Fans can celebrate the release of Disney/Pixar’s Elemental on Digital (available now) and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & DVD September 26 with four gorgeously-made exclusive cotton candy replica characters: Ember, Wade, Gale, & Clod, sold exclusively at Polar Playground Sept. 14-17 and Sept. 21-22.

Where:

Polar Playground

16891 Beach Boulevard

Huntington Beach, CA 92647

(714) 369-2847

Polar Playground, home of the cotton candy characters is a dessert shop that serves ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, floats and craft sodas.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polarplayground/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polarplayground/?hl=en

Polar Playground Elemental Instagram Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw-9r7DvyC-/?hl=en

When:

Sept. 14-17 and Sept. 21-22.  Elemental cotton candy characters are available only for a limited time.

Polar Playground hours:

Thursdays and Fridays: 1:00 – 8:00 pm

Saturday: 1:00 – 7:00 pm

Sunday: 1:00 – 5:00 pm

Price:

Polar Playground cotton candy characters retail for $20 each + tax per character.

About Disney/Pixar Animation Studios “Elemental” Home Entertainment Release:

Disney/Pixar Animation Studios’ dazzling and imaginative Elemental, debuted on all major digital platforms (Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, etc.) August 15 and will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD September 26.

Credit: Disney/Pixar Animation Studios. Images were provided by Polar Playground.

Countless women struggle with the baby blues immediately after giving birth. They may struggle with mood swings, crying jags, and anxiety. For some women, however, the symptoms drag on long past the two weeks when most moms get over the baby blues.

These women may be dealing with postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a mental illness brought on by hormonal changes in a woman’s body following the birth of a child. It is more common than many people realize, and the woman must be treated or the illness may persist.

How Common is Postpartum Depression?

The National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) reports approximately 15 percent of women struggle with postpartum depression. If a woman does not get treatment, the symptoms could remain for years. In fact, 30 percent of women report they still have symptoms three years after birth.

Fortunately, help is available, and women should reach out if they feel empty, flat, or sad for longer than 14 days after the baby is born. This is according to the Office on Women’s Health. In rare cases, a woman may be suffering from postpartum psychosis, which is a medical emergency.

Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression

Certain things may put a woman more at risk of postpartum depression. This includes a history of depression or bipolar disorder, a family member who has been diagnosed with a mental illness, or medical complications during the birth. Women who have experienced trauma around the time they gave birth are at higher risk of postpartum depression, as are mothers of medically fragile children.

Postpartum Depression Symptoms

Women may exhibit several symptoms when suffering from postpartum depression. They may feel anxious, sad, or overwhelmed and worry they cannot care for the baby. Many women experience crying jags and find they overeat or barely eat anything. The new mom may get angry easily or feel restless and cannot sleep. Certain women find their postpartum depression leads to physical complaints, while others struggle to complete daily hygiene tasks. No two women are identical, so the symptoms vary greatly.

Treating Postpartum Depression

Doctors may prescribe medication for women with postpartum depression and will choose a medication that has the least effect on the baby if the mother is breastfeeding. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is of help to some women, and many new moms take part in cognitive-behavioral therapy to address the symptoms of PPD. The mom can also take steps at home to reduce the symptoms of postpartum depression.

New moms need to get plenty of sleep and allow others to take on tasks they normally complete. A mom may want to do everything perfectly for their little one, but perfection is impossible. Moms need to remember this.

They also need to spend time with family and friends rather than isolating themselves. Talk with these individuals about the feelings the new mom is experiencing. A support group is also of help to women with postpartum depression. Finally, new moms need to eat a healthy diet and get exercise, even if this is nothing more than taking a walk around the block with the baby.

Any woman can find she has postpartum depression after giving birth to a child. Seek treatment right away, as it can help improve the mom’s quality of life while relieving her symptoms. Talk to a doctor right away to begin receiving this help, as the sooner the mom gets help, the sooner she and her loved ones can see an improvement in her symptoms and the accompanying benefits.

An eating disorder goes beyond the love of food and crosses over into mental health conditions. This complex disorder has taken control of millions. You can help experts in their fight against this disorder by recognizing the common signs.

1. Anorexia

Anorexia is one of the most common eating disorders among women. It is the main reason that health professionals are serious about comprehensive support for eating disorders. Although the condition is the most well-known on the list, its actual symptoms are still overlooked. In some circles, anorexic behavior is glorified. A lot of the mental struggles associated with self-image can be traced back to the fear that’s tied to anorexia. With a relentless pursuit to meet unrealistic beauty standards, sufferers often neglect their health in the worst way possible.

2. Bulimia

Bulimia has some similarities to anorexia. The difference is that the victim will binge eat an unhealthy amount of food. Once the discomfort gets too high, they will forcefully purge the food from their system. Bulimia has a lot of newsworthy headlines associated with modeling. The symptoms hide better than anorexia since the sufferer maintains a normal weight. But after every purge, serious harm is done to the body. In severe cases, seemingly healthy individuals have suffered from strokes or sudden heart attacks.

3. Binge Eating

Binge eating is something that everyone deals with. It is often described as ‘eating away your feelings’, but there is a slight difference. Eating ice cream and skittles after a breakup lasts for a few days. Binge eaters go through multiple episodes where even the slightest bit of stress sends them into an eating frenzy. This all happens while making the wrong food choices, and will eventually lead to an unsustainable lifestyle. Obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure are only some of the things that comes with binge eating.

4. Rumination Disorder

Rumination disorder is probably the most unique eating disorder on the list. The best way to describe it is the regurgitation of food that has already been chewed and swallowed. It goes a step further than bulimia as the victim repeats the process again and either swallows or spits out the food. This is a serious condition that even infants suffer from. Therapy and a lot of support is the best way to return to normal eating habits.

5.Pica

Pica has become a problem due to the overexposure on television and social media. It is an eating disorder that makes the user eat non-food substances. This includes hair, dirt, soil, sap detergent and more. Besides the physical problems that comes from pica, there is also the mental toll. Most sufferers of pica have trouble dealing with daily routines. By the time they figure out the worst of it, most of their life has shut down. Recovery from pica is hard, and requires a lot of professional help.

More Than Food

A preoccupation with food will prevent the prioritization of other activities. Before taking the next step to recovery, the disorder has many layers that the sufferer has to identify. Once you know the root of the cause, getting better is a matter of time.

WHO: 

Fans of DreamWorks Animation’s hit preschool series, Gabby’s Dollhouse are invited to GABBY ON THE GO!, an a-meow-zing fan experience full of fun FREE activities.

WHAT: 

GABBY ON THE GO! is a nationwide touring activation that invites kids to explore and play inside Gabby’s fantastical world. Guests are given their own Paws-port to adventure and take part in an array of creative and fun interactive activities as they travel through the experience, collecting stamps, playing with new Gabby’s toys from Spin Master, spinning a prize wheel for a chance to receive a special gift, and even meeting Gabby herself!

Also available for the first-time at Universal CityWalk, fans will be able to preview and shop a wide assortment of Gabby’s Dollhouse toys and consumer products including Spin Master’s Gabby Cat Friend Ship, the first-ever LEGO® Gabby’s Dollhouse sets and much more!

WHERE:
Universal CityWalk Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608

WHEN:
Saturday, September 2, 2023
10am – 3pm

Free family tickets can be reserved at www.gabbysdollhouse.com/gabbyonthego. Each ticket allows for a family group of 4 people (including adults and children). If there are no available slots online, additional tickets will be available to book at the event on a first-come, first serve basis.

WHY: 

GABBY ON THE GO! is on a nationwide tour that began in June and will continue across the US through November.  Tour stops include: Philadelphia, PA; New York City, NY; East Rutherford, NJ; Cleveland, OH; Cicero, IL; Minneapolis, MN; Pico Rivera, CA; Union City, CA; Mountain View, CA; Sacramento, CA; Tigard, OR; Happy Valley, OR; Puyallup, WA; Irving, TX; Dallas, TX; Smyrna, TN; Franklin, TN; Maplewood, MO; Bentonville, AR; Marietta, GA and Orlando, FL.

Credit: DREAMWORKS ANIMATION’S GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE

Since the debut of DreamWorks Animation’s hit series Gabby’s Dollhouse, kids around the world have been having one big sprinkle party with their new friend Gabby and all her kitty friends. Created and executive produced by celebrated storytellers Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey, Gabby’s Dollhouse is a mixed media preschool series that unboxes a surprise before jumping into a fantastical animated world full of adorable cat characters that live inside Gabby’s dollhouse. Rooted in growth mindset, Gabby’s activity-based episodes encourage flexible thinking and learning from your mistakes. The show has charted as a top 10 kids’ series in 89 countries and has become one of the fastest growing brands in the preschool space, inspiring an award-winning toy line, publishing, home, apparel, and more, as well as original music, a top-rated app and a growing YouTube channel visited by millions of fans weekly. Additionally, Gabby’s Dollhouse continues to lend itself to global fan experiences including Universal theme park activations, live events and much more. Any adventure can unfold when we play in Gabby’s Dollhouse, now streaming on Netflix.

The Shops at Mission Viejo announced the opening of Dizzy Bird, the newest addition to their retail mix.

Inspired by the flavorful spatchcock chicken served historically in Lebanon, Greece and surrounding Mediterranean cities, Dizzy Bird’s menu focuses on spatchcocked rotisserie chicken infused with herbs, citrus and garlic for some good clucking flavor. It is served alongside signature sauces such Lebanese Garlic Sauce “Toum” and other popular Mediterranean sides, such as Greek Potatoes or Roasted Sweet Potatoes.

Dizzy Bird’s hot fresh rotisserie chicken will be featured in pressed wraps, on top of colorful bowls and salads with hearty ingredients, or a la carte with your favorite sides.

Where:                         The Shops at Mission Viejo – located on Level 2, in the Dining Pavilion.

                                    555 The Shops at Mission Viejo

                                    Mission Viejo, CA 92691

More Info:                    For more information including hours, please visit simon.com. – The

Shops at Mission Viejo’s Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Credit: Simon/The Shops at Mission Viejo.

Making Scents of the Ancient World: Rome

Getty Villa

Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 11 am

Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 11 am

Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 11 am

In this free, drop-in, perfume-making workshop, visitors create their own Roman perfumes using ancient ingredients. Participants will build custom perfumes by exploring the spices and oils ancient Romans used, some of which are still in use today, and learn how these materials were considered alluring and exotic to the ancients.

Artist-at-Work: Modern Calligraphy

Getty Center

Sunday, August 27, 2023, at 11 am

Sunday, August 27, 2023, at 1:30 pm

Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 11 am

Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 1:30 pm

Explore the art of calligraphy in this live demonstration with Melissa Govea. Discover how expressive lettering styles are still used by contemporary artists today. This free, drop-in program is produced in partnership with Self Help Graphics & Art and complements the exhibition Graphic Design in the Middle Ages.

Making Manuscripts: Family Workshop

Getty Center

Sunday, August 27, 2023, at 11 am

Sunday, September 10, 2023, at 11 am

Join a modern-day scriptorium and design your own illuminated manuscript page in this free family workshop. Discover how graphic design elements like text and images work together to create remarkable books. Stop by the touch table and explore the tools and materials used to make these one-of-a-kind works of art! Led by artist Daniel González, this free, bilingual, drop-in workshop is produced in partnership with Self Help Graphics & Art and complements the exhibition Graphic Design in the Middle Ages.

Credit: Getty.

Love.Life, an integrated health and wellness company, is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking virtual health optimization programs and plans for its first flagship location slated to open in the summer of 2024.  Love.Life provides a one-stop immersive health experience by combining nourishing food, evolved medical care, and cutting-edge wellness therapies.     

The company’s new optimization programs provide patient-centric medical care that is outcome-driven, personalized, and dedicated to addressing all aspects of an individual’s health. With licensed physicians practicing telehealth nationwide, Love.Life empowers individuals to proactively improve their health by focusing on the root causes of chronic diseases and offering comprehensive solutions.

“Love.Life aims to transform the lives of millions of people,” stated CEO and co-creator John Mackey. “The conventional medical system is fundamentally flawed, focusing on managing diseases and treating symptoms rather than prevention and finding the root cause. Studies show that 80% of chronic diseases can be prevented and reversed through diet and lifestyle changes, which are the focus of Love.Life’s philosophy and are rarely included in conventional treatment plans.”

Love.Life’s medically supervised virtual programs far exceed the limitations of standard bloodwork testing, acute care models and transactional doctor-patient relationships of the conventional healthcare system. Through comprehensive testing and health assessments, individuals work in partnership with doctors to establish their true baseline health. This detailed information forms the basis of a customized, actionable plan that addresses both health risks and opportunities. Love.Life’s virtual optimization programs offer a supportive environment, educational resources, and access to health and wellness coaching to facilitate the implementation, measurement, and sustainability of healthy habits.

“With grocery, we made natural and organic products mainstream, and Love.Life is going to play a similar role in the health and wellness industry. We’re ready to support and empower millions in optimizing their health potential, proving that genes are not destiny,” said Mackey.

“Health is highly personal, so it can be frustrating when you don’t feel heard by your doctor or you leave the appointment feeling confused about test results and treatment options,” said Dr. Brian Asbill, Chief Health Officer, Love.Life. “The physicians at Love.Life evaluate all aspects of health to create highly personalized plans with—not for—patients. Whether you are seeking preventative care for overall wellness, struggle with an existing condition or have not been able to pinpoint the root cause of a health issue, we want to offer a single source of clear, trusted, evidence-based care for patients.” 

Love.Life’s board-certified physicians practice “lifestyle medicine” as the foundation of care and are guided by the philosophies of integrative and functional medicine. An emerging evidence-based field, lifestyle medicine evaluates various aspects of an individual’s lifestyle, such as nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and social connection, to provide a holistic view of health. The goal is to help people lead long, healthy, and vibrant lives by improving both lifespan and health span.

Love.Life’s virtual health optimization programs are available to individuals across all 50 states and internationally, with three membership programs designed to support a range of health goals. The Healthy Lifestyle Program offers an entry-level option for individuals seeking to jump-start their well-being and proactively maintain their health. It includes an assessment phase of two 30-minute appointments with a physician with a recommended set of labs to assess the individual’s baseline cardiovascular and metabolic health as well as key nutrient and vitamin levels. Group health and wellness coaching, educational content and quarterly follow-up doctor appointments are also included.

The Longevity Program provides intensive, specialized care for specific health goals, including chronic disease reversal and proactive preventative care for optimization and wellness. Under this program, patients receive:

·       A more intensive assessment phase of 60-minute introductory doctor appointments, a detailed set of included labs, and tests to establish an individual’s baseline of health.

·       Monthly 1:1 health and wellness coaching with unlimited messaging and at least one physician appointment quarterly.

·       Access to practical tools and exclusive educational content and advanced specialized assessments such as biological age, microbiome, continuous glucose monitoring, and body composition.

For the most comprehensive health and wellness care and more testing with assessments ranging from epigenetics and microbiome to cardiovascular and cancer screenings, the company also offers the Concierge Program.

As part of its commitment to revolutionizing health care, Love.Life has also acquired Mastering Diabetes, an established online coaching and education platform known for permanently reversing insulin resistance using food as medicine. This strategic acquisition complements the company’s medically supervised care and enhances Love.Life’s ability to provide evidence-based guidance and coaching services to combat various health conditions. The company recently launched Mastering Weight Loss and will continue to add specialized private and group coaching programs under its Mastering Programs service in the future. Cyrus Khambatta, Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry, and Robby Barbaro, MPH, co-founders of Mastering Diabetes, are now members of Love.Life’s executive team and lead the development of the company’s coaching services.

In addition to its virtual offerings, Love.Life’s commitment to providing comprehensive care includes physical locations offering medical care, fitness and wellness therapies, and healthy food under one roof. It’s first flagship location, a 45,000-square foot space in El Segundo, California, will launch in 2024, offering a fully integrated health experience. Love.Life’s health-forward restaurant in Culver City is already open and will launch evidence-based meal prescription plans for specific health conditions once the adjacent medical and wellness components of the brand open. The company also operates Love Life Cafe in Miami love.life/restaurant/miami, which opened its new location in February 2023 with expanded seating, a bar, and new menu items. 

To learn more about Love.Life’s innovative medical programs or to book an appointment with a licensed physician, visit love.life/telehealth/healthprograms. For more information about Love.Life’s Mastering Programs, including Mastering Diabetes and Mastering Weight Loss, visit love.life/masteringprograms.

Credit: Love.Life.

Old World Christmas, the nation’s premier Christmas ornament brand, is looking to spread some Christmas cheer to a family in need this holiday season and they need help finding that family.

Old World Christmas is giving one deserving family the chance to have their master decorator, Sarah, create the ultimate Christmas tree experience in their home. 

Fans can nominate a family or individual with a photo, video or written entry on WHY they deserve the ultimate Christmas spirit treatment. Nominations are open through August 20. 

Credit: Old World Christmas.