The world could be free of malaria by 2050, says a major report that sets out the road to eradication.

Researchers have found that focusing powerful non-invasive magnet stimulation on a specific brain area can improve the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This opens the way to treat the large minority of sufferers who do not respond to conventional treatment. The work is presented at the ECNP Conference in Copenhagen.*

There are three things that I know to be absolutely true in this world: Cheesecake is delicious, Paramore is one of the best bands ever, and women are way too hard on themselves. OK, fine. The first two are just my humble opinions. But the last one I learned through years and years of anecdotal evidence. See, I spent most of my life being too hard on myself.

Here’s something you should know about me to understand the journey I’ve been on. I have cerebral palsy, which means, among other things, that I walk with a limp and have a right hand that balls into a fist and lifts itself in the air involuntarily. People stare at me everywhere I go. Because of this, I used to hide away and apologize for the space I took up. I would even use the sleeves of my shirt to cover my right hand so that no one saw my bent fingers. 

This was just a small sign of the shame and anger I felt toward my body and myself.

Thankfully, I no longer feel that way. How’d I change all that? A few years ago, I forced myself to start every day by looking in the mirror and saying out loud four things that I liked about myself in that moment.

RELATED: How This Influencer Fought Diet Culture and Focused on Self-Love: 'Thinner Doesn't Make You Better'

This small addition to my routine made a huge impact. I began to genuinely like the person I was for the first time in my life, and I was inspired to create a hashtag that I started using online. It was #DisabledAndCute, and I encouraged other women to use it. I wanted others to embrace what they loved about themselves and start talking about themselves in a positive way— the hashtag wound up going viral! From there, I started speaking at conferences, writing articles, and even got a book deal—The Pretty One just came out.

RELATED: How This Marathon-Running Fitness Editor Deals With Negative Body Image: ‘No One’s Immune to It’

I firmly believe that without standing in front of my mirror to say those four things I like about myself, the rest of this would not have been possible. Those positive affirmations are different every day—sometimes they are about a kind act I did, sometimes they are about liking my outfit—but they all have led to a domino effect that made everything else possible. One clear sign of how far I’ve come in appreciating my body and myself? Clothes hold a totally different meaning to me now. I love shopping and have come to realize that picking clothes is about highlighting and enhancing what I have—not hiding. Just look at my book cover! That hand that I used to hide? It’s fully on display.

To learn more about Keah Brown, visit keahbrown.com, follow her on Instagram @keah_maria, or pick up a copy of The Pretty One.

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I look exactly like you’d expect a runner to look: tall, lean, legs for days. That’s not a weird flex; it’s just a fact. But because my body technically fits into a certain positive stereotype, I have always felt as if I am not allowed to have (and definitely shouldn’t admit to) any body hang-ups.

But here’s the thing: I’m a fitness writer and editor. That means I work out with your favorite trainers, go on photo shoots with Instagram fitness celebrities, and lift weights and log miles regularly with my coworkers. And since I started running seriously four years ago, I’ve found that every time I look in the mirror, I end up comparing myself to all the super-fit women I’m surrounded by—and I feel like I don’t measure up.

As women, we have become conditioned to compare ourselves to impossible ideals, and our insecurities have become the norm. No one’s immune to it, not Olympians, not the pros, and definitely not the people—like me—who dish out fitness advice.

Running has been an interesting thing for me. It has forced me to ask a lot of my body: My feet have crossed six marathon finish lines. My legs have carried me over 157.2 race miles (the training miles are countless). My arms have propelled me forward through more than 300,000 steps on those race days. And my core has kept me standing tall (or at least upright) until I crossed each finish line. This all makes me feel stronger than I ever have before. It takes me around four hours to run a marathon, and I spend the majority of that time just in awe that I’ve somehow developed the determination and perseverance to keep telling my muscles to dig deeper, even when I’ve depleted my body of every drop of energy. When I run, I feel in control. I feel proud. Honestly, I feel unstoppable.

RELATED: How This Woman Quit Being Self-Conscious of Her Cerebral Palsy: ‘I Used to Hide Away’

The flip side is that running has, at times, bubbled up this body-image baggage. When I picture a runner, I see washboard abs, chiseled quads, and nonexistent body fat. When I look at myself, I don’t see the proof I think should be there after all the miles I’ve run. Even though I know that sentiment is ridiculous, those thoughts still sometimes manage to seep in.

As a way of getting rid of these negative, unproductive thoughts, I focus on the strength I have found in running. When you participate in a race, it becomes obvious that strength doesn’t look one way. Distance running is the great equalizer. Whether you’re tiny and petite, tall and muscular, curvy, or plus-size, you’re using the exact same muscles in the exact same way as the woman next to you to keep moving forward—and everyone, no matter what they look like, covers the exact same distance in a race. No matter the time. It’s an equal accomplishment.

RELATED: How This Influencer Fought Diet Culture and Focused on Self-Love: 'Thinner Doesn't Make You Better'

Now, when that negative self-talk pops up, I think about how hard I’ve trained. And if my brain can manage the discomfort of a marathon, I know I can wrestle down the discomfort that comes with seeing a photo where my stomach doesn’t look perfectly flat. Running has taught me that the more you put yourself in uncomfortable situations, the stronger you’ll be the next time one comes up.

Follow Ashley Mateo on Instagram @ashleymateo for more info on her work.

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In November of 2014, I arrived at the office of my job early. I was going to quit that day. I couldn’t afford a printer at home, so even though I wrote my resignation letter on my personal laptop, I needed to use company paper and ink to print and deliver it as soon as my boss walked in at 8:57 a.m.

Before I go on, I should rewind to give you context. It was never my intention to work a corporate job. I spent my younger years tap-dancing behind my mother in the supermarket, dreaming of being on Broadway.

I like to think of confidence as a balloon. I had a soaring, full balloon until elementary school. It was during that time that a teacher pulled my mom aside and let her know that, while I was a good dancer, I wouldn’t be allowed in the elite dance group because I didn’t have a “dancer’s body.” Whoosh—a little air was let out of my confidence balloon.

Fast-forward to high school, when I auditioned for a school musical. The teacher told me that even though I had a great audition, he couldn’t give me the role. The reason: There was a scene where the characters talk about how they had made love in the back seat of a car, and he simply felt it was unrealistic that someone of my size would fit in the back of the car. Yup, there went more air out of my confidence balloon.

RELATED: How This Woman Quit Being Self-Conscious of Her Cerebral Palsy: ‘I Used to Hide Away’

My senior year of high school, my classmates voted me “Most Talented.” My teachers couldn’t look beyond my body, but my classmates could. That gave my confidence balloon the tiny burst of air I needed to move forward.

After high school, I went to New York City and got a degree in theater and became a working actor. My weight became an issue once again. Audition after audition, casting directors would tell me that they loved my talent, but they couldn’t see past my weight. After so much rejection, my confidence balloon was completely deflated. My loved ones tried to boost me up, but no one could revive my confidence. The only person who could do that was me, but I didn’t even try. I quit auditioning and got a corporate job to pay my bills.

In an effort to find an outlet for my creativity, I went online to share what it was like to be a plus-size girl living in New York. My Instagram community made me feel less alone, and I found the courage to rebuild my self-confidence.

RELATED: How This Influencer Fought Diet Culture and Focused on Self-Love: 'Thinner Doesn't Make You Better'

I had always thought that my life would be better if I were skinnier. I perceived weight as the obstacle that was standing in the way of the life I wanted. In an effort to make myself smaller, I began to live a very small life.

Then one day I wrote in my journal, “Don’t wait on your weight to live the life you want.” I began to say it in the mirror each morning. My confidence balloon started filling back up. Once I began to focus on how I felt instead of how I looked, the world opened up to me.

I began to feel confident, so I decided I wanted to support myself on my own terms—and quitting my job was the first step. My hands were trembling, but I gave my boss that resignation letter.

RELATED: How This Marathon-Running Fitness Editor Deals With Negative Body Image: ‘No One’s Immune to It’

Five years later, I support myself by embracing who I am. One way I’ve done that is by cofounding theCurvyCon with Chastity Garner. It’s a convention for plus-size women that takes place during New York Fashion Week—we are celebrating our five-year anniversary! I have even given a TEDx Talk called “How to Build Self Confidence.”

People always say that everything you want is outside your comfort zone, but I often wonder if it’s about what lies outside the comfort zone or if it’s simply about having the confidence to leave your comfort zone in the first place.

CeCe Olisa is cofounder of theCurvyCon. Learn more at ceceolisa.com or by following her on Instagram @ceceolisa.

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Things that only come in giant tubs: TRESemme shampoo, popcorn at the movies, and protein powder. Protein powder containers are so massive, it can be hard to power your way through an entire package before the expiration date stamped on the side. But, is it really that bad to whip up a shake days or weeks after the protein powder has expired?

Food safety experts and microbiologists have good news for you: The date stamped on the package is a quality date, not a safety date.

“That’s when the manufacturer believes it’s going to be the tastiest for you,” says Mitzi Baum, CEO of Stop Foodborne Illness and an adjunct instructor on food safety at Michigan State University. “Consumers have a misunderstanding about what those dates on those foods actually mean.”

It also means you are free and clear to keep using your protein powder weeks and even months after the “use by” date on the container. “It’s such a dry product that it’s fairly inert, like a canned product,” says Dr Jennifer Quinlan, a microbiologist and associate professor in the department of nutrition sciences at Drexel University.

“Dry products like protein powder have a very low risk of making you sick,” Baum adds.

Okay, it’s safe — but is expired protein powder still effective?

So, it won’t send you to the ER… but will the powder still help you build muscle and take in more satiating protein? Again, there’s good news here: “Protein is protein — it’s amino acids — so it’s not going to break down into something else,” says Quinlan. “I don’t see any reason to think that that’s going to be a problem in terms of the protein.” The carbohydrates in it are also not going to change over time, either.

Not all ingredients are as stable, though. “The bigger thing to be concerned about is fat,” says Quinlan. “They do have fat in there because you need it. The fat could go rancid, if you let it sit too long.”

How can you tell if you’re on the wrong side of “too long”? Your nose will tell you if the fat has gone rancid. “It could smell and it’s certainly not pleasant,” says Quinlan. So if your protein powder smells off, she wouldn’t recommend using it. (More on that below.)

Whether you’re using a plant-based protein powder, a dairy-based formula, or something else, the micronutrients (aka vitamins) are likely to decline over time. “Vitamins might not be as effective, if it’s two years later,” Quinlan says.

READ MORE: ‘Soy Protein Isolate’ Is In So. Many. Things. — But Is It Healthy?

How can I keep protein powder fresh longer?

There are a few ways to extend the life of your favourite flavours:

• Always store protein powder in the container it comes in. The dark or opaque packaging protect the contents from light.
• Place the container in a cool, dry place, like a cupboard or pantry. Alternatively, you can also store protein powder in the freezer to preserve the fats longer, says Quinlan.
• Don’t store protein powder on top of the fridge. The mechanical heat and humidity there will shorten its shelf life.
• Make sure the spoon or scoop you use is always dry. “If you introduce water into the container, there’s a possibility of mould growth,” says Quinlan. Mould, which might look like a powder clump, can lead to bacterial growth — and any protein powder with mould should be discarded immediately.

READ MORE: What You Should Know About Greens Powders, According To Nutritionists

What are the signs that a protein powder has actually expired?

Since you can’t rely solely on the date on the container, use all of your senses to check it out:

• Check for a foul odour, which indicates the protein powder has spoiled. “Typically your nose will give you the first clue,” says Baum.
• Look at the texture. Clumping equals a bad sign, as it might be a sign of mould, says Quinlan. Baum adds that any change in texture is an indication that you should probably throw the protein powder away.
• If it tastes off, toss it. But you knew that, right?

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthsa.co.za} 

^{Image credit: iStock}

Jennifer Nied

When you get up before dawn to crush your morning workout, it’s easy to forget about food — especially if you have a snooze button habit that gives you just minutes to get out the door. (Girl, I’ve been there.) The other problem: For some people, the thought of stomaching food right out of bed — and just before a major sweat sesh — seems less than appetising.

Still, there are definitely benefits to fuelling your body before banging out a few kays or a solid strength workout. Luckily, nutritionists are here to help you figure out how and when to eat so you can crush your workouts every time (you know, without feeling like you’re going to vom).

Do I need to eat before my morning workout?

It will likely help your performance, though it does depend on a few factors including: your individual needs, the type of exercise you’re going to do, your ability to digest food, and if you have time to eat afterward, says registered dietician and personal trainer Mary Jane Detroyer.

“Your body’s supply of glucose is severely depleted after a night of sleep, so there’s little glucose left to fuel a morning workout. Unless you restore your glucose supply, you’re more likely to feel sluggish and fatigued sooner,” says registered dietician Torey Armul.

First, consider how long you’ll exercise. Detroyer says it’s a good idea to squeeze in a snack if you’re going to sweat for more than 30 minutes. Armul adds that if your morning workout is intense (think: HIIT, swimming or spinning) or lasts longer than 45 minutes, it’s even more important to eat something beforehand.

But what about the concept of ‘fasted cardio’?

You might have heard of fasted cardio a.k.a. doing an aerobic workout in the morning without have any food beforehand. And while that might work for some people, if you’re looking to push your body, that’s probably not your best bet.

“Some people consider exercising in a fasted state the ‘fat burning zone,’ because the body turns to fat for fuel when glucose is not sufficient,” says Armul. “However, fat is converted to energy more slowly, so you’ll likely feel more fatigue and less energy and intensity during your workout.”

READ MORE: 21 Amazing Protein Sources That Aren’t Meat (And Taste Great)

So, what should I eat if I do need fuel?

Go for simple carbohydrates that digest quickly and easily, plus a small amount of protein and fat for a little substance, says Armul.

If you can stomach only a small snack, try: toast with peanut butter, cheese with crackers, a smoothie (fruit, milk of your choice, half a scoop of protein powder) or a piece of fruit.

If you want more of a meal: oats, peanut butter and jam sandwich, wholegrain cereal (with milk and fruit) or an egg sandwich.

Keep in mind, carbs are the most important factor to fuel your workout and keep your energy up while you sprint or crank out strength reps, says Detroyer. “You use protein afterward for muscle repair,” she says.

READ MORE: 10 Ways To Make Your Switch To Veganism A Whole Lot Easier

Do I need to wait after eating to start my workout?

That depends on how well you digest the food, says Detroyer. If you feel okay to start exercising right after you eat, go for it. But if your stomach tends to feel sensitive mid-sweat, you might consider waiting for an hour or two before your workout. If you don’t have that time to spare, try a smaller meal.

To play it safe, though, go for simple carbs (think: a banana or peanut butter toast) — most people can tolerate them without nasty stomach pains, says Armul. If you have a meal with lots of protein and fat — nutrients that digest slower — it can lead to bloating and cramping.

“Observe what goes on and how your body feels during the workout,” Detroyer says. Ask yourself: Am I stronger? Do I have more energy? Am I experiencing cramping? It might take a few tries to figure out what’s best for your body.

READ MORE: 9 Foods That Can Actually Lower Cholesterol Naturally

What should I eat after I’m done with my workout?

You still need carbohydrates after your workout, but protein is the most important nutrient for muscle recovery and repair, says Armul. Aim for 10 grams of protein within 30 minutes of strenuous exercise, and another 10 within two hours after that.

Detroyer suggests bringing a post-sweat snack or meal with you so you eat it right after your sweat sesh. The same intensity and duration rule applies after your workout as it did for your pre-workout fuel: If you only did 30 minutes of exercise at a low to moderate intensity, it’s less important to eat than if you had a tough session for 45 minutes to an hour.

Need some guidance? Try these smart post-workout foods:

• Chocolate milk
• Nuts, like almonds, cashews or pistachios
• Cottage cheese
• Greek yoghurt
• A hard-boiled egg and fruit
• A smoothie with a full scoop of protein
• A protein bar
• One serving of turkey
• Cheese with a piece of fruit
• And don’t forget about water!

“Hydration is just as important as fuelling,” says Detroyer. “When you get up in the morning, aim to have 500ml of water before you go to the gym. And bring a bottle with you.” Just like that: You’re set for a successful morning sweat.

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthsa.co.za} 

^{Image credit: iStock}

Mallory Creveling

Oh, so you want to mix things up the bedroom, huh? I see you. Sure, you could take the time to test out the many, many gasp-inducing, sweaty, kinky, raunchy positions out there, but you’d probably need to eat and sleep at some point, so… for the sake of time, let me introduce you to a primo sex-nique: scissoring.

Yep, you’ve probably heard of it, and most likely in regard to girl-on-girl action. The sex position-slash-method is often considered the (really, a) go-to way for queer women to have sex, but it’s definitely not the only way they can. Nor is it an off-limits move for anyone else who wants get it on.

“Scissoring allows for a very intimate connection,” says Dr Peter Kanaris, psychologist and sex therapist. “The genital-to-genital contact is very arousing and can enhance not only the physical pleasure, but the emotional arousal as well.”

Scissoring is also a unique and exciting position that you and your partner(s) of any gender or orientation can manipulate any way you want so that it feels new every single time. So boring sex? Buh-bye.

Here’s everything to know about what scissoring is and how to do it:

1. Scissoring is pretty much exactly what it sounds like.

While scissoring might be new to you, there’s actually nothing new about the move, says Kanaris.

The position requires that you and your partner lie on your sides and intertwine your legs like two pairs of opened scissors coming together and meeting in the middle. You’ll know you’re in position when your genitals touch. Then, with a little (a lot, actually) grinding and rubbing up against your partner, you’ll well on your way to O Town.

2. You don’t have to lie down to scissor, per se.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to scissoring and its many adaptations. Once you’ve got the basic lying-down set-up down, you can take things up a notch.

“Scissoring can be done in any number of other positions,” says Kanaris. It can be asynchronous, meaning you might lie still while your partner rubs up against you, or you rub up against them while they stay put.

Other times, the grinding might not even take place in between your legs at all. Instead, Kanaris says you could sit on your partner’s lap and rub against their thigh or straddle their torso and rub yourself against their chest. Yup, as long as your legs are, well, split, and you’re swivelling your hips and/or you’re grinding, that’s scissoring.

READ MORE: How To Give The Best Blow Jobs He’ll Ever Have

3. Scissoring is perfect for “outercourse”.

Ever heard of it? Outercourse is when your partner’s genitals (usually, in this case, a penis since it’s an external organ) “rests against the genitalia, without penetration,” Kanaris explains.

“Then, with gentle movement and a gradual increase in pressure,” you and your partner can get it on in a whole new way.

4. But it can also involve penetration.

Scissoring doesn’t mean that you can’t have penetrative fun—whether it’s a finger, toy or penis you want in your vagina, there’s absolutely no reason to leave it out.

In fact, the beauty of scissoring, unlike the sometimes rushed brand of sex that can comes with typical thrusting, is that it forces you and your partner to slow things down, Kanaris says. So while you get the stimulation of having a body part or sex toy inside you, you also get the arousal of building intimacy.

5. Scissoring invites different muscles to the party.

If this position and technique isn’t something you’re used to, the new angle will force you to engage different leg and thigh muscles and rely on new gestures so that you and your partner can discover new ways to climax.

See how many times “new” showed up in that sentence? That can make sex even more pleasurable, Kanaris promises.

READ MORE: 4 Great Lubricants For Every Possible Sexy Scenario

6. You might want to stretch a bit before scissoring.

On that note, if this is your first go, congrats… but also: Make sure to stretch, because those muscles need a little warm-up.

When scissoring, your glutes and thighs are going to be working overtime, and if you’re not loose and limber, there’s a good chance you’ll cramp up, Kanaris warns. If it happens, no biggie… but it’s not exactly fun and sexy, and that’s what you’re going for here.

7. Scissoring doesn’t have to happen naked.

When penetration isn’t what you’re after—tonight or ever—scissoring opens up the possibility for dry humping—which makes for really hot foreplay and can even sub for actual sex.

8. You can have a different scissoring experience every time.

If all of the above hasn’t made this clear yet, here’s this: “With a little imagination, intimate communication and experimentation,” says Kanaris, scissoring can feel like a new move every time you and your partner go for it.

Describe your fantasy to your partner, ask them what would make them feel good, then test it out. Sure, every variation of scissoring won’t necessarily feel as good as the last—you might even knee your partner on occasion—but it’s this kind of sexcapade that’ll keep the heat between the sheets.

9. You should probably bring lube.

Scissoring adds a lot of friction between legs and genitals, and chafing puts a huge damper on an orgasm. Using a little bit of lube can help prevent any raw rubbing (ouch)—and lube just makes sexing better.

READ MORE: Here’s Why You Need To Add A Warming Vibrator To Your Toy Collection

10. You still need to use protection.

Of course, if you’re hooking up with a woman and STIs aren’t a concern (as in, you’ve both been tested), then this isn’t so much of a concern. But if you’re scissoring with a guy—and/or with a new partner—Kanaris says to make sure you use condoms (or dental dams). Some STIs can be spread by skin-to-skin contact (yes, even without penetration).

11. Let scissoring be whatever it means to you.

Like any sex act, scissoring doesn’t need to be a defined, black-and-white item that you check off on a to-do list. Scissoring can look and feel however you want it to, so forget any expectations.

“Don’t get too hung up on, ‘Oh, am I doing it right?’” Kanaris says. “What is right is you and your partner having an enjoyable experience that’s fun and that’s safe.” Preach.

^{This article was originally published on www.womenshealthsa.co.za} 

^{Image credit: iStock}

Aryelle Siclait

There’s nothing wrong with being confident—and Demi Lovato is reminding everyone of that once again. The 27-year-old singer proved that she’s not sorry at all for her unretouched body, and her fans are here for it.

In a new Instagram post Thursday night, Lovato shared a cheeky photo of herself in a bikini, posing in a pool, from a recent vacation to Bora Bora. Clearly, she's a stunner—but her caption was what really caught people’s attention. 

“This is my biggest fear. A photo of me in a bikini unedited," she wrote in her caption. "And guess what, it’s CELLULIT!!!!” Demi also owned up to editing some of her other bikini pics in the past. “I’m just literally sooooo tired of being ashamed of my body, editing it (yes the other bikini pics were edited – and I hate that I did that but it’s the truth) so that others think I’m THEIR idea of what beautiful is, but it’s just not me.”

She explained how she’s currently working on a “new chapter” in her life where is is focusing on self love and being authentic. 

“So here’s me, unashamed, unafraid and proud to own a body that has fought through so much and will continue to amaze me when I hopefully give birth one day,” she wrote. “It’s such a great feeling to be back in tv/film while not stressing myself with a strenuous workout schedule before 14 hour days, or depriving myself from a real birthday cake rather than opting for watermelon & whip cream with candles because I was terrified of REAL cake and was miserable on some crazy diet shit.”

RELATED: Demi Lovato Remains Hospitalized After Suffering Complications from Apparent Overdose

“Anyway, here’s me, RAW, REAL! And I love me,” she continued. “And you should love you too! Now back to the studio.. I’m working on an anthem.. also. Just so everyone’s clear.. I’m not stoked on my appearance BUT I am appreciative of it and sometimes that’s the best I can do. I hope to inspire someone to appreciate their body today too.”

Overnight, the singer amassed over six million likes (and counting!) and received tons of comments from fans and other celebs, applauding her for her message. “I love you. thank you thank you thank you for this — you’re also unequivocally the hottest so,” wrote Debby Ryan, while Ashley Graham wrote, "Showing us YOU is so incredibly beautiful. Thank you Demi! Love you Mama!"

This isn’t the first time Lovato has been candid about body positivity. In January 2019, Lovato praised fellow pop singer Bebe Rexha for her response after designers refused to dress her because of her size. In an Instagram video at the time, Rexha shared that some of the designers would not work with her because she was a size 6-8, and responded to their hateful messages.

RELATED: Demi Lovato Looks Like a Total Badass in Her Latest Kickboxing Video

“F—ing preach!!!” Demi commented on Rexha’s video. “Love this and you for speaking your mind and using your voice!!!”

Around the same time in January this year, Lovato got even more love after she clapped back at an Instagram ad that sent a body shaming message to its viewers. 

“This is absolutely harmful to anyone who is easily influenced by societal pressures put on us by diet culture to constantly be losing weight in a world that teaches us to equate our value and worth with the way we look and especially anyone in recovery from an eating disorder,” she wrote at the time. 

Basically, it seems like Demi Lovato is the body-positive hero everyone wants and deserves. 

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