To many, who you marry is among the most important decisions you will make in your lifetime. Everyone hopes that the person they marry is the actual embodiment of Prince Charming, but the truth is that everyone has good and bad qualities and you have to pick and choose what…
Maria Magallanes
Writer
Maria Magallanes is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Utah and moved to New York to pursue a Master’s degree in Publishing: Digital and Print Media from New York University. She credits any success she has experienced to her stubbornness, tenacity, and the support from her family and countless mentors and role models. Good food, books, and the outdoors are among her greatest loves.
Entries Maria Magallanes
Social media has definitely changed the way our society views and deals with topics of sexuality, consent, and abuse. The #MeToo movement has cast into the limelight something once considered taboo, and now we are better able to recognize and deal with cases involving harassment. Yet sexual misconduct isn’t something…
While it’s common knowledge that anxiety is caused by a mental disorder, did you know that it can also be caused by physical factors? In fact, research has uncovered a connection between anxiety and your digestive system, “a group of organs that includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder,…
There’s no way to prepare for when a friend, family member or loved one betrays your trust, but there is a way to move on from the pain associated. While some betrayals take longer than others to get over, follow these steps to nurture yourself and lead a powerful, fulfilling…
It seems obvious that selfies - the act of taking a picture of oneself by oneself – would be considered somewhat narcissistic when done excessively. But in an age where social media has become the norm and ‘selfie’ is part of our inextricable vocabulary, is there any validity to that…
Nothing says spa night quite like a facial. Face masks can help tighten and clear up your skin, leaving you feeling refreshed and looking fabulous. Try these five simple detox face masks at home! Chocolate coffee mask 1 teaspoon of instant coffee (or coffee grounds) 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder…
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: relationships are messy, messy, messy. Especially when relationships become more serious, it’s normal to experience doubts as the dynamic veers toward a more permanent circumstance. Things that seem inconsequential at the start of a relationship suddenly feel like major red flags…
As you settle into a long-term relationship, you might start asking yourself whether your partner is someone you could start a family with. Among the many things to consider, you’ll probably wonder how he would handle kids. It takes a little more than just liking kids to determine whether or…
While it’s difficult to target fat in a particular area, these exercises target the muscles in your upper and lower back. Combined with a healthy diet and regular cardiovascular exercise, these moves will keep you in shape. Reverse fly You’ll need a pair of dumbbells for this exercise. Generally, you…
Strawberry legs (otherwise known as comedones) are those little dark bumps you get on your legs that look similar to the seeds on the skin of a strawberry. They’re often confused with a shaving rash, but they are actually caused by clogged pores and hair follicles. While improper shaving habits…
We hear often how you should watch your sodium intake. It’s easy to ignore that sound medical advice when you’re encountered with French fries, potato chips, pizza and almost every other fast food item known to man. Even lots of “healthier” dishes like salads or bread and cereals that you…
Most can relate to the situation where you misinterpret an expression, assume interest where there is none, and get embarrassed when your response to what you thought was a flirtatious gesture falls flat. As a result, we tend to err on the side of being completely oblivious to someone’s advances…
Whoever you are, wherever you are, people strive to be better and to live better. We all want to feel satisfied and happy in our lives and in our relationships. Oftentimes, we fail to recognize the small things that get in the way of our own emotional prosperity. These ten…
Whether you’re trying to keep your long, luscious locks looking glam or trying to grow out the darling bob that is starting to sag, these simple tips can help you keep your hair looking shiny and fresh. Watch the shampoo A lot of crucial hair care happens in the…
Women do a lot. We work, go to school, take care of children, cook, clean and maintain various levels of an active social life. It’s hard to keep it together and one thing’s for sure – it’s important to take time to care for ourselves and rejuvenate so we don’t…
A calcium deficiency (more formally known as hypocalcemia) is a condition where your blood doesn’t have enough calcium. It’s often caused by a lack of vitamin D, although certain medications and pre-existing medical conditions (like a low-functioning thyroid) can also be culprits. While it’s important to consult your doctor for…
After a long day at work or school, there’s no better feeling than walking through your own door and kicking off your shoes, knowing you won’t have to go out again for the rest of the night. Our feet take quite a beating day in and day out. Treat your…
When you’re stuck behind a desk or computer all day, your muscles can get tense from being in the same cramped position for too long. Luckily, these five exercises can be done in the office, from your desk or at home. Not only will they relieve tension in the moment,…
There’s no arguing that tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. In the U.S. alone, Americans drank more than 84 billion servings of tea (over 3.8 billion gallons!) in just the last year (TeaUSA, 2018). That makes for a whole lot of tea bags, which…
Do your farts clear out the room within seconds? Maybe your farts sound like an explosive trombone or perhaps they’re more so the silent and deadly sort. Believe it or not, your expressive toots can actually indicate good health. Think I’m full of hot air? Here are eight reasons that…
The idea behind a foot detox is that you rid your body of harmful chemicals and toxins – which are the cause of some illnesses according to the Center for Disease Control (Gould, 2016). It’s similar to a warm detox bath, only it’s just for your feet. Fill a shallow…
Narcissists are characterized by a penchant for grandeur, a yearning need for attention and a general lack of compassion and empathy towards others. They tend to be self-centered, manipulative and convinced of their superiority – not exactly the sort of traits of a guy you’d want to bring home to…
What sets strong women apart from others is their ability to take control of their lives amidst difficulties. They don't let challenges get the best of them. They keep on keeping on by doing the following. Practices self-care A strong woman is a warrior. And like any trained warrior, she knows…
The heart wants what it wants. Unfortunately, sometimes we get so caught up in the emotion and excitement of love that we fail to recognize that someone just isn’t a good fit. When we fall in love, it’s hard to imagine that someone we care so much about doesn’t feel…
Successful relationships are all about give and take. And they require a lot of sacrifice and compromise from both parties involved. It may be easy to notice what you’re lacking because we know our own needs. It’s harder, however, to know what your partner is thinking. Here are five things…
Are you feeling as sunny as the extended daylight hours? Or maybe work is more of a drag than usual? The diagnosis is out! Spring fever is in the air and you probably have it. Here are six signs that you’ve fallen prey to the tantalizing breath of spring. You’re…
When dealing with situations of abuse, physical and sexual abuse are the first to come to mind because they are more readily discernable. You can see a punch, you can see a bruise, and there is usually physical evidence in the cases of assault. Emotional abuse is a little hazier.…
When we find someone that we can see ourselves being with in the long term, we want to protect that relationship. Unfortunately, that often happens at the expense of our better judgment. Here are five of the biggest mistakes women make when they fall in love. You expect your…
We trust our partners to be there for us during our highs and lows. That’s why it is so heartbreaking when cheating occurs. But betrayal can happen even when there isn’t a physical affair. Here are three ways that you could be undermining your relationship and forsaking your partner’s trust…
Nothing is more frustrating than suiting up to go to the gym and then walking past a mirror and seeing pudgy conglomerates of arm and back fat poking out of your sports bra. Well, don’t get discouraged! Bra bulge happens to everyone in varying degrees and doing these five exercises…
Breakups are hard and attachments run deep. It can be difficult to untangle yourself from a past relationship, especially one that you were seriously invested in. Everyone has a different coping mechanism and part of the recovery process usually and unfortunately involves the dreaded rebound. We’ve been there. While this…
It’s nice to have friends – people you can laugh and hang out with as you navigate through the maze of life. Meaningful relationships are good for your mental and physical well-being. However, not everyone who calls you a friend is actually sincere. Below are five ways to spot a…
Very rarely do we get it right the first time around when it comes to relationships. Dating is a time of self-discovery and that comes with a fair share of trial and error. It’s normal to look back on past relationships and wish that things had gone a little differently…
When in love, we’re often blinded by the strength of romantic attraction we experience at the start of a new relationship. But there’s a lot more to a long and lasting relationship than the physical aspect of romance. If you notice a variance in more than a few of these…
Women tend to be incredibly hard on themselves when it comes to body image. It’s so important to learn self-love and how to accept our imperfections. That said, everyone has those areas that they feel self-conscious about. Here are some of the top 10 areas in the body that women…
Mornings are hard. While we all know the benefits that a morning exercise routine can have on our productivity and mood, sometimes it feels impossible to roll out of bed earlier than usual just to sweat it out with a bunch of strangers. Thankfully, we’re providing you with a list…
As we go throughout our lives, we encounter all sorts of people. Some of them pass through momentarily while others linger. Oftentimes even our best friends from childhood drift away while others become a part of your unofficial family. What makes a friendship withstand the test of time? You’re both…
If you’ve experienced some sort of trauma in a past relationship, it can take some time to build up the courage to jump back into the dating scene. Sometimes the effects of past relationships make it difficult to see your current partner for the kind and generous person that he…
Let me start by saying that these exercises alone won’t completely eliminate an excessive amount of sagging, but they can help to strengthen the muscles around your neck and jaw to tighten up the appearance. These exercises should be combined with an increase in overall activity – whether that’s walking…
Emotional neglect affects your psychological and emotional well-being. It’s different from emotional abuse and therefore often overlooked. “Emotional neglect involves failing to provide emotional support that one should provide, given one's relationship to the other. …Emotional abuse... involves… doing things to another that can be emotionally hurtful or traumatizing (for example, name-calling, badgering or constantly complaining);…
During high school, I was on the track and cross-country teams. I often incorporated bakeries and fast-food joints that offered free treats along my running routes. In fact, I remember one occasion that a friend and I ran to her house five minutes away and baked cupcakes instead of the…
We all know the bliss that comes from being in a new relationship. The butterflies, the grin you can’t wipe from your face – both are typical of the honeymoon stage in any relationship. But for whatever reason, we tend to let fear and worry creep into even our most…
It comes as no surprise that your mental health is intertwined with your physical health. However, we don’t often think about how some of our most common habits can negatively impact our mental health. Here are five ways that you might unconsciously be doing so. Slouching A study was…
They say a cluttered home is evidence of a cluttered mind. In fact, research has shown that clutter is associated with “stress, life satisfaction, physical health, and cognition” (Whitbourne, 2017). These helpful tips will assist you in organizing your home and help you reap the benefits of peace of mind. Make your…
Turmeric is a spice most commonly found in Asian (primarily Indian) Cuisine. This golden-colored seasoning has an aromatic, pungent, and often bitter taste that you might recognize in your favorite curry dishes. In addition to packing a delightful punch to your take-out menu, turmeric has some incredible health benefits. …
When you meet someone, it’s easy to get caught up in the newness of a relationship and want to spend every waking moment with your significant other. This usually isn’t the best course of action. Michael Gurian, an author of Lessons of Lifelong Intimacy: Building a Stronger Marriage Without Losing…
If you’re feeling lonely this Valentine’s Day season… you’re not alone. Studies show that “the rate of single people… is constantly increasing. In the United States, 50.2% of the adult population – 124.6 million people – were single in August 2014” (Slonim, Gur-yaish, & Katz, 2015). While the causes of…
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man … is an absolute mystery. While you never can really tell what the men in your life are thinking, here are a few tips to help demystify those friends that might-be-more-than-friends in your life. If your best friend, Bob, exhibits…
The extreme volatility of the stock market has many people concerned about the state of their current and future finances. While it’s normal to worry about your livelihood, we often get ourselves worked up about things. Here are some of the most common fears we face about money and some…
A stab in the back. A gut-wrenching feeling. A broken heart. Each of these phrases uses a physical sensation to describe emotional pain and thus attributes bodily pain to emotion. Whether the pain is a result of trauma, rejection, or empathy towards the plight of another, our bodies endure physical…
Open and honest communication is one of the best ways to create an environment of trust and empathy. If you or a loved one are experiencing depression, here is a list of five myths that need to be stamped out in order to promote healthy and helpful relationships with self…
