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While Americans have several different credit scores, scores by the Fair Isaac Corporation -- called FICO Scores -- are some of the most widely used. These credit scores are on a scale from 300 to 850, with higher scores preferred by lenders.

A score is considered good once it's around 670 or higher, but you don't have to settle for just a good score. You can aim to earn excellent credit and join the elite ranks of Americans with scores above 800.

Just 1 in 5 Americans have hit that milestone, though, according to data from FICO. Still, with a little patience and a lot of responsible borrowing behavior, you could become one of them.

To earn a credit score above 800, you need to do pretty well on every metric that's used to determine your score. Typically, you'll need:

While earning a credit score of 800 or higher would give you a major leg up in qualifying for loans at favorable rates, it's not necessarily essential to have a score that high. In fact, a score above 800 is generally considered to be an "exceptional" score, while scores above 740 are classified as very good and should enable most of the borrowing you want to do.

Still, since the key to earning a top credit score is being responsible with credit, there's no harm in shooting for a score of 800 or higher. In fact, you may even want to try for the elusive perfect 850 score just for the fun of it.

The Motley Fool owns and recommends MasterCard and Visa, and recommends American Express. Were firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.

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Here's How to Get a Credit Score Above 800 - msnNOW

This has not been a vintage year for the novel. The joint Booker winners and perhaps a handful of others aside, Im not sure that much fiction published in 2019 will be read a decade hence. The good news is that Ive spent the past several weeks joyfully immersed in proof copies of next years novels and can confirm that 2020 is shaping up to be a blinder. Ive tried here to concentrate on the first half of the year.

One of the years biggest novels is sure to be the final instalment of Hilary Mantels Thomas Cromwell trilogy, The Mirror and the Light (4th Estate, March), which is under strict embargo. Will it be great? Probably. Will it win the Booker? Possibly (although theres serious competition). It could well be pipped to the prize by Maggie OFarrells miraculous Hamnet (Tinder Press, March) a beautiful imagination of the short life of Shakespeares son, Hamnet, and the untold story of his wife, Agnes Hathaway, which builds into a profound exploration of the healing power of creativity.

Hot on Mantel and OFarrells heels are three of the next generation: Evie Wyld, Daisy Johnson and Eimear McBride. Wylds The Bass Rock (Jonathan Cape, March) is her third novel and her best so far. Stepping elegantly through time and weaving together the lives of a host of strong yet damaged women, this is Wylds masterpiece as majestic and monumental as the landmark its named after. Johnsons Sisters (Jonathan Cape, July) is a short, sharp explosion of a gothic thriller whose tension ratchets up and up to an ending of extraordinary lyricism and virtuosity. McBrides Strange Hotel (Faber, February) is an enigmatic, achingly sad book. A woman moves shiftlessly from one hotel to the next, obeying a seemingly abstract set of rules, haunted by her past.

Colum McCanns sixth novel, Apeirogon (Bloomsbury, February), is ambitious formally and thematically, taking on the Israel-Palestine conflict in a work that is both spectacularly inventive and grounded in hard, often brutal fact. It is about grief and forgiveness, about family and politics. If you can read it without sobbing, youre a monster. Also tugging on the heart-strings is Sebastian Barrys A Thousand Moons (Faber, March). Set in the wake of the American civil war, it tells the story of Winona, a brave, bruised orphan from the Lakota tribe whose new life on a Tennessee farmstead is threatened by the past.

AD Miller was shortlisted for the Booker in 2012 for his Moscow-set thriller Snowdrops. His latest, Independence Square (Harvill Secker, February), also looks east this time to Ukraine. The story of Simon Davey and the mysterious Olesya is utterly gripping, a novel with its finger on the pulse of geopolitics that still manages to move deeply.

From the US, we have Jenny Offills Weather (Granta, February). Six years after her majestic Dept of Speculation, its a dazzling state-of-the-nation novel that is every bit as good as its predecessor. Theres also Jeanine Cumminss American Dirt (Tinder Press, January), the tragic tale of a mother and her beloved son on the run from a drugs lord. Kate Elizabeth Russells superb debut, My Dark Vanessa (4th Estate, March), is more than merely an inversion of Lolita for the #MeToo generation; this is a book that asks what we have lost and gained in an era that has revolutionised the way we think about sex and power.

James Scudamore has always written brilliant, twisted novels; his latest, English Monsters (Jonathan Cape, March), is breathtakingly good. Imagine Edward St Aubyn writing The Secret History and youll get an idea of how exquisite and compelling this story about male friendship and betrayal is. Amanda Craigs The Lie of the Land was a bestseller in 2018 and made many books-of-the-year lists. Her next, The Golden Rule (Little, Brown, June), turns upon a chance meeting on a train that leads to a murderous pact. It does what her novels do best, wrapping the reader in a tight, lean narrative, showing the strangeness that lies at the heart of normal-seeming lives. Philip Henshers A Small Revolution in Germany (4th Estate, February) is a beautiful, regret-soaked story about the marks left on our adult lives by the idealism of our youth.

A few more to look out for: Maaza Mengistes The Shadow King (Canongate, January) is a complex, lyrical and compelling historical novel set during Mussolinis invasion of Ethiopia. SJ Parriss Giordano novels are always worth reading. The sixth, Execution (HarperCollins, April), is no exception a brilliantly realised fictionalisation of the Babington plot against Elizabeth I. Nikita Lalwanis gripping thriller You People (Viking, April) is set among undocumented migrants in a shadowy London underworld. Theres a fine second novel from Stuart Evers The Blind Light (Picador, June) reads like a British Don DeLillo, telling the social history of Britain through two generations of a family. Finally, in A Theatre for Dreamers (Bloomsbury Circus, April), Polly Samson goes to the Greek island of Hydra to imagine the first steps in the love affair between Leonard Cohen and his Marianne. As dreamily nostalgic as Cohens song Famous Blue Raincoat.

Along with Kate Elizabeth Russell, there are a number of hotly anticipated debuts hitting the shelves. The 28-year-old Dutch dairy farmer Marieke Lucas Rijnevelds The Discomfort of Evening (Faber, March), translated by Michelle Hutchison, is a rich and luminous novel about fate and grief. It is already a bestseller in Holland. Nazanine Hozars immaculate first novel, Aria (Viking, March), follows a group of Iranians in the lead-up to the 1979 revolution and marks the arrival of a major new voice. Rainbow Milk (Dialogue Books, March) by Paul Mendez is another worth looking out for powerful, sensuous and thrillingly well written.

Its not in the first half of the year, but Im already hugely excited about Eley Williamss first novel, The Liars Dictionary (William Heinemann, July). Shes a magnificent prose stylist and I cant wait to read her in the longer form. We can also look forward to the final part of Ali Smiths era-defining seasonal quartet, Summer (Penguin, July); and theres a new novel by the dependably magnificent Kate Grenville A Room Made of Leaves (Text, July) (which Ive read and its every bit as good as The Secret River). Then, in September, theres Piranesi (Bloomsbury) by Susanna Clarke, the long-awaited new book from the author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and Mayflies (Faber) by the great Andrew OHagan.

Read more:

Fiction to look out for in 2020 - The Guardian

Ha! If it werent for the music I get introduced to by Lyft drivers, I would literally not listen to anything but Talking Heads and Broadway cast albums. Im always disappointed when they take note of my sensible shoes and reading glasses and turn the party off.

Theres a difference between radio that is simply not to your taste and radio that assaults the mind or senses. You can ask a driver to turn down the first and turn off the second. The golden rule of car radio is that drivers choose the soundtrackfrom a generally acceptable menu. Passengers shouldnt be exposed to excessive volume, profanity, screaming, insults, religious proselytization, or sexually explicit material. This is the case regardless of the demographics of either party. Earphones or buds are also your friend, and using a ride to catch up on voice mail, or listen to the news or a podcast, makes your request for quiet about you, not about the drivers choices.

Does this make you feel more comfortable? I must say, life gets a lot easier if you stop worrying what service providers think about you as a person. You want them to think well of you as a customerone who pays and tips well, gives relevant feedback, honors their time constraints, communicates clearly and respectfully, and so on. But its really OK if they think youre scatterbrained or awkward or have awful tasteor whatever. Silently judging the customers is part of the fun of every job. Dont take that away. Your drivers might think youre old and out of touch. So what? We live in an explosion of diversity and information. Everyones scope is necessarily limited.

Miss Conduct is Robin Abrahams, a writer with a PhD in psychology.

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Advice: Can I ask my driver to turn off the music? - The Boston Globe

Dolly was there, almost, holding court despite her lack of humanness, as queer writers on assignment huddled giddily in front of her, awe-stricken by the realness of a fake Dolly.

I stood, out of body, piled into the country legends Chasing Rainbows Museum as the tech magic that is Dolly Partons hologram welcomed me to a Dolly shrine, perhaps the most holy site Ive seen since my parents took me to church as a kid. A regular experience at the museum, the 3D image of our honky-tonk goddess dove-coos about holding onto special memories and keepsakes; then, she asks you to remember one thing, breaking out some a cappella lines to let you know that I will always love you. She blows kisses and bids farewell: Im outta here, she says. And poof, there she goes, melting into the most magical cloud of blue fairy dust, falling to the floor. Dolly transforms into a soaring butterfly. Because Dolly Parton.

When human Dolly descended upon a conference room at her DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, it was like shed just stepped out of a Saturday-morning cartoon or out of that holographic screen. She whooshed into our room of journalists with a hearty, Well hello eveybody! and zinged up to the front of a throng of already-seated journalists, making an astute observation on her jolly way: Yall like a bunch of kids: quiet, waiting for Ms. Dolly, Ms. Teacher, to come in.

Then Ms. Dolly got down to business, talking about her new Netflix anthology Heartstrings, where lessons are carefully taught with a steady hand and her unique ability to unify America, a topic recently explored in depth by Jad Abumrad on his podcast Dolly Partons America (having experienced Dollywood, including some of its otherworldly cinnamon bread, I can also say hes spot on in coining her universe the Dollyverse).

Expanding her ditties into full-on mini movies, the eight episodes produced for the series extend hearty lessons inspired by a mixture of both iconic and more obscure Dolly Parton songs; they gently and sneakily school the ignorant, the blissfully unaware and the downright bigoted, all told in Ms. Dollys preferred socio-political manner: through her stories.

The Jolene episode tells the tale of the eponymous misunderstood woman that Dolly fears will take her man in the song (played by Julianne Hough), though the episode concludes that its the cheating men who are the real problem. Forbidden love is the crux of Down from Dover, centered on a young black soldier and a white reverends daughter during the Vietnam War. The lesson of the Two Doors Down episode is classic Dolly because its the gay one. If youre a queer Dolly-head, you wont be surprised to discover her introduction to the episode, which spotlights a same-sex love story. But your homophobic uncle might be in fact, he might even finally learn what non-binary means and that transgender people are real people, all thanks to Ms. Dollys Queer 101 classroom introduction.

The Great Unifier, as shes been called, introduces every episode and it is always the best part of each installment. Here, she explains that even when she couldnt be with her blood family on the road, she was with a whole new family, with bands and crews that were made of all kinds of people who were different colors, gay, lesbian, transgender and all different faiths. But it didnt matter as long as we all loved each other and got along. And we did. And we still do. Because what it all comes down to is love is love, in road families and in real families. Now life might not always be a party, but you are better off if you can just enjoy yourself, have fun and accept and love the people around you.

What a wise teacher we have in Ms. Dolly. She reiterated a similar sentiment that day in the conference room, talking about the golden rule that is, once she reached the stage. Im gonna need another lift, she chirped. These are not the kind of shoes you want to take chances in. These boots arent made for walkin. She stomped the floor, then we were off. According to Ms. Dolly, that rule is treating people right and that if know your values, your morals, and you know what to sacrifice and what not to, youll be all right. (When asked about granddaughter Miley Cyrus, she further illustrated this point by saying: People say you need to talk to Miley; I say, no, I dont need to talk to Miley. Let Miley be Miley, Ill be me and everybody needs to do their own thing.)

Heartstrings practices the golden rule, and like her brand emblem the butterfly, which is everywhere at Dollywood and at the DreamMore (even the toilet paper in my hotel room was butterfly embossed) happy endings are also ubiquitous in the Dollyverse. And so its no surprise that Heartstrings is an extension of that world. A world Netflix knew the streaming population needed more of, a series that Ms. Dolly said really did tug at your heartstrings.

In her mind, her songs are already movies anyway: I grew up way back in the mountains, and early in my early days we didnt even have electricity and we listened to the Grand Ole Opry on a battery radio. She didnt watch movies, and there was no TV, so to pass the time she would paint pictures in my songs and tell stories, she said. So it was just a natural fit, I thought, to do a series based on songs that Ive written.

Ms. Dolly couldve tapped into her most well-known songs for Heartstrings you may have noticed theres no Heartstrings episode centered on I Will Always Love You (maybe next time, she says) but aside from featuring a few of her biggest hits, we wanted to pick songs that are also different. She loves Westerns and dressing up in Wild West get-ups, so since shes Dolly Parton and she can, she did a J.J. Sneed episode. Also, she loves dogs and so I had a little song I had written years ago called Cracker Jack, so we wanted to get one of those in as well. We wanted to cover all the emotions.

At one point during the press conference Ms. Dolly sneezed, which is a non-story except that this was Dolly Parton sneezing, so it was an event. She asked for a tissue and whooped a laugh, teaching us all another lesson: even honky-tonk goddesses are susceptible to seasonal sickness. With this weather changin and all that, she explained, before a man who was, I believe, a journalist but looked like he couldve easily been in one of these Heartstrings episodes passed her a tissue. She thanked him, calling him cowboy.

Like she was throwing the Cracker Jack dog a bone, she dangled the tissue out in front of our group of journalists, joking that she was going to fling it out so someone could sell it on eBay. Non-holographic Ms. Dolly, extraordinarily human at this point, called it star snot.

Watch Dolly Parton talk about Heartstrings below in the video below, from the shows premiere at Dollywood.

Continue reading here:

Life in the Dollyverse - pride source.com

A Millennium of Turkish Literature, by Talat Halman, is a wonderful and beautifully written book, so thats a great place to start. Reading Nazim Hikmet is essential to understand not only how oppression works but also how strong is the struggle for freedom. Sabahattin Alis Madonna in a Fur Coat was released in English a few years ago, and its brilliant.

What do you read when youre working on a book? And what kind of reading do you avoid while writing?

Before I start a novel I do extensive research and I basically try to read everything I can find on the subject. I have spent long years in academia, and maybe that has given me a sense of discipline, which I normally lack. So depending on what I am planning to write, I read a lot and I think a lot. This could be anything: from Sephardic history to Ottoman architecture, from rare birds to lives of sex workers in Istanbul. Then, when I start writing the novel, I avoid reading novels, and I only read poetry for a while. Especially Walt Whitman, W. B. Yeats, Khalil Gibran, Anna Akhmatova and Rumi. I also love Maya Angelou and I must say Audre Lorde has a special place in my heart.

Has a book ever brought you closer to another person, or come between you?

Every novel that I have read has brought me closer to another human being, I believe. There are only very, very few books that I wish had never ever been written. One is The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Its full of dangerous lies and it paved the way for the Holocaust. Another horrible book is The Hammer of Witches, published in the 15th century. Hundreds of thousands of innocent people, mostly women, have been accused of witchcraft because of this nonsense, and killed, imprisoned or tortured. The Camp of the Saints, which is now widely read by the far right and its orators, is also full of hatred, racism and xenophobia.

What moves you most in a work of literature?

The voice, primarily. Both the art and the craft of storytelling. I love the waltz of the heart and the mind. The pessimism of the mind and the optimism of the heart, as Gramsci would say.

What genres do you especially enjoy reading? And which do you avoid?

I read everything and anything that speaks to me: political philosophy, neuroscience, cultural history. I also read graphic novels, comic books, cookbooks. Whatever interests me in that moment in time, I sit down and read it. I have no regard for so-called highbrow literature versus lowbrow literature. Never understood those distinctions. I have only one golden rule: I try to read as widely as possible, so rather than staying in the same mental comfort zone year after year, I like to travel across disciplines and genres and cultures.

Who is your favorite fictional hero or heroine? Your favorite antihero or villain?

Orlando is my all-time fictional hero/heroine. I also love the fact that Virginia Woolf calls that book a biography. As for a favorite antihero, Jay Gatsby, of course. The Great Gatsby is a remarkable book that needs to be revisited time and again.

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The Turkish Novelist Elif Shafak Wants You to Read More Women - The New York Times

Bollywood actor Bhagyashrees debut film Maine Pyar Kiya, that was also Salman Khans first film as the lead star, has completed 30 years of its release. Directed by Sooraj Barjatya, the film traced Salman and Bhagyashrees love story hindered by family dispute and financial differences.

Here are some of the least known facts about the film:

1) Before Salman bagged the role of Prem, Vindoo Dara Singh, Deepak Tijori and Piyush Mishra were among the few who auditioned for the role. Salman was even rejected by the films director Sooraj Barjatya after his first audition, who thought that Salman looked small. When he first came to my office, I remember he was sitting at the reception and he looked very small. It (was) the second audition that we liked and we finalised him, Sooraj had said.

2) The white pigeon that played cupid between Salmans Prem and Bhagyashrees Suman as it delivered love letters in the iconic song Kabootar Jaa, was called Handsome.

3) The films popularity was such that it was dubbed in English (When Love Calls) and Spanish (Te Amo). It was a huge hit in the Caribbean and dominated the box-office that year in Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. The film saw a 10-week run in Lima, Peru.

4) Maine Pyar Kiya was the biggest blockbuster in 1999 but Salman has revealed that he couldnt find work for an entire year. According to reports, Salmans father, writer Salim Khan posted an advertisement in newspaper about his sons acting capabilities, after which Salman started getting movie offers.

5) One of the many iconic characters from the film was that essayed by Nutans son Mohnish Behl. However, she wasnt very happy with her son playing the role of the villain. According to several reports, Nutan had even asked the makers to cast Mohnish in a different role. The makers, however, assured Nutan that Behls role will be remembered for a long time.

6)Director Sooraj reportedly took three months to finalise the antakshari songs where Suman confesses her love for Prem in the movie.

7) Maine Pyar Kiya was reportedly the first Bollywood film to have its own customised merchandise.

On Monday, Bhagyashree shared a video thanking fans for all the love she has received. In the video, Bhagyashree looks gorgeous as she stands in an orange sari and says, 30 saal ho gae Maine Pyar Kiya ko aur abhi tak, aapke dilo me basi hun, iske liye bahut bahut shukraguzaar hun. Yunhi Pyaar karte rahiye. Maine Pyaar kiya, aap sab se.

Also read: Kriti Kharbanda wishes boyfriend Pulkit Samrat with goofy pic: Its his birthday and hes my favourite

She wrote along with the video, 30 years of MAINE PYAAR KIYA! Thank you for all the love bestowed, the blessings, the respect and the adulation. Of course it would be impossible without @beingsalmankhan & #soorajbarjatya #mainepyaarkiya is today..a love that resides in all your hearts. #30YearsOfMainePyarKiya.

Bhagyashrees son and actor Abhimanyu Dassani also paid tribute to the film in a unique style - he recreated one if the iconic scenes from the movie with his Nikamma co-star Sherly Setia. #30YearsOfMainePyarKiya The Golden rule of Friendship taught to us by the previous generation of romantics, recreated by the next generation of #Nikammas, he wrote along with the video. In the video, Abhimanyu and Shirley recreate the scene where Prem gifts his cap with the words FRIEND and tells him, Dosti ka ek usool hai madam, no sorry no thank you.

Fans shared their favourite moments from the film. Laxmikanth Berde, had also made his debut with the film. After the success of MPK, Laxmikanth went on to become one of the best comedians of 90s. Comedians, Dilip Joshi (Jethalaal) also feature as cameos in the film.#30YearsOfMainePyarKiya @rajshri #SalmanKhan, one fan wrote.

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30 years of Maine Pyar Kiya: Bhagyashree thanks Salman Khan and fans for the love, check out 7 lesser... - Hindustan Times

From the GOLO diet to JLos healthy eating plan (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)

Fad diets pop up on a regular basis, many of which are unhelpful and downright ridiculous.

If youre considering dieting, remember the golden rule: its not about starving yourself, and as with any lifestyle change, take care before making drastic changes to your food intake.

In the last year, weve explored the CICO diet (calories in, calories out), the milk diet (where you just drink milk every day, for four weeks please dont ) and carb cycling (which staggers the amount of carbohydrates that you consume).

We also investigated why ultra-processed foods are bad for us, how to make an easy Keto dinner and how the low FODmap diet can help those who suffer from IBS.

As its the end of the year, Google has just released searches for the most popular diets of 2019 and the results might surprise you.

Here are the diets that made the cut, and what theyre all about.

Intermittent fasting is technically not a diet, but an eating plan. It revolves around time restriction its not about what you eat, but when you eat it.

While there are many versions to choose from, the most popular tend to be 16:8 or 5:2.

With 16:8 you can eat during an eight-hour period, but outside of this time you are only allowed to consume non-calorie drinks. It has likely seen a boost after 50-year-old actress Jennifer Aniston, known for her toned frame, revealed that she follows this diet to keep her body in shape.

Meanwhile, 5:2 is focused on days; five days per week you have a normal diet, while only consuming 500 calories on the two other days. However, the time restriction is not set in stone; you can adjust the hours and days to suit your body type and needs.

The eating plan is meant to be help you get lean without having to restrict your food intake to specific foods, and some studies have shown that it can boost the bodys metabolism.

As the name suggests, this diet was named after a man called Dr Sebi, also known as Alfredo Darrington Bowman.

The herbalist developed an alkaline diet, which he believed would rid the body of mucus build-up and cleanse it.

This diet involves only consuming live and raw foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices. Essentially, everything that youd find in a Whole Foods isle.

Canned goods are a no-no, as are any animal products, soy, alcohol and fortified items (like cereals). You could also consider it a (very restricted) vegan diet.

Many high-profile celebrities who support the alkaline diet, including Victoria Beckham and Kate Hudson.

There has been some controversy around this diet. Dr Sebi claimed it could cure Aids, as well as various forms of cancer and other illnesses, but there has been no evidence to support this.

Similarly, a man named Robert Young, who claims to have invented the alkaline diet, has been convicted of two charges of practising medicine without a license.

Make of that what you will, but if youre going to restrict your diet to such an extent, its best to chat to a qualified nutritionist or medical professional first.

Noom is also not technically a diet, but actually a weight loss app that offers two programmes; healthy weight loss and one that is tailored for diabetes prevention.

It utilises a traffic light system to tell you which foods are healthy, and which to avoid or eat less of. Once you sign up, you will also be paired with your very own health coach.

So, does it work? Medical News Today reviewed Noom earlier this year, and highlighted several studies which demonstrated mixed results, most quite successful.

For instance, a study from 2016 revealed that out of 38,921 Noom users, 77.9% lost weight with the help of the app. The app also contains features to help you monitor your weight loss, in order to keep you on track, and it was found that those who kept on top of this saw more consistent weight loss.

Now for the downside: Noom focuses on calories, rather than nutrients. As users cant check this in the app, it might be more difficult for them to ensure their body gets everything it needs, including vitamins, minerals and fats.

Whats more, according to MNT, not all Noom coaches are certified with the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching.

Youll also have to pay to use the app.

Heres the thing with calories: there are many factors that determine how many you are meant to consume each day so there is no one setting that works for all people.

This is dependent on your weight, height and how active you are on a day-to-day basis. By eating less calories, the stored fat in your body can burn off, but once again, counting calories often means that you forget about nutrients which are essential.

You need to get a certain amount of calcium and protein, vitamins and magnesium, and tailor the diet to your needs (i.e. the amount of calories yourbody needs). As an example, a lack of magnesium can lead to nausea, vomiting and fatigue, among other ailments.

According to a report by Public Health England in 2017, Brits should consume 1,800 calories per day. Prior to this announcement, this was recommended at 2,000 calories per day for women, and 2,500 for men.

This is only a guideline so speak to a personal trainer with nutritionist training or other professional to look over your personal diet, and how many calories you should stick to.

The GOLO diet has lost popularity; in 2016, it was the most searched weight loss method of the year.

It essentially revolves around insulin, and was put together by a team of experts including Jennifer Brooks, a chef who is board-certified in holistic nutrition and psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow, among others.

Those who wish to embark on the GOLO lifestyle needs to sign up on the website, and take part in the rescue programme which is said to repair your metabolism, balance hormone levels and achieve sustainable weight loss over the course of 30, 60 or 90 days.

This is done in three steps: calorie-reduction (around 1,300 to 1,800 per day), exercise and taking the GOLO Release supplement.

The latter is meant to be the defining element of the diet, which is perhaps unsurprising, given its trademarked and means customers need to come back or stick to GOLO to get access to it again.

GOLOs website boasts that many doctors are supportive of the diet, as well as glowing recommendations from users, but take this with a pinch of salt: self-promotion is easy. There is also not much in the way of studies to support the method i.e. that the supplement is of added benefit to people who are already managing a healthy diet and exercising.

Then again, the dietary plan in itself is quite inclusive, with a good level of nutrients included. Allowed foods include: fresh meats, fruits, vegetables, andhealthy fatsand of course fresh breads, pasta, and butter, according to the website.

It was created by reality TV star Heather Dubrow from The Real Housewives of Orange Country and her partner, plastic surgeon to the rich and famous, Dr Terry Dubrow.

There are three phases, each with a ,er, interesting names : red carpet ready, summer is coming and look hot while living like a human.

In short, this diet consists of intermittent fasting, but where it differs from the version weve explained above, this one includes dietary restrictions. Approved foods include vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats. You also need to consider how much you consume, and avoid processed foods.

On the plus side, alcohol is allowed.

Be cautious, as the couple claims their plan will activate the anti-aging ability found in your cells and have apparently compared this process, known as autophagy, to plastic surgery.

Once again, add a pinch of salt to this diet.

The Sirtfood diet allows dark chocolate, caffeine and red wine. OK, thats not all you need to know, but its a pretty great benefit, as far as diets go.

Heres why its OK: these foods contain sirtuin activators which are said to improve metabolism, and in turn, help you lose weight, as well as reverse aging. Sirt foods, as they are known, include the aforementioned delights, as well as berries, kale, matcha green tea, walnuts, rocket, strawberries, soy, and more.

As for the diet itself, there are two steps to follow.

During the first step, which consists of seven days, you only consume 1,000 calories per day (see 1,200 calories above for why this can cause problems). You are only permitted to eat one meal, which must feature a lot of sirt foods, as well as three green juices. This lasts for three days.

For the remaining four days, you can have 1,500 calories, including two sirtfood dishes, and one more juice (yay?) per day. During phase two, you can have three meals and one green juice per day.

Authors of the book about the Sirtfood diet claim it can turn on your skinny gene. Were not thrilled about this term to begin with, but there is also very little research to support it.

This diet has been around for a while in one shape or another, but its been revived this year (it last made Googles list in 2015).

Back then, it was referred to as the zero carb diet, and it has proven popular with celebrities.

Its pretty much what it says on the tin: no carbs, no sugar. However, not all people who use this diet completely limit themselves; some will have a small carb intake, while others cut it out completely.

That means no pasta, refined grains, bread, starchy vegetables, milk or fruits (which have natural sugar). Instead, youll be munching on fish, eggs, cheese, water and tea.

Heres the problem: carbohydrates fuel our bodies. They are broken down into glucose, which is then used by our muscles and our brain.

If you cut out carbs and sugar completely, energy levels will drop and you may feel tired, and suffer from low blood sugar.

It sounds a bit alien-like, but endmorphs are not from another planet.

The phrase was introduced by William Sheldon, a psychologist in the 40s, who outlined it as one of three body types. The two others are called ectomorphic and mesomorphic.

According to him, endomorphs have a lower metabolism, due to having a bigger bone structure, less muscle and carrying more fat in the bodies.

The main aspect of the endomorph diet is to avoid refined carbs and eat healthy fats from proteins and nuts, as well as carbohydrates, vegetables and whole-grain foods. This is intertwined with a mix of cardio and strength training.

Exercise and healthy eating, basically.

Were not all that surprised that JLo has made the list, after showing off her toned physique in Hustlers earlier this year.

While her character might be out partying and doing tequila shots on the regular, youll have no such fun on Jennifers diet. Alcohol and caffeine are strictly forbidden, as are sweets, processed and starchy foods.

If you need a snack, reach for the fruit bowl or munch on some vegetables. Other foods that JLo likes include fish, sweet potatoes and brown rice. Nutrients are key, with the actress and singer focusing on stuffing as much vitamins and minerals into her diet as possible.

But its not just about food she also works out on a regular basis.

All in all, it appears to be a pretty healthy approach, though theres nothing wrong in indulging in a cheat day now and again.

JLo, sometimes we need cake and tequila shots, OK?

MORE: Asda is giving away free vegetables to reduce waste

MORE: If you ate Christmas leftovers for breakfast, youre not alone

MORE: Woman enjoys first Christmas dinner after a lifetime of eating just sausages and ice cream

Go here to see the original:

The most popular diets of 2019 revealed - Metro.co.uk

We appreciate all the letter writers who shared their opinions with us in 2019. Many of our readers take the time to write regularly, even daily. We read every letter. Here is a selection of some of the letters that stood out in 2019.

Last year, I spent two weeks in Poland and Germany on a World War II history tour. We visited at least six concentration camps. The tour of Auschwitz was the most memorable due to the preservation of artifacts and camp buildings. We stood in the showers and saw the crematorium. It is true history comes alive when you are physically at the location and hear the stories of those who lived through it. I now look for articles about the camps and the stories of survivors because it is real to me.

Although millennials may not know of the atrocities, they do have the opportunity to learn by visiting Holocaust museums both here and in Europe. Once one is confronted with the pictures and stories, it will not and should not be forgotten nor should it ever be allowed to happen again.

Kathy Minde, Richardson

My frequent trips to El Paso for medical clinics over the past decade gave me the experience of a dynamic bilingual city, a beautiful model of the melting-pot synergy that gave birth to the United States. The gratitude of Latino patients for my few words of Spanish, the devotion of Thomason Hospital staff and doctors to patients of every hue, the merging of cultures to give tastes from chiles rellenos to chicken-fried steak, all show the path to tolerance and humanity that makes for true greatness.

My feelings of safety that allowed enjoyment of views from the Franklin Mountains or the Tibetan heights of the University of Texas at El Paso were matched by statistics showing lower crime rates than most metropolitan areas, decreasing over the past 20 years despite the small chain fence and thin river that until recently served as a wall. The last thing our exemplary Texas border cities need are rallies for wasted funds that will make America hate again.

Golder Wilson, Dallas

Having read several recent articles that caught my attention Coast Guard officer planning terrorist attack, hate groups on the upswing, church moral issues under scrutiny, $13 million of meth found in a truck crossing into United States with strawberries it all made me wonder where we are headed. Not sure any wall will change the moral fiber of people in general. All of us need to take a pause, figure out where we are headed, and step up to change the momentum. We are better than all of this.

Vicky Herr, Carrollton

This country is in serious trouble. We have allowed our president and Congress to divide this country to such a degree that people actually hate other people just for different political ideals. This division is not in the interest of our country but instead in the interest of their individual political parties. This strategy of we vs. they is the cause of this division, and we can no longer accept it. We need to take our country back and vote for leaders who do not believe in this type of politics and who are willing to work together for the good of the country.

Divide and conquer is presently the mindset in Washington, and we need to change that mentality. Vote!

John Dunne, Frisco

Re: U.S. cuts aid to region, citing migrants Democrats denounce end of payments to Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, March 31 news story.

I would like to know where is the Organization of American States? Instead of cutting off aid to three Central American countries, the administration should be using our influence with all our partners in the Americas to devise strategies to deal with the extraordinary humanitarian crisis that is at the heart of the U.S. immigration predicament.

Why is Central America fundamentally different from Africa, Europe or the Middle East? The U.S. should request a United Nations task force to support Mexicos intent to prevent movement on the Mexico/Central American isthmus, while at the same time setting up a multinational OAS team to assess claims of asylum. Those with legitimate claims should then be distributed among nations of the Americas, not just the U.S., so that no one country is responsible for taking care of all these desperate people.

Benjamin Levine, North Dallas

People all over the world were watching as Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was burning. It was likely caused by a construction accident as workers were restoring the almost 900-year-old church. Within 24 hours, more than $700 million was pledged for repairs. Likely not so many people noticed that a few days earlier three African American Baptist churches in Louisiana were deliberately burned to the ground. Evidence points to a young white man, the son of a sheriffs deputy, as the one who set the fires. Even more than the fire in Paris, the fires in Louisiana are the ones we should be paying attention to, for they represent a racist act done in the name of white supremacy.

This is the scourge that must be eliminated from America as well as from the rest of the world. I saw a T-shirt the other day that says it all: Love Your Neighbor... your black, brown, white, immigrant, disabled, religiously different, LGBTQ, fully human neighbor. Thats the last, best hope weve got.

Roger T. Quillin, Dallas/Lake Highlands

Re: "Robert Bob Compton Beloved pioneering books editor at The News, by Michael Granberry, April 26 obituary.

Kudos to Michael for what was so much more than any standard obituary but a true and very well-deserved tribute to Compton. I was one of his regular reviewers from the late 80s, starting about five years after he became the papers books editor. Before he retired, he handed me on to the new editor, who did the same when she left The Dallas Morning News.

In addition, I reviewed for the long-gone Saturday religion section. Every editor I worked with at The News was perfect, but Compton was pluperfect not so much a boss as a gentle, understanding friend who knew much. He had an unmatched style of guidance that helped this reviewer as a person while simultaneously sharpening my reviewing skills. I suspect hes already working with the heavenly choir on perfecting word choices. I know for sure that there will never be another quite like him here on earth!

Harriet P. Gross, Dallas/Vickery Meadow

Re: 3 talented teens make it to the top in Junior Cliburn, by Scott Cantrell, June 9 Arts & Life column.

The tumult of the outside world was silenced when the Dallas Symphony Orchestra hosted the Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition finals. In the cocoon of the Meyerson Symphony Center, three young pianists (ages 15, 16 and 17), with fingers like butterflies, nuanced the softness of pianissimo and the passion of forte. My heart beat faster; my soul soared; tears filled my eyes. It was a moment in time that was the promise of tomorrow.

Andrea Weinstein, Dallas

Re: Curtain falls on City Ballet Rent increase puts end to dance school that taught generations, June 28 Metro & Business story.

Dallas is losing a city treasure, and hardly anyone will know. City Ballet has been a part of this city for 69 years.

Now, thanks to a new landlord (who tried to double the rent) and rising rents in the city generally, it will shutter its doors forever. More than 100 students have lost their after-school activity an activity that promotes grace, beauty and discipline. They have lost the space to pursue their dreams and truly feel they have lost part of their family.

What makes this all the more tragic is seeing all of the vacancies on Lovers Lane. Nobody can afford the rising rents. So, as of June 30, rather than walking past a wall of windows where you can see students ages 3 to 60 learning an art form, you instead will see a dusty, empty space. How small businesses will ever afford a space in Dallas is beyond me.

Denise Brown and her daughter, Evelyn Johnson, built an amazing studio that has touched the lives of many here in Dallas and beyond. Their light and legacy will live on in the thousands of students they taught.

Tanner Hartnett, Dallas

Re: Outrage incentive is dooming our politics Cycle of controversy takes focus away from improving Americans lives, by Dan Crenshaw, July 23 Opinion.

Rep. Dan Crenshaws comments resonated with me like no other in a long time. A politician with the directivity to tell it like it is is an anomaly! He pretty much took us all to task for the circle of controversy in which our beloved country finds itself. It is shocking to continuously read and hear the childish banter between our leaders, harking to our days on the school playground. To the former Navy SEAL, I say, Bravo! Thank you for your continuing service to our country.

Anne R. Healy, Richardson

What if being tough on immigration meant having the stamina to work out comprehensive legislation that upheld our American values instead of screaming meaningless phrases like open borders and regurgitating racist rhetoric?

Brave people confront complex, real-world problems. Cowards rely on chaos to distract us from watching them run away.

Barbara Chiarello, Austin

Re: Libraries evolve to aid in crisis situations Many patrons need refuge, help that falls outside the books, Aug. 11 news story.

I was disappointed that The Dallas Morning News published this wire story without taking the opportunity to highlight the efforts being made locally at Dallas Public Library.

Since 2013, the library has made it a priority to build relationships with our customers experiencing homelessness. The program coordinator is a mental health professional. Librarians and other staff are trained to provide referrals and host programs to alleviate the boredom of life on the streets. Each year our staff has contact with more than 4,000 people in need of social services, job search help, hygiene kits and daytime activities. We also have regular coffee and conversation events to engage with the people who visit the library regularly, improving interactions for staff and customers alike.

Perhaps this is not the work we imagined when we applied for jobs at Dallas Public Library. But finding answers for the unique needs of each person who comes through our doors is very much at the core of what we do.

Jo Giudice, Dallas, director of the Dallas Public Library

Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free ... . So reads the plaque on the Statue of Liberty.

America once again mourns innocent lives lost forever from this earth, this America, this land of the free. The perpetrator is not one man, one group, but all of us Anglo-Saxon, white privileged Americans who have allowed this cancer of hate to fester into a deathly disease across our land. What in the world is wrong with us?

Every faith espouses the Golden Rule, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, which boils down to honor and respect for one another because under our skin color, we are all the same. Its time to look in the mirror and point our finger there: Am I doing enough to love my neighbor?

Ann Shaw South, Richardson

The angst created by the hate and violence of our times is difficult to escape. Today I am deeply grateful for the fact that I was born in 1928, have experienced a largely safe, healthy and happy 91 years, and that I was lucky enough to be born in the United States of America. I hope to be able to vote in the 2020 presidential election.

At this moment the choice of candidates remains problematic and leans toward none of the above. I hope to find a candidate who really believes in a great America. This is not a nostalgic look backward. I cannot remember in my 91 years when America was a safe, healthy, free nation for everyone. I wait for a leader who will work for education policies that ensure higher levels of education for all; health care policies that help people live longer and healthier lives; social welfare policies that ensure a higher standard of living for all; and criminal justice policies that reduce violence and crime rates.

Maybe my dream of an America that deep in its heart is dedicated to the welfare of all is just an impossible fantasy. I refuse to abandon the dream.

Gerald L. Hastings, Dallas

I recently attended the Dallas Theater Centers presentation of Ann, a play about the late Texas Gov. Ann Richards.

It was refreshing to see one of Texas finest leaders portrayed on stage, exposing all of her personal flaws, yet showing the true colors of a real person of character in public office. What a rare pleasure to see a public official more interested in the people she serves than holding on to power.

The audience was filled with nearly 50 kids from Dallas schools who stayed after for the talk back. As I listened to these middle school and high school students, I was inspired for the future of our country and confident in the young thoughtful minds recognizing opportunities to make a difference.

A. David Zoller, Dallas

Re: FDR ran a resort from White House Trump would do well to consider this altruistic model, by Randolph Brandt, Oct. 28 Opinion.

Reading this column, I was reminded of a quote displayed in the house in Warm Springs, Ga., where Franklin D. Roosevelt died: He was the greatest man I had ever known. His life must be one of the commanding events of human destiny. Spoken by Winston Churchill.

David Haymes, Dallas

Re: This is how you do it, Dallas, by Robert Wilonsky, Nov. 3 Metro column.

Holy Batman, what a one-two punch! This Wilonsky piece on St. Jude Center was one of the most inspirational articles Ive read in a long time. He outlined a blueprint for creating meaningful housing for the homeless and showcased why the citizens in this country should look to themselves, not the government, for solutions to social problems.

The city of Dallas has been sitting on a $20 million bond issue for two years, dithering while the Catholic Housing Initiative made things happen. They have created a positive, safe homeless haven in St. Jude Center and are on their way to creating another in southwest Oak Cliff. Meanwhile, Dallas continues to dither while spending money on a community engagement plan.

Enough already with expecting government to solve our social problems! Lets start looking to churches, communities and individuals to get the work done. Government is paralyzed by nonsensical rules and regulations. It will never get anything done while continuing to spend taxpayers money at a breathtaking rate.

Danna Zoltner, Denton

Re: Amen and nay, by Kevin Loyd, Nov. 30 Letters.

I practice whistleblower law. Whistleblowers as a group are extremely courageous individuals compelled, in most cases, to expose corruption. They seriously jeopardize their familys financial welfare and lifestyle for the benefit of U.S. taxpayers and their fellow Americans.

To me that is a hero. My dictionary defines coward as a man who five times lied about his draft status to avoid his duty to his country while I commanded men in combat in Vietnam. While the coward admits that he was safely grabbing young women in the U.S., my combat soldiers were sometimes trying to grab their last breaths. Because the coward didnt serve, someone likely died or was wounded instead of him.

Yes, I know cowards, and none of them spilled any blood in Vietnam in man-to-man combat while wearing the dirty, blood-stained fatigues that we proudly wore. Crappy war, great warriors.

Sam Boyd, University Park, Combat Platoon Leader, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Ret. Vietnam

Re: City signs off on big dig rig, Dec. 4 Metro & Business story.

Perhaps, when the Big Tex boring machine is finished with the floodwater drain system, DART can contract it to excavate new subway lines under Loop 12. For too long, DART rail has been hub-and-spoke. Perhaps it is time to create the wheel, too.

Donald N. Wright, Richardson

Re: Mayor demands plan on crime Letter to city manager calls for strategies and timelines, not excuses, Dec. 4 news story.

Go with me on this. After years of mediocrity and disappointment, the New York Jets fired yet another head coach. Expecting a long line of applicants, they were surprised when no one showed up. In the end, they hired one of the few people who would actually take the job. The results have been predictable.

Certainly the mayor and citizens deserve a crime plan, but if this finger-pointing attitude results in ousting Chief U. Rene Hall, the city may find itself in league with the Jets. The Dallas Police Department is already struggling to recruit officers, and if theres constant conflict between the department and elected officials, the chief job will turn into one that no one wants.

Pointed fingers arent very useful for fighting crime.

Vinny Minchillo, Plano

The Pew Research Center released data in August of this year citing their mid-July poll showing a staggering 43% of Republicans strongly feel that the president should not be accountable to either the Congress or the courts, effectively nullifying the constitutional concept of checks and balances. There is now a demonstrably significant number of Americans who are willing to renounce our Constitution and embrace the concept of an unbridled executive.

We forget that we submit to tyrants when we renounce the difference between what we want to hear and what is, in fact, truth.

Tyranny will not rise in our country because it is strong, but because our democracy has been weakened by its very citizens.

Thomas E. Turpin, Bedford

My 6-year-old granddaughter, who has attended Montessori Childrens House and now attends White Rock Montessori, where her friends and classmates are all races and religions, was recently sitting in her fathers lap while he read to her. The instant he read the words the black man, she interjected with, Whats a black man? What a blessing it would be if only we could see each other through a childs eyes. My wish for all mankind this Christmas season is for the perfect and beautiful innocence of childhood.

Kimberly Mercer, Richardson

Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

Excerpt from:

Letters to the Editor: The top letters of 2019 - The Dallas Morning News

Two weeks after Donald Trump was elected president of the United States in November 2016, my column in this newspaper was entitled Its gut-check time folks. There were concerns at that time about the economic impact of future decisions made in the U.S. posing challenges to our quality of life, especially if the world economy took a tumble.

Little did we know that three years later we would be questioning not only the economic, national security and trade decisions of our southern neighbour, but also checking our own moral compass.... to confirm how far we two nations seem to have drifted apart in our understanding of what is right and wrong in the way people live their lives and relate to each other.

So, going back to square one, what wisdom can we re-learn from the past as to how people should conduct themselves in life. Organised religions such as Christianity have belief systems primarily devoted to the worship of their deities, with limited advice to offer on interpersonal relationships, beyond the golden rule ...do unto others as you would have them do unto you, etc.

Confucius, the Chinese philosopher, who lived 500 years before Christ, emphasized personal morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. Interestingly, he was a senior civil servant and advisor to several Chinese emperors and not a prophet.

The ancient Greeks explored the notion of living the good life based on the writings of Plato and Aristotle, also much before Christianity appeared on the scene.

I discovered recently a collection of fundamental truths under the rubric of humanism, akin to those ancient Greek philosophies. They present a range of propositions as to how people could live the good life and relate to each other for their common good.

I found them to be particularly helpful in these troubled times, and worth sharing.... a kind of a checklist we can measure ourselves against; and compare with the recent behaviour of our southern neighbours....and perhaps be thankful.

The first piece of advice is that good lives must be meaningful or purposeful to the people living them. One of Oscar Wildes most quoted remarks is that everyones map of the world should have a Utopia on it and all good things find purpose in worthwhile dreams or ideals.

The next principle is that good lives are lived in relationships, having at their core real intimacy - love, or friendship. Humans are essentially social beings and good relationships make for better people.

A third is that good lives are full of activity - of doing, making or learning. What would a life of complete ease without demands or obligations produce of value? A lengthy beach holiday, or constant binging on Netflix movies are examples of pointless recreation that come to mind.

A fourth is that good lives unfailingly demonstrate honesty and authenticity in their conduct an outcome rarely fully achieved by mere mortals, but the determined intent to achieve it is praiseworthy in itself.

A fifth is that good lives exhibit personal autonomy, that is the acceptance of responsibility for the choices we make that shape the course of our lives. Its all about being ones own lawmaker and accepting the consequences for failure, while learning from them......otherwise whats the point?

Last but not least, in a good life the quality of the life is fully enjoyed and positive; it feels rich and satisfying to the person living it......much like calling Cumberland County your home, where some remarkable human experiences comes along most every day.

Alan Walter is a retired professional engineer living in Oxford. He was born in Wales and worked in Halifax. He spends much of his time in Oxford, where he operates a small farm. He can be reached at alanwalter@eastlink.ca.

Go here to see the original:

Some positive thoughts at year end - Cumberland News Now

A documentary that celebrates salvaging at the Yellowknife dump is being shown across the continent.

New York-based filmmaker Amy Elliott always wanted to make a film about a dump, but finding one with open access for salvagers was difficult in the United States.

"Everything's closed because of liability," Elliott said. "This was by far and away the largest dump that was open to the public for salvaging, so it was my only option."

Elliott first traveled to Yellowknife in March 2009 and said that, right away, she knew she'd found a story.

"I mean, the stuff that people were getting out of the dump, the people I met, I knew this was something I wanted to invest in and come back for."

She spent the next six years making annual journeys north and getting to know a colourful cast of characters.

Salvage, her feature-length documentary, premiered last March at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music and film festival in Austin, Texas.

It chronicles many great dump finds while documenting a battle with city hall over its move to a new "tiered-cell" system that limits access to the dump.

Salvage paints a portrait of Yellowknife as a scrappy mining town at the end of the road, where many people (particularly people of an older generation) value the goods that make it this far.

It also probes a bigger story: what are we doing with all this stuff?

Elliott first learned about the dump after coming across Walt Humphries's column, "Tales from the Dump," in the Yellowknifer newspaper.

"I think we should be proud of our dump," said Humphries, who ended up with a starring role in the documentary. "The more people see how dumps work, the more likely they are to change their hometown dump, because I believe all dumps should be open to salvage."

Humphries appears alongside other local salvagers, like Dwayne Wohlgemuth, who comes across a trove of vacuum-packed noodles.

Velma Sterenberg, a retired geologist, also appears in the film, alongside former N.W.T. commissioner Tony Whitford, who salvages wood to make birdhouses.

"I grew up like Tony," Sterenberg said, "straightening nails for my dad because those nails had to be used again because we couldn't afford to go to the store for more."

Sterenberg is routinely horrified by perfectly good things she finds people have thrown away.

"The dump is my 'Ykea,'" she said, using the local vernacular a riff on the furniture chain Ikea. "If I need something and I have a pretty good idea I can find it at the dump, I will go to the dump before I go to the hardware store."

In the documentary, Sterenberg is shown surrounded by teddy bears she hadcollected from the dump.

"I'm humbled and I'm honoured," Sterenberg said of appearing in the film. "If what I have to say makes any kind of a difference, even in a small way, then I can feel better about being a human being on this planet."

The City of Yellowknife is also pleased with the documentary.

"Salvage brings to light the complexities and relevance of waste management in a fun, intimate and honest way," said Chris Vaughn, who manages the solid waste facility, in an email.

"It showcases what the city has always known about its residents; that we are a group of resourceful and eclectic northerners that believe in the golden rule of making the best, and the most, of what we have."

Elliott said she began her project with more of a philosophical tilt than an environmental purpose. Her previous documentaries examined "World's Largest" monuments in small towns and competitive jigsaw puzzling in Minnesota (title: Wicker Kittens).

But that view changed after she spent some time on "the working face" of a real-live dump.

"The amount of plastic and the amount of e-waste so much cheap junk that ended up in the dump that I didn't realize there was so much of," Elliott said. "We really are in an unbelievable apex of consumerism and consumption."

Salvaging, Elliott thinks, is one way to let people in on the dirty secret of where the garbage goes. Plus, she said, it's fun.

"It's like a wonderland for kids, and for adults, obviously."

The documentary is not yet available to stream online, though it should be by spring.

For now, it's slated for about 10 more film festivals in the next several months.

See original here:

Treasure hunting in the trash: Yellowknife salvagers cheer dump documentary - CBC.ca

Over the course of the past three years, we have witnessed an erosion of the values that many of us hold dear.

If one looked to only our national leaders, one might mistakenly conclude that values such as hard work, integrity, selfless service, courage and honesty are entirely missing from our national fabric. After all, arent these leaders elected to our nations highest level because they represent the best of us? But nowhere has this decline of decency been more patently noticeable than in the White House. How is it possible to hold these values dear and then elect someone we would not trust to be alone in a room with our daughters?

For those who have not been keeping track, the following is a brief timeline of examples we have seen on this crumbling road to perdition:

November 2015:

October 2016:

January 2018:

February 2018:

May 2018:

December 2018:

October 2019:

November 2019:

November 2019:

Any one of these actions is despicable. But, when taken in their entirety, a pattern emerges of a near complete absence of nearly every one of the values to which most of us aspire and hold so dear.

We claim to hold our highest of leaders to the highest of standards. So how is it that our nation has become so blind to the loss of what we purport to hold so dear? How did we get to a place where politics, favor-trading and fear mongering trump who we love, how we behave and when we stand up for all those around us? I can think of no other explanation for how we, as a fair and democratic nation, can continue to defend the illegal and amoral behavior that should be indefensible.

And perhaps you think it does not affect us; Washington is, after all, a nation away. Yet even in South Dakota, congressional members John Thune, Mike Rounds and Dusty Johnson leaders we elected to represent our values and way of life are supporting an agenda so far removed from that baseline one wonders where the loyalties really lay. What happened to those South Dakota values? How can any Christian or anyone guided by the Golden Rule treating others with love, fairness and compassion possibly behave as our president does? Moreover, how can others condone, let alone support, this?

This dichotomy is causing a gaping chasm in our nation. We are living in a new era, one marked by dishonesty, selfishness, infidelity, crudeness, bigotry, sexism, misogyny and homophobia an era in which all of this is accepted as the norm. In this new nation, the end always justify the means, and it matters little, if at all, whom we trample, cheat, abuse or belittle in order to achieve the desired end. However, these are not the values that represent me, and they are not the values I want taught to my children.

Alan L. Neville is a professor of education at Northern State University. The views are his and do not represent Northern State.

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Neville: Where have our values gone? | News - AberdeenNews.com

One of the most important lessons in economics is to learn that human valuation is subjective. As a result, the only way we can find out how much people value things is if we allow them to be free to buy or sell them at prices they determine. All of supply and demand are based on that freedom.

One of the key lessons in ethics is the Golden Rule, or Non-Aggression Principle, which includes both the Golden Rule and its variation: Do unto others as you would have them to unto you, and do not do unto others as you would not want them to do unto you.

People who understand economics and ethics know that both of these principles are tied to each other. In fact, they are one-and-the-same, rendering down to a simple edict:

Dont be a jerk.

But numerous politicians in the California Assembly seem to think that once they are elected, they can simply disregard this principle, and tell other people how to live and work.

And so we see the looming implementation of the new statute called AB 5, which, because these said same politicians want to force business owners to hand out health insurance to more people, will mandate that any freelance writers creating 35 pieces or more per year for an employer must be categorized as full-time employees.

Voila! Health insurance!

Or, if one lives in reality: Voila! Fewer freelance jobs! Fewer freelance writers living in California! Which is precisely where things are heading, as Billy Binion reports for Reason:

A nonprofit legal foundation is suing California on behalf of freelance workers who say the state's recently passed Assembly Bill 5 (AB5) will destroy their livelihoods.

Whats in the offing for many freelancers?

The bill's pending implementation has wreaked havoc on publications that rely heavily on California freelancers. Just last week, Vox Media announced itwill not be renewing the contracts of around 200 journalists who write for the sports website SB Nation. Instead, the company will replace many of those contractors with 20 part-time and full-time employees. Rev, which provides transcription services, and Scripted, which connects freelance copywriters with people who need their services, also notified their California contractors that they would no longer give them work.

And says Alisha Grauso, co-leader of the group California Freelance Writers United (CAFWU):

Companies can simply blacklist California writers and work with writers in other states, and that's exactly what's happening I dont blame them.

Absolutely stunning. But, with all the charm of a Grinch on Mount Crumpet, Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego), the mastermind behind AB 5 Tweeted this to anyone who might possibly find her decision to control them a bit offensive:

I'm sure some legit freelancers lost substantial income, and I empathize with that especially this time of year. But Vox is a vulture.

What a sweetie. Apart from the fact that she appears to need an editor to explain to her the difference between the words empathize and sympathize, she shows such contempt for a business that she seems to have no problem telling its owners how to run it. You know how that goes. Happens all the time. You waltz into a shop, find it not to your liking, and then threaten the owner with fines, total shut-down, and a trip to jail at the hands of armed agents of the state godhead if they dont comply.

Golden Rule. Totally.

And in case anyone were confused, Binion notes this priceless gem:

'These were never good jobs,' Gonzalez said earlier this month. 'No one has ever suggested that, even freelancers.'

If youre shaking your head, youre not alone.

I've been able to earn nearly three times the amount I did working a day job, doing what I absolutely love, and having more to volunteer and spend time with loved ones, wrote Jackie Lam, a financial journalist. Kelly Butler, a freelance copywriter, echoed those sentiments. Thousands of CA female freelancer writers, single moms, minorities, stand to lose their livelihood due to this bill, she said. I was told by a client because I live in CA they can't use me. I made $20K from them this year.

And for those who are all hopped-up on gender sensitivity, Grauso notes that this CA statute will really harm women, who comprise 72.3 percent of their organization and who find particular advantages in freelance writing.

(F)reelancing allows women to be stay-at-home mothers or to care for an aging parent, Grauso notes. Being made employees kills their flexibility and ability to be home when needed. I cannot stress enough how anti-women this bill is.

Yet this bill passed in supposedly progressive Californias glorious Assembly and will be an enforceable statute, unless the CAFWU can spend enough time and money in court appealing to politically-appointed judges to emerge victorious.

The suit, brought by Pacific Legal Foundation on CAFWUs behalf, notes Binion, declares:

By enforcing the 35-submission limit, Defendant, acting under color of state law, unconstitutionally deprives Plaintiffs' members of their freedom of speech as protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

And this is spot-on. But this statue also completely breaches the Contract Clause of the US Constitution, which is found in Article I, Section Ten, Clause I, and reads:

No state shall pass any Law impairing the obligation of contracts.

This applies to freelancers who have contracts of any kind, including verbal agreements, with employers, and it also applies to all employment agreements, including wages. If the Contract Clause were respected in contemporary US politics, not only would AB 5 be gone, minimum wage laws could not apply to most standing employees, new safety mandates could not be forced on businesses, many licensing statutes would be history, and, well, shoot, politicians might stand a tiny bit closer to operating by the Golden Rule.

They can never get there, because theyre politicians who operate through government, and government is, by definition, a violation of the Golden Rule because it exists through force and tax theft. But, to quote the Beach Boys, wouldnt it be nice to see at least that kind of behavior on the part of people like Assemblywoman Gonzalez?

We can dream, even as we avoid some of the swear-peppered nonsense she added to another Tweet to defend her arrogant assault on peaceful businesses and note that another incredibly authentic, peace-loving politician named Senator Elizabeth Warren is on her side.

Yes. We can dream. And we can learn about how the US Constitution is supposed to operate, and how people like Assemblywoman Gonzalez and Liz Warren hold the sanctity of free association and free trade in absolute contempt.

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Looming CA Law to 'Regulate Away' Many Freelance Jobs, Sponsor Says They 'Were Never Good Jobs' At All - MRCTV

Photo highlights from our top stories: Inuit parenting teaches kids how to control anger; a fisherman holds up a fish caught in Lake Malawi, where transactional sex is part of the fish trade; the Dandora Landfill in Nairobi, Kenya. Johan Hallberg-Campbell for NPR; Julia Gunther; Edward Burtynsky, courtesy Robert Koch Gallery, San Francisco / Nicholas Metivier Gallery, Toronto hide caption

Photo highlights from our top stories: Inuit parenting teaches kids how to control anger; a fisherman holds up a fish caught in Lake Malawi, where transactional sex is part of the fish trade; the Dandora Landfill in Nairobi, Kenya.

How do Inuits teach their kids not to get angry?

What is the story behind a practice known as "sex for fish" in Malawi?

And ... oh my heavens ... what have we humans done to the planet?

Stories in Goats and Soda that answered these questions were some of our most popular in 2019.

Here are our top 7 stories of the year, ranked by page views.

When correspondent Michaeleen Doucleff flew to Iqaluit in Nunavut, Canada, earlier this year to find out more about the parenting style there, all the moms mentioned one golden rule: Don't shout or yell at small children. That's a key to a society in which people are able to maintain composure even when faced with an annoying or frustrating situation.

Read the full story here.

Renee Bach, 30, is being sued in Ugandan civil court over the deaths of children who were treated at the critical care center she ran in Uganda.

Read the full story here.

The growths on Mahmoud Taluli's hands were the result of a severe case of a rare condition called epidermodysplasia verruciformis sometimes referred to as "tree man" syndrome because the tumors can resemble wood or bark. At right: Taluli after his operation. Hadassah Medical Center hide caption

Mahmoud Taluli of Gaza has undergone at least five surgeries at Hadassah Medical Center since 2017 for his epidermodysplasia verruciformis, a rare skin disease that causes painful white and gray growths resembling tree bark. Nicknamed "tree man" syndrome, Taluli's condition has only been documented a handful of times around the world and there is no known cure. But as a result of the surgeries, Taluli has regained use of his hands.

Read the full story here.

In sub-Saharan African communities where fishing is an important part of the local economy, there is a pervasive practice between the men who catch the fish and the women who sell it in markets: transactional sex.

Read the full story here.

In November, three people in China were diagnosed with pneumonic plague the most dangerous type of the disease, also known as the Black Death, which can spread from person to person.

The first two cases were a couple from Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region in northwest China. The other patient was a man also from Inner Mongolia, though reported to be unrelated to the couple. The Chinese government confirmed the cases, but media censorship drew criticism online.

Read the full story here.

More than 800 tons of trash piling up in a landfill in Nairobi, Kenya. Smoke pumping out of a 3,400-acre Exxon Petrochemical plant in Baytown, Texas. Oil contaminating the waterways of the Niger Delta in Nigeria.

These are some of the scenes documented in the Anthropocene Project, a multidisciplinary exhibit of film, photography, virtual reality and augmented reality. The name refers to the Anthropocene era the age of the humans ("anthropos" is Greek for human).

Read the full story and view some of the photos here.

The Hu, a Mongolian metal band, combines traditional instruments like the horsehead fiddle and Jew's harp with heavy drums and bass. With their mix of ancient culture and modern rock, the four conservatory-trained musicians have landed over 22 million views on YouTube.

Read the full story (and rock out) here.

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Our Most Popular Global Health Stories Of 2019: From Anger Management To Plague : Goats and Soda - NPR

I sent letters to my Congressional representatives and to the Judiciary Committee chairs and ranking members on May 10, 2019. It is disgusting that their offices did not even acknowledge receiving the letters. So I sent another round of letters amidst the holiday season and summarize that letter for public consideration.

Our national situation continues on a precarious path of eroding public trust and faith in our government. As a registered Republican, I implore Congress to support the full disclosure and transparency President Donald Trump touted for so long.

His position has seriously changed on this after it was found out he withheld U.S. Congressionally approved defensive aid to Ukraine in order to ask for favors for his own personal use. That information was moved from one server to a more secure and secret server, evidence of a cover-up.

Following all the recent sworn testimony by the limited officials permitted to testify regarding Ukrainian demands from President Trump, the evidence shows a pattern of continuous obstruction of justice, contempt of Congress, bullying of the press and media.

Again, listening to the Presidents many sides of the same story and FOX news, Breitbart, etc., unfortunately the clear evidence so far has led me to conclude President Trump should be impeached as he willingly instructed his colleagues (in the Executive branch as well as personal attorneys, friends and family) to serve evil purposes contrary to law and the U.S. Constitution.

The House impeaches and a trial is held in the U.S. Senate. The House has pursued hearings and developed a compelling case that high crimes and misdemeanors have been committed by President Trump and his associates at the Presidents explicit and implicit direct abuse of power.

The Senate needs to objectively consider the evidence and convict or not convict. A free and open debate and cross examination will continue to make our country strong.

Let me say as a political scientist that such a high turnover rate in the highest levels of the Executive Branch as well as leaving many positions unfilled demonstrates that President Trump does not so much want to rule from evidentiary or factual background as much as just winging it that endangers the entire country and world.

His disdain of expert, informed intelligence and advice indicate a rigidity to rule by authoritarian actions. Facts do matter; no amount of tweeting or spinning can change them.

I need a strong response from our Congress to clearly state the American position about the need to follow the Golden Rule (Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. Matthew 7:12), and not the one that says The man with the Gold rules.

I would like to see and hear that Congress has the collective courage to take on objectively the largest menace to our freedom and republican form of government as embodied by the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and a history of gradual, yet continual human progress.

John C. JenningsFreehold Township

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Honesty in government is not an oxymoron - centraljersey.com

Thousands of individuals head to their PC in the living room to begin their workday, free from the constraints working at a facility full-time poses. Perhaps this caused a chuckle, as you speculate that work-at-home is merely a gimmick or a special treat reserved for a select few.

And while both statements mightve been true a few years ago, these days anyone can earn a nice chunk of change working online full-time or part-time. Do you want to make money online without investments, risks, or worries? Its your year to shine online.

Anyone Can Work at Home

Dozens of online money-making opportunities offer men and women with little to no experience all the way to those with Masters degrees the chance to earn money from home.

Work your own days and hours in your pajamas if you want. You control the amount of money you make and all other aspects of the job. The key to a successful work-at-home job is to find the right opportunities.

As your search for jobs begins, remember the golden rule: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If earning $5 for every envelope you stuff was really possible, dont you think the applicant list would be pretty long?

Dont fall for those too-good-to-be-true opportunities. Be sure that you search for investment-free jobs as well. Many online jobs require upfront money or investments.

Ask friends to refer you to great work-at-home jobs and skim legitimate online sources for more information about legitimate job opportunities.

Researching opportunities thoroughly ensure you find the best jobs that pay the most money that also matches your interests. Life is good!

Work-at-Home Job Opportunities

Opportunities for work at home include writing, taking surveys, website design, vlogging, customer service, MLM, and hundreds more. Most opportunities require no previous experience or investments.

Steer clear of any opportunity that asks for upfront money. More often than not, such opportunities are nothing more than scams or jobs that earn a select few money. Far too many opportunities for work at home jobs exist that require no investment to spend money to make money.

Jobs You Love

Tons of opportunities for work-at-home exist and while you can tackle any of those jobs you want, finding something that interests you is best. Choosing an opportunity that matches your interests and skills ensures that you dont quickly grow tired of the work.

It also helps ensure you thrive in the position. Who knows where your work-at-home job could lead you when you find the right opportunity?

Many people say Gig Economy offered them this exact opportunity. It could very well change your life the way that it has for thousands of others already.

Excerpt from:

Can You Really Make Money Online Without Investment? - South Florida Reporter

Aimee Picchi, Special to USA TODAY Published 8:01 a.m. ET Dec. 21, 2019 | Updated 11:02 a.m. ET Dec. 23, 2019

Tipping your serverissecond nature at restaurants, but what about leaving a little something in other situations?It's a question that stirs confusion andanxiety more often during the holidays than at any other time of the year.

It turns out many Americans arent tipping their service providers at the holidays, according to a recent survey of more than 2,500 consumers by CreditCards.com. About half said they never tipped their childrens teachers or childcare providers, while 60% said they dont tip their mail carriers and another 70% said they dont tip trash collectors.

Many Americans arent tipping their various service providers at the holidays, according to a recent survey of more than 2,500 consumers by CreditCards.com.(Photo: AndreyPopov, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If these are people who are helping you out throughout the year, it's a nice thing to do," saysTed Rossman, industry analyst at CreditCards.com.

It may not be entirely your fault that you're remiss in tipping. Many people are likely unaware of social norms that surround tokens of appreciation.

Rossman sayswhen he worked as a camp counselor, for example, parents often tipped him at the end of the summer. But his parents had never tipped because they didnt know about the tradition.

They found out they were being inadvertently cheap, he recalls.

Holiday tipping: Here's who you should include and how much you should give them

Travelers, beware: Automatic tipping is everywhere. Here's what you can do about it

Tipping norms are also rapidly changing due to the shifting economy, says Steve Dublanica, the author of Keep the Change: A Clueless Tipper's Quest to Become the Guru of the Gratuity and a former waiter.

Leaving a gratuity is now more widespread because of the rise of payment apps and gig economy jobs that didnt exist before smartphones, he says. On top of that, many workers are toiling in jobs that neither pay well nor come with benefits, which means theyre increasingly dependent on tips, Dublanica says.

That may be why tip creep is occurring in restaurants, coffee shops, and taxiand car services, he notes. A decade ago, the standard tip was 15%, but now the base service tip is considered to be about 20%, he says.

Consumers who snub tipping because they believe employers should pay their workers more are only hurting the workers, not the employers, he adds. Sometimes when people say, I'm not tipping, they are insulating themselves from the reality of the person in front of them.

Consumers who snub tipping because they believe employers should pay their workers more are only hurting the workers, not the employers.(Photo: Julia Thompson/USA TODAY)

Along those lines, not tipping at the holidays is terrible, Dublanica says. Offering a gratuity is the recognition that you are of value and of worth.

Workers who dont typically receive a tip but provide you a service throughout the year should receive a reward at the holidays, he adds. For instance, handymen, landscapers, dog walkers and babysitters are among those you should tip around the holidays.

Store closings: Who are the biggest victims of the retail apocalypse

For these workers, provide a tip thats equal to the cost of one service. That means if you have a personal trainer who charges $75 a session, tip the trainer an extra $75 before the holidays.

But, experts say, tipped workers like hairdressers and your favorite barista should also get a little extra at the holidays. A hairdressershould receive the cost of one service. Your favorite baristas or waiter should get a generous tip of around 40% on the price of a holiday meal or drink, Dublanica says.

There are a few cases when tipping gets tricky.Because they are government workers, mail carriers arent allowed to accept cash or gift cards that can be converted to cash. And any gift must be worth less than $20, according to postal regulations.

Food items, crafts or even a handwritten note can be a thoughtful holiday gift for your mail carrier, CreditCards.coms Rossman says. He pointed to a viral video posted on Facebook earlier this month that showed a delivery drivers reaction to a basket of sodas and snacks left out for him.

American hotels:: Here's how much and whom you should be tipping

He was so thankful and appreciative and surprised, Rossman says.

Tipping teachers, especially for families with teenagers, may also be tricky because families dont want to be seen as bribing the instructors for better grades or college recommendations, Rossman adds. But cards, food or small tokens of appreciation can be well-received without crossing any ethical lines.

Even so, because tipping is based on social norms, there are plenty of grey areas.

Dublanica says his final rule of thumb is the golden rule.He says: If it was you, what would you want?

Aimee Picchi is a business journalist whose work appears in publications including USA Today, CBS News and Consumer Reports. She previously spent almost a decade covering tech and media for Bloomberg News. You can find her on Twitter at @aimeepicchi.

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Not tipping is 'terrible' during the holidays, but many Americans aren't doing it - USA TODAY

Read your horoscope predictions for December 27 to know what's the stars have in store for you today:AriesToday you may be satisfied with your responsibilities at work. You may plan for a short work related trip. You may also visit to some religious place to maintain your inner peace and positivity. Your gurus may show you the right path, which may give you clarity in regarding your goals.'; var randomNumber = Math.random(); var isIndia = (window.geoinfo && window.geoinfo.CountryCode === 'IN') && (window.location.href.indexOf('outsideindia') === -1 ); console.log(isIndia && randomNumber

Taurus Today you may feel dull, it is advised to keep your mind cool, its golden rule for you to think twice before any act. You may be travel to recover your money, You are also advised to avoid to go for adventure tour. Students are advised to go for in depth study to get success. You may also attracted by occult.

GeminiToday you may feel good, family harmony may make you happy. You may meet some influential person to get some benefits in the work front. You may likely to perform good in your job, you may expect some rewards in terms of promotions. Disputes in inherited property may likely to settle down.

CancerToday, you may find yourself in self analysis state, which will bring some confidence in you. Your focus towards your goals is now clear, you may get success to achieve your goal. Your creativity might improve and you will take interest into artefacts, movies, glamour and real life objects. At the end of the day, you may be satisfied with your life. Your opponents may be under control now.

LeoToday you may have mixed situations around you. It is advised to do not expect more from anyone around you, it may make you disappointed. Today you may have self exploration and self analysis, which may allow filtering yourself. After the filtration process, you may fell confidence and be able to prepare to accept challenges.

VirgoToday, you may feel some negativity around you, which may make you upset. You may find your responsibilities as a burden. You may be in the hurry to complete the task given to you. You may make silly mistakes. Your working efficiency may be slow down, which may affect your day to day work. Your projects may likely to be delayed, it t affects your professional life. You are advised to take an advice from your elders or consultant, before taking any important decision.

LibraToday is a positive day for you, you may get success of your hard work on professional front. You may have a good focus and you may complete your work before time, which can improve your self confidence. You may also expect some work related short trip, which may be beneficial in near future in terms of your network.

ScorpioToday, you are blessed by moon. You may expect to get some inherited assets. You may perform with patience on work front, which may increase your efficiency. You may be polite with the people around you. You may put less efforts in day to day works. You may use your communication skills to get new business in terms of progress on the work front.

SagittariusToday, you are blessed by moon, which may l give you patience. Externally you may face some work related stress but your inner sense may be calm and cool, which may help you to balance everything. You may enjoy your every moment in work and domestic life. Parents health is now ok. You may hear some good news from your siblings.

CapricornToday, you may feel unhappy. Some old health issues may arises, which may make you impatient. You may spend your hard earned money in buying worthless stuffs. You are advised to control your short temper nature, Love birds are advised to avoid discussions on worthless topics, otherwise there might have some break up.

AquariusToday, you are likely to enjoy your domestic and professional life. You may become polite with the people around you, which may help in completion of your work smoothly. You may find some new sources of earnings, which may boost your savings., you may also plan for renovate your house or office. Natives who are in job, may get promotions.

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Horoscope Today, 27 December 2019: Check predictions for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer and others - Times of India

Periods are pretty magical in that they allow many of us the ability to reproduce if and when we choose to do so. But they also come with plenty of downsides. Bleeding through a pair of white linen pants is one. Feeling so bloated you cant even wear said pants to begin with is another.

And then of course theres the pain. Period cramps are the result of the normal breakdown of the uterine lining during your period, explains Stephanie McClellan, M.D., an OB/GYN and chief medical officer at Tia, but they can still make you feel like you have a small troll using your uterus as a punching bag. They can keep you away from your workouts, away from having a nice night out with friends, away from being able to play on the rug with your child, away from your office, away from everything.

Fortunately, there are some ways to combat period pain. They say food can be used as medicine, so we asked the experts about foods that help with cramps. (Spoiler alert: A pint of Ben & Jerrys sadly isnt one of them.)

A small study found that women that drank ginger tea during the first few days of their period reduced their abdominal cramps, says Lisa C. Andrews, MEd, RD, and president of the Ohio Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Andrews recommends steeping a piece of peeled fresh ginger and some lemon slices in hot water to create a tea that should help alleviate cramps.

Omega-3-fatty acids like those found in ground flax can have anti-inflammatory effects, which helps reduce pain, says Andrews. Ground flaxseed can be added to oats, smoothies or yogurt, she suggests.

There is evidence that regular inclusion of ground flax can actually shorten the duration of periods, adds Lindsay Malone, a registered dietitian and adjunct professor of nutrition and wellness at Case Western Reserve University.

Other omega-3 rich foods recommended by Malone are walnuts, chia seeds, and wild fish like salmon.

Mayo Clinic reports magnesium as one of several supplements that have been used in numerous studies and shown to potentially reduce menstrual cramps. Nuts and seeds are a good source of magnesium and vitamin E, says Andrews. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale also contain magnesium.

Other magnesium-rich foods include avocados, tofu, and brown rice.

Turmeric can also potentially provide some relief. A lot of the pain that accompanies cramps is caused by inflammation, and there are few foods as great at battling inflammation as turmeric.

Add this beautiful yellow spice it to your rice, scrambled eggs, potatoes, whatever in order to reduce inflammation and, hopefully, pain.

Foods rich in thiamine can also be powerful period pain fighters. One study has shown that 100mg per day of Thiamine can be helpful, says Dr. McClellan. Some thiamin-rich options to consider eating during your period include pork, brown rice, and legumes.

However, you may want to stick to thiamin-fortified foods like breakfast cereals. The reason? Cooking food rich in thiamine reduces the amount of bioavailable thiamine from that food source, warn Dr. McClellan.

The golden rule when youre dealing with cramps? Avoid foods that can contribute to inflammation or cause GI upset like sugar, alcohol, soda and fried foods, says Malone. If youre sensitive to dairy, add that to the list as well.

Dr. McClellan also advises avoiding or at least minimize their alcohol and caffeine intake. That might mean replacing your morning latte with a small cup of green tea, which can effectively reduce some bloating (and potentially reduce cramping in the process). As for happy hour? You may want to skip it altogether.

At the end of the day, whether its cramps or any other ailment, it all comes down to balance. It's important to remember the overall pattern of the diet is more important than any single food that may provide relief, says Malone.

Originally Appeared on Glamour

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5 Foods That Help Cramps - Yahoo Lifestyle

Whats the secret to a great roast potato for my Christmas dinner?Tracey, Guildford

Forget the turkey, sprouts and all the rest: the spuds are by far the best bit of any roast, Christmas or otherwise, and dont listen to anyone who tells you differently. They cover every base, from carbs, crunch and salt to fat, umami and delicious excess.

Theres not much of a secret to them, either, Tracey, so long as you use the right type of potato and the fats hot enough to begin with. While waxy ones crisp up nicely, they just dont hit the requisite level of softness inside, so for most of us that means using floury maris piper, desiree or king edwards, though if youre lucky enough to get your hands on some, kerrs pinks or golden wonder would be even better.

Once youve picked and peeled your potatoes, the next step is to boil them, which is where our modern kitchen gurus start dishing up confusion. Nigella boils them for only four minutes, Delia gives hers 10 and Jamies get 15, while Heston Bloomingheck takes his to the brink of disintegration by boiling them for up to half an hour, which is just an accident waiting to happen, and best avoided on this of all days. (Mind you, his tip to add the peeled skins to the boiling pot is bona fide genius, because it really does make the potatoes taste exponentially more, er, potatoey.) Some then dust their drained spuds in flour or even semolina (*hard stares La Lawson*) to help them crisp up, but theres no real need: so long as they go into very hot oil, theyll go crunchy enough anyway.

But enough of the culinary slebs, already: before we all reach for the Aunt Bessies, lets ask some folk who actually make roasties for a living. According to Steven Smith, chef/owner of The Freemasons Arms in Wiswell, Lancashire, When you think about it, the best part of a roastie is the bit submerged in fat, because its really crisp but stays all fluffy inside; the bits that arent under oil often dry out and go rock-hard.

These days, Smith doesnt actually roast his potatoes at all; he deep-fries them. While thats perhaps a bit much for the home cook and the uncharitable among us may well be asking, Isnt that a chip, then? Smith does this because it ensures consistency; hes clearly on to something, too, because his pub is always up near the top of the annual Top 50 Gastropubs list. Anyway, he says, the cooking medium isnt as pivotal as letting the spuds dry out properly first. We put ours uncovered in the fridge overnight, to give them time to lose all the moisture they pick up in boiling.

Nathan Richardson, head chef at the award-winning Guinea Grill in Mayfair, agrees with an overnight dry, but if thats not possible, give them at least an hour to cool and dry before roasting. This guy makes 200-plus portions each and every Sunday, so knows his way around a roastie better than most. And give them a shake to rough up the edges only once they are cool, or youll risk destroying them entirely and ending up with roast mash.

As for the fat you use, take a leaf out of Delias book and match it to what youre serving. Richardson uses dripping Why waste money on duck or goose fat when you can get a block of dripping for less than a pound? as befits a man who runs a kitchen famed for its steak, but whatever you use, he says, It has to be smoking hot before the spuds go in, because it coats them better and prevents sticking.

Its the finishing touches, however, that really set the professionals apart: Richardson dusts his roast spuds in dried thyme, rosemary, salt and white pepper, all ground to a fine powder, while Smith tosses his first in browned salted butter flavoured with garlic, thyme and rosemary before seasoning with yet more salt, rosemary and thyme.

Finally, as everyone knows, the golden rule is always to make way more than you think you need, because few mouthfuls are more pleasurable than a leftover roastie straight from the fridge. If I had my way, Richardson says, Id avoid eating them with roast dinner at all. Theyd make the perfect bar snack if only I could guarantee people wouldnt ask me to heat them up.

Do you have a culinary dilemma? Email feast@theguardian.com

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Christmas dinner: whats the secret to the perfect roast potato? - The Guardian

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When clients first contact me for rsum help, they often say things like I heard that you should never or I was told to always Most of these rules are just plain wrong, because they contradict the one Golden Rule of Rsum Writing: your why you should hire me message needs to jump off the page in the 15 seconds or less that your rsum is being reviewed (one study says your rsum is looked at for only 7.4 seconds).

Keeping the Golden Rule in mind, lets look at the top four rsum myths that Ive come across in my work with clients.

Your rsum should not be a literal list of all the things you did in your career. Instead, make it a document that quickly tells an employer how you can help them by using selective emphasis and inclusion. That is, keep the Golden Rule in mind. For example:

If you are too literal in describing your experiences, both you and your prospective employer might lose out, the latter because they wont truly understand your value.

Most rsum reviewers are not thinking oh this rsum is on two pages (or three pages), forget it. What they are thinking instead is I only have a few seconds to look at this and figure out if a conversation is worthwhile. You therefore need to prioritize ensuring that your rsum can be quickly scanned for value over having your rsum conform to a predefined length.

I too often see rsums with fonts that are too small, margins that are too narrow or space between jobs or experiences that is almost nonexistent all to make the rsum shorter. The result looks like a wall of tiny text thats difficult to quickly scan. Address these issues if present in your rsum, and make use of white space so that the reader can quickly skim through your rsum and pick out the key points.

Similarly, too many rsum writers leave out highly resonant accomplishments for the sake of one or two-pages, which is counterproductive. Dont hurt your case in service of a rule that most rsum reviewers arent thinking about!

The benefits of de-prioritizing page length in favor of these other factors have been evident in the results from my work with over a thousand clients, where their one page, two page or even three or four page rsums have landed them interviews. My career-coach colleagues longer yet concise rsums are similarly being selected for interviews and high praise as well. To take one of many examples, my work with universities enables me to see which undergrad rsums recruiters select out of a pile. Very often, they select the rsum that goes onto two pages out of a bunch of one-page rsums.

That said, ensure your rsum is as concise as possible (remember the Golden Rule). Make every word count. For example, when I see that a rsum is just over two pages, Im usually able to find and remove unnecessary words or phrases to get it onto two.

This myth violates the spirit of the Golden Rule, as you can see in these examples.

The bottom line: add experience to your rsum if it helps, take out or deemphasize experience if it doesnt.

Some jobseekers feel they need to use a different rsum format to hide issues with their experience. These issues include long gaps in employment, relevant experience that is old, or perceived experience gaps resulting from an attempt at a career or industry change.

Look, Im all for breaking convention when doing so will help you to get across your why hire me message more effectively. But dispensing with the reverse chronological format will have the opposite effect. The rsum reviewer will get confused by a different format than the reverse-chronological one that they see on 99% of rsums; they either wont take the time to figure out what youre doing, or they will think youre hiding something.

Theres a better way to handle problems, and its called a Summary Section. Place it at the top of your rsum (the first thing the reader sees), and think of it as your elevator speech or pitch.

Include: 1) your target position, i.e. what box you would fall into within an organization chart, 2) what differentiates you from your competition, and 3) your summarized greatest hits hard hitting bulleted accomplishments so they dont have to go searching on page two to find that amazing accomplishment you want them to see (you may repeat these accomplishments later in the rsum if appropriate).

By the way, the analysis of myths one and three applies equally to your LinkedIn profile.

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The Top 4 Rsum MythsBusted - Forbes