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The food you should avoid if you want to stay lean this holiday season

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cheesy casserole

  • Holiday weight gain is tough to avoid, but there are plenty of things you can do to stay lean this winter.
  • Instead of avoiding rich and savory foods that are high in fat, you should be avoiding refined carbs.
  • Refined carbs are quickly turned into sugar in the body and have been tied with weight gain and obesity.

 

If you're concerned about putting on a few pounds this season, those rich, savory foods like cheesy dips, grilled salmon, and guacamole probably are not the ones you should be avoiding.

Instead, keep an eye out for huge portions of refined carbs like white rice, which the body quickly turns into sugar.

Dinner rolls, stuffing, and flour tortillas all fall into this category. Because they're so low in fiber and protein, they'll only fill you up for a short period of time. Refined carbs also lurk in dozens of processed foods, including granola bars, baked goods, pizzas, and pastas. Still, this doesn't mean you should ban these foods from your repertoire completely — just keep in mind that when you help yourself to a serving of them, you might want to keep it small and make room for more fish, veggies, and whole grains instead.

Overindulging on something like biscuits once is OK, but doing it consistently for months or years can wreak havoc on your health. Diets high in refined carbs have been repeatedly tied to outcomes like weight gain and obesity.

A review of 50 studies on diet and weight gain published in the journal Food and Nutrition Research found that on average, the more refined grains someone ate (like white bread and white rice), the more weight they tended to gain over the study period.

Some health experts think the problem with refined carbs has to do with the way we label them. After all, "refined" carbs sound like something you'd want to have on your plate. But Roxanne B. Sukol, a Cleveland Clinic physician and the medical director of its wellness enterprise, says we should start calling them "stripped" carbs instead —because they've been "stripped of all their nutrition."

The easiest way to steer clear of refined carbs

bread rolls dinner

The easiest way to avoid refined carbs is to simply cook with or choose their whole grain versions. Instead of white rice, choose brown. Rather than white dinner rolls, opt for whole grain ones.

Whole grain carbohydrates aren't bad for you, and because they are rich in fiber, protein, and other nutrients, we tend not to overeat them like we do with "stripped carbs."

"People need to understand there are nutritious carbohydrates," Sukol tells author and chef Michael Ruhlman in the book "Grocery: The Buying and Selling of Food in America." Brown rice, wheat bread, fruits, veggies, and loads of different beans and legumes are all good options and contain what Sukol calls a healthy "fiber matrix."

In fact, whole grains are a chief component of some of the healthiest diets. US News and World Report describes plant-based diets featuring whole grains and vegetables as their foundation as "good for the environment, your heart, your weight, and your overall health."

SEE ALSO: Why you should stop eating white rice, according to a physician

SEE ALSO: The sugar industry has been quietly funding one of the biggest misconceptions in modern nutrition

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NOW WATCH: The disturbing reason some people turn red when they drink alcohol


A mother and daughter stopped speaking after Trump was elected — here's their emotional first conversation after the long silence

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In April, I posted a note on Facebook asking if anyone experiencing a division in their family since the 2016 presidential election would like to share their story.

I heard from a former college classmate named Rebecca, who lives in Montgomery, Alabama. She and her mother had basically stopped speaking since the election of Donald Trump. Rebecca asked her mom, Mary, if she would be willing to sit down for an interview. 

Although Mary was reluctant, she eventually agreed, and I traveled to Alabama to talk to them both in an emotional sit-down interview at Mary's home in Mathews, Alabama. 

This video was originally published on July 14, 2017.

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Best places to celebrate New Year's 2018 that don't cost a fortune

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new years best places to visit

  • A fun New Year's getaway doesn't have to cost a fortune.
  • The best time to book your trip is between November 26 and December 5, when you can save an average of $600 on airfare and hotels, according to data from Expedia.
  • You can travel to tropical destinations like the Bahamas for under $400 round trip.

 

It's common for New York City to come to mind when you think of New Year's Eve celebrations.

It's the most popular city for travelers to ring in the New Year, according to travel price comparison site Expedia, and the longtime host of one of the biggest New Year countdown parties in America, right in Times Square.

But as an already expensive destination, airfare and accommodations in New York City are even pricier during the holidays.

Luckily, a fun New Year's Eve getaway doesn't have to cost you a fortune.

In fact, you can travel to cities like Los Angeles and Seattle — and even tropical destinations like the Bahamas — for under $400 round trip.

The best time to book is between November 26 and December 5, when you can save an average of $600 on airfare and hotels, according to data from Expedia. If your travel plans are flexible— as in you don't have to be back in the office on January 2 — you may be able to save even more.

There's still time to choose a destination, even if you haven't booked airfare yet. Check out Expedia's list of the 10 best places to visit for New Year's Eve where round-trip airfare can be found for less than $400.

All flight prices are based on average airfare with a departure date of either December 30 or 31. Expedia also provided the average cost of a hotel on New Year's Eve for each location based on New Year's 2017.

SEE ALSO: Here's exactly when to book your flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas

DON'T MISS: We compared 3 of the most popular premium airline credit cards — and the winner was clear

10. Los Angeles

Average round trip-ticket: $377

Average daily hotel rate: $219



9. Mexico City

Average round-trip ticket: $372

Average daily hotel rate: $96



8. Nassau

Average round-trip ticket: $369

Average daily hotel rate: $329



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Prince William and Kate Middleton broke from royal tradition with a rare public display of affection — and it might have been inspired by Meghan Markle

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Kate Prince William

  • Kate Middleton and Prince William had a rare public display of affection recently.
  • The couple is known for maintaining a stoic public image.
  • However, Meghan Markle's and Price Harry's more informal attitude may be leading to changes in how the royal couples publicly conduct themselves. 

 

Prince William and Kate Middleton broke from tradition with a rare public display of affection. 

While being awarded gold Blue Peter badges for campaigning on children's mental health issues, Kate put on what the Daily Mail called a "rare tactile display." It was just a simple knee touch, but it was enough to raise eyebrows for fans of Will and Kate. 

People reported in 2016 that the royal couple "often keeps a stoic, very British decorum."

Part of that is due to the fact that often, when the couple is being photographed, they're at public events or representing the British Monarchy in an official capacity. Typically, the couple's semi-standoffish behavior extends to interviews. 

Meghan Markle Prince Harry

But, that could be changing. One of the most talked-about moments from the announcement of Prince Harry's engagement to the American actress Meghan Markle was when the couple was shown cuddling with intertwined hands, joking around before their microphones were turned on. 

People embraced the informal attitude and celebrated the goofy romance between the newly engaged couple. 

For Kate Middleton, who has long been extremely polished in her fashion and public presentation, Meghan Markle's more laid-back approach could allow for a change. Markle's engagement provides Middleton with a chance to be more informal in public — and it could encourage her to reevaluate her own self-presentation as her future sister-in-law begins to dominate headlines. 

SEE ALSO: Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's fashion choices reveal how different the two women are

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 7 things you shouldn’t buy on Black Friday

Rich people are spending $6,000 a day to play golf, take helicopter tours, and cuddle kiwi birds in New Zealand

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Cape Kidnappers, Looking Back to Napier

  • Legendary hedge fund manager Julian Robertson put together one of the most luxurious golfing vacations in his beloved New Zealand.
  • On the Tiger Tour, vacationers can see both New Zealand's North and South Islands over the course of nine nights on Robertson's three properties.
  • The itinerary includes golfing, sightseeing, and spa treatments.

 

Legendary hedge fund manager and multi-billionaire Julian Robertson put together one of the most luxurious golfing vacations in his beloved New Zealand — and we got the inside look.

On the Tiger Tour, vacationers can see both New Zealand's North and South Islands over the course of nine nights on Robertson's three properties: The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, and Matakauri Lodge. 

Robertson, 85, a pioneer of the modern hedge fund industry, is best known for founding the investment firm Tiger Management Corp, one of the earliest funds, in 1980. After closing his fund in 2000, many of Robertson's proteges went on to start some of the world's largest hedge funds, such as Lone Pine and Viking Global.

His net worth is estimated at $4.1 billion, according to Forbes.

The Tiger Tour is currently going on from November 17-26, 2017, but there's another tour coming up March 1-10, 2018. The tour is limited to four couples at $28,500 per person, plus taxes, and not including international airfare and other expenses.

SEE ALSO: 27 cities around the world where expats are happy, rents are affordable, and jobs are plentiful

The first stop is at The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs.



Here's an aerial view of the property and golf course.



The lodging at the resort has spectacular views. Not a bad spot for lounging.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

20 stunning photos of unreal landscapes, incredible animals, and mesmerizing underwater scenes

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A male orangutan peers from behind a tree while crossing a river in Borneo, Indonesia.

This week National Geographic announced the winners of their annual Nature Photographer of the Year Contest.

Judges chose winners and honorable mentions from 11,000 entries. The four different catagories included: aerials, landscapes, wildlife, and underwater — and a people's choice award was also announced within each.

The grand-prize winning photo of an orangutan crossing a river, taken by Jayaprakash Joghee Bojan, was awarded $10,000, and will be printed in an upcoming issue of National Geographic magazine. Below, see the stunning photos.

Captions provided by National Geographic.

SEE ALSO: 34 of the weirdest photos taken in 2017

Aerials, third place winner.

On the flanks of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, the world's only lava ocean entry spills molten rock into the Pacific Ocean. After erupting in early 2016, the lava flow took about two months to reach the sea, six miles away.



Aerials, second place winner.

Snow-covered metasequoia trees, also called dawn redwoods, interlace over a road in Takashima, Japan.



Aerials, first place winner.

In Sydney, Australia, the Pacific Ocean at high tide breaks over a natural rock pool enlarged in the 1930s. Avoiding the crowds at the city’s many beaches, a local swims laps.



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What your daily routine should look like, according to science

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girl buying lunch coffee looking at camera happy

Wondering if it's better to workout in the morning or at night? Whether that multivitamin you pop every morning does anything? Or perhaps how long you need to workout to start to see results?

As it turns out, scientists have been looking for answers to these questions too.

You can use their answers to guide many of the decisions you make on a day-to-day basis, from what you eat in the morning to how often you wash the sheets you sleep in.

DON'T MISS: The best US cities to live in to escape the worst effects of climate change

SEE ALSO: I tried the science-backed 7-minute fitness routine that's going viral, and it actually works

Skip the shower.

If you showered yesterday, you should probably skip it today. A growing body of evidence suggests that showering too much can mess with your skin and dry out your hair. That's because in addition to sloughing off dirt and pollutants, you're also showering away many of the naturally occurring but beneficial bacteria and oil that keep skin and hair healthy.

"It's paradoxical, but people who wash their hair a lot to get rid of oil are drying out their scalp and producing more oil," Lynne Goldberg, a dermatologist and the director of Boston Medical Center's hair clinic, told Business Insider.

When it comes to setting up your own regimen, you should consider two things: the average dryness of your skin and scalp and the texture of your hair. If they are neither very oily nor very dry, you likely only need to bathe once or twice a week. If your hair is curly and thick, you may need to wash it even less frequently, since coarse hair slows down the spread of oil from your roots through the length of your hair.



Brew your coffee — but don't drink it yet.

Many things naturally happen to our bodies when we wake up. In addition to developing a magical ability to ignore loud noises like an alarm, our bodies also start pumping out the hormone cortisol, a sort of natural caffeine. Most people's cortisol levels peak sometime between 8:00 and 9:00 in the morning.

Instead of hopping aboard this wakefulness train, however, coffee consumed at this time may actually blunt cortisol's natural effects, according to Stephen Miller, a Ph.D. candidate at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. Instead of caffeinating during this window, Miller recommends holding off for an hour after you awaken.



Hit the track.

Research suggests that an early-morning workout on an empty stomach helps speed weight loss and boost energy levels by priming the body for an all-day fat burn. Exercising first thing in the morning may push the body to tap into its fat reserves for fuel instead of simply "burning off" the most recent snack or meal.

Plus, working out early could mean you get more sunlight, which is key to properly setting your body's internal circadian rhythm. In one study, people who basked in bright sunlight within two hours after waking were thinner and better able to manage their weight than those who didn't get any natural light, regardless of what they ate throughout the day.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

One of New York's most famous restaurateurs is being accused of sexual harassment after throwing wild parties in what became known as 'the rape room'

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ken friedman

  • Restaurateur Ken Friedman is taking a leave of absence after being accused of sexual harassment.
  • Former employees of his New York City restaurants described receiving unwanted contact and advances from Friedman.
  • Friedman apologized for his behavior on Tuesday.

 

Restaurateur Ken Friedman is taking a leave of absence after being accused of sexual harassment, according to The New York Times.

Ten women who were former employees of his restaurants described receiving unwanted contact or sexual advances from Friedman and some of his famous guests, including Mario Batali, who also announced on Monday that he was "stepping away" from his restaurants after being accused of inappropriate sexual conduct.

Friedman is best known for his restaurant The Spotted Pig, a celebrity hotspot he opened in Manhattan 2004. Batali is also an investor in that restaurant.

Some former employees interviewed by The Times said that Friedman behaved irresponsibly at his restaurants, allegedly showing up to work intoxicated, groping and kissing employees in public, encouraging his employees to drink alcohol or consume drugs with him, and engaging in a number of consensual sexual relationships with his employees. Some employees who alerted their superiors to Friedman's behavior claimed they were told to accept it or were later fired, according to the Times. 

In addition to The Spotted Pig, Friedman owns several restaurants with his business partner, chef April Bloomfield: the Breslin Bar & Dining Room, the John Dory Oyster Bar, Salvation Taco, and White Gold Butchers in New York; Tosca Cafe in San Francisco; and Hearth & Hound in Los Angeles.  

The Spotted Pig's VIP-friendly third floor fell under particular scrutiny. While celebrities like Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, and Kanye West have eaten there during the restaurant's normal operating hours, employees described after-hours parties that quickly became predatory, as Friedman's guests would allegedly grope and harass female employees.

The third floor's reputation spread throughout the restaurant industry, leading some to refer to it as "the rape room."

Friedman apologized for his behavior on Tuesday.

"I own my behavior which can accurately be described at times as abrasive, rude, and frankly wrong. The women who work at our restaurants are among the best in the business, and putting any of them in humiliating situations is unjustifiable. Some incidents were not as described, but context and content are not today's discussion. I apologize now publicly for my actions," he said in a statement to The Times.

SEE ALSO: 25 powerful men in politics and media accused of sexual misconduct in the wake of Harvey Weinstein

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: 'I didn't know this Matt': CNN's Jeff Zucker on Matt Lauer's alleged sexual misconduct


21 of the wildest office holiday party stories we've ever heard

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Office work holiday party santa suit new year's

No matter how many times we warn you against letting loose at the company holiday party, some people just don't listen.

But it's important to remember, you're still on company time, and how you behave matters.

As a lesson to us all, we asked readers— and combed the web — for wild stories of office holiday parties past. Here are some of the most cringe-worthy:

Some answers have been edited for clarity.

SEE ALSO: 15 things you should never do at the office holiday party

DON'T MISS: The 17 best icebreakers to use at a holiday party where you don't know anyone

'Our new janitor has no idea why everyone is treating him so nicely'

"There was this quiet, old janitor that worked our office building who was scheduled to retire on Christmas, so our Christmas party kind of included his farewell; we gave gifts to each other, put up a Christmas tree, people brought cakes and pastries, Christmas stuff.

"Then here comes the old janitor and he leaves a fairly big bag of presents under the tree; we're all kind of surprised because no one seemed to interact with him that much, but nonetheless we thank him and wish him the best and stuff, then he leaves and presumably sets off to the Midwest. The next day, we open the presents, including his.

"Turns out, the retiring janitor gave everyone in the office a little bottle of sulfuric acid. Everybody got one, even me, I still have it. We don't know where he got them or how much they cost, but apparently he hated our guts.

"Our new janitor has no idea why everyone is treating him so nicely."

—Anonymous Business Insider reader



'That was a mistake'

"My friend is in charge of a number of temporary hires, contract workers, and freelancers at an ad agency. Her company's HR department sent a mass save-the-date email for the holiday party to everyone, including the people she has under her. That was a mistake. She now has to contact each one and tell them they are not invited to the company party." 

—Anonymous Business Insider reader



'The guy who brought the brownies grabbed the wrong plate ... '

"A place that I worked at about eight years ago had a huge party. One of the managers brought brownies and the director of operations (let's call him Jack) was the first to try them as we were setting up the food table.

"About half an hour later, as we were finishing up, Jack starts giggling and talking about how tall he feels. The guy who brought the brownies grabbed the wrong plate as he left the house and accidentally brought pot brownies.

"Needless to say, we gathered as many of the stoners as we could to clear that plate before anyone else got to them and tried to keep Jack away from other management." 

Redditor



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

A scientist set out to prove that man flu is real so he could justify whining about his seasonal colds — what he found isn't helpful

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man flu

  • 'Man Flu' is the British term for a whiny guy who's complaining about his not-so-serious cold symptoms.
  • The Christmas issue of the peer-reviewed medical journal The BMJ takes on the issue in a lighthearted article written by a Canadian professor who says he was "tired of being accused of over-reacting" to illnesses.
  • Though there is some truth to his claim that some men might be "immunologically inferior" to some women, the scientific research is not conclusive. 
  • Another BMJ author who's written about 'Man Flu' before was critical of this report. She said "they're citing bad science to stack up more bad science."


You could be forgiven for not being familiar with the term "Man Flu." The idea hails from Britain, where people have been accusing men of whining, laying around too much, and just generally over-complaining when they're sick. 

The Oxford English Dictionary says man flu is a "humorous, informal" noun — a term not to be taken too seriously. It's code for a "cold or similar minor ailment as experienced by a man who is regarded as exaggerating the severity of the symptoms."

In other words, the man flu has nothing to do with seasonal influenza. This is simply a term for male whining about being a wee bit sick.

But Canadian professor Kyle Sue, who teaches family medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland, says he was "tired of being accused of over-reacting" to illnesses. So, he set out to present the current science on man flu, in the Christmas edition of The BMJ, a legitimate, scientific journal known for its humorous and lighthearted December issues. It's never totally clear how seriously the BMJ expects us to take these studies: in past years they've covered why Rudolph's nose is red, and reviewed the entire history of zombie infections, in literature dating back to the 1500s, but the science behind the sillier content is still generally sound. 

This year, Sue wanted to explore if men might be "immunologically inferior" to women. Could it be, Sue hoped, that men aren't wimpier than women, and instead, might have some kind of legitimate health claim to lounging on the couch when they're sick?

Science suggests there are some legitimate differences between male and female immune systems

It's possible that female hormones may make women more resilient and less susceptible to common illnesses. A small 2010 study Sue cited of 63 healthy people in Australia showed that premenopausal women had stronger immune responses to 'Rhinovirus' (a common cold) than men, a benefit that disappears after menopause.

Researchers also think that male testosterone isn't helping men's chances of coming down with a cold or flu in the first place. That's because testosterone can have a suppressive effect on the immune system. Men with higher levels of testosterone have been shown to benefit less from a flu shot, and one study of male foragers in Bolivia showed that their testosterone rates were lower than men in the US. Scientists think this might be a defense mechanism to help them fight off more pathogens in the wild. 

Women also tend to live longer than men and that death disparity extends to the flu: Epidemiologists studying ten years of mortality data in the US (from 1997 to 2007) found that men were more likely to die from the flu than women. For instance, men ages 50-64 had a rate of influenza-associated death that was 2.95 times the corresponding rate among women. 

But women also have more nerve receptors than men, so they feel pain more intensely, which should make them more sensitive to the symptoms of a common cold. And there could be simpler reasons for the perception that women get sick less often and recover faster than men. Studies consistently show women are better at one very simple disease-busting ritual: handwashing.

The science so far is inconclusive 

While some of the studies Sue cites hinge on reputable, peer-reviewed sources like those mentioned above, many of them are taken from research on very small sample sizes. Other areas of his paper are based on inconclusive study results and self-reported surveys. Sue even cites one 2006 BMJ review that lambasted a British pinup magazine for suggesting (based on an online survey of 2,000 magazine readers) that ‘man flu’ was real.

Social Psychologist Petra Boynton, who authored that critical report, was livid to discover that her work was being cited to support the existence of a man flu. She says her 2006 article was specifically pointing out how press coverage of the so-called man flu was based on unscientific magazine surveys and not actual public health research. She told Business Insider on Twitter that it’s “disappointing” to see so much media coverage of an unserious study. 

man flu tweet

"They're citing bad science to stack up more bad science," she wrote. "If they were out to prove 'man flu' is a real thing, from the review they've published I don't think they can," she wrote in a direct message, saying the study suffers from some seriously "selective reporting." 

The author of the BMJ report, Kyle Sue, told Business Insider in an email "I’m not paid for my research. It’s all out of my own interest done in my own time, so I’m not sure if I’ll manage to do any follow up studies!  I’m hopeful researchers better than myself will, though!" 

Sue makes a hard push for protecting his own man flu behaviors in his paper: "Lying on the couch, not getting out of bed, or receiving assistance with activities of daily living could also be evolutionarily behaviours that protect against predators," he writes. 

Boynton says that kind of evolutionary psychology argument is flawed, and not rooted in evidence-based scientific research methods.

Men, if you must lie on the couch and complain when you're sick, please at least wash your hands before you rejoin the working world.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This is why you have to get a new flu shot every year

The 13 best restaurants in the UK to try in 2018

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Roast Grouse, smoked leg, Beetroot and Elderberry bohemia jersey restaurant michelin star

The UK is home to thousands of quality restaurants, pioneering street food vendors, and some of the best fine-dining experiences in the world.

In a country with such high standards and expectations from consumers, competition at the very top of the pile can be fierce — with the occupier of the top spot ever-changing.

In September 2017, The Waitrose Good Food Guide released a list of the 50 best restaurants in the UK which will continue to blossom and prove themselves as the cream of the crop as they lead the British dining scene into 2018.

Including relaxed social eateries, blast-from-the-past conceptual menus, and fine dining excursions hidden away in unlikely places, scroll on to discover the 13 best restaurants in the UK that every foodie needs to visit in 2018 — ranked in ascending order.

13. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London — A homage to the history of British gastronomy, creator Heston Blumenthal worked with a team of food historians to rediscover some of the quirkiest creations to hit dinner tables through the centuries and to bring a slice of their theatre to his own Knightsbridge restaurant.



12. Ynyshir, Powys — Perched on the edge of Snowdonia National Park near Aberystwyth, the relationship between Ynyshir's location and ingredients is a key factor in each of its set menus guided by seasonal ingredients and the local climate.



11. Bohemia, Jersey — Sat just 14 miles from the French coast, this British restaurant makes the most of both French and British produce with a menu for every occasion — including an ever-changing, six-course surprise dinner menu where guests have no clue what's coming until each course is served.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The Queen gives a Tesco Christmas pudding to every member of her staff each year

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queenie xmas getty WPA Pool

  • Every year, the Queen gives each member of her staff a Christmas pudding.
  • This year, the puddings are from Tesco at a cost of £8 ($10.73) each.
  • They used to come from Harrods and Fortnum & Mason.
  • Long-serving members of staff also receive vouchers.


The Royal family are no strangers to Christmas spirit. The Queen and her brood are known to spend the day scoffing roast turkey, attending Church service, and giving out jokey presents just like millions of families across the UK.

But a day packed with cracker jokes and family at Sandringham Hall in Norfolk isn't where the Christmas spirit ends. The Queen likes to spread the festive feeling far and wide — starting with her staff members.

Every year, the Queen and Prince Philip give each of their 1,500 employees, at Buckingham Palace and beyond, a Christmas gift to show their thanks. And not just any gift, but a Tesco Finest, 12-month matured Christmas pudding no less, according to a Hello Magazine report, which BI has verified.

That's right — you, too, can savour a slice of royally-approved pud for just £8 ($10.73) without having to venture further than your nearest high street.

xmas pud tesco

The pudding tradition — which is always accompanied by a Christmas card — was started by Her Majesty's grandfather, King George V, according to the Independent.

But the Tesco treat is a bit of step down from previous gifts, no doubt reflecting more austere times. The puddings once came from Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, the official royal grocers.

And the Queen's Christmas gifts to her household staff don't just stop at puddings.

Senior members of staff, and those that have worked for Her Majesty for a considerable amount of time, also receive a gift card.

Each voucher is handed out ceremoniously with senior household staff going first, followed by clerks, and then domestic workers, maids, and gardeners, according to Hello.

SEE ALSO: Here's how the royal family spends Christmas every year

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The 5 issues to consider before trading bitcoin futures

A New York woman accused of sending bitcoin to ISIS could spend 90 years in prison

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A man with an ISIS flag

  • Zoobia Shahnaz is accused of sending cash to ISIS via cryptocurrencies.
  • The US Department of Justice says the 27-year-old New Yorker funnelled $62,000 to the group via bitcoin and other currencies.
  • She is standing trial in New York and faces 90 years in prison if convicted.


A New York woman charged with sending money to the terrorist group ISIS in the form of bitcoin faces as much as 90 years in prison.

Zoobia Shahnaz, an American from Long Island, is accused of funnelling $62,000 to the group via bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies earlier this year.

Shahnaz took out more than a dozen credit cards earlier this year and used the money she borrowed to buy cryptocurrency and send it abroad, according to an indictment filed by US attorneys in federal court.

A press release by the Department of Justice said she sent more than $150,000, or £112,000, to benefit the terrorist group, also known as the Islamic State or ISIL, but it did not specify what form the other $88,000 took.

The release said Shahnaz "engaged in a pattern of financial activity, culminating in several wire transactions, totaling over $150,000, to individuals and apparent shell entities in Pakistan, China, and Turkey."

It added: "These transactions were designed to avoid transaction reporting requirements, conceal the identity, source and destination of the illicitly obtained monies, and, ultimately, benefit ISIS."

She tried to leave the US for Syria via Pakistan and Turkey but was stopped before she left the country, according to the release.

Shahnaz was indicted on five counts before the Eastern District of New York's federal court. They are three counts of money laundering, one of bank fraud, and one of conspiracy to money launder.

If convicted on all counts, she could spend 90 years in federal prison: 20 for each count of money laundering and 30 for fraud.

This is not the first time terrorist groups have been linked to funding via cryptocurrencies.

Terrorists have increasingly started to use bitcoin over the past few years, increasing from about 100 daily transactions in 2009 to 282,000 daily transactions in 2017 so far, the Council on Foreign Relations said.

The Ibn Taymiyyah Media Center, a jihadi propaganda group in Gaza, started soliciting funds on bitcoin — at least $2,500 for each fighter — as early as June 2016, according to the former CIA counterterrorism analyst Yaya Fanusie.

SEE ALSO: The caliphate may be destroyed, but ISIS isn't defeated

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: The mysterious origins of the US military salute

5 weird yoga trends that took off in 2017 — from beer yoga to goat yoga

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  • We encountered some interesting forms of yoga in 2017.
  • Beer yoga incorporates an ice cold beer into vinyasa yoga movements.
  • Dog yoga aims to strengthen the bond between you and your pet.
  • Antigravity yoga is a workout you do with a special hammock.
  • Goat yoga proved very popular in the US.
  • Boxing yoga changes yoga postures to relate to boxing.

 

2017 was a pretty exciting year for yoga. The ancient practice has been redesigned and reimagined in different forms all around the world.

In this video, we show the most interesting ones we found.

Beer yoga

In this workout, an ice cold beer is incorporated into vinyasa yoga movements. You sip on it as you go through the routine, which is supposed to mix the joy of drinking with mindfulness.

Dog yoga

In this yoga class, your pup joins you on the mat with the aim to strengthen the bond you and your pet. You can borrow someone’s pet if you don’t have one.

Antigravity yoga

It’s a workout you do with a special hammock which is meant to stretch your spine.

Goat yoga

Born not to be taken very seriously, this form of yoga is very popular in the US. Due to droppings, most classes take place outdoors.

Boxing yoga

This is a yoga-based training which incorporates boxing and changes yoga postures to relate to boxing. For example, instead of a prayer, it works through a guard.

Produced by Claudia Romeo. Filmed by Claudia Romeo, David Ibekwe, and Leon Siciliano.

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What science says about why we get déjà vu

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memories

  • About 70% of the population experience déjà vu.
  • It's the sense of familiarity that feels misplaced because you know you haven't experienced the same thing before.
  • Psychologists and neuroscientists have come up with several different theories over the years for why we experience the strange sensation.


It's one of the oddest sensations. That feeling where you are in a new situation, or a completely new environment, but you get an intense feeling of familiarity. For no apparent reason, you feel like you're reliving a past experience.

It's called déjà vu, which is French for "already seen," and it happens to an estimated 70% of the population, according to How Stuff Works, with people aged between 15 and 25 years old experiencing it most.

Unless it's happened to you, it's a hard experience to explain, but it's a bit like trying to remember a dream that is slipping away. And as soon as you rack your brain to try and think back to when you might have experienced something familiar, the feeling is gone.

Déjà vu is difficult to study as it is so fleeting. It has puzzled researchers as to how to replicate it in a laboratory environment. This has led to a few different theories over time about how and why our brains act this strange way.

Accidental triggers in the brain

Back in 2006, scientists at the Leeds Memory Group thought they had gone some way to recreating the sensation in a lab by using hypnosis to trigger part of the brain's recognition process. The experiment was based on the theory that two key processes happen in the brain when we recognise something or someone familiar.

Firstly, our brains search through our memories to see if we've observed the scene before, and if it comes up with a match, a separate area of the brain identifies it as familiar. In déjà vu, the second part of the process could be triggered by accident.

The researchers recruited 18 volunteers, who were asked to look at 24 common words. Then they were hypnotised and told that when they were presented with a word in a red frame, it would feel familiar. Words in green frames would make them think the word was in the original list of 24.

After being taken out of hypnosis, the subjects were given a series of words in different coloured frames, including some words that didn't appear in the original list. In the group, 10 said they felt a peculiar sensation when they saw new words in red frames, and 5 said it felt like they were having déjà vu.

Malfunctioning memory

Over the years, psychologists have come up with a few different theories for déjà vu.

It could be some sort of malfunctioning between the long and short term circuits in the brain, meaning new information may take a shortcut straight to long-term memory. This skips over the mechanisms the brain normally uses to store information, so it could feel like we are experiencing something from the past.

It could also be something to do with the rhinal cortex, which is an area of the brain that makes us feel familiarity. It could somehow be activated without triggering other areas associated with memory. That could explain why it's so difficult to pin down what feels familiar about the déjà vu. It's usually a vague familiarity, not a specific object or person.

A fourth theory is that the feeling déjà vu is set off by false memories. Psychologist Valerie F. Reyna came up with one of the leading theories for false memories. She told Business Insider:

"[Déjà vu] is certainly related to false memory in the sense that it is a memory dissociation kind of effect. It dissociates reality from your memory.

"There's all kinds of different dissociative experiences that can happen. Sometimes you cannot be sure, for example, if you dreamed something or experienced it, if you saw it in a movie or it happened in real life."

It's most likely a memory mismatch

Work last year by psychology researcher Akira O'Connor, however, suggested false memories may not be to blame. Instead, it could be a sign of the brain checking its memory.

O'Connor and his team scanned the brains of 21 volunteers while doing a common test for triggering false memories, New Scientist reported.

To do this, you give a person a list of related words, such as bed, night, snooze, and nap. Then, when the person is asked about the words afterwards, they tend to give words related to what they've heard — in this case it would be "sleep."

To try and create the feeling of déjà vu, the researchers asked the subjects if they heard any words beginning with "s," which they replied they hadn't. But when they asked about the word "sleep," they were able to remember they couldn't have heard it, but it felt familiar all the same.

The team expected to see areas of the brain associated with memory — such as the hippocampus — light up. But it didn't. Instead, areas involved in decision making were active.

When presenting the findings at the International Conference on Memory in Budapest, O'Connor said he thinks the frontal regions of the brain could be flipping through our memories, then sending signals if there's a mismatch between what we think we've experienced and what we actually have experienced.

"Brain regions associated with memory conflict, rather than false memory, appear to be driving the déjà vu experience," O'Connor wrote in a blog post about the findings.

"This is consistent with our idea of déjà vu as the conscious awareness of a discrepancy in memory signals being corrected. This, in turn, sheds some light on why déjà vu occurrence appears to decline with age despite the fact that memory errors tend to increase with age. If it's not an error, but the prevention of an error, this makes a lot more sense."

SEE ALSO: Scientists have created brain implants that could boost our memory by up to 30%

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NOW WATCH: I've been an iPhone user for 10 years — here's what happened when I switched to the Google Pixel 2 for a week


Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have set a date for their wedding next year

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Prince Harry Meghan Markle engagement photos

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have set a date.

Kensington Palace announced on Friday that the pair will marry on Saturday, May 19, next year at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Berkshire.

St George's Chapel has been the site of many royal weddings throughout history, including, most recently, Harry's cousin Peter Phillips' marriage to Autumn Kelly in 2008.

It follows Prince Harry and Markle announcing their engagement in November. 

Many world leaders, politicians, and celebrities were amongst the well-wishers to congratulate the happy couple at the time of the announcement, including Prime Minister Theresa May and even 10 Downing Street's cat, Larry.

SEE ALSO: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle just got engaged

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NOW WATCH: It's been 25 years since the band Hanson was formed — here's what they're up to now

50 last-minute gifts your dad actually wants this holiday season

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  • Dads can be hard to shop for during the holiday season.
  • From socks to a modern record player, this gift guide has the perfect item for every type of dad.

It can be hard to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones during the holiday season, and dads are known to be particularly tricky.

Whether your dad is sporty, stylish, or outdoorsy, we picked 50 gifts that are suitable for every type of guy. From a durable tumbler cup to an ancestry genetic test kit, we've got you covered when it comes to gifts your dad will love.

Having trouble figuring out what to get people for the holidays? You can check out all of Insider Picks' 2017 gift guides here.

SEE ALSO: 26 gifts your mom actually wants this holiday season

A sleek leather wallet

This slim leather wallet is perfect for dads who prefer minimalist accessories. It comes in 12 colors, so you’ll be able to find the perfect match.

Bellroy Leather Note Sleeve Wallet, available at Amazon, $89.95



A gold and leather watch

You can't go wrong with a watch for a holiday gift. This Italian-style leather and gold watch is a timeless option that any dad will love.

Filippo Loreti Rome Gold Watch, available at Filippo Loreti, $209



A box of high-quality steaks

For the culinary dad, there's nothing better than a box of his favorite filet mignons, top sirloins, and steak burgers.

Omaha Steaks n' Burgers Gift Box, available at Omaha Steaks, $59.99



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

Here's how the Christmas tree tradition started

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Today, Christmas trees can be found all over the world, but medieval Germans were the first to fully embrace the tradition. Even before that, many cultures, including ancient Egyptians, worshipped evergreen trees and branches as a symbol of eternal life. Following is the text of the video.

Trees have long been used to decorate homes. Ancient Chinese, Hebrews, and Egyptians viewed evergreens as symbols of eternal life. European pagans "decked the halls" with evergreen branches to bring in life during the dark days of winter. But, medieval Germans are credited with starting the Xmas tree tradition. They brought fir trees inside on December 24. The trees were decorated with wafers, candles, and red apples. These "paradise trees" symbolized the Garden of Eden.

17th-century German settlers brought the tradition to North America. The tradition didn't catch on with most Americans until Queen Victoria popularized it. In 1846, Victoria and her German husband, Prince Albert, put up a Xmas tree. They decorated it with toys, candy, popcorn, and cakes.

Once word spread, the popularity of Christmas trees took off. It became a tradition throughout England and North America. Now, they can be found all over the world

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The craziest foods we found in the UK in 2017 — from a 6,000 calorie chicken nugget to a £99 ice cream

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  • We saw a lot of crazy foods in 2017.
  • Savoury treats include hybrid burgers, an extremely caloric chicken nugget, and super spicy wings.
  • Sweet ones include a £99 ice cream, a tasteless transparent cake, and millennial pink bubble bum shakes.

 

We compiled a list of the craziest foods we found in 2017 around the UK.

Among our favourites: 

£65 ostrich egg breakfast and a £55 truffle burger from London restaurant Florentine.

Selfridges' £99 ice cream made of 4-carat gold leaves and edible diamonds and Heinz baked beans cafe.

A 6,000 calorie chicken nugget from a restaurant in Birmingham.

The raindrop cake: a calorie-free vegan dessert coming from Japan.

These rainbow croissants sold at a London 5-star hotel.

A burger, pizza, and kebab hybrid sold at a takeaway in Wales.

Bubblewrap Waffles served in cones launching in London after reaching fame in Hong Kong.

Extremely spicy chicken wings made with naga chillies sauce, which is 500 times hotter than Tabasco.

A donut cheeseburger hybrid sprinkled with icing sugar, a Burger Cheesebomb covered entirely with cheddar cheese and Unicorn Freakshakes from London restaurant Maxwell's Bar & Grill.

Produced by Claudia Romeo. Filmed by Claudia Romeo, Joe Daunt, and Leon Siciliano.

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The most obvious conversation topic at your office holiday party should be avoided at all costs

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man yelling boo upset party frustrated annoyed surprised awkard

•Business Insider spoke with experts who stressed the importance of avoiding work-related talk at the holiday party.

• They say the holiday party is an opportunity to allow everyone to relax and unwind.

• If you're looking for other things to talk about, try researching your coworkers' LinkedIn accounts.



Office holiday parties are a great time to unwind and have fun with your colleagues.

It's important to remember that you're still at work, though. It goes without saying that controversial or inappropriate topics are best avoided. But one of the worst subjects you can tackle is probably also one of the most boring.

According to many of the professionals Business Insider spoke with about office holiday party blunders, you should steer clear of one of the few things you're likely to have in common with your coworkers: work.

The reason? People are looking to let loose. They don't want to hear about looming deadlines and issues with projects.

"The holiday party should be a fun event free from the stress of the job. Save shop talk for when you're back in the office," Joe Weinlick, the senior vice president at the career network Beyond, told Business Insider.

It's important for bosses to set the tone to ensure a relaxed, enjoyable environment, according to Maestro Health CEO Rob Butler. "Encourage your employees to turn off 'work-mode' and learn about their coworkers' passions and hobbies," he told Business Insider.

And even if you have no intention of talking deadlines, make sure your date doesn't, either.

"Oftentimes, I find that employees' spouses or partners will ask me about opportunities for advancement or raise issues of concern at a holiday party," Brigette McInnis-Day, the executive vice president of human resources at the software company SAP, told Business Insider. "For example they'll ask about bonus achievements, stock options success, reorganization, or if their loved one will get a new opportunity they applied for and if they didn't get it, give feedback on how displeased they are."

This just makes things awkward for everyone. If you're worried that your plus-one will pull this, try talking to them beforehand.

And, if you really have nothing to talk about with your coworkers other than work, make an effort to learn more about them.

"If small talk isn't your strong suit, feel free to look up your colleagues' recent activity on LinkedIn for potential topics of conversation," the LinkedIn career expert Catherine Fisher said.

SEE ALSO: 9 things you should never say to your coworkers at the office holiday party

DON'T MISS: 15 tips for surviving your office holiday party

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NOW WATCH: Here's how the Christmas tree tradition started

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