Sarah and Maggie jump into an enlightening conversation with Jennifer Cassetta, a self-defense expert and 3rd-degree black belt in the martial art of Hapkido. In answering questions from the AMR Facebook page, Jenn shares:
the ABCs of martial arts—and how to deploy them on a run;
ways to bolster self-confidence and step into your power;
how intuition (she calls it “internal GPS”) plays a huge role in personal safety;
pointers on using pepper spray; and,
how to release your “inner she-beast” when the situation calls for it.
Maggie tells about returning to her beloved Orange Theory Fitness classes, then Jenn joins the show at 17:03.
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Rural organisations have welcomed new National Rural Health Commissioner Associate Professor Ruth Stewart as “the best person for the job”, writes Nicole MacKee. Nicole MacKee writes: The appointment of Associate Professor Ruth Stewart as National Rural Health Commissioner has been widely welcomed by rural health bodies. Federal Health Minister Greg […]
From brightly coloured sports bras (we're talking poppy pinks) to flattering cut leggings, these are the activewear pieces worth investing in this month.
I've spent the better half of my adult life rebuilding my relationship with my body. Learning to nourish it with the right foods (and lots of them), listening to it when it needs to rest, engaging in exercise that makes me feel strong and healthy, and learning that no matter what number it says on a tag, as long as the clothing fits, it doesn't matter. I've also spent a lot of time learning to love my body for the way it looks.
Despite all this self work, I noticed that the minute I would begin scrolling through Instagram, all my hard work would unravel as I'd subconsciously start comparing myself to other women. Women who had bodies so genetically different to my own that it was physically impossible for me to look like them, yet I still thought I needed to.
So to break this toxic habit, I decided to unfollow any accounts that made me feel less than. I began following body-positive women who are normalising their cellulite, body rolls, uneven boobs and imperfect skin. Women who gave me the confidence to post a photo even if you could see a dimple in my leg or acne on my face. Women like Danae Mercer who shares photos of her edited and unedited body to show how easy it is to fake it photos on Instagram; and Karina Irby who uploads bikini photos where you can see her cellulite because it's completely normal to have cellulite.
Since doing this, I've found myself feeling more empowered to embrace those parts of my body that I might not love just yet, but shouldn't let get in the way of me living my life, or in this case, posting a photo on Instagram.
And because at POPSUGAR Australia we're all about sharing body-positivity, I've listed of some of these f*cking awesome females below so you can follow them too.
From assisting makeup icon Pat McGrath to Italian Vogue’s historic 2008 all-Black issue to now regularly beautifying the face of long-time client, friend and royal, Meghan Markle, Daniel Martin has many career-defining milestones under his makeup belt. This week, the New York-based makeup maestro, who also counts Elisabeth Moss, Nina Dobrev and Jessica Alba as regular clients, added one more: the first-ever global director of artistry and education for beloved Japanese-inspired beauty line Tatcha.
It’s a brand partnership that seems like the perfect fit, seeing as how Martin has been a fan of the brand since its inception, and has a close friendship with brand founder Vicky Tsai. “I met Vicky 10 and a half years ago when she had just started her brand out of her house making her Japanese blotting papers,” says Martin. “I then started using them backstage at New York Fashion Week, and a Vogue editor at the time, who was reporting on one of my looks, asked me what the papers were. Everything snowballed from there and Vicky and I wound up creating this incredible friendship.”
In celebration of Daniel Martin’s new gig and the 10-year anniversary of Tatcha’s signature Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers, we asked him to dish on his skillful way of always creating luminous skin on clients and the go-to products in his makeup kit.
“The Indigo line is my go-to because I have mild eczema. During stressful periods it flares up, and this line is the only one that’s been able to keep it at bay. I’m also a huge fan of the Tatcha Water Gel cream moisturizer because it’s so gentle on the skin and does what it needs to do in terms of hydration. It’s a water-based product that I’ll use in the summer. Also, I find that water-based moisturizers work well underneath makeup in terms of longevity. I try to stay away from anything that has too much oil in it, or anything that has a lot of silicone, because over time, your skin heats up throughout the day and those types of products can break up your makeup. Separation can happen between your foundation and your moisturizer.”
TATCHA The Water Gel, $84, sephora.com
On his favourite glow-boosting hero:
“Tatcha’s Serum Stick. I like to keep it in my fridge and apply it all over on my face while it’s nice and cold. It gives me a nice pick-me-up in the morning. I also use it on clients to sculpt the face because I like to add more light instead of dark contour. It’s more forgiving. And I like to use it as a highlighter rather than shimmer-based products, because I find shimmer can almost look too metallic in photos. I’d rather create that dimension using an emollient product rather than makeup.”
TATCHA The Serum Stick, $62, sephora.com
On the makeup question he’s asked most frequently:
“It’s always around foundation, and how to make foundation not look like foundation.
Like, ‘How do you do skin so that it doesn’t look like makeup?’ So much of it is understanding good skincare practices. If you take the time to take care of your skin, then the makeup is so much easier to lie on top of it, especially when it comes to foundation. Also, I tend to do foundation before concealer, and I usually apply foundation using a buffing brush starting in the center of the face and work my way outward. This enables me to see how much coverage I actually need to add with concealer. Concealers tend to be a lot thicker, and when you’re doing all of this heavy marking and etching before foundation, you wind up putting on too much concealer, you’re building all this unnecessary texture, which foundation just ends up sitting on top of.”
On the most-used product in his kit:
“Tatcha’s Dewy Mist. I’ll spray it before makeup and use it afterwards, too. I like to use it after makeup when I’ve applied too much powder on and the skin looks too matte or looks like makeup. It helps cut the powdery cast on the face. I’ll spray it on and work it into the skin with a powder puff, which melts the powder a bit.”
TATCHA Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, $62, sephora.com
On going MacGyver:
“A glue stick to lay down eyebrows. If I have a client who has really thick, unruly brows, I’ll use a glue stick and literally mold out the shape and let it dry down completely. The glue stick really helps me lay down brows without canceling them out. It just really tames the hairs. The one in my kit goes on purple on dries clear. Drag queens have been using it forever. It really works!”
On his longest celeb client relationship:
“Model Veronica Webb. We met back in 2006 or 2007 through Lancôme, and from there we just became great, supportive friends. She has such a history in fashion and beauty: She was the first Black model to ever get a major cosmetic contract, which was with Revlon. She was also part of the 2008 all-Black issue of Italian Vogue, and she fought for me to do her makeup for her shoot. And because I had assisted Pat McGrath, and was familiar with the magazine’s team, they were like, ‘Yeah, of course.’ It wasn’t until that editorial that I was able to get noticed by my agency The Wall Group, and I’ve been with them now for 13 years. Veronica lives, like, 10 blocks from me in the Upper West Side, so we see each other and talk all the time!”
“Tilda Swinton. There’s just something about her look. She’s cool and so confident and I just love everything that she wears. I usually don’t geek out over celebrities, but I think if I were to meet her, I wouldn’t know what to say!”
To help keep Canadians busy and entertained during this trying time, MUJI Canada has launched a series of virtual workshops running online throughout the month of July.
Designed to help audiences learn new things in inspiring and creative ways, MUJI has partnered with Canadian experts to showcase tips and tricks on a range of hobbies from urban farming and calligraphy to matcha recipes and floral arrangements. The free workshops will be hosted over Zoom, and registration is mandatory. Read about this month’s lineup below.
Urban Farming 101 Workshop – Garden Problems
Vancouver-based organic farmer Mik Turje, of the non-profit organization Renfrew Collingwood Food Security Institute, will be instructing viewers on the basics of planting and growing a vegetable garden. This workshop will focus on weeds, pests, and diseases that may ail plants. July 4, 3 to 3.40pm EDT. Details here.
Matcha Recipes Workshop
Follow along with Pedro Villalon of Vancouver’s O5 Rare Tea and Kombucha Bar as he shares his journey with tea, and learn how to make three easy refreshing iced matcha drinks. During the workshop, viewers will learn how to whisk a bowl of matcha (usucha) at home, create an iced matcha soda/tonic, and pour a matcha Americano. July 8, 7 to 7.40pm. Details here.
Urban Farming 101 Workshop – Most Popular Vegetable Plant Families
Renfrew Collingwood Food Security Institute’s Mik Turje returns with another gardening workshop, this one on the most common vegetable plant families and how to properly grow them. Learn what each of your favourite veggies needs to grow well and how to tell the difference between the major vegetable plant families: Brassicas, Alliums, Nightshades, Umbels, Chenopods, and Curcubits. July 18, 3 to 3.40pm. Details here.
Summer Floral Arrangement Workshop
Toronto-based wedding and floral designer Sarah of @DelightFloralDesign will be showing viewers how to utilize MUJI household products as vessels for floral arrangements. Toronto residents will also have the option to order a floral arrangement kit from DeLight Floral at an extra cost. July 22, 7 to 8pm EDT. Details here.
Toronto-based hand letterer and creator Sarah Trafford of @SarahTypes will be teaching viewers how to make and use a folded pop can pen for different forms of calligraphy. July 29th, 2020
There are many different ways to support the Black Lives Matter movement through advocacy and financial investment. And this week, Canadian street style photographer Sabrina Fenster, who works under the moniker StreetScout, launched the sale of a series of prints (some with handwritten notes from the images’ subjects), with 100% of the proceeds from the images going to The Loveland Foundation. Founded in 2018 by writer and lecturer Rachel Cargle, Loveland provides a therapy fund for Black women and girls across America, as well as opportunities for advancement through fellowships, residency programs and listening tours.
“I am using my street style photography as a platform to give to a charitable foundation and create ongoing and tangible social impact,” says Fenster about her mission with the series. “My goal is to create and share prints that are driven by purpose, and also give you, the buyer, the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change while hanging something beautiful in your home. Not only are you supporting the cause, you are getting a token from the cause. Each print serves as a reminder of your ongoing commitment to create positive change toward racial equality.”
We caught up with Fenster, who has also been documenting BLM protests, to find out more about why she’s selling her photos, and what she’s learned by following the momentum of Black Lives Matter.
Photography courtesy of Sabrina Fenster/StreetScout.
What inspired you to sell these portraits and donate the proceeds to the Loveland Foundation?
I wanted to find a way to support the Black Lives Matter movement in a way that moved past the “black square” phenomenon that took over the social media world a month ago. I thought it would be powerful if I could find a way to use my street style photography as a platform to give to a charitable foundation that I believe in, and create ongoing social impact through sales of prints. With that in mind, I revisited and compiled the street style photographs I’ve taken of diverse people from my travels to New York and London over the years, and started repurposing them into prints. I stretched the idea further by asking subjects from my photographs to submit handwritten declarations that resonate with them through the BLM movement, give a platform for their self expression, and allow the viewer to connect to the subject’s humanity and what they are standing for in this moment. By using my street style photos for good, I feel I can continue to support the movement in a way that resonates with me.
The Loveland Foundation was the perfect tie-in to this initiative because I wanted to give a platform for people’s self expression and that is exactly what this foundation stands for. They provide a safe place for Black women and girls to receive support of their mental health through therapy sessions.
Photography courtesy of Sabrina Fenster/StreetScout.
As a street style photographer, what role do you think you play in the fashion world in terms of fostering inclusion?
The role I think I play in the fashion world in terms of fostering inclusion is ensuring I am diverse in my photo taking, as well as the sharing of that content, and giving voice to those people, too, where I can. As a street photographer, I have a say in what gets visually shared, and I need to make it my business to be inclusive of all colours, shapes, and sizes. This might mean getting more diverse in where I take my photos, too. I hope to attend more protests and other philanthropic events where people are in the midst of making a difference. This documentation of people is truly inspiring and powerful, and I’d like to use my platform to amplify messages of support for the BLM movement and for equitable visual media.
Through the Black Lives Matter Street Style Portrait Series, I also plan to add more photographs to the series, both old and new. I am fostering relationships with Black women and men that I admire to further include in this very powerful collection and have them submit handwritten declarations so that I can continue to take a stand for their self-expression.
Photography courtesy of Sabrina Fenster/StreetScout.
What are some of the things you’ve learned since the Black Lives Matter movement gained so much momentum last month that have resonated with you, or have caused you to think differently about how you navigate through life?
I’ve learned that perfection is not a prerequisite for participation and staying silent is a part of the problem. While I’ve thought something along the lines of, “Who am I to take a stand for this? My voice is not important here”, which, perhaps many of us white people think, it resonated deeply with me that my silence would be heard, and this caused me to think differently about how I navigate through life and in conversations. I’ve learned that speaking up and taking a stand, even if it’s uncomfortable or awkward, is crucial. And I’d rather fumble through it than stay censored. This means acknowledging my own white privilege and implicit bias out loud and doing the work to understand it. And it also means taking the lead on difficult conversations at work or with friends and family.
What resonates the most for me is that I not only want to take a stand for my own self-expression in the world, but for others as well, especially Black people. That is the intention of this street style portrait series–to give voice, character, humanity, and self-expression to those who have lost it through centuries of oppression.
Photography courtesy of Sabrina Fenster/StreetScout.
Are there any readings, podcasts or social accounts you can recommend to those who want to better understand the BLM movement and how they can contribute to it?
Following Rachel Cargle is a really great place to start. She dives into open and honest discourse around racism and encourages critical analysis of her community. I encourage everyone to check out her platform called The Great Unlearn, which is a monthly self-paced syllabi that has lots of great resources to aid in the unlearning of racial disparities.
I also recommend following Atlanta-based artist and activist, Danielle Coke. I really align with who she is as a person, and love that she advocates and educates with equal measures of firmness and kindness. I also just noticed she launched a learning platform called The Neighborhood, which I am excited to check out!
Read more on Fenster’s thoughts about the future of street style here.
Our current society and conditioning patterns tell us otherwise – why should you put yourself first, that’s selfish! There is no time for that, there are so many obligations, duties to complete first.
To what I respond – how can you keep giving when there’s nothing left to give?
This is one of the first signs of burnout. No energy, recurrent negative thoughts, lack of drive or desire.
It can be extremely daunting to stop external circumstances affecting how we feel – but there’s a way to go back to our own oasis of calmness and insights.
I’d like to share with you my favourite 5 techniques to feel calmer and more grounded – finding your inner peace despite the chaos around:
1) MEDITATE
There are a lot of myths about “reaching a meditative state” as “the mind needs to become blank” – the mind is designed to be busy with thoughts all the time. What meditation (and the use of visualisations and the guidance of breath) provides a pathway to stay present, while the mind becomes calmer.
You can add any extra elements, such as sound, crystals, and essential oils. Meditation will allow your mind to step out from the flight/fight mode and step into a calmer sense. Use the breath as an anchor. Use visualisations if helpful to centre when thoughts pop up – apps such as Insight timer have wonderful and free options (check mine here)
2) PHYSICAL MOVEMENT
It’s a great way to break repetitive cycles or when we find ourselves in a spiral. Taking physical action to break that spiral.
Physical movement brings balance to all bodies (mental, physical and emotional) and allows to express and release emotions through physical activity.
This action has a chemical effect in our brains, releasing endorphins (happy hormones) while detoxifying cortisol/adrenaline (causing stress).
Spending time in nature is a wonderful way to move while being present and connecting with your surroundings. Anything from yoga to running to boxing to dancing – allow yourself to express freely!
3) BREATHE
We use breath in meditation as the key anchor to the now, to the present.
With that, we keep the mind busy observing and noticing the breath while we start connecting with our physical body and its sensations.
Yoga tradition considers breath “prana” as life force, as the fuel that keeps us alive and going. It’s an extremely powerful tool to modify our state – if can be truly activating or very calming, depending on how it’s used.
For instance “4 step breathing technique” is perfect to balance and de-stress – 4 x inhalations 4 x hold 4 x exhalations 4 x hold – it calms the nervous system and allows the body systems and organs to restore and the mind to be calmer. Here is a video explaining it.
4) REACH OUT
This one is hard. Especially when we have been told that “showing our true self or vulnerable self” is not ok. 1 out 3 people in the UK suffer from mental health issues, but still it’s not widely accepted to openly talk about it without shame or stigma.
It’s crucial to have a support network that we can reach out for help and support. Even in physical isolation times, we have amazing tools to stay in touch with your loved ones – especially those in risk or who are alone. It is ok to not be ok. When we share our stories, there is no room for shame.
5) PRACTICE APPRECIATION & FORGIVENESS
Two really powerful tools to stay calm, positive and focused. Finding reasons to be happy, joyful, content are fundamental to stay healthy and with a positive mindset. Being able to forgive yourself, to be compassionate will release a lot of the guilt that you are holding back for “not having been able to do better” – you did the best you could in the given circumstances – that’s enough, that’s perfect.
And with that kind approach, you’ll also be able to see and appreciate kindness around you.
Give it a go and let me know how it goes!
With great love and purpose,
—
Monica is 350h YA Certified Yoga Teacher, Reiki Practitioner, Certified Eastern Medicine Nutritionist. She brings over a decade of experience working with individuals and corporations providing wellness solutions for a total transformative experience in all levels – physical, mental, energetic and emotional bodies. She is the founder of Ingenium in Movement and she’s currently based in London, UK.
Follow Monica on Instagram and for online classes, check the schedule on her website on what’s coming up.
Apple Butter is a sweet velvety concentrated apple spread that you’ll want to put on everything. It requires just a few ingredients and a little bit of patience to make this yummy jam like condiment.
Apple season will be here before we know it and the best way to enjoy this delicious fall fruit is in Apple Butter! You won’t be able to go a day without spreading this heavenly apple concentrate on something. For more delicious apple recipes, try Apple Pie, Apple Danish, and Overnight Cinnamon Apple French Toast Casserole.
Delicious Apple Butter
If you love apples, wait until you try apple butter! This smooth concentrated apple sauce is amazingly delicious, requires few ingredients, and is easy to make. It tastes like apple pie filling but in sauce form. So yummy!
What Is Apple Butter?
Apple Butter contains no butter but is very similar to apple sauce in that apples are cooked down with sugar and spices. The additional steps of pureeing the apples until smooth and then cooking again to caramelize it is what makes the sauce thicker and stronger in flavor.
Ingredients For The Best Apple Butter:
Apples: You do not need to peel the apples. The skin will get soft as the apples simmer. If using the skin, I do recommend using fresh picked apples since they won’t have any wax on them.
Cider: You can find this next to the apple juice in the juice aisle. Plain apple juice or water can be substituted.
Brown Sugar: This adds sweetness and a depth of flavor to the butter.
Cinnamon: This warm spice gives the butter so much more flavor.
Nutmeg: A little goes a long way. You can also add a pinch of cloves if you like them.
Salt: This little amount of salt doesn’t make the butter salty, it helps accentuate the other flavors.
Vanilla: Use pure vanilla extract. For a slight tangy flavor you can use lemon juice instead.
How To Make Homemade Apple Butter:
Place apple in a large pot with cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.
Cook covered over medium-low heat for 1 hour, stirring every 10 minutes, until very soft.
Puree apples with a hand blender or a high powered blender until smooth. Stir in vanilla.
Cook UNcovered over low heat for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally (about every 5 minutes) until dark in color.
Place in jar and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
What Are The Best Apples?
Apples that break down easily are best. I like to use Golden Delicious but some other good options are McIntosh and Fuji.
How to Serve Apple Butter:
You can eat apple butter on anything you would put jam on- toast, rolls, English muffins, bagels… It could also be used as a sauce on meats.
This is a great homemade gift to give to others during the holidays.
Apple Butter is a sweet velvety concentrated apple spread that you’ll want to put on everything. It requires just a few ingredients and a little bit of patience to make this yummy jam like condiment.
CourseAppetizer, Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack
CuisineAmerican
KeywordApple Butter, apple butter recipe
Prep Time15minutes
Cook Time2hours
Total Time2hours15minutes
Servings28Tablespoons
Calories44kcal
AuthorMelanie Dueck
Ingredients
3poundsgolden delicious applesquartered and cored
3/4cupapple cideror apple juice
1/2cupbrown sugarpacked
1/2tablespoonground cinnamon
1/4teaspoonkosher salt
1/8teaspoonnutmeg
1teaspoonvanilla extract
Instructions
Place apple in a large pot with cider, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.
Cook covered over medium-low heat for 1 hour, stirring every 10 minutes, until very soft.
Networking marketing isn’t for everyone. Being your own boss takes discipline, dedication, and ambition. As a Sisel distributor, you can enjoy freedom and opportunity that you won’t find anywhere else. Together, in this mission of health and prosperity, we can better our lives and the lives of others.
from Blog – Sisel Australia – Sisel International Distributor Katie https://ift.tt/3giQvHH
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Egg muffins are a delicious and easy keto breakfast option and perfect for prepping ahead. Packed with chorizo, cheese, and green onion, this Mexican-inspired egg muffin recipe is a surefire hit. Mornings aren’t quite as hectic as they used to be, but I still love easy keto breakfast recipes that I can prep ahead in...
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via babu31
Sarah and Maggie jump into an enlightening conversation with Jennifer Cassetta, a self-defense expert and 3rd-degree black belt in the martial art of Hapkido. In answering questions from the AMR Facebook page, Jenn shares:
Rural organisations have welcomed new National Rural Health Commissioner Associate Professor Ruth Stewart as “the best person for the job”, writes Nicole MacKee. Nicole MacKee writes: The appointment of Associate Professor Ruth Stewart as National Rural Health Commissioner has been widely welcomed by rural health bodies. Federal Health Minister Greg […]
