Black Friday is an excellent time to stock up on amazing holiday gifts for the home, from great electronic deals to perfect home decor.
We never grow tired of super-cheap TVs, but there are tons of other things that would work very well to make your home way more awesome than it already is. Here are some suggestions that will help you cross names off your holiday list (maybe even your own).
Note that the prices in these links, where available, might not reflect Black Friday discounts until Nov. 25, and some may only be found inside the stores themselves.
It can definitely be tough to let haters have the last word, but sometimes, for the sake of your own sanity, that's just what you have to do, especially online, and especially if you're famous. This might be a lesson that Chrissy Teigen still needs to learn.
Teigen has been under fire on social media for the dress she wore to the AMAs, which had a slit so high, even a strategically placed safety pin couldn't keep her goods under wraps on the red carpet.
Chrissy Teigen is still getting hate for her AMAs dress
Chrissy Teigen is still getting hate for her AMAs dress
She already apologized on social media to "anyone harmed mentally or physically by [her] hooha," but the snarky comments just kept coming, even as Teigen was trying to do a Thanksgiving dinner Q&A on Twitter Tuesday night.
Teigen took breaks from answering her followers' food questions here and there to clap back at haters, but there was one response in particular that showed just how over it she is now.
Chrissy Teigen takes clapbacks too far 4
Chrissy Teigen takes clapbacks too far 4
When Twitter user Alivia told Teigen, "could've just wore pants," Teigen's response was a kind of nasty, "Well, Alivia, hindsight is 20/20, just like your mom when she named you with an 'A' instead of an 'O.'"
Alivia herself didn't mind the shade at all.
Chrissy Teigen takes clapbacks too far 1
Chrissy Teigen takes clapbacks too far 1
But some others replied that Teigen was taking things a little too far, and that maybe she should chill out.
There are three reasons the indie band's newest video for "The One Moment" has left viewers speechless: It features 325 individual, colorful events; it was captured in just 4.2 seconds (and slowed down to a little over four minutes); and it's a collaboration with, well, salt — Morton Salt to be exact.
In the video, directed by OK Go's frontman Damian Kulash Jr., you'll spot exploding guitars, shattering glass panels and band members soaring through the paint-filled air in slow motion, to name a few over-the-top stunts. But did we really expect anything less from the band?
"We triggered 325 events with extremely precise digital triggers to create the choreography, which unfolds over a little more than four seconds," Kulash said in a press release. "We shot with extremely high-speed cameras, which allows us to stretch those few seconds over the full length of the song. At those moments, we're seeing things move through the air that, in real life, are moving faster than the speed of sound."
The film is a biopic about President Barack Obama during his years at Columbia University, and focuses on the challenges Obama faced growing up, including brushes with racism and a feeling of not fitting in as a mixed-race man. What you may not know is that the actor taking on the role of Obama is Australia's Devon Terrell — yes, he nailed Obama's accent — and he's just as interesting. Here's why...
1. It's Terrell's first acting credit
Judging from the trailer of the film, Terrell is perfect for the role (and it must be a daunting task taking on the role of the 44th president of the United States) so it's even more surprising to learn that this is actually his first acting credit. Impressive, right?
3. He transformed his life in preparation for the role
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Terrell had two months to prepare for the role before they began filming, and during this time, he was dedicated to making his performance as authentic as possible. Some examples include the fact that he started writing with his left hand and practised playing basketball from the left.
4. He actually shares some similarities with Obama
Terrell was born in Long Beach, California, before moving to Perth at age 5, but one similarity he shares with Obama is the fact that he too was born to parents of different races: an African-American father and an Anglo-Indian mother. Meaning the scenes in Barry that portray a conflicted Obama struggling with his background are ones that Terrell can deeply relate to.
"I read the story and I had such an emotional connection to it and I said that's me, someone just summed up my life," he said. "I've had very similar experiences, moving to Australia and having to change my accent and go to school. And I've never met a person who's Anglo-Indian and African-American."
While it's not easy taking on the role of such an incredible man, Terrell does hope that Barack Obama gets to see the movie, and that he gives him the thumbs up. "I hope he goes, 'Yeah, I think you were close enough,'" he said.
The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year and will make its debut on Netflix on Dec. 16.
Barry starring Devon Terrell
Barry starring Devon Terrell
Will you be watching Barry? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Earlier this week, Abél Makkonen Tesfaye, better known by his stage name The Weeknd, took to Twitter to tease his upcoming project, "Mania."All the information is yet to be revealed, so we're focusing on what we do know.
1. It's a visual piece
The Weeknd revealed in his tweet that "Mania" is a "visual piece" and the trailer seems to hint at something set in a seedy club with a dark mood.
The Weeknd Mania
The Weeknd Mania
2. It could be a continuation of "Starboy"
The Weeknd's hit track "Starboy," featuring Daft Punk, was released on Sept. 28, and some fans believe that this new piece could be a continuation of it. In the video for "Starboy" we see The Weeknd seeking revenge after initially being tied up in his home by a masked intruder, and the setting for "Mania" certainly looks eerily similar — the panther, the lighting and the driving scenes are some examples.
Grant Singer is no stranger to working with musicians on creating incredible music videos, and along with several collaborations with The Weeknd (on songs including "Starboy," "Tell Your Friends," and "I Can't Feel My Face"), he's also worked with Phantogram, Clams Casino and Future, to name but a few — so we're expecting this to be good.
The Weeknd Mania 2
The Weeknd Mania 2
4. Fans are excited
Clearly, we're not the only ones who are waiting for "Mania" to drop — and fans have already shared their thoughts on the trailer.
OK! magazine has the story and claims that sources say Tatum has quit drinking, and it's made him a huge bore.
This alleged insider told the magazine that at a recent event, Tatum was "grumpy and bored," and "barely able to muster a smile," as he turned down booze and sipped water all night. "He admitted he was off the booze and said it wasn’t a big deal, but clearly it was," the source added.
And supposedly, at least, according to this insider, "he wasn’t his usual fun self — in fact, he was pretty rude to anyone who spoke to him."
Even if Tatum has quit drinking, that's his choice, and we find it awfully hard to believe that booze is such a big part of his personality that giving it up would change him into a completely different person. And for anyone who believes that it's made him grumpy and boring, we have evidence to disprove that.
Tatum was part of a group of celebs who joined Jimmy Kimmel on a holiday special to sing a song they wrote all about AIDS research and the holiday spirit. Take a look at Tatum having a tap dance contest with Neil Patrick Harris and try to tell me that he's grumpy and boring. Go ahead.
Channing Tatum tap dancing on Jimmy Kimmel
Channing Tatum tap dancing on Jimmy Kimmel
As OK! points out, Tatum has in the past called himself a "functioning alcoholic," but only jokingly.
"It was something said that wasn’t meant to be factual," he later clarified. "It was said in context with the glutton side of myself. I’m constantly a flip-and-flop of extremes. I take care of it, to an extent — and then I kind of knock it all down and destroy the sand castle. All I meant was that I do things in extreme."
Welcome back to Parental Advisory, where I answer all of your social media and IRL parenting etiquette questions. This week, let's talk about presumptuous family members at the Thanksgiving dinner table.
Question:
I'm recently married, and I'm already dreading my relatives asking me when I'm going to get pregnant while we're all together for Thanksgiving. Before I was even engaged, I had to field questions from my family every time we got together, but now that I'm married, the questions seem even more incessant. It feels like I can't even comment on my cousin's pictures of her kids on Facebook without one of my family members chiming in and making some remark about how I'm next, and I definitely can't be in a room with multiple relatives without someone bringing up my current "childless" status. My husband and I are pretty sure we want to have kids, but we know we don't want them yet. How can I tell my family that I need them to back off without seeming rude? I'm trying to avoid an argument, but the more they ask, the more offended and annoyed I get.
— K.
Answer:
Wait a second, you're married and aren't focusing 100 percent of your energy on making a baby? Jeez, K., how selfish can you be? You should already know, based on every parent under the sun telling you so, that you can't understand love or the human condition or your purpose on this Earth until you have a child, and yet... you're stalling. I wonder why that could be?
Image: Hot Moms Club
I'm kidding, of course. And I'm sorry you're dealing with this and I feel offended on your behalf, K. If there's one thing that I've heard over and over again, it's how frustrated people who don't have kids feel when they're bombarded with questions about babies from their relatives. Yes, it's annoying (and inappropriate) when your boss asks or your neighbors or your Facebook friends who you haven't seen since high school (I can't count the number of old high school friends I've seen sidling up to other high school friends just because they suddenly have parenthood in common) — but it's actually hurtful when your relatives are the ones pummeling you with needless and at times uncomfortable questions about procreating. Having a baby isn't a decision that I'm guessing your relatives want you to make hastily, and yet they act like your top priority should be to get pregnant simply because you chose to get married. It can leave some people — especially women — feeling like they're not good enough for their relatives if they're not contributing new humans to the family. Instead of just bringing mashed potatoes to Thanksgiving, you were supposed to bring a baby bump.
Image: STFU Parents
But babies are expensive and require a large time commitment (at least 18 years from what I've heard), so why do so many of our peers and family members act so casual about raising a kid? Not to mention, conceiving a baby isn't always as easy as it's "supposed" to be, which is highly personal. Something tells me your 80-plus-year-old grandmother doesn't really want to get an earful about prenatal vitamins, semen counts, ovulation cycles and/or miscarriages when she's prodding you about getting pregnant in the same breath that she's asking you to pass the candied yams. I know when my 95-year-old grandmother asks me why I'm waiting to have a baby, she's not prepared to hear any real answers and is instead just making conversation. (Note: Making conversation with my grandmother often means getting slightly berated, but in a loving way! Or so my cousins and I tell ourselves.) What my grandmother, and most nosy aunts, want to hear is that you're thinking about having a baby soon, going to start trying soon or something else along those lines. So do what I do and tell them what they want to hear.
It's a compromise that some may not be willing to make, and if you are one of those people, I don't blame you. If you would rather look whoever it is in the eye and say, "I'm so tired of being asked this question. When and if we decide to have a baby, you'll be among the first to know, but until then, please just stop asking," then by all means, do that. People should know that the question can stir up a lot of mixed feelings and isn't necessarily as casual a conversation topic as they think it is. I am fully onboard with laying down the law, being genuine and perhaps educating people on why they shouldn't ask when you're having a baby (or baby No. 2), because I believe everyone should be aware of the impact of their words. But something I've figured out is that for those people who do ask their friends, relatives, coworkers and/or neighbors about future babies, a lesson in etiquette might be useless or have deleterious effects. It's possible you'll get labeled "overly sensitive" or treated like a baby-hater, which may wind up requiring further defense. My feeling is, rather than defend yourself against relatives who are chitchatting about your empty uterus as nonchalantly as they might a new Pixar movie, just give them an inch and tell them a few white lies if you have to.
Typically, I let my body language fill in the blanks. You can raise your eyebrows in silent judgment before replying to your annoying sister-in-law that you've discussed the topic of babies but have no formal timeline, and she may get the hint. You can laugh uproariously at your uncle's rude remark that you're "getting old" and tell him that we're all getting old. You can shoot daggers from your eyes if your mother says, for the umpteenth time, that she read somewhere that women's ovaries start drying up at the exact same age you are right now, and you can tell her, for the umpteenth time, that you and your husband are focusing on your careers right now. Whatever you decide to do and however you decide to fend off the meddlesome masses, just remember that no one asks when/if you're having a baby to be malicious. Clueless as our relatives may be about these things, they usually mean well, and especially on a day like Thanksgiving, it's important to focus on what we're grateful for versus what we could do without. No one has the right to prod you about your body or your plans, but you can choose how to handle their questions before the holiday gets underway. And don't forget the best perk of not being pregnant around the holidays: Consumption of alcohol. Bring a bottle of wine or three, and let the heavy pours begin.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Do YOU have a question about parents on social media? Send whatever is on your mind to stfuparentsblog AT gmail.com!
Whoever invented the idea of Elf on the Shelf deserves a raise.
First off, he's adorable. There's also the tiny little perk that he encourages children to behave all December long, lest they end up on the naughty list. And, let's be real, Elf on the Shelf is just as much fun for parents as it is for the kids. Coming up with creative places and inventive ways to position your family's elf is a total blast, and can keep you up giggling well after the kids have gone to bed.
The premise behind the Elf on the Shelf is that Santa sends a special elf to your house to keep an eye on your children to make sure they are behaving. At night, when everyone is asleep, the elf, with his magic powers, goes back to the North Pole to report to Santa on who was naughty and who was nice. The fun part is that before sunrise the next morning, your elf comes back from his nightly report to the big guy and appears in another location in your house whether it is something as simple as sitting in the Christmas tree or something quite mischievous as making “snow” angels on the kitchen table. There is one simple rule — no touching! If you touch your elf, his magic will disappear and he will no longer be able to travel back to the North Pole. This has been a great way to keep little hands off of our elf, which the children lovingly named Elfie Rojo. Rojo is the Spanish word for red. You think they’ve watched too much Dora the Explorer?
This is definitely the highlight of our holiday season and with each Christmas Eve, which is the day Elfie goes back to the North Pole to stay until next year, the kids tell him goodbye and we talk about all the fun memories we’ve had with him over the past couple of weeks.
Idea 1: Elfie Rojo has good hygiene
Our sneaky lil’ Elfie Rojo was found in the children’s shower up on the towel rack this morning. Elfie looked like he had just finished taking a bath and flossing his teeth. For this set up, I took an old rag and fashioned it around Elfie’s head and then slipped in a flossing stick for good measure. Of course, upon finding him, I commented on how it looked like Elfie was trying to remind the children to take baths at night and to keep their teeth brushed so they won’t get cavities. Not all of Elfie’s pranks have to be silly; with some of them I try to throw in a life lesson or two.
Idea 2: Elfie rides a butterfly
Elfie was found in my daughter’s room riding one of her butterfly decorations that hangs from the ceiling. Our family had just recently watched the movie Avatar so the kids thought that Elfie looked just like Jake Sully, the main character in the movie, riding one of the mountain banshees.
Idea 3: Elfie makes snow angels
In this Elf on a the Shelf idea, the kids found Elfie making “snow” angels on the kitchen table this particular morning and didn’t know whether to laugh or worry that Elfie would be in trouble. I pretended to be scolding Elfie for making such a mess, but the kids defended him and happily agreed to clean up the snow (aka flour) so that he wouldn’t get in trouble. Here’s a little tip: Double-sided tape helps to get your elf’s hands to stay where you need them to.
Idea 4: Stocking Exchange
Once again, Elfie Rojo was quite the prankster on this day! He decided to take down all of our Christmas stockings and switch them out for each family member’s underwear. Maybe he wanted to start a new trend? The kids thought this was quite hilarious! I was a bit mortified when my neighbor decided to pay me a visit and my undies were out for the world to see.
Idea 5: Elfie reads a book
I have a little doll bed that I use for my newborn photography sessions but Elfie thought it made for the perfect snuggle spot for him to read a book in front of our Christmas tree. I think we bought this little Christmas board book from the dollar store but it was the perfect size for Elfie to read. This can also be a good reminder for children who are at a reading age to practice their reading.
Idea 6: Elfie plays the guitar
Elfie Rojo was practicing the guitar when the children found him this day. I love to play guitar, although I find I haven’t had the time to play lately. Nestled into my guitar strings and with my music book opened to what else — ”Jingle Bells,” Elfie was ready to play and sing! A few days later, the kids and I took Elfie’s advice and sang ”Jingle Bells” while I clumsily fumbled through chords. It had been too long since I last played, and my fingers were so sore. Nonetheless, the kids didn’t care that I didn’t hit every note; they just enjoyed having Mommy time and singing!
Idea 7: Elfie was found zip lining through the boys’ room
This one was a bit difficult to do. I knew the boys had to be completely asleep for this one since I was going to be setting this up in their room. I hung ribbon from the ceiling to the other end of the wall and then taped Elfie’s hand to a candy cane creating a zip line. We had recently spent a weekend at the Longhorn River Ranch where there was a zip line over the river which the kids really wanted to do but it was just too high for them. The kids thought it was neat that at least Elfie got to zip line even though they didn’t get to this past summer!
Idea 8: Elfie Rojo loves ice cream — who knew?
After searching and searching that morning for Elfie Rojo, my daughter finally found him in the freezer holding an ice cream cone! The cone was one of the little food items that was a part of my daughter’s kitchen play set.
Idea 9: Elfie impersonates the “Big Guy”
I hung the tail end of a Santa hat into the kitchen cabinet and then sat Elfie into the mouth cut out of the beard attachment. Not sure Elfie fooled any of us with his disguise but the children thought it was funny. This made it difficult getting to our plates and bowls in the cabinet since you aren’t supposed to touch or move Elfie, but we managed for one day.
Idea 10: Elfie Rojo plays Scrabble with friends
Elfie Rojo, along with Hulk, Raggedy Ann and T-Rex, were found playing an intense game of Scrabble this morning. All the words on the board had something to do with Christmas — deer, trees, Christmas, hat, Santa, snowman, and of course, Elfie Rojo! Hulk was mad because he had all vowels and couldn’t play. Don’t you hate it when that happens?
Idea 11: Elfie writes a cautionary note to remind the kids to be good
The kids were particularly bad one day so the next morning Elfie was found by the front door holding a pencil with which he wrote the kids a note reminding them that they needed to behave to be on Santa’s Nice List. Here’s a little tip: I wrote this letter with my left hand in fear that my kids would recognize my handwriting. It took a little longer but they didn’t recognize it and the writing almost looks childlike which I think looks authentic.
Idea 12: Elfie takes a siesta
All that traveling back and forth to the North Pole and back has made Elfie Rojo very tired so he decides to relax and have a fruity umbrella drink. I hung a bandana between two poinsettias to make the hammock. The yellow game piece from our Trouble game became the glass and a toothpick with a small round piece of decorative paper became the drink umbrella. I think at this point, Mommy was ready for a little R & R too.
Idea 13: Elfie plays with toilet paper
Elfie reminded the kids that there were only five more days until Christmas. He hung toilet paper from the top cabinet and used Momma’s lip stick to write his message.
Idea 14: Snowball fight!
Using Lego blocks for barriers and marshmallows for snowballs, Elfie and Bumblebee set out to have a very fun time with a big snowball fight. Although, by the time I was able to get my camera out that morning to get a quick photo, half the snowballs had disappeared! My three little snowball eaters had already cleared out a bunch of the snow before this picture was taken.
Idea 15: Elfie turns the kids into Rudolph
This Elf on the Shelf idea was so much fun, but a little tricky to pull off.
I initially thought about using lipstick, but the thought of it smudging off during the night and getting on all the pillows, was not pleasant. So I decided to use a washable craft paint instead. But then again, I struggled with the idea that the paint might still rub off in the middle of the night. So plan B, instead of painting their noses at the beginning of the night, I woke up early that morning and painted the red dots on about an hour before they typically wake up. At the most, if they did have that one last roll-over before getting out of bed it wouldn’t be too bad of a smudge and hopefully the paint would be dry within a minute or two after I applied it. I set up Elfie on the counter so when the kids walked into the living room they would see his note. The squeal of excitement from all three kids from this little red dot could be heard from the next house over!
Idea 16: Elfie plays pirate
Elfie Rojo, or should I say pirate Rojo, was found hiding in the kitchen cabinets in the Treasure Island skull mug my husband bought during one of his trips to Las Vegas. His pirate eye patch is made from a tiny piece of black craft paper and tied with some elastic string.
Idea 17: Elfie impersonates the “Big Guy” again
Elfie brought his own red Santa bag with little gifts for everyone. Each child received small do-it-yourself Christmas ornaments to make that morning after breakfast. Note: These types of ornaments can be found fairly inexpensively at any craft store or dollar store. For Elfie’s Santa beard, I first cut a small paper beard. Next I pulled off tiny bits of cotton ball and rolled them into smaller balls to glue to the paper beard. And once again, a good sized piece of double sided tape kept the beard on Elfie’s face.
Idea 18: Elfie plays I Spy
I spy with my little eye... Elfie Rojo! This particular morning, it took the children forever to find Elfie because he was hiding so well and even disguised himself as a girl complete with a pink bow! After what seems like several minutes and some discouraging comments from the children, I announced “I spy with my little eye, Elfie Rojo!” They all came running into my daughter’s room searching and searching until finally my son exclaimed, “There he is!”
Idea 19: Elfie was naughty and doodled on a photo
The children found Elfie perched up on one of our framed photos and he had drawn a silly mustache and other doodles on my oldest son’s picture. The kids thought this was a riot and laughed hysterically! I actually used a sharpie marker which I tested beforehand to make sure it would come off. However, if I would have had a dry erase marker, it would have worked better and saved me a little bit of scrubbing.
Idea 20: Elfie plays Twister
Elfie Rojo and his friends stayed up late playing Twister. He was actually in a sitting position when I went to bed that night, but by morning time, he was slumped over. Fortunately I think it made him look more genuine because it looked like he couldn’t stay on his color and fell over which is fairly typical in the game of Twister when you’ve got arms and legs going everywhere and your balance is off.
Idea 21: Candy cane sled in the snow
Elfie was found riding a candy cane sled in some marshmallow snow! Once again, the “snow” did not last very long with three hungry munchkins in the house. What was once a large mound of snow was whittled down to just a few snowballs by the time I came back with my camera. The candy cane sled was easy to make. Just hot glue a couple of candy canes together and set to dry.
Idea 22: Meet me under the mistletoe
Elfie Rojo hung mistletoe in the middle of our hallway which is the busiest area of our house because it connects our living room to the bedrooms. We found ourselves giving lots of hugs and kisses to one another that day — a perfect reminder of what Christmas is all about.
Idea 23: Elfie impersonates me
I am so flattered! The kids found Elfie in my office taking pictures with my old Iloca camera. His models were five McDonald happy meal figurines.
Idea 24: Elfie loves chocolate chips
Oh our crazy Elfie was found in the pantry this morning head down in a bag of half eaten chocolate chips in this Elf on the Shelf idea. This was actually a great cover up for me. You see, I love chocolate too and the night before I found myself eating chocolate chips by the handful and watching a movie. Thanks for taking one for the team Elfie and covering for a fellow chocoholic!
Idea 25: Elfie decorates the house with lights
Once again, Elfie Rojo proved very hard to find this particular morning. The kids searched and searched all over the house not realizing that he was outside! It looks like he was trying to hang Christmas lights on our house and also trying to drop a subtle hint to Daddy that it needed to be done. Being the little Elf that he is, he just couldn’t quite make it to the roof!
Idea 26: Elfie is captured by the Army men
The Army has captured Elfie and they are holding him hostage. With a little bit of rope and a Shake Weight (I knew there was a good use for that thing), the army men try to keep Elfie Rojo from disappearing that night to go back to the North Pole. The mission was unsuccessful. Elfie escaped and was found in a different location the next morning.
Fat girls can't run marathons. Fat girls can't backpack. They can't rock climb. They can't hike. They can't ride roller coasters. Heck, fat girls can't even snorkel. Except that I have. I've done all those things while being quite overweight. And I bet others have too.
But apparently there aren't enough of us to constitute plus size active wear? Have you tried finding size 22 zip-off hiking pants when you go to REI? Sport Chalet? Sport's Authority? You can't. They simply don't exists past size 12.
You can find them online. The downside being that there is only one style and you can't try them on. Not that it matters. whether they fit well or not, you are buying them anyway because your only other choice is going on a backpacking trip slugging around in jeans. As if there wasn't enough extra weight on my body already.
That goes for wetsuits and running clothes as well. I ended up buying a size 2X men's wetsuit with cut-off ankles and wrists from a guy I found on Craigslist. I drove an hour out of my way to pick it up. I even tried it on in his apartment. Yes, it was awkward, but it was only 25 bucks. We most definitely need more availability for plus size active wear. How are we supposed to lose the weight anyway if we can't get some quality exercise gear?
And don't get me started on the naysayers trying to dissuade you from realizing your dreams. A guy on a Runner's World forum flat-out told me that I should find another hobby because I run too slow. He even posted this article for me on the cons of having "plodders" (the slower of the "runners") run marathons. The nerve! Sure, I run slowly, but who cares? It's better than not being active at all.
Although I try not to believe any of the above statements that I "can't" do anything I want to do, the fact is, as I have gained more and more weight, these things have become increasingly problematic. Sure, I trained for and completed a marathon while 70 pounds overweight. But I got plantar fasciitis in the process and had to take (a lot of) time off from one of my favorite things to do: running. I can't keep up with others when I hike, I carry more weight than anyone when I backpack, and I'm afraid to have people delay me when I rock climb because I'm so heavy, so I don't do it anymore. I don't even try to ride roller coasters nowadays. The ride operators at the theme parks used to be able to 'smoosh' me into my seat and buckle me up, but now they just can't. Ugh! CAN'T! I hate that word! I should be able to do anything I want to do! But I can't.
I have learned a lot from being a plus-sized active woman. Not the least of which is that I can do many things I set my mind to. But does that include losing this weight? This has been the hardest battle of my life, and that's saying something, as I've had my share of trials, losses, and heartbreaks. But I've also had my share of triumphs. I have overcome things I never thought possible.
But can I do this? There are as many reasons for being overweight as there are overweight people in this world. And I have more than a few reasons working against me right now. And not only does the weight make it harder to do the things I love, but the weight-related health problems are a trial all their own (ever had sleep apnea? That thing is not good). But I am working with my doctor to get healthy. Most of all, so that I can go back to doing the things I love.
Because sometimes fat girls can, but other times, not so much.
We all want our daughters to have a beautiful name that falls softly on the ears, but something that just sounds lovely isn't always enough. For many, the meaning of a baby girl's name can be just as important as the moniker's aesthetic quality.
This, of course, seems to make things a little more complicated when choosing a name for your baby, but it really doesn't have to. There are a ton of gorgeous names right under your nose that will have significance and meaning to your child as she gets older.
The late-night host has battled reports that his drinking is so out of control, network execs have become concerned and are considered giving him the ax. Other rumors have said that his excessive partying almost caused his wife to leave him.
And now, the newest reports say his behavior has caused a deep rift between Fallon and fellow late-night host James Corden.
"He sees Jimmy as a loose cannon and it’s just a matter of time before he screws up," an NBC insider told Page Six about the feud brewing between Fallon and Corden. "There were fears that Fallon was out of control and something could happen while he’s out drinking. Things got so serious at one stage that execs feared that Jimmy was splitting up with his wife over his drinking, but they patched things up."
Corden, on the other hand, is sober and reportedly careful about not mixing business and pleasure — even to the point of refusing to hang out with his crew outside of work.
"They couldn’t be more polar opposites — James lives a sober life off-camera and is careful about not partying with his staff," the source revealed. "Jimmy has no such boundaries and loves to tie one on with his crew."
The most shocking part of the new rumor is that Corden apparently plans to use Fallon's drinking against him to advance his own career.
"James has every intention of knocking Fallon off his pedestal when the time is right and he’s playing a slow and studied game to make it happen," the source claims. "There’s a huge rivalry between James and Jimmy and only one of the two will win this war."
Living in the United States makes me grateful to be in a country that has a comparatively high acceptance and appreciation for diversity. Of course there is the random incident that occurs to remind me that some people are always going to hate me for being brown and Muslim. There was that a lady in the mall when we were both not watching where we were walking and bumped into each other. I reacted by apologizing profusely (it’s a Canadian thing) and she reacted by shaking her head and yelling, “Oh you f------- ignorant people!” (Not so Canadian.)
There was also the guy at the cargo place (where you go to pick up all that extra luggage you decided you couldn’t part with) when I went to pick up some boxes that we had shipped from Pakistan. He was so aggressive I was shaken. He told me very loudly I should go back to my country. I told him this was my country.
But compared to what I grew up with, it is nothing. Things have really changed for the better over all the years. I tell my kids this all the time. My kids have classmates and friends who come from all corners of the globe. Kids are great, they don’t seem to see color – not in the way we adults do. If we left kids alone they would not learn to hate the way we do. Unfortunately, we can’t save our kids from the outside world.
My little girls got their first taste of rejection from Barbie. You know that feeling that somehow you don’t meet the standard because of excess skin pigment and brunette locks? Twin Two’s statement, “I wish I had blond hair and blue eyes,” heralded the end of Barbie’s welcome to our abode. I went out and bought three Disney princesses, Mulan, Pocahontas and Jasmine. Monster High toys are most welcome, however I still have a beef with their unrealistic proportions. Who the hell sets these standards? Why do they think this is a good idea? We need to grow up. It’s time we got realistic.
But only a year after the Paris attacks, and with Donald Trump's team discussing a Muslim registry, the news has me a bit nervous. Of course there are people who are going to go nuts in response to other people going nuts. That’s just what happens. But with anti-mosque activity on the rise as well as Muslim hate crimes, I am afraid of what more may come.
I call my teens at school, I tell my son to be careful walking home. And I am racist about it.
“Walk home with your white friends,” I tell him.
“Seriously?” he asks.
“Yeah, especially when you are crossing the road.”
I tell my girls to wait near the teachers at home time until I come to get them. I have to tell them why. I do not sugar coat anything, this is reality and they have to deal with it. There will always be people who will hate you, they will try to hurt you, you must be strong and confident and not let them intimidate you. You must also not hate them back, just pray for them. They need it. You must not be hurt by them, because that is what they want. They want you to be hurt.
“Why?” they ask.
“Because you are different.”
“But if being different is good then why do people hate us for being different?”
“It scares some people.”
And that is exactly what ISIS (and anyone who kills and terrorizes) wants. That is why we have to NOT sugar coat things for our kids, they need to know that people are going to hate. They need to know how stupid it is to hate and be afraid of something that is different so that they don’t inherit that hate and fear. So that tomorrow when they go out into the world they will replace the hate with acceptance and peace.
Need something to steel yourself for Black Friday shopping — or maybe to recover from it? We've got just the thing. Say hello to the Black Tie White Noise, created by New York City and Las Vegas hot spot Beauty & Essex.
The cocktail contains activated charcoal, which gives it the black coloring. It's also known to remove toxins, so you can detox from all that fighting over big-screen TVs and scarves. And it prevents bloating, which is probably what you're going to do after that Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe hold onto the recipe through the entire holiday season. Just a suggestion.
Last week’s election, and the myriad social injustices it highlighted, is helping a lot of people tap into their anger—a feeling that experts agree isn’t only justified, but also totally healthy. Unfortunately, of the many activities and behaviors women are discouraged from expressing, anger is high on the list (see also: explicit confidence). It’s cast as unattractive and unappealing no matter how appropriate of a public forum it’s in. Have you ever lost your temper or showed an above-average level of irritation around people you don’t know well? They tend to look at you like they just caught you with your pants down—or ignore you altogether. I can’t decide which is worse.
“Anger tends to demand a change in the status quo,” says life coach and anger expert Laura Beth Moss. “This leads to difficulty in relationships and culture. Putting the ‘ugly stigma’ on anger is a fast and easy way for those who don’t like it to try to make it go away. Very few women want to be rejected or considered ugly. Some would rather repress their anger than be considered ugly.” Anger might not be fun or pretty, but it’s a necessary part of an authentic, healthy life. From childhood, my mom, a life coach, taught me to express my feelings—she, too, was in touch with anger, sadness, and joy, sometimes all in the same hour—and by my teens, I was adept at identifying and vocalizing my every emotion (hormones, am i right?).
Anger now has a comfortable place in my life, and I acknowledge it whenever it makes an appearance, but I’ve figured out how not to dwell in it or perseverate to a point where it’s eating away at me, rather than propelling me forward. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Moss says anger has plenty of benefits, when channeled properly. “Anger brings intense clarity and energy to our lives,” she says. “Anger with awareness can provide an immediate sense of purpose, which can be healthy, constructive, and conscious. Mindful anger is the ultimate empowerment.” Below are Moss’s top strategies for transforming crippling rage into bold, energizing anger (a.k.a. the good kind).
The more you try to deny or chase your anger away, the more it will curdle inside you, turning sour. Emotions, like attention-hungry children, must be acknowledged before they’ll leave you alone. “Anger has wisdom if we are willing to listen,” says Moss. “It’s trying to send a message that may feel obvious on the surface, but when listened to more closely can bring deeply powerful realizations about who you are, what you need to be okay, what you want in life, and what you’re willing to accept. Instead of reacting and speaking quickly, be willing to feel the intensity of anger, and go quiet. Lean into the anger. Breathe. Is it telling you that you need to change something? Is it telling you that today’s pain feels like an injury from the past that needs more healing? Is it telling you that you need to establish better boundaries and learn some new ways to take care of yourself? Hear its wisdom and its clarity.” Do this and you’re already halfway to not letting anger rule your life anymore.
Express It—and Use It.
Once you’ve come to terms with your anger at a friend or partner who let you down, this is a good time to verbalize your feelings. Explain to the person after you’ve cooled off and using non-accusatory “I” language about why you’re feeling mad. “Keeping anger in causes sickness, depression and isolation,” says Moss. “But it’s also important not to act out your anger in self-destructive ways like drinking too much, lashing out at friends, missing work, or lapsing into poor diet. Circumstantial anger does eventually pass.” And if right now your rage isn’t at a particular person or situation, but rather a deeper cultural climate, it’s just as important to be sure you’re letting it out in a healthy way.
“Bring your mind to what your life needs just today, right now, in the next hour,” says Moss. “Take on a new activity or learn a craft you’ve always been curious about. I joined a gym and treated myself to a few sessions with a circuit trainer during this election season. You could also learn to cook, join a knitting circle, book club, try karate, get a coach or therapist, meditate, do yoga, or volunteer to help others. Cultural issues are larger, more systemic, and take time to shift and repair so we need to pace ourselves.” She suggests taking a break from media news and events and getting involved locally for your personal growth. “For an individual, anger can be one of the greatest, most immediate forces of transformation available to humans, so use it as an opportunity to clarify who you are and what you want to accomplish in life.” How’s that for making lemonade out of lemons?
Image: Getty Images
Let (some of) it go
If, like me, as time passes, you find your anger has a duller edge than it used to, embrace that, too. As much as I’m grieving the loss of this election, I’m also grieving the loss of my immediate, heart-stabbing fury, because even that feels like a kind of defeat, since the last thing I want is to accept a Trump presidency as the new normal. But know that anger is part of your emotional immune system. Your body and brain know when to use it as a protective measure against threats, and it will surge again next time you need it—especially after you’ve learned to embrace it. And if, next time you’re in the throes of rage, you’re not sure what to do, remember Moss’s simple mantra: “Stop, go silent, and listen to the wisdom of the anger. Then, be kind to yourself.”
Wait a moment with me please. I need to let all that Tribal Council craziness soak in. What just happened easily ranks among the most unexpected twisted turn of events that's ever unfolded in Survivor's 33 seasons. Wow. Really, wow. I must admit, that was all totally delicious and I wish another serving was piled on my Thanksgiving plate right now.
In a wild two-hour ride, a pair of castaways were sent packing -- one falling victim to a random, nail-biting elimination. Let's tackle that shocker first. It all started because Zeke and David found themselves strongly gunning for each other because both perceive the other as the game's biggest threat to win it all.
With dedicated troops rallied on each side, the vote resulted in a tie. Zeke's camp piled their ballots against Hannah, while David's block targeted Zeke. After a re-vote, the outcome was still deadlocked. Per Survivor's rules, the castaways are given time to discuss changing their vote by coming to a vocal unanimous decision against either Hannah or Zeke. Despite Will's pleas to push for a unanimous vote, it was nothing more than a split mess.
It ultimately resulted in one of the game's most risky, nerve-racking elements any castaway can face: Drawing rocks. Yep, for the third time in Survivor history, the eliminated contestant was ousted based on the unlucky fate of randomly drawing a black rock [it was originally purple for those of you keeping track.] Because of the tie vote, Zeke and Hannah were granted Immunity along with Jay because he won the challenge. Meanwhile, every other castaway was suddenly vulnerable to the Survivor gods. Each stuck their hand into a bag and pulled out a rock.
When every castaway anxiously unfurled their fingers, it was Jessica who possessed the black rock. Clearly disappointed, disgusted and stunned, she couldn't hold back her tears. She walked out of the game with obvious regret that she hadn't swapped her vote and put a ballot against Hannah instead. It was such a stand-out moment that Jeff Probst seized the opportunity and swapped his famous phrase from "the tribe has spoken" to "the game has spoken."
As you might imagine, the Twitterverse exploded in utter awe of what unfolded.
Survivor viewer shocked about Tribal Council
Survivor viewer shocked about Tribal Council
Survivor viewer calls episode 10 intense
Survivor viewer calls episode 10 intense
Survivor viewer on intense Tribal Council
Survivor viewer on intense Tribal Council
Survivor viewer raves about episode
Survivor viewer raves about episode
Survivor viewer stunned by Jessica Lewis ouster
Survivor viewer stunned by Jessica Lewis ouster
Survivor viewer says his heart can't take it
Survivor viewer says his heart can't take it
Survivor viewer calls episode next level
Survivor viewer calls episode next level
Time must help heal wounds, though, because Jessica playfully tweeted after her elimination aired that she was selling her bad luck black rock because it wasn't the "color she ordered."
Jessica Lewis tweets about Survivor black rock
Jessica Lewis tweets about Survivor black rock
Whether or not you think forcing a rock draw is stupid, you must admit that it was absolutely compelling to watch. Put yourself in their position. Think of how insane it is to put your $1 million game on the line because you so strongly believe in your voting lines. While some people are clearly bummed by the outcome, I enjoyed every second of how it played out. It proved why this show is still so fresh and fun.
Sadly, I think the fireworks ignited by drawing rocks outshined every aspect of Chris also getting voted off. His demise in the game was orchestrated brilliantly, but it will likely be forgotten because of the earthquake that hit Jessica.
A few other interesting things happened throughout the two-hour Thanksgiving eve episode that are worth noting:
Bret secretly told Zeke he's gay.
David played his Idol for Ken who wound up receiving no votes.
Jessica decided to give Ken her Legacy Advantage, which must be passed down to an active contestant if its current owner is voted off. It's still unclear what the advantage is, but we will find out on finale night.
What did you think of that intense Tribal Council? Join the conversation now by leaving a comment in the section below.
The new film Miss Sloane starring Jessica Chastain, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Alison Pill gives us an unflinching look at the morally questionable world of political lobbying. This roller coaster of a film brings into focus the scheming, manipulative and unscrupulous nature of how laws in America get made — for better or worse.
Image: EuropaCorp
Not much is known about the lobbying industry and that's on purpose. Lobbyists prefer to keep their moves close to their chest as they work on behalf of their clients. So what exactly is a lobbyist? A lobbyist is a person or group paid to persuade members of the government to make laws that would benefit their group. Though this is a legitimate industry, it is highly controversial.
The reason lobbyists are often scorned is because they are paid to act on behalf of corporations whose financial goals are not always in the best interest of American citizens. One example is the tobacco industry. Though it's been known for years that cigarettes — and now e-cigarettes — are hazardous to your health, millions of dollars are spent on lobbyists every year to ensure our laws allow tobacco products to be readily available and affordable. The gun industry is also well-known for having a powerful lobby.
In Miss Sloane, Jessica Chastain plays Elizabeth Sloane, a cutthroat lobbyist willing to circumvent legal and ethical boundaries to win.
Though the gun lobby offers Miss Sloane a lot of money to work on their behalf by convincing moms that guns protect, not hurt, their children, she quits her job at a top lobbying firm to go to work for the opposition, taking the side of gun control.
But what’s most interesting about Elizabeth Sloane is that the motive for her decision to work for the little guy is never revealed. Personally, she may or may not be for gun restrictions — we never find out. Instead, it seems as if her true motivation is the glory of single-handedly pummeling Goliath (the gun industry) to death. Elizabeth Sloane is a female character rarely seen in movies.
Image: EuropaCorp
Masculine in many ways, including having regular trysts with male prostitutes, Elizabeth Sloane is unique because she doesn't represent the film's moral center — something female characters usually do in movies. Instead, her morality, motives and actions are all highly questionable from the start. Her moral core seems to be based on winning for winning's sake, no matter the consequences.
Miss Sloane isn't really a feminist or even a political film. Its agenda is only to ride the wave of power to see how far one person can take it. Turns out, it's a long, terrifying but exhilarating ride.
To prepare for her role, Chastain went to Washington D.C., to meet with 11 real-life female lobbyists. According to a recent interview she did with Awards Daily, Chastain said, "Seven of the 11 lobbyists that I met with were wearing black nail polish. I thought to myself that was odd. I assume black nail polish is rock and roll, so to see D.C. power players wearing black nail polish was a strong, bold and aggressive choice."
Chastain also took note of their clothing, "The way that they dress, a lot of black and power suits. Almost masculine in the way they dress, but still strong and sexy. I saw that it was a way of putting on a uniform and it was like a battle cry. A way of being heard and seen before you even enter the room."
Elizabeth Stone makes a perfect metaphor for the lobbying industry: aggressive, masculine, sexy and battle-ready. If the film has any message, it's that we as Americans need to be wary of how the sausage gets made in Washington, because it's more disturbing than most of us realize.
Bigger doesn't always mean better, but when you're talking about dogs it totally does.
That's not to say we don't love small dogs, but there's just something about a big, fuzzy, bear of a puppy that makes cuddling so satisfying. Sure, big dogs may need more room and can require a little extra care, but they pay back their owner's efforts with gargantuan sized affection.
According to the latest 2015-2016 survey from the American Pet Products Association, 50 percent of American dog owners have small dogs, but big dogs come in close second — about 37 percent of households own a larger breed as a companion, a guard dog or just a big old puddle of love for their kids.
Here are 10 adorable dog breeds that are truly larger than life.
10. Bernese mountain dog
Image: Stanze/Flickr
We can thank the Swiss for many great things: fine chocolate, luxury watches... and the Bernese mountain dog. This dog has become extremely popular throughout the years, recognizable because of its affectionate personality and keen intelligence.
Regal looking with its long, silky, tri-colored fur, the Bernese mountain dog is a true outdoors dog that, as its name might imply, fares well in cold weather. Ever patient and loyal, this large dog breed would make a great addition to any family with children, despite having a potential height of 23 to 28 inches and a weight of up to 110 pounds. Just note that due to their propensity to develop cancer, their life expectancy is only about 6 to 8 years, and they should be regularly screened by a qualified vet.
It'd be very difficult to not mention Lassie when talking about collies, so there. Now that that's out of the way, collies are a very popular breed of large dog, not only for their obvious ties to classic literature and film, but for their sharp minds and friendly natures. These loyal dogs rarely show signs of aggression unless their owners are in need of protection. Equally fearless and gentle, the collie is good with kids and can be the ideal addition to a happy family.
They can get as tall as 2 feet and weigh 50 to 70 pounds, making them slightly smaller than the Bernese.
If you've ever seen a mastiff, you'll agree that there is one word that can properly size up its appearance: powerful. No kidding, this dog is huge — not as tall as a Great Dane but probably twice as thick at between 2 and 3 feet tall with a weight of between 130 and 220 pounds.
Fittingly, these dogs make excellent guard dogs. Though the mastiff seems beast-like, it is surprisingly affectionate, gentle and extremely loyal. Their devotion to their owners and patience with children have secured their popularity for years, though they must be properly socialized to get along well with children and other pets, and it's best if you don't have them around very small children or adults who are frail as they can easily knock them over, causing serious injuries. Their life span is generally between 6 and 10 years, but some have lived as long as 18 years.
Great Danes are gentle giants, calm and friendly despite their intimidating size. If you want to make sure you don't get one of the really huge ones, opt for a female — males can get up to 200 pounds, but females generally top out at 115 pounds. They do require love, attention and plenty of space to exercise those long limbs, though, so they're ideal if you have a big backyard. They're great with kids, but beware that you're probably investing in a 100 to 200 pound lapdog.
The German short-haired pointer requires lots of exercise and attention. If properly trained, the GSP makes the ideal companion for owners with an active lifestyle and a love for the outdoors. Otherwise, this headstrong breed may prove to be too much of a challenge for a first-time owner.
If you do love the outdoors, the GSP is good with kids, though it may just be a bit too feisty for very little ones, although at only about 2-feet tall and up to 70 pounds, this fur baby is a bit smaller for the large breed fan who's not willing to commit to one of the previous adorable monsters.
Despite the negative attention received due to its portrayal as a mean dog in television and film, the rottweiler remains a highly popular breed.
Here's why: Historically a herding dog, the rottweiler's natural obedience makes it adaptable to several roles — just as capable of being a guard dog as assisting as a service dog. Extremely intelligent and good-natured, the rottweiler is naturally attentive and very loyal to its family.
That said, rotties are best in homes with older kids who know how to interact with dogs. Since they are herding dogs, small children can easily get knocked over when the pup tries to herd them with leans and nudges.
These dogs are stout, generally around 2-feet tall but weighing as much as 130 pounds, and live between 8 and 11 years.
It's no wonder the standard poodle is often a contributing factor to some cocktails of "designer mutts." Superiorly intelligent, training the standard poodle is a breeze. It is naturally inclined to be a crowd-pleaser — you'll be hard-pressed to find an unsatisfied owner of a standard poodle. Just be prepared to devote oodles of attention and playtime to your pet if you ever choose to become the proud owner of a poodle.
Usually only about 2-feet tall, they still only weigh in between 40 and 75 pounds. Better yet, they have one of the longer life spans of larger dogs, often living as long as some smaller dogs, at about 15 years. Even better, they're generally good with kids, though they may need some extra help accepting a new animal in the house if they're used to being the only four-legged friend.
Though named as such for their distinctively silky, gold-colored tresses, golden retrievers could have easily earned their name for having a heart of gold.
Friendly to both owners and strangers alike, these dogs are renowned for their compatibility with children. Golden retrievers are primarily indoor pets but do require a daily dose of exercise running around the yard. About 2-feet tall, they aren't as weighty as some of the dogs on this list, generally capping out at about 75 pounds. They also live a long life for a dog at around 11 years or so.
Keenly intelligent and eager to serve, it's no wonder these dogs are commonly seen in service roles and working alongside policemen.
One of the most well-rounded pets out there, the German shepherd is highly versatile and can make for a loving family member as well as a trusted guardian. Generally trustworthy with children, they still need to be well-socialized with them, and small children should always be supervised around dogs of this size.
What can be said about the Labrador retriever that hasn't been said? The fact that the Lab placed No. 1 in the American Kennel Club's registration lists for 18 consecutive years speaks a lot for itself.
Equally excellent at being a working or companion dog, the Lab's intelligence and lovable personality make this breed the most popular dog in the world, regardless of size. They're usually about 2-feet tall, weigh 55 to 80 pounds and live a pretty long time, about 11 years.
These are one of the best dog breeds if you have kids. They aren't just accepting of kids — they seem to enjoy the chaos and often willingly submit to whatever humiliation kids dole out (like wearing crazy hats). They can also be great with other pets if properly socialized.
Originally published Oct. 2010. Updated Nov. 2016.
Buying a car can be intimidating, not just because you’re plunking down a bunch of savings, but also because you’re picking something that will become an integral part of life and where you’ll spend a lot of time. That means that if you choose right, you’ll enjoy (or at least be less unhappy) commuting, doing errands or carpooling, whereas if you pick the wrong vehicle, it could be an uncomfortable, unpleasant and — at worse — unsafe experience.
In order to make the car-buying process a little easier, I asked seasoned experts at GM for insider intel. Sarah Weiman, Buick district sales manager in Austin and San Antonio, Texas, shares ways to narrow your options and save money, while Tricia E. Morrow, who works in global vehicle safety, offers tips on how to shop with safety in mind.
Don’t browse until you have a budget
It might sound obvious, but for the clueless among us (read: me), running some numbers should come well before you start bookmarking your favorite models or heading to the local dealership. “Having the payment and finance terms in mind before beginning the buying process can really help nail down the right car for your lifestyle and budget,” says Weiman. “Generally speaking, a car payment, including principal, interest and insurance, should total no more than 10 to 15 percent of your individual income. To figure out the right payment and vehicle expense, I tell customers to use an online payment calculator like this one, which can make the process easier.”
Look for special safety features
When car shopping, don’t forget to keep in mind tech that can keep you and your family safe. “Newer vehicles may come equipped with up-to-date options, including active safety features,” says Morrow. “For example, many new vehicles have automatic emergency braking, which can alert drivers to take corrective action to avoid front-end collisions and can apply brakes if needed to prevent the collision.” Morrow also recommends consulting resources like MyCarDoesWhat.org, an information site about car safety features hosted by the National Safety Council, or the National Highway for Traffic Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which allow customers to compare the safety of vehicles using consumer metric ratings. “There are a number of resources for parents to compare the safety records of various types of vehicles,” she says. “One good resource is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Choosing the Best Vehicle for Your Teen website.”
Having little ones in the back (or teens in the driver’s seat) should definitely affect what you look for when you’re shopping. “Popular vehicle choices for families with new drivers include midsize cars and crossovers that have a wide range of modern safety technologies available,” says Morrow. If you have small kids, make sure there are enough seating positions for your needs — child seats come in different sizes, and you need to physically check to ensure your kids fit in the car you want to buy. Some cars also include teen safety devices that give parents peace of mind by muting the car’s audio when seat belts aren’t plugged in and giving visual and audible warnings when the car is speeding.
Factor in your favorite activities
If you feel equally comfortable in a sedan or SUV and aren’t really sure what type of car is right for you from the outset, making a mental list of places you’ll go and things you’ll do in the car can help. “Consider your favorite activities,” says Weiman. “Do you like trying out all the latest tech gadgets? Going to the beach? Taking road trips where gas expenses are a concern and mileage could play a factor? This can help guide you towards the car that’s right for your lifestyle.” For instance, says Weiman, if you’re an avid audiobook listener, you might want to consider a car with technology that allows you to download a book or podcast (most models, these days), but also a quiet, comfortable and noise-canceling interior. If you live in a cold climate, you might want a car that’s super-safe in snow or freezing rain.
Talk to people who know
Ask friends and family who have bought cars about their experiences and insights. Also see if they can give you recommendations for a good local car dealership. Otherwise, “read consumer and expert reviews online before selecting one,” says Weiman. “When you go in to meet with a dealer, don’t be afraid to prepare questions in advance. Explain the intended use of the vehicle to a trusted sales consultant. Will this be a ‘me’ or ‘we’ vehicle? Are you the kind of person who drives friends and family frequently? Do you travel often and could use a Wi-Fi hotspot in the vehicle? Do you anticipate using car seats? Is there a potential need for a third row, fold-down seats or a need to tow anything? The right sales consultant can share information and product features you hadn’t considered researching.”
Look for ways to save
A car’s a big purchase, and not something you want to cut corners on (and end up with something that ends up falling apart). However, there are some legitimate and safe ways to cut your costs, says Weiman. “Understanding your objectives — meaning what will the car be most used for and what your must-have features are — will immediately help determine where you can start saving costs,” she says. “Pay attention to offers and deals that you can research online before pulling the trigger. There can also be savings benefits once you buy a new car. For example, with all new Buick vehicles, you have the ability to opt into a service called OnStar Smart Driver, which provides feedback on your driving behavior. It can lead to savings of up to 30 percent on insurance rates.” Insurance companies like Progressive offer similar money-saving programs, but neither will ultimately lower the price of your car.
Finally, don’t forget to consider used cars. “Pre-owned is a great option for the first-time car buyer,” says Weiman. “The right pre-owned car can offer affordability as well as peace of mind. To save money over time, I encourage customers to wait until they’re in a positive equity position before buying their next car.”
Don’t commit until you’re ready
Weiman says one of the biggest mistakes she sees buyers make is the impulse purchase. “It’s so important to keep the long-term use of your car in mind. Buy it for the features that will make life better years down the road, not the thing that wows you at the dealership but that you don’t use ever again.” Regular maintenance is required with all cars, so if that’s not something you’re up for financially or logistically, be honest with yourself — otherwise the car will lose value and you’ll lose money down the line.
At absolute least, do two full weeks of research and exploring the market before making a decision, says Weiman. “I always remind friends, family and customers that test drives are free! Take as many as you need to find the perfect fit. Sometimes you won’t notice a certain feature until you’re out on the road, and you don’t want that to be after you’ve bought the car.”
With more information emerging every day about processed food, it's no wonder people are arguably more health-conscious than ever. And given that people consider pups part of the family, it was only a matter of time before raw diets for dogs experienced a surge in popularity.
But is this just another health fad for pets that comes in hot and burns out quick? Or is there more to this lifestyle choice than being trendy?
A raw food diet for dogs is precisely what it sounds like: all of the food is raw. There are no hidden ingredients. There are no preservatives or fillers. You are, in essence, feeding your dog the same healthy food you might eat yourself, but you don't cook any of it (not even the meats).
The logic is that, historically, dogs didn't have meals cooked for them. Throughout evolution, they have survived on a raw food diet through predation and foraging. The theory, then, is that dogs' digestive systems could be better suited for raw diets.
People who make the switch seem to swear by it, claiming their dogs experience benefits ranging from better breath to a shinier coat and everything in between. Still, most of the information out there seems to be anecdotal, so we decided to consult an expert source.
"Raw food diets can work fine, but I like to be cautious about certain meats raw, mainly due to food-safety issues," she told SheKnows. "We see a lot of gastro due to raw feeding, particularly raw chicken and mince. These things are best cooked due to high levels of E. coli and salmonella. Same with raw eggs."
Bright does concede, though, that dogs can do well adhering to a raw diet, explaining, "The truth is that dogs can thrive on all sorts of diets, and sometimes it isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Many do best with little variety in their diet and will get stomach upsets with fatty, rich food. Or, in fact, anything but what they are used to."
Further pointing to the possibility that raw diets could be beneficial for dogs is the fact that raw diets rely largely on vegetables. "Dogs also need fiber in their diet, so an all-meat diet tends to lead to constipation," Bright said.
A raw food diet can also be beneficial for pet owners whose pups have food allergies — sometimes a change in diet helps, suggests Bright.
"Commonly, they are intolerant to chicken, beef, corn or another red meat, so switching to home-prepared food can be helpful. This is best done with assistance from a vet so you can make sure that nutritional requirements are being met. No dog will thrive on only eating a few ingredients with no vegetables," she said.
One major caveat, according to Bright, is the consumption of raw bones.
She elaborates, "I don't like to recommend bones, mainly because we see the worst of what happens with bones, and they can be dangerous. Bones can cause gastroenteritis; foreign bodies (chicken necks are the ideal shape to get lodged in the esophagus) and harder bones will break teeth. Bones that are consumed (even if raw) will cause constipation and obstruction further along the digestive tract too. I would see usually one dog a week that has a broken tooth from bone chewing. When you think about how strong those big bones are — particularly beef shin bones that are able to hold up the weight of a cow — if a dog tries to chew one of those, often the tooth gives away before the bone does."
Plus, it's not like giving your dog a raw diet is going to give him pearly whites. "It's a complete myth that bones clean teeth," Bright emphasized. "The best thing for healthy teeth is the same as for us: daily brushing and a regular scale and polish every six months."
Raw diets can be accomplished with minimal risk to your dog, though, and dog nutrition blogger Kimberly Gauthier says the benefits speak for themselves. In fact, she believes in raw feeding for dogs so much that she parlayed her passion into one of the leading blogs in the U.S. on the subject — Keep the Tail Wagging garners over 100,000 unique visitors per month who practice raw feeding or are considering it.
Gauthier first turned her attention to raw feeding for dogs because her own pooch, Rodrigo, suffered from severe allergies, ear infections and digestive issues. Seeking an alternative to commercial dog food that might alleviate Rodrigo's symptoms, Gauthier stumbled upon raw feeding.
Over 6,000 subscribers later, she is considered an unofficial expert on the dietary change for dogs.
When asked what advice she would give other dog owners who are considering making the switch, Gauthier shared with SheKnows her top three tips:
"1) Don't rush into the diet unless you have a veterinarian experienced in raw feeding helping you along the way. I find it better to start with a reputable pre-made raw brand. Be careful — because of the growing awareness of raw feeding, there are a ton of hacks entering the game.
"2) Take your time and educate yourself on raw feeding and your dog's needs. I'm raising four raw-fed dogs and each one has different needs. Although there is a basic understanding of what it takes to create a balanced raw meal for our dog, this changes a little (or a lot) depending on the dog's age, health, weight and our access to resources.
"3) Join a local raw feeding community (or an online one). There are many Facebook groups and forums for raw feeders. These groups can be intense, so develop a thick skin. Despite the strong opinions you'll see flying back and forth, there is a wealth of information and experience here. But don't stop here — take a few steps and do your own research as well. I've found that finding a local raw feeding community is a great way to learn, share tips and save money on resources."
As always — and as recommended by both Bright and Gauthier — consult your veterinarian before making any major changes to your dog's diet or lifestyle.
What do you think? Would you try a raw diet for your dogs?
There's been no shortage of celebrities who've voiced their concerns about President-elect Donald Trump's victory. Sex and the City star Kristin Davis is the latest to speak from a mother's perspective.
The actress was quick to acknowledge that she has "lived in white privilege" and that she didn't realize this until she adopted Gemma, who is now 5. "Until you actually have a child, which is like your heart being outside you, and that heart happens to be in a brown body, and you have people who are actively working against your child; it’s hard. It fills me with terror," she explained.
Davis revealed how she reacted to the news of Trump's victory: "My initial thoughts on Wednesday morning was that I wanted to move to the woods and learn to shoot a gun."
She also admitted to still being in denial about the election result. "Right now I want to be in the bubble," she said. "I don’t want to talk to any Trump people. I grew up with some really ugly racism in front of me. Not in my family. We were at the university where things were cool, but around us was really, really not cool. And it was intensely illuminating and as a young person really shocking. And to think that my daughter is now going through a different version of this is pretty stunning and shocking."
But she's determined to find the strength to support her daughter through what may be an extremely difficult time. "I have to tell her, 'Your curls are beautiful, your black skin is beautiful. You’re beautiful. You’re powerful. You’re a goddess' — because she needs to know this," she said.
