies, fluid retention, smoking, or a lack of sleep, the real culprit is most likely age. “The most common explanation for the appearance of dark circles under our eyes is…the loss of subcutaneous fat,” says Hayley Goldbach, a dermatologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Looking to K.O. your under-eye bags? Make mini-Vs by placing your middle fingers on the side of your nose and your index fingers on the outer edge of your eyes. Look up at the ceiling while squinting. You’ll feel a little pulse on the outer edge of your eyes. Hold for two to three seconds. Repeat five times.

Circle the Eyes

Get rid of your crow’s feet  Whether you call them laugh lines, character lines, or crow’s feet, we’re willing to bet that if someone were to make a league table of wrinkles from most inoffensive to “ugh, Botox immediately!” the line around your eyes would come out on top.

Circle the Eyes
Get rid of crow’s feet with Circle the Eyes, a face yoga pose

The skin around your eyes is 10 times thinner than the skin on the rest of your face. Add to that your face is constantly exposed to the elements, lacks sebaceous glands that produce hydrating oil, and loses collagen—the rubber band-like substance that snaps your skin perfectly back into place—and you have the perfect recipe for dreaded crow’s feet.

Ready for them to fly, fly away? Place your middle fingers at the beginning of your eyebrows. Then gently tap your eyes following the top of your eyebrow. Continue under your eyes just at the top of your cheekbones, ending at the inside corners of your eyes. Repeat in the opposite direction. Then with your index fingers very gently stroke just under your eyes from the nose outwards four times to warm up and relax the eye area.

The Smile Smoother

Smooth smile lines  Some people consider laugh lines a badge of honor. Usually, the first signs of aging that appear on the face after we hit our 40s, “smile lines make people look warmer, happier, and more genuine, which can translate into being more beautiful.” “[They]…almost always happen when people either smile or laugh—and while anyone can fake a smile, fine lines are hard to fake,” says Belisa Vranich, a PsyD and clinical psychologist.

Whether you want to reduce your smile lines or prevent them altogether, the smile smoother is a simple no-needle solution. Start by placing your tongue on the inside of your lips, close to your lip line. Then very slowly roll your tongue around your mouth, three times one way and three times the other way.

“As a general rule, you’ll start to see more of a long-term improvement in your face and neck after 2 weeks,” Collins told Beyond Words. “After 2 to 4 months, you’ll notice you have less fine lines and less tension. Within 6 to 9 months, people have reported that they look and feel many years younger and feel more relaxed within themselves.”

Looking for more face yoga exercises?  Download Danielle Collins’ face and body yoga apps or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.