Although bugs aren’t often on the menu in many US households, people the world over routinely eat insects. In fact, an estimated 2 billion people eat insects as part of their traditional diet worldwide, according to a report by the United Nations. Over 1,900 different species of insects have been used for food, as noted in the same report.

Known as entomophagy, the practice of eating bugs is nothing new. Now recognized as a more environmentally sustainable protein when compared to animal agriculture, insects can create a lot of nutritious food with far less waste, as noted in The Huffington Post.

But this doesn’t mean grabbing a random bug from your yard and eating it raw. (This is actually a bad idea because of potential pesticides.) Most of these edible bugs are best enjoyed spiced, fried, smoked, or sauteed, like any other tasty treat. We rounded up some bugs you didn't know you could eat.

Crickets are a good beginner bug.

Crickets are often the go-to edible bug for beginners because they are pretty easy to catch and rich in protein. However, they can carry parasites, so it’s important to cook crickets before eating them, according to Backpacker.

Whether sauteed, baked, broiled, or fried in tempura batter, the ways to cook and serve crickets are almost endless, according to HuffPost. Many cricket chefs do recommend working with frozen bugs to make the whole process easier.

If the idea of eating a whole bug is too much, then there’s also the option of cricket flour, also known as cricket powder. A complete source of protein with a mild, nutty taste, cricket powder can be mixed into baked goods, smoothies, and even salad dressings, as noted by Cricket Flours LLC. It’s an easy introduction into the world of edible bugs.  

Grasshoppers have made the leap to US plates.

Grasshoppers are also totally edible. "In many countries that are heavy consumers of insects, like Mexico, they are wild harvested — think of the grasshoppers that are commonly eaten there called chapulines," said David George Gordon, a.k.a "The Bug Chef," in National Geographic.

It looks like they’re pretty tasty, too. The toasted grasshoppers coated in chili-lime salt have become a hit ballpark concession food at Seattle Mariners games, often selling out at the concession stand, according to Sports Illustrated.

Scorpions can be less scary when cooked.

When cooked, the taste of scorpion has been compared to popcorn, shrimp, or crab, as noted in Survival-Mastery. For novice bug chefs, removing the stinger and venom gland before cooking is a safe practice.

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.

Leather goods make for great investment pieces because when they're well made and treated with care, they're durable and weather beautifully. The prevailing wisdom is that real leather is expensive — a once-in-a-blue-moon, treat-yourself purchase or a special gift for someone else. Price aside, the other major hindrance for many people is the lack of transparency about where the leather comes from and how it's made. 

This luxury material most often makes its appearance in shoes, bags, and small accessories, industries that multiple online startups have gladly disrupted recently. The new trend in high-quality leather goods is to let you know how and where they're made, intersect the old and new with interesting yet versatile styles, and offer competitive prices so you don't have to set aside entire paychecks for high-quality leather. 

If you're looking for beautiful leather shoes, bags, and accessories, shop at these 12 online startups. 

Linjer

Shop leather goods and watches at Linjer here 

Why you'll like it: This Oslo- and Florence-based minimalist design studio regularly achieves mega-Kickstarter success with its simple Swiss movement watches and leather bags. Linjer's thoughtful, elegant, and classic approach to accessory design results in long-lasting pieces you can carry year-round. 

Where it sources its leather: Italy (Santa Croce sull’Arno and Arzignano) and Turkey (Izmir).

What to buy:

• The Classic Watch (Women's), $249
• The Chronograph (Men's), $275
• The Soft Tote, $359
• The Tulip Bag, $425
• The Soft Briefcase, $489

Leatherology

Shop leather goods at Leatherology here

Why you'll like it: For the best variety of affordable and high-quality leather you can find online, shop at Leatherology. You'll find handbags, wallets, office accessories, travel accessories, and more. It's the perfect place to buy a leather gift as a corporate gift, for a loved one, or for yourself. In addition to traditional colors, it makes eye-catching colors like Fuschia, Kelly Green, and Turmeric. 

Where it sources its leather: Around the world. Specific collections hail from Italy and Germany. 

What to buy: 

• Hotel Keychain, $15
• Medium Clamshell Makeup Bag, $85
• RFID Blocking Zip Around Travel Wallet, $125
• Executive Zippered Portfolio, $160-$235
• Kessler Satchel, $235

Thursday Boot Co.

Shop leather goods and shoes at Thursday Boot Co. here

Why you'll like it: Thursday Boot Co. makes our favorite boots— we highly recommend shopping here if you need a boot upgrade this fall. Its commitment to the craft of boot-making could not be more evident when you slip your feet into its comfortable, durable, and handsome shoes.  

Where it sources its leather: US.

What to buy:

• Scout (Men's), $149
• Duchess (Women's), $160
• Rogue (Women's), $180
• Captain (Men's), $199
• Explorer (Men's), $249

In 2017, 90% of US consumers said they enjoy eating hot and spicy food in a Kalsec survey. 

Despite the growing popularity, spicy foods do have a downside — they can cause health problems, especially if you have too much.

INSIDER spoke to several doctors to find out how spicy food can affect your health and what signs you should watch out for if you're overdoing it.

You experience heartburn.

Heartburn occurs when your stomach acid flows back up into your food pipe, causing a burning feeling in your chest.

"Hot peppers, spicy curry, and other spicy foods trigger a reflux of gastric juices of the stomach into the esophagus, which causes heartburn,"Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, MD, told INSIDER.

Plus, many spicy foods contain a compound called capsaicin, which slows down the rate at which you digest. The food, therefore, will stay in your stomach longer, increasing your risk of heartburn.

You're breaking out.

If you've ever accidentally touched your eye after eating spicy food, you know how much it can burn. Spicy ingredients, sauces, and dishes can be serious skin irritants and can also cause flare-ups in existing skin conditions.

Specifically, the side effects you may experience from eating spicy foods can increase your chances of a breakout. After a spicy meal, the body temperature rises and produces sweat, which triggers oils to be released in the skin. Dirt and bacteria get trapped by those oils, exacerbating skin conditions like acne.

"Spicy foods may cause people to break out,"Rebecca Tung, a dermatologist in La Grange Park, Illinois, told Allure. "When spicy food creates inflammation in the gut — from an upset stomach, acid reflux, or other symptoms — sometimes this inflammation can also be seen on the skin with flushing, acne breakout, or even eczema."

You have the runs.

Diarrhea can be caused by foods that contain oils, stimulants, artificial ingredients, and spices. In fact, spicy seasoning is one of the most common sources of food-induced diarrhea.

The capsaicin in some spicy foods can irritate the lining of the stomach or intestines, which may have a laxative effect in some people as the meal makes its way through their digestive system. 

• There are several hotels and resorts around the world that have their own rides and attractions, so you don't have to go far for fun.
• Some of those attractions include ferris wheels, roller coasters, and water slides.
• Staying at any of these 10 hotels would be like sleeping over at a theme park.

Forget those long days in the sun, waiting in line for drop slides, wave pools and Ferris wheels, because at these properties, it’s all just beyond your hotel room. These thrill-filled hotels aren’t just attached to theme parks, they actually are theme parks with jaw-dropping rides and water park experiences onsite.

At these entertainment megaplexes there’s no need to separate lodging from a vacation packed with family-friendly fun. From a surprise Southern adventure to a gravity-defying Caribbean slide and a roller coaster’s skyline view of Tokyo to a hotel in Las Vegas designed for energetic kids, these are the best fun-filled hotels around the world.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more.

JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America

Attached to the biggest mall in the country — which happens to host a theme park in its center —this luxury hotel has an unexpected amusement-packed twist. Nickelodeon Universe’s three roller coasters, five thrill rides, Ferris wheel, zipline and ropes course leave so much to twirl, spin and soar upon that you’ll likely never step foot outdoors. Whether you board a mountainous log flume in the morning or brave the SpongeBob SquarePants dive coaster at night, both will be just steps away from your pillow on this Minnesotan escape.

Tokyo Dome Hotel

Located within an open-to-the-public entertainment complex surrounding the city’s baseball arena, Tokyo Dome Hotel is a stone’s throw from attractions, shopping and most importantly, Thunder Dolphin roller coaster. With a heart-pounding 80-degree drop and 80 mph speeds, this ride zooms over the tops of neighboring buildings and right through the center of Tokyo Dome City’s Ferris wheel, all while giving passengers a glimpse of the metropolis’ stellar skyline.

Circus Circus Hotel & Resort

Many consider Las Vegas a Disney World for adults, and nowhere is that more true than Circus Circus. The hotel's five-acre, indoor Adventuredome theme park not only boasts 4-D theaters, a "Pacific Rim" motion simulator movie ride, laser adventures and bumper cars, but over a dozen rides for families and thrill-seekers alike. Did we mention two extreme roller coasters? Canyon Blaster’s record-breaking loops and double corkscrew turns propel riders up to 55 mph through the indoor amusement park while El Loco’s twists, upside-down suspension and 90-foot drop offer better entertainment than the hijinks Vegas is typically known for.

• Hope Hicks was the youngest-ever White House communications director.
• Next, she'll be taking on the role of chief communications officer at Fox, Business Insider reported.
• She got her start promoting Ivanka Trump's fashion brand, before earning Donald Trump's trust and becoming a part of his inner circle.

Hope Hicks was the youngest person to ever hold the position of White House communications director.

After she resigned from the White House in February of 2018, it was initially unclear how she'd follow up her run as one of US President Donald Trump's top confidants.

On October 8, however, it was announced that Hicks will be joining the team at Fox as the chief communications officer. She'll run public relations for Fox News, Fox Sports, and Fox Business, Business Insider reported.

During her tenure in the White House, Hicks was embroiled in a number of controversies. She previously admitted to telling "white lies" on behalf of the president, during an eight-hour testimony to the House Intelligence Committee.

Hicks was also romantically linked to former White House staff secretary Rob Porter. When Porter's two ex-wives went on the record alleging that Porter had a history of domestic abuse, Hicks reportedly helped Chief of Staff John Kelly craft a statement defending him.

She was also interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller's team regarding Russian interference in the US election.

Hicks had zero experience in politics before joining the Trump campaign in 2015. The New York Times reported the Greenwich, Connecticut native was "the third generation of her family to represent a powerful but highly controversial client." Her father ran PR for a tobacco company and the NFL, while her grandfather represented Texaco during the energy crisis in the 1970s.

"My father has been a huge influence on me, starting with introducing me to lacrosse, then a career in public relations and now politics," Hicks told Lacrosse Magazine.

Here's a look back at her career:

SEE ALSO: The incredible life of rumored Tillerson replacement and CIA director Mike Pompeo, a West Point valedictorian and Trump's go-to source on North Korea

DON'T MISS: A look inside the daily life of Kellyanne Conway, the loyal Trump adviser favored to become the White House's next communications director

Growing up in Greenwich, Connecticut, Hicks swam, and played golf and lacrosse.

Source: New York Times, NPR

At Greenwich High School, she became captain of the varsity lacrosse team, which ultimately won a state championship.

Source: New York Times, NPR

She also landed modeling jobs for television commercials, Ralph Lauren, and Vogue. Ford Modeling Agency represented Hicks and her sister Marcy Grace.

Source: New York Times, NPR

Many of us never get to see what goes on in the kitchens of our favorite restaurants. And that might be a good thing.

In a Reddit thread, chefs, cooks, and servers were asked which dishes they always avoid eating at restaurants. The responses ranged from enlightening to stomach-turning.

Here are a few types of foods that chefs and restaurant workers say they would never order. Although INSIDER can't independently verify this information, it's sure to make you think twice the next time you're handed a menu.

"The perfect breeding ground for bacteria ... "

"[Hollandaise sauce] is made of raw egg and butter (basically) that's kept hot enough to keep it thick, but not hot enough to cook the eggs. The perfect breeding ground for bacteria if it's not thrown out every four hours."— Redditor hendukush

"Never order a drink with milk."

"Having been a bartender, never order a drink with milk. There are hardly any drinks with milk, meaning hardly any milk is used. That partially-used quart they have behind the bar may have been sitting there for QUITE a while."— Redditor TillikumWasFramed

"It usually has mildew festering in it."

"As a former food inspector: [don't drink] beer that came from the tap. No one cleans the fountain and it usually has mildew festering in it."— Redditor alokinTESLA

When you're looking for a morning boost, there's nothing like a cup of coffee. But caffeine alone won't tide you over until lunchtime.

Keep reading to learn about 10 things that can add protein to your java fix, from butter to dried mushrooms.

Butter is a key ingredient in "Bulletproof" coffee.

"Bulletproof" coffee — a popular beverage among Paleo and Silicon Valley crowds — features butter as a primary ingredient.

This blend of grass-fed butter, medium-chain triglycerides (partially man-made fats found in coconut oil), and brewed coffee is designed to help drinkers stay full and burn fat by increasing the body's production of ketones.

Egg coffee is a Scandinavian innovation.

Coffee may be one of the more surprising things you can improve with an egg.

A Scandinavian innovation, egg coffee is a great way to get protein in your morning joe. It's brewed by boiling a mixture of raw egg, coffee grounds, and water, and then straining the concoction.

Blend whey protein and coffee for a cappuccino-like beverage.

You may be familiar with whey from the nursery rhyme "Little Miss Muffet," or from your local vitamin and supplements store, where it's typically sold as a powder.

Studies have shown that this milk protein, which is separated from casein or formed during cheese-making, boasts health benefits ranging from lowering cholesterol to supporting weight loss. It's also favored by gym-goers seeking to build up muscles.

Add whey protein to your coffee by stirring it in, or combine coffee and whey in a blender for a foamy beverage with a cappuccino-esque consistency.

After seven years together, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank are following in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's footsteps — tying the knot at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle surrounded by royals and high-profile guests. The wedding will be held on Friday, October 12, 2018, and broadcast around the world.

In honor of their upcoming nuptials, here's a look back at their royal romance.

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank met in Verbier, a ski resort in Switzerland popular with royals, through mutual friends in 2010.

Eugenie was 20 years old and Brooksbank was 24. He told the BBC that it was "love at first sight."

They attended the 2011 Royal Ascot together — their first royal event as a couple.

Kate Middleton was only invited to the Royal Ascot after marrying Prince William in 2011. Since Eugenie isn't a full-fledged working royal, she was able to bring a date that wasn't a spouse.

They also hit the red carpet at the UK premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises" in 2012.

Though Eugenie isn't a full-time princess, she still frequents royal engagements such as charity events and red carpets.

Whether you notice it or not, hair shedding is a normal, natural occurrence that takes place on a daily basis. Healthline reports that out of the 100,000+ hairs on our scalps, roughly 50 to 100 strands normally fall out per day.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case for many. If your shower drain is clogged with hair after each shower and your bedroom floor is scattered with falling strands on a daily basis, you may be experiencing abnormal hair loss.

It's important to monitor your tresses, as excessive hair loss and lack of regrowth can mean an array of underlying issues, including illnesses.

Here are some potential reasons why you may be experiencing hair loss.

Hair loss can be a symptom of various health issues.

A variety of health concerns — extending from hormonal changes to anemia and protein deficiency — can lead to hair loss. One of the most common health issues that leads to excess hair loss is alopecia, which is an autoimmune condition that causes the destruction of hair follicles.

Mental health issues, such as severe anxiety and stress, can also lead to balding.

"Be inquisitive regarding your health in order to address any hair loss issues," Peter Lamas, celebrity hairstylist and founder of the Peter Lamas hair care line, told INSIDER. "When you notice a change and your hair is thinning, see a doctor to address any health concerns that could be impacting your hair loss."

Medications can also lead to hair loss.

If you're taking any medication or are on a routine medical treatment (such as chemotherapy), then you may experience hair loss.

Although it's not always preventable, you may want to check the side effects of your medications and talk to your doctor to find out more.

Your excessive hair loss could be hereditary.

In some cases, your genetics may be at the root of your hair loss. Unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done to sway your DNA.

If you're aware that balding and hair loss is common in your family, you can take preventative measures to keep your hair and follicles healthy. Lamas suggests using scalp and hair products targeted to restore hair growth, as well as topical scalp treatments and medications.

New York's Comic Con brought a flood of fun, geek-related fare to Manhattan last week, from elaborate cosplay outfits to trailers for the latest superhero movies to incognito celebrities.

But for me, one of the best parts of the event were the video games. 

During the weekend thousands of attendees had a chance to play unreleased games at booths across the convention floor and developers were able to showcase their upcoming titles during exclusive panels.

Some games were more popular than others, requiring fans to wait in line for hours, but by the end of the weekend it felt like time well spent. From "Kingdom Hearts III" to "Jump Force," New York Comic Con gave me a bunch of new games to look forward to in the next six months.

Here are some of the Comic Con highlights for video game fans:

SEE ALSO: 'NBA 2K19' and other sports games have gone overboard with ads — and it's ruining the fun

The long awaited "Kingdom Hearts III" drew the biggest crowds.

As sequel more than a decade in the making, Kingdom Hearts III was the most anticipated game at Comic-Con this weekend and fans flooded the Square Enix booth hours in advance for a rare chance to demo the game ahead of its January 2019 release.

"Kingdom Hearts III "combines the worlds of Disney and Final Fantasy for a massive role playing adventure. The New York Comic Con demo allowed players to visit the realms of "Toy Story" and "Hercules" with Donald Duck and Goofy in tow. "Kingdom Hearts III" feels like a significant upgrade from its predecessors and the power of current consoles allows for much larger stages to explore.

The demo was so popular that Square Enix was forced to assign specific playtimes for the huge line of players that showed up every morning during the weekend. Even with slots scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., crowds gathered just to watch the game in action.

Kingdom Hearts III will be released worldwide on January 29th for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Returning to "Resident Evil 2" was frightening in all the right ways.

The original Resident Evil 2 was a definitive game in many ways, solidifying the survival horror genre and spinning an interwoven story through two campaigns. Capcom's remake is built from the ground up using the same game engine as last year's "Resident Evil 7." The upgraded technology allows for realistic flesh and gory effects.

Fans waited for hours at a time to play the demo, which let players choose between the two different campaigns. Leon's scenario took place early on in the game, when he arrives at the police department for his first day on the job in the middle of a zombie outbreak. Claire's scenario takes place later in the game and pits her against a mutated William Birkin, one of the game's major bosses.

Damage done to the ghouls appears in real time, and the game incorporates gruesome cutscenes to hammer home the sense of danger. Even though I've played the original version, the demo of the Resident Evil 2 remake had me scared to see what was waiting around the next corner.

"Resident Evil 2" drops for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on January 25, 2019.

"Devil May Cry 5" returns to the stylish roots of the franchise.

 Capcom's "Devil May Cry 5" looks like a return to form for the demon-hunting action series. After fans had a less-than-warm response to the 2014 reboot "DmC: Devil May Cry," the new game is a true sequel to 2008's "Devil May Cry 4." 

The New York Comic Con demo follows "DMC 4" protagonist Nero into Red Grave City during a demon invasion at the start of the game. Nero is already equipped with a few of his familiar weapons and the series' signature hack-and-slash gameplay feels stylish as ever. Though the game felt familiar to pick-up and play, facing off with Goliath, the boss at the end of the demo, provided the sort of challenge "Devil May Cry" is known for.

"Devil May Cry 5" uses the same engine as "Resident Evil 2," but with a focus on realistic facial animations and large cityscapes. The game already looks beautiful in its early stages and developers have promised that it will run at 60 frames per second with 4K resolution on Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro.

"Devil May Cry 5" will be released on March 8, 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

• Tesla CEO Elon Musk has attracted controversy for his statements on August 7 about taking Tesla private.
• The announcement, which took a lot of people by surprise, started a wild few weeks of speculation and accusation, with Musk at the center.
• On August 24, Musk formally abandoned the go-private plan and said Tesla would remain a public company.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk shocked observers when he said on August 7 that he was thinking about taking the company private.

That plan came to an abrupt conclusion on August 24, when Musk and Tesla formally abandoned the idea. They had whipped up a whirlwind that got the attention of everyone, including Wall Street regulators.

Here's what you need to know to make sense of the saga.

SEE ALSO: Apple, Waymo, and even Amazon will have a huge advantage against Tesla in the race to launch self-driving taxis, one Wall Street analyst says

November 15: Elon Musk says in a Rolling Stone interview that he wishes Tesla were a private company.

"I wish we could be private with Tesla,"Musk said in the interview. "It actually makes us less efficient to be a public company."

July 31: Musk is said to have met with the managing director of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.

Musk said in a statement published on Tesla's website on August 13 that he had a meeting with the managing director of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund on July 31.

Musk said that during this meeting, the director "expressed regret that I had not moved forward previously on a going private transaction with them, and he strongly expressed his support for funding a going private transaction for Tesla at this time."

"I understood from him that no other decision makers were needed and that they were eager to proceed," Musk added. "I left the July 31st meeting with no question that a deal with the Saudi sovereign fund could be closed, and that it was just a matter of getting the process moving."

The Saudi sovereign fund did not respond to a request for comment.

August 1: Tesla reports second-quarter earnings amid fear the company is running out of cash.

Tesla reported an adjusted loss per share of $3.06 for the second quarter — larger than what analysts had predicted — and revenue of $4 billion, which beat analyst projections.

Its cash burn, $739.5 million, was lower than analysts expected. The company said it expected to be profitable in the second half of 2018.

"Going forward, we believe Tesla can achieve sustained quarterly profits, absent a severe force majeure or economic downturn, while continuing to grow at a rapid pace,"the company said.

Musk also apologized for saying during Tesla's first-quarter earnings call in May that Antonio Sacconaghi, a Bernstein analyst, had asked "boring, bonehead questions."

"I'd like to apologize for being impolite on the prior call," Musk said on the second-quarter earnings call. "Honestly, I really think there's no excuse for bad manners, and I was kind of violating my own rule in that regard. There are reasons for it in that I had gotten no sleep, had been working 110-hour, 120-hour weeks, but nonetheless, there's still no excuse."

• Lululemon founder Chip Wilson has published a tell-all ebook that eviscerates the company's current and former directors and chief executives.
• In the book, titled "Little Black Stretchy Pants," Wilson writes that Lululemon "self-imploded" by allegedly lowering investments in quality control and focusing too heavily on strategies that would drive up the company's stock price.
• He claims that he told ex-Lululemon CEO Christine Day in a meeting that she was a "world-class chief operations officer" but a "terrible CEO" and alleges that she "fake" cried in response.
• Wilson rails against the term "athleisure," saying it denotes a "non-athletic, smoking, Diet Coke-drinking woman in a New Jersey shopping mall wearing an unflattering pink velour tracksuit."

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson has published a tell-all ebook that eviscerates the company's current and former directors and chief executives, as well as the media and Wall Street analysts.

In the book, titled "Little Black Stretchy Pants," Wilson writes that Lululemon "self-imploded" when its executives, and particularly former CEO Christine Day, allegedly focused too much on driving up the company's stock price and in turn, lowered investments in quality control.

This strategy, Wilson claims, ultimately led to Lululemon's catastrophic 2013 recall of 17% of its pants for being too sheer, which cost the company about $60 million. 

"A lifetime of research into how to make best-in-the-world non-transparent black stretch pants all came undone in an instant," Wilson writes in the new ebook. "The sheerness issue was our fault, plain and simple. I was mortified for Lululemon."

Wilson addresses a variety of other surprising and somewhat unpopular opinions and topics throughout the book, including his tacit support for child labor and his belief that the birth control pill led to higher divorce rates and breast cancer.

Here are some of the most interesting highlights:

SEE ALSO: The founder of Lululemon is now one of the 500 richest people in the world

Wilson addresses his 2013 interview with Bloomberg, in which he said Lululemon pants "don't work" for some women's bodies. Wilson writes that the "catastrophic" interview "ruined" him.

When asked in 2013 why customers were complaining that their pants were pilling, Wilson told Bloomberg TV: "Frankly some women's bodies just don't actually work for it."

He went on to say: "They don't work for some women's bodies ... it's really about the rubbing through the thighs, how much pressure is there over a period of time, how much they use it."

His remarks were widely condemned.

"With those words and that sound bite, I was ruined," he writes in the new book. "From the Bloomberg moment on, nothing would be the same. My comments were the antithesis of everything I stood for, and of everything the women of Lululemon and I had built. The ramifications for the company, for my family, and for everyone involved were catastrophic. I made a mistake, and I was going to pay heavily for it."

In the aftermath of the interview, Lululemon's board of directors painted him as the "weird uncle," he told Business Insider in an interview. 

This gave the board the power to shift the conversation from quality issues to a "wildcard founder" who was sinking the ship, he said.

But Wilson still stands by his belief that pilling problems with Lululemon's leggings were caused by women squeezing into pants that were too small.

Wilson writes that his comments were misinterpreted and "what was simple was made scandalous."

"With the pilling, what I eventually discovered was that some women were buying the pants two to four sizes smaller than necessary, with body shaping in mind," he writes. "If enough stress is placed on any object, fractures will occur."

Wilson also suggests that The New York Times might have accepted a bribe in return for publishing a negative story about Lululemon in 2007.

The Times wrote a story in 2007 accusing Lululemon of making false claims that its clothing contained seaweed. The story cited lab testing as evidence that the claims were false. 

"When I read it, my first thought was that it was mean-spirited," Wilson recalls in the book. "Lululemon was all about love so I couldn't imagine why someone would ever write something like that."

Wilson says he wouldn't doubt that a short-seller paid the Times to write the story.

If "short sellers want to ensure profits, then the smart ones will manufacture a false story that will impact the stock," Wilson writes. "There is so much money to be made I wouldn't doubt a backroom payoff to the writer."

• Just because your spouse has the flu doesn't mean you'll inevitably get sick.
• It's hard to contain germs if you're sharing an enclosed space, but wearing a mask or staying at least six feet away from your sick loved one for a few days can help.
• To keep yourself healthy, manage your stress, keep everything clean, and get lots of rest.

When the flu hits home and your partner or roommate becomes a flu-shedding germ-bag, many people resign themselves to getting sick. 

Although flu viruses are extremely contagious and tough to contain, there are a few simple ways you can reduce your risk of getting hit — even while caring for an ill friend or loved one. We've rounded up some of the easiest things you can do to prevent yourself from catching a case of the flu at home.

Here are nine ways to minimize your risk.

SEE ALSO: The deadly flu epidemic sweeping the US is still spreading — here's everything you need to know

If you've gotten your shot, you'll be in better flu-fighting shape.

The flu vaccine has been reformulated this year, and is available in both a shot and a mist. Vaccine makers are hopeful that this year's formulation will provide better protection against some of the nastiest strains of the flu than last year's shot.

In addition to preventing more than one in three cases of the flu, a flu vaccine can also boost your immunity and make your case of the flu a milder one if you do get it.

Flu season typically ramps up in October, so if you haven't gotten your vaccine yet, and you don't feel sick right now, it's a great time to get a dose.

Be especially cautious for the first two to three days, and stay six feet away from the germy person during that time.

People are much more likely to get infected with the flu from being around other sick people than they are from touching virus-laden surfaces.

Person-to-person transmission of the flu can happen when an infected person is talking, coughing, sneezing, or even just breathing near someone else. The virus can be transmitted through the air to anyone within six feet, so the easiest way to avoid getting sick is to keep your distance.

A 2008 study in Hong Kong found that most “viral shedding” – when you’re really passing the germs around – happens in the first two or three days after a person gets sick with the flu. Day 2 tends to be the worst, but that can vary.

Once a person has been fever-free without the help of drugs for a full 24 hours, that's an indicator that they're ready to re-enter the world, and won't share their flu with you, either. 

Consider wearing some protection.

If you live in a crowded household, it's best to assign a single person to care for the sicko and keep everyone else far away.

The care-giver may want to wear a mask and disposable gloves when they visit their "patient" to avoid breathing in or picking up any flu particles. 

The virus lasts for about 15 minutes inside of a tissue, and on hard surfaces for a full day.

It can be incredibly tempting to want to get a dog. There are, however, many things you need to take into consideration before taking the leap. 

Although dogs can provide unwavering happiness and great company, they can also be expensive and time-consuming. 

Read more: 7 things I wish I'd known before adopting a dog

Here are 10 signs you aren’t ready for a dog, as much as you might want one.

You don't like to wake up early.

Dogs have no concept of time, as they are constantly in-and-out of sleep. They do, however, know when they have to go to the bathroom. This usually means in the early hours of the morning, especially for new puppies.

Dr. Carolyn Lincoln, a vet, dog trainer, and owner of Play to Behave, told PetMD, that one of the hardest adjustments for owners to make is getting up early for puppies.

"People think 5:30 a.m. is the middle of the night. But puppies and children tend to naturally wake up around 5:30. You may have to just adapt to that," she said. 

You live in a small space.

Living in a small space is tough enough by yourself. Adding a dog into the mix makes it even more difficult. Before you decide to get a dog, take a look at your surroundings and decide whether a dog could be comfortable in your home. It's also important to do your research and find a dog breed that's best adapted to live in small spaces.

If you have no room for a crate, food and water bowls, and a dog bed, you may want to reconsider getting a dog.

Read more: 12 lazy dog breeds that make the perfect low-maintenance pets

You work long hours.

If you are out the door at 7:30 a.m. and don't come back for over eight hours, this means your pup will spend a lot of time alone at home.

Cindy Carter, DVM, wrote for TexVetPets that dogs will need to go out at least twice a day. If you're working often, Carter recommends you consider enrolling them in a doggie daycare on your work days.  

• Sears has reportedly hired advisors to help it prepare for bankruptcy following a years-long death spiral. 
• More than 3,800 stores are set to close across the United States in 2018. 
• Retailers including Walgreens, Toys R Us, and Gap are closing hundreds of stores each. 
• A retail apocalypse is ripping through the industry, leaving clearance sales and empty malls in its wake.

The retail apocalypse has descended on America. 

More than 3,800 stores are expected to close across the country this year. Department stores like Macy's, Sears, and JCPenney, and retailers including Toys R Us, BCBG, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Bebe have decided to close dozens of stores.

Now, Sears could be set to file for bankruptcy as soon as this week, The Wall Street Journal reports. According to people with knowledge of the situation, the struggling retailer has hired M-III Partners to put together a bankruptcy filing. 

Sears isn't the only company that is struggling to adjust to the rise of e-commerce and the fall of foot traffic. With vacancy rates continuing to rise, walking through a mall in 2018 is like walking through a graveyard.

Here's photographic evidence that a retail apocalypse is hitting the United States hard:

SEE ALSO: 50 haunting photos of abandoned shopping malls across America

Perhaps most emblematic of the retail apocalypse are photos of dead malls.

As customers increasingly shop online, malls are suffering the consequences.

Visits to malls declined by 50% from 2010 to 2013, according to the real-estate research firm Cushman & Wakefield.

• You may be looking to escape New York City for a weekend without compromising your wallet or limited vacation days.
• There are quick weekend getaways, like Bermuda or Tulum, that you can visit from New York City in five hours or less.
• Here are the best destinations within five hours of New York City.

Summer may be over, but that doesn't mean you can't book a vacation before the winter doldrums hit.

It doesn't have to mean taking a two-week trip to the Grecian islands — if you can get there on a direct flight in five hours or less, you can make a four-day weekend feel like a complete getaway. In four days, you can enter full vacation mode without spending a fortune on lodging — and you only need two take vacation days.

Plus, a short flight won't take too much time away from beaching, lounging, sightseeing, and eating your way through your chosen destination.

One of the biggest hurdles is deciding where to go if you have time constraints. While I'm grateful for the abundance of travel resources out there on the internet, sometimes the options are just too overwhelming. I could spend a full week on the Kayak Explore function and never actually book a ticket thanks to overstimulation and indecision.

Based on your timeframe, you've got to just pick a part of the world that makes sense from an itinerary perspective, and narrow down your options from there. To help you pick your next getaway, we’ve pulled together 10 of the best destinations within a five hour direct flight from New York City.

SEE ALSO: 100 trips everyone should take in their lifetime, according to the world's top travel experts

DON'T MISS: 5 easy tips that could save you hundreds when booking vacation rentals

1. Bermuda

For New Yorkers, Bermuda is arguably the closest tropical destination. It’s a two and a half hour direct flight from New York, with round-trip tickets starting around $280 round trip. Made up of over 150 islands, Bermuda is only about 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina. (Just keep hurricane season, June to November, in mind before you book.)

2. Iceland

You can sometimes book a non-stop flight to Reykjavik for under $300. It’s a five-and-a-half-hour flight (which, OK, is slightly more than five hours), but a bit of extra flight time can get you all the way to the home of the Blue Lagoon and quite a few “Game of Thrones” filming locations. Five hours seems minor when you consider that it gets you all the way to the land of Aurora Borealis.

3. Miami, Florida

You don’t need to leave the country for a tropical getaway. Miami is so much more than just beaches and nightlife — the Capital of Latin America has incredible food options and culture galore. Plus, three-hour direct flights start at $250.

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• A good body scrub is a necessity if you want soft and smooth skin. The exfoliating treatments work to get rid of dull, dry skin to leave your body looking and feeling smoother.

• Our top pick is the Herbivore Coco Rose Body Polish because it is an all-natural scrub that hydrates while exfoliating skin. 

When it comes to skincare products for your body, body scrubs are oftentimes overlooked in favor of lotions and body wash. But the exfoliating treatments should be included in your skincare routines if you want to achieve silky smooth skin. While you can also scrub away dull, dry skin by using loofahs or dry brushes, nothing will leave your skin feeling squeaky-clean quite like a good body scrub.

Not only do they exfoliate to reveal smoother and softer skin, but they also help other parts of your skincare routines become more effective. Using a body scrub before applying self-tanners will help you achieve a streak-free glow, and they also help prevent the growth of in-grown hairs when used before and after waxing or shaving.

Besides seeing and feeling smoother skin instantly, body scrubs often provide extra skin benefits as well. Some work to moisturize skin as they exfoliate, while others feature acne-fighting ingredients to help prevent body breakouts. Plus most scrubs smell amazing, making that all that extra time you’ll be spending in the shower totally worth it.

Ready to start scrubbing for softer and more supple skin? We’ve rounded up the best body scrubs you can buy. Whether you're looking for a deep exfoliation, trying to clear up skin, or just want to add a new step to your weekly pampering sessions, these are the body scrubs to keep on your radar.

Here are the best body scrubs you can buy:

• Best body scrub overall: Herbivore Coco Rose Body Polish
• Best coffee body scrub: Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub
  
• Best salt body scrub: Ole Henriksen Rub n’ Buff Transforming Salt Scrub
  
• Best sugar boy scrub: Tree Hut Coconut Lime Shea Sugar Scrub
  
• Best gel body scrub: Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub
  

Read on in the slides below to check out our top picks.

The best body scrub overall

Why you'll love it: The Herbivore Coco Rose Body Polish is an all-natural body scrub that looks and smells fantastic.

With its millennial pink color and sleek minimalistic label, the Herbivore Coco Rose Body Polish makes a stylish addition to any bathroom. But don’t let it’s pretty packaging fool you, the all-natural, cruelty-free product works so well, it will completely transform your skin.

The scrub’s sugar granules work to slough away dry, dead skin, while the virgin coconut oil and Moroccan rose oil work to moisturize and hydrate skin. Plus shoppers say that the fruity floral smell makes you feel like you've been instantly transported to a tropical island.

It has a Clean seal at Sephora, which means it is made without the ingredients customers told the retailer they’d most like to avoid, including sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehyde, and phthalates. The scrub is also vegan, gluten and silicone-free, and noncomedogenic.

Experts and shoppers agree that the pretty pink scrub is one of the best options available in stores now. It made both Allure and Elle Magazine’s lists for Best Body Scrubs and has more than 30,000 likes on Sephora with shoppers giving it 4.5 out of 5-stars.

One Sephora shopper wrote, “Man, I love this stuff. I usually don't like oil-based scrubs because they feel slimy or filmy, even after rinsing. This one rinses nicely and I don't need moisturizer after. It doesn't make my shower a slippery death trap, either. The smell is wonderful and the granules are effective, but not too harsh.”

A few people said they initially stayed away because of the price, but after trying it, they can’t stop using the scrub. They also said you will eventually save money in the long run as you no longer have to use a body lotion after showering, thanks to how moisturizing the scrub is.

Pros: All-natural, clean seal at Sephora, gentle but effective exfoliator, very hydrating, nice smell, works on all skin types

Cons: Pricey

Buy the Herbivore Coco Rose Body Polish at Sephora for $36

The best coffee body scrub

Why you'll love it: The Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub is an invigorating body scrub that will leave your skin feeling nourished and incredibly soft. 

You’ve probably seen the Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub all over your Instagram feeds and for good reason. The Australian-made body scrub has gained a cult following thanks to its fast-acting natural ingredients that buff away dry, flaky skin.

The scrub’s main ingredient is ground roasted robusta coffee beans that work to exfoliate skin while the beans natural smell help give your morning shower an extra jolt. The coffee beans are infused with organic cacao extract to help diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Meanwhile, the almond and macadamia oil work together to leave skin soft and hydrated.

Peruse the reviews on Ulta, where the scrub has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5-stars, and you'll see shoppers praising how well the scrub exfoliates and nourishes their skin. Reviewers are such a big fan of this product that 97% said they would recommend it to a friend.

One reviewer named Meg wrote, “I love this scrub so much! It smells amazing and it feels great scrubbing on. You can feel your skin getting cleaner. Once you wash it all off you're smooth and energized. I love this product!”

While the product is totally effective and easy to use, customers did warn the scrub can be messy as it is loosely packed. So they recommend planning ahead and only using the scrub when you have the time to clean up your shower after using it.

Pros: Great exfoliator, targets fine lines and wrinkles, hydrating and nourishing, affordable

Cons: It can be messy

Buy the Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub at Ulta for $16.95

The best salt body scrub

Why you'll love it: The Ole Henriksen Rub n’ Buff Transforming Salt Scrub is a hydrating exfoliator that works to remove dry, rough, and dead skin.

One of the biggest misconceptions about body scrubs is that they leave your skin feeling either scrubbed raw and dried out or slick and oily. The Ole Henriksen Rub n’ Buff Transforming Salt Scrub is here to change all that.

The effective sea salt scrub is infused with both lemongrass and sweet almond oils, which work to smooth and soften skin. But unlike other scrubs that are infused with hydrating oils, this scrub doesn’t leave your skin with a greasy residue.

Customers agree that the scrub’s sea salt granules were a very effective exfoliator but were still small enough that they are not abrasive on skin. During a consumer study, 91% of users said that after using the product for one week the scrub left their skin feeling smooth and soft.

The scrub has more than 3,000 likes on Sephora with a 3.6-star rating. One buyer wrote, “This is by far my favorite body scrub EVER! It smells so amazing! The combination of lemongrass and lavender oil compliment this product so well! I use it with my hands, not a loofah, so it exfoliates my body and hands! It also works great on dry heels and elbows! The icing on the cake? I smell sticks to my skin so nice, and helps me sleep! HIGHLY recommend!!!”

A few reviewers mentioned the high cost of the body scrub but noted that a small amount of the scrub goes a long way, so the large 22 oz tub will last for months.

Pros: Great exfoliator, deeply hydrating, leaves skin soft but not oily, spa-like smell

Cons: Expensive

Buy the Ole Henriksen Rub n’ Buff Transforming Salt Scrub at Sephora for $44

In August, Netflix released "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," a rom-com about a 16-year-old girl who lost her mom and saw her older sister go off to college. In the film, Lara Jean, played by Lana Condor writes multiple letters to boys she's loved in the past.

The film received praise from the internet and critics alike with many people thrilled to see an Asian-American actress in a lead role. 

For all the "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" fans, here are 20 surprising things you probably never knew about the film. 

Jenny Han, the author of the book that inspired the movie, made rom-com recreations with the "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" cast.

Author Jenny Han re-created all your favorite romantic comedies while messing around on set with the cast of "To All the Boys I've Loved Before."

As a result, all of us can enjoy this Lana Condor/Noah Centineo recreation of the infamous dance scene from "Dirty Dancing." And also this Israel Broussard tribute to Judd Nelson in "The Breakfast Club."

Han also convinced Madeleine Arthur to hold up a boom box a la John Cusack in "Say Anything" and Noah Centineo to re-enact Heath Ledger's bleacher dance from "10 Things I Hate About You."

Netflix has a Spotify playlist for "To All the Boys I've Loved Before."

There are certain times when you just can't watch "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" on repeat. Like, for example, when you're supposed to be doing work.

But for those times, there's Netflix's Spotify playlist, which features all your favorite songs from the film. 

The lock screen photo from the movie happened completely by accident.

Director Susan Johnson sat down with "Entertainment Tonight" and revealed the story behind the photo.

"I don't think this will blow any magic in telling you what happened with that. That was actually one of our crew members who took that photo. The two of them were in the green room on set at the high school location, in the area where we put the actors. They actually were sleeping on the couch in that room like that, so we just stood over them and took that picture and it's so friggin' cute," she said. 

As the US Army pursues accelerated modernization to meet future demands of high-end warfighting adversaries like Russia and China, the service is searching for an elite next-generation combat vehicle to replace the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle produced by BAE Systems.

The Next-Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) program is the second highest priority for the recently-established Army Futures Command. This brand new four-star command is dedicated to the research and development of future weapons systems for this new era of great power competition with Russia and China.

"The Russians and the Chinese have used the last 15 years to modernize their forces," Brig. Gen. Ross Coffman, director of the NGCV cross-functional team, told reporters Tuesday, "We need to do the same."

Here's some of their leading options for the next combat vehicle.

Replacing the Bradley Fighting Vehicle is the top priority for the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle program

The primary focus right now is replacing the Bradley with an Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), although the requirements are still in the works, with Army officials noting that "all options are on the table." The Army's NGCV cross-functional team is looking for something lethal, survivable, and most importantly upgradeable so that it can continue to meet the Army's needs for year's to come, NGCV team leaders explained Tuesday at the 2018 Association of the United States Army conference in Washington, DC.

The Army appears to be pursuing a vehicle that can be reconfigured for different missions, has an outstanding power-to-weight ratio for intensity-based and technological upgrades and modifications, and can wage war in both urban and rural environments to provide a deterrent force in Europe and beyond.

The program is expected to issue an official request for proposals later this year, and companies will have around six months to prepare their offers. The NGCV program expects to field its new OMFV in 2026. This Futures Command team is also looking at a new Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) option, Robotic Command Vehicle (RCV), and replacement for the M1 Abrams tank, but the expected delivery dates for these projects are farther out.

There are three full-scale OMFV concepts put foward by BAE Systems, Raytheon and Rheinmetall, and General Dynamics on display at AUSA 2018, although there may be more potential designs later on when the official request for proposals is sent out. While the three concepts on the floor offer many similar features, each vehicle brings something unique to the table.

Characterizing it as a conversation starter, BAE Systems is offering the latest version of its proven combat vehicle — the CV90 Mark IV

There are 15 variants of the Combat Vehicle (CV) 90 in service in seven nations, so BAE Systems is coming to the table with the latest iteration of a proven vehicle. "We're pretty proud of this vehicle," a spokesman for the company told Business Insider at AUSA. "We brought this as our best way to start a conversation with the Army and help the Army help us figure out what it is that soldiers need."

The strengths of this vehicle, according to its makers, include its growth potential and the mission-specific modularity and flexibility.

"On the left and right sides of it are boxes, they look like they are bolted on, those are weapons station modules," the spokesman explained, "On [the left] side, you have a Spike missile module connected to the vehicle, and on the right side, you have a 7.62 coaxial machine gun with 2,000 ready rounds in the box."

Those modular systems are all on attachment points, meaning that they could be swapped out for other modules, such as a Mark 19 grenade launcher, to suit the mission at hand. "It gives the Army, the unit commander, and the vehicle commander the maximum flexibility they need based on the mission," he said, calling it "sexy."

In addition to this flexibility, there is also growth potential in the vehicle weight. The vehicle has a maximum weight of 40 tons. The floor model weighed around 30 tons, allowing for the addition of extra armor and weapons systems should the intended mission require these modifications.

The CV90 Mark IV comes with a number of other potentially desirable features and capabilities as well

The vehicle's 35 mm cannon can be easily modified should the Army show an interest in a 50 mm main gun, something Col. Jim Schirmer, the project lead for the NGVC, told reporters Tuesday that the Army is seriously considering.

The BAE Systems vehicle also features a drive-by-wire system for manned and unmanned missions, advanced data transfer capabilities, enhanced survivability as it sits low to the ground (hard to see, hard to hit), advanced 360 surveillance, smart targeting systems, airburst munitions for counter-drone warfare, and active protection systems that can be modified as the Army presents a clearer picture of what it expects.

This month marks 10 years since music-streaming service Spotify launched, and to celebrate, the company revealed its most popular artists, albums, and songs of the last decade in a campaign called "Decade of Discovery."

In the decade since its debut, Spotify has helped redefine how we listen to music and now has 180 million monthly active listeners across 65 countries.

With its "Decade of Discovery" playlist, Spotify collected the most-streamed songs of the last 10 years for users to listen to here. Its top global artists of the decade include mostly pop and rap musicians, from Drake to Ariana Grande.

Below are the 10 most globally streamed artists on Spotify of the last 10 years:

SEE ALSO: After missing its original release date and angering fans, Kanye West's next album is now scheduled to come out in November

10. Ariana Grande

9. Calvin Harris

8. Justin Bieber