Surely it can't be that difficult to tell a German shepherd from a Belgian Malinois, right? Well, take this quiz and find out for yourself.
dog quiz 4
More on dog breeds
Caucasian Ovcharka and 10 other dog breeds you've probably never heard of
12 dog breeds first-time owners should think twice about
Here are the 10 smartest dogs in the world — does your pup make the list?
Social media can be a wonderful tool for connection and support, but it can also be a place for judgment and unfair comparison. Adjusting to life with a newborn is stressful enough, but if a mom is also dealing with a postpartum mood disorder, she may need to proceed with caution when it comes to social media.
This was certainly true for me. Before I recognized that my trouble sleeping and overwhelming anxiety were symptoms of postpartum depression, I looked for answers and support on social media.
Feeling most alone in the middle of the night, I turned to Facebook mom groups for comfort. It didn’t take long, however, for me to experience the downside. My inquiries were met with kindness and support, but the incredible amount of information on even the simplest of topics was overwhelming. From long threads about tummy time and disposable vs. cloth diapering to more controversial topics like sleep-training and vaccinations, the overload of information and opinions caused me to doubt myself. I felt an incredible amount of shame for my sadness, anger and fear while other new moms posted gushing updates of their newborns.
“Social media creates a situation where someone is comparing themselves and their child’s development to everyone else,” said Nikki Martinez, a psychologist and counselor in Chicago. “People only portray the best and brightest moments, or even exaggerate. They project an unrealistic image that a person with PPD, or anyone, could not possibly live up to.”
For Devyn Hummer, scrolling through Facebook after her children were born always seemed to upset her. All three of her children were born by Caesarean, which was a stark contrast from the natural births she had envisioned. Hummer works with doulas and midwives as a trainer for birth workers, so her social network consisted of women with birth and postpartum stories very different from hers.
“Many of my friends were having their babies at the same time — all natural births, all with gorgeous birth photography,” Hummer said. “I felt like I was missing out on the most beautiful experience a mother can have.”
Traumatic births, breastfeeding struggles, babies with high medical needs or long bouts of crying as well as a disconnect between expectations and reality can all be risk factors for developing postpartum depression, said Andrea Paterson, a mom in Vancouver and blog editor for the Pacific Postpartum Support Society.
After not being able to breastfeed her son, Paterson struggled with PPD for more than a year.
“I was following so many natural parenting sites on social media and being fed a ton of information about how important and magical breastfeeding was and how awful formula is,” she said. “So I was exposing myself to this idea that I was damaging my son beyond repair if I gave him formula, so of course I was horrified when that was what I had to do. That played a big part in my depression. I felt like I was failing right out of the gate.”
Both Hummer and Paterson adapted by slowly unfollowing pages and people that made them feel shame and guilt for the way they were parenting. When it comes to online mom groups, pages and blogs, seeking out similar experiences can go a long way in helping to create a positive experience with social media.
“If you have friends or pages you follow who are posting things that are a trigger for you, unfollow them, at least until you are feeling better,” Hummer said. “Search PPD in the Facebook bar and join all the groups that interest you, especially if you had a high-risk pregnancy or birth. It really helps to hear from those who get it.”
Finding the right support system online can be just as important as finding it offline.
“Treat social media like you would any other community in your life and make it a safe space for you by curating pages and groups that make you feel positively about yourself,” Paterson said. “It’s so important to find that village of women and to support each other.”
It’s important to note that social media doesn’t always have a negative impact on moms struggling with postpartum mood disorders. For Anne Hithersay, a mother of three, the right support system and information made her experience with social media a positive one.
“It was through social media that I learned about Postpartum Progress and the existence of PPA [postpartum anxiety],” she said. “I’ve found immense support from Facebook groups. For me, social media had a positive effect on my postpartum depression and anxiety.”
Martinez agrees that social media has the capacity to shed light on the parts of motherhood that aren’t so glamorous. The openness and honesty of moms online helps to reduce the stigma around postpartum mood disorders and create community from shared experiences.
“If more people were more honest, it could help humanize a difficult time and let others know that everyone struggles during this time, and everyone has tough moments,” Martinez said. “PPD is one of those things not enough people talk about, but so many would benefit from if people did. The simple knowledge that you are not alone and that your situation is not uncommon can be tremendously healing in and of itself.”
I still find myself scrolling through my Facebook feed several times a day, although not so much in the middle of the night anymore. I’m still an active member of the Facebook mom groups I joined during my pregnancy, but I’ve learned to take the wide variety of opinions with a grain of salt. Social media is a powerful tool I am grateful for, but after my experience with PPD, I am now better able to identify when it is hurting more than helping.
We're all fans of Grey's Anatomy here, right? Therefore we make no pretenses about what kind of show we've gotten ourselves hooked on. 'Tis not the cheery, hopeful kind of show where everyone gets a happy ending. Like Meredith, it's dark and twisty. So it was only a matter of time before Shonda Rhimes axed another one of our favorite characters.
More: How well do you know Grey's Anatomy? Test your knowledge with this quiz
Think back to the Season 13 mid-season winter finale, which left the fate of two beloved Grey Sloan Memorial doctors hanging in the balance: both Amelia and Alex.
Amelia just of disappeared. She became the proverbial runaway bride by bailing and leaving only a sad-sack note for Owen. Where did she go? Is she coming back? Why must Rhimes take people away from us? Are we being punished?
As for Alex, well, he Alex-ed himself right into some pretty serious hot water after beating DeLuca to a pulp. In his defense (if there is such a thing in this case?), he walked in on what thought was DeLuca sexually assaulting Jo.
Long story short, he's been dealing with the legalities and court stuff for awhile now. There's definitely been talk of Alex going to jail — and of Justin Chambers moving on after a long and successful run on the medi-drama series. Naturally, we would all much prefer to ignore such pesky rumors, but it became increasingly difficult to be optimistic that Alex would avoid jail time.
And damn it, if we're still being real, we're still not over Alex's whole "let's have waffles" speech. Someone somewhere pour a shot of maple syrup out for our boy, will you?
This brings us to our current (read: perpetual) state of anxiously waiting and wondering whose head was on Rhimes' chopping block this time. It looks like we got our answer tonight, too.
During a super-tense episode — prepare the epsom salts, because you're going to need a nice, long soak in a hot tub after this one — Bailey, Arizona and Jo travel to a high-security women's prison. Of course we don't know that at first; we only know that Bailey is being a big chicken about wherever they're headed.
When they arrive, we find out they are there to perform a procedure on a pregnant inmate. A kicking, punching, biting, completely volatile and often irrational inmate, no less. This thrills no one, the least of all Bailey. However, Jo and Arizona convince her that this girl needs and deserves their help.
Following some serious, albeit somewhat predictable complications, they have to wind up delivering the baby pre-term to save its life. Since the mother is still handcuffed to the bed, this is both brutal to watch and clearly inhumane.
More: A collection of the best Grey's Anatomy memes out there
When all is said and done, the girl and the baby both end up OK. But the whole ordeal raises important questions about women's rights while incarcerated. You know how Shonda Rhimes does — she likes a side of social commentary with her medical emergencies.
But what happened after the doctors left the hospital raises another very important question.
At first, as Bailey, Arizona and Jo drive back toward Grey Sloan, you think, "Hmm, how interesting that this entire episode was about just these three women and a medical case wholly unrelated to any of the regular roster of characters."
Except, it wasn't unrelated. In a gutting moment — the one we've all been dreading — Bailey reveals that Alex took a plea deal with the D.A. He is officially going to jail, y'all. You could practically hear the fandom's collective heart break.
Raise your hand if you feel like there should be a support group for those of us who feel personally victimized by Rhimes? *raises hand*
So, the question at hand is: Can Grey's go on without Alex Karev? One of the few remaining OG characters and one of the last OG guys on the show, Alex isn't just Meredith's person now... he's all of our person. We already lost McDreamy; can we say goodbye to Alex, too?
While I certainly fall into the camp of people grieving over the very thought of not seeing Alex on our screens each week, with cautious optimism I say, "Yes."
Grey's will go on. Just like it did after McDreamy died. And the strength of the show that will continue to shine is the women. At this point, the series is truly about women empowering each other and being each other's soulmates. They're the heroes of their own stories.
More: Did Grey's Anatomy's Alex Karev just confirm he's leaving the show?
If you need proof, simply look to this week's episode. We went an entire hour with nary a man in sight. Sure, the mention of Alex was kind of our undoing but, let's be real: Bailey, Arizona and Jo easily carried the hour.
I, for one, am looking forward to how the women will rise to the challenge of navigating Grey Sloan without the inimitable Alex Karev.
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
Pop and country have been blending for a while now so the idea that Gwen Stefani is crossing into the country world for the sake of Blake Shelton really just means that there is more sweet, sweet music a comin' thanks to their love. And that's a beautiful thing. Not to mention, if Taylor Swift can ditch country music for pop then Stefani can make whatever kind of music she wants.
More: Gwen Stefani sees you 'shipping her & Blake Shelton, and she loves it
Plus, Stefani has Luke Bryan's seal of approval, which means you know she is good to go.
"I think Gwen enjoys learning a little bit more about us country people!" Bryan said in an interview with People after Stefani took the stage during Bryan's Crash My Playa music fiesta this past weekend.
He added, "But she totally fits in and has a blast."
More: How Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton deal with their opposing political views
Of course she does. Can you really see Stefani as an awkward wall flower? This is the girl who rocked out with No Doubt before it was a thing girls really did. If the rock music industry couldn't make her run for the hills then charming a few little ol' country boys and girls is a piece of cake.
It is also very, very possible that Stefani will pull a Dolly Parton on all of us and become a bigger country star than even Shelton. She would crush a pair of cowboy boots.
More: Gwen Stefani sees you 'shipping her & Blake Shelton, and she loves it
At this point, there is no question Stefani has some country in her heart. She and Shelton have been dating for over a year now. The question now is will Stefani give country a permanent place in her voice?
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
Ever since Lady Toni Bevell first appeared at the end of Supernatural Season 11, fans knew the British Men of Letters would be up to no good. They've continued to prove just that throughout Season 12, but especially during Thursday's winter premiere.
More: Sam & Dean are so screwed in these 'Supernatural' S12 winter premiere photos
First, allow us to reassure viewers that Sam and Dean are now safe and sound. They managed to escape the grasp of the Secret Service after being wrongfully accused of an assassination attempt on the president of the United States.
How the heck did they do it? Oh you know, by making a deal with Billie the reaper. While locked up, both Sam and Dean realized they would end up going crazy if they didn't find a way out. Actually, Dean even told Mary and Cas that being locked in a cell with no windows and zero communication (yes, even with Sam) was worse than being in hell. Well, that would be pretty bad, wouldn't it?
So Dean called out to Billie and the Winchesters made a deal with her. They realized the only way they would ever get out of that place would be by not breathing. Billie would allow them to die and then come back one more time. However, in exchange for resurrecting them (which she is strongly against), at midnight Billie would end up taking one of the Winchesters.
Eventually, Billie showed up, but before Sam or Dean could offer one of themselves up, Mary came forward. She is a Winchester, which Billie was going to accept with welcome arms. As Mary held a gun to her head and said "I love you" to her boys, Castiel jabbed an angel blade right through Billie.
Mary Winchester
More: Supernatural's [SPOILER] having a baby isn't something to celebrate
This deal Sam and Dean made was a blood pact and Billie said if it was broken it would have "consequences on a cosmic scale." Who knows if Cas killing her truly breaks the deal, but at least all three Winchesters are still alive and kicking. Like fans, Cas can't live without any of them. As he said in a heartfelt and emotional speech, "This sad doomed little world, it needs you. It needs every last Winchester it can get." Damn straight.
So all is good, right? Unfortunately, not, because Mary was shown at the episode's end contemplating working with Mick from the British Men of Letters.
Granted, Mick and Mr. Ketch helped Mary and Cas find Sam and Dean, but they take hunting to a whole new level. Let's just say that after Sam and Dean escaped the government agents and soldiers, Mr. Ketch went back and murdered them all. Obviously, that keeps things nice and tidy.
Sam and Dean would never do that, so to hear that Mary is at least willing to listen to Mick's proposal of why the British Men of Letters are worthy hunters gives us such a bad feeling. She needs to avoid them at all costs. She doesn't know of Mr. Ketch's bloody ways, but Mary better realize fast that they are not good people.
Here's hoping this is just Mary's way of infiltrating the London chapter of the Men of Letters to get more information and to keep tabs on them. Now that's the Mary Winchester we know and love. If not, keep those fingers crossed that Mary does not fall for Mick's persuasive speech.
Supernatural airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.
More: Supernatural really needs to put Lucifer back in the cage or bring back Mark Pellegrino
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
The day Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard get divorced (not saying it's gonna happen... but if it ever does) is the day celebrities should forever give up on marriage because there is no hope. Bell and Shepard are the best married couple in Hollywood because they know how to keep it real.
More: We're not sure who to believe in the Kristen Bell/Dax Shepard swingers debate
There was that time Shepard talked about their insane experience during the birth of their second child.
dax shepard talks birth on ellen video
Then that time she had a sloth meltdown thanks to Shepard's birthday present.
kristen bell sloth meltdown on ellen video
Oh, and that time they made out with other people's spouses.
kristen bell christmas instagram 1
More: 10 times Dax Shepherd, Kristen Bell's Twitter PDA was too damn precious
And now, there's a picture of Bell crying at her wedding while Shepard literally, literally, open-mouth laughs at her.
kristen bell instagram wedding pic 1
#Goals.
There's no, "Ooooh, look how sexy we are on the red carpet together," pics. Even though they most certainly are (see the above picture if you need proof). There's no, "marriage is easy and our life is flawless because we're rich and famous." In fact, the couple admitted they are always in counseling together because, as Bell said, "You don't figure out how to cook without reading a recipe."
More: Looks like Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell will not be having any more kids
Bell and Shepard are the rare Hollywood stars you feel like you could grab a beer with and pee yourself from laughter rather than intimidation. (Side note, Anna Faris and Chris Pratt would also fall into this category, but that doesn't mean Bell and Shepard aren't a special breed of star.)
So about that beer...?
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
The divorce between Paula Patton and Robin Thicke just seems to be getting more and more intense over custody decisions about their 6-year-old son, Julian.
More: Robin Thicke's family isn't celebrating his controversial engagement
People confirmed via court documents today that Thicke has lost temporary custody of Julian and has been ordered to stay away from Julian and Patton until further decisions about custody can be made. This comes on the heels of domestic abuse accusations coming from both sides.
Court documents filed on Jan. 12 allege Patton "became concerned" over the last year about Thicke's "drinking and drug use, as well as the forms of punishment he is using to discipline Julian.” Patton reportedly does not approve of Thicke's spanking discipline method, while Thicke claims he only discipline's with "light" spanking, nothing that would be grounds for abuse. Thicke claims this discipline method was previously approved by Patton during their marriage.
Patton is having none of it, adding that Thicke also got physical with her during their marriage. She reports that he punched and kicked her. He also recently stood outside of Patton's mother's house for two hours because he wanted to see his son.
More: Alan Thicke's death triggers an outpouring of love from celebrities on Twitter
Thicke's lawyer Angela Pierce di Donato told People, "The Court issued temporary orders today based solely on paperwork. The Department of Community & Family Services will be closing the physical abuse allegation against Robin as 'Unfounded,' but has added an emotional abuse allegation against Paula, which remains under investigation. We believe that DCFS sees the damage that Paula has done to Julian and will take appropriate action to protect him."
Meanwhile, a source close to the family said Julian doesn't feel safe in his father's presence.
"Julian has made it clear he does not feel safe in his father’s presence, a fact confirmed today by the Malibu Sheriff’s Department determination — with Mr. Thicke present — that the child needed to remain with his mother," the source explained.
More: Oh my dear Lord, Paula Patton's throwback pic of Robin Thicke is glorious
Hopefully, for Julian's sake, the courts will be able to make the best decision regarding custody.
No word yet when Patton and Thicke are due back in court.
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
As the 2017 Sundance Film Festival draws to a close in Park City, Utah, this weekend, movie fans around the world are gossiping about the biggest movies, the biggest stars, and the biggest price tags at the event. Don’t worry – we’ve got the top tidbits of news that you need.
Amazon and Netflix were both even bigger presences at the film festival than last year, both when it came to making and buying stand-outs. Netflix notably produced Casting JonBenet, a creative hybrid film about the famous unsolved murder, as well as I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore, a dark but comedic drama about a woman (Melanie Lynskey) who tries to solve the burglary of her home with the help of her slightly weird neighbor (Elijah Wood).
Film writer Molly Laich of the Missoula Independent and Vanguard Seattle told us that film executives in Park City were whispering about how much money these companies had to throw around, while Sundance founder Robert Redford mentioned during the opening press conference that the trend was a good thing for film; Netflix and studios like it are producing stories that might not otherwise get seen.
Written and directed by David Lowery, A Ghost Story stars Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara. The movie, in which Affleck’s stereotypically sheeted apparition haunts the home of his grieving wife, was one of the biggest talks of the festival, though some bemoaned the slow scenes (including one in which a very sad Mara eats a pie for a unedited, almost interminable 5-minute span), and though Affleck is currently being haunted–in real life–by past claims of sexual harassment.
There have been a few blips as the festival rolls to its conclusion on Sunday: On Saturday, just as Chelsea Handler led a Women’s March in Park City, a cyberattack shut down the festival’s box office for about 40 minutes, though none of the screenings were affected. Authorities still aren’t sure what happened or why.
Festival goers were also slowed down by snow, chilly weather, and related power outages, which wesuppose should be expected in a mountain town in January. A few premieres had to be rescheduled, but the show went on.
How can one possibly warm up during a snowstorm? Sundance audiences flooded in to see Call Me By Your Name, a red hot Italian gay romance directed by Luca Guadagnino. Moviegoers described the movie as a sentimental, sensory-heavy coming of age story that dips viewers into the warm, bright deliciousness of Italian summer (and summer flings). Add a couple of original songs by soothing indie rocker Sufjan Stevens, and we are getting in line right now.
Sundance’s experimental New Frontier show has been growing steadily in the past few years as more and more filmmakers are exploring the many possibilities offered by virtual reality (VR) cameras and equipment. Not only was the New Frontier setup more prepared for the crowds this year, but the fare was even more diverse and exciting.
Dear Angelica won best cinematic virtual reality feature, which was illustrated literally in the virtual reality environment by Wesley Allsbrook, and which tells the story of a daughter remembering her mother. Runner-upMiyubi tells the story of an 80s family, as told from the point of view of a toy robot. The 40-minute comedy was created by noted virtual reality studio Felix & Paul and co-written by the jokesters at Funny Or Die.
Husband and wife comedy royalty Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon wrote a comedy based on their own relationship that follows the story of a Muslim Pakistani-American man trying to gain acceptance from his white partner’s family. The cross-cultural love story is a rom-com with a head, a heart, and a funny bone.
The movie tugged heart strings and purse strings, with Amazon winning the rights to the movie after a bidding war for a cool $12 million, the highest sale at the festival.
First-time director and deejay Flying Lotus produced an epic gross-out flick that had audience members on their feet–and walking out the door. The puzzling film included images like:
We’ll stop there before you walk out of this article.
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
Another stand-out film was To the Bone, A woman-powered movie produced by Julie Lynn, Bonnie Curtis, Karina Miller, Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi and written and directed by Marti Noxon. The story follows an anorexic young adult (Lily Collins) looking for help, and her doctor (Keanu Reeves) who tries to provide it. Netflix was so taken by the movie that they put down $8 million for the rights.
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
We all know that a nasty comment about our appearance can stick in our heads for the rest of the day... or the week... and sometimes the month. But have you ever considered where those nasty comments go afterward? As it turns out, these words can manifest themselves into serious health issues like cardiovascular and metabolic disease, according to research conducted by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Wait a minute — words can cause diseases?
Yep. Let's walk through this.
Body shaming, something we’ve all experienced in one way or another, can be defined as the potentially destructive commentary on one’s body shape or size. Just like any aspect of today’s communication, body shaming takes many forms, including speaking to someone directly about their appearance, speaking about someone’s weight behind their back or even developing a loop of negative internal thoughts regarding your own body image. It can be a comparison of two friends or celebrities or a comparison of your appearance at different points of your life. Tweets, retweets, posts, likes — these can all be used to body-shame as well.
More: Reasons we body-shame ourselves (and why we really shouldn’t)
But think about the ridiculous weight-related stereotypes that are incessantly pushed in our direction by these mediums: being skinny somehow equates to beauty, intelligence and overall having-your-shit-together, while being overweight equates with laziness, unhealthiness and unattractiveness.
These ever-present negative ideas begin to seep deeper into a person who is battling obesity. In other words, those who are met with the negative stereotypes begin to experience depression along with a degree of weight bias internalization, which occurs as obese individuals believe that they themselves align with the negative stereotypes.
So basically, making someone feel guilty for their appearance really impacts their self-esteem. That shouldn’t be surprising.
But this research suggests a little bit more is going on here. During the study, 159 adults battling obesity were subjected to both mental and physical health examinations. Those who were categorized as having a “high” weight bias internalization were three times more likely to have metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that heighten your chances for heart disease, diabetes and stroke, and six times more likely to have high triglycerides as compared to participants with "low" internalization. So yes, these results are a big deal.
What’s the verdict? Words kill. And it’s not a filter that our brains need, but rather a complete reconfiguration.
More: Artist’s adult coloring book celebrates body positivity
"Health care providers, the media, and the general public should be aware that blaming and shaming patients with obesity is not an effective tool for promoting weight loss, and it may in fact contribute to poor health if patients internalize these prejudicial messages," co-author of the study Tom Wadden, Ph.D., a professor of psychology and psychiatry and director of Penn's Center for Weight and Eating Disorders told ScienceDaily.
Curvy model and girl crush of the century Ashley Graham is by far a leader in this department. Her latest Instagram post skipped her typical glamour, fashion and sexiness. Instead, the photo simply displayed her lower body — and still rocked our world.
She captioned her photo, “I workout. I do my best to eat well. I love the skin I'm in. And I'm not ashamed of a few lumps, bumps or cellulite.. and you shouldn't be either.#beautybeyondsize #lovetheskinyourein”
Doesn’t that make you feel good? Positive changes in how we act and react to body images are necessary for our health. No, we’re not going to unfollow our favorite skinny-mini celebrities or absolutely love when we see a picture of ourselves at a terrible angle. But we can make a conscious effort to remind ourselves that body perfection isn’t a requirement for beauty, love, intelligence or basically anything else we want to achieve. And just like that, the detangling of fat-shaming stereotypes begins.
More: Ashley Graham’s moving TED talk is your new confidence anthem (VIDEO)
As Graham and other leading women in the media’s spotlight do their share of de-shaming, the rest of us must do the same. Doctors need to explore the genetic, biological and environmental aspects of obesity with their patients. Friends and family need to encourage and support each other rather than make assumptions about those who look different from them. And women as a whole need to realize that little interactions with ourselves and others add up — lives are literally on the line here.
As a college student, I regularly find myself relying on caffeine to function.
Whether I’m drinking a Red Bull to pull an all-nighter for exams or having a cup of coffee as an energy-booster for the morning, I’ve become addicted to caffeine. However, I’ve learned the importance of toning down my caffeine intake because of the unwanted side effects that could disrupt mental and physical health, including my menstrual cycle.
More: How a caffeine addict quit coffee once and for all
Caffeine is a drug that stimulates the production of adrenaline, also known as the fight or flight hormone, which increases your heart rate and gets your blood pumping. It also affects the dopamine levels in your brain, which makes you feel happy. However, with regular consumption of caffeine, your body may become dependent on the drug and you'll face withdrawal symptoms without your daily dose.
Increases PMS symptoms
Overindulging in caffeinated beverages has been linked to amping up premenstrual symptoms like cramping, headaches, mood swings, bloating and soreness of the breasts. In order to cope with the intensified PMS symptoms, some women may be tempted to grab another cup of coffee to increase their energy. However, it will only backfire, leading to “tension, anxiety, trouble sleeping and amplified exhaustion,” according to LiveStrong.
More: Get your coffee fix without the caffeine
Causes shortened and irregular cycles
According to a study by the American Journal of Epidemiology, women who drink caffeinated beverages during menstruation tend to have shortened periods.
Fluctuates hormone levels
Caffeine increases norepinephrine and epinephrine levels, which are stress hormones that are in charge of elevating your blood pressure and heart rate. When these hormone levels are increased, your blood vessels are restricted, which causes tension in your body. Women tend to be more sensitive to caffeine than men because it takes longer for women to “detoxify” it out of their system, according to Natural News.
Although it may sound impossible, there are plenty of ways to stay energized without your morning cup of coffee.
More: The best foods to eat on your period — and the bad ones to skip
Get more than seven hours of sleep
This may seem like common sense, but people most commonly rely on caffeine to function throughout the day because of a lack of sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, healthy adults need about seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Sleep deprivation can affect your alertness, concentration and problem-solving skills.
Probably the most important tip to remember is to stay hydrated. About 60 percent of your body is made up of water. Even simple everyday activities such as breathing, sweating and urinating can cause dehydration. A mild form of dehydration can be enough to decrease your energy, alertness and concentration.
Partake in daily exercise
Physical activity increases the blood flow throughout your body, providing your brain more oxygen, which increases your overall mental performance. The hippocampus, a part of your brain that is critical for your memory and learning, is extremely active during physical activity.
Listen to positive music
Get ready to jam out to Beyoncé; listening to music has the ability to cause a state of arousal by increasing your heart rate and blood flow. Your favorite tune can also potentially release the “feel good” chemical, dopamine, throughout your body.
By Katlyn Tolly
Originally published on HelloFlo.
For celebrity chef Richard Blais, 2017 is off to an amazing start. Already known as a Top Chef-All Stars winner and now judge, Blais is a successful author, restaurateur and now… actor and writer? We caught up with the Trail Blais-er at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, to hear about his latest recipe for success.
Despite this year's Sundance Film Festival's snowstorms and freezing temperatures, filmmakers, movie stars and even chefs have donned their snow gear and shown up to have fun.
We were lucky enough to attend a cooking demonstration performed by Top Chef winner, Richard Blais, at the Chase Sapphire Lounge on Main Street, where the menu was a hearty winter meal – seared elk accented with reindeer moss and pine nut foam. It may sound quite exotic, but the hungry crowd agreed it was quite a robust offering, perfect for the snowy weather.
In between live cooking shows and catering cast parties for the many exciting films premiering at the festival, Blais managed to find a few minutes to sit down with us and share what Top Chef is really like behind the scenes.
The current season of Top Chef is rookies vs. veterans, and to us, it seems the veterans are owning the competition. We asked Blais if he thought the producers wanted to see the newbies fail to provide maximum conflict on the show. His answer surprised us. "I don't think they set anyone up to fail. I don't think anyone thought the veterans would run away with it."
Blais contends that the entire show is made with the utmost integrity, particularly when it comes down to judging the chefs food. "The judges take the decision process very seriously. I've seen it take six hours. There is a legend of a nine-hour deliberation – I just think it's a testament to the show. It's four people with different opinions and we will hash it out for hours."
More: Top Chef's Jamie Lynch may be out, but he's definitely not done fighting
But, like any reality TV show, personalities come into play. "For me, as someone who is now on the judging panel for a few seasons, initially, I had to overcome the fact that it's Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi's show. They're the seniors on the court, so to speak. But if you don't speak your mind, you won't be there for another episode."
As a judge, Blais says he isn't privy to the day-to-day frictions between competing chefs. "We're only in front of the contestants when you see us in front of the contestants. We don't watch any of the prep. We have no idea what's going on back at the cast house."
Though he thinks it's good that the judges don't see behind the scenes because it prevents influencing their decisions about the food, he thinks the manipulations inside the cast house is where the real drama happens.
More: Top Chef's Silvia Barban & Sylva Senat apparently had beef on the show
"As a fan of Top Chef, I would love to see more of the cast house. I guess it's more typical reality TV, but I find the social challenges fascinating – having competed on it. I remember my good friend, Fabio Viviani made a meatball one time back at the cast house. It was just me and Fabio eating a meatball, so probably not a big dynamic moment for the television show, but a real genuine moment where we became friends. Besides the fights and the drunkenness that happens at the cast house, there are some really great moments that the show doesn't have time for."
More: Who should win Top Chef? Amanda Baumgarten has three female chefs in mind
If Blais had to pick his favorite Top Chef of all time, it would be Dale Talde. "We're just sort of brothers. I really enjoyed him, but the list could really go to 12, 15 people. What's great about the show is how far a contestant can go, even if they don't win. Dale's one of those stories."
Blais says he gets frustrated when people underestimate Lakshmi, the show's hostess.
"There's a fan base out there that thinks Padma is just a pretty face because she's a model. 'What does she know about food?' I get pretty sensitive about that because she's so intelligent and knows so much about food but she just happens to be a model who's beautiful. She's the only person who eats all of the contestant's food every single challenge because she's there in the Quickfire, she's there in the elimination challenges as well."
Blais also feels that sometimes the other host, Colicchio, can get a bad wrap. "He gets this knock for being so hard and serious, a curmudgeon even. But having sat next to him, he's a lot more joyful. Maybe that's because I'm no longer a competitor. He's a fun guy, a musician. He'll play guitar back stage. So he's an artist – like most of us. I'm now into writing."
Yes, you read that correctly. Blais has aspirations of being a writer and even has some film and TV treatments floating around Hollywood.
"I'm collecting data on all these different chef personalities. The thing I'm working on now is, here are these four different chef personalities that exist in this world. One is a teacher, one is a mean chef, one is an absolute maniac, etc. I'm just really digging into that world because everyone eats. The stories of chefs and people who work in the hospitality industry work because we can all sort of relate."
And if you missed Blais' acting debut in the James Franco comedy, Why Him?, you're missing out on an absolutely hilarious movie. Blais plays a personal chef with his own unique take on the "farm to table" movement. Called the "lawn to table" movement in the film, Blais raises livestock like chickens and cows in Franco's yard until it's time for them to become dinner, providing the freshest meat possible.
Though 2017 marked Blais' first Sundance, he vows it will not be his last. "Being on a movie set really inspired me and got me engaged in the acting and writing process. I'm committed to getting back to Sundance."
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
It's that time of year again: award season. The endless parade of award show interviews and monologued thank-yous are upon us. Reading through the fresh array of stories from male actors and directors about the work that went into a particular role or project on the various nominee rosters this award season has also brought up the one male-leaning trend I loathe: husbands who profusely thank their wives, especially those wives who stayed home to tend to the house and the kids while their husbands were on set for months.
More: Eva Mendes pregnant with Ryan Gosling's baby
So, before I say anything further about specifically male behaviors, I'd like to put out a small disclaimer up front. I am all in favor of partners supporting partners. Support in a relationship is crucial, especially when your other half is chasing their dreams. But there's something fundamentally irksome about watching a man get up onstage and spend a few minutes thanking his wife when it begins to become clear that the woman involved in each respective situation is juggling multiple job duties.
A prime example: At the 2017 Golden Globes, Ryan Gosling dedicated his speech to thank his "lady," Eva Mendes. During the speech, he details how Mendes stayed at home to help her brother fight his battle against cancer, raise daughters Esmeralda and Amada and presumably oversee the running of a household. Mendes and Gosling remain tight-lipped about their personal lives, so there may be some wiggle room in the precise balance of duties in their marriage. The point remains the same: Gosling illustrates that while Mendes was at home juggling a variety of emotionally, physically and psychologically taxing duties, he was able to join the cast of the madly beloved La La Land.
Ryan Gosling Golden Globes 2017
It feels a bit unequal, doesn't it? While we don't know whether Mendes passed up roles while she was raising her daughters or helping her brother, nor do we know her mental and emotional state during this time (nor would I dare even conjecture), it becomes clear that no matter how much love and gratitude Gosling exudes, the speech he gave implies to some extent that the work he and Mendes did while apart is equal. This is simply not the case.
More: The most memorable excerpts from the 2017 Golden Globes winners' speeches
I don't doubt Gosling's gratitude. Nor do I doubt Mendes' unselfish devotion to her family. But Gosling's speech highlights this almost condescending practice we see during awards season — an event so steeped in thanks and praise it begins to feel superficial after a while — of thanking your other half (often the wife) for making bigger sacrifices of time and self so that their spouse to go and act, direct or work on a film in some other capacity.
Casey Affleck did the same thing at the 2017 Golden Globes. Matthew McConaughey, bless his Texan heart, did it during his 2014 Oscar acceptance speech for Best Actor. Tom Hanks did it during his 1995 Oscar win. Denzel Washington did it in 1990 when he won the Golden Globe for Glory. In 2005, as he accepted the Best Actor Oscar, Jamie Foxx mentioned that moments before the winner was announced, his daughter (his date for the evening) leaned over and whispered, "If you don't win, Dad, you're still good."
Casey Affleck Golden Globes 2017
More: Ryan Gosling's Golden Globes speech made Eva Mendes the real winner of the night
And so the fine line between graciousness and ego-stroking gets toed. It's not so much that male actors are more sanctimonious than female actors when giving acceptance speeches. Nor is it that they mean to condescend. But while we all acknowledge that the love will get spread during award season and everyone is trying to make those two minutes onstage count, we should also acknowledge that the work being rewarded is rarely equal to the work being thanked — namely, the work of the wives. From the sounds of the speeches, it's the wives' endless sacrifice and never-ending support that fuels these actors; what are they giving up for their wives?
As I wrap up, I leave you on this note: I'm not some love Scrooge. It's great that the unseen wives of those awarded actors are getting their due to begin with. But knowing that with every new award season, we're inundated with nearly overblown speeches that somehow only zero in on the endless giving of self of one spouse — be it time, support or career — so that their other half can accept a trophy, it's a lot to take in. I can only hope the practice will shift a bit, even if we see more women pointing this habit out, as Amy Poehler and Tina Fey slyly did at the 2014 Golden Globes.
Golden Globes Fey Poehler
Here's to hoping.
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
If you ever felt like monogamous life wasn’t for you, you’re not alone. A recent study found that about 1 in 5 Americans have been in an ethically nonmonogamous relationship at least once in their life.
But the social and cultural pressure of being in a relationship that’s seen as “normal” is still very strong. The only model we ever see is the married, monogamous couple — whether happy or unhappy. Anything outside this norm is presented as bad, immoral and even evil.
More: What to do when one partner wants an open marriage
Being in a long-term committed relationship, however, doesn’t mean that you stop feeling desire for other people. Sexual and romantic attraction can hit any time, anywhere. But most of us have been taught through the media, our culture and our family structures that we need to resist the temptation and be faithful at all costs.
But what if there were another way? What if you could open up your relationship so both of you could indulge in your crushes and attractions without compromising your commitment to each other? A growing number of people are coming out nonmonogamous and changing the way we imagine healthy, respectful relationships.
More: "We became a polyamorous couple and it saved our marriage"
An ethically nonmonogamous relationship is a relationship in which the two people agree to have relationships — sexual, romantic and otherwise — with other people. The conditions and rules for outside relationships may differ between couples, but the core ideas remain the same for all of them: honesty, openness and trust.
Ethical nonmonogamy can include relationship modes like swinging, hookups and polyamory.
Their common denominator? Everyone knows what’s going on. Jackie, a married polyamorous woman, says: “I want full disclosure, all of the information.”
The most challenging part of opening up is often bringing the topic up with your partner. Because of the taboo surrounding nonmonogamy, there can be a lot of fear and worries about telling your partner that you want to pursue relationships with other people.
For those with the courage, naming the topic directly is probably the best, most effective way to do so. Clive, Jackie’s husband, says: “Fear is the enemy. Even if the truth hurts, it will hurt less than a lie, obfuscation or avoidance.”
Being direct about your desires and your need to open up the relationship will give your partner the possibility to have all the information they need to pursue the discussion further.
More: Open relationships: Couples who've found success
If you’re a little shy, maybe reading a book on the subject is a way to get your partner to ask questions about why you’re reading it, and what it’s about. Suggest that you read it together, and discuss how you can implement some suggestions in your own lives.
Be careful, though. A common error that many couples make in opening up is believing that it, alone, will solve problems they’re having with sex, communication and trust. To the already troubled couple, opening up will only compound the issues.
Clive adds, “Successful open relationships require respect for the relationship you have and self-awareness. If nothing else, take a few minutes daily to think about the open relationship and how the interactions are affecting your partners, your relationships and yourself.”
Doing so requires being honest and fearless about yourself and your couple. If you are facing problems in your relationship, tackling them before opening up will save you much heartache down the road.
As Franklin Veaux says, “‘Relationship Broken, Add More People’ almost never works.” That’s why you should strive to open up by building on an already functional, healthy relationship.
Think you’re ready to open up? Take a look at some of the books and plentiful resources online to get the discussion going between you and your partner.
It hasn't been a great week for news. In these uncertain times, we all have different coping mechanisms. Whatever form yours takes, make sure you do one thing, and that's look at cute animals. Just for a minute or two. You're guaranteed to feel better.
Twitter is flooded with the world's cutest animals this week thanks to the birth announcement of a gray seal pup at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. The pup's mother, a 33-year-old gray seal named Kara, now holds the record for being the oldest of her species to give birth in a zoo. The new arrival also serves as a reminder that the once-endangered gray seal was listed as a species of least concern in 2016 — something to celebrate, for sure.
More: Why do some shelter dogs have tattoos?
Seal pup
As news of the seal pup spread online, #CuteAnimalTweetOff went viral, with many of the world's zoos and aquariums posting pictures of their own cutest creatures.
More: 5 tips to minimize your dog’s shedding
Tiny baby owls from The Maryland Zoo definitely gave the seal pup a run for its money.
Tiny owls
The London Zoo decided nothing could possibly be cuter than a sloth.
Sloth
Not to be defeated, Smithsonian threw an endangered Bornean orangutan infant into the mix.
Monkey
The Tulsa Zoo met the challenge with its baby jaguar, Babette.
Jaguar
Then the Queens Zoo in New York only went and shared a picture of the world's smallest deer.
Deer
But the Chester Zoo, the biggest zoo in the U.K., raised the bar with a video of its adorable red panda.
Red panda
This is one hashtag we're never gonna tire of.
More: 8 things a pet nutrition expert wants you to know about your pet
Please, please leave Mischa Barton alone.
News sources are reporting that Mischa Barton (Sixth Sense, The OC) was taken voluntarily to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation after an incident at her home on Thursday morning.
Barton’s West Hollywood neighbors spotted her on top of her backyard fence, agitated and screaming about her mother, her dog and the end of the world (she’s not off base, on that one, OK? I've been screaming about that too). The neighbors contacted police and firefighters. Unfortunately, in West Hollywood, police and firefighters are often beaten to the scene by paparazzi. And that’s just what happened in Barton’s case.
I wish to God this hadn’t hit the news at all. But numerous celebrity news outlets are thrilled to dish on all of the sad details — including the paparazzi’s raw, disturbing photographs of Barton mid-crisis. The media was also quick to point out, salaciously, that Barton was only wearing "a dress shirt and a tie." Great. Let's sex up her pain while we're at it.
More: You owe it to your kids to have this mental illness conversation
I’ve written about my own painful struggles with mental illness because I think the stigma is harmful, and silence keeps those who most need help from seeking it. And... I speak about it because it's my story to tell. Many of my colleagues and friends suffer from wounds you can't immediately see — everything from bipolar to depression to anxiety to PTSD to borderline personality disorder. So this particular topic cuts to the quick. I shudder to think of any photos leaking — especially if I had been unaware they were being taken — of me at my very lowest and most vulnerable. My heart aches for Barton, who is ultimately just a woman in need of help and compassion and not another smug smear campaign.
There's zero excuse for releasing devastating photos like these. It’s one thing to report on a celebrity’s hospitalization, but there’s no entertainment or escapism to be found in photos of someone suffering in a full-blown mental health crisis. It’s utterly disgusting and utterly without empathy or humanity.
Is Barton in the public eye? Yes — but a crisis in her backyard is private and should be off-limits to the press. By all accounts, she's suffered with mental illness for some time. After seeking medical attention for a tooth infection in 2009, the actress was kept in a psychiatric facility for two weeks under a "5150," the California law that allows a psychiatrist to involuntarily confine a person deemed to have a mental disorder that makes them a danger to themselves and/or others.
Barton said then on the record: "If they feel you are depressed or a danger to yourself they can hold you on a 5150. I am terrified of needles and they wanted to pump me full of drugs and I said, 'No, absolutely not. I don't want to be here,' and got into a fight with the nurses, and that led to my 5150."
That info was offered up by Barton, and it's a window into her ongoing struggles. Do we have a right to more info? Nope. Did she deserve to have Thursday's breakdown greedily documented and served up for all to see? No way. I refuse to grant a free pass to the paparazzi. A mental breakdown is no red carpet scene and will never be. All publicity is not good publicity. Just ask the celebrities who have struggled with mental illness and been stigmatized and blacklisted and laughed at for it on late-night TV.
More: Thank you, Kristen Bell, for flipping the script on mental illness
I don’t even think you need to struggle with mental illness to understand how damning and devastating these photos are. Just think of your own personal lousiest, darkest, lowest moment, and then imagine (imagine!) what a photographer might have captured. Would TMZ have loved it? You can bet on it. Feel good about the thought of that moment splashed on the internet for strangers to see? Yeah. Me neither.
Paparazzi: Lay off those who are ill — physically or mentally. It's one thing to capture an Oscar ensemble; it's quite another to keep perpetuating a culture in which mental illness is still a blast to laugh at. "Oh my God, did you hear?"
Next time, I'd like to say, "No, I didn't hear a thing."
By definition, superheroes are forces of good who stand up for the little guys and are admired for their noble qualities. Unfortunately, the effects these popular characters really have on young children may be the opposite. In a study published this month in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, researchers found that preschool-aged children who engaged in "superhero culture" are more likely to display some troubling behavior.
“Kids were picking up on the aggressive superhero traits as opposed to the positive characteristics,” said study author Sarah M. Coyne, associate professor at Brigham Young University’s School of Family Life. She said this seems to be a case of children latching onto the wrong messages while disregarding the positive traits of many superheroes.
For the study, Coyne and her colleagues interviewed 240 children whose parents reported they engaged with “superhero culture” to some extent. When the children were asked about their favorite traits of superheroes such as Batman, Captain America or Spider-Man, 20 percent said they liked the violent skills — including “he smashes and gets angry” and “because he can kill.”
This seemed to translate to bad behavior on the part of some children. One year after the initial interview, researchers found the kids who “frequently engage with superhero culture” are generally more likely to be physically and relationally aggressive. Meanwhile, they were no more prone than their peers to prosocial or admirable “defending” behaviors.
Before becoming the villain who tosses all the Superman toys in the trash, though, Coyne says there is a better way — and that starts by making sure there is an open dialogue and limiting children to age-appropriate media. (In other words, no Deadpool.)
“The superheroes themselves have so many redeeming qualities, so I would focus on those while de-emphasizing the violence,” she said, suggesting parents direct their children to the positive characteristics of superheroes while explaining you don’t need special powers to be a force of good. As she said, “A true superhero is one who is kind, understanding, loyal, empathetic and is able to stick up for others without resorting to violence.”
Coyne’s research also made news in 2016, after the publication of her study on the effects of Disney princesses. In the course of that research, Coyne and her colleagues found the young girls with the highest levels of interactions with princesses were more prone to gendered behavior, which may keep them from pursuing ventures typically perceived as masculine in nature — including science and technology fields. The girls who engaged the most with the princesses also had worse body images.
On the other hand, the researchers found boys who watched the occasional princess movie or played with dolls had better levels of self-esteem and were more helpful to others. In light of those findings and the superhero study, Coyne said the moral of the story is quite clear: Help children find balance by introducing new characters and interests.
You know that saying that goes, "A mother becomes a mother when she becomes pregnant, and a father becomes a father when he sees his baby for the first time?" They said it on Juno, so it must be true.
More: Irina Shayk's either wearing an engagement ring or trying to fool everyone
But not so much for Bradley Cooper, who, according to reports, is so stoked about his baby on the way that he's going with fianceé Irina Shayk to every single doctor appointment she has.
"Bradley has been there for her and is loving seeing the baby grow inside her. They share those moments when the baby kicks and they can’t wait!" and insider told E! News. "Bradley been taking her to her doctor visits and is so excited every time they see the baby. She is very healthy and the baby is as well."
More: We're willing to bet Bradley Cooper & Irina Shayk get married in 2017
Another source told Harper's Bazaar pretty much the same thing: "[Cooper] and Irina Shayk are expecting their first child together in May and so far, he’s reportedly been very hands on and supportive, including accompanying Shayk to the OB/GYN to monitor their baby’s development."
But hold up — why is everyone making such a big deal out of Cooper going to his fianceé's appointments, as if we shouldn't expect him to be there? He impregnated her, so why wouldn't he be participating in this whole growing-a-baby business?
Anyway.
E!'s source says everything is going well, and Shayk, who premiered her baby belly on the effing catwalk for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show like the badass that she is, is happy and healthy and enjoying her pregnancy. The source claimed that things are going so well, she's already looking forward to more kids in the future.
"She can’t wait to be a mom and would like more kids after this," the insider said.
More: 9 things to know about Irina Shayk, model and Bradley Cooper's girlfriend
Before you go, check out our slideshow below.
Having adopted twice (daughters Naleigh and Adelaide) and given birth by C-section (son Joshua Bishop), Katherine Heigl’s vote is in: She’ll take adoption over those lousy postpartum hormones any day.
Solidarity, sister. We hear you, Katie. Those hormones are no joke. Shudder.
Heigl’s not complaining, though. The pregnancy came as a huge — but welcome — shock for the actress and her husband, Josh Kelley, who thought they were unable to conceive. Surprise!
More: Katherine Heigl has a baby boy, and we're ready to be happy for her
Heigl (now starring as attorney Sadie Ellis in Doubt on CBS) told People, “I’ve never been determined to experience pregnancy. But I’m so grateful that I did… [at first] I thought, ’Oh, pregnancy is going to wreck me, I am going to be one of those women who’s just probably sick the whole time and feels terrible and exhausted.’ [But] I just had a pretty easy experience.”
More: Katherine Heigl's pregnancy is shaking her self-esteem (a little)
The postpartum “emotional highs and lows” are wearing her out, though.
“One minute you’re weirdly obsessed with this baby, like ‘Don’t take him out of my sight,’ and the next you’re kind of blue, you’re a little sad and a little freaked out,” she said. “I actually prefer the adoption way because I wasn’t subject to hormones.”
(We’re writing her a prescription for dark chocolate. A lot of dark chocolate.)
Though we hate that she's feeling all the post-birth feels, we love Heigl's takeaway wisdom on adoption vs. birth. Heigl said the awful ups and downs of postpartum mood swings are “the only difference” in raising her three kids. “The moment you hold your child, you’re wholly in love,” she said. “And you’ll do anything to protect them and shelter them.”
Looking to nail your next race, bump up your weights, or straight up slay a tough move? Here's a trick: talk to yourself! A study found that a group of competitive swimmers who used self talk performed better in competition than those who didn't use the technique. For runners, researchers found self talk increases time to exhaustion during endurance training. It can literally help you run the extra mile! Try these tips to kick your fitness goals up a notch while feeling pretty amazing about it, too.
1. Make a daily mantra
Write down a mantra that speaks specifically to you and your goals. Read it out loud to yourself every morning. This can be as simple as “stay strong” or “I love my body.” It can also be more detailed such as, “I am going to run 5 miles today and feel incredible!” Say this at least ten times each morning and ten times before you go to bed.
More: Go ahead and have that extra cup of coffee – your workout will thank you
2. Turn negative thoughts into positive ones
If you ever get down on yourself (as well all occasionally do), focus on changing your mindset. For example, if you slept in and skipped a workout, resist the urge to get angry at yourself. Instead, remind yourself of all the healthy things you’re doing for your body today.
More: Want awesome abs? Your kitchen is where the real difference is made
3. Boost your phone vibes
Think about how often you open your phone. It’s probably a lot more than you realize! Set your background as your mantra or an inspiring quote that you can repeat to yourself every time you use your cell. Every dose of self-talk you can add into your life will help boost the positive effects.
4. Give yourself a workout pep talk
We always say, "don’t listen to yourself, TALK to yourself." During a challenging workout, run, or class, it’s so easy to hear, “I can’t do this” or “this is too hard.” Change that dialogue in your head to, “I can do this!” The results will seriously amaze you.
More: What your body is really craving after your workout (spoiler: It's not actually doughnuts)
It all comes down to loving yourself and having confidence that you’re a pretty amazing human, because you are! That’s the main idea behind our brand new BODY LOVE workouts. Give your body the sweat sesh it craves and remind yourself that you’re a badass the entire time. And don’t forget that you’re the best YOU anyone can be!
Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott are the founders of Tone It Up.
Once, in college, I had a really horrific breakup. I texted my bestie, who worked as a cocktail waitress at a margarita bar a few blocks from my house (yes, that was the best arrangement ever and I miss those days), and she responded with just one perfect word: "Come."
More: Matt Lauer's getting some great co-hosts for his 20th anniversary on Today
So I went. As soon as I walked through the bar's door, she was at my side with a tray full of shots, and no well shit, either. As a heartbroken college student, I got drunk that night on tequila that I can't even afford now, as a full-fledged adult with a real career (and by that, I mean Hornitos, because come on, writing isn't exactly lucrative).
Now, my BFF was really great, having a girl's back like that. But she was no Matt Lauer, because he greets his friends at bars with free drinks, no heartbreak necessary (JUST KIDDING, AMY, YOU'RE AMAZING!).
According to Page Six, Lauer was at a restaurant in Manhattan with a whole bunch of his buds from the Today show, including Al Roker and NBC News correspondent Keir Simmons, when Katie Couric walked in the door. And Lauer, being the amazing friend he apparently is, "jumped up from his seat and ran to the bar. He picked up two glasses of wine and brought them over to Katie’s table... He pretended to be their waiter. It was hysterical."
This whole story is made even better by the fact that Lauer has a reputation for being a little bit of a giant jerk. He has a reputation for stepping on others to advance his career, like Ann Curry, who, according to rumors, got axed from Today because Lauer didn't like her and didn't put any effort into making it work out when they were briefly co-anchors in 2012. There's also the issue of Lauer's humility; NBC has confirmed that they gave him his own helicopter after he demanded one to make trips between New York City and the Hamptons. The helicopter was supposedly so Lauer could see his family more often, even after his wife filed for divorce amid claims that he was controlling and abusive. Yikes.
More: Matt Lauer & Billy Bush's made-up feud sparked a real one for Lauer's boss
Apparently, though, Lauer is perfectly nice... if you're Katie Couric.
