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The Bachelor's Nick Viall is Snow White's Dopey in human form

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The Bachelor Season 21 just got awkward as the first round of group dates showcased an interesting side of Nick Viall.

Viall absolutely didn't seem to know what to do with himself, smooshed in between all of his lovely — and sexually competitive — ladies. He crumbled under the pressure. It ended more than awkwardly for the poor guy, who looked like he was lost most of the time.

More: Nick Viall's new Bachelor promo is such a tease

And we've totally figured out why. Viall is Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Just check out the GIFs below if you are skeptical.

Nick Viall on The Bachelor
Image: ABC
Snow White Dopey GIF
Image: Disney

On the group date, Viall looked like a fish out of water. He even looked bored in some moments with all the women.

Nick Viall bored on The Bachelor
Image: ABC

Granted, it was kind of a weird initial date with the ladies. On their first date, Viall participated in a wedding photo shoot with each of the women.

More: Why are they casting women so much younger than Nick Viall on The Bachelor?

Could it just be that he was overwhelmed?

Snow White's Dopey
Image: Disney

Nick is clearly down to have a good time...

Nick Viall on The Bachelor Week 2
Image: ABC

...Maybe he just prefers a little more action?

Snow White's Dopes GIF
Image: Disney

We also don't blame him for quickly getting sick of the ladies' antics. Already.

More: Bachelorette's Chad Johnson & Robby Hayes trash-talked Nick Viall so hard

Corrine is jealous and taking her shirt off. Liz is airing her dirty laundry with Nick in front of all the ladies. And he's already faux breaking up with six of them, only to experience their wrath. Whew!

The Bachelor's Nick Viall GIF
Image: ABC

We would imagine that in Week 2 Viall already has a pretty good idea of which women he's interested in and which he's just keeping around to make a good show. We can all see it.

Snow White GIF
Image: Disney

All in all, Viall redeemed himself with the one-on-one. He's clearly better when he's only got one woman to juggle.

Nick Viall GIF
Image: ABC
Snow White GIF
Image: Disney

Did you think Nick Viall's first round of group dates on The Bachelor were super awkward?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Bachelor Season 21 contestants slideshow
Image: ABC

Sherlock has broken the internet — and it happened with a hug

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For Sherlock fans, series 4's second episode, "The Lying Detective" was the one they've been waiting for for years, because it sees Sherlock Holmes and John Watson finally share a hug.

More: We can't get over [SPOILER]'s death on Sherlock — here's why

The moment happened when Watson, played by Martin Freeman, broke down and confessed to Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock that he had been speaking to another woman behind his wife Mary's back (before her death in the previous episode.) Watson, riddled with guilt, was in need of comfort, and while many fans would have expected Sherlock to react in a completely different way (given the difficulty that he has previously shown with expressing feelings) he surprised us all by embracing his friend and colleague.

Sherlock hugs Watson

Sherlock hugs Watson

And the internet has gone crazy.

The episode of the hit BBC series drew in six million viewers, winning its time slot and beating competitor Endeavour's 5.1 million. Fans took to Twitter to share their joy over the emotional moment — and it's clear that a lot of people have been waiting for this for a long time.

reaction to Sherlock's hug 7

reaction to Sherlock's hug 7

reactions to Sherlock's hug 6

reactions to Sherlock's hug 6

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reactions to Sherlock's hug 5

reactions to Sherlock's hug 4

reactions to Sherlock's hug 4

reactions to Sherlock's hug 3

reactions to Sherlock's hug 3

reactions to Sherlock's hug 2

reactions to Sherlock's hug 2

reactions to Sherlock's hug

reactions to Sherlock's hug

More: The way Sherlock creators told fans Sherlock & John aren't gay is so rude

This hug was much more than just a fleeting moment of emotion — it was also an important step in the development of Cumberbatch's character.

reactions to Sherlock's hug 8

reactions to Sherlock's hug 8

Could this moment be the breakthrough that Holmes needed to come to terms with his emotions? Does this mean he will be more willing to embrace his softer side? Could this new change in Holmes' attitude subsequently affect his approach to his work?

More: Benedict Cumberbatch gets candid about his 'obsessive, deluded' fans

We'll have to wait and see how series 4 plays out, but the new dynamic between the characters, coupled with through-the-roof ratings, could help ensure that the series makes it back for a fifth series.

However it's possible that more main characters will be killed off, something Cumberbatch seemed to hint at during an recent interview.

"This new series goes to a place where it will be hard to follow on immediately," he explained. "We never say never on the show, but in the immediate future we all have things we want to crack on with, and we've made something very complete as it its."

What did you think of the hug between Sherlock and Watson? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Piers Morgan slams Meryl Streep's Golden Globes speech as 'elitist snobbery'

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While most of the world reacted with awe and admiration for Meryl Streep for her powerful Golden Globes acceptance speech for the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award, there were some people who felt that her words were inappropriate. Unsurprisingly, one of the most vocal detractors is Piers Morgan.

More: Does Donald Trump have nothing better to do than tweet about Meryl Streep?

Streep's speech honoured women, showed an appreciation of people of different nationalities and backgrounds, and made a strong political statement by mentioning President-elect Donald Trump's mockery of reporter Serge Kovaleski, who has a congenital joint condition. Steep didn't mention Trump by name, but we all knew exactly who she was talking about.

In his column for Daily Mail on Monday, Jan. 9, Morgan, a self-confessed Streep fan, slammed her for her speech, writing, "I haven't heard such elitist snobbery since Hillary Clinton branded Trump supporters ‘a basket of deplorables'."

Morgan pointed out that the alleged incident between Kovaleski and Trump happened in 2015 and that "There's even been another Golden Globes in between then and now, at which it was never mentioned." He also wrote, "Trump has always furiously denied that he was mocking the reporters disability," adding that "a Conservative website produced video evidence of numerous other instances where he made the exact same gesture to fully able-bodied people when attacking them."

More: Piers Morgan will interview Lady Gaga after he cast doubt over her rape & PTSD claims

Morgan went on to claim that he "laughed out loud with incredulity" after Streep said, "Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose," because he found it to be incredibly hypocritical. He added, "You'd be hard-pushed to find an industry that encourages more disrespect and violence than Hollywood."

The Good Morning Britain host referred to Hollywood as "A place where rich powerful people make billions of dollars by regularly pandering to the lowest common denominators of sexism, racism, homophobia and misogyny. And happily exploit ever more hideous, graphic violence to make a fast, easy buck."

Morgan's comments have lead to debate on Twitter. Some called him out for double standards.

reaction to Meryl Streep speech 2

reaction to Meryl Streep speech 2

reaction to Meryl Streep's speech

reaction to Meryl Streep's speech

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reaction to Meryl Streep's speech 4

reactions to Meryl Streep speech

reactions to Meryl Streep speech

More: Enough already with Piers Morgan's racist BS

But others have shown a newfound appreciation for the outspoken journalist, applaudiing him for calling Streep out over her anti-Trump speech.

negative reactions to Meryl Streep speech 2

negative reactions to Meryl Streep speech 2

negative reaction to Meryl Streep speech 3

negative reaction to Meryl Streep speech 3

negative reaction to Meryl Streep speech

negative reaction to Meryl Streep speech

Was Morgan right to criticise Streep? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Check out 2017's TV shows with strong female leads in Canada

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Good binge-worthy television series are as crucial to your survival during a Canadian winter as long johns and central heating. It's time to look forward to an exciting roster of new shows featuring strong female characters — whether you're in the mood to laugh along with working moms as they try to juggle breast pumps and work calls or watch a dark comedy about a suburban real estate agent who just happens to be a cannibal.

More: 15 Inspiring movie quotes from strong female characters

Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies

Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée, the director of Wild and Dallas Buyers Club, worked with a stacked cast of Hollywood stars on Big Little Lies, including Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley and Zoe Kravitz. Set in Monteray, California, this dark, twisted dramedy centers around the lives of an unlikely cast of women. Kidman stars as an ex-corporate lawyer whose picture-perfect marriage isn't all it appears to be, Kravitz plays a yoga instructor and second wife to her older husband, and Woodley is a troubled single mother, haunted by her past. Despite their obvious differences, the women appear to be connected by a tangled web of secrets which comes to life in the aftermath of a murder. Tune into the first episode Feb. 1 on HBO Canada.

Workin' Moms

Working Moms

Working Moms

Comedian Catherine Reitman wants to get real about motherhood and the struggle to have it all in her new series Workin' Moms, a CBC comedy based on her actual life, which she stars in alongside her real-life husband. Reitman's show is inspired by own her experience with post-partum depression after giving birth to her first son and the moments of comedy she somehow managed to find in the challenging experience of returning to work shortly after giving birth. The new show asks the simple question: can we really do it all? "All four characters are based on highly flawed aspects of myself," explained Reitman in an interview with ET Canada. "These are all real moments that I'm hoping our audience can relate to." We'll find out just how relatable this new series is when it premieres on CBC Jan. 10.

More: Drew Barrymore's been killing the fashion game since 1983

Santa Clarita Diet

Santa Clarita Diet

Santa Clarita Diet

"Ready to take your life to a whole new level of wow?" asks a perky Drew Barrymore in a mock diet infomercial for her new show The Santa Clarita Diet. Well you can, by eating whoever you want — but only if they deserve it of course. And did we mention the first month is free? Barrymore stars in this offbeat horror-inspired comedy about a suburban mom and real estate agent who experiences a little hiccup in her life when she joins the ranks of the undead and starts eating people. But despite being about cannibalism, Barrymore said "there's a real optimism to the show." She added: “I don’t want to watch a show about a couple fighting and falling apart, I can’t handle it right now. It’s not heavy, but it’s not lacking in a sort of sweetness, if you will. But it’s also got bite and backbone and balls.” I'm intrigued — Sign me up! The first episode premieres Feb. 3 on Netflix Canada.

Scandal Season 6

Scandal

Scandal

You really can't have too much of Kerry Washington as DC political fixer Olivia Pope, so thank god Olivia and her team of gladiators are returning to Netflix in Canada Jan. 20th for Season 6, with new episodes each week. Bust out the red wine, because it looks like things are going to get pretty intense this time around. We'll find out who won the presidential race, whether or not Olivia will reunite with Fitz, Jake or someone else entirely, and if Olivia will finally beat her father at his shady political games, or worse yet, become him.

Homeland Season 6

Homeland

Homeland

The sixth season of Homeland tackles incredibly timely and loaded topics, including Islamophobia and the fight against terrorism. Plus there's a presidential race featuring a controversial female candidate. CIA officer Carrie Mathison returns to the United States from Berlin and takes on a new role this season: "Carrie's response to her experiences on the front lines was to disengage from the CIA," explained Claire Danes, who plays Carrie. "In this season she's created this law firm that advocates on behalf of wrongfully accused Muslim people." Wanna know more? Canadians can tune in Jan. 15 at 9pm ET on Super Channel.

More: Scandal makes marriage look horrible — and I love it

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie are finally agreeing about something in their divorce

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Last September when Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie announced their decision to divorce after 12 years together, the world was shocked, but the ugliness that followed was even more shocking.

More: Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie have come to a temporary decision regarding custody

However, it looks as though Pitt and Jolie may have finally come to a decision for the good of their family. On Monday, Jan. 9, the estranged couple released a joint statement, their first since their decision to divorce, and in it they revealed their decision to seal all court documents relating to both their divorce, and the custody of their six children.

"The parties and their counsel have signed agreements to preserve the privacy rights of their children and family by keeping all court documents confidential and engaging a private judge to make any necessary legal decisions and to facilitate the expeditious resolution of any remaining issues. The parents are committed to act as a united front to effectuate recovery and reunification," the couple said in a statement obtained by CNN.

More: Angelina Jolie reportedly upset Brad Pitt saw the kids on Christmas

This is great news, because it is not just the couple who have been affected by the public scrutiny of their divorce, but also their children, as every bitter detail has been meticulously recorded by the press. The decision to get a private judge will help seal all the details and let the divorce negotiations play out without interference from the press.

Plus, the fact that Jolie and Pitt have been able to agree on something, even if it is the direction on which to take their divorce, seems to suggest that they are willing to put their differences aside and begin to heal their family.

More: Brad Pitt is turning his custody battle with Angelina Jolie even more ugly

Do you think Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie made a smart move opting for a private judge? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt through the years
Image: Fayevision/WENN

Amazon Echo's Alexa is turning out to be a bad influence on our kids

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We can't keep our kids away from our gadgets and the new Amazon Echo, the online retail giant's bestselling product over Christmas, is no exception.

If you don't already know, Amazon Echo — now in millions of homes worldwide — is a voice-controlled speaker powered by intelligent assistant Alexa. Alexa is the perfect virtual companion for those who are just too overloaded (or lazy) to do things like shop, play music and adjust your thermostat yourself.

More: Mom channels Chewbacca during labor

Sounds great. But when kids get in on the Echo game, the potential for turmoil is huge. In Dallas, Texas, a 6-year-old girl asked Alexa the innocent question, "Can you play dollhouse with me and get me a dollhouse?" As Alexa likes to make wishes come true, she immediately ordered the little girl a KidKraft's dollhouse and — presumably in case she was hungry during play time — four pounds of sugar cookies. It only took seconds — and almost $200.

The story was reported on a local morning show on San Diego's SW6 News, which led to several other dollhouses arriving at the doors of Echo owners who were watching the news broadcast. Apparently, anchor Jim Patton's remark, "I love the little girl, saying 'Alexa ordered me a dollhouse,'" triggered orders on viewers' devices. It was a great day for KidKraft.

More: New videos take the awkward out of sex ed

It's not just accidental ordering that takes place when Alexa goes off script. Last week, a young boy asked his parents' Amazon Echo to "play "Digger, Digger'." But instead of playing a song about a large earth-digging machine, Alexa announced, "You want to hear a station for porn detected," and proceeded to list a number of choices that really aren't suitable for young ears (or eyes.) 

The funniest part is the parents' reaction when they realize what's happened. It's the digital equivalent of a kid discovering their parents' porn stash.

Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo

Luckily, there's a simple solution, to avoid unwanted dollhouse deliveries and the traumatization of your kid. Pin-protect your devices, parents.

More: My 8-year-old downloaded porn — here's how we handled it

Recipe Revamp: Shepherd’s pie for every kind of eater

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There are so many excellent reasons to adore shepherd's pie. It’s warm and comforting on the coldest of days. It’s relatively easy to make and costs very little, yet tastes like a million bucks. And it’s endlessly customizable.

It’s very hard to mess up a shepherd's pie recipe — in fact, you can almost say there is no wrong way to do it. The following recipe is for a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, but don’t feel handcuffed to that — scale it up or scale it down as you need, and don’t be too concerned about exact measurements. Shepherd's pie freezes beautifully, so it’s worthwhile to pick up some aluminum pans (any size) at the supermarket, then make a few so there’s always something to eat on those nights when your couch and Netflix win over slaving over a hot stove.

Basic shepherd's pie recipe

Ingredients:

For the bottom layer

  • A bit of olive or canola oil for the pan
  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small can or 1 small bag frozen (about 14 ounces) English peas
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1-1/2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Ground pepper to taste

For the top layer

  • 2 pounds (about 5 large-ish) russet potatoes
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup whole milk or sour cream
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • Paprika (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with paper towels.
  2. Peel the potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Put them into a medium saucepan, cover with an inch of cold water and a teaspoon of oil. Cook over high heat with the lid on until it comes to a boil. Once boiling, remove the cover, reduce the heat to a simmer and continue to cook until the potatoes can be crushed easily with a pair of tongs — about 15 minutes.
  3. Drain the potatoes and put them back in the pan, off the heat. Add whole milk or sour cream, butter, salt and a bit of pepper. Mash by hand or use a hand mixer and whip until you reach your desired consistency (you can add more milk a bit at a time if you like creamier potatoes). Once mashed, mix the egg in well. Set aside.
  4. Put about a tablespoon of oil into a large skillet over high heat. Add ground beef and sprinkle with a hefty pinch of kosher salt . Using a wooden spoon, break it up into medium crumbles, spreading it out to allow moisture to evaporate (this will help the meat get a nice, deep-brown crust). When cooked, pour the entire contents of the skillet into the baking dish to drain.
  5. Return the skillet to the heat and add the onions, cooking for about 3 minutes until golden. Add the garlic and cook another minute, then remove it to the dish with the ground beef. Repeat the process with the carrots, cooking until they take on color and begin to caramelize — about 5 minutes.
  6. Lower the heat to medium. Add the beef and onions back into the pan, as well as the peas. Discard the paper towels.
  7. Sprinkle the flour evenly over the mixture and stir well until the flour disappears. Slowly pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce while stirring constantly, and continue to cook until a gravy forms. If you find the gravy too thick, add a bit more stock or water. Taste for seasoning, adding more salt and pepper as you see fit.
  8. Spread the beef mixture evenly across the baking dish and top with the mashed potatoes. Use a spatula to smooth the top, then sprinkle lightly with paprika. Put the baking dish on top of a sheet pan to catch any pie that may bubble over.
  9. Put the shepherd’s pie on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes until hot and bubbling. Remove to a cooling rack and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Now that we've got that out of the way, here's all the fun you can have with shepherd's pie, depending on your preferences.

More: Top Chef contestants share their secrets for perfect pork chops

Paleo shepherd's pie

paleo shepherds pie
Image: Taiftin/Getty Images

Tweaks for bottom layer

  • Swap out the peas for sautéed mushrooms — slice them up and throw them into the pan when you’re cooking the carrots.
  • Omit the garlic — you’ll be adding it to the top instead.
  • Cut out the traditional pan gravy. Instead, remove the beef mixture to the pan and spread it out to cool for a bit — about 5 minutes. Take the broth and blend very well with 1 egg, then mix it into the filling. It will appear liquidy, but it will set in the oven.

Tweaks for top layer

  • Replace the potatoes with mashed cauliflower.
  • Omit the cream. Replace with 1/2 cup chicken broth mixed with 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum or blended with 1 egg yolk.
  • Crush 4 cloves of garlic and simmer in 1/4 cup olive oil or grass-fed butter.

Low-carb shepherd's pie

caramelized mushrooms
Image: jatrax/Getty Images

Tweaks for bottom layer

  • Swap out the carrots for caramelized mushrooms.
  • Cut out the traditional pan gravy. Instead, remove the beef mixture to the pan and spread out to cool for a bit — about 5 minutes. Take the broth and blend it very well with 1 egg, then mix into the filling. It will appear liquidy, but it will set in the oven.

Tweaks for top layer

  • Swap out the potatoes with two large cans of cannellini beans, drained.
  • Replace the whole milk with 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and 1 cup of vegetable or chicken stock.
  • Use ghee in place of butter.

Vegan shepherd's pie

vegan shepherds pie
Image: nata_vkusidey/Getty Images

Tweaks for bottom layer

  • Replace the meat (obviously) with 3 cups cooked lentils and 1 cup quartered mushrooms, sautéed over high heat with a touch of olive oil until deep brown.
  • Replace the beef stock with vegetable stock and add a dash of liquid aminos of vegan Worcestershire sauce for a boost of umami.

Tweaks for top layer:

  • Instead of adding cream and butter, simmer 4 cloves of crushed garlic in about 1/2 cup olive oil until golden brown, then whip into the mashed potatoes.
  • Fold in 1/2 cup chopped parsley or experiment by adding the herbs of your choice.
  • Sweet potatoes (instead of white potatoes) are especially good with lentils.

Buffalo-style “beef on weck”

shepherds pie
Image: rez-art/Getty Images

Beef on weck is a sandwich originating from Buffalo, New York. It's a bit like a French dip. A salt and caraway seed-topped Kaiser roll (that is, a kimmelweck roll) is filled with thinly sliced rare roast beef and horseradish with au jus on the side for dipping. Now, here's the shepherds pie version of that concept.

Tweaks for bottom layer

  • Omit all the vegetables. You can leave them if you want, but for true Buffalo authenticity, they should be replaced by more meat.
  • If you truly insist on having a vegetable on your plate, swap the peas and carrots for well-cooked mushrooms, which have a beefy flavor.

Tweaks for top layer

  • Replace the milk with sour cream.
  • Add grated horseradish, a teaspoon at a time, to taste. There’s no good set measurement for horseradish — its intensity is entirely a personal preference.
  • Stir in 1-1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds.
  • Before baking, sprinkle the top with a somewhat generous portion of very coarse salt.

Bad decisions shepherd's pie

shepherds pie
Image: John E. Kelly/Getty Images

Tweaks for bottom layer

  • Replace the carrots with diced hot peppers.
  • Replace the peas with either more peppers or chorizo.
  • Replace the pan gravy with a jar of queso.
  • Add some hot sauce if you want. Your funeral.

Tweaks for top layer

  • Replace the milk with sour cream.
  • Pulverize 2 cups of Doritos and fold them into the potatoes.
  • Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Serve with a diced avocado to help convince yourself this is OK.

Raw shepherd's pie recipe

raw foods
Image: Viktoriia Leontieva / EyeEm/Getty Images

Yup, raw shepherd's pie, because anything is possible! Keep the carrot and the onion. Everything else is getting replaced — unless you like raw potatoes dipped in raw beef, in which case, have fun with that.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups walnuts
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 large carrots
  • 2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup raw tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • 2 tablespoons raw soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup raw pressed olive oil
  • 2 cups sprouted lentils
  • 1 cup cashews
  • 1 small head cauliflower
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Paprika
  • 1 bunch parsley, chopped

Directions:

  1. Coarsely chop the walnuts, put them in a bowl, cover with 1 inch of water and soak them overnight.
  2. Mince half the onion very finely, then soak in ice-cold water.
  3. Shred the carrot on a cheese grater.
  4. In a blender, purée the cremini mushrooms, celery, tomato paste, 1 cup of water, nutritional yeast, raw soy sauce, paprika, garlic powder and olive oil.
  5. Season with a bit of salt and pepper and maybe some dried thyme if you’re feeling it.
  6. Drain the walnuts and onion and toss them together with the carrots, mushroom “gravy” and the of sprouted lentils. Season to taste, then spread into 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.
  7. For topping, soak the cashews in water overnight. Drain and add them to the food processor with chopped cauliflower, the clove of garlic, 1/4 cup of water, olive oil, a teaspoon of salt and a few cracks of black pepper.
  8. Process until smooth. If you’d like your mash a bit creamier, drizzle in some water with the machine running until you’ve reached the desired consistency. Spread the topping over the walnut/lentil mixture, then top with a sprinkle of paprika and chopped fresh parsley.

The developments in Kim Kardashian West's robbery aren't exactly good for her

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On Monday, Jan. 9, there was a major breakthrough in Kim Kardashian West's robbery case, after French officials arrested several suspects in Paris and the surrounding areas to bring them in for questioning.

More: There's been a major breakthrough in Kim Kardashian West's robbery case

While it's positive for Kardashian West that her assailants may finally be brought to justice, some three months after the robbery, it has reportedly caused her to re-live the trauma of being robbed at gunpoint.

Kardashian West is trying hard to move on with her life, and just recently made her return to social media (and subsequently the public eye) but according to a source close to the reality TV star, she's having a very hard time. The source told People, "Kim is aware that the French police have made arrests relating to her robbery. While she is relieved they are making progress, any updates makes her relive everything. It's still very tough for her to deal with."

More: Kanye West's squashing the Kim Kardashian West divorce rumors with one photo

According to the source, Kardashian West reportedly "gets very upset anytime she talks about the robbery" and "she just wants to move on from it." Which is probably why she is eager to get back into work, and will reportedly make her first official public appearance since the attack when she attends makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic's Master Class in Dubai.

More: Kim Kardashian West's days of being a reality TV star may soon be behind her

"She is excited about her Dubai trip. She is excited about the change of scenery and is looking forward to spending time with her fans," the source said. "She will have a big security team. She isn't concerned about her safety. As of now, the kids are not coming."

Our thoughts are with Kim Kardashian West during what we can only imagine must be an incredibly difficult time.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

kim and kanye slideshow
Image: Noel Velazquez/Getty Images

5 advances in women’s health technology we’re excited about

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We have jumped feet-first into using technology to help manage aspects of our health care — from period-tracking apps to wrist bands that count your steps. But what will the next generation of health-related technology look like — particularly for women?

Device for at-home breast reconstruction

With increasing numbers of women opting for preventative double mastectomies, there are, in turn, more considering post-surgical breast reconstruction. Typically, people who get breast reconstruction must get saline injections to expand the tissue in the breast area in order to make room for the implant.

A new device called AeroForm is trying to make that process a little easier, using carbon dioxide to gradually expand the breast tissue instead of saline injections. Not only would it be less painful, but it would also allow people to take control of their own recovery process, using the device at home instead of requiring trips to the doctor’s office.

More: High-tech health: Technology for heart health

Blood test to diagnose endometriosis

Currently, the only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis — a painful disease that happens when uterine tissue grows elsewhere in the body — is through an invasive surgical procedure. But Heather Bowerman at San Francisco-based Dot Laboratories is trying to make that process much easier with a blood test to detect the disease that affects 6 to 10 percent of American women and is a common cause of infertility. Ideally, it will decrease the average of 11 years it takes for a woman with endometriosis to get an accurate diagnosis.

“Uber for birth control”

Nurx is billing itself as “Uber for birth control,” offering users multiple brands of birth control pills, the patch and the ring. It also offers pre-exposure prophylaxis — a medication called Truvada used to prevent the transmission of HIV. If you have health insurance, then Nurx is usually free, but those who pay out-of-pocket can choose from plans starting at $15 per month. Currently, Nurx birth control services are available in California, New York, Washington, D.C., Washington state, Pennsylvania and Illinois, while PrEP is offered in California, New York and Washington state. Delivery typically happens within 72 hours of your request being approved by a medical provider.

More: 3 ways high-tech companies are making health care almost painless

DIY STI testing and pap smears

Getting pap smears and STI tests are typically not high on our list of fun activities. For a lot of women, it’s not even a matter of them being unpleasant, but living in rural or secluded areas may make it difficult for them to receive routine health screenings. To help with this, Toronto-based Eve Medical has developed HerSwab — an at-home STI and cervical cancer test. Right now, it is only available in Canada as part of an Eve Kit, which allows users to collect a targeted sample in less than one minute, send it back to the lab and then check the results online. Unfortunately, the Eve Kit is currently unavailable in the United States, but fingers crossed it’s in the pipeline.

More: 4 ways virtual health care will make your life easier

Saliva fertility test

After running into complications getting pregnant, Katie Brenner, a postdoctoral student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison founded bluDiagnostics with the aim to build a better fertility test. The company is working on a prototype that would use saliva to detect female hormone levels in order to predict ovulation and identify other issues that may result in challenges with getting pregnant. The simple testing device could be used at home with the results sent to a smart device. Brenner aims to apply for FDA approval in 2017.

Easy homemade paleo bread is an ex carb-lover's dream

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Ah, the paleo diet. It's all fun and games until you're ready to give up your first born for a single slice of bread. Sure, there are some paleo-friendly loaves out there on the market, but with a lot of them being upwards of $8, to say they aren't cost-efficient would be a huge understatement. The solution? Bake your own!

More: 10 ways to make your next meal more paleo without even trying

This bread is fluffy with a slightly sweet and nutty flavor and uses no refined flours or grains — making it perfect for those following the paleo diet or who just want some great homemade gluten-free bread.

Tip: It's recommended that you use the 7.5 x 3.5-inch loaf pan or your bread will not be the proper height. It's very important to use the recommended size pan in this recipe so that it rises properly.

Easy homemade paleo bread recipe

Adapted from Elana's Pantry

Yields 1 loaf

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups almond flour
  • 3 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 1/4 cup ground flaxmeal
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 5 organic eggs
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Directions:

  1. Grease a 7.5 x 3.5-inch loaf pan.
  2. In a food processor add the almond flour, coconut flour, flaxmeal, salt and the baking soda and pulse a few times.
  3. Add in each egg, the coconut oil, raw honey and the apple cider vinegar. Continue to process until the ingredients are mixed very well.
  4. Scoop the batter into the loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until the center is cooked completely.
  5. Allow the bread to cool completely and slice. Store in an airtight container for several days

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

baking hacks
Image: Brandi Bidot/SheKnows

Originally published October 2013. Updated January 2017.

Christina & Tarek El Moussa filed for divorce but their co-parenting is on-point

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Flip or Flop stars Christina and Tarek El Moussa are getting a divorce.

More: Maybe Tarek El Moussa needed all the heartbreak he got in 2016

The estranged couple announced their plans to separate one month ago, and on Monday, Jan. 9, they made a decision that was a little more binding: Tarek filed for divorce, his lawyer confirmed to People magazine.

Despite stating in their separation announcement on Dec. 12 that they had opted for counseling to "sort out" their relationship and would be separating to contemplate the future of their marriage, it seems that the couple decided that what is best for them is to ultimately terminate their seven-year marriage.

In their earlier statement the couple revealed that their focus was on their children during this time, and that they intended to be the best parents they could be, adding that they would continue to plan their professional life together and would work through the process [the separation] in a manner that was civil and cooperative. And that certainly seems to be the case, because the former couple appear to be upbeat — at least, according to social media — despite the fact that they are going through a divorce.

Tarek's Instagram is filled with pictures of their two children: son Brayden, and daughter Taylor.

More: Christina and Tarek El Moussa spent Christmas... together?

Tarek El Moussa Instagram 2

Tarek El Moussa Instagram 2

Tarek El Moussa Instagram 3

Tarek El Moussa Instagram 3

He also shared a sweet video of himself dancing with his children, which he tagged Christina in, and accompanied with a loving caption. He wrote, "#Dancing with the #stars... No #dancing with my #stars!! Nothing like coming #home to these two. #luckiest man #alive."

Tarek El Moussa Instagram

Tarek El Moussa Instagram

Christina's social media is also positive and dedicated to her children. On Monday, Jan. 9, she shared a video of her children driving in a toy car. And just last week she posted a photo collage of herself and Taylor looking all smiles.

Christina El Moussa

Christina El Moussa

Christina El Moussa Instagram

Christina El Moussa Instagram

More: Tarek El Moussa tried to find love again – with the nanny

Their co-parenting game is on-point.

But can we really be surprised that Tarek and Christina are taking this split so well? According to New York Post's Page Six, both parties seemed to have moved on: Christina with family contractor Gary Anderson, while Tarek briefly dated the couple's former nanny, Alyssa Logan, following the split.

Are you surprised that Christina and Tarek El Moussa are getting divorced? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

celebrity breakups 2016 slideshow
Image: FayesVision/WENN.com

The 10 parenting milestones no one tells you about

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We all know about the usual milestones. The first time your baby smiles, sits up, grasps a Cheerio or whatever. You record these momentous occasions in your baby book and wonder at the miracle that is your child growing day by day. Why, it was only last week that he couldn't count to five, and now he can count to seven! Sunrise, sunset!

But then there are those other milestones. The ones that don’t go in the baby book. That you don't share with the grandparents. The ones that may or may not haunt you for much of your adult life. And here they are.

1. The first time you answer your door with your shirt open

You’re a few weeks into this mom thing. You’re trying to nurse and toast a damn waffle because it’s 2 p.m. and you haven’t eaten yet when the doorbell rings. It’s the UPS guy there to drop off a box of diapers that’s bigger than your living room. He's acting kind of weird, staring at the ground while insisting that you don’t have to sign. And on your way back inside, you pass a mirror and realize your shirt is wide open. Congratulations: You just showed your boobs to the UPS guy.

2. The first time your kid pukes on you

Spit-up doesn’t count. I’m talking full-on projectile chunk-tastic horror shooting from your sweet baby’s face, splattering all over your favorite hoodie. And even as you’re trying not to dry heave, your baby will look at you, little lips aquiver, like, what was that and why did that happen? Of course, you’ll comfort him and clean him up and wonder how something so disgusting could emerge from something so lovable. And then you’ll think, “Well, at least I got that milestone over with.” 

And then it will happen again. Like, five seconds later. Babies always have more than one puke in them. Science has not yet determined how they can hold so much liquid in their tiny bodies. We think they might have abilities to bend time and space.

3. The first time you regard a dirty diaper with curiosity more than disgust

You’re several months into this parenting thing. Your baby is trying out solid foods, so while her diapers have become more… interesting... you mostly know what to expect. Until one day. One strange day. What is that? Is it… are those twigs? Did your baby eat a tree? Why is it purple? You’ll call your mom to tell her: “You’re not going to believe what was in her diaper.” You briefly consider saving the diaper, to puzzle over it later with your spouse. And then you wonder what’s happened to you.

And you throw away the diaper. Because you are not that insane.

More: Utah mom's viral video says everything about being a parent

4. The first time you utterly lose your shit

This could happen at any stage in your child’s life. Maybe you’ve kept it together for the first few years, but then one day, your toddler kicks you in the shin and your inner rage monster comes out. Or maybe you’re a sleep-deprived new mom who can’t believe her baby just woke up for the 36th time that hour. Either way, at some point, you will yell at your kid — stupid, senseless yelling, with no real point to it — and afterward, you will feel awful about it.

It happens. We recommend getting this over with fairly early so you can get accustomed to the guilt.

5. The first time your child says, “I hate you” 

The first time this phrase comes out of your kid’s mouth, she’ll probably be a preschooler (or maybe a sophisticated toddler!). She’ll clearly be trying the phrase out, testing its power. You’ll be in the middle of issuing some kind of unfair commandment. Maybe she can’t have a third candy, or you’d rather she didn’t bitch-slap the cat. Your kid makes a terrible growling noise at you. “You’re mad,” you say, because you read somewhere that you should name your kid’s emotions. Her eyes narrow. “I hate you,” she says.

And really, coming out of that cute little face, it’s kind of hard not to burst out laughing. You probably shouldn’t laugh. Don’t laugh!

6. The first time your child says, “I hate you” and means it

This time, your child is old enough to know exactly what he’s saying. Now you’re arguing over more serious business: say, a video game you won’t let him play because there are just too many decapitations.

The moment comes when he realizes you’re not giving in. That even though he has excellent arguments about how educational the game is, you will not allow it in your home. And so: “I hate you,” he declares. “I really hate you.”

You realize, at that moment, he means it.

Ouch.

You’re still not going to let him play that video game, though.

More: The funniest tweets from parents in 2016

7. The first time your child doesn’t want you to kiss or otherwise show any form of affection at school drop-off

It’s the first day of school. Maybe it’s kindergarten or first or second grade. Maybe eighth! It doesn’t matter when it happens — it’ll happen. You pull up to the school, lean over to give your kid the traditional farewell kiss or hug or whatever, and he lurches away like he just realized you’re covered in wet garbage.

Remain calm. You will never again be allowed to show affection to your child in public, but that doesn’t mean all displays of affection must cease. You just have to wait until you’re completely alone and no one is present to witness his embarrassing love for you.

8. The first time your child gets her own breakfast

This is a glorious milestone that isn’t discussed enough. Parents of newborns, can you fully absorb that this will happen to you? That there will come a day when your child will get out of bed — by herself? And go to the kitchen, by herself? And get a bowl? By herself? And fill said bowl with whatever she deems appropriate for breakfast consumption? Just make sure it’s not chocolate chips. I mean, no judgment. Maybe you’re really enjoying the extra time you get to sleep in. Chocolate chips it is!

9. The first time you realize that your kid needs deodorant

Your little girl hugs you goodnight and she smells like old falafel. Your sweet boy points at something in the distance and there are actual stink lines emanating from his armpits. This is a tricky one, because kids seem to be uniformly offended that you’d imply that they smell less than perfect. You’d think they’d be grateful that you’re buying them deodorant and saving them from stinking in public! You’d think they’d appreciate a gentle reminder that showers are a good idea! They are not, and do not.

10. The first time your kid purchases and uses cheap drugstore fragrance

This is their revenge for you telling them they stink. “You wanted me to smell better,” they’ll say. “And so I am steeped in manufactured fragrance. Behold: I am redolent of a pine forest that's been liberally sprayed by an animal's musk glands. Or perhaps I am a dream of a rose that only grows in the food court of a mall, as dreamed by Dina Lohan.” 

You’ll make it through. At some point, a person whose opinion they trust (i.e., a peer) will tell them they’ve gone too far. Meanwhile, open those windows! Fresh air is good for your health! And remember that this, like all things, will pass. Remember, it was only, like, five minutes ago that you were dealing with diapers. Which you now remember with aching fondness. Sunrise, sunset.

More: Pinterest predicts the top parenting trends in 2017

We tried Starbucks' new Sous Vide Egg Bites and were we ever surprised

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In its ongoing quest to become the world's destination for edible masstige, Starbucks has introduced a new breakfast item: Sous Vide Egg Bites. These are vacuum-sealed eggs cooked in a hot water bath. The bites come in two options — bacon and Gruyère or egg white with roasted red pepper.

More: How to sous vide without a machine

Since the eggs made their debut this morning, we decided to have ourselves a try at the very busy Grand Central Starbucks.

First, why sous vide eggs? Well, the cooking technique has become super-trendy of late. Home cooks love the way it produces gorgeously tender and flavorful meat.

But beyond that, it seems like half the country is avoiding gluten and/or bread for one reason or another at the moment, so having a high-protein/no-grain breakfast option, especially a savory one (no sugar!) is smart. This one's for you, keto and paleo folks.

That said, when I first mentioned the eggs to my colleagues, the general consensus was eww! Everyone thought they sounded gross. There were expectations of cold, slimy goo. No one seemed to think this was a good idea. I've had sous vide poached whole eggs before, though, and they were amazing. So I had a little more faith in this breakfast menu item.

More: We tasted Starbucks’ newest home coffee system alongside the real deal

So, onto the taste test. As is often the case, the real deal isn't quite as pretty as advertised. One SheKnows editor, we won't say who, remarked that the eggs resemble boobs. Here's the egg white with roasted red pepper.

egg white roasted red pepper
Image: SheKnows

And here's the bacon and Gruyère.

bacon gruyere
Image: SheKnows

So, they're not quite as pretty as we'd hoped. But what's more important is how they taste, and there we were pretty happy. Ordinarily, I will have nothing to do with egg white breakfasts because the yolk is where all the flavor is. But the egg white bites were not bad at all. Thanks to the Monterey Jack cheese, cottage cheese (What? You'd never know) and peppers, they were perfectly rich and flavorful.

The bacon and Gruyère, which also has Monterey Jack, was also pretty darn good. Both varieties do have a velvety, custard-like texture that's somewhere between a poached egg and scrambled eggs, if that makes sense. They're served piping hot, but once they cool, you can take each one down in a matter of two or three bites.

So there you go. I would order these again, and I don't say that lightly. I'm super-picky about eggs and I prefer a savory breakfast, so this is spot-on for me. But honestly, how much you like these really depends on how you feel about eggs in general. Those of you who are easily skeeved out over eggs that are unfamiliar or not dry enough or too jiggly will probably want to pass. But if you're up for an eggventure — ha-ha, see what I did there? — these are worth a try.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

15 delicious ways to use up leftover egg whites
Image: SheKnows

I'm black, and no longer a Christian

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Christians, (devout ones and ones who are Christian in convenience), sometimes question my no longer being one myself. It makes me chuckle; I use to be just like them. I use to think that it was up to me to show the way and the light to non-believers. I use to think that those who denied God were simply lost and must have led sad, miserable lives. But what I didn't know was that I would one day be the non-believer.

I was raised in the church from the age of infancy; my mother was and still is a devout Christian, and my father was heavily involved in the church. For the longest time, I felt that being a Christian was the right thing to do; I did it without thinking.

When I was nine-years-old, my father passed away of cancer. I knew that he was sick, but I didn't understand the severity of it at the time. At that age, I was thinking that he simply had a cold that would take a little time to get over. A pastor from our neighborhood church would visit our house to sit and talk with my parents. I would see them all pray together and in my young mind, that was all that was needed to heal him.

More: I was ostracized for discussing racial injustice in my church

When my father passed away, I felt betrayed by God for the first time ever. I always believed that if I just prayed enough, prayed a little bit harder, life would always turn out fine. I believed that God wouldn't hurt me in such a way; my family and I were good Christian people. Even though I felt anger in my heart towards God, I never once doubted his existence.

Into my teen years, I struggled with depression as a result of my father's death, but I still attended church religiously. I went to every Sunday service, bought bibles and any other type of literature I could find pertaining to Christianity. I even joined my church choir knowing I had no type of singing ability. I felt good; I was growing closer to God and I felt at peace for some time.

It's difficult to pinpoint when exactly I began to question the existence of a god. It frightened me in the beginning. I had to be a bad person to question him, right? I was taught in church that I had no right to do so. Soon, I became someone who challenged my pastor instead of someone who enthusiastically nodded their head in agreement with his sermons. I began to question how something or someone who I was taught was such a loving and caring god, could allow so much suffering in the world. Yes I had these thoughts in reference to my own experiences, but it was beyond that. Now I couldn't accept the bible scriptures quite so readily. How could God let children die before life even began? I couldn't understand why he would help one and forsaken others. I didn't get it and it made me feel ill and so lost. Soon, I found myself waiting for that big moment in life when God would undoubtedly show himself to me and put all my questions to rest. It never happened and in some faint sense, a part of me is still waiting.

More: I didn’t baptize my kids because I want them to find their own faith

I turned to my pastor for answers, but I was never satisfied. My visits to bible study became less frequent; I began to go weeks without hearing a sermon. My whole demeanor changed; I became more cynical at the thought of God and Christianity. Still, it took me a while to let go of my beliefs; the thought of not believing still terrified me. I truly thought for some time that if I were to say out loud that the bible and god were fairytales, I would be struck by lightning right where I stood. I feared that denouncing God would bring me so much pain and insecurity; I knew no other way. But, it was quite the opposite. I felt such relief. It was as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I was free.

More: Leaving Christianity gave me the fairy-tale ending I always wanted

While being agnostic is not at all unheard of, it brought with it a sense of loneliness; you just don't find many black folks who claim to be anything else but Christian. Even a few of my family members who rarely stepped foot inside a church or cracked open a bible questioned my sanity. To them, I was just being silly, defiant, and going through a phase. Their perceptions didn't anger me; who could blame them? I understood wholeheartedly the significance in needing to believe in God in black culture, and for that, I sometimes feel guilty. Christianity, although forced upon them, gave my ancestors such hope when none could be found. It gave them the strength they needed to survive; it kept their spirit alive when life aimed to break them. I know that my people's faith in something, no matter if I believe in that something or not, is one of the only reasons I am even here today. At times, I feel as if I myself have betrayed my ancestors.

I can't say for sure whether or not some form of a god exist. And while I never believed that I would be one to even question it, I'm glad I did.

Originally posted on BlogHer.

Ben Affleck doesn't need a girlfriend or a wife — he just needs Matt Damon

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It's a really good thing Ben Affleck has Matt Damon.

More: Christine Ouzounian: 6 Things about Ben Affleck's nanny no one is saying

Affleck has had a pretty rough year. First was his highly publicized split from Jennifer Garner. There were months of back and forth as he and Garner settled into their co-parenting roles and the internet obsessed over every second they spent together and whether it meant they were getting back together, all while speculating that Affleck had been getting down with the family nanny, and that's why he and Garner split.

Then, Affleck started dating again, and it was clearly not his idea. He was spotted last week on a date with a "mystery blonde" and he looked absolutely thrilled miserable to be there, even though his date was all about it.

Ben Affleck looks miserable on a date with some blonde

Ben Affleck looks miserable on a date with some blonde

More: Seeing Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner back together just makes us giddy

But Affleck can stop going on awful dates, because he's found his soulmate and it is Damon. Seriously, they're perfect together. After partying together at the Golden Globes, Affleck and Damon hung out at the Los Angeles premiere of Live By Night, where they were giggly and all over each other all night.

Ben Affleck took Matt Damon on a date to a premiere 1

Ben Affleck took Matt Damon on a date to a premiere 1

With a bromance that strong, who needs the ladies, amiright?

Affleck and Damon have been good buddies for years, but Affleck taking Damon as his date to a movie premiere? That's taking things to a new level, and I, for one, am really excited about it.

More: Rumors swirl as Ben Affleck's reportedly dating someone close to his kids

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Celeb bromances slideshow
Image: HBO


Why I refuse to refer to myself as 'mentally ill'

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I have generalized anxiety disorder. And obsessive-compulsive disorder. And post-traumatic stress disorder. And yes, I realize it sounds like the medical diagnosis for a soldier who has returned from the front lines of a war-torn battleground, but that couldn’t be further from my experiences as a young woman. I had a privileged childhood, went to an awesome high school and college from which I received degrees with honors, and I continued on to a career in my chosen field.

For many people, it seems inconceivable that someone who looks and lives like I do could be plagued by neuropsychiatric disorders. Indeed, it took a while for me to accept it myself. I still cringe or hesitate to admit the trifecta of disorders for which my neuropsychiatrist treats me, but I have to embrace that this is the hand of cards that I have been dealt. But no matter how much I accept that, yes, I live with GAD, OCD and PTSD, I will not call myself mentally ill.

More: Why your anxiety is actually a superpower

To clarify, when I refer to my health, I prefer to use the terms neurological disorders or neuropsychiatric disorders. There is rapidly increasingly support of the medical theory that psychiatric disorders and neurological disorders are actually under the same umbrella of illnesses resulting from abnormalities in the brain.

When we hear the words “mentally ill,” we think the worst. We think people in straitjackets and padded rooms who have deranged thoughts and should be kept away from sharp objects. We think about criminals and sickos who commit the vilest crimes and strip innocent people of their rights to live. We think of insane asylums from horror movies. We think of misery and solitude and hopelessness.

More: Eating disorders are a mental illness, not a choice

But the one thing no one seems to associate with the phrase “mentally ill”? Happiness. Because we have created an environment where people think neurological disorders and sanity, recovery and happiness cannot exist. It’s sad, really.

To be mentally ill means to fall into the stigmatization that has ruled our society for far too long. It is the reason we still say “committed suicide” instead of the more reasonable, medically accepted term — “died by suicide.”

It’s the reason that we slap a generic label on a whole group of people and lump the most innocent of sufferers in with the most deranged of sociopaths (who may not even be mentally ill, just extremist assholes that the media labels as “crazy”).

It is not that I think I am better than the term “mentally ill.” More than anything, my issue is that it is an inaccurate label that makes little sense. When someone has heart disease, they say, “I have heart disease.” If I am talking about my neighbor Jane, who has diabetes, I don’t say, “Jane is physically ill.” Nope; it is far more customary to simply say, “Jane has diabetes.”

Not only does the term “mentally ill” further isolate suffers of neuropsychiatric disorders, but it also continues the idea that people with neuropsychiatric disorders are their disorders and nothing more. Instead of simply living with health issues that might make life more complex every now and again, we say that they are what they live with, and that’s just wrong. There are so many incredible people who live with neuropsychiatric disorders (including some of the brightest and most talented artists, politicians and change-makers throughout history). Reducing them to being “mentally ill” strips them of credibility and identity; it’s just plain wrong.

Our inability to acknowledge neuropsychiatric disorders as legitimate physiological illnesses is the main reason why these stigmas persist. The brain is not independent of the body. Just as is your heart or your kidney or your lung, the brain is a vital organ that can have abnormalities that cause you physical distress. Therein lies the nature of neuropsychiatric disorders, and the medical community is increasingly more vocal about the genetic and inherently biological catalysts that cause these illnesses.

I loathe that the word “mental” is synonymous with the belief that things are made up and self-fabricated — something that’s all in your head. In fact, the word’s negative connotation in part dates back to early 20th century asylums and neuropsychiatric sufferers being treated as criminals.

More: I'm absolutely terrified to tell my kids about my mental illness

Terminology is everything, and I will not subscribe to the idea that my illness is “mental” — and therefore not biological or legitimate. Sure, there are people who use the term “mental illness” and realize that they are referring to disorders of the brain, but there are others who misuse the term (whether purposefully or not) and further reinforce the idea that the “mental” in mental illness is a figment of a twisted imagination.

If neuropsychiatric disorders were truly ‘“mental” — as in made up and all in your head — they would not respond so well to medications. I frequently explain this to people who think my anxiety could be managed by therapy alone, for example. But try as I might have (and very well did for a long time), therapy wasn’t enough. My brain lacks the proper amount of serotonin, and it wasn’t until I was on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor to regulate those hormones that my health started to actually improve.

That is not to say therapy isn’t useful, of course. But what I am getting at is that trying to fix a lack of serotonin by talking about it is like trying to regulate a diabetic’s insulin by looking at candy bars. It is time to get real about what neurologists have been studying and saying for ages.

My illnesses are not a figment of my imagination. They are not something I caused or wished upon myself. And therefore, they are definitely not mental. My brain is an organ, and it deserves to be treated as such. Now more than ever, vigorous research and social change have lead to the adoption of more inclusive terms for people like myself.

Call me neurodivergent, call me neuro-atypical, call me a human living with OCD or even call me “that chick with anxiety who loves burritos.” But don’t you dare call me mentally ill. My illness is not mental, and neither am I.

Queen Elizabeth's had at least 6 near-death experiences since wearing the crown

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You don't get to be a 90-year-old world leader without cheating death a few times, and Queen Elizabeth is no exception. This steely royal is a total badass who laughs in the face of danger and just gets on with things, no matter what.

World War II

Still just Princess Elizabeth when the Second World War broke out, the future queen spent her formative years with the threat of German domination hanging over her head. Buckingham Palace was bombed no fewer than three times during the Blitz and suffered nine direct hits, killing one person. While King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother) were in residence at the time, the young princesses were fortunate to have escaped to Windsor Castle for the duration of the war and remained unscathed. In fact, Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service when she turned 18 and learned how to repair military trucks, which makes her at least 15 times more badass than most modern men I know.

More: Royal Christmas traditions are surprisingly relatable — just kidding!

The Lithgow Plot

The Lithgow plot

The Lithgow plot

While undertaking a tour of Australia over the festive season of 1970-71, the queen was reportedly the subject of a strange assassination attempt. The would-be killers rolled a large log onto the train tracks upon which the queen was due to travel between Sydney and Orange, with the thought that the train would derail and smash into an embankment, killing all aboard. While the train did in fact hit the log, it was traveling at an unusually slow speed when it did so, and it did not derail. The details of this unusual (not to mention unlikely) plot come courtesy of retired Detective Superintendent Cliff McHardy, who didn't speak of the incident until 2009 and claims the Australian government ordered the local police to keep quiet about it.

An obsessed teen

Queen Elizabeth Trooping the Colour 1981

Queen Elizabeth Trooping the Colour 1981

During the annual Trooping of the Colour parade in 1981, a teenager obsessed with the assassination attempts on Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II tried to commit his own name to history. Marcus Sarjeant was unable to purchase ammunition under strict British gun laws, but that didn't stop him from his sick fantasy. On June 13, six shots rang out as Queen Elizabeth rode on horseback through the streets of London — but the monarch barely batted a royal eyelash. She kept expert control of her spooked horse and kept on going. Interestingly, a tourist standing next to Sarjeant unwittingly snapped a photo at the exact moment he took aim at the queen, showing how disastrous the situation could have easily become.

The Michael Fagan incident

Michael Fagan interview

Michael Fagan interview

The very next year, in 1982, Queen Elizabeth could have been murdered in her bed but for her own fleet feet. In the early morning hours of July 9, Michael Fagan broke into the palace and found his way to the queen's private apartment, entering her bedroom, and perched upon her bed. While he initially said the queen calmly spoke to him for several minutes until palace guards arrived, he later revealed she fled immediately and summoned help. He remained on the bed while a footman brought him cigarettes and a glass of whiskey, which he enjoyed until police arrived.

An overzealous guard

The queen enjoys a leisurely late night walk around palace grounds when she suffers from insomnia, but one of these moonlight strolls nearly cost her her life. An ex-guardsman told The Times UK that he was patrolling inside the palace perimeter walls at 3 a.m. one early morn when he saw a shadowy figure approach and shouted his demand for identification. To his surprise, it was the queen. "Bloody hell, Your Majesty, I nearly shot you," he unthinkingly blurted. But she remained calm in the face of such impertinence. "That's quite all right," she replied. "Next time I'll ring through beforehand so you don't have to shoot me." Prince Andrew had a similar experience in 2013, but did not respond with nearly as dry a wit.

The celebrity curse of 2016

The god-awful year of 2016 claimed some majorly iconic world figures, and the world feared Queen Elizabeth would be one of them when her usual holiday trip to her beloved Sandringham was delayed due to what palace officials called a "heavy cold." While she did head to her country home just a few days later, she skipped her usual church services on both Christmas and New Year's Day. Rumors flew that she was on death’s door, but as the first week of 2017 draws to a close the queen has resumed official duties such as her famous red boxes of paperwork, and even gave her trusted Page of the Chambers, Ray Wheaton, the honor of Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order during her recovery.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Queen Elizabeth II Prince Philip slideshow
Image: Anthony Stanley/WENN

Mum who billed fellow parent is reduced to tears on live TV

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Mum Sarah Louise Bryan faced a social media backlash last week when it was revealed that she invoiced a fellow parent for a pair of £325 Italian fur-lined booties for her daughter to replace the ones that were scuffed during a playdate at the other parent's house.

But it's not just the Twitterati who took issue with her. During an appearance on Good Morning Britain today, host Piers Morgan reduced Bryan to tears when he called her the "worst kind of parent."

The 28-year-old mother was on the GMB sofa to defend her decision to invoice her friend for the damage she claimed was done to her child's boots, including marks from a Sharpie pen. She also had to take a dressing-down from Morgan for "buying a 3-year-old 60 pairs of shoes."

More: 6 ways you annoy your kid's teacher — and how to stop it

"There will not be a mother or father watching this who is not looking at you thinking, 'What on Earth are you doing buying a 3-year old 60 pairs of shoes, some of them worth £325,'" ranted Morgan. "They will also all be thinking, I guarantee it, that sending a bill to a friend who has just had them round for a playdate… do you understand how preposterous that makes you look?"

Bryan's feeble attempts to defend herself by comparing the situation to a child getting scratches on their body during a playdate were quickly shot down by Morgan, who said, "You're the worst [kind of parent]."

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Morgan's harsh words may have reduced Bryan to tears, but she's remained defiant in the face of the huge social media backlash over the booties, accusing her critics of cyberbullying and saying they should be ashamed of themselves for making such a fuss "over a pair of shoes."

Pot, kettle, black, anyone?

Yes, it sucks when we've shelled out on a cute sweater or adorable dress for our child, only for them to rip or stain it within minutes. But clothes (and red fur-lined booties) are made to be worn, and a child who grows up in fear of getting a mark on anything they wear is going to have a whole bunch of issues.

If Bryan wanted sympathy, she went on the wrong show. However, if she wanted more publicity, it was the perfect move. Anyone Piers Morgan has a go at is likely to end up in the tabloids, and there's a definite possibility this mum enjoys her time in the spotlight — for whatever reason. Last year, she claimed to have made a dress from pubic hair after appealing on social media for donations.

More: Mom channels Chewbacca during labor

They key to a perfect cup of coffee could be your freezer

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Is there anything more contentious on the food web than the rules for making great coffee at home?

Use a percolator. Actually, use a French press. French press? That's for n00bs — obviously, if you're not drinking pour-over you might as well be using a straw to suck water out of a mud puddle.

And so it goes.

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But British coffee shop Colonna and Smalls thinks they've finally cracked the code to perfect coffee. Working with chemists at the University of Bath, they discovered that the key to a smooth cuppa joe is freezing coffee beans before you grind them.

Apparently, colder beans break into more even particles when they're ground, leaving you with a more consistent cup of coffee.

Of course, not everyone agrees. After doing a series of taste tests, Serious Eats concluded that coffee beans are best ground and brewed when fresh — but that the second-best option was to freeze coffee grounds in an airtight container just after grinding them. In their taste test, the coffee made from frozen whole beans that were then ground was lackluster. So, like, the opposite of what Colonna and Smalls said.

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And of course, there's conflict with Serious Eats' findings too — Stumptown Coffee Roasters says "Whatever you do, don't grind and freeze" your coffee beans. It's almost confusing enough for a girl to throw her French press out the window and just head to the nearest café, but that would be overreacting, right?

Instead, figure out which method works best for your palate. It seems like there might be something to this freeze-before-or-after-you-grind thing, but each method produces markedly different results, so try both and see which you like best. After all, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that you like the coffee you drink every morning, no matter how it's prepared.

More: 12 coffee add-ins that will make your mornings so much tastier

Get ready for The Good Fight with these 11 essential facts

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I don't know about you, but I am so ready for The Good Fight to premiere because it means I will finally have some badass Diane Lockhart goodness in my life. Haven't you missed her? The Good Fight is focusing on Diane's life post-Good Wife. After successfully retiring at the top of her game, Diane's world comes crashing down when a close friend ropes her, unwittingly, into a Ponzi scheme and she ends up losing her entire retirement fund. The subsequent battle for her life, credibility and money will test her personal and professional relationships.

More: Will The Good Wife spinoff answer burning questions about Alicia?

Basically, if you're not tuning in for The Good Fight, you'd better have a darn good reason not to. This show is poised to give you all the juicy, law-driven drama of The Good Wife but with the drama dial turned up to 11. You want strong women? You want courtroom antics? You want dapper lawyers in suits whipping out legal jargon on par with the sickest schoolyard burns? The Good Fight has it.

The Good Fight Trailer

The Good Fight Trailer

But in case those reasons alone aren't enough to pique your interest, here are the other essentials that you need to know to prep forThe Good Fight. Are you ready?

1. Sorry guys; Alicia Florrick won't return in The Good Fight

Alicia Good Wife
Image: Giphy

I know, guys. It's going to be sad knowing that we'll never see Alicia back on the small screen, but that doesn't mean she won't get alluded to from time to time. In the trailer for The Good Fight, Lucca mentions Alicia as "a woman I knew once." Expect sly references in the series.

2. Diane has two great female allies

Lucca Good Wife
Image: Giphy

Even without Alicia on board, Diane is going to have two great women at her side: The Good Wife's Lucca (Cush Jumbo) is returning and they are joined by newcomer Maia (Game of Thrones' Rose Leslie). Both women are integral to Diane's fight against the man who stole her money and those who don't believe she can make a comeback.

3. Speaking of which, The Good Fight is super-female-centric

Good Wife Diane Men
Image: Giphy

I mean, let's be real. Who doesn't want to see a group of women at the center of a television show absolutely kicking butt and taking names? C'mon now.

4. Queer women will get a spotlight

Good Fight Rose Leslie
Image: The Good Wife/YouTube

Maia will be a great entry point for queer fans. Not only is she a smart, empowered woman, she is also a queer woman, whose personal life will become a crucial part of the show.

5. Diane is definitely dropping an F-bomb (or two)

Diane Good Fight Felt Good
Image: Giphy

Yes! Praise be to The Good Fight gods who are letting Diane drop a big ol' F-bomb. Because The Good Fight will be airing on CBS All Access, the restrictions are a little bit looser on what we can hear come out of characters' mouths. Additionally, it would make sense, given the key plot point wherein Diane loses her retirement fund in a Ponzi scheme, that there would be some choice words to describe her situation.

More: The Good Wife didn’t end perfectly — and I wouldn't have it any other way

6. There will be sexier episodes to stream

Diane Good Fight Kiss
Image: Giphy

You read that right. There aren't only going to be F-bombs, there's going to be some sexy goodness on The Good Fight. Bless you, CBS All Access. We already get a peek of that in the trailer, but fingers crossed the steaminess continues in full force during the show's first season.

7. The Good Fight is going to remain political, just like The Good Wife

Diane Political
Image: Giphy

The Good Fight was already in production when Donald Trump was elected president, which caused production to stop while the pilot was re-written to accommodate the new political outlook. As such, the pilot will include the election results and it will retain a sense of political subversiveness as the first season rolls out.

8. Diversity will reign supreme

Good Fight Diverse Law Firm
Image: The Good Wife/Youtube

It's not just women — and queer women — that will be getting the spotlight. Characters of color are front and center in The Good Fight. Diane will be returning to work at a predominately black law firm, as People magazine reports. Additionally, those pressing new political concerns about race under a Trump presidency will be dealt with by Lucca and the law firm's lead partner Robert Boseman (Delroy Lindo).

More: 6 best Julianna Margulies scenes from The Good Wife

9. There will be a ton of familiar Good Wife faces

Good Wife Elsbeth
Image: Giphy

Yeah, yeah, so what if Alicia isn't coming back? We've got Carrie Preston, Jane Alexander, Denis O’Hare, John Benjamin Hickey, Rita Wilson, Michael Boatman and Matthew Perry all reprising their Good Wife roles. Additionally, Sarah Steele will return as regular Marissa Gold.

10. It is Diane's time to shine, despite beginning as a penniless woman

Diane Good Wife Feet Up
Image: Giphy

Watching Diane's rise and fall and subsequent second (much greater) rise will make for compelling television. There aren't many shows right now focusing on women of a certain age rising professionally and personally like a phoenix from the ashes. Diane's narrative will focus squarely on such a topic, and it's going to be so exciting to watch.

11. The Good Fight is going to feel timely, relevant and real

Good Wife Diane Relatable
Image: Giphy

Plain and simple, this may be a spinoff of The Good Wife, but The Good Fight will feature approximately zero percent stale material. There are so many great callbacks to the original, but this spinoff is truly in a league of its own. The world The Good Fight creates is going to feel more relevant and timely than ever before, and if that's not reason enough to tune in, then buddy, I don't know what to tell you.

Before you go, check out our slideshow.

the good wife slideshow
Image: JoJo Whilden/CBS
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