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I went on Beyoncé's 22-day diet — and I lost 15 pounds

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  • Beyoncé tried "The 22-Day Revolution" diet after she had her first child.
  • The plan is a vegan, plant-based diet that eliminates all processed foods.
  • Beyoncé wrote the foreword for the book and backed a meal-delivery service based on it.
  • Business Insider's Kevin Reilly decided to try "The 22-Day Revolution" for himself, and it turned out better than he'd hoped.

Kevin Reilly: If it worked for Beyoncé, it'll work for me. Right?

My name is Kevin Reilly, and I'm a video producer for Business Insider.

So I tried this vegan-diet challenge out, the 22-Day Revolution. It was an all-vegan, all-plant-based diet, kind of made famous by Beyoncé. She wrote the foreword to the book and actually had gone on it herself after her first child.

I figured if it's going to work for her, it's got to do something for me.

But as a meat eater, just moving away from everything that I was used to, I thought it was going to be daunting. And let me tell you, that first week was rough. I wanted the food that I was used to eating. I was cranky, I actually felt tired on a couple days, and really I just wasn't into it.

It took me an hour and 10 minutes to get my lunch together last night. It's this weird lentil, quinoa thing that I keep having to take a couple bites of and then chug some water, because it's just mealy and kind of nasty. I don't like steak that much, and I miss steak right now.

But guess what? If you want some results, three weeks into this thing, 15 pounds gone. Take a look at the before-and-after. Not bad, right?

But hold on a sec. At times I found myself starving. There was one meal that was only a cucumber, a zucchini, a carrot, and some tahini. And yeah, I cheated. That first week I had a slice of pizza, a slice of meatball. It was good.

But I wanted to complete this thing. Not just for work, but for myself. So I got back on the wagon and went for it. And let me tell you, the second week things started getting better. I felt like I had a lot of energy. I was — I don't know — feeling good about myself. And let me tell you, a few of these meals were really damn good. My favorite by far was the baked eggplant with pico de gallo. That was good. I even tried it out grilled, which might be better than the original recipe.

However, on the flip side, there's the pizza. The dough smelled funny. The cheese was like this gummy, gooey mess made out of cashews, and the end result? No, just no.

So here's the thing: There were a lot of good parts about it. I lost weight; I was feeling good. That was fantastic. But not knowing the calorie counts, the fact that the servings sizes in the actual recipes wasn't really there left me not knowing whether I should keep eating more or if I was just hungry.

My first day back to meat-eating land, my boss brought in this big, giant, good-looking plate of bacon. I didn't touch any of it, not even a bite. For some reason, I just liked the way I felt. I had this somewhat different outlook. I started researching more veggie recipes. I started going to the farmers' market and started craving the veggies that were there. I like this. I want to feel like this a little bit more.

Now, am I changing myself to a vegan? No. That first night I went to my favorite restaurant and had a damn good tuna melt. And I'll be having more of those. But do I feel fabulous like Beyoncé? Sure.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published on September 27, 2017.

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The richest person in the world, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, added more money to his fortune in 2018 than any other billionaire (AMZN, MSFT, FB)

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Jeff Bezos

  • Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, was the only person in the world in 2018 to amass a net worth that topped $100 billion.
  • According to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index, Bezos has a net worth of $123 billion, which is $24 billion more than his reported wealth at the end of 2017.
  • Bezos is the founder of Amazon and the aerospace company Blue Origin, as well as the owner of The Washington Post.

In a year when the biggest names in tech were embroiled in scandals, there's at least one executive who managed to get out of 2018 unscathed: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, who saw his net worth increase by more than any of his billionaire peers.

Jeff Bezos already claimed the title as the world's richest person at the beginning of the year, and unseated Microsoft founder Bill Gates from his 24-year streak at the top of Forbes' rankings of richest Americans. Now the Amazon CEO can say he increased his wealth in 2018 — by $24 billion, to be exact — by more than any of the richest 500 in Bloomberg's Billionaires Index.

Bezos finishes off the year with a net worth of $123 billion, the only person on the list to have a 12-digit net worth. Yet this isn't even Bezos' peak net worth: over the summer, he surpassed a net worth of $150 billion to become the richest man ever in modern history.

To put that in perspective, Bezos makes almost $4.5 million in just a single hour. With that wealth, spending $88,000 to him is similar to an average American spending $1, Business Insider calculated. Bezos hasn't shown any signs of slowing down, if Amazon's rapid expansion in 2018 into cloud computing, pharmaceuticals, and other industries is any indication.

Read more:We did the math to calculate exactly how much money billionaires and celebrities like Jeff Bezos and Kylie Jenner make an hour

But while Bezos saw his worth rise, other billionaires didn't see the same success. Following Facebook's year of data leaks and a rise in public distrust of the company, CEO Mark Zuckerberg lost more money than anyone else on Bloomberg's billionaire rankings. Zuckerberg's net worth took an almost $20 billion hit this year, and is now pegged at a cool $52.9 billion.

Rounding out the top five billionaires, according to Bloomberg's rankings, are Microsoft founder Bill Gates ($90 billion), investor Warren Buffet ($82.9 billion), LVMH's CEO Bernard Arnault ($67.3 billion), and Spanish fashion executive Amancio Ortega ($58.7 billion).

SEE ALSO: These are the 7 crucial tech stories to watch closely in 2019, according to Business Insider's reporters and editors

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NOW WATCH: These are the top 7 smartphones of 2018

5 common New Year's resolutions — and how to keep them

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Udemy Hero brand supplied

Another year, another myriad of “new year, new you” campaigns. But what if we told you that this year really is different? This will be the year you learn a new skill, discover a new hobby, or achieve a lifelong dream. How? Because this year, you’ve got a helper that can teach you exactly how to make your resolutions a reality: Udemy.com.

With over 80,000 expert-led courses, Udemy is an easy-to-use and affordable platform where you can learn just about anything for as little as $9.99. Sounds pretty good, right? To give you an idea of just how much you can do with Udemy, here are five popular resolutions and courses you can take to achieve them.

1. Get a new job

Udemy new job

Looking for a change of pace in your career? Switching companies (or even careers) can be a rough road to walk. But brushing up on your professional skills, learning about emerging technologies, or even practicing your interview skills can give you a leg up on the competition.  

Students like Mohamad Alaloush have launched completely new careers just by taking Udemy courses. Though he had no prior experience, Mohamad was able to get a job as a software engineer in just eight months.

2. Boost your financial health

Udemy financial health

Trying to pay off student loans or that pesky old credit card bill that’s been hanging over your head? The start of the new year is a great time to evaluate your finances and create a plan to eliminate debt and save more money. But, combing through the hoards of conflicting information on the web is tedious.

In order to develop healthy financial habits that last a lifetime, try taking a comprehensive financial wellness course. This will allow you to get a firm grasp on your current financial situation and learn how to develop positive financial behavior for the future.

3. Get in shape

Udemy Get In Shape Brand Supplied

With the months of holiday eating that lead up to each new year, it’s no surprise that getting in shape is one of the most common resolutions. The thing is, starting a healthy lifestyle is a bit trickier than just stocking your freezer with low-calorie, microwavable foods. Learning nutrition basics can help you understand how your body works and how to best take care of it.

Of course, exercise is also a key component to building a healthier you in the new year. But that doesn’t mean you have to force yourself into a monotonous treadmill routine. Developing exercise habits you actually enjoy is the best way to make sure your New Year’s resolution turns into a lifelong commitment. For instance, try learning to dance, or balancing fitness and mental wellbeing through meditative yoga.

 

4. Learn a new hobby

Udemy Music Brand Supplied

When work and life get busy, it can be easy to slide into a rut. That’s why it’s important to make time to indulge in a little creativity. Exploring your creative side can help you feel more fulfilled, broaden your perspective, and even increase productivity in your professional life.

Whether you want to brush up on an existing hobby or learn something completely new, the new year is the perfect time to commit to a more creative you. Want to be more musical? Try learning guitar or piano. Want to capture the beautiful moments in life? Try your hand in photography. You can even take a stab at writing the next great American novel with a course in creative writing.

5. Reduce stress

Udemy stress

While adding more than one goal to your 2019 to-do list is a good thing, it’s also important to remember not to tack on extra stress. So, whether it’s your only resolution or in addition to another, learning stress management could help you be more successful in your objectives.

Courses in meditation or mindfulness can also help you relax and be present and attentive in your tasks, which will allow you to learn better and faster. Additionally, you may want to consider a time-management course to help you prioritize tasks and ensure you never take on too much.

Feeling empowered to crush your 2019 goals? Good news — the biggest sale of the new year is happening right now on Udemy. So, you can get a headstart on the “new you” with courses as low as $9.99.

This post is sponsored by Udemy. | Content written and provided by Udemy. 


Udemy is a global marketplace for learning and teaching online. More than 24 million students learn from an extensive library of 80,000 expert-led courses in over 50 different languages. Whether learning for professional development or personal enrichment, students can master new skills through self-paced, on-demand courses.

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Stocks jump, but remain on track for their worst December since the Great Depression (SPY, SPX, QQQ, DIA, AMZN, MRO, HES, RIG)

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Trader

  • US equity markets gained Monday after President Donald Trump expressed optimism surrounding the possibility of a trade deal with China.
  • Still, the S&P 500 is on track for its worst December since 1931.
  • Watch stocks trade live.

US equity markets rallied Monday, but remained on track for the their worst December since the Great Depression. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 210 points, or 0.9%, while the S&P 500 was higher by 13 points, or 0.54%, near 2,494. Still, the benchmark index is down 10% this month, and needs to finish the session above 2,594.56 to avoid its worst December since 1931, according to CNBC.

Monday's early gains come after President Donald Trump on Saturday tweeted that trade talks between the US and China were progressing, fueling optimism that a deal could be ironed out in January, when face-to-face negotiations between the two sides are expected to take place. 

"Just had a long and very good call with President Xi of China,"Trump tweeted.

"Deal is moving along very well. If made, it will be very comprehensive, covering all subjects, areas and points of dispute. Big progress being made!"

A deal between the world's two largest economies would be welcome to the global economy as manufacturing data has taken a turn for the worse in both countries. On Monday, China's official manufacturing purchasing managers' index showed the sector contracted for the first time in two years. And earlier this month, Empire Manufacturing and Richmond Fed manufacturing saw notable slowdowns in the US. 

Amazon was up 1.9% after the Wall Street Journal reported that Whole Foods employees are looking into potential store locations in Western North America that would allow more customers to be within Prime Now's two-hour delivery-service range.  

On the commodities front, West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 1.24% to above $45.70 a barrel. Meanwhile, natural gas plunged more than 10% to 2.965 per million British thermal units and was on track to close down more than 35% in December. 

The dollar slid 0.1% against a basket of major peers and was flirting with its lowest close since November 7. Treasury yields were lower, with the 10-year down 3.4 basis points at 2.684%.

Markets across much of Asia and Europe were shuttered for New Year's. They will remain closed until Wednesday. 

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NOW WATCH: The equity chief at $6.3 trillion BlackRock weighs in on the trade war, a possible recession, and offers her best investing advice for a tricky 2019 landscape

The smartphone camera could become the new way consumers find products online

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bii importance of smartphone cameraThis is a preview of a research report from BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service. To learn more about BI Intelligence, click here.

The smartphone is getting smarter as tech and internet companies inject increasingly sophisticated computer vision and object recognition functions into their hardware and software. The ability to “understand” what the user is pointing their mobile camera at and “read” the image has opened the door for visual search.

Foreseeing the potential for mobile visual search to create new revenue opportunities, brands are attempting to harness the smartphone camera’s increasing sophistication to engage with consumers and drive sales.

In this report, Business Insider Intelligence analyzes the developing technologies behind mobile visual search and its value to businesses and brands. The report also assesses risks and opportunities inherent in developing a visual search strategy, provides a list of companies that are working in the space, and discusses what they've accomplished so far.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the report:

  • There is strong evidence that mobile visual search technology will take off in the near future, including growing access to technology, strong usage rates of camera-related apps, and early indication of potential revenue growth. 
  • In some instances, visual search is faster and more accurate than text or voice, as it cuts through consumer-introduced ambiguities. 
  • The mobile visual search ecosystem is growing, with a slew of enabling platforms, native apps, and internet companies all broadening their expertise in the field.  
  • Leading internet search companies, including Google and Baidu, are in a race to capture the mobile visual search market as it begins to eat into traditional forms of search.   
  • The smartphone is the perfect launchpad for visual search technology, but new form factors, like smartglasses, hold great potential.

 In full, the report:

  • Provides an argument for the potential uptake of mobile visual search technology by tech companies, brands, and consumers. 
  • Outlines the current mobile visual search landscape.
  • Explains how startups and tech companies with mobile visual search products are evolving their business strategies. 
  • Provides an outlook for the future of the mobile visual search industry. 

Interested in getting the full report? Here are two ways to access it:

  1. Subscribe to an All-Access pass to BI Intelligence and gain immediate access to this report and over 100 other expertly researched reports. As an added bonus, you'll also gain access to all future reports and daily newsletters to ensure you stay ahead of the curve and benefit personally and professionally. >>Learn More Now
  2. Purchase & download the full report from our research store. >> Purchase & Download Now

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14 foods that contain a surprising amount of vitamin D

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Greek Yogurt with Blueberries

  • Vitamin D, commonly known as the "sunshine vitamin," is essential for bone health.
  • Many foods like cereals and some milks are fortified with vitamin D.
  • Fatty fish and beef liver are natural sources of vitamin D.

Vitamin D, a nutrient that's vital to bone health, has been called the "sunshine vitamin" because it's created when our bodies are exposed to sunlight. We can also incorporate this vitamin into our routine by eating foods that contain high levels of it, or by augmenting our intake with pills, drops, and other forms of supplements. The recommended daily amount ranges from 400 International Units (IU) to 800 IU depending on age.

To learn more about the relationship between diet and vitamin D, INSIDER talked to Julia Zumpano, RD, who works with the Cleveland Clinic's Preventive Cardiology & Rehabilitation Department and its Women's Cardiovascular Center. We also looked at information from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Dietitians of Canada, a professional organization.

From fatty fish to fortified yogurt, here are 14 foods that are rich in vitamin D.

Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are one of the best sources of vitamin D.

A 75-gram (2.5-ounce) serving of sockeye salmon contains between 394 to 636 International Units (IU) of the vitamin depending on whether it's canned, cooked, or raw, according to Dietitians of Canada. Since salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, it also helps lower triglyceride levels.

If you prefer tuna, an equivalent serving of albacore packs 99 to 106 IU. Even your standard can of white tuna offers a good amount of vitamin D, boasting 60 IU per 75 grams.

"Most of the food that we're going to get vitamin D fro, unless you eat salmon, is going to be fortified," Zumpano told INSIDER.

 



Oysters contain a lot of vitamin D.

They may be a delicacy, but oysters are also high in vitamin D. Each serving (one cup, raw) contains a whopping 794 IU.



Vegetarians and vegans can add vitamin D to their diet with fortified tofu.

If tofu is fortified, it can be a good source of vitamin D. Although nutrients vary by brand, the USDA reports that with 139 IU in every 18 grams (0.63 ounces), Nasoya Lite Silken Tofu has one of the highest amounts of vitamin D per serving.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

We’re hiring an Acquisition Marketing Specialist to join our subscription marketing team

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colleagues talking team workWe’re looking for an Acquisition Marketing Specialist to join our subscription marketing team in our New York office.It’s a great opportunity for an ambitious candidate who wants to take on significant responsibility early in their career and develop marketing expertise as part of a fast growing team at a top media company.

 

Job overview

Insider Inc.’s subscriptions team is passionate about producing research products that help industry leaders transform their organizations using emerging digital technologies, along with premium business news in finance, markets, enterprise, and tech. The Acquisition Marketing Specialist will help build our brand, generate subscription leads using organic and paid channels, and analyze marketing performance data.

 

In this role, you will:

  • Leverage the Business Insider website to drive readers to Business Insider’s paid subscription products

  • Manage organic social media (primarily LinkedIn and Twitter) to increase website traffic and attract new leads

  • Analyze marketing list growth and engagement, and report on findings

  • Ideate and manage paid campaigns on search and social

 

Desired Skills and Experience:

  • 2+ years of relevant experience

  • Strong numerical reasoning ability

  • Excellent ability to communicate verbally and in writing

  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects at a time while paying strict attention to detail

  • An entrepreneurial drive, an interest in growing a business, and desire to work in a fast-paced, fluid environment

 

If this sounds like a great job for you, please apply online and include a cover letter telling us why you’d be a good fit for the role.

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NOW WATCH: Bernie Madoff was arrested 10 years ago today — here's what his life is like in prison

The 54 best sports photos of 2018

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Chicarito

  • The past year had a lot of breathtaking sports to offer.
  • Between the Winter Olympics, the World Cup, and thrilling NBA and NFL seasons, it was quite a year for sports and sports photography.
  • Whether capturing an important moment or simply a moment of beauty, great sports photography gives us a new perspective on athletes we love to watch.

The past year was a great one for sports.

Things started with a bang, with an epic Super Bowl and an enthralling Winter Olympics. From there, we journeyed through the NBA playoffs, and the summer brought us World Cup we'll never forget.

After spending the dog days of summer watching baseball, football season was back before we could blink. With it came historically high-powered offenses and a brand new slate of rookies ready to change the league.

Through it all, some of the best photographers alive were there to cover it and produce some astounding images. 

Take a look below at some of the best sports photographs of 2018.

Rory McIlroy finds himself in a predicament amongst Augusta National's iconic foliage during the third round of the Masters.

Read more:The 55 best photos from the 2018 Masters



Boxer Paddy Barnes makes his way to the ring.



The Philadelphia Eagles walk out on to the field prior to their NFC Championship game against the Minnesota Vikings.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The future of artificial intelligence in retail

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Hype around artificial intelligence has never been higher — and one industry where it has a chance to make a major impact on profits is retail.The Future of Retail 2018: Artificial Intelligence

Business Insider Intelligence projects that AI will boost profitability in retail and wholesale by nearly 60% by 2035, setting off a wave of excitement and investment among companies.

The areas where AI will have its biggest impact are personalization, search and chatbots.

But as hype and misunderstanding continue to build, it’s become harder than ever to keep sight of the true disruptive potential of AI.

Find out how AI is being implemented in these three areas and how each one can impact revenue in this new FREE slide deck from Business Insider Intelligence.

In this third and final installment of the three-part Future of Retail 2018 series, Business Insider Intelligence takes a hard look at the retail use cases where AI can make an impact, explores noteworthy examples of retailers implementing the technology, and weighs the benefits of investing in AI today.

As an added bonus, you will gain immediate access to our exclusive Business Insider Intelligence Daily newsletter.

To get your copy of the third part of this FREE slide deck, simply click here.

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This $50 heated massager is the perfect antidote to carrying around a heavy backpack — it relieves my shoulder and back tension

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

shiatsu massager

  • I recently purchased the InvoSpa Shiatsu Back, Neck, and Shoulder Massager with Heat from Amazon for $50, and it is a game changer for anyone like me who struggles with back and neck pain on a daily basis.
  • My life is very different now that I get daily, professional-grade massages. If I were to visit a masseuse that regularly in New York City, I'd be down close to $100 per week at minimum.
  • What makes this at-home massager even better than going to a professional, however, is that you remain in total control as you use it.
  • This massager also has a timer, so it automatically shuts off every 15 minutes.

As a freelancer in New York City, I'm regularly hauling around a backpack filled with my computer, its charger, a work book, a fun book, hand sanitizer, a water bottle, a just-in-case umbrella, and about 14 inkless pens. My bag not only burdens my back, but it also strains my neck, shoulders, legs, and arms as I contort my body to fit into crowded subways and carry it in one hand while the other roots around for an elusive, working pen. Then when I arrive at my destination, I sit down and type for hours, hunching over my laptop like Golem guarding his precious.

None of this activity helps ease my back pain. After I tried repeatedly to hand-massage myself for relief (about as satisfying as scratching that itch at the middle of your back), my friend whose job entails a lot of upper body work let me try her at-home shiatsu back, neck, and shoulder massager with heat. I'm not exaggerating when I say it changed my life. I immediately went home and ordered my own off of Amazon for $50.

Those times when I've tried to get a knot out of my upper back by using the edge of a door frame? This kneading massager from InvoSpa is infinitely more effective in its ability to dig deep into my muscles, relaxing tensions I barely even knew I had. Its pack-like shape — featuring two straps you can slip your arms through while positioning dual massagers comfortably on your neck, back, or shoulders — mimics that of my backpack, allowing me to hit all the sore spots that wearing my bag daily creates.

The apparatus has a groove for your neck, with one massager on either side, each consisting of four, rotating nodes. The four larger nodes loosen up your muscles while the four smaller nodes really get in there, tackling the most stubborn knots. Four controllers on one strap let you turn the massagers off and on, change the direction of the rotation, alter the speed, and switch on and off the heat, respectively. I find that the direction of the nodes changes regularly enough, so I end up pressing the heat button most. Using heat at the start of the massage helps relax my muscles before I apply more pressure for heavy kneading, at which point I turn the heat off.

I mentioned that this massager has changed my life, and it's true — my life is very different now that I get daily, professional-grade massages. If I were to visit a masseuse that regularly in New York City, I'd be down close to $100 per week at minimum.

invospa

What makes this at-home massager even better than going to a professional, however, is that you remain in total control as you use it.

The straps make it very easy to manipulate its position, letting you reach the nagging sore parts that are nearly impossible to explain to other people ("No, a little more to the left…"). And even though it's called a "back, neck, and shoulder massager," it feels amazing on the soles of my (clean) feet.

However, you can't use the massager on any old body part. I learned this the hard way. The manual warns you're not supposed to put it on "joints and bony parts of the body," which I didn't read until after I'd ended up with some sore knees joints — a fate people who read manuals (or this article) can easily avoid. As with all massagers, it's also not good for you to use it for too long. Luckily, this one has a timer, so it automatically shuts off every 15 minutes.

This massager's only other minor downside is that it has to be plugged into the wall to work. That being said, the cord is plenty long. I've never had a hard time getting it to my couch, bed, or desk chair, some of which are closer to outlets than others. Impressively, it's still portable. It comes with a car plug and a convenient, handheld case.

Even if you don't lug around a full backpack every day and hunch over your computer, doing any kind of physical work, exercising, or even just experiencing stress can lead to tight, painful muscles. I use my at-home massager both after work and after runs, and I'd highly recommend others do the same. It's giving me a foot massage right now.

Buy the InvoSpa Shiatsu Back, Neck, and Shoulder Massager with Heat at Amazon for $50.

SEE ALSO: This $60 posture corrector from 'Shark Tank' might seem gimmicky — but it actually eliminated my back pain at work

DON'T MISS: 6 affordable products that have helped me deal with back pain and muscle tension

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An Alabama sheriff allegedly pocketed more than $1 million meant to go to federal ICE detainees

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  • A sheriff in Alabama allegedly pocketed nearly $1.5 million that was supposed to go feeding Immigrations Customs Enforcement detainees, according to an investigation by Al.com. 
  • Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin had, earlier this year, acknowledged that he (legally) kept a total of $750,000 he got from the surplus of a federal contract under which his county jail houses federal detainees. He bought a beach house with that money.
  • Records appear to show, however, that he pocketed twice the amount. 

For more than 20 years, the US has held immigrant detainees in Etowah County Detention Center, a jail in  Alabama.

As part of a Depression-era state law, Alabama sheriffs are allowed to keep half of surplus jail funds meant to go toward food budgets.

Since Etowah County Detention Center is the only Alabama jail that houses immigrant detainees, this means that any extra money left behind after feeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees must be split 50-50 between the county's sheriff and the county's fund. 

Thanks to surpluses in 2016 and 2017, Todd Entrekin, the county's sheriff, legally collected $750,000. Earlier this year, Entrekin admitted that he bought a $740,000 beach house with the money after Al.com, the online version of Alabama's largest newspaper, The Birmingham News, questioned him about it. 

He went on to lose reelection this year, a loss he credits to the newspaper's investigation.

But in a new report, Al.com found that Entrekin might have taken twice as much money home from the surplus. 

According to the report, the county jail has, since 2011, built up a $3 million surplus from the federal inmate food budget. Half of that has gone to the county, half of that to the sheriff. 

Jessica Vosburgh, executive director of the Adelante Alabama Worker Center advocacy group, told Al.com these revelations should be enough to make ICE cancel its contract with the Alabama jail. 

"I think, based on this information, [the federal government] unequivocally needs to terminate its contract with Etowah County," Vosburgh said. "This is not a reputable, law-abiding partner for the federal government."

Vosburgh has long been part of a circle of activists who've said the jail and Entrekin are involved in “shady dealings with money and food.”

It isn't rare for county jails to house federal ICE detainees, but such deals have come under national scrutiny during the Trump presidency. Entrekin told Al.com that the jail will typically house around 850 inmates at any given time, out which around 300 are ICE detainees. A former detainee, Sanju Rajput, an Indian citizen, told Al.com the prison is "such a hell" for ICE detainees.

"We used to eat what we got: porridge in the morning, bread, jam, one or two more items [each day.] The food that we got was not enough," Rajput said.

During his time as sheriff, Entrekin has fought hard to maintain his jail's contract with the federal government, lobbying in Washington, D.C., against any potential plans to scrap the deal. 

Read more: Here's how many ICE detention centers are holding immigrants in every state

When first questioned by Al.com about the $750,000 check, Entrekin said he was functioning under the law. 

"It's the law. I haven't done anything wrong," he said at the time. "If it's wrong, somebody needs to change the law. I have asked [state legislators] to change the law and they have not changed it."

Lawyers and former fraud investigators interviewed by the newspaper, however, think otherwise. 

"There's pretty much no way that the federal government is OK with this. Regardless of what he argues about the Alabama law, if it comes to light that he's taking these federal funds that are supposed to be used to feed and house federal prisoners, and instead is putting [hundreds of thousands of] dollars in his pocket, that would be of great interest to federal prosecutors," Randall Eliason, a professor at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C., told Al.com.

In July, Entrekin said the US Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General had launched an investigation into how he handled jail food funds. 

SEE ALSO: Immigrant children detained in Virginia facility say they were beaten while handcuffed and left nude in concrete cells

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NOW WATCH: Anthony Scaramucci claims Trump isn't a nationalist: 'He likes saying that because it irks these intellectual elitists'

These are the top 15 US banks ranked by the mobile banking features consumers value most

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This is a preview of a research report from Business Insider Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service. This report is exclusively available to enterprise subscribers. To learn more about getting access to this report, email Senior Account Executive Chris Roth at croth@businessinsider.com, or check to see if your company already has access


New data shows that mobile features have become a key factor that customers weigh when choosing a bank. 

Screen Shot 2018 11 30 at 4.34.28 PMIn Business Insider Intelligence's second annual Mobile Banking Competitive Edge study, 64% of mobile banking users said that they would research a bank's mobile banking capabilities before opening an account with them. And 61% said that they would switch banks if their bank offered a poor mobile banking experience.

For channel strategists, the challenge in attracting mobile-minded customers is knowing when to bet budgets and political capital on developing emerging features. It's complicated by most flashy features — such as voice assistants, smartwatch banking, and bank-offered mobile wallets — being deemed a "must" by analysts, media, and rival banking executives. 

4by3catThe Mobile Banking Competitive Edge Report uses data to inform channel investment decisions by highlighting which mobile banking features are most valuable to customers. Our study has data on consumer demand for 33 in-demand mobile capabilities across six key categories. 

Using that consumer data, the study benchmarks the largest 20 banks and credit unions in the US by whether they offer the cutting-edge mobile features that customers say they care about most. What sets our benchmark apart is that it weights every feature according to customer demand data — not subjective analyst opinion.  

Channel strategists within financial institutions use our report to see which innovative features they should prioritize in development pipelines and to find out how they compare with rival banks and credit unions in offering those features.

Business Insider Intelligence fielded the Mobile Banking Competitive Edge Study to members of its proprietary panel in August 2018, reaching over 1,200 US consumers — primarily handpicked digital professionals and early-adopters, making our sample a sensitive indicator of emerging features. 

Here are a few key takeaways from the report:

  • Citi snagged first overall. The bank led the account access section, tied for first in account management, and ranked highly in all the other categories of the study. Wells Fargo took second place, leading in security and control and transfers. USAA came in third, NFCU was fourth, and Bank of America rounded out the top five.
  • Demand for security features is sizzling. Following a year of huge breaches being announced at companies like Facebook and Google, consumers' security concerns jumped to become the most important category. The category included the No. 1 feature overall: the ability to turn a payment card on or off. 
  • Digital money management features are also highly demanded. Chase and Wells Fargo may be onto something with their millennial-focused banking apps, Finn and Greenhouse, as the generation had sky-high demand for the six features in the category. The most popular feature in the category was the ability to separate recurring payments, such as Netflix and gym memberships.

 In full, the report:

  • Shows how 33 mobile features stack up according to how valuable customers say they are.
  • Ranks the top 20 US banks and credit unions on whether they offer each of those features.
  • Analyzes how demographics effect demand for different mobile features.
  • Provides strategies for banks to best attract and retain customers with mobile features.
  • Contains 63 pages and 30 figures.

The full report is available to Business Insider Intelligence enterprise clients. To learn more about this report, email Senior Account Executive Chris Roth (croth@businessinsider.com).  

Business Insider Intelligence's Mobile Banking Competitive Edge study includes: Ally, Bank of America, BB&T, BBVA Compass, BMO Harris, Capital One, Chase, Citibank, Fifth Third, HSBC, KeyBank, Navy Federal Credit Union, PNC, Regions, SunTrust, TD, Union Bank, US Bank, USAA, and Wells Fargo.

SEE ALSO: These are the trends creating new winners and losers in the card-processing ecosystem

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The worst thing people do to wake up in the morning, according to a sleep scientist

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  • Hitting snooze on your alarm in the morning may feel good, but it can have terrible consequences.
  • It can take a couple of hours in some cases for the brain to neurochemically prepare itself to wake up.
  • Dr. Daniel Barone, a neurologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital, explains why it's so hard for our brains to wake up when we snooze. 

Daniel Barone: When you wake up and then hit the snooze button and go back to sleep, it feels good because serotonin gets released. And it feels nice to fall back asleep.

The problem though is that when you wake up 15 minutes later or 10 minutes later, your brain is essentially confused.

I'm Dr. Daniel Barone, a neurologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital and assistant professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Waking up before the alarm can be a sign that you're actually getting enough sleep and the body is preparing itself for the day.

Sometimes waking up hours before the alarm — that can be associated with things like depression. People who have clinical depression, they sometimes wake up earlier in the morning than they like to.

So a lot of times, people will snooze when they wake up. They'll say, "Okay, I'm going to set my alarm for 7 o'clock and then I'm going to snooze to 7:30."

Many people do that. The problem with that though is waking up and falling asleep is not like an on-off switch. It's not "we fall asleep immediately and then we wake up immediately."

The process of falling asleep and waking up is a — it's a process. It can take a couple of hours in some cases for the brain to neurochemically prepare itself to wake up.

It's not bad for you but it just — you know, it screws your brain up a little bit. You may experience it yourself. You may feel like, "Oh god, I'm still out of it" or "I feel worse than I did before."

"Should I be asleep or should I be awake? This is not really what I planned to do."

So what I always recommend to people is just set the alarm for the latest you can wake up and just have it — that just be the one time you wake up.

Dr. Daniel Barone is the author of "Let's Talk About Sleep."

EDITOR'S NOTE: This video was originally published on December 1, 2017.

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11 of the most controversial celebrities of 2018

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  • INSIDER chose 11 controversial celebrities of 2018.
  • The list includes YouTube star Logan Paul; rappers Tekashi 6ix9ine and Kodak Black; and Hollywood actors Johnny Depp and Chris Pratt.

Many celebrities cause controversy, simply by nature of their fame — but some scandals are far more consequential than others.

INSIDER rounded up a list of public figures who were involved in some of the biggest controversies of the year.

Here are 11 of 2018's most controversial stars, in no particular order.

Johnny Depp will continue to appear in the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise, despite allegations of domestic violence.

Amber Heard has repeatedly maintained the allegation that her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, physically and emotionally abused her throughout their marriage.

Heard filed a restraining order against Depp in May 2016, less than a week after filing for divorce from the "Fantastic Beasts" actor. She donated her entire divorce settlement to domestic violence and children's charities.

Read more: Ezra Miller says the cast of 'Fantastic Beasts' wasn't consulted about Johnny Depp's controversial role in the franchise

In court, Heard presented a photograph of herself with a bruise on her right eye. Months later, TMZ published a video taken by Heard, which seemed to capture Depp yelling, attempting to grab Heard's phone, and throwing a wine bottle at her.

"Twenty-five feet away from her, how the f--- am I going to hit her?"Depp said about Heard in a GQ cover story, published in October. "Which, by the way, is the last thing I would've done. I might look stupid, but I ain't f---ing stupid."

Read more: Daniel Radcliffe wades into the 'Fantastic Beasts' controversy over Johnny Depp casting: 'I can see why people are frustrated'

When the GQ reporter asked if he considers himself a violent man, Depp seemed to defend himself by saying people — paparazzi in particular — should keep their distance.

"I've even said before, if a paparazzo gets a shot, they're far away and they get a shot of me and my kid, whatever, that's their thing," he said. "But if I catch you, I will eat your nose. I will eat your nose, chew it up and swallow it in front of you and then you'll f---ing think about it next time. I f---ing mean it."

Depp is currently being sued by a film location manager, who claims Depp punched him on set in 2017.

While many "Harry Potter" fans are furious that Depp has not yet been replaced in the "Fantastic Beasts" franchise, J.K. Rowling said she is still "genuinely happy" to have him star.



Tekashi 6ix9ine was sentenced to probation and community service after pleading guilty in a 2015 child-sex case.

Daniel Hernandez — also known as 69, 6ix9ine, and Tekashi69 — is a top-charting rapper and Instagram star with more than 15 million followers. After spending several years on the indie-SoundCloud-rapper circuit, Hernandez recently achieved mainstream credibility with "FEFE," a hit single he made with Nicki Minaj earlier this year.

Read more: Here's everything you need to know about Tekashi 6ix9ine, the controversial 22-year-old rapper who could go to prison for life

In November of this year, federal authorities arrested Hernandez on racketeering and firearms charges and alleged that he's part of a violent gang. 

Hernandez was also sentenced in October to four years of probation and 1,000 hours of community service for a 2015 child-sex case (there were a number of procedural delays and appeals between his plea deal in 2015 and 2018). The lurid acts are described in detail in a criminal complaint obtained in 2017 by Jezebel.



Piers Morgan is known for making sexist remarks and controversial arguments.

Piers Morgan is a 53-year-old British journalist who has a history of writing widely criticized editorials, usually about female celebrities.

In August 2018, Morgan wrote about Tess Holliday on the cover of Cosmopolitan UK. "As Britain battles an ever-worsening obesity crisis, this is the new cover of Cosmo," he wrote on Instagram. "Apparently we're supposed to view it as a 'huge step forward for body positivity.' What a load of old baloney. This cover is just as dangerous and misguided as celebrating size zero models." 

Days later, he refused to mince words after Holliday posted a photo of herself in lingerie and wrote an open letter to Holliday that said she should be "deterred from celebrating because it's unhealthy."

In addition, Morgan slammed Ellen DeGeneres and called her a hypocrite for praising shirtless male celebrities. He also accused the band Little Mix of "using sex to sell records" after the group released images of themselves naked with insults written on their bodies to promote their song "Strip."

The group defended their choice, saying: "What we do with our bodies is our choice and we felt liberated owning the negative words thrown at us as women. We'll never stop talking/writing music about issues that affect so many women around the world. We have a voice to use it!"

Ariana Grande also took issue with Morgan's words.

Grande wrote on Twitter: "Ellen is an incredible & kind human being.. I use my talent AND my sexuality all the time because I choose to. women can be sexual AND talented. naked and dignified. it's OUR choice.  & we will keep fighting til people understand. I say this w all due respect but thank u, next."

Morgan continued to target celebrities, like the time he criticized "James Bond" star Daniel Craig for being photographed carrying his newborn daughter in "an emasculating papoose."

Twitter had a field day with that comment and even Chris Evans called him out.

Morgan also appeared to have a problem with 92-year-old actor Dick Van Dyke's name. The "Mary Poppins" star shut him down with a simple tweet, though. 



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A Chinese warship armed with an electromagnetic railgun appears to have set sail on the open ocean

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  • A Chinese ship armed with a suspected electromagnetic railgun has reportedly been spotted on the high seas.
  • The same vessel armed with what appears to be the same weapon was seen earlier this year at a Chinese shipyard on the Yangtze River earlier this year.
  • Unlike conventional guns, which rely on gunpowder, railguns use electromagnetic energy to propel projectiles forward.

A Chinese navy warship armed with what looks like a mounted electromagnetic railgun has apparently set sail, possibly for testing in the open ocean.

The Type 072II Yuting-class tank landing ship Haiyangshan and its weapon were spotted along the Yangtze River at the Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan earlier this year.

The latest photos of the test bed ship, which appeared on social media a few days ago, show the ship toting the suspected railgun as the vessel roamed the high seas, Task & Purpose reported.

Chinese media outlets, such as the state-affiliated Global Times, revealed in March, nearly two months after the first pictures of what was dubbed the "Yangtze River Monster" showed up online, that the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy is "making notable achievements on advanced weapons, including sea tests of electromagnetic railguns."

China is expected to field warship-mounted electromagnetic railguns with the ability to fire high-speed projectiles at targets up to 124 miles away by 2025, CNBC reported in June, citing US defense sources with direct knowledge of the latest military intelligence reports on China's new naval weapon.

China's railgun was first seen in 2011 and first tested three years later, according to CNBC. The Chinese military is believed to have successfully mounted the weapon on a navy warship for the first time toward the end of last year, when sea trials are suspected to have first started.

While conventional guns rely on gunpowder to propel projectiles forward, railguns use electromagnetic energy to hurl projectiles at targets downrange at hypervelocity, roughly 1.6 miles per second, making these weapons desirable next-generation combat systems.

Railguns require significant amounts of power, among other challenging demands. Whether or not China has managed to overcome these developmental issues remains to be seen.

China appears to be making progress as it moves toward possibly mounting railguns on combat-ready warships, such as the new Type 055 stealth destroyers, rather than test bed ships like the Haiyangshan. The US military, on the other hand, has yet to put the powerful gun on a naval vessel even though railgun development began over a decade ago.

It is, however, unclear which country is leading the charge on this new technology, as very little is publicly known about China's railgun or the testing process. In the US, there is speculation that the Zumwalt-class destroyers could eventually feature railguns, a possible alternative to the Advanced Gun System guns that the Navy might end up scrapping.

The destroyer is "going to be a candidate for any advanced weapon system that we develop," Vice Admiral William Merz, the deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems, told the Senate Armed Services seapower subcommittee last month.

SEE ALSO: China looks set to deploy a railgun on a destroyer by 2025 — and humiliate the US Navy in doing so

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Here's an early glimpse into the autonomous trucking market — and how self-driving technology is disrupting the way goods are delivered

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This is a preview of a research report from Business Insider Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service. To learn more about Business Insider Intelligence, click here. Current subscribers can read the report here.

Trucking is set to transform radically in the coming years, with innovative technologies enabling trucks to take over more and more driving responsibilities, saving time and money for operators and businesses that rely on shipping.

Autonomous trucks are being tested on roads around the world, and systems from startups like Peloton and Embark could make their way into commercial trucks as soon as next year. Fleets will be able to leverage autonomous technologies to cut costs and gain a critical edge over competitors.

But to start planning for, and to eventually implement, those technologies, companies need to know what sorts of systems will be ready and when, and what regulatory hurdles will need to be overcome to get autonomous trucks on the road. 

In The Autonomous Trucking Report, Business Insider Intelligence provides an early glimpse into the emerging autonomous trucking market. First, we look at the trucking market as it stands today, offering a basic profile of the industry and highlighting a number of the challenges and issues it faces. Then, we go through the three waves of autonomous technology that are set to upend the industry — platooning, semi-autonomous systems, and fully autonomous trucks — looking at who is making strides in each of these areas, when the technology can be expected to start making an impact, and what companies can do to get ahead of the curve.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

  • Advanced and autonomous technology will enable operators and shipping firms to eradicate some of the challenges that have long plagued them. Trucks will take over more and more driving responsibilities, saving time and money for operators and businesses that rely on shipping.
  • The impact of autonomous technologies on the trucking industry will come in three major waves: platooning or fuel-saving vehicle convoys, semi-autonomous highway control systems, and fully autonomous trucks.
  • Change to the trucking industry will be gradual but inexorable. Companies with foresight can start to make long-term plans to account for the ways that autonomous technologies will change how goods and products move from place to place.

In full, the report:

  • Analyzes the development of autonomous trucking technology.
  • Explains the waves in which advanced and autonomous technologies will start to impact the trucking industry, providing detailed explanations of how a company can take advantage of the disruptive technology transforming logistics at each stage.
  • Profiles the efforts of the companies that are at the forefront of new technology in trucking, looking at what they're working on and when their efforts could start to impact the market.

To get this report, subscribe to a Premium pass to Business Insider Intelligence and gain immediate access to:

This report and more than 275 other expertly researched reports
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7 science-backed ways to a happier and healthier 2019 that you can do the first week of the new year

New report casts doubt on reason for Antonio Brown's absence from Steelers' must-win season finale

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  • Antonio Brown did not miss Sunday's crucial must-win game because of a knee problem, according to a new report.
  • Gerry Dulac and Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report that Brown was involved in a dispute with a teammate and then refused to practice or take part in team activities in the days leading up to the game.
  • Brown reportedly showed up to the game expecting to play but later left at halftime.
  • The Pittsburgh Steelers won the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but still missed the playoffs when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cleveland Browns.

Antonio Brown did not play in Week 17 with the Pittsburgh Steelers season on the line, and a new report is now casting doubt on why he was not in the game.

According to several sources for Gerry Dulac and Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Brown was not injured as previously reported. Instead, Brown missed the game after he refused to practice or attend team meetings following a dispute with a teammate. 

"The disagreement occurred Wednesday morning during a routine walk-through practice that precedes their regular afternoon practice on the South Side," Dulac and Bouchette wrote. "Brown became disgusted and threw a football in anger at one of his teammates, several sources said."

The Steelers faced the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, needing a win for any hope at a playoff berth. Brown did not practice all week, and the team eventually listed him as "questionable" for the game, citing a knee injury.

Read more:The NFL playoff bracket is now set

mike tomlinOn Friday, head coach Mike Tomlin told the media that Brown did not practice because he "didn’t feel comfortable enough" and would have the knee tested. However, according to Dulac and Bouchette's sources, the knee was not a problem and was never tested.

After a report that Brown would "test" his knee during warmups before the game, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Brown was feeling "better" and hoped to play.

"Antonio Brown feels better this morning, giving the Steelers hope he will play today,"Schefter wrote. "They didn’t sound as confident Saturday."

According to the report, Brown showed up to Heinz Field on Sunday expecting to play, despite not attending Saturday's walk-through practice or the team meeting on Saturday night. Brown is said to have left the stadium at halftime.

The Steelers won the game but were eliminated from the playoffs when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cleveland Browns. 

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NOW WATCH: The legendary economist who predicted the housing crisis says the US will win the trade war

Japan was officially the best place to travel in 2018. Here are 15 photos that will make you want to visit ASAP.

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Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan

  • Travel + Leisure named Japan its 2018 destination of the year.
  • The magazine selects each year's choices among a jury of writers, editors, and relevant experts.
  • Towering mountains, beautiful cherry blossoms, and neon-flooded streets make Japan a remarkable place.
  • Some of the best things to do include taking the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto to see Mount Fuji on the way and walking the Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine for an unparalleled view of Kyoto.
  • You can also take a dip in the natural hot springs at Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, which is widely considered the world's oldest hotel.

Tokyo may be an impressive city, but that's not all Japan has to offer.

The country's islands, shrines, world-renowned cuisine, and beautiful scenery are just a few reasons why it's a great place to travel. So it should come as no surprise that Travel + Leisure named Japan its 2018 destination of the year.

From the bustling streets of Shibuya, Tokyo, to the majestic Mount Fuji, here are some things to see and do in Japan that will make you want to visit immediately.

Ride a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto and see Mount Fuji along the way.

Traveling across Japan isn't a terribly difficult undertaking thanks to its Shinkansen bullet train network. With trains that travel at speeds of up to almost 200 miles per hour, passengers riding south from Tokyo to cities like Kyoto and Osaka can take the window seat and enjoy a beautiful view of Mount Fuji, a dormant volcano and Japan's highest mountain.



Visit a cherry blossom festival in the spring.

The cherry blossom, or sakura in Japanese, is a revered flower in Japan. Considered a symbol of life and its vulnerability, many Japanese families congregate to practice hanami, or the tradition of publicly watching and celebrating cherry blossoms when they bloom in the spring. 

While there are plenty of festivals devoted to the flower in Japan, the southern city of Matsuyama is most famous for its historic cherry blossom-themed spring festival where the flowers bloom amid Matsuyama Castle each year.



Visit an island where cats outnumber people.

Tashirojima earned its nickname as "Cat Island" for good reason. While the island is home to around 100 humans, they are heavily outnumbered by their feline friends. Initially brought to the island for pest control, the cats are now taken care of by the island's residents, largely due to the good luck cats are said to symbolize in Japan.



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I drank this popular collagen drink every morning for a month, and I swear my skin is firmer

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

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  • The new supplemental collagen drink Skinade, which was formulated by scientists in the UK, has developed an effective delivery system for bioavailable collagen.
  • In addition to collagen peptides, the supplement contains vitamins and minerals that kick-start the body's own collagen production, resulting in firmer, younger-looking skin over time.
  • In clinical trials, 100% of participants said their skin felt better after 100 days of Skinade, and you may see improvements in as little as three weeks.

A week after moving to the Joshua Tree desert in Southern California, just outside of the festival-famous Coachella Valley, I knew my skin was in serious trouble. I had relaxed into the peace and quiet of desert living, the dry heat like a constant hug — but my face, to put it mildly, was freaking out.

The moisture-starved air was pulling hydration directly from my skin, it seemed. I looked dry and dull, with wrinkles and fine lines suddenly sketched into my forehead and around my eyes. I guess I should've expected it: Moisture is part of what keeps skin plump and firm, and in the dry air of the desert, signs of aging are all the more obvious. I took it as a sign when an email from Skinade showed up in my inbox: Try a 30 day supply of our new collagen drink and sip your way to younger-looking skin! Yes, please.

For those not in the know, collagen is the protein that gives our skin the firm, plump bounciness of youth.

"Collagen is a vital component of the skin because it provides structural support and elasticity, resulting in youthful and healthy appearing skin,"Dr. Aanand Geria of Geria Dermatology in New Jersey tells INSIDER. After age 20, though, we lose roughly 1% of our body's collagen supply every year. Cue the wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin.

A few years back, supplemental collagen pills and powders were all the rage —  and as a certified skin-care junkie, of course I tried them all. I didn't really notice a difference in my skin at the time, and stopped stirring collagen powder into my morning coffee as soon as I learned that the body can't actually absorb the substance in its usual form.

"Taking collagen supplements has marginal effects on the skin, as these supplements, like food, are primarily broken down in the GI tract," Dr. Geria explains. "Once broken down, the body is left with amino acids, which may make it into the bloodstream and hopefully to the skin as well to help build collagen — but we don't know how much of the amino acids, if any at all, make it to the skin to have a sizable impact."

Skinade acknowledges this — in fact, it's their raison d'être.

"We needed very specific types of ingredients to create a product that actually works,"Louise Marchesin, Skinade's global head of marketing, tells me. "Skinade's main ingredient, collagen peptides, are the smallest on the market today, which is essential to their absorption and bioavailability, and therefore the efficacy and results." In other words, by sourcing collagen peptides instead of standard-issue collagen, Skinade (which was developed by scientists, by the way) makes it possible for the body to absorb these molecules and reap the benefits.

skinade

Not only is this collagen supplement more effective than powder or pill versions, it also looks and feels significantly more luxurious. A 30-day supply of the peach-flavored drink arrived on my doorstep in a chic, minimalist white box, and the individual black-and-white bottles added a level of sophistication to my pantry that I never knew was possible. The package also included a handful of travel sachets, perfect for gulping collagen on the go.

It's important to note that this isn't the kind of drink you can reach for every once in a while and expect to see results — you need to be consistent, and consistent I was. I guzzled down the fruity-but-not-too-sweet collagen drink every morning for a month, and began to notice a distinct difference about three weeks in. My skin didn't look as dry; in fact, it looked pretty plump and firm, if I did say so myself. Dr. Geria notes that typical results take a little longer to register. "I presume it could take several months to see any sort of minor improvements in the skin," he speculates.

Perhaps the reason why Skinade's collagen cocktail works so well is because it doesn't rely on collagen alone. It actually helps your body create its own collagen, thanks to MSM (a naturally occurring form of organic sulphur that supports the formation of collagen), B vitamins (to promote healthier skin from the inside out), L-lysine (an essential amino acid that aids in rebuilding collagen on the cellular level), and Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids (to keep skin adequately moisturized).

To be honest, I can't say if my experience is typical. I loved my 30-day run of Skinade, but most of the company's clinical trials are based on a significantly longer three-month timeline. Within that time frame, though, participants noticed 26% less brow furrows and 19% more "suppleness"— and 100% of the study's subjects claimed their skin "felt better" after 100 days.

For all the skeptics out there, Marchesin has a few choice words: "We get it." She knows that many consumers have been put off by previous collagen supplements that promised major results but didn't deliver. "Of course they would be skeptical — a drink for your skin?" she admits. "So I say, try it. And most people say, ‘Ok, that makes sense, I will give it a go!'"

I'm with Marchesin: give it a go. If Skinade can revive my dry, dull, desert-dwelling skin, it can probably give you a boost, too.

Buy a 30-day course of Skinade for $150 here.

DON'T MISS: This $12 magnesium and vitamin C serum brightened my dull, tired skin practically overnight

SEE ALSO: I'm using this unexpected pantry item to wash my face — and my skin has never looked better

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