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Articles by Brooke Meredith
Why Social Media is Not Legit News and How Believing This Harms Us
TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, here’s why these are not reputable news sources and how they harm our societal health Scrolling and getting one’s information and news in short bursts, quick, eye-catching clips, and brief sound bytes is enticing. You got the most important stuff without having to wade through long, deeply layered articles or text. It’s quicker. More convenient.
There Are Good People on Both Sides
Thus there are also bad people on both sides, so how do we proceed? Much of the common narrative around Republicans and Democrats right now is as follows: “Democrats/Liberals are just elitist snobs, arrogant, condescending, self-righteous, and largely disconnected from the rest of the country.” “Republicans/Conservatives are bigoted idiots.
Americans Lives Will Be Shorter and Sh*ttier Under Trump
So, here’s what we can do… Want to know what the top Google searches were the day before the election? “Did Joe Biden drop out?” And, most shockingly, “Who is running for president?” This is terrifying, and contrary to what many Americans will say about “three months not being enough time for Kamala Harris to campaign and have the American people get to know her,” this is false.
The Rise in Magical (aka, Delusional) Thinking, and Why This Is a Problem
Many of you reading this may have noticed a rise in the following: Trite platitudes that sound inspiring and interesting until you really break them down and realize they lack any substance (aka, Faux-spiration).
MOUTABAL | ROASTED EGGPLANT, YOGHURT AND TAHINI DIP
INGREDIENTS 1 eggplant 2 tablespoons of tahini 3 tablespoons of Greek yoghurt 2 garlic cloves (pressed) Juice of 1 organic lemon Salt to taste TO SERVE Extra-virgin olive oil 1 handful of pomegranate seeds METHOD Roast the eggplant over an open flame, gas burner or grill, turning occasionally, for about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you may roast the eggplant for about 40 minutes in an oven pre-heated to 250°C (480°F). Set aside and cool.
Reebok and ANINE BING Introduce Exclusive Collaboration
Bringing together two distinct worlds, Reebok and ANINE BING unveil their inaugural partnership: Reebok x ANINE BING. This exclusive capsule collection reinterprets iconic Reebok styles from the ’80s and ’90s through ANINE BING’s contemporary yet timeless fashion lens. The result is a sophisticated fusion of vintage inspiration and modern flair, tailored to complement the lifestyle of today’s empowered woman.
10 Top Habits to Help Us Stay Our Healthiest Selves
While we cannot control all of our health outcomes, we can certainly influence many of them. Here are a few that we can: We all intuitively know this, but tons of research backs it up too. Equally as important as regular exercise and eating well, and potentially even more so, having at least a couple of healthy, meaningful social connections in your life is crucial to both mental and physical health.
The Case for Longer Fictional Reads
As opposed to word caps tailored to our ever-shortening attention spans I’ve loved books, stories, and reading pretty much since the day of my birth. (According to family folklore, I started reading around the age of two/three and haven’t stopped since). I believe wholeheartedly that a life which features reading and books at the forefront is a richer one. You can gain so, so much from books. Reading informs and illuminates. It opens our eyes and teaches us new things.
Pure Indulgence: Bawah Reserve, Indonesia
Ever loved a holiday destination so much you dreamed of buying it? For Singapore-based entrepreneur Tim Hartnoll, this dream became a reality, when he turned a holiday discovery into an eco-conscious, lo-fi luxe resort with an unrivaled dedication to marine conservation. Enveloped by lush tropical greenery and preternaturally azure waters, Bawah Reserve, natively known as Pulau Bawah, rests 300km northeast of Singapore in Indonesia’s isolated Anambas Archipelago.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE CYCLE CLASS
Have you ever noticed a shift in your energy or mental clarity? Does your motivation to exercise dramatically alter throughout the month? This can be attributed to the hormonal shifts and changes we experience within our menstrual cycle. Our cycle is divided into four phases: the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, the ovulation phase and the luteal phase.
Distress Plays a Significant Role In Getting Diseases
It's a fairly recent thing in modern, Westernized medicine that we have come to view the mind and body as separate entities in terms of illness. Doctors now typically diagnose people in terms of symptoms. What physical issues do they have, and what disease does this then correspond with? But what they rarely do nowadays is ask their patients things like: Do you like your job? How do you feel about your boss and colleagues?
Dead Dog TikTok. Whaaaaat?
Imagine, for a moment, that you're in the hospital, sitting by the bedside of someone you love deeply who is dying. Think of someone with whom you feel quite close and who you love very much. Maybe this is your mom or dad. It could be a brother or sister, your child, your romantic partner, or your best friend. But pick someone specific and then picture this for a moment, enough that your chest gets just a little bit tight with imagining it.
10 Ways to Build More Resilience
By Brooke Meredith Because life will throw you curveballs. Thus, resilience will help you get through it intact and better for it Image by John Arano from Unsplash.com Life contains a lot of thrill, beauty, joy, awe-inspiring moments, and great experiences if you're open to and choose to see them. Life often includes beautiful, life-changing relationships with others (romantic, friendship...
One Crucial Killer That Takes Years Off Our Lives
By Brooke Meredith We tend to ignore this major thing when thinking about health, to our detriment image by Jakayla Toney from Unsplash.com When thinking about health, people tend to focus on nutrition, exercise, and getting enough sleep. These are crucial components of health and will make a huge difference in terms of keeping you able-bodied, and most likely...
27 Top-Notch Non-Fiction Books
By Brooke Meredith Each of these was life-changing in some way and thus, I highly recommend all of them image by Dollar Gill from Unsplash.com By mere virtue of the fact that I have a blog devoted to books makes it obvious how strongly I feel about reading. I firmly believe that reading books makes for a richer, more bomb diggity life (and I'm not talking richer in a monetary sense).
10 Ways That Life Is Way Better In Other Developed Countries
If only we were more open to the wisdom of others, life in America could be much happier — here’s how In the last year, more than 40,000 people died from guns. This is the same number of people who died in traffic accidents. There are currently over 390 million guns throughout America owned by citizens. This is more than one gun for every man, woman, and child in the U.S. Gun violence is THE leading cause of death for children and young adults in the United States right now.
10 Ways That Life Is Way Better In Other Developed Countries
In the last year, more than 40,000 people died from guns. This is the same number of people who died in traffic accidents. There are currently over 390 million guns throughout America owned by citizens. This is more than one gun for every man, woman, and child in the U.S. Gun violence is THE leading cause of death for children and young adults in the United States right now. And the last few years have seen some of the worst gun violence in U.S. history.
The Ways That Both Conservatives and Liberals Are Trying to Silence People
An example of how the liberal/democrat side is silencing people is the way many of them have come to carry a hammer with them at all times, their eyes ever roving for verbal and behavioral nails they can slam. For instance, this happens all the time now whenever anyone makes a single verbal misstep. Let’s say someone uses an incorrect pronoun to describe someone else by mistake(and the crucial distinction in here is by mistake). The response is often swift, knee-jerk offense or even anger.
Abortion Does Not Kill Babies
We've all heard this a million times from anti-abortionists at this point. "Abortion is the murdering of innocent babies." "Abortion is killing fetuses." "Abortion is the killing of innocent children." It's actually none of those things. Some basic knowledge of science and the human body will help correct this gross misunderstanding. The vast majority of abortions that have been performed in America over many, many decades now have, in fact, been embryos being removed from the woman's body.
Why America’s Obsession With HBO’s Succession is Concerning
Though it has some surface flair, our culture’s thrill with shows like this one is worrying. Here’s why. Succession has undoubtedly been a successful show. At least on paper, anyway. This is, in part, because the show has a few things worth remarking on. It’s a fascinating, layered character study on what happens to a lot of people when hatred, disconnection, and greed are their guiding forces. The dialogue is snappy and smart.
Why America's Obsession With HBO's Succession is Concerning
Succession has undoubtedly been a successful show. At least on paper, anyway. This is, in part, because the show has a few things worth remarking on. It's a fascinating, layered character study on what happens to a lot of people when hatred, disconnection, and greed are their guiding forces. The dialogue is snappy and smart.
MECCA launches its first SPF50+ sun serum with 3% niacinamide
We all know SPF is the most important step in our daily skin care routine, but finding the right one for your skin that doesn’t make you feel too greasy or leaves you with the dreaded white cast can be a challenge. Introducing MECCA’S first SPF50+ Sun Serum which offers a trifecta of benefits: Brightening Sun Serum helps to minimise the appearance of sun damage, protects against future damage and refines skin complexion with the cumulative benefits of active skincare.
Smoky whole eggplants with crispy chickpeas, olives and tahini
No other vegetable gets me more excited than charred eggplant – it’s a feast for the senses and takes me straight back to my childhood. Cooking vegetables whole this way is so often overlooked, but it’s a great technique for coaxing amazing flavour out of ingredients without fuss.
Roasted cabbage with green goddess tahini and spiced pearl couscous
Of all the vegetables, cabbage undergoes the most profound transformation when roasted. It softens and sweetens in the oven, turning meaty and juicy, while its flavour intensifies. The more charred (or gnarly), the better.
ANCIENT RITUALS, FOR THE MODERN BEING
Founded by filmmaker-come-bathing enthusiast and a botanist-come-hotelier, Mary Minas and Freya Berwick have joined forces to create an Australian space that would draw on global practices to meet modern needs. The result is Sense of Self; a contemporary bathhouse where ancient wisdom and modern design collide. Located on the border of Collingwood and Fitzroy, Melbourne, Sense Of Self Bathhouse occupies a double-storey converted brick warehouse.
Inside Collingwood’s ‘Zen Den’ serving up unworldly facials and light meditations.
Tucked away in the nooks of Melbourne’s Cremorne and Byron Bay’s industrial estate, Little Company’s latest skin studio could be their most unique space to date. After countless calls for more treatment rooms, the new ultramodern studio is more akin to an underground cave nestled down the inner-city bluestone alley of Montalto Place, Collingwood – now servicing long established clients from across the city.
“Women Aren’t Oppressed,” Someone Said To Me The Other Day
This takes the cake for the most ignorant thing that’s been said to me all year First off, let’s consider what it means to oppress someone or something. The root word of oppression is “press,” writes Sharon Stephania Murillo in her thesis, A Theory on (Animal) Oppression.
"Women Aren't Oppressed," Someone Said To Me The Other Day
This takes the cake for the most ignorant thing that's been said to me all year First off, let's consider what it means to oppress someone or something. The root word of oppression is "press," writes Sharon Stephania Murillo in her thesis, A Theory on (Animal) Oppression.
16 Rockin’ Reads from 2022
This is, hands down, one of the best non-fiction books I’ve ever read in my life, and that’s saying a lot since I’ve read well over 1,000 books thus far in my lifetime. My god, this book is laden with thought-provoking, eye-opening, beautiful, wise, philosophical insights about relationships, love, society, and life. It’s a truly life- and thought-changing read. Here’s an article I wrote about some of the insights found within it.
Why Almost 70 Percent of Americans Are Unhappy With Their Dating Lives
We don’t read much anymore. Instead, we skim and scroll on screens. We don’t think deeply anymore either, with just ourselves and our minds, sitting with these for several minutes each day without distraction, or even, gasp, an hour or two. Instead, if there is even a second of pause or boredom in our daily life? We reach for our devices and screens to fill it. Thus, we have lost the ability to be bored and to be with just ourselves and our own thoughts. What’s the problem here?
The Huge Problem and Horror of Non-Human Oppression
And why our survival depends on changing this The root word of oppression is “press,” writes Sharon Stephania Murillo in her thesis, A Theory on Animal Oppression. The definition that feminist Marilyn Frye gives of oppression is “to experience being caged in.” Beth Levine defines oppression as “the act of using power over another for control or unjust treatment.” Like us, cats, dogs, cows, chickens, fish, and squirrels feel pain. Lambs, ducks, and pigs have consciousness and want to live.
Using the Blanket Term “Sexual Assault” to Include Rape Can Be Offensive
I’ve seen the term “sexual assault” used routinely as of late to encompass and include all forms of sexual assault, including rape. To me, this can diminish and downplay the severity of rape. Don’t get me wrong, all sexual assault results in trauma. And the severity of emotional fallout experienced, from person to person, will depend on what the trauma is and the person experiencing it.
Cancel Culture is Not Tolerance or Kindness
Here are seven ways it’s intolerant, unkind, and ignorant Cancel culture is something that, though its intentions are often well-meaning and decent, has largely gone off the rails. Though a lot of people intend things like political correctness and “canceling,” to be a show of protectiveness or kindness to others, cancel culture is quite the opposite of both these things.
Newsflash: A Fetus is Not a Sentient Being
A brief crash course on science clearly needed for a lot of people A fetus is a collection of cells that have been fertilized. It is alive the way any clustering of cells is, such as a collection of living cells floating in a pond or a cluster of cells in a petri dish, or a group of cells inside the womb of, say, a fox or a gorilla. It is not a fully sentient, living being yet. A great example of the way in which a human fetus is alive can be compared with a frog.
Women Who Proudly Claim the Title “B*tch” Are Harming Other Women
Women are taught that if they become or are powerful, as in, via their career, their voice, their confidence, or some other means (fame, academic success, etc), they cannot also be loving and nurturing. Most women who are powerful, who are career women or brave adventurers, who dare to venture boldly on their own, to live outside the box, etc, are frequently called “b*tches.” Why?
A Few Questions For Those Who Support Making Abortion Illegal
Because you care a lot about human life, yes? To everyone in our culture who wants to outlaw abortion, Why do you think it’s a good thing to force all women to always have to give birth from now on? Is this a humane, caring thing? To the people who claim abortion is murder, what about if giving birth to that baby endangers the life of the mother, or can even kill the mother? Is this not also murder? Because if you claim to be pro-life, then this would be a top concern for you as well.
10 Signs of the Fascism and Totalitarianism Coming America’s Way
Watch out, folks. These are some of the major signs and we’re experiencing them.
American Work Culture Sucks You In If You Aren’t Careful, Says My European Friend
6 insights on how American work culture is a vortex, unlike European work culture, and what we might do about it image by NOAA from Unsplash.com At work, I ran into a friend of mine in the hallway recently. We haven't talked much in the last several months.
There’s a Lack of Depth to Most of Our Social Interactions
Here’s how this costs us happiness and how we can change it. image by Boxed Water from Unsplash.com Many people, when they spend time with friends, family members they enjoy, and even at times, their romantic partners, tend to revert to easy, no-thought-required questions of one another. “How was your day?” “What did you think of that book/movie/T.V. show?” “What do you do for work?” “What are your hobbies?” “What did you do this weekend?” “How was it?” “Did you like the dinner?” Yawn.
6 Rude Behaviors We’ve Made Sadly Commonplace
Note: Commonplace doesn’t make them any less rude. Let’s change these to make our society a better place. image by Maria Lysenko from Unsplash.com #1- Being routinely flakey, changing plans last minute a lot, or canceling often When living in Europe, I did not notice this occurring with the same frequency that it seems to with people I’ve befriended in America. Thus, I’ve wondered if it’s partially a cultural thing, or if it’s something else.
We’ve Lost Sight of How to Maturely and Intelligently Disagree
Now, we pathetically shame, aggress, and lose our minds toward anyone who has a different opinion image by Hasan Almasi from Unsplash.com When I was a teenager and young adult, I recall disagreeing with friends. We’d have different opinions about something, discuss this, sometimes even argue,but then move on. I witnessed and experienced the same thing among strangers. At my mom’s parties, or when we had large family dinners, people disagreed at times. Sometimes even vehemently.
A Series of Papaya-Associated Salmonella Illness Outbreak Investigations in 2017 and 2019 – A Focus on Traceback, Laboratory, and Collaborative EffortsSalmonella illness outbreaks associated with papayas
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COVID-19’s shadow pandemic
Violence against women and girls, already one of the most serious social problems we face, becomes worse in every type of emergency, and the COVID-19 crisis is no different. The numbers are almost beyond comprehension; even before COVID-19, some 243 million women had been abused by a partner in the previous 12 months.
The Case For Not Living With Your Romantic Partner, Ever.
image by Christian Stahl from Unsplash.com In our culture, romantic relationships tend to have a rather narrow, expected and assumed, A, B, C trajectory about them. You date a bit, quickly jump into monogamy (read: America is Monogamous by Default- But Should We Be?), the relationship grows emotionally deeper and more “serious”, the couple eventually moves in together, they usually (though not as often anymore) marry, have children, and live happily ever after.
Why Turn Off All Email and Popup Notifications on Your Phone?
It’ll change your life for the better in several ways. Here’s how. image by William Hook on Unsplash.com When our phones are constantly vibrating, lighting up, and pinging and dinging, this pulls us out of whatever activity or interaction we are currently engaged in. Even if only for a few seconds, it shakes you out and away from whatever you are doing, and toward the phone. This, in a sense, fractures our daily activities and interactions. It waters them down. Makes them more scattered.
How to Use your Passion Planner as a Book Journal
Used with Permission from Passion Planner Back in 2016, something called a Passion Planner changed my life. I’d tried various systems over the years to get organised, but I’ve now returned to trusty pen and paper. I love this diary, which comes in various colours and formats, and even in an undated version so you can start it whenever. It’s also a great excuse to buy and use all kinds of stickers and coloured pens.
7 Simple Things Guys Should Be Doing for Their Partner Every Day
Be intentional and your partner will feel loved every day. Photo credit: Everton Vila on Unsplash By Marcus Kusi We have many different partners in life. However, there are partners we want to prioritize at different times in our life. Perhaps you believe in the ONE — the one you want to spend the rest of your life, share your dreams with, and care about. The one you are proud to talk about with your friends and family.
There Is No Such Thing as Laziness
Is laziness just not doing what you don’t want to do? Photo credit: Shutterstock By Avrum Weiss When I was a boy, one of my parent's most frequent complaints about me was that I was lazy. As an adult, most people think of me as very hard working, often to a fault. It’s pretty clear to me now that my parents had it wrong. I think what they called lazy actually was that I didn’t show a lot of enthusiasm for the things they thought I should be doing.
Dating Habits To Bring Back.
From the days of old (aka, not really so long ago). Is it just me, or has romance and dating in general seemed to have basically died out nowadays? In fact, the word “date” seems to have been erased altogether from the younger generation's vocabulary. Now people “hang out”, or “hook up”, or they text each other as a main form of communication. What happened to actual dating?
Emotional Availability in Relationships, and Why It’s Crucial for True Closeness.
image bu Hannah Busing from Unsplash.com What does it mean to be emotionally available? Why do some struggle with this more so than other people? Why, with certain people, do we feel braver and safer than with others? Is emotional availability something that can wax and wane? Depending on with whom we are relating? Is emotional availability something that we can choose consciously to turn on or off? Or is it an automatic reaction, instead determined by past experiences and inner temperament?
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