With so much controversy still surrounding the supposedly rigged 2016 Presidential election, it was only fitting for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver to take its own stab at a democratic election. The result of this experiment was hilarious yet sobering.

More: John Oliver's Techno Number Is Exactly What Late Night Television Needs

Instead of Americans being forced to choose between two candidates that fought like cats and dogs on the campaign trail, Last Week Tonight offered up a delicious-looking trio of candidates for whom the nation could vote. It was further proof that democracy really does work; you just need the right candidates to inspire the masses to get out and vote.

When former President Obama nominated Merrick Garland as the man to replace the deceased Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Senate Republicans refused to play ball. This had devastating consequences for one poor pooch, who was expecting to fill a vital role in American government.

More: John Oliver Has a Great Plan for Educating President Trump

Last Week Tonight's all-dog Supreme Court needed to fill Garland's role, and Molly the Schnauzer won the pup-ular vote among viewers. Of course, Garland never even received a confirmation hearing, so Molly was never able to take her place as a Supreme Court Justice. Molly was so adorable that her Supreme Court snub was almost as ridiculous as the one suffered by Garland himself.

On tonight's episode, host John Oliver presented three new candidates to represent President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch, on his all-dog Supreme Court. Since, in Oliver's own words, Gorsuch's nomination is a "historical aberration," Gorsuch won't be represented by a dog. Instead he'll have his role taken by a lobster — a creature that fits in with canines almost as well as Trump fits in with the political system.

More: Why John Oliver Compared Schools to a Tyler Perry Movie

After the events of the last year, anything goes, and a dog Supreme Court with a confirmed lobster doesn't seem so ridiculous. It's unheard of for Congress to take so long to confirm a Supreme Court nominee, but with #ClawandOrder, the process will be relatively simple. It appears as though Mike the lobster will be sworn in immediately; if only Merrick Garland had it so easy.

Do you think Mike the Lobster deserves to be sworn into the all-dog Supreme Court? Comment and share your opinion below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

The 2017 Oscars just made a giant error by announcing La La Land as Best Picture. In fact, the real winner is Moonlight and everyone is freaking out.

Former Bonnie and Clyde cast-mates, Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, took the stage to announce the Best Picture at tonight's Academy Awards. The minute Beatty opened the envelope, it was clear something was wrong. He pulled out the piece of paper, looked confused, then looked inside the envelope again to see if he missed something.

More: Jamie Dornan Was In No Mood to Humor Dakota Johnson at the 2017 Oscars

Dunaway, tugging his arm, said to Beatty, "You're impossible," when he failed to announce the winner in a timely manner. He showed her the paper and she announced the winner as La La Land. The filmmakers rushed the stage and began giving speeches.

More: Jamie Dornan Was In No Mood to Humor Dakota Johnson at the 2017 Oscars

At 9:10 p.m. PST, many Twitter followers were filled with disappointment:

But moments later, a man with a headset walked onto the Oscars stage at the Kodak Theater and every La La Land actor and producer's face turned white. Finally, one of the producers said to the audience, "There's been a mistake. Moonlight won best picture."

Watch the strangeness below.

Then the mood-pendulum began to swing in the other direction on Twitter.

More: Dwayne Johnson's Oscar Loss Is a Win for the Rest of Us

At 9:14 p.m. PST, the incident was used to exonerate Steve Harvey when he messed up at the Miss Universe winner:

At 9:21 p.m., Oprah's mood apparently lifted and she sent this tweet:

What did you think about the show tonight? Let us know in the comments below!

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Emotions were running high as the 2017 Oscars came to a close. Nowhere was the as evident as backstage at the show, where Oscar winners retreated to process their big win.

More: Everyone's Emotionally Exhausted After Getting Personally Victimized by the Oscars

After the incredible shock and delight of Moonlight actually winning Best Picture instead of the mis-announced La La Land, it may be difficult to believe the another magical, wild, beautiful moment was happening backstage. But it was. The magic moment was between newly-minted Oscar winner Emma Stone and 2016 Best Actress winner Brie Larson.

As Stone made her way backstage and was swarmed by Oscar crew and press, Larson appeared off to the side, letting Stone catch her breath. As Stone turned and saw Larson, Stone began to talk about the shock of getting her award but Larson wasn't having it. She pulled Stone into an embrace.

More: So, Do Ryan Gosling & Justin Timberlake Actually Hate Each Other or Something?

The two women adorably hugged it out for a good, long while but it was worth it. To see two consecutive winners both in the prime of their careers celebrating of woman's big win made for poignant behind-the-scenes Oscars coverage. For it to be Stone and Larson? Absolutely adorable.

More: Jimmy Kimmel's Donald Trump Tweet Got 4.3K Retweets in Under 1 Minute

Stone's win was totally deserved, but Larson's precious moment with her backstage made that win even sweeter.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Becoming a father has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has been all of those good and wonderful things that you’re supposed to say about parenthood in order not to look like you want to disappear for a few years and show back up when the child is old enough to dress, feed and/or cook for herself. Oh, and go to college.

I’m joking. But seriously.

One lesson I’ve learned about parenting — courtesy of my now-8-year-old (!!!!) daughter — is how much of this job really is improvising and learning on the fly. And by learning, I mean unlearning several useless behaviors (stuffing emotions and eating things directly off the floor) and finding new and productive ways to continue on with the things I love most in life that aren’t fit for tiny sponges who like to repeat things at the darndest of times.

This brings me to one of the most life-altering lessons and compromises I’ve had to make in life: music.

I’m a music head. There is almost always music playing around me. One of my greatest joys as a parent has been introducing my daughter (and sons when they’re old enough to care and appreciate) to my favorite musical artists. My daughter is an ardent Michael Jackson fan at this point in her life because who isn’t? I've tried to get her into jazz, but it’s a little bit too boring for her thus far.

One struggle I’ve had is that I’m in my mid-30s and grew up with the hip-hop generation, which means I’m a hip-hop head. And while I will defend the artistry with my last breath, I also realize that a solid 99 percent of the art is not for the ears of babes, and the other 1 percent includes acts like Vanilla Ice and I just can’t do that to myself or my daughter.

It is because of this conundrum that I made an interesting discovery one day: gospel music. Now, I’ll admit this openly: While I grew up in the church, at some point I stopped engaging with my spirituality. Outside of the Kirk Franklins of the world, I couldn’t tell you any gospel artists unless they played their music on secular radio stations. But in my attempts to find music that could be enjoyed by my daughter that wouldn’t cause me to have a conniption or include the words “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” I asked her mother what she listened to in the car. She mentioned a gospel radio station. I decided to give it a try.

You know those scenes in movies where somebody sees the light and angels start singing, or at the very humming? That was me.

Well, at first, I wasn’t that moved. This is typically what happens when you’re just doing something to go through the motions, but one day I started listening and a particular song caught my ear: Maurette Brown-Clark’s “It Ain't Over.” 

As a music lover, voices have always been the thing that got me into an artist, so I’m amazed at myself for not giving gospel and praise and worship its full due until my daughter was born. The singing on “It Ain't Over” nearly made me go to church that Sunday. Nearly. It became my gateway song. After finding it on Spotify and listening to it 100 times in a row, I began seeking out other songs and made a discovery that I, again, am ashamed to have made so late in life: I love gospel and praise and worship.

For one, because of the messaging, I’ve found myself in a much better headspace emotionally. Secondly, most of the artists can sang. Not sing: sang. We’re not talking studio tricks to improve a questionable voice. We’re talking powerhouse voices that invoke the spirit of the Lord. And most important, this was music I could listen to with my daughter and feel she’d get valuable energy. There’s a guitar solo some seven-plus minutes into Byron Cage’s “Great and Mighty” that caused me to pull over in traffic to fully appreciate for its purely inspirational energy.

Now, every morning when I’m taking my daughter to school, we turn straight to our local gospel station (Praise 104.1 in Washington, D.C.) and take in all that is inspirational in the world. Sometimes we sing along with songs. Other times we talk about the messaging so I can see if she’s really paying attention, and she usually is.

While being a father has changed my life in ways too numerous to list, causing a late-in-life reintroduction to the music of my youth has been one that brings me great joy. I like feeling good at the start the day and I enjoy being happy as a rule. Inspirational music achieves this goal.

Of course, I still listen to my not-safe-for-work hip-hop songs; I can’t let go of who I am. But what I have learned is that you can be many things at the same time, as being a father has placed me firmly in the realm of being many people I had no idea I was capable of being.

Once you dip a toe into the choppy waters of infertility, all of the insider initialisms can be overwhelming (FET, TTC, IUI — the list goes on). But there’s one three-letter initialism that you especially need to know, and it’s AMH. It stands for anti-mullerian hormone, and many doctors consider it to be the most reliable indicator of ovarian reserve — aka the number of healthy eggs a woman has left.

I learned the hard way that not all doctors offer this test to women with unexplained infertility. After my husband and I had been trying almost a year with no luck, I visited my gynecologist to get some answers. Tests of my estradiol, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and progesterone levels all came back “great” — so she told me to stay the course and come back in six months if I wasn’t pregnant yet.

More: How "Rainbow Mamas" Are Helping To Spread Much-Needed Miscarriage Awareness

Six months later, my oven was still sans bun, so I called my gynecologist again to see if we could do an intrauterine insemination treatment. But when I went for the initial visit, no egg follicles could be seen on the ultrasound. My gynecologist was perplexed, as was I — after all, my period had always been like clockwork, and my hormone levels had measured right on track for healthy reproduction. But my proverbial egg carton, indeed, appeared to be empty.

At that point, it had been a year and a half on the TTC (that is, “trying to conceive”) path, so I decided to say sayonara to my gynecologist and consult a fertility doctor (aka reproductive endocrinologist). The RE performed more extensive testing, which paid off. I learned that my AMH levels were very low at 0.45. (I was 37 at the time, but those levels were on par with a woman over 41.) Translation? I had a diagnosis of diminished ovarian reserve, and I wasn’t likely to conceive without medical intervention — or possibly at all.

As anyone whose biological clock seems to be ticking louder knows, time is of the essence when you’re over 35 and trying to become a mom. (Just ask the American Pregnancy Association, which says the average time it takes couples in this age range to conceive is one to two years.) After my diagnosis, that I’d wasted a year and a half of valuable time was really hard to accept — especially in light of the fact that all it took to explain my issue was a simple blood test I could have gotten right away.

More: Gifts You Probably Shouldn't Give Someone Struggling With Infertility

By taking an informal poll of my Resolve infertility support group, I learned that more than half had also never been tested for AMH until visiting a fertility clinic. I got similar answers posting queries in various infertility-related Facebook groups.

And when I spoke with Dr. Deborah Simmons, a Minnesota-based therapist who specializes in infertility, she said, “many of my patients tell me they have wasted valuable time and years with their OB-GYNs, who have not checked AMH levels at all. I tell my patients that OB-GYNs are marvelous at pregnancy and delivery, but most are quite poor at checking for infertility.”

So why don’t more gynecologists offer this simple — yet vital — test?

According to Austin-based reproductive endocrinologist Kaylen Silverberg, it’s that their understanding of fertility isn’t on par with that of an RE.

“Gynecologists are not fertility specialists,” says Silverberg, who works with Texas Fertility Center. “Even though they are well-intended, most gynecologists aren’t aware of AMH or how to interpret it.” He adds that most gynecologists only get four to eight weeks of formal training on infertility during their medical residency, while board-certified fertility doctors must complete an additional three years of training in reproductive endocrinology.

Add to that the fact that AMH has only entered the fertility conversation somewhat recently — about eight to 10 years ago, says Dr. Ruben Alvero of the Women & Infants’ Fertility Center in Providence, Rhode Island. “AMH is a relatively new addition to what we do, so OB-GYN doctors may have been training back when FSH was the only test."

More: Why One Couple Is Announcing Their Infertility With Hilarious Photos

Both Silverberg and Alvero take AMH into account with a number of other variables to get the most complete picture of a woman’s reproductive prospects. Age and other hormone levels are also factored into the equation — specifically FSH and estradiol (measured on cycle Day 3) — as well as antral follicle count (the number of follicles seen via ultrasound).

But, in many cases, AMH is considered the best barometer of ovarian reserve.

“There is some data that suggests AMH is the most predictive [test] of where someone is in her reproductive lifespan,” says Silverberg. “If I see a 30-year-old with an AMH of 3, then I can tell her with some degree of assurance that menopause is not around the corner. If I see a 30-year-old with an AMH of 0.2, I can say with 100 percent certainty that we have to get moving immediately if she wants to use her own eggs.” (Wondering what the optimal AMH level is for your age? Check out this chart.)

As for myself, I did end up overcoming the odds to have a set of beautiful twins — but only after a series of six harrowing IUI and IVF treatments. If I could do it all over again, I’d definitely have requested the test as soon as I suspected something was amiss, and that is my advice to any woman who wants to have children. It’s time more gynecologists got the memo, and that will only happen if we are our own advocates.

The moral of the story? Do count your eggs.

Un fact: You’re probably wearing the wrong foundation shade right now. Sorry, but someone had to tell you. It’s not totally your fault, though, because finding the best foundation (or tinted moisturizer or BB cream) is a weird, difficult game of guesswork that usually results in you with a mismatched, slightly-too-pink-and-pasty face that nobody has the heart to tell you looks weird as hell. And the reason behind it? We’re all deeply, terrible wrong about our skin’s actual undertones, which, you know, is only the most important factor when choosing makeup.

More: The Best Anti-Aging Serums at Every Price Point

So we went to the mother of all shockingly pretty makeup, Robin Black, makeup artist and founder of Beauty is Boring, to tell us exactly why we’re all basically colorblind to our undertones, and how we can stop the vicious circle, so we can all look our most flawless a.s.a.p. And no, her advice doesn’t require you to hold silver or gold jewelry up to your skin to “determine” your undertones. (Which, by the way, is almost always bullshit.)

First off: You need to stop thinking your undertones are pink. “I’m always surprised by how many people tell me that they have a pink undertone,” says Black. “Pink undertones are the least common of all complexions, and they generally only occur in those with very fair skin—like, if your skin is the same shade as snow—but even people with very light complexions often have neutral or even yellow undertones.”

OK, but what if you’re, like, pretty damn sure you have pink undertones, because your cheeks are super rosy, or you have red, inflamed acne? Nope; think again. “Many people automatically assume that because they have visible red or pink patches on their skin that are caused by acne, irritation, dryness, wind burn, or rosacea, that their undertones must be pink,” says Black, “But it simply isn’t true, and when you apply something that is a mix of red and white pigment over a skin color that has, for example, a yellow undertone, the result is going to be an unattractive pale grey with hints of orange.” You know, like every girl you saw in high school.

Of course, your gravitational pull toward pink-hued products isn’t totally your fault, notes Black, because, up until recently, most drugstores and cosmetic counters only offered pink-toned shades. “I suspect that the surprising amount of pink-hued foundation still on the market is a leftover beauty ideal from previous centuries, when very fair skin was the most desirable,” she says. “Some brands, like Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier, do focus on yellow, olive, and neutral undertones, but many others still haven’t updated their selection to fit a variety of skin tones, especially when it comes to dark skin,” adds Black. “Why do so many deeper foundation shades have an inexplicable amount of red in them? Dark skin, just like medium and fair skin, comes in a variety of undertones, too, and it’s frustrating that so many lines still remain limited in their foundation colors.”

Though you may totally represent the teeny, tiny group of pink- or red-hued individuals in the world, your best and safest bet is grabbing whatever bottle of foundation looks more yellow than pink. Or, three bottles, to be exact. “Pick three shades of foundation that look close to your natural skin color and swatch each one down your cheek, then stand in natural light—no retail lighting allowed—and look in the mirror,” says Black. “Then cross your eyes and continue to look at your cheek in the mirror. The swatch that disappears in your blurry, cross-eyed vision is the right match, and if all three stand out against your skin as being too light, too dark, too pink, or too yellow, then try again with three more shades.” And don’t worry—you can totally try on and return open bottles of makeup to both drugstores and Sephora (we’ve done it many a time), so don’t be freaked about buying three shades and getting stuck with them.

And, if you’re still not sure where to begin, Black recommends starting with brands that specifically list their undertones, like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, which is one of Black’s favorites for “sheer, natural-looking coverage.” For buildable coverage, “I’m addicted to the Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation,” she says, “and for medium coverage that you can double up as concealer and get an incredibly flawless finish, the Tom Ford Traceless Stick Foundation is my ultimate go-to.” Of course, if you’re a long-wear lover, like, “full-coverage foundation with a capital ‘F,’ try the Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup or the Armani Power Fabric Foundation,” says Black.

Now go forth into this world as a new, yellow-toned foundation wearer, and never find yourself staring into a mirror with a chalky, slightly pink complexion ever again. And maybe mention this article to the next stranger on the street whose face has a pasty-pink tint to it. They might thank you.

More: The Best Face Washes for Every Skin Type

Originally posted on StyleCaster.com

I have always struggled with irregular periods.

Since I got my first period in the sixth grade, I always tried to maintain a calendar to keep track of my cycle. For the first few years, my period was fairly regular.

When I came to college, however, many of my habits changed. My mom’s healthy home-cooked meals were replaced by fast food and cafeteria dinners. My stress levels exponentially increased with a packed class schedule, exams, essays and my own side hustle.

More: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder May Be Linked to How Cells Process Sex Hormones

Without even noticing it, I became used to waiting two to three months until my next period. While this should have sent up some kind of red flag, I figured it was due to schedule changes. I put it on my to-do list to go see a doctor, but I never got around to it.

I found myself worried this summer, though, when I couldn’t even remember the time that had lapsed since my last period. The detail that pushed me to get help was finally doing the math — it’d been over six months since my last period.

When I went to my appointment, my doctor pointed out that high stress levels and an unhealthy diet can sometimes make your period irregular. While hearing this was overwhelming, I knew I had to make changes in my habits. I talked to my friends and family, and I decided to inform my campus doctor about the situation.

More: Orgasms Are Most Elusive for Straight Women

With the support of friends and family, I created a plan for the next year. I started eating healthier, exercising more often, regulating stress and getting more sleep. Changing these habits not only made a major difference in my overall health, but it also helped regulate my cycle. For the first time in months, I had a regular cycle.

Now, the challenge is keeping my cycle regular. When stress levels are high, I often struggle with maintaining my overall health. I realize that I have to actively schedule time for preparing healthy meals and exercising. I have to sleep the most I can, even with a busy schedule. More than that, though, I have to pay attention to my cycle and be aware of my body.

More: Trying to Conceive? The Important Test Your Gynecologist Isn't Telling You About

Communication is key. Since this experience, I have learned a lot about communicating with my doctor. I let her know when I’m struggling with an irregular cycle and use her advice to do what I can to help regulate my period.

For me, it’s not always simple. Through this experience, I have learned more about my body, and I continue to do what I can to maintain my health. At the end of the day, I have learned to invest in my well-being, even when it’s easier not to. Actively caring for and listening to my body is one of the best things I have learned to do for me and my overall health.

By Sanah Jivani

Originally published on HelloFlo.

Between UTIs and yeast infections — not to mention the complications that come along with having a period — there’s a lot that can go wrong when it comes to vaginal health.

Some simple lifestyle swaps and fixes can prevent infection, keep things clean and cut down on your visits to the gynecologist.

Keep an eye on your razor blade

Razor blades harbor all sorts of bacteria, and like your toothbrush, it’s easy to forget to replace them regularly. You should never share a razor blade (not even in a last-minute pinch!); bacteria passed back and forth can create a nasty infection, especially if you break the skin while you shave. To keep things from getting messy, you should toss a razor that starts to get visibly rusty or after 10 uses, says Dr. Kelly Reynolds in a Good Housekeeping hygiene warning.

Avoid shaving during your period, a time when you’re more susceptible to razor bumps, pain and rashes. If the idea of unwrapping a brand new razor every 10 shaves feels annoying and expensive, try putting yours underneath a hair dryer after you shower to prevent rust and leave the cap on when you’re not using it, especially if you store your razor in the damp shower. The dryer and cleaner things are, the better.

More: 12 Superpowers your vagina actually has

You have to wear boring underwear sometimes

If you’re having a problem or you’re starting to get nervous about infection, your best defense may be in your underwear drawer. Taking a break from your adorable silky lingerie and opting for white full-coverage cotton can do wonders for your health. Tights. Leggings. Spandex. The tighter things are, the more difficult it is for moisture to escape. As fun as they are, silk and lace can cause chafing and irritation and don’t wick moisture away.

According to the Center for Young Women's Health, your trendy exercise underwear might not be helping things either. Nylon and Lycra can create a sort of swampy environment — the last thing we want. Sometimes, boring cotton can be your saving grace. If that’s not doing the trick, try swapping to white cotton. As plain as it sounds, white underwear has fewer chemical dyes and exposes your skin to fewer potential irritants.

Make probiotics part of your everyday routine

Upping your yogurt intake when you’re on antibiotics is a good preventative measure, but what about the rest of the time? WebMD’s Mary Jo DiLonardo says probiotics, live bacteria cultures, are counterintuitively beneficial for your health. “We think of bacteria as something that causes diseases,” DiLonardo says, “but…probiotics are often called ‘good’ or ‘helpful’ bacteria.”

Antibiotics do a wonderful job of wiping out infection in your body, but they often also strip you of naturally occurring good bacteria that keeps you healthy. That’s why your doctor often recommends increasing your probiotic intake if you’re on a strong antibiotic or recuperating from an illness. Adding them into your regular routine can help keep your system balanced and strengthen your natural defenses against infection and other nuisances. Probiotics come in many forms, from kombucha, kefir, yogurts and other fermented foods to pills and supplements you can find at any health food store or vitamin provider.

More: 6 Easy-to-Find Food and Beverage Options That Promote Amazing Vaginal Health

Stay away from hot tubs and bubble baths

Bacteria thrives in wet and warm places, so a literal tub of warm water isn’t the best idea for a sensitive vagina. On vacation or at a spa? Be cautious around hot tubs. Not only do they become germ breeding grounds, but also often contain highly concentrated irritating chemicals like bromine and chlorine. If you can’t resist the tub, make sure to shower, change out of your bathing suit, and dry off right away. At home, avoiding scented bath-time accessories can prevent all sorts of itchiness down the road. Those fancy soaps, salts and bath bombs typically contain artificial coloring, scents and chemicals, all things you’d rather not soak in.

Ditch the fancy tampons

Though scented tampons certainly seem appealing, they’re actually often a recipe for disaster down under. If you have a sensitive vagina or if you’re often irritated by other fragrances in perfumes or soaps, scented tampons can cause swelling, itching and infection. Dr. Pari Ghodsi, in a Glamour health article, explains that the fragrances used to make scented tampons don’t just irritate you, they can actually alter your naturally self-balancing vaginal pH. Like underwear, it seems our vaginal health mantra should be “the plainer, the better!” To keep things clean, steer clear of the flowery stuff and grab a box of organic or all-cotton tampons that are dye- and fragrance-free instead.

These simple lifestyle adjustments can prevent infection and build up your bodily defenses. They aren’t hard things to build into your day-to-day routine, and being conscious about what you expose your body to can change your health in serious ways. Of course, it’s most important to pay attention to your body. You know when something isn’t right, and if the feeling persists, it’s always best to make an appointment with a medical professional.

More: 7 easy ways to keep your vagina healthy at any age

By Emma Miller

Originally published on HelloFlo.

Welcome back, Savannah Guthrie! The Today show host took about three months off to spend with her newborn son, Charlie, before making a surprise early return from maternity leave.

More: Hoda Kotb Adopts a Baby Girl

Obviously, Guthrie received a warm welcome back to the show, where her arrival was announced by co-host Matt Lauer, who read her name off an Oscars envelope. She had a big first day back, joining Lauer to interview former President George W. Bush about his new painting project, "Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors."

Guthrie's son was born Dec. 8, and she had previously announced that she would make her return to Today on March 3. Her surprise return was spoiled a little early by Sunday Today host Willie Geist, who announced, "We cannot wait to see our good friend Savannah right back in this studio tomorrow."

Soon after the accidental reveal, Guthri took to Instagram to explain to her fans why she decided to cut her maternity leave short.

"Because I literally couldn't wait!!" she wrote, along with a couple of heart emojis.

More: It's Not Megyn Kelly's Fault if Days of Our Lives Gets Canned

But wait. Is that really all there is to this story?

There have been a ton of rumors flying about the Today show lately, especially since it was announced that former Fox News star Megyn Kelly had been snatched up by NBC during contract negotiations. Kelly is joining Today, and already edged out Tamron Hall, who was bumped from the show's lineup to make room for its incoming star. Rumors said that Guthrie's job was also in jeopardy, and insiders described a volatile, back-stabbing culture at Today as hosts wondered if they were going to get cut to make room for Kelly. Could that have spurred Guthrie's early return? We may never know.

More: Matt Lauer Was Basically All of Us While Talking to Kellyanne Conway

Do you think Savannah Guthrie came back to Today early to save her job? Let us know in the comments below.

It's OK, you can admit it: You'd totally rather your baby be a girl than a boy. You're not the first in the history of parenthood who has expressed a preference in what your baby's sex is.

While there isn't really any solid scientific research (yet) that has given us any foolproof pre-conception gender selection methods, there are plenty of old wives' tales, stories from parents who claim their approach worked, and even a Chinese conception chart that pins potential gender on a mother's age and month of conception.

More: 13 Aphrodisiac Foods to Eat for Hotter Sex

And as it turns out, a lot of these legends say that how you make love can help you conceive the sex you want. Check out our favorite sex positions — as well as some dietary and timing tips — rumored to boost your probability of giving birth to a baby girl

Try girl on top

Again, while no single position can guarantee your baby's gender 100 percent, spokesperson for The Experience Channel and renowned love and sex therapist Dr. Ava Cadell says that to have a girl, the woman should be on top so that she can control the depth of penetration. Instead of going deep, your partner should ejaculate as close to the opening of your vagina as possible. This will make it much more difficult for the male sperm to reach your egg, since they have a shorter lifespan than female sperm do.

Do it missionary style

Turns out, good old-fashioned sex could be your golden ticket to getting pregnant with a girl.

"Some believe that the best position to conceive a girl is the missionary position," notes Stacy Rybchin, founder of My Secret Luxury. "Sperm with the X-chromosome (female sperm) travel slower and can survive up to five days."

Because penetration isn't typically as deep in this position, the sperm have a longer way to go, giving the females a clear advantage.

Rybchin's observations, which support both missionary and girl-on-top positions, stem from one of the original theories of natural conception, called the Shettles Method. The Shettles Method has been keeping parents-to-be busy between the sheets since the 1960s, when Dr. Shettles explained that male sperm may be faster in his book, How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby.

Dr. Shettles also endorsed "shallower" sex positions that give female sperm a fighting chance for couples hoping to conceive a girl.

More: Yes, Your Partner Can Go Down on You During Your Period — and It Can Help with Cramps

Experiment with spooning

Another common sex position believed to help couples conceive a female is spooning. And what girl doesn't love to spoon, right!? This position, like the others mentioned above, allows for shallow penetration only, therefore upping the chances of a female sperm actually reaching and fertilizing the egg first.

Because of the shallow penetration, spooning may also fall within the Shettles Method since it can keep those speedy male sperm away from the cervix.

Next Up: Time it just right

Originally published April 2013. Updated February 2017.

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Time it just right

According to experienced nurse and midwife Carmen Kosicek, RN, MSN, couples trying for a girl should have intercourse more frequently, stopping two to three days prior to ovulation.

"The female sperm live longer, up to 72 hours," she explains, "So the theory behind this would be that the sperm left around when the egg is present would be the female sperm."

Don't orgasm during sex

We realize this tip sounds sort of awful, but if your heart's set on having a baby girl, then it's important to resist the urge to orgasm.

After an orgasm, your body produces chemicals that cause the vaginal environment to become more alkaline. Apparently, male sperm thrive in this type of environment, while female sperm prefer the more acidic pre-orgasm environment. The Shettles Method also puts the kibosh on having an orgasm precisely because an alkaline, post-orgasm vagina is less friendly to female sperm.

More: Women Don't Want More Sex — They Want Better Sex

Examine your lifestyle

Dr. Cadell points to a study done by researchers at the University of Exeter in England, which surveyed 740 first-time mothers, as well as a study by Maastricht University in the Netherlands, to prove her point.

"Both studies confirmed that to boost the odds of conceiving a girl, women should say yes to calcium and magnesium rich foods, such as yogurt, tofu, milk, oatmeal, almonds, spinach, broccoli, beans, cashews and oranges," she says.

Conversely, they should steer clear of foods high in salt and potassium, like potatoes, bacon, bread, shrimp and smoked salmon. The reason for this? In short, the diet is thought to enhance the acidity of a woman's body, and thus her uterine environment, making it easier for those female sperm to thrive and survive, of course. And while high stress levels are never recommended during pregnancy, it is interesting to note that periods of significant stress, like the 2006 earthquake in Greece, have been followed by a lower male birth rate.

Is homemade soup really homemade if you use store-bought broth as a base? Kinda, but not totally. But DIY broth is super easy to make and all it takes is a couple everyday ingredients like herbs, spices, veggies and meat that you probably already have at home.

Here are some simple ideas for getting your own broths going. Try using these in casseroles, to replace water when cooking rice, to simmer vegetables or just in your favorite soup recipe. The possibilities are endless.

More: 4 Delicious Ground Pork Recipes to Get You Out of Your Dinner Rut

Tips for a great broth

Start with a large stock pot or soup pot for making your broths.

Use the best quality ingredients you can find. Place your meat, poultry, seafood, etc. in the pot along with all of your vegetables. I like to give my veggies a rough chop and keep them on the chunky side. For my favorite broth, I tend to use one medium to large onion, several stalks of celery and three or four carrots.

If you're a garlic lover like me, toss in four or five fresh cloves of garlic. Gently smash them to break them open and ensure that yummy flavor is infused into your broth. Add all of your fresh herbs and seasonings to the pot and cover all of the ingredients with water. Give it a quick stir then cover the pot and simmer on medium-low heat for about an hour.

Once it's cooked, use a fine metal strainer to remove any leftover bits of bone, meat or veggies.

That's how simple it is to make your very own broth!

More: How to Save Overcooked Meat So Your Dinner Isn't Ruined

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

Originally published March 2015. Updated February 2017.

Except for the major Best Picture plot twist at the very end (holy crap, that was the most exciting ending of an Oscars night ever) the 2017 Academy Awards was pretty much like all of the others: fab gowns, not-so fab gowns, boring tuxes, borrowed Harry Winston jewels, painful red carpet banter, the occasional political zinger from the host and the In Memoriam montage that our mothers always stay up late for (texting us weepy-face emojis and "I'm pretty sure they missed somebody" and "I can't believe Marni Nixon is gone" messages).

More: Craziest Oscar ending ever? Maybe

And speaking of mothers... (Slick segue). We loved seeing all the actors who brought their moms as their plus-ones last night. Lion's Dev Patel, nominated for best supporting actor, invited his mom, Anita Patel, to be his partner in crime for the night. He looked pretty damn good, we won't lie, but his mom was rockin' it in a gold and black sari.

Baby-faced (because he's a baby) Lucas Hedges — nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Manchester by the Sea — attended with his mom, Susan Bruce Titman. Extra mom points go to Titman for planting a big embarrassing smooch on Hedges' cheek in front of all the cameras. We like your style, Susan.

Our boyfriend Lin-Manuel Miranda (11 Tonys for Hamilton, not that anyone's counting or anything) was nominated last night for Best Original Song ("How Far I’ll Go" from Disney’s Moana). We forgive him for taking his mom to the Oscars instead of us. He and his mother, Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda, wore blue ACLU ribbons on (adorably) coordinated black and white ensembles and pretty much looked like they were both having the time of their life long after Chrissy Teigen had fallen asleep (twice) on hubby John Legend's shoulder.

More: The 2017 Oscars were a little less white — but not by much

Andrew Garfield upped the parent game by bringing both his mom and dad to the Oscars. Garfield was nominated for Best Actor for Hacksaw Ridge. Things got only slightly weird when Ryan Seacrest asked him about his mother: "My mum is as cool as a cucumber about all this stuff... She's one of those perfect mothers that would love me if I was a murderer. She would bring cookies, home-baked, and she would not look at me any differently. She might go, 'I'm a bit disappointed in you for killing all those people.'"

Fair enough. We moms can be pretty ardent in our affections. We won't judge. Well. Maybe just a little.

We also melted when some winners thanked their mamas in their acceptance speeches. When "City of Stars" from La La Land won for Best Original Song, lyricist Benj Pasek quickly took the mic to say, "She let me quit the JCC soccer league to be in a school musical. So this is dedicated to all the kids who sing in the rain and all the moms who let them." (If our kids would put down their iPads and go play in the rain, we would totally let them sing, grow up to win Oscars and bring us along, but it's kind of a struggle.)

And when Kevin O'Connell (who'd been nominated 20 times before) finally won for his sound mixing on Hacksaw Ridge, well, that was pretty sweet stuff for all the mothers watching. O'Connell told the room that his mom — Skippy, who worked in the sound department at 20th Century Fox and got him his first film job — told him the only thank you she would ever need was just for him to work hard.

Quoting his mom, O'Connell said, "'Someday you can win yourself an Oscar, and you can stand on the stage, and you can thank me in front of the whole world.'" Dang. Mission accomplished. O'Connell continued: "Mom, I know you’re looking down on me tonight, so thank you.”

Oh, like you didn't need a tissue. Come on. It can't just be us with all the stuff in our eyes.

With all the buzz surrounding that big flub at the Oscars last night when La La Land was announced as the winner of Best Picture and it was actually Moonlight, it was easy to overlook the actual most important thing that happened. We all learned that Nicole Kidman doesn't know how to clap her hands.

More: So, Do Ryan Gosling & Justin Timberlake Actually Hate Each Other or Something?

God bless TV for capturing moments not once, but twice, when Kidman was smacking her palms together like a complete weirdo. And bless Twitter for preserving those moments forever so we can all study her clapping methodology and how it doesn't involve her fingers at all for some reason.

Needless to say, Kidman's inability to clap like a human had Twitter a little shaken.

More: Meryl Streep and Karl Lagerfeld's Oscars Dress Drama Is Just Plain Petty

Also, this unusually empathetic side of the internet was quick to offer up reasons why Kidman may have been choosing to clap that way, like this one, which actually makes a lot of sense.

Think about it. The Oscars are probably not a constant roller coaster ride of excitement. There are only, like, four categories that anyone actually cares about. Plus all those commercial breaks for us viewers at home probably means plenty of downtime for the audience, so skipping her pre-Oscars mani and just choosing to paint her nails during low points in the show is actually a pretty smart time-management trick.

Another theory? Also one that makes sense.

To be honest, I would not have thought of this. I would have smashed my fingers together in those big, honkin' rings and suffered the consequences. In fact, that's probably exactly what happened to Kidman earlier in the show, making her realize that clapping like she's never had human hands before on live TV and being subsequently laughed at for days on Twitter is preferable to just clapping normally and letting her rings eat her fingers alive. And God forbid she should take the rings off, because fashion.

More: The Powerful, Political 2017 Oscars Acceptance Speeches We Won't Soon Forget

Got any other theories about Nicole Kidman's weird clapping? Share them in the comments below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

This week, NASA announced that its Spitzer Space Telescope has discovered a group of seven earthlike planets orbiting a red dwarf sun just 40 light years away from our solar system. All of these planets could hold life, and three of the planets reside in the “habitable zone,” which means that the chances that they have water and life-forms is even higher.

While the discovery of the exoplanet system, named TRAPPIST-1, is a giant step toward finding out if we are not alone in the universe as well as a giant step toward possibly populating other planets, we think it may also be a great opportunity for new reality television shows. Here are seven ideas to get us started  —  one for each new exoplanet.

Survivor 35: OK, We’re Really in Trouble

Over the past 17 years, we have watched 33 groups of brave souls do their best to survive in the wilderness on Survivor, from the plains of Africa to the remote islands of Panama to the coast of Cambodia. Why not take a big leap and strand some people on a TRAPPIST-1 exoplanet and see if they can "outwit, outplay and outlast" while 235 trillion miles from the nearest McDonald’s? We bet Tribal Council would be a little more intense, and maybe Jeff Probst would be a little less smug if he weren't returning to the creature comforts of civilization between shoots.

The Real Housewives of TRAPPIST-1

All the glamour. All the outfits. All the catfighting. None of the opulent backdrops. In the opening season of The Real Housewives of TRAPPIST-1, we will meet seven women who have come to the planet so their partners can work as scientists, engineers and cultivators. While their spouses try to engender life in this new land, giving the human race a future filled with hope, the Housewives will gossip, start gaudy jewelry lines, work on pop singles and throw drinks at one another. We'd watch from Day 1.

Kanye’s World

Kanye West thinks that he’s the greatest person on Earth — but how does he stack up against the rest of the galaxy? In Kanye’s World, the world-renowned rapper will get a chance to move his luxurious lifestyle alongside wife Kim Kardashian and their two children to an entirely different planet. What kind of space fashion will they develop together that will both protect them from the harshness of their alien environment and also look fly? Will West become an actual space cadet instead of one in name only? Will they miss the paparazzi? We’ll have to find out on Season 1.

More: Kim Kardashian West Won't Ditch Kanye West in His Time of Need

Sister Wives: Populate!

Kody Brown and his four wives have opened their homes to TV audiences for seven seasons now, sharing their polygamist lives with us and showing us that in many ways, all families share a lot in common. However, one big difference between most families and the Brown family is the latter's ability to have lots and lots of kids. In Sister Wives: Populate!, polygamist families would be given the challenge of starting a new colony on an exoplanet as fast as they can. Soon, we can only guess that the barren landscapes would be filled with cul-de-sacs of sister wife units juggling lots and lots of babies and arguing about normal, everyday family things.

The Bachelor: Last Man on the Planet

If you thought The Bachelor was overwhelmingly competitive here on Earth, you should get ready for The Bachelor: Last Man on the Planet, in which a group of beautiful women vie for the heart and the hand of literally the only bachelor within trillions of miles. Not only is competition extremely fierce, but you should note that the rose ceremony will involve a horrifying flowering alien plant that has deadly thorns, acid petals and a carnivorous diet.

More: Everything Nick Viall Has Done Right and Wrong as The Bachelor

The New Real World

This is truly the original reality show, in which MTV decided to put seven strangers together in a house so we could find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real. On The New Real World, find out what happens when the seven strangers are literally put on a new real world. Will there be more or less bickering and romance as the young singles realize that by the time they return to their home planet, all their loved ones will be long dead? This will be better than that season when they lived in the cool converted fire station.

Top Chef: What Did I Just Eat?!

In past seasons of Top Chef, the contestants have had to cook with everything from blowfish to geoduck to monk fish liver to duck testicles to goat. But imagine if everything they had to cook with was alien plant and animal species. Instead of being let loose in Whole Foods for 30 minutes before heading to the kitchen, they will roam the mountains and plains of a truly foreign land hunting and gathering what they dare. We imagine it won't be as bad as that time Miguel made pork ice cream as long as the contestants can avoid accidentally poisoning the judges.

More: Top Chef challenges that I’ve accidentally faced (and failed) in my own home

Do you have an idea for an awesome extraterrestrial reality show? Share in the comments.

Caring for a sick infant in the NICU is a stressful situation for both parents and medical staff. Watching your child in crisis is one of the scariest things a parent can go through — and there’s no doubt the added stress can have the potential to make any parent take out their fears and frustrations on the staff caring for their child.

But a new study published in the journal Pediatrics suggests that parents who are rude to the medical staff could be impacting the quality of care their infant receives. Rudeness by parents was linked to worse performances by medical teams that care for babies in the neonatal intensive care unit.

According to an article published in The New York Times, the study used the kind of simulated crisis scenarios that are commonly performed to help medical staff practice, using actor “parents” and a realistic plastic baby “patient.” And the rude “mother” in the study said, loud enough for the staff to hear: “I knew we should have gone to a better hospital where they don’t practice third-world medicine.”

More: My baby-friendly hospital made my birth miserable

What the authors of the study found was that rudeness had adverse consequences not only on diagnostic and intervention parameters, but also on team processes (such as information and workload sharing, helping and communication) central to patient care.

Since medical work is increasingly structured around teams, the findings demonstrate that when rudeness is present, the very collaborative processes that generally enable teams to outperform individuals may break down and the medical staff may not be able to deliver the heightened level of patient care that practitioners have come to expect from them.

The medical staff in the NICU do react to social situations and behaviors like other people do, but in the case of health workers, the impact can be devastating because they are dealing with patients, treatments and life-and-death decisions.

More: I told a stranger she needed to be nicer to her kid, and I'd do it again

“These findings show that doctors and nurses are human beings vulnerable to the effects of harsh emotions,” said Dr. Brian Alverson, chairman of the American Academy of Pediatrics' section on hospital medicine.

Last night, Moonlight won the Oscar for Best Picture in a heartbreakingly poetic way.

More: Why Our World Needed Moonlight So Much, As Explained by Director Barry Jenkins

For a few painful moments after Faye Dunaway announced La La Land as the winner, it seemed like 2017 was going to continue bringing the disappointing fuckery that 2016 had left us with: one candidate winning the vote when the other deserved it so, so much more.

Don't get me wrong, I'm obsessed with Ryan Gosling and I loved La La Land, but seeing it win Best Picture seemed like a pointed statement that the status quo was alive and well and that the #OscarsSoWhite controversy was willing to go strong for a third year.

The excitement and disbelief, then, of seeing the historic upset, the scandalous opening of the wrong envelope and the final glorious awarding of the Oscar to its rightful owners? It was bliss. It was relief.

More: Everyone's Emotionally Exhausted After Getting Personally Victimized by the Oscars

So when I woke up this morning and saw that the now-Oscar-winning cast of Moonlight had also shot an ad campaign for Calvin Klein, I was just beyond.

The photos, released this morning while we were all still basking in the heady bewildered excitement of last night, feature Mahershala Ali, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, and even young Alex Hibbert, and they are unreal.

Take a look for yourself:

I mean...do you need a minute? I need a minute. Maybe three.

Whew! Okay, focus, Madeleine.

*Deep breath*

Alright. Like I was saying, both the brand and the actors are making it clear that this campaign is far more than a handful of hot dudes in their underwear (although, credit where credit is due, it is also hot dudes in their underwear.)

More: The 2017 Oscar Nominees are Less White But There's Still a Long Way to Go

Moonlight was a revelation precisely because of the story it had the courage to tell, and the striking film left many gratefully applauding the way it allowed space for tenderness, vulnerability, and fearless exploration of a different type of masculinity.

The film tells a powerful story, one which resonates precisely because of how rare it is. It's an unfortunate fact that it is still uncommon to see a mainstream film featuring a black man in a leading role, and a black gay man? It's unprecedented. Even in straight roles, black men are rarely afforded such a nuanced character, instead, they are relegated to the role of wisecracking sidekick, or depicted as overly athletic, aggressive, or sexual.

In a statement about the ad campaign posted on the Calvin Klein website, the brand made clear that this campaign fully understands, honors and endorses the stereotype-shattering spirit of the film:

"How radical an act it is to reveal oneself to another so candidly, so clearly, that it strikes a nerve" the statement reads, "When so much out in the world would threaten us – bodily, psychologically, scaring us inside of ourselves to seek shelter within – merely showing oneself, unguarded, can be heroic. For these four phenomenal actors – Mahershala, as well as breakout newcomers Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes – whose profoundly brave performances made Moonlight this year’s tour de force movie, finding their voice on-screen was just the beginning. With the attention and opportunities that will now come their way, Mahershala, Alex, Ashton, and Trevante can properly announce themselves to the world. This is their time to step into the light."

And step into the light they have; first into the spotlight at the Academy Awards and now into these striking photographs.

We wholeheartedly welcome this "radical act", this vulnerability, this type of nuanced storytelling and, yes, the delicious eye-candy that comes along with it.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

If your kids are still desperately missing their Elf on a Shelf, we've got step-by-step directions on how to make a leprechaun trap that will chase those elfin blues away. This trap is easy enough for kids to make on their own (with maybe just a tiny bit of help).

Supplies:

• Empty cardboard box
• Green construction paper
• Tape
• Glue
• Scissors
• St. Patrick's Day garland
• St. Patrick's Day embellishments
• Rainbow paper
• Cotton balls
• Pot of gold

Directions:

1. Cover the box

Cut out an opening out of the top of the box with scissors. Cover the outside of the box with green construction paper. Use clear tape to keep it in place. Don't worry if the tape shows, we will cover that up in the next step.

2. Add the garland

Cover the edges of the box with the St. Patrick's Day garland.

3. Decorate the box

Add decorative stickers and embellishments to the top and sides of the box.

Next Up: Cover the trap

Updated by Sarah Long on 2/27/17

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4. Cover the trap

Cut out a piece of construction paper that is slightly larger than the opening in the top of the box. Tape it to the inside of the box along one side of the paper. When your leprechaun walks on this part of the trap, he'll fall in!

5. Make a rainbow

Cut out a rainbow shape from the rainbow paper and tape it to the box. Glue cotton balls at the base of the rainbow to make clouds.

6. Add a pot of gold

Add your pot of gold to the top of the trap to lure the leprechaun. Then your leprechaun trap is complete.

More: Green Food Recipes Kids Will Love

It might be February and freezing cold right now, but warm weather is right around the corner — and it's never too early to start seeking out the best summer camps to send your kids to for an experience they'll remember for the rest of their lives.

Now more than ever, kids need a good summer camp where they can unplug from today's modern conveniences and learn a new skill while out in nature. If you're looking for the best-of-the-best sleep-away camps for your child, these 20 should be on your radar.

1. Cheley Colorado Camp, Colorado

Located at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Cheley Colorado Camp is an amazing summer camp for kids that offers a number of activities from horseback riding and hiking to archery and riflery. If your kids love adventure and the outdoors, this is a terrific option.

2. Four Winds Westward Ho camp, Washington State

Situated on Orcas Island near Seattle, Washington, Four Winds Westward Ho is a place where kids can get away from technology and modern comforts and discover new friendships and interests in the great outdoors.

3. Virginia State Parks YCC, Virginia

For something completely different, consider sending your kids to the Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps. This three-week residential program allows kids to live and work in the state park, preparing meals, performing chores and enjoying nature.

More: Summer Travel is the Perfect Excuse to Sneak in Educational Activities

4. Camp Wicosuta, New Hampshire

This all-girls camp in New Hampshire is located just south of the White Mountains on Newfound Lake. Girls enjoy water sports, creative arts, horseback riding and other outdoor adventures at Camp Wicosuta.

5. Thrill Coaster Tours

Not your traditional camp, this teen program is all about roller coasters. Thrill Coaster Tours allows kids to visit various amusement parks and try out different roller coasters all over the country. The "campers" travel by luxury bus and stay at Marriott hotels as they go from city to city.

6. Sanborn Western Camps, Colorado

Located on 6,000 acres of aspen, spruce, Douglas-fir, and ponderosa pine-filled forests, and an hour west of Colorado Springs, Sanborn Western Camps provide the perfect place for kids to do everything from fly-fishing to horseback riding and community service to science projects.

Next Up: Camp Chief Ouray, Colorado

Updated by Sarah Long on 2/27/17

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7. Camp Chief Ouray, Colorado

With picturesque views of the Continental Divide and an amazing program that develops core values in its campers, Camp Chief Ouray is a spectacular choice for your kids. From archery to riflery and nature studies to teambuilding challenges, your kids will love every day at this YMCA camp.

8. New York Film Academy Camps — Worldwide

So your kid wants to be in the movies? With the Film Academy Camps around the world, tweens and teens can learn about filmmaking, animation, acting and more. From the Universal Studios back lot to locations in Paris, these premiere camps are top-notch.

More: My Ex and I Vacation Together to Make Our Kids Happy

9. Camp in Medomak, Maine

Located in mid-coast Maine on more than 200 acres, Camp in Medomak is unique because it's a secular camp for the whole family. It can host up to a dozen families at a time and there are activities for adults and children alike. Each family gets their own cabin, while the food and activities are preplanned to ensure a relaxing and fun environment.

10. Camp Friendship, Virginia

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Camp Friendship has been offering amazing camp experiences for boys and girls since 1966. There are several options that embrace a couple different age groups, and you can choose traditional camping adventures or equestrian camping.

11. JCC Camp Chi, Wisconsin

Situated on over 500 acres in the state of Wisconsin, JCC Camp Chi is billed as the ultimate destination for Jewish campers between the ages of 9 and 16. This overnight camp for both boys and girls has a history that dates back nearly a century. From horseback riding to wake boarding, the numerous available activities allow for a highly customized stay.

12. Camp Mesorah

For Orthodox Jews in the New York area, Camp Mesorah is the premiere co-ed camp. The number of activities is endless and they offer numerous packages that can accommodate a camper of any level of experience — from those who are ready for a full four-week schedule to those want to just test it out.

13. Plantation Farm Camp, California

If you're looking for a sustainable, environmentally-conscious summer camp, Plantation Farm Camp is an immaculate choice. Located among the beautiful Sonoma Redwoods on the California coast, the farm dates back 150 years. While the activities are numerous and entertaining, it's the interaction with the plants, animals and nature in general that is the most memorable aspect.

14. Camp Shane — New York and Arizona

For campers who want to shed some pounds, Camp Shane has more than four decades of experience in helping young people launch healthy, maintainable lifestyles. Children of all shapes and sizes will feel welcomed and empowered. In addition to learning about eating right and exercising, campers gain social skills through fun activities.

Next Up: The French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, New York

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15. The French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, New York

Do have an aspiring musician in your home? Does your child yearn to be an actor? The French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts is the perfect summer camp option. With more than 80 different specific areas of expertise to master, campers will find the type of arts they truly love. This camp is located adjacent to Hancock, New York within a serene landscape.

16. Surf Diva's All-Girls Overnight Surf Camp, California

This all-inclusive camp is only for girls and its focus — as the name suggests — is surfing. The girls get two surf lessons per day. In the evening, there are other activities such as movies, arts and crafts, talent shows and more. Located in always-sunny San Diego, Surf Diva's All-Girls Overnight Surf Camp is heaven on earth for girls who love the water.

More: How to Be a Better Mom: Vacation Without Your Kids

17. The Appalachian Mountain Club's Teen Wilderness Adventures

For East Coast teenagers, The Appalachian Mountain Club's Teen Wilderness Adventures is a highly-regarded summer camp. While the activities themselves are fun and unforgettable, the breathtaking scenery adds even more to the experience. With teambuilding outdoor undertakings, teens will see their self-confidence skyrocket as they conquer the wilderness. Teen Wilderness Adventures has camps in New Hampshire, Main and New York.

18. Campus Kids — NJ

This distinctive camp allows children to return home on the weekends while spending their weekdays participating in activities of their choosing. Those activities include everything from team sports and learning the guitar to swimming lessons and performance arts. Campus Kids is perfect for children in the New York City area because both of the camps are approximately 60 minutes away.

19. Westcoast Connection/360 degree Student Travel

For teenagers who love an adventure or want to travel the world, it doesn't get much better than Westcoast Connection/360 degree Student Travel. Their various programs include options such as touring the globe, language immersion and enrichment experiences to prepare for college.

20. Forest Acres Camp for Girls and Indian Acres Camp for Boys

Situated in the White Mountain foothills, these brother-sister camps (girls go to Forest Acres Camp, boys go to Indian Acres Camp) are approximately two miles from one another. While many different activities are offered, it's the horseback riding that is by far the most popular. They have up to 30 horses at one time and a handful of riding arenas.

Casey Affleck is under fire since it came to light that his production company, the Affleck/Middleton Project, made a $5,000 donation to a pro-Trump nonprofit. But Affleck's name wasn't the only surprising one found in filings for the nonprofit — Google’s lead lobbyist Susan Molinari; 21st Century Fox lobbyist David Bockorny; the Entertainment Software Association; Microsoft; and Mark Zuckerberg’s pro-immigration lobbying group Fwd.us all made donations. Many of them kicked in $5,000, the federal maximum for a donation to this kind of group.

More: Male Actors Should Stop Thanking Their Wives at Award Shows

The donations all went to Trump For America, a private nonprofit that has collected $6.5 million from individuals, corporations and lobbyists to aide with President Trump's transition into office. Reps for Microsoft, Google, Fwd.us and other surprising donors haven't yet commented; Affleck, meanwhile, is denying that he had any knowledge that the donation was being made.

"I am appalled that a donation may have been made in my company’s name by someone I work with," Affleck said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. "I had no knowledge of it, was never asked, and never would have authorized it. I will get to the bottom of it. The policies of the Trump administration, and the values they represent, are antithetical to everything I believe in."

More: People Are Outraged by the Double Standard for Nate Parker & Casey Affleck

The "someone I work with" Affleck is referring to is likely his business partner, John Powers Middleton, a longtime Republican who has contributed hundreds of thousands to organizations that support Trump — $227,000 personally to a pro-Trump super PAC, and $150,000 through his corporation, John Powers Middleton Companies. Middleton did not respond to a request for comment from BuzzFeed.

Affleck has been an outspoken critic of Trump and his policies since before the election. On Saturday, he won Best Male Lead at the 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards and used his acceptance speech to further dig at Trump, saying, "The policies of this administration are abhorrent and they won’t last. They’re really un-American."

More: Constance Wu is Going In on the Oscars for Nominating Casey Affleck

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Every school day, parents must take part in the arduous task of figuring out what to put in their kid's lunch. They should be applauded for even remembering to pack anything. But one mom got the opposite of accolades —she was food-shamed by the teacher for packing her 3-year-old a piece of cake. Yup, she got this note sent home because she had given her child something from the forbidden red category.

I don't know what else is in that red category, but I'm sure it's evil and delicious.

More: 11 Buttercream Frosting Recipes

According to Melinda Tankard Reist  (who posted the photo and is a friend of the mom), the school forbids processed cake from being sent in. But this was actually a homemade cake for one of the child's siblings. So apparently this mom of eight wasn't even breaking the rules!

Look: There is no doubt that our children can eat better. Many of them do consume way too much sugar, sure. But you know what's also really important? Balance. A healthy or even somewhat healthy lunch capped off with a slice of delicious cake is not a reason to make a parent feel like garbage. In fact, occasional sweets will probably help keep the kid from becoming some kind of sugar-deprived candy addict.

Case in point: My parents hardly let me have any sugar as a kid. I was given a carob cake and a carrot cake on two separate equally miserable birthdays. And now I eat candy every chance I get.

More: Chocolate Cake in a Mug

It's great to remind and teach kids about healthy food. My children learn about nutrition in school and we get email reminders about packing kids healthy, protein-enriched foods so they can learn and stay focused. But that's way different from getting sent judgmental notes.

I hope that mom baked a cake and hand-delivered it to the whole class for everyone to enjoy. As long as it wasn't a carob one.