Listen up, Sherlock fans. Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, co-creators of the BBC hit, have something to tell you: John Watson and Sherlock Holmes are not, and will never be, in love. That’s right, Johnlock shippers, you’re out of luck. And not only are Sherlock and John never getting together, Gatiss and Moffat are sick of even talking about it.

After a successful appearance at San Diego Comic-Con to tease Sherlock Season 4, Moffat and Gatiss sat down for an interview with With An Accent, where they dismissed any hope for Johnlock to be canon in the series. "We’ve explicitly said this is not going to happen — there is no game plan — no matter how much we lie about other things, that this show is going to culminate in Martin [Freeman, who plays John] and Benedict [Cumberbatch, who plays Sherlock] going off into the sunset together. They are not going to do it,” Gatiss said.

More: Fan fiction: Where Harry Potter, Sherlock same-sex love stories come to life

If Gatiss sounds fed up with addressing the topic of John and Sherlock’s sexuality, it’s because he is. Both Gatiss and Moffat come off as extremely frustrated throughout the interview, mainly because they feel that their words are constantly being twisted to confirm a John/Sherlock romance. Moffat was especially enraged after his comments on minority representation in science fiction during a panel appearance with Bryan Fuller were taken by some as confirmation of Johnlock. "It is infuriating, frankly, to be talking about a serious subject and to have Twitter run around and say, oh, that means Sherlock is gay. Very explicitly it does not. We are taking a serious subject and trivializing it beyond endurance," Moffat said.

While I understand why Moffat and Gatiss are frustrated, getting angry at fans is not the answer. In fact, some fans' desire to twist their words is, honestly, a good thing. Fans care so much about the show and the Johnlock ship that they will look for any clues, no matter how minor or convoluted, to prove their fan theories. That means that fans are involved, they are dedicated, they are engaged. To complain about fans twisting your words seems small and petty, especially considering the amount of money Sherlock is most certainly earning for Gatiss and Moffat.

More:  What would Sherlock be like in bed? Let Benedict Cumberbatch tell you

Moffat and Gatiss also blamed the press for perpetuating this twisting of words. By trying to make the most out of any and all Sherlock coverage, they said, media outlets will make entire articles out of nonstatements, which, again, is an extremely shortsighted critique. Sherlock, with its long breaks and short seasons, would not still be in production today if it weren’t for a strong fandom and, yes, the press. Make no mistake: It’s the fans and the press that keep the show alive for the years at a time when Sherlock is not on the air.

Furthermore, for Moffat to say that fans are trivializing his very serious comments about representation in science fiction is absurd. It is not entirely ridiculous for fans to take his desire for more diverse representation on the screen to mean hope for John and Sherlock. Suggesting that Johnlock could become canon in Sherlock’s fourth season does absolutely nothing to belittle the importance of representation. And, frankly, if Moffat cares so much about the representation of minorities in science fiction, he could stand to actually include more minorities and women in his shows — including Sherlock.

More: Sherlock's new promo serves as a reminder that Moffat's still sexist (VIDEO)

The bottom line is: When they call out overenthusiastic fans for shipping Johnlock a little too hard, Moffat and Gatiss aren’t setting the record straight or protecting themselves from future fan rage. They are telling viewers and fans to not be as engaged with the show.

To be fair to the creators, in that same interview, Moffat and Gatiss both made clear that they supported fans and other creators having different interpretations of the Sherlock story. "We’re not telling anyone what to think. Mark isn’t saying other people can’t write that version of John and Sherlock getting together. We’re not [writing that story]," Moffat added. Unfortunately for Moffat, to fans, it really does feel like he is trying to tell them what to think.

Explicit or not, the message Moffat and Gatiss are sending is that fans who ship Johnlock in the context of their show are wrong and should simply stop hoping for it. As if it were that simple. As if those fans didn’t have a real place as part of the series. Like it or not, fans are what keep television shows alive. However fans twist their words or interpret their teasing about future episodes does not, and clearly will not, affect the show Gatiss and Moffat are writing. So maybe, instead of complaining about it, they should just accept it as part of the love and adoration Sherlock has received and move on. And if they can’t do that, then maybe they just shouldn't go blabbing about it to the press.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

We sat down with Chad Michael Murray to ask him about being a new dad, about his new film, Outlaws and Angels, and whether he'll be part of the new Gilmore Girls reboot.

The new feminist-slanted Western Outlaws and Angels stars Chad Michael Murray as Henry, a bandit on the run with two of his thugs. When the criminals take temporary refuge at the home of George Tilden (Ben Browder), his wife, Ada (Teri Polo), and their two teen daughters, Florence (Francesca Eastwood) and Charlotte (Madisen Beaty), they uncover a viper pit of secrets and abuse, blurring the line between good and evil. Henry's visit becomes a catalyst that incites the perfect storm of vengeance, violence and hard-won female independence. But rest assured: a lot of blood will be spilled first.

"Our motto was, 'More blood, more sweat, more dirt,'" said Murray, and he wasn't exaggerating. If you're a fan of Quentin Tarantino, you'll love this movie, which dishes out its brutality with a slice of humor. Farting corpses? Sure. Endless blood splattering? You bet. But is sweet justice served in the end? Absolutely. And then some.

If you're surprised to see Murray playing a gun-toting gangster, you're not alone. "I wouldn't have cast me in the role," he admitted. But he was certainly glad writer/director J.T. Mollner did.

In the film, Henry becomes captivated by young Florence, who’s eager to leave her home even if it means signing up for a life of crime. But Florence is no shrinking violet. Eastwood plays the role with an understated desperation and toughness that makes her vulnerable without being overly fragile — the way women had to be to survive on the real Western frontier.

It's easy to see why Henry is fascinated by her. But Murray claimed that Florence's strength is what made Henry love her and that beneath all the brutality, there's a love story.

"I love when there's a film with a strong male lead and a strong female lead — both equally so you can have the yin and yang and everyone has something to connect to and identify with. Everyone is an outlaw or an angel — they’re all battling their own demons. So yes, it's a love story," Murray said.

Murray and wife Sarah Roemer have a 1-year-old son, and he said that being a new dad factors into all of his career decisions, making him very careful about the roles he chooses. "I want to make my family proud," he said. "Everything's a discussion. I don't want to do anything gratuitous. Sometimes letting the imagination run is far sexier than just putting it all out there."

He recognizes that any movie about the Wild West is going to be violent because it was simply a time and place ruled by outlaws with guns. But Murray struggles to understand gun violence in America today.

"Am I angry about what's going on in the world? I'd be lying if I said I wasn't," he said, going on to suggest an American experiment where one state would go gun-free for a set period of time. "Find a test state, somewhere up by Canada where they don't carry guns so it’s not so easy to import them, and do a five-year ban. See what happens over those five years. Just test it out. If it goes well, then OK, that's the answer. If it doesn't, then we know that's not the answer either. It's not the guns that are the problems; it's the people who are flawed."

So, on the lighter side of things, we had to ask Murray if he'll be joining the Gilmore Girls reboot. Sad news: With his busy schedule, he said, it's just not feasible. He has fond memories of his character, Tristan, however: "I love Tristan and he was a great moment. I hope something cool comes up for him."

Outlaws and Angels opened on Friday, July 15. Don't forget to check it out.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below!

Idiot hookers, lend me your ears: We finally got our first taste of Season 2 of Scream Queens, and it's pretty much everything we could hope for. A very quick but extremely fabulous promo was released today, and it prominently featured our favorite she-demons. You guessed it — the Chanels are back.

Apparently, Season 2 will be taking place three years after Season 1. Now the once-lavishly living Chanels are straight-up broke and repaying their debt to society by working in an asylum-turned-hospital that is run by Dean Munsch. We will be seeing these ladies wearing plain old scrubs sometime soon. But as the promo shows, even down on their luck, the Chanels know how to keep it gaudy. Isn't that what we root for? Keep it campy AF, please.

More: Scream Queens' Oliver Hudson reveals where Season 2 will take place

Unfortunately, reactions to Season 2 have been mixed. A lot of people are really peeved to see the Chanels back in action as the same characters from Season 1. When Scream Queens was originally announced as a series, people were under the impression that Ryan Murphy would be formatting it exactly like American Horror Story. Of course, we know American Horror Story is a legitimate anthology series that brings different characters and themes/settings to every season but uses the same set of actors.

More: Scream Queens: 6 exciting details about Season 2

What people don't understand is that Scream Queens is only sort of an anthology. The same actors and the same characters will be coming back in different settings. As much as we all love American Horror Story, is it really that bad to have a Ryan Murphy show that isn't exactly the same formula? We can't possibly expect him to only follows the anthology format with each new project he does. People love the Chanels as characters. There's nothing wrong with bringing back beloved characters each season like other shows do. Even though the anthology format works to perfection for American Horror Story, Ryan Murphy should be able to flex his creative muscles a little bit and bring his characters further than the one season.

More: Scream Queens: 10 Red Devil clues we should have seen

Sure, the Chanels are not super deep and complex characters, but they're fun and they are perfect characters to use in a variety of different settings. Personally, I think that they were pretty expected in a sorority house. It will be pretty fun to see them play their way down the hall in a dreary hospital setting. I think change is good, guys. Let's all embrace Ryan Murphy's genius in whatever form he chooses to delight us with it.

Are you happy that the Chanels will be back for Season 2 of Scream Queens? Let us know in the comments!

For the mushy, gooey, nurturing Cancer, only one sex position truly matters — cuddling. Crabs are the Olympic champions of (non-sexual) spooning, deliciously long hugging and gently stroking whatever hurts (both in body and soul.)

Speaking of mushy and gooey, waking up with chocolate chip cookie crumbs between your thighs is highly likely. This sign gets off on eating in bed — sometimes directly off their partner’s body.

A Cancer in ecstasy is a Cancer licking whipped cream or chocolate sauce off of someone’s belly or having it licked it off of their own. This sign rules the stomach and the breasts, and these body parts must be part of the overall Cancerian sexual experience — which in itself is like a five-course meal in a four-star restaurant. (More on the breasts in a bit.)

Before you get to the crumbs-in-bed stage, there is the wooing stage, and for the security-oriented Cancer, this can take a bit of time. This is not the sign that typically jumps into bed. An emotional water sign, Cancers need to listen to their gut before listening to the call of their genitals. This cannot be rushed. But the payoff always exceeds expectations for their partners, as Cancers live to please.

Even if you’ve Tinder-swiped someone, Cancers must meet up for some kind of food — just a drink or a coffee won’t really cut it. Grab tacos from a food truck and sit on a bench if you don’t want to do anything formal — but you should eat.

If things seem to be headed in the right direction, you might start with a make-out session... and then a longer make-out session. All the while, Cancers measure and evaluate the shape of their potential paramour's soul, making sure it's safe to share their bodies. In fact, because Cancers have mommy issues (more on that later), some of them are orally fixated and particularly adept at kissing. They do this slowly and passionately while exploring every corner of their (lucky) partner’s mouths.

Back to breasts, Cancers like to get to second base on the first date. There will nipple-biting, and you might even have your first breast-gasm. (This is a thing.) Cancers: don't be afraid to tell your partner that this is your favorite kind of foreplay. In fact, if you meet someone in a casual setting and they cannot help but look at your breasts, you might be offended. But if you find out this person is a Cancer, they actually have a good excuse — they can’t help it.

Another wonderful gift of the Cancer lover is that they love a bit of extra flesh. Curves are a turn-on —Cancers will never ask you to go on a diet. Instead, the Cancer MO is to fatten their partners up like Thanksgiving turkey — to have more to love.

Cancers are obsessed with being home — usually their own home, but partner's places will do in a pinch. They are the sign that can spend 24 hours at home without going outside as long as there is enough food. The best date for a Cancer is one that starts with a home-cooked meal with sex for dessert, then actual dessert (in bed), then more sex for breakfast, then actual breakfast (in bed), then maybe some sleeping and more sex, only to start the whole cycle over again until you both need to go to Whole Foods and re-stock the larder.

Cancer is the sign associated with mothers and mothering, and gender is unimportant in this context. Cancers mother the hell out of their lovers, sometimes to the point of smothering. Cancers make the soup, ask for the proverbial "I got home safe" text and fix things around the house. And there is no sign that asks "Are you OK?" more often during sex.

Security is paramount for Cancers, but it's not because they're insecure. Rather, Cancers know how much they're willing to dedicate to a relationship (even a simple FWB arrangement), and they just want to make sure that their partner is up for an equally strong commitment to whatever it is you're building.

Cancers are ruled by the moon, hence their reputation for moodiness. Crabs pick up on other people's vibes, too, and have to fight hard not to take other people's emotions as their own. The cure for any Cancerian sadness or anxiety is a little bit of moonlight. Sex outside under a full moon is a completely out-of-body experience (for both parties).

Next: Five sex positions all Cancers should try

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1. 69

The most obvious Cancer sex position is 69 for two important reasons. First of all, it mimics the shape of a crab, which is the Cancerian symbol. But second (and probably more important) it involves eating.

2. Missionary

Face-to-face, heart-to-heart, breast-to-breast, stomach-to-stomach. A Cancer who gets to peer into your eyes during sex is a very, very happy Cancer.

3. Spooning (with penetration)

Close, connected and cuddly, this romantic sex-position hits the Cancer's sweet spot. The Cancer loves this position from behind or in front. With hands on breasts or belly, it’s pure ecstasy.

4. The vulgar term is titty-fucking, but let’s just call it breast sex

Lubing up for this one is even better, and either partner can be on top.

5. Straight-up oral

As long as the Cancer gets to enjoy dessert, he or she will be quite satisfied.

To sum up, Cancers are the yummiest, dreamiest, cuddliest sign of all. Their lovers want to keep them around for a long, long time.

More: Sex positions for Geminis

Let's face it: this season of Marriage Boot Camp has basically been the Tara Reid show. In spite of her claims in tonight's episode that boyfriend Dean May is trying to upstage her, Tara's been successful in taking up most of the dramatic space every week, refusing to participate and spending a lot of time crying and being incoherent. As we've noted before, it's sad but also effective if her goal is to revive her career.

More: Forget the cheating — Michelle Money's Marriage Boot Camp attitude is even worse

Here we are, though, two weeks away from the season finale, and there are still a bunch of unanswered questions about Tara and Dean's relationship — like whether it's real. This week, we did establish that he loves her and that's he's basically ride or die for her, but is it in a romantic way? Or are they "just" BFFs? (BFFs are great! But this show isn't about that.) Not only is Tara continuing to not make sense or progress, at least none that we're seeing, but it's hard to see what's going on with the other couples because of her behavior. I suppose something important and life-altering could happen in the next two weeks re: Tara and Dean, but that seems super unlikely at this point.

I'm more than convinced than ever now that this isn't a ruse Tara is maintaining, and it's not a plan she came up with with the help of her reps. She's actually dealing with some really serious mental health stuff that probably includes addiction, and she's definitely not going to get help in front of the cameras.

More: Mama June and Sugar Bear make confusing Marriage Boot Camp finale decision

If Dean really does love Tara, a great way to show that love to her would be to convince her, or at least try to convince her, to leave Boot Camp. Not only is she not going to get help, but she's just embarrassing herself every single week. It makes me question his actual feelings for her that he's letting her spiral so much. I don't know a ton (read: anything) about how to help out a friend or significant other with addiction, but it seems to me that at some point, you'd have to decide that you're not going to enable them anymore, and being on TV with them in this situation looks a lot like enabling. If Dean leaves the show, Tara has no reason to be there and their whole plan (or non-plan?) will fall apart, but that means Dean has to sacrifice his own time in front of the camera. Let's hope he cares about her enough to do that.

More: Sean Lowe shamed for failing to protect Catherine Giudici during a fight

Should Tara Reid and Dean May just leave Marriage Boot Camp? Tell us in the comments!

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

This past week, I repeatedly ate from not one but two ice cream trucks just for you guys to find out, once and for all, what the best treats are.

When faced with close to 100 options at the ice cream truck, it's easy to panic and blurt out the name of the first thing you see without careful consideration. I have done this far too many times, and the pain you feel as the truck drives away and you sit there on a hot bench, regretting not seizing your opportunity to have something better than the underwhelming $5 ice pop in your hand... It's simply excruciating. Like having your shorts ride up a bit as you're sitting on a hot bench and burning your tender, pasty thighs painful.

More: Our best American hot dogs bucket list

This is why I made this cheat sheet — so you will know who the winners are on the ice cream truck. You can order without fear of regret, as there should never be any regrets when it comes to ice cream.

Giant vanilla sandwich

There were so many things I was tempted to put on this list: the Girl Scout Thin Mint discs, Dippin' Dots, that thing that looks like SpongeBob but no one is sure what flavor it is (ham?). When I sat down to write this piece and thought about what I truly want above all the things, I knew instantaneously: a classic ice cream sandwich. It’s a succulent roast chicken, a perfectly poached egg — its brilliant simplicity makes it my absolute favorite. I could never, ever give these things up. Ice cream novelties come, and ice cream novelties go, but this summertime classic will never, ever let you down.

More: 18 ingenious ice cream sandwich hacks that will keep you chill all summer

Toasted Almond and Chocolate Eclair and Strawberry Shortcake

The OG Good Humor trifecta. I will not pick a favorite, because they deserve better. Feel free to fight about it in the comments, though. I know you Strawberry Shortcake enthusiasts are rowdy sons of bitches.

FrozFruit Chunky Mango Pop

When I was a kid, these were the “healthy” thing your mom got instead of the good stuff, like Fudgsicles. As an adult, they’re incredible. FrozFruit is, surprisingly, made with real fruit purée — something I no longer believed possible, as every frozen novelty is made out of things like “tetrosodium pyrophosphate” and “malk.” By being mostly fruit and less sugar water, these don’t become a total melted mess in three minutes and get you sticky. That's my issue with 99 percent of ice pops. It drips all over you, then you get attacked by bees. This weekend I had a wasp on my leg that tried to climb into my shorts, and I almost lost my lady parts. My friend saved me by smacking me hard in said lady parts with a flip-flop. This would not have happened if I hadn’t made the decision to eat a Rocket Pop in shorts. Lesson learned.

Snickers Ice Cream Bar

The best part of getting these off the truck is that you can buy only one at a time. Normally I buy a box at the supermarket, and I eat the entire box and get a tummyache, because I’m pretty much a professional at poor decision-making.

Vanilla cone with rainbow sprinkles

There is no difference between chocolate and rainbow sprinkles. Both are made out of the same stuff, except one is dyed brown and one is dyed magic! Always go with magic when you have the opportunity.

More: 21 ice cream sandwiches to gobble down before they melt

Chocolate malted

The chocolate malted is the undisputed king of all milkshakes. Always ask for extra malt, because they never add enough to make it sufficiently malty yet still tack on a dollar upcharge. In fact, make sure they’re putting the malt in there in the first place. There are many shady people running ice cream trucks, if you can believe it. Did you know that "Mister Softee" isn't even a real guy?

Sunkist float

You’ve likely tried root beer floats. You may also be familiar with Coke floats. Shockingly, almost nobody orders Sunkist floats on the regular, which is the greatest of all soft drink-ice cream combination. Orange soda + vanilla ice cream = a liquid creamsicle that won’t drip all over your legs to draw wasps to your lady bits.

Crystal meth

Seriously, 99 percent positive my neighborhood Mister Softee guy is dealing drugs. No one needs a chocolate shake at 2 a.m.

It was impossible to ignore the glimpse we got of an always adorable Orlando Bloom sitting in the audience at the Democratic National Convention, proudly filming girlfriend Katy Perry as she delivered a strong speech and performance in support of Hillary Clinton. As it turns out, Bloom actually helped Perry write her DNC speech — but before we get carried away, let's clarify that he had a hand in helping with one (memorable) line.

Democrats were smart to capitalize on Perry's enormous social media reach and popularity among millennials by asking her to contribute to the DNC. And Perry delivered the goods: She gave a powerful and relatable speech in which she urged her peers to vote because "you'll be just as powerful as any NRA lobbyist. You'll have as much say as any billionaire."

And then she gave us this gold nugget: "It's not where you come from but what you grow into." It's an important statement that many Democrats feel captures the spirit of their American beliefs and values. This particular statement, however, was authored by a very cute British man.

More: Orlando Bloom looked like a proud stage mom watching Katy Perry at the DNC

Like lots of folks tuning into the DNC, Perry's friend Sophia Rossi was clearly inspired by this line from her speech, so she tweeted it to her followers. But Perry quickly responded and refused to take credit for it, instead setting the record straight on the little birdie who helped her prepare for the big night.

There's so much cuteness in this, I'm not sure where to start. Perry has a nickname for the Lord of the Rings star, and it's "Lando." These two beautiful people sit around one of their expansive yards in California writing the words to a speech Perry will deliver in front of millions of viewers. Can you just picture them now, trading ideas and gently rejecting each other's phrases?

Even more impressive: Did Perry really write that entire speech, minus that one Lando line, without the help of a professional speechwriter? I'm not saying she isn't capable of doing so, but even the most seasoned politicians pay a lot of money to hire the best of the best to whip their speeches into shape and ensure they're hitting all of the important talking points. The fact that Perry authored or co-authored that speech is 100 times more amazing than the reality that her supportive boyfriend pitched in with one great line.

More: Katy Perry shuts down Orlando Bloom and Selena Gomez rumors with one tweet

Perry performed two songs at the convention, "Rise" and "Roar," and she has been a visible presence in Clinton's campaign since Clinton made the decision to run for president. The California native makes for an especially intriguing Clinton supporter because, as she put it, "Both of my parents are pastors and staunch Republicans. [But] I'm going to vote for Hillary Clinton."

She and Bloom have been dating since January, but things seem to be moving fast — and their collaboration on a speech Perry gave on one of the most important nights of her career proves that they are solid.

We may be in the middle of summer, but before we know it, we’ll be sending the kids back to school and pulling our sweaters out of storage. So end summer the right way by taking a trip! Here are some tips to save money on a last-minute vacation. The best part? These tips also manage to give back to charity whenever you use them.

1. Make it a road trip

While it’s tempting to hop on a plane to a far away, exotic location, airline fares and time limits may be keeping you grounded. Instead, opt to hit the road for a planned (or unplanned) road trip. If you don't have a car, you can get a cheap set of wheels, either on an hourly or daily basis, to get you where you need to go. Enterprise donates 2 percent of your rental price back to a charity or cause of your choice. So in addition to giving back, you’re also getting a great deal for your trip!

More: Stay safe in the sun without blowing all your money on sunscreens

2. Look for budget-friendly overnight stays

Search for hotels under $100 that I can book the same day, such as the ones on Hotels.com, which donates up to 3.5 percent of what you spend to a good cause.

If I’m looking for accommodations that are more personal and have a homey feel, another option is HomeAway, a rental marketplace where you can compare accommodations and rent one of your choice for your vacation. I can choose anything from a cabin to a castle or even a farmhouse. In addition to getting discounted rates, HomeAway donates over 12 percent of what you spend.

More: Why I created Goodshop, an app that makes shopping charitable

3. Start planning

Once you’ve narrowed down a location, doing some research beforehand will be great and helpful for planning an itinerary of sights to see and things to do. I really enjoy reading and highly recommend Lonely Planet travel guides, which have over 500 books, including over 70 titles devoted to the U.S., ranging from New York to California. They're also running a promo code from Goodshop that gives back over 7 percent of your purchase.

More: YouTube stars try to convince New Yorkers to shop from home (VIDEO)

Rachel Sacks is a writer for Goodshop. Goodshop can help you find great deals and coupons for a memorable trip while also doing good and giving back.

I am an almost-50-year-old, successful fitness professional and grandmother, and I smoke marijuana.

I have been smoking regularly since I was about 13, which is a solid 37 years. While I bristled against the illegality, I also knew from my own experience that weed made me feel better and sleep better without the side effects of everything else. During that time, I earned undergraduate and graduate degrees, taught philosophy at several major universities, became a certified Pilates teacher and personal trainer, started training Pilates teachers, got married, helped raise my stepson, and lived in the Caribbean for a few years. Yes, all that while smoking weed!

I could just take pharmaceuticals. After all, I know them well. My mother was bipolar and pre-lithium was on a constant cocktail involving many random psychotropic medications. My dad took medication for asthma, allergies, anxiety and high blood pressure. Our medicine cabinets were always full. While my parents taught me that people often needed help in the form of pharmaceuticals, so did life. My mom's mental illness and my father's choice to take care of her, sometimes at the expense of my well-being and safety, left me anxious and socially inept. As a pre-teen I was in chronic physical pain due to severe endometriosis and emotional pain from my messed up family.

More: Women and weed: Why women are the future of marijuana legalization

I choose to smoke marijuana to help me manage chronic pain (nerve pain from shingles and back injuries, among other issues), anxiety and insomnia. I like to be in control of my body and behavior. As an adult, most people I know drink alcohol, some take narcotics and still others take antidepressants and anti-anxiety pills. Some of the reasons I'm a sought-after Pilates teacher is my knowledge, focus and attention to detail. The medications in my mother's cabinet made her, for lack of a better term, fuzzy. I knew they weren't right for me because I experimented with all of them — Valium, Seconal, Ativan, Thorazine, Stelazine and Klonopin, to name a few.

I want to fully experience life and enjoy the process. So when my doctors tried to give me some of those same prescriptions, I realized that pills, legal and socially acceptable or not, were out. I have always been too risk-averse to really gravitate toward cocaine, meth or opiates. Alcohol sometimes made me sick and left me too out of control. The one drug that was natural, kept me functional and always eased both my physical pain and anxiety with no unwanted side effects was marijuana.

More: How I cured my menstrual cramps using weed — without getting high

Now, I also do other things for self-care. I found Pilates and reiki to be great pain relievers and relaxers, so they help. I also eat well and take anti-inflammatory and probiotic supplements. The only pills I take now are supplements, allergy medication and Synthroid.

Do I smoke all the time? No. When I wake up at 5:30 a.m. to start my day of training clients, I am more concerned about caffeine and proper nutrition. I have sometimes gone up to a year without imbibing. But I do find that when I don't have weed, I drink an extra glass of wine at night, struggle with sleep and end up taking more Aleve for pain. I don't crave marijuana in the same way I might crave chocolate, but when I have it, my quality of life is much improved.

Smoking marijuana has affected my job opportunities because I refuse to take drug tests, which rules out working on Wall Street. I am OK with that. Instead, I train the Wall Street people when their backs go out from sitting at a desk all day. Generally, my job performance tends to be so great that nobody worries about what I do to relax. The fact is, marijuana use has no negative effects on our fitness, including cardiovascular fitness. As one would expect, a few hits before a workout can help keep you in the zone and focused. Even better, cannabis users are less insulin-resistant and tend to have smaller waistlines, which many cardiologists say is the best signal of heart health.

More: Why I'm not afraid to use weed in front of my kids

I use my cannabis to help me relax, get out of pain and help me sleep, preferring to work out before I imbibe. While many of my clients like to exercise high, I do not. However, when I have exercised after smoking weed, I perform as well as I do without it.

I am respectful of other people's choice to not smoke weed. I don't smoke on the street or in places where other people have to smell it too. Any place I have lived, I use a good fan blowing out an open window to keep the smell at bay. Plus, now I live high up, away from people. I regularly spray with a good, natural odor-remover. I plan to continue being respectful when marijuana is fully legal in all 50 states.

The Republican party so badly wanted Justin Bieber to perform during the GOP's most important week, it was willing to bankroll him enough money to buy another Beverly Hills mansion. And yet, Bieber refused to perform at the Republican National Convention, despite the cool $5 million offer.

The folks responsible for booking entertainment for the RNC went as far as promising the Biebs that he would only have to perform for 45 minutes, that he could put on his concert at the Quicken Loans Arena near the convention center, not the actual stage where Trump would accept the nomination for president, and that he didn't have to endorse the businessman or his controversial policies.

More: We finally know the meaning behind Justin Bieber's face tattoo — thank God

The amount of money GOP donors were willing to fork out to get Bieber — an amount they were only too happy to pay out before he even arrived at the arena — would have been more than he ever received for one night of performing. Sources speaking to TMZ say the Canadian singer considered it, but at the end of the day, he said no.

The singer's manager, Scooter Braun, is reportedly a big-time Hillary Clinton supporter who threatened to quit on Bieber if he agreed to the gig. The many African-American musicians who make up Bieber's band and his management company, Creative Artists Agency, were totally against the idea as well, with the latter expressing skepticism at the notion that the performance wouldn't be political.

At first, Braun apparently suggested Bieber put "Black Lives Matter" banners around the arena, but GOP donors reportedly scratched that idea and said he could instead display "All Lives Matter" banners. They also warned that Bieber could not say anything bad about Trump during his performance. Braun sensed that Bieber was being used as a tool by the GOP and made it totally clear that he didn't support this career move.

More: We'll believe the Justin Bieber, Britney Spears dating rumors when pigs fly

The final nail was put in this coffin after an unusual celeb's name was dropped as a reason why Bieber should perform. The convention's promoters reportedly told Braun that basketball star LeBron James would be attending an event in Cleveland to welcome the GOP without actually pledging his support for Trump. That turned out to be a misunderstanding (um, or worse) because Justin's people learned from LeBron's people that the free agent wasn't even planning on being in Cleveland during the convention — and that Bieber would be smart to turn down the offer.

And so, ignoring all daydreams of earning more money in less than one hour than most people will see in three lifetimes, Bieber turned down the GOP's offer.

Rumor has it he's still ridiculously wealthy.

At a time when Democrat and Republican voters find it impossible to agree on anything, it's really good to know that this is pretty much a universally accepted fact: Hillary Clinton has a hot nephew. And his existence alone should inspire people from both parties to sit around a campfire holding hands and singing "Kumbaya."

After Clinton spoke at the Democratic National Convention and accepted her nomination for president, many viewers took note as a certain young man in the audience threw his hunky arms around her and gave her a big ol' hug. At first, most of us probably thought, oh, that's cute. An enthusiastic fan. Then, as we continued to stare at him, the realization kicked in: Holy hotness, who is that young Adonis and how is he connected to Clinton?

The mystery man turned out to be Clinton's nephew Tyler Clinton, an 18-year-old model who understands that shirts are entirely optional and overrated.

More: The Hillary Clinton coloring book that definitely declares "I'm with her"

Tyler is the son of Bill Clinton's half-brother Roger Clinton Jr. He recently graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and seems more than able to pay some of his bills by making extra money as a model. His attendance at the DNC may have just helped him book more jobs because he's the talk of Twitter right now.

Oh my.

More: Homeland is taking a big note from Hillary Clinton for Season 6

Just so we're clear, at 18, Tyler is barely legal. With that said, judging by the reactions on social media, Hillary can now consider her nephew her personal "in case of emergency, break glass" campaign tool. Think of the possibilities. She can keep young Tyler on speed dial if she finds herself having to deliver bad news to the nation or if she is forced to, yet again, explain away the whole email fiasco. She can just casually walk up to the podium with Tyler beside her (I'm sure no one will think that's odd), absorb the controversy and keep all cameras rolling on her nephew.

Who knows whether Tyler is a powerful enough force to bridge Republican and Democrat voters. But if he can't accomplish that feat, there's no hope left.

It's a no-brainer that when you're looking for a dog, you want one that's going to be healthy. You're looking for a longtime companion, after all, so it makes sense that you want to find a pup that's going to be around for a long time.

While there's no way to ensure that your new pup will live a long, healthy life, you can hedge your bets by picking a breed with a proven record as far as health goes. Choose one of the breeds proven to have lower instances of genetic diseases and other health-related conditions to have the best chances of spending as little time with your vet as possible.

1. Border collie

Border collies are energetic, smart and highly trainable dogs, and they have been referred to as one of the healthiest dog breeds around, with an expected life span of up to 14 years.

The most common health issue associated with border collies is hip dysplasia, a genetic condition that is thought to affect around 12 percent of border collies. Working with reputable breeders can help you avoid this issue with your dog.

Next up: Australian shepherd

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2. Australian shepherd

Australian shepherds are hard-working, active dogs, and they're usually lucky enough to avoid bone, skin and coat issues that are so common with other breeds. The only issue Aussie owners sometimes deal with is a hereditary eye condition, collie eye anomaly, which can eventually lead to blindness. Though owners should be aware of the condition, it's not a major risk. Only about 5 percent of the breed are carriers, and less than half of those dogs actually develop the condition.

With a life span of up to 15 years, they're guaranteed to keep you moving for years too. They need lots of physical and mental exercise to keep in tiptop shape.

Next up: Chihuahua

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3. Chihuahua

Not everyone has the energy to keep up with a high-energy dog for 10 or more years. If this is not your concern, consider the Chihuahua. These pint-size dogs require very little exercise but still have an average life expectancy of up to 18 years.

In fact, the biggest threat to your Chihuahua is you. Since they're so tiny, they're also fragile, and their need to always be underfoot puts them at risk for injury. Keep your eye out, and be aware when they're close, and your chances of having a healthy companion for many years to come are very good.

Next up: Australian cattle dog

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4. Australian cattle dog

The longest-living dog ever was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey, and he lived to be 29 years old — if that isn't proof that they are a healthy breed, I don't know what is.

These working dogs are highly intelligent but need tons of exercise and mental challenges to stay at the top of their game. They do best with high-energy owners and need someone to be an assertive leader, since they do tend to have a mind of their own.

Next up: Foxhound

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5. Foxhound

The foxhound is another working dog breed. Are you noticing a pattern here? Working breeds tend to be in better health than dogs bred for beauty, since breeders working toward function are more likely to weed out dogs with illnesses or those that are prone to injuries.

The foxhound is one of the oldest breeds in America, but it's also a rare breed. The ones that are around tend to be pretty free of major health issues. These loving and affectionate dogs also have a healthy bark, so stay away from this dog if you can't handle a high noise level from time to time.

Next up: English springer spaniel

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6. English springer spaniel

English springer spaniels are active dogs that thrive as family pets. They have been known to suffer minor eye issues, but nothing serious enough to cause major problems or shorten their life spans, which may be around 14 years with a healthy lifestyle.

Next up: Basenji

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7. Basenji

Basenjis are known for giving their owners the silent treatment, but in a good way — this is a breed that does not bark. If that isn't enough of a reason to run out and get one, then their good track record for health should convince you.

Like all breeds, they do have some issues owners should be aware of, most commonly eye and bladder issues, but careful breeding is making these genetic issues less and less common.

Next up: German shorthaired pointer

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8. German shorthaired pointer

German shorthaired pointers are athletic dogs who enjoy many outdoor sports, such as hunting and swimming. To stay in good health, they require tons of exercise. Since they're incredibly smart dogs, they also need lots of mental stimulation to avoid aggression.

Though they are at risk for health issues like hip dysplasia and gastric problems, most of these are minor, treatable conditions. With a healthy lifestyle and good preventative treatment, they often live up to 14 years.

Next up: Siberian husky

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9. Siberian husky

Although the Siberian husky is a coveted dog because of its striking features, it's not a pet for everyone. They're not big on cuddling or obeying and, despite their size, are not protectors — in fact, a husky is more likely to greet a stranger with excitement than to bark a warning.

Despite these issues, they make fantastic companions for those looking for a dog with their personality traits and generally live around 12 years.

Like most large dogs, they have been known to experience hip troubles, and they can also be prone to eye issues, most of which are highly treatable.

Next up: Mixed breeds

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10. Mixed breeds

It's no secret that breeders sometimes go to great lengths to end up with a batch of good-looking pups. Some of their actions, though, including inbreeding, can lead to litters of dogs that are susceptible to more genetic diseases and future health problems. For this reason, mixed breed dogs are often healthier than their purebred counterparts.

Mutts also have something called hybrid vigor on their side. This theory suggests that when you mix two or more gene pools in a dog, the recessive genes that may cause health issues are buried.

As if we needed one more reason to love mutts, right?

It's the third or fourth Saturday in which I've made a conscious effort to get out and see friends more, but my guilty conscience is keeping me busy, almost as if it wants me to miss the next train to Manhattan. I dole out one, then two and then three last hugs to my toddler son. I make sure I've cut up my 5-year-old daughter's apple, even though she's capable of eating it like a big girl. I fret about whether their most comfortable pajamas are out of the dryer. I'll be gone for no more than five or six hours, yet I'm acting like the planet will fall apart if I don't tend to every last detail.

Just when I've realized I will have to wait another hour for a train if I don't leave right this second, my daughter begins to whine and pout. "I don't want you to go," she says, then reaches out for another hug. Without thinking I reply, "We'll do whatever you want tomorrow — you choose an activity, and we'll do it."

My husband, who is sitting in the living room, overhears our exchange and rushes in to save me from myself: "Go," he says. "She'll be fine."

More: 34 apology notes from kids who are totally sorry, not sorry

He's right. But it's difficult to shake memories of my own mom and her active social life every time I step out for an evening with friends or embark on a solo journey to check out galleries. It isn't the same feeling I get when I attend an event related to work — that's not optional as far as I'm concerned and offers my family financial comfort. It's the whole I-have-a-choice-here-and-I-don't-choose-you-ness about the situation of hanging out with friends that I am working on abandoning.

Growing up, my mother was a disco queen with a closet filled with high heels made from Italian leather. She had and still has the same group of friends since high school. She's the only person I've ever met who got married, gave birth to two kids and continued to add to her collection of friends with even more friends — friends from work, friends of friends, a good friend she met while waiting for me outside of ballet class. There were plenty of times when her extroverted personality did a world of good for me by serving as a model for how to cut the umbilical cord and enjoy an adult life to the fullest. Hers was an attitude that is largely looked down upon by many parents these days who feel they must put all of their children's many activities and needs ahead of their own at all times.

I was fed well, had beautiful clothes, nightly baths and all the other privileges given to children who don't have to worry about a damn thing. That's why I'm embarrassed to admit the smell of Opium perfume still makes me sad. That disgustingly potent mix of coriander, plum and mandarin orange, which will forever remind me of brothels filled with 15-year-old orphans, was the last trace of my mother that I could hold onto after she whizzed out the door after dinner.

More: I refuse to apologize for ignoring my kid

When I was 4 and 5, she left to be with friends and, later, to work a night job that she needed at the time to maintain her sanity. Unbeknownst to me at the time, she and my father were at the beginning stages of having marital problems that wouldn't officially blow up until I was 12. Her absence was a way to escape and protect herself — but her absence also forced me to take sides in their conflict.

As a child, and especially as a daughter, I desperately wanted to identify with my mother. I wanted to know that she would take me back, over and over again, no matter what I did. But when you find yourself at age 5 hanging on the couch with your dad every night, watching Three's Company and Jeopardy! and singing along to '60s pop songs by Italian singers as he strums his acoustic guitar and shows you why E7 is the most beautiful chord of all, you begin to equate dads with stability and unconditional love.

When your evenings involve being dragged to Dad's soccer games, Dad having no clue how to detangle your hair so he either pulls too hard or leaves you with a rat's nest, sitting outside in your pajamas with your older brother and a telescope, eating another cookie because Dad isn't actually watching, and somehow getting to watch episodes of Dynasty when it's past your bedtime, you start to think: I may not get Dad, and Dad doesn't get me all the time, but Dad is there, and that means Dad thinks I'm important.

More: My son's bullies cost me $90, but it was worth it

It took years to understand that my mother felt she was serving both worlds by being there for us during the day and attending to her needs at night. It took becoming a parent to fully comprehend how much we do for our kids and how easy it is to neglect ourselves. But I still struggle those nights when I voluntarily leave my family to have fun. I picture my daughter rummaging through my closet and trying on my shoes so that she feels closer to me.

Then I pull myself together and remind myself that my children are not living my childhood, that I am not my mother. At the end of the day, my mother was a human being with desires, fears, flaws and many strengths. It's possible I would have grown to despise Opium even if she never left the house.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

Sad, tragic news: At least 16 people are dead after a hot air balloon crashed in Lockhart, Texas, today. The crash happened at about 7:40 a.m. in a pasture in the Caldwell County city, which is located 30 miles south of Austin. Although Lynn Lunsford of the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed 16 deaths, an exact number of crash victims has not been provided yet.

There's a lot of information that is still unknown about this horrific incident. The name of the company that operated the hot air balloon and the point where the balloon originated have not been released. The names and ages of the victims, or info about whether they were friends or relatives, will likely not be made public until all of the victims have been identified and their families notified.

Margaret Wiley, who lives a quarter-mile away from the crash zone, told police she heard a "pop, pop, pop" while she was letting her dog outside this morning. "I looked around and it was like a fireball going up," she said. The basket part of the balloon reportedly caught fire, though details about what caused the fire have not been released. The pasture where the crash took place contains corn crops, cattle and a row of high-capacity electric transmission lines that are four or five stories tall.

More: A "freak accident" with glitter cost a woman her eye

Texas Governor Gregg Abbott released a statement about the accident: 

Hot air balloon rides are apparently quite common in that part of Texas and in many other areas of the country where skies are usually clear and panoramic views are abundant. A voyage in a hot air balloon often tops an adventure seeker's list of must-do experiences. But when we hear about tragedies like this one, it's natural to consider the fragility of a hot air balloon and how it doesn't seem all that natural to rely on one to keep us up in the air.

More: TV psychic Miss Cleo died at a young age from an all-too-common disease

However, statistics prove that hot air balloon rides aren't as dangerous as they sometimes seem. From 2002 to 2012, there were 148 hot air balloon accidents (0.79 percent of all rides reported); of those accidents, 14 were fatal, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Going back in time even farther: The NTSB has investigated 775 hot air balloon incidents since 1964, 70 of which involved fatalities. Every life lost is a tragedy, and what happened in Lockhart is terrible. But if you're the kind of person who feels relief when you board an airplane, when you remember that you are more likely to die of heart disease or food poisoning than in a plane crash, allow these hot air balloon stats to ease your mind.

And here's another interesting tidbit: Balloons may seem, to most of us, like little more than the toys and decorations we plop around the room at a child's party. But people have been flying around in hot air balloons since 1783, which was 120 years before the Wright Brothers' first powered flight in 1903. The pilots of these balloons must be certified, and each balloon is inspected by the Federal Aviation Administration once a year or after every 100 hours of flight time. All hot air balloons in the United States, which use propane gas to heat the air that allows them to rise, are built with FAA guidelines in mind.

In other words, hot air ballooning has a lot more in common with flying on an airplane than you might have thought.

Kim Zolciak will apparently have babies on the brain in Season 5 of Don't Be Tardy. And, no, I'm not talking about her new skincare line. I mean an actual squalling little human.

More: We try to defend her, but this time Kim Zolciak took her Snapchat too far

Zolciak and her football player husband, Kroy Biermann, will have a lot going on in the new season as Biermann, a free agent, takes a job with a new team. Pair that with their ever-busy household and you better believe this new season is going to be crazy, even without a potential pregnancy announcement.

"There's too much chaos in your house, Mother," one of the Biermann boys says in voiceover as we montage through some pretty nasty-looking spats and hilarious adventures with random pets.

My favorite moment in that montage of crazy is Zolciak mimicking her son, who decides whining is the way to get the soda he clearly desperately wants. (See the photo above for her perfectly captured face.) I laughed out loud because it was such a must-have mom moment.

More: Kim Zolciak is getting attacked for decisions Brielle's making as an adult

But even whining children isn't enough to sway Zolciak. It all ends with her only wanting more.

Biermann, on the other hand, doesn't sound so convinced. "We have six kids," he says to Zolciak. "You want another one?"

Clearly, Zolciak doesn't know the meaning of "too much chaos."

More: We're with Kim Zolciak: We wouldn't mind seeing Kroy Biermann as the Live! host

Check out the full preview trailer for Don't Be Tardy Season 5 below.

Do you think Zolciak will announce another pregnancy soon, or will Biermann convince her that six kids is enough?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

I cook for two, and I've officially given up on finding recipes that make enough for two. Most make enough for a family of four to eat and have leftovers. So I have two choices — eat that Southwest chicken and rice casserole for three meals straight, or scale it back. Sometimes that's easier said than done. But there are three "secrets" to making it work.

More: What to do if your food is so spicy you can't even eat it

Secret 1: Get over prepackaged "wholeness"

This is your new mantra: "I don't have to use the whole can/box/bag." Learn how to save ingredients in the freezer or refrigerator for use later. Dried pasta lasts a long time, so you don't have to use the whole box if you store it properly. If you need only a tablespoon of tomato paste, you can store the leftover in the freezer or fridge. Just pour the remainder into a freezer bag — never store canned food in the can it came in.

More: 6 easy ways to tenderize tough cuts of meat

Secret 2: Get a scale

A scale will help you accurately scale prepackaged foods. If it comes in a 12-ounce box, you need 6 ounces for half and 4 ounces for a third. Just note that the weight on some canned foods includes the water they're packed in, which doesn't count if you're discarding the liquid. So you'll need to measure all the food after the water has been drained off to get the full weight before dividing. Remember to keep that water for storing anything you're not using for that recipe.

Secret 3: Skip Google, and use this chart

Doubling a recipe is easy. But when you have to cut it in half or even a third, you plug measurements into Google, and it comes up with some crazy decimal, like 0.166666667 US cups (which is what Google says is half of a third of a cup). Not super helpful, huh? Just keep this chart handy instead.

One last note: It helps to have as many different sizes of measuring cups and spoons as possible, even if you have to get two different sets to have them all. Some come with half tablespoons, others with third teaspoons and three-quarter teaspoons.

More: Cooking oil 101: How to choose the right oil for your recipe

Divide any recipe in half or thirds using the chart below.

We’ve all got them — the projects we hoped to have completed by summer’s end but can’t seem to get started on. Whether your goal was simply to perform a deep clean or was something as big as installing a new section of your home, it can be difficult to actually get started on the projects you thought you’d have time for when the summer brings a plethora of parties and vacations that take time away.

Now that we’re nearing the end of July, it’s time to take action and at least get a solid start on your home improvement project for the season. If you’ve been having trouble getting started, there are some simple ways you can help yourself get motivated to start working. Here are five tips to help you complete your summer home improvement project before the cooler seasons come.

1. Make it a date

Accountability is probably one of the strongest motivators known to man. When you enlist the help of friends or family to get something done, you immediately gain a support system that will hold you accountable for progress.

To motivate yourself to break ground on your project, invite a friend or maybe even a whole crew over to help you. Naturally, you’ll need to offer some incentive like food or drinks to make it worth their while, but it will be worth the small expense when you start making progress on your project.

The key here is to set a specific date for when you’ll have them come help out. Don’t just leave it as an open invitation for an event that may or may not happen.

More: Skip the travel buddy and book a solo trip to these gorgeous destinations

2. Drum up inspiration at work

What better time to daydream about the progress you’d like to make on your home than when you’re stuck in the same place for an eight-hour stretch? Next time you open your Spotify at the office, try closing out of it and opting to listen to a home improvement podcast instead. As dull as this may seem at first, you’ll probably find yourself really getting into how the hosts are able to transform their homes through simple projects. Today’s Homeowner is an excellent option for this.

Although it’s never wise to waste time on your personal social media at work, there will be times when you go to check it out anyway. Rather than looking at your Facebook or Instagram, try starting a Pinterest board for projects similar to the one you’d like to complete. If it’s something like cleaning, you could check out organization pins or even pins for DIY projects that use recycled items as materials.

3. Set a goal and a plan for financing

Financing could quite possibly be one of the largest factors keeping most homeowners from getting started on a project. If the money simply isn’t there, it might be best to hold off until next year and focus on a cheaper project this summer. However, if there is a way you can make it happen with some saving, start your project by setting a goal and a plan for financing.

If you’re anything like most of the population and have trouble actually putting money away instead of spending it, technology can help. You could start by setting up an auto transfer from your checking to your savings account with the amount you’d like to save, or you could take it one step further by using a finance app to budget.

The app I’d recommend is Level Money, which links to your bank account and tracks your spending against your income to offer up suggested spending and saving amounts.

If you’re working on a larger project and will need to take out credit or a loan to complete it, be smart about the lending option you choose. Even seemingly harmless credit cards can really cost you in interest each month, and payday loans usually come with extremely high APRs. Instead, some experts recommend options like a secured loan that allow you to use the asset you’ll be investing in to add value to it. You could also look into options like a HELOC (home equity line of credit), a HEL (home equity loan) or a low-interest or 0 percent interest credit card.

More: 5 tips to help you figure out exactly what you're good at

4. Mark your calendar for milestones/completion

A great way to remind yourself to make time in your schedule for working on your home is to set goals for milestones/completions in your phone’s calendar. This way you’ll have consistent reminders that you’re coming up on days when you’d hope to have a certain part of the project done.

If you choose to take step one and set a day to work with your friends and family to complete the project, you can create a shared Google Calendar and set an appointment for the day you plan to meet, which would be even more beneficial.

5. Search consumer reviews for contractors

If the initial phase of your project requires contracted help, you’ll want to be sure their work gets done as quickly and painlessly as possible so that you don’t make a habit of dragging your feet until completion.

The best way to vet potential contractors is to do your research. Ask around to see if there is a certain contractor your friends, family and neighbors recommend for timeliness and quality. If that search turns up dry, you can use online resources to complete your research. Sites like Home Advisor and Houzz offer excellent review platforms where real users can provide feedback on their experience with certain contractors.

So there you have it — five ways you can inspire some productivity to finally get your home improvement project checked off your summer checklist. Once you’ve got that out of the way (or at least off to a good start!) you can focus on the more important summer to-dos, like working on a solid tan.

More: 5 ways to make your bachelorette pad high tech on the cheap

The tour you take of the hospital where you're planning to deliver your baby can be daunting. As the reality of giving birth hits you, it's easy to draw a blank on what you'd like to know to in order to plan for the smoothest labor possible. Don't worry about asking too many questions; it's better to know before you go into labor than to find out mid-contraction that the hospital doesn't have the birthing tub you were planning on and that you'll be sharing a room! Here are 46 questions to ask on your hospital tour.

More: 18 parents whose breastfeeding tweets are all too real (and all too funny)

1. Will I have to share a room? Is there the option for a private room (and if so, check with your insurance to see what portion of the room fee, if any, is covered)?

2. Will I labor and deliver in the same room, or is there a triage area for labor and a separate area for the actual delivery?

3. How many people are allowed in the room while I'm in labor? During the delivery? What about in the event of a C-section?

4. Is there a waiting area for friends and family? (If so, ask to check it out!)

5. Will I have access to a shower or birthing tub? Are these shared facilities that may be in use when I deliver or private and for me alone?

6. Is there a chair, bed or cot for my partner to spend the night with me while I'm in the hospital?

7. Am I allowed to walk around during labor? If so, am I restricted to the room? If there is an area where laboring moms are allowed to walk, ask to see it.

8. Do I have to get an IV line placed immediately upon arrival? Is a hep-lock an option (so you don't have to drag an IV bag with you while mid-contraction)?

9. How often do you do fetal monitoring during labor?

10. How often do you perform pelvic exams during labor?

11. What positions can I give birth in?

12. Will I have access to a birthing ball or birthing bar?

13. Is there a television in the room? Can I bring music? If yes, is there an MP3 player or sound system in the room?

14. How long is the average labor time for this hospital?

15. What's the hospital's C-section rate?

More: 28 breastfeeding essentials to treat the new mom in your life

16. How long will I have to wait for an epidural?

17. Is this a teaching hospital? If so, can I expect interns or students to be present during my delivery?

18. Is there a policy regarding videos or photos during labor and delivery?

19. Can I eat and/or drink while in labor?

20. What is the hospital's policy regarding episiotomy?

21. Can my doula or midwife be present?

22. Can I wear my own dressing gown or pajamas during labor?

23. What happens in the event that I require a C-section?

24. Will the baby be taken from me for cleaning and examination?

25. When is the cord cut? Who cuts it? Is there the option for a delayed cord cutting?

26. When does the baby receive their vitamin K shot and erythromycin eye ointment?

27. Is skin-to-skin contact immediately following the birth an option?

28. What happens in the event that my baby is in distress and requires NICU attention? Will they be transferred to another facility?

29. Does your hospital offer in-rooming where the baby stays with Mom, or is there a nursery?

30. If my baby is taken to the nursery, will they be brought to me for feedings?

More: The dirty truth about pooping during labor

31. Does the hospital offer post-delivery consultations with a lactation consultant, should I want one?

32. Does the hospital have a breast pump I can use during my stay?

33. Does the hospital supplement with formula?

34. Will I be moved to a different room post-delivery? Is that room shared or private?

35. How long will I stay in the hospital post-delivery?

36. Will I have access to a shower post-delivery? Is the shower shared or private?

37. Does the hospital offer a special meal for new parents?

38. Is there a hospital cafe, and if so what are the hours and menu?

39. What are the visiting hours and policies once the baby is born? Are children allowed to visit?

40. Does the hospital offer parking validation? If not, what is the parking fee? Where should I park when I arrive in labor?

41. What security measures does the hospital have in place to insure the safety of Mom and Baby?

42. Does the hospital offer infant CPR classes for new parents before discharge?

43. Does the hospital offer whooping cough vaccinations for parents and caregivers?

44. How do I complete the paperwork to obtain my baby's birth certificate?

45. What, if anything, needs to be done before the baby can be released for home? (Some hospitals require proof of a properly installed car seat.)

46. Is there any paperwork I can complete ahead of my delivery?

Twitter has been blowing up this weekend with people accusing Matt Damon of whitewashing Chinese history in his leading role in the new Hollywood horror flick The Great Wall. The film's trailer shows Damon decked out as a Hollywood version of an ancient Chinese warrior, leading Chinese troops in a fight against invading dragons. Not surprisingly, people have accused the actor of feeding into Hollywood's "white savior" complex.

More: 14 movies and TV shows that educate kids about diversity and race

"Over a billion people and they couldn't find ONE Chinese actor to lead?" asks Twitter user @VainandAble.

While another, @AngryAsianMan, writes: "Things You Can Count On: Hollywood can set a movie anywhere in the world, in any era of history, and always find a way to star a white guy." He shares his frustrations on his blog, writing: "It's the latest movie in the grand cinematic tradition of the Special White Person."

Several other users echo these views, pointing to larger issues of the serious lack of diversity in Hollywood blockbusters.

More: 5 ways Disney/Pixar is adding more diversity to its films

Of course, the situation isn't black and white. After all, it's exciting to see Hollywood execs doing a big budget co-production with Chinese producers (Legendary, LeVision and The China Film Group have teamed up with Universal, who's distributing the film), creating stronger ties between the American and Chinese film industries. That being said, the Twitter reactions to yet another white male actor getting cast in a hero role in which he must save thousands of nonwhite actors has prompted many to reflect on the lack of diversity in Hollywood.

When actors of color are cast in films, they're more likely than white actors to appear in nonspeaking roles. Only 28.3 percent of nonwhite actors were given speaking roles despite the fact that 40 percent of Americans are not white, according to a 2016 study from The University of Southern California. Women of color were particularly underrepresented; the study authors called them "largely invisible" in the film and television world. The actors cast in only 7 percent of films properly represent America's racial and ethnic diversity.

While it is great that we'll be seeing more Asian actors in a Hollywood blockbuster, casting Matt Damon as the star of The Great Wall feeds into the trend of reserving the best roles for white male actors and doesn't reflect the diverse reality we live in.

"Our heroes don't look like Matt Damon," writes Fresh Off the Boat star Constance Wu in a powerful post on Twitter. "They look like Malala. Ghandi [sic]. Mandela. Your big sister when she stood up for you to those bullies that one time."

More: Matt Damon makes controversial comments on diversity

By the end of July or the beginning of August, chances are you may find yourself fervently hoping for the new school year to begin. No matter the age of your child, you have likely run out of inventive activities to entertain her. Camp is no longer novel, and the first day of school is still some ways off. So what do you do?

A book club may be one solution! Though book stores and libraries often offer these events, it is deceptively simple to host your own book club from the comfort of your own home. A successful book club requires few items — your own time and a little bit of planning. Here is how to start a summer book club that your student will love:

Step 1: Choose your participants

While a book club that is exclusive to your family can be a meaningful and productive summer activity, a book club that consists of your child’s friends is an excellent (and educational!) way to remain in touch during this months-long vacation. Ideally, your book club should consist of students at fairly similar reading levels, but this is not always practical. If this is true for your child, invite students in her grade or in the grades immediately above and below her. (It may be difficult for a fifth grade student to read the same novel or poem as a child in 10th grade but not the same selection as a fourth or sixth grade student.) Then, contact their parents and continue on to Step 2.

More: Alison Sweeney: I refuse to let my film schedule keep me from connecting with my kids

Step 2: Discuss logistics

Once you and your child settle on 10 or fewer potential participants for your book club, you can begin a conversation with their parents about logistics. For instance, where will you meet? At your home or outside in a convenient park? Will you rotate between participants’ homes? How often will you meet and for how long? (Note that the length of your book discussions will vary based on the ages of the participants.) How many books will you read, and how will you choose them? Will parents guide the selection and discussion processes or will they simply provide supervision? You may also wish to create a schedule for snacks if you and the other parents decide to take turns providing beverages and/or small meals.

More: Watching the Duggars made me change my dating rules for my 14 kids

Step 3: Vary your programming

Book clubs for adults often revolve around conversation — conversation about the text at hand and general conversation about life. Your student and her friends may do these things too (likely to a lesser extent), but varying your book club programming can deepen comprehension, engagement and motivation. For example, book club participants may enjoy ending each session with a related craft. This might include creating a bookmark from card stock and ribbon or working together to write and illustrate a picture book version of the selected text (perhaps for a younger sibling). If your child is interested in designing a bookmark, consider creating a theme around one aspect of the book, such as character or plot. Such crafts can also reinforce key academic skills like creativity and teamwork.

More: Summer travel is the perfect excuse to sneak in educational activities

For more tips and strategies to help your student succeed in school, visit varsitytutors.com.