The High Life Might be Over for Victoria’s Secret

In a fascinating shift in women’s fashion, the iconic Victoria’s Secret line is having problems. They have found their sales down dramatically for a number of reasons. With the #MeToo era, many people find the company’s advertising distasteful and uncomfortable. Many women, as well, are looking to rival companies for custom-fitted bras rather than the push-up bras Victoria’s Secret peddles.

Companies that are advertising about inclusiveness and comfort are winning in the sales department. These include such companies as Lively, ThirdLove and American Eagle Outfitters.

Many heavy hitters include James Mitarotonda (CEO of activist hedge fund and L Brands investor Barington Capital) have urged Victoria’s Secret to start changing its ways. In a letter to Leslie Wexner, Mitarotonda said L Brands must “take swift action to improve the performance of Victoria’s Secret, by, among other things, correcting past merchandising mistakes and ensuring that Victoria’s Secret is communicating a compelling, up-to-date brand image that resonates with today’s consumers.”

Shockingly, L Brands has lost more than half of its value in the last five years.

Vaccine for Diabetes?

A fascinating new study just might make a difference in diabetes. The University of Michigan looked at an unlikely vaccine as one that might help reduce the risk of developing diabetes. The babies in their study who were vaccinated against rotavirus in the first month of their lives showed a much lower risk of developing Type 1 diabetes later.

Those children who received the recommended doses of rotavirus had a 33% lower risk of diabetes than did unvaccinated children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all American babies get the first dose of these drops between 2-4 months of age.

Lead researcher and author Dr. Mary Rogers cautioned that more research needs to be done. However, she said that “we do see a decline in Type 1 diabetes in young children after the rotavirus vaccine was introduced.” A similar study was done in Australia and was published earlier this year.

Breakfast Choices Around the World

Everyone always says that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s interesting, however, to see how different cultures look at breakfast and what they eat each day. Of course, not everyone eats this for breakfast in the country where it is featured, but it’s interesting to take a look at breakfast choices around the world as this article explores.

Summer Parenting Tips

Summer is fast approaching and this often sends parents into a bit of panic. What should you do with your children all summer long? How will you entertain them? Here is one perspective that’s worth watching. Certainly, now is the time to start thinking about how you want to fill those long summer months.

Restricting Calories for Longer Life?

A new study suggests that you can continue to enjoy the fountain of youth, if you’re willing to reduce your calorie intake by 15% for two year. This study found that the two years on a reduced caloric intake can slow your metabolic process and protect against diseases that are related to aging. Published in the journal Cell Metabolism, the study is significant because it’s the first randomized controlled trial specifically for calorie restrictions in people.

As biologist John R. Speakman explained in  the CNN article, “For this reason, the new study’s “big contribution” is that participants showed two key changes previously observed in calorie-restricted rodents: lowered metabolic rate and reduced production of radical oxygen species.”

More work needs to be done, but this study is certainly an interesting starting point.

TripAdvisor’s Best of 2019

TripAdvisor has compiled its list of the top travel locations around the world for 2019. With the marriage of Harry and Meghan, London has managed to take the hearts and minds of many and to get to the top spot. Check out the others and get your travel arrangements in place for the year.

1. London, United Kingdom

2. Paris, France

3. Rome, Italy

4. Crete, Greece

5. Bali, Indonesia

6. Phuket, Thailand

7. Barcelona, Spain

8. Istanbul, Turkey

9. Marrakech, Morocco

10. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

11. Prague, Czech Republic

12. Siem Reap, Cambodia

13. New York City, New York

14. Jamaica

15. Hanoi, Vietnam

16. Tokyo, Japan

17. Playa del Carmen, Mexico

18. Lisbon, Portugal

19. Kathmandu, Nepal

20. Jaipur, India

21. Hurghada, Egypt

22. Hong Kong, China

23. Cusco, Peru

24. Sydney, Australia

25. Tel Aviv, Israel