Sometimes you don’t need stories with deep meaning or depressing facts. Sometimes all you need is a stream of photos of dogs on floaties in pools. Take a moment to look at these relaxing pictures of innocent creatures enjoying what summer has handed to them.
The Fresh Toast – Summer is here, but sometimes the day is still wacky busy. Stop and look at these dogs on floaties to relax!
The bottle cap challenge is one where, like most viral challenges, the internet convinces millions of people to do stupid things. Here, celebrities and random people from all over the world have made sure to permeate our feeds with well made videos where they’re seen kicking caps off of bottles.
The most famous entry into this challenge is Jason Statham, who managed to kick off a cap in slow motion while looking like a ninja:
While most people stay pretty traditional with the challenge (you know, just kicking the cap off), there are a few clips that deviate from the formula and end up with much more interesting results. Check out some of the best below:
In May 2019, Gallup pollsters asked Americans about their trust in federal agencies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ranked near the bottom, beating only the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Only 44% of respondents rated the FDA as doing an excellent or good job. In turn, 33% viewed the FDA’s performance as “fair” and 22% ranking the FDA as “poor.” That paled in comparison to the US Postal Service (74% good/excellent) and fell below even the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (50% good/excellent). That’s not great for the FDA, considering that its purpose is to protect the public, not collect taxes. Add to it, what is the FDA’s problem with Hemp-CBD?
While we’re on the subject of Gallup Polls, in June Gallup found that 4 in 10 respondents believed that CBD should be sold over the counter. Only 21% of respondents believed that CBD oil should be sold with a prescription and a mere 2% believed it should not be available at all. In addition, 36% of respondents were not familiar with CBD.
It’s no secret that CBD presents a unique challenge for the FDA because the compound itself is about as popular as the agency. To compare, 44% of Americans think the FDA is doing a good job and 39% of Americans believe that CBD should be available without a prescription. If the FDA and CBD oil were politicians, they’d be neck and neck. That begs the question, do Americans trust the FDA enough to evaluate CBD?
Science forms the basis for decisions at the [FDA] and is paramount when it comes to making decisions that will impact the health and safety of the American public. We apply this rigorous, science-based approach to matters large and small that come before the Agency — including with respect to products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds, including cannabidiol (CBD).
That sounds great! Who doesn’t want a “sound, science-based policy on CBD?” Though evidence shows that CBD certainly has some serious benefits, we really do not know enough about the compound at this point. I think the FDA’s statement sums this up nicely:
While we recognize the potential benefits of CBD, questions remain regarding its safety. During our review of the marketing application for Epidiolex, we identified certain safety risks, including the potential for liver injury. Furthermore, unsubstantiated therapeutic claims — such as claims that CBD products can treat serious diseases — can lead consumers to put off getting important medical care.
Again, it’s pretty hard to argue that these items shouldn’t be investigated. The problem is that people may not trust the FDA with something as popular as public access to CBD oil.
How did the FDA lose the public’s trust? In 2013, the Journal of Law, Medicine, and Ethics published an article titled Institutional Corruption of Pharmaceuticals and the Myth of Safe and Effective Drugs which provides some potential answers. The article finds that the “pharmaceutical industry has corrupted the practice of medicine through its influence over what drugs are developed, how they are tested, and how medical knowledge is created.” The FDA was created to protect the public from unsafe food and drugs. However, the high cost of investigating and approving drugs has turned “drug companies into the FDA’s prime clients, deepening the regulatory and cultural capture of the agency.”
The article determines that the FDA has put the needs of the medical industry over the needs of individuals which has resulted in an increase in the overall number of drugs, some of which are not effective or needed. In the last few years, the opioid crisis has made the situation even more pressing. The Center for Disease Control reported that “drug overdoses killed 63,632 Americans in 2016,” and “nearly two-thirds of these deaths (66%) involved a prescription or illicit opioid.”
The lack of public trust in the FDA helps inform the current problem it faces with CBD oil. On one hand, the FDA must ensure that products are safe for the public. On the other hand, it also needs to keep politicians (including Senators Ron Wyden and Mitch McConnell) and the public happy by allowing broad access to CBD oil. We’ll continue to monitor how the FDA regulates this tough issue.
Demi Lovato is not here for ANYONE who tries to body shame her — or any online trolls for that matter. And the pop star had the perfect response to one troll in particular who tried to do just that on Instagram.
The troll, who went by the Instagram handle @Selenuer (a Selena Gomez fan account of all fan accounts and who is now “unavailable”), had posted a paparazzi photo of Demi walking out of a gym after a workout and captioned it, “hey demi dm me so we can discuss a diet plan for you,” and even TAGGED Lovato so she would be sure to see it.
Demi Lovato responds to body-shaming troll who asked to be reached out to “discuss a diet plan.” pic.twitter.com/kU7yRAf4yz
Well, Demi saw it, and destroyed this person with the following sentiment: “I actually am choosing not to diet and fall back into unhealthy behaviors at the risk of losing my sanity or mental health but thank you for the offer! Super sweet.” And she finished her comment with a pink emoji heart to seal the deal.
The 48-year-old talk show host took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a fiery pic of her hubby shirtless in crystal clear waters. Needless to say, the snap received a lot of attention.
“An actor prepares………..for the end of vacation,” Ripa wrote of the Riverdale star, also 48.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzbhLwSDDuK
The post was well-received by most of Ripa’s followers, including Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Lisa Rinna.
“Thank you Kelly. ” Rinna gushed, to which Ripa replied, “This ones for you babe .”
Of course, like most celebrity posts, the sexy pic wasn’t exempt from some harsh comments. One user wrote, “He spends a hell of a lot of his time working out. should spend it with his wife and kids.”
“He’s on vacation WITH us. He’s a multitasker,” Ripa, who shares three kids — Michael, 22, Lola, 18, and Joaquin, 16 — with Consuelos responded.
A busy and exhausting life is one of the main reasons people pass on sex. It’s the world’s most popular excuse for a reason, and there’s some truth to it. While most days you could choose to have sex, other days it’s really hard to muster up the energy for it. It’s easier to go to bed or to watch a TV show. So, too tired for sex, we have solutions.
Sex is normal and healthy. According to sex therapist Vanessa Marin, there’s two ways to resolve this issue: you can focus on the long term or on the short term.
Sleep hygiene is the process by which you make your sleeping habit cleaner and easy to access, whether that be using your bed only for sleeping and sex, avoiding iPhone use late at night, or purchasing a weighted blanket. These tools and routines allow your body to develop a pattern, which can really help you have more sex in the long run.
If you’re nodding off in the couch and expect to have sex later on, try to get up and shake off the sleepiness. Clean up a bit around your house or stretch out your limbs, reminding your body to stay awake for a little while longer.
Most people who pass on sex are not thinking about the afterglow of it and all the benefits it provides. Think about how you feel after having sex, pumping yourself up for the good stuff instead of focusing on the stressors of the day and how tired you feel.
One of the most common recommendations sex therapists give is for couples to schedule sex, allowing them to prioritize the activity and to prepare ahead of time. Having this knowledge allows you to clear out your schedule on your “sex day”, giving you the chance to get more sleep on the day before and to get excited throughout the day.
It’s hard to muster the energy to have sex after a long and draining day, so try to have it as early as possible. You can try out morning sex or, if you don’t want to mess with your sleep hours, on the early evening.
Baby Archie is only two months old and the public can’t get enough. Peolple are asking the question – when can we expect baby No. 2 from Meghan Markle and Harry. Obviously, we don’t have enough royals news already in our feeds.
“People are already speculating about baby number two for the Sussexes,” said Nicholl, adding that she thinks it’s probably a little too premature to be speaking about a second baby. “That said, sources close to the couple told me that they really would love to have a big family. They are, by all accounts, amazing parents. They are loving parenthood.”
In March, Harry seemed to hint that he only wanted two kids.
British army vet Simon Weston recounts giving Harry some parenting advice during a royal soiree, telling The Daily Mail‘s Rebecca English, “I warned him and the duchess [that]…they will be getting plenty of sleepless nights when the baby is born. He said if they have any more than two [kids], it will serve him right.”
Royal baby bonanza? Simon Weston spoke to Harry today who joked about the Wales/Engl rugby. 'I warned him & the duchess it serves him right as they will be getting plenty of sleepless nights when the baby is born. He said if they have anymore than two it will serve him right.'
Nicholl said we could potentially have another baby running around Kensington Palace (that’s what they do, right?) sooner than later and said it’s not crazy to think we could have a pregnancy announcement sometime next year “but, for the moment, the focus is obviously on Archie.”
Nicholl said the couple’s life has changed “enormously” since Archie arrive.
“Yes, they’re royals, yes, they probably have more help than the rest of us, but this really has turned their world upside down for the better. So, I think at the moment, they’re focusing on Archie, but I know it’s their plan to have more than one child.”
Meghan gave birth to Archie on May 6. His christening is scheduled for Saturday.
Happy Fourth of July! Whether your plans today involve barbecuing, sleeping in, catching up on Netflix or working, here are 10 spectacular fireworks shows to give you all the feels this Independence Day.
Summer love is so real. The reason summer songs never get repetitive, just like the foods we eat and the drinks we drink, is because it’s a mostly fleeting time. American BBQs aren’t the same without ketchup, and real American values of freedom call for the addition of cannabis.
Responsible parties can indulge in this sweet classic flavor with anything coming off the grill. Keeping the cannabinoids away from the heat and cooking is the move when you want strength, as infused foods that have been cooked will lose some naturally. Having a squirt bottle handy with special ketchup will make any fireworks watching or poolside lounging that much better.
Illustration by Danielle Guercio
Quick Cannabis Ketchup
Makes 10oz; 4 mg. THC per tbs.
8 oz of your favorite ketchup
½ oz cannabis glycerin tincture
1 ½ oz tomato paste (optional)
Spices (optional)
You can gather as much that simply adding a nice pour of glycerin tincture to your ketchup and mixing well is enough to get the party started. It really can be that easy, however if you don’t add a pinch more tomato paste to balance it out, you may end up with slightly over-sweet sauce.
Squirt onto hot dogs, veggie burgers, fries and more all summer long, since it should last a few months if you keep it tightly sealed in the fridge.
Illustration by Danielle Guercio
Don’t stop there if you are into unique condiments. You’ll have that little hit of weed taste, but you can go even further with other unique additions. Try some siracha for a spicy twist, about an ounce would be perfect to let that really come through. They don’t have to be liquids either, there’s a whole world of ground spices that can go in fun directions. Sazon powder, ground garlic, and turmeric are all yummy choices for that type of addition.
Ketchup doesn’t have to be basic, and it doesn’t have to be virgin either. It’s so widely used that you may want to label it clearly at your party, so no unsuspecting people have any. It’s not polite to dose guests without their knowledge, you never know who has to get home or get a drug test done, regardless of your state’s rules. Party safe and don’t ketchup and drive!
In the eyes of many Americans, the Fourth of July is a day for parades, barbecues and, of course, fireworks.
The tradition got its start at the beginning of our nation’s history after the Founding Fathers met in Philadelphia to write and sign the Declaration of Independence. A day after the Continental Congress adopted the declaration on July 4, 1776, John Adams – soon the second U.S. president – penned a letter to his wife Abigail, declaring that Independence Day
“ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”
One year later, Philadelphia celebrated the anniversary with fireworks – or “illuminations,” to Adams – plus a parade commemorating Independence Day.
So with that in mind, here are four fascinating sets of facts about fireworks.
And this figure has grown rapidly in recent years, from half a pound per adult in 2000. In 1976, the United States’ bicentennial, the figure was just one-sixth of a pound annually.
A reason for the big increase is the steady reduction in state prohibitions against individuals using fireworks. Today only Massachusetts completely prohibits individuals from owning and using any type of fireworks. The other states all allow usage in some form.
The most recent states to allow fireworks are New Jersey, Delaware and Iowa, whose new law legalizes fireworks around the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve only.
Fireworks are also illegal in many urban areas, like New York City.
Because states are now permitting individuals to purchase and possess fireworks, there has been a large shift from professional to amateur use. Back in 2000, roughly one-third of all fireworks were set off during professional displays, the kind that light the skies of cities around the world on holidays like New Year’s Eve and national celebrations. By 2017, professional displays comprised less than 10 percent.
Sparklers cause a large share of fireworks-related injuries. Maria Symchych/Shutterstock.com
Firework prices have fallen
Just because more regular Americans have been shooting off fireworks doesn’t mean prices have surged. The vast majority of the fireworks shot off in the United States are manufactured overseas, mainly in China.
Each shipment of fireworks brought into the U.S. includes a detailed invoice that shows the price the importer paid. These invoices show fireworks prices, after adjusting for inflation, are cheaper today than in the mid-1990s.
In 1996 it cost about $1.37 in today’s terms to import 1 pound of fireworks. By 2017 the price had fallen to just $1.13 a pound. That means pound-for-pound fireworks are less than half the price of the hot dogs many people are grilling this 4th.
Accidents and injuries
Fireworks are dangerous – hence the reason so many states had banned them previously.
Back in 1986, fireworks injured about 6.6 out of every 100,000 people. Since 1986, injuries have steadily fallen as government regulations made them safer. In 2008, the rate was down to 2.3 people.
But as states have relaxed restrictions, the injuries have started increasing again. The latest figures for 2017 show a rate of 4 people per 100,000.
In addition, there’s also a big gender divide in who suffers the most injuries. Men experienced about 70 percent of fireworks-related injuries for the one-month period from June 18 to July 18, 2017.
Beyond such statistics, however low, every year there are horrible stories of both children and adults being maimed and killed. So it’s always important to exercise caution when lighting what amounts to a low-yield missile.
Today, it is working to lower injury rates again by requiring manufacturers to adhere to higher standards. In February 2017, for instance, the commission passed several of what I believe are common sense regulations for firework manufacturers to make their products safer.
For example, faulty fuses have caused many injuries, such as when some burned rapidly and ignite a rocket too quickly, preventing the holder from moving away in time. Other fuses actually take too long to ignite, leading people to investigate whether it needs to be relit just as the firework explodes in their face. So the commission now requires all fuses to ignite fireworks three to nine seconds after being lit.
The commission also now requires fireworks to have bases that are wider and support more weight so they do not tip over after being ignited. This prevents fireworks from firing off horizontally, becoming missiles that bounce along the ground and potentially hit spectators.
As more states loosen restrictions on fireworks this Fourth of July, millions more people will follow the exhortations of John Adams and celebrate by shooting off “illuminations.”
But if you do plan to shoot off a few rockets or more advance fireworks, use some common sense, especially if children are around.
Whether you are lighting fireworks, watching them explode above you or just hiding from the noise, try to have a fun and safe Independence Day.
We’re all aware of the effects and dangers of consuming alcohol. The fact that drinking is related to weight gain, sleep loss, and anxiety (to name just a few ailments) hasn’t stopped it from being one of the most popular activities in the world. Associated with fun, winding down at the end of the week and facilitating social interactions, alcohol has been a mainstay in our culture for decades, something that’s unlikely to change any time soon. They don’t call it social lubricant for nothing. So, here are some tips for drinking alcohol without getting wrecked.
It’s never a good idea to drink on an empty stomach. This practice makes it more likely for you to get drunk while also irritating your digestive system and facilitating even worse hangovers. You should consume a balanced meal that contains proteins, healthy fats and carbs, around the same time you’ll be consuming alcohol.
Aim to have a balanced meal close to the time you’ll be consuming alcohol, said Wendy Lopez, a registered dietitian in Port Chester, New York, and the in-house dietitian for Vita Coco.
“Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can irritate your digestive system. It can also result in faster absorption of alcohol,” Lopez said.
While we all appreciate a bartender who over-pours, large portions contain more than one serving of alcohol and make it easier for you to get drunk rapidly. Plus, your liver has a hard time keeping up!
While it’s always important to pair alcohol with food, it’s just as important to consume water as you’re drinking to keep you hydrated and help you stay sober. Since alcohol depletes your body of electrolytes, the more dehydrated you are the next day, the stronger your hangover will be. “Drink a glass of water between every glass of alcohol,” recommends personal trainer Mike Clancy.
Sodas, juices and all sorts of sugary drinks pair deliciously with alcohol, but they come with an extra serving of throwaway calories that you probably don’t need. Alcohol is already caloric enough, so try to learn how to enjoy and appreciate the flavor of it by pairing it with seltzer or some other mixer that is low in sugar and calories.
Try to keep some sort of control even on the nights where you really want to drink with your friends. Learn your drink limit and always pace yourself with water. While getting drunk is still likely to catch you off guard from time to time, if you eat, drink water and pace yourself, you’ll feel better the next day and avoid some of the damage to your liver and body.
” Rinna gushed, to which Ripa replied, “This ones for you babe 
.”
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