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8 (Actually Delicious) Foods That Can Make Your Hair Grow Faster

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Whether it’s out of desperation to reset a cut from hell or just the desire to try out a new look, you’ve probably been compelled to search for how to make your hair grow faster at one point or another — and you know by now that not everything on the good old internet actually works. However, there are some things you can do that yield real results, especially when it comes to strategic eating.

Here are eight foods that are thought to make your hair grow faster, recommended by Harvard and Yale Medical School-trained nutritionist Jayson Calton and licensed nutritionist and fitness chef Mira Calton. Behold, the foods for hair growth you should incorporate into your diet stat.

More: 7 Foods That Clear Your Complexion

Salmon

This fish is loaded with strong hair supporters like vitamin D and protein, and it also contains omega-3 fatty acids that promote hair growth by keeping your scalp healthy. A win-win.

Yellow peppers

Yellow bell peppers have nearly five-and-a-half times more vitamin C than oranges (341 milligrams, as opposed to 63). This is very good news for your locks — vitamin C is an antioxidant that strengthens the hair shaft and hair follicles and prevents breakage.

Oysters

Zinc deficiency has been known to cause hair loss and poor scalp conditions, and oysters are loaded with zinc — just 3 ounces contains 493 percent of your daily value. But not just any oysters will do: Steer clear of the ones caught in the Gulf of Mexico, which may contain unusually high levels of cadmium due to the 2010 BP oil spill.

Foods That Can Make Your Hair Grow Faster 1
Image: Getty Images

Eggs

Eggs are an excellent source of those aforementioned omega-3s, and they also contain biotin (which many people trying to grow their hair take in supplement form). But be aware: It’s not the “healthier” egg white that will make your hair long and beautiful; it’s the yolk. Eating too many egg whites can actually block the absorption of biotin into the body, causing a depletion of this micronutrient.

Sunflower seeds

Just a few little seeds can supply you with an abundance of vitamin E, which will enhance blood flow to the scalp and promote faster hair growth.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are loaded with beta-carotene, the precursor for vitamin A that not only promotes a healthy scalp but effectively promotes hair growth too. Choose foods loaded with beta-carotene over supplementing with high doses (over 2,500 milligrams) of vitamin A from retinol since it can be toxic at very high levels.

Foods That Can Make Your Hair Grow Faster 1
Image: Getty Images

Avocados

Due to their high concentration of essential fatty acids naturally found in skin cells (which help to keep your skin smooth and supple), avocados are an age-old beauty secret. When topically applied to the hair and scalp, they have the added ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Mix a little avocado with sour cream (which contains lactic acid to help exfoliate dead skin and clean up buildup on the scalp) and apply it to your hair and scalp for about 10 minutes before washing off.

Almonds

These nuts will make your hair grow faster and thicker due to their high biotin content. One cup contains nearly one-third of your daily requirement. You should be able to see the results in a month or two of adding them to your diet.

More: Apple Cider Vinegar Gave Me the Shiniest Hair of My Life

Originally posted on StyleCaster.


In the World of Cute Canines, These Adorable Mixed Breeds Are Where It's At

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We've said it before, and we'll say it again — we have seriously never met a dog we didn't like. That being said, we kinda have to admit that when it comes naming favorites, mixed-breed mutts are slowly winning over our hearts.

Not only is it popular belief that mixed-breed dogs are healthier than purebred dogs (which may or may not be true), but it's also hard to argue the fact that mixed breeds are freaking adorable. Here are some of the cutest ones out there.

1. Cheagle

Cheagle

Cheagle

A Cheagle is a cross between a beagle and a Chihuahua. Cheagles often have beagle-like heads with the smaller Chihuahua snout and don't grow to be much over 12 pounds. Beagles tend to have happy, outgoing personalities and to get along with other animals as well as people. Chihuahuas are alert, bright little dogs requiring little exercise. The Cheagle is generally friendly, although it can be aggressive in play.

More: Water-Loving Dogs That Are the Perfect Companion for Beach Bums

2. Corgidor

Corgidor

Corgidor

Corgidors are a mix between Labrador retrievers and Cardigan Welsh corgis. They tend to be medium-size dogs and should be alert, cheerful, independent, loyal, social and responsive. As both parent breeds are good with children, these hybrids will follow the same trend.

3. Goldendoodle

Goldendoodle

Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles are hybrids of golden retrievers and poodle purebreds. They tend to be intelligent and obedient family companions. They like to be around people and are extremely friendly. They're known for being good with children, other dogs and other pets in the family. These dogs are eager to please and love to learn, which makes them very trainable. They're good family pets with adorable faces and easy dispositions.

4. Golden dox

Golden Dox

Golden Dox

The Golden dox is a mix between a golden retriever and a dachshund. Golden doxes are good with all family members and make good watchdogs, so they tend to be in love with all family members but wary of strangers. They're friendly, intelligent, gentle, alert, loyal and cheerful. These dogs get along well with children and other dogs and pets in the family. They're also easy to socialize. This makes them unsuitable as guard dogs, but they will alert the family of an approaching stranger and can be good watchdogs. They tend to be high-energy and do require lots of mental and physical stimulation. They're generally eager to play with their owners and easy to train. They make great family pets.

5. Labradoodle

labradoodle

labradoodle

The Labradoodle is a cross between a purebred Labrador retriever and a purebred poodle. These hybrids are friendly, loving, cheerful and social. They're suitable for all members of the family, from children to seniors. Labradoodles are very intelligent and can learn and perform simple and complex tricks. They're very active and need lots of physical activity to stay in shape and to relieve their excess energy. Labradoodles are alert and make good watchdogs. These dogs are very family oriented and don't like to be left alone for long. They're excellent dogs to have as family pets.

6. Malti-poo

Malti-Poo

Malti-Poo

The Malti-poo is a cross between a purebred poodle and a purebred Maltese. These dogs are very gentle and have a sweet disposition. They're intelligent, loyal and affectionate. They're known to be very good with children as they're gentle and patient with them. They love to spend time with their family. These dogs like to play as much as they like to cuddle. They will signal the arrival of a stranger, but they're not very good guard dogs. Malti-poos are highly energetic and lively dogs, but indoor play will take care of most of their exercise needs. They do, however, love to be walked.

7. Puggle

Puggle

Puggle

The puggle is the result of a cross between the pug and the beagle. This small dog will have the sweet and gentle temperament of its parents and will make good companions for any age. The beagle is noted for its stable temperament and passivity, as well as for its ability to track a scent. And the pug is well-liked for its outgoing personality and confidence, although it's largely bred for indoor companionship and is not suited for work or sport. The puggle will have an adorable mixture of its parent breeds' more outstanding characteristics, such as long, droopy ears, wrinkles on the face, short legs and a compact, muscled body.

Puggles seek human contact and have been known to tag along from one part of the house to another. Owner approval and affection can make the puggle's day, while separation means that a puggle will always be at the front door awaiting the owner's return, sometimes anxiously. Fairly intelligent, the puggle adores play and seeks to please. It's not generally aggressive toward strangers but does have a tendency to bark in alarm at the approach of someone it doesn't know or in catching unfamiliar scents. They're easy to befriend and win over, however, so they're not great guard dogs.

8. Shih-poo

shih poo

shih poo

Shih-poos are cross-breeds between poodles and shih tzus. They make great family dogs with their great personalities. They're smart, friendly and affectionate and are known to be adorable, sweet and playful. They make a great companion dog and are fun to be with. They have a great personality and get along well with children and other dogs.

9. Saint Berdoodle

Saint Berdoodle

Saint Berdoodle

A Saint Berdoodle is a cross between a Saint Bernard and a poodle. They are lovable and energetic yet mostly quiet, smart dogs. They're enthusiastic and very playful. They also make good watchdogs. Saint Berdoodles are also really affectionate dogs, nonaggressive and über smart. This loyal mixed breed gets along well with its people and animal family members and absolutely loves to play around. These large dogs love daily walks or running around a large yard as their exercise.

10. Yorkipoo

Yorkipoo

Yorkipoo

A Yorkipoo is a cross between a poodle and a Yorkshire terrier. Yorkipoos can be friendly with other dogs but may not be outgoing with children. Yorkipoos are full of energy and love to play. They have a sweet and gentle disposition, which makes them great companions. These dogs can be trained with a firm and consistent owner. They do love to bark and to run around and are absolutely loving and tender.

More: What Does It Actually Mean When Your Dog Gets a Random Burst of Energy?

Originally published April 2014. Updated May 2017.

Billy Bush Is Trying Really Hard to Earn Everyone's Forgiveness

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Billy Bush is finally speaking out after his involvement in those leaked lewd tapes in October 2016 forced his career into a spectacular downward spiral, causing him to lose both his job and the respect of the public.

More: Did Melania Really Swat Donald Trump's Hand Away?

In the tapes, Donald Trump infamously bragged about sexually assaulting women and unsuccessfully trying to have sex with a married woman (later revealed to be Access Hollywood personality Nancy O'Dell). Trump made the comments and Bush laughed and agreed. Trump became the president; Bush became a pariah.

Bush has finally broken his silence about those tapes. He has been using the experience to reflect on his own behavior rather than the insane unfairness in the way the fallout has affected him versus how it's affected Trump. "I am not grateful for the moment," he told the Hollywood Reporter in his first interview since the scandal hit last October. "But I’m grateful for what I’ve gotten out of it. I’m grateful that it hit me all the way to my core."

More: Anderson Cooper Reacting to Trump's North Korea Comments Is All of Us

He continued, "I thought that we would work through it and we would address people. I put together an apology right away, the one you saw; I told people that I was ashamed and embarrassed. And I was. So in the beginning, I thought, 'OK, we’ll go and own up to this moment.' Then I got home, and it started to become apparent that [I] would not be returning [to the Today show]. It hurt a lot, and I fell apart."

One of the most striking and heartbreaking parts of Bush's interview is when he described how his teenage daughter reacted. "My now 16-year-old daughter called me and she was in tears. She was really upset," he said. "I said, 'Mary, it’s going to be OK. You know, don’t worry.' And she said, 'No, why were you laughing at the things that he was saying on that bus? Why were you playing along with that, Dad? It wasn’t funny.'" A teenage girl showing more wisdom than two grown men could at the time or have since — that's the America we live in today.

More: John Oliver Dumbs Down Trump Fiasco With "Stupid Watergate" Explanation

O'Dell revealed that Bush apologized to her when she recently appeared on Entertainment Tonight. "Billy reached out to me just about three weeks ago by email. He wrote a really nice apology, which I appreciated very much," she said. "He and I worked together for so many years, for a long time, and I only wish him the best moving forward."

One thing is clear: Neither Bush nor Trump deserves our forgiveness for taking part in a conversation that was the pure embodiment of rape culture. But Bush, at the very least, is attempting to reflect on his actions and in witnessing his daughter's reaction, has seen firsthand how damaging they were to women. Trump brushed them off as "locker room talk" and moved on. We must work harder to hold him accountable.

Property Brothers' Drew Scott Is Losing Sleep Over Wedding Planning

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You might want to say that Drew Scott’s partner in life is his identical twin brother, Jonathan, but that might all change now that Drew proposed to longtime girlfriend Linda Phan just before Christmas. But who is this lady winsome enough to steal the heart of everyone’s favorite Canadian realtor? Let’s take a look at a few facts about Phan and the couple’s rollicking relationship.

More: 8 Renovation Mistakes We Learned From the Property Brothers

First off, we’re talking about Drew here, not Jonathan

Drew Scott Linda Phan working out

Drew Scott Linda Phan working out

OK, which one is engaged? It’s Drew, the brother in charge of scouting out the perfect properties for his brother (and contractor) Jonathan to revive to a new glory. If you need an even bigger hint, Drew is the one that is usually dressed pretty fabulously, while his slightly more rugged brother sports a more casual look.

Linda Phan is far from a fixer-upper

Drew Scott Linda Phan V-Day

Drew Scott Linda Phan V-Day

Yep, we know Drew Scott’s favorite pastime is locating houses that are less than ideal but have great potential. But when it comes to choosing his life partner, it seems like he’s decided to pair up with someone who already has it wonderfully together. Phan, 31, has a background in public relations and architecture and is currently the creative director for Scott Brothers Entertainment. She’s just as hardworking as Scott, at least according to the Property Brother, who said in a recent interview, “My girlfriend and I are both workaholics. We love what we do and that we can work side by side.”

They’ve been dating since 2010

Drew and Linda Property Brothers

Drew and Linda Property Brothers

The couple have been together for seven years, starting when they met during a Toronto Fashion Week event. They’ve spent their time together goofing around, traveling for Scott’s many work projects, and according to their Instagram accounts, having tons of fun together. Currently, they live together in Las Vegas along with Jonathan Scott. We’re going to guess that their house is pretty nice.

More: 5 Reasons the Property Brothers' Dream Home Is a Must-Read

She’s as goofy and fun-loving as he is

Linda and Drew Yoga Property Brothers

Linda and Drew Yoga Property Brothers

Scott has a reputation for loving pranks, goofs and jokes, and it seems like he has found his match. The couple are all about April Fool’s jokes, silly pictures and just teasing each other, whether they are working or not. Phan is also a big fan of Dr. Seuss, from the children author’s funny verse to the whimsical creatures.

She’s a bit younger and a lot shorter

Drew Scott Linda Phan Engaged Property Brothers

Drew Scott Linda Phan Engaged Property Brothers

While the two seem to have perfectly compatible senses of humor and dispositions, they sure don’t see eye to eye literally. While Scott (and, you could guess, his identical brother) is 6 feet, 4 inches, Phan is more than a foot shorter. She’s also a few years younger than Scott, who is 38.

Their engagement was a production in itself

Drew Scott Linda Phan Engaged

Drew Scott Linda Phan Engaged

We got tired just reading about the planning that went into Scott’s proposal to Phan. After securing a ring, he took her to Toronto restaurant Piano Piano for a romantic dinner to pop the question. The proposal included Scott’s own cover of Train’s 2010 single “Marry Me” and a cake decorated like one of Phan’s favorite books, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, altered to read, “Oh, the Places We’ll Go!” Afterward, the couple headed to the company’s Christmas party, which also morphed into an engagement party.

The wedding is proving more than a little difficult to plan

Scott and Phan are hosting friends and family at a destination wedding, and from the sound of things, planning has been a little bit more nightmare than dream.

"It's tough," Scott told E! News. "Let me tell you, we're on a plane every two days, whether we're flying somewhere for an appearance or QVC or for our product line or filming. We're filming three shows in different cities. It's tough, but Linda and I are excited."

He added, "I'm losing sleep some nights because we really want to get through all the details. I'm hoping that all of our fans and the network will understand if I need to take a week of personal time to get married."

Their wedding will be a mixing pot of cultures

Jonathan revealed to People magazine that Drew and Phan have some unique plans for blending the Scott brothers' Scottish heritage with Phan's Chinese traditions.

"He’s thinking they’re going to blend their cultures," Jonathan explained. "So he’s thinking all of the bridesmaids and her will be in traditional Chinese attire, and all of us will be in kilts."

We can't be the only ones who can't wait to see those wedding photos.

So sorry, but Jonathan is not available either

Bad news, everyone. Both twins are officially taken. Jonathan Scott is dating Jacinta Kuznetsov, who he met in spring 2016 at a charity event. According to Jonathan, he couldn’t track Kuznetsov down after the event until he finally spotted her in the background of a friend’s social media post.

More: Jonathan Scott's Checklist for Avoiding Renovation Rip-offs

What do you think about Drew Scott’s soon-to-be wife, and on a scale of baby seal to baby sea otter, how cute do you think their wedding will be?

Originally published February 2017. Updated March 2017.

The Incredibly Bizarre Thing Some Pregnant People Crave

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I craved a lot of things while I was pregnant. With my sons, it was citrus fruits, especially grapefruit — something I don't even like. When I was carrying my daughter, it was Chinese food and chocolate cake. After hating olives my whole life, I consumed an entire platter of cream cheese and olive sandwiches at a baby shower one afternoon with my third. I had no idea why I wanted them, I just had to have them — all of them.

We've all heard of crazy pregnancy cravings — pickles and ice cream, for example — I even read about one woman who starting melting mozzarella cheese over all of her desserts. But the strangest one I've heard of yet isn’t something readily available in the grocery store — it’s craving soil or clay, and it can be dangerous.

More: The Signs of a Heart Attack in Women Over 50

Geophagy is the name for the habit of eating earth-, clay- or soil-like matter and is especially prevalent from Africa to Australia to the Middle East. Human geophagy has been known to be related to pica, which is an eating disorder in which a person experiences strange cravings for things that have no nutritional value, such as ice, hair, paper, paint, metal, glass or even feces.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, when a person has these cravings for a month or longer, they may need medical attention. Eating these items can result in issues with physical and mental health development, not to mention it may cause a need for surgery.

More: Why the Pleasure Gap Is a Gender Equality Issue

Pica has also been linked to emotional trauma, family issues and parental neglect and is mostly more common in pregnant women and children with developmental disabilities.

According to a study done by the Medical University of Vienna, between 30 and 80 percent of people in Africa, especially woman, practice this regularly and eat about 100 to 400 grams per day. Women have been known to crave it during nursing or pregnancy. Another study has shown it can actually be damaging to an unborn baby because some soils contain high levels of lead or mercury.

While some say pregnant people eating clay or dirt has been known to help with symptoms such as heartburn or morning sickness, it is also very cheap and easily accessible in Africa, Australia and the Middle East.

SheKnows talked to Dr. Armando Hernandez-Rey, an OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinologist about this fascinating craving.

SheKnows: Are pregnant women eating and craving clay or soil because they are lacking something else their body needs?

Armando Hernandez-Rey: Pica, an urge to consume substances not culturally defined as food such as clay or dirt, is a common phenomenon among pregnant women. It can be suggestive of a mineral deficiency such as iron also known as iron deficiency. This is normal in pregnancy due to an increase of blood volume needed for support and growth of the baby. Increased demand causing anemia can be prevented by adequate iron supplementation. Ideally, iron should less than 11 to 11.5 during the first and second trimester and less than 12 in the third trimester and closer to delivery.

MoreOrgasms Are Most Elusive for Straight Women

SK: How harmful is it to consume soil as part of your diet while pregnant?

AHR: Prolonged ingestion of nonnutritional substances is bad for overall health and may cause intestinal issues.

SK: Does it really help with heartburn and morning sickness, or is it more of a cultural thing?

AHR: Pica has no effect on heartburn and morning sickness. It’s more of a placebo effect for those who do it culturally.

For some women it may be a relief for certain pregnancy symptoms, but it sounds like eating and craving nonnutritional food can be a bigger issue manifested by neglect or stresses and is considered to be an eating disorder that is curable with treatment.

General Hospital Is Being Majorly Criticized by Real-Life Doctors

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When it comes to product placement, General Hospital has no shame in plugging a brand. In fact, all soaps have been guilty of it at some point or another. We’ve seen Days of Our Lives plug Midol and Cheerios, while the actors on Passions got stuck promoting K-Y massage oil. The results are often awkward and hilarious.

More: 8 Things to Know About General Hospital's Matt Cohen

However, GH has been jumping on the advertising bandwagon more often with last year’s Doctor Strange campaign and digital videos where the show’s cast promoted the Oscars for ABC. Yet their latest promotion may have gone too far.

The Journal of the American Medical Association is criticizing the soap for giving out medical advice where it’s not warranted. The February storyline of Anna Devane, played by Finola Hughes, battling a rare blood cancer became a way to promote a medication called ruxolitinib produced by the pharmaceutical company, Incyte.

Hughes’ character is worried about a treatment called phlebotomy or bloodletting, which removes blood from a patient’s system as a part of their cancer therapy. That’s when the Incyte medication is offered as an alternative.

More: General Hospital's Carolyn Hennesy Has Some Great Advice for Jennifer Lopez

What the dialogue fails to mention is that bloodletting is a standard course of therapy along with aspirin and other medications like interferon and hydroxyurea. The Incyte medication still needs more medical research according to leading cancer specialists.

"Although targeting the underlying mutation is attractive, the clinical benefit to patients, particularly those with early disease, remains speculative," JAMA wrote. "Carefully conducted trials, which have not yet occurred, are required to justify an expanded role of this medication."

In fact, the drug is restricted to patients who can’t handle standard treatments. There are also side effects like anemia to factor in for patients who do take ruxolitinib. For a majority of patients, though, the bloodletting process is very effective.

"If we take away a couple of pints of blood every so often, people can go years, decades even without having any real problems," said Dr. Vinay Prasad, an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health and Sciences University, "That's the mainstay of therapy. We use a lot of older medicines that can lower that blood count and mimic phlebotomy."

More: DOOL's Camila Banus Teases One "Mystery Character's" Return to Salem

The GH storyline was a partnership with Incyte for Rare Disease Day, which is recognized each February. The company wanted to raise awareness for blood cancers like polycythemia vera, but it seems like the partnership was misguided, even though Hughes believed it would help give a voice to someone suffering from the disease.

“I think that it can be very isolating for a person if you have a blood cancer like that,” Hughes told ABC Soaps in Depth in February. “It’s hard to find somebody else who has it.”

The real issue is that it could give misinformation if a patient took everything in the GH storyline to heart. In fact, many patients live long and successful lives without interference from an experimental drug that used a soap storyline to promote its use.

GH needs to stay in their lane when it comes to medical advice. One misstep when it comes to a viewer's health really is stepping into dangerous territory. It’s best to suggest we go see Doctor Strange at the movie theater versus doling out medical information not controlled by a patient’s doctor.

Christina El Moussa Was Given a Scare After Her Son Fell into the Pool

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Thankfully, all turned out well after Tarek and Christina El Moussa's 1-year-old son took a tumble into a pool.

More: That Time Tarek El Moussa Used 17 Hashtags to Prove He Loves His Son

According to E! News, Brayden was being watched by a nanny when he fell into the pool. No details are available saying how he managed to fall in or whether the accident happened at home or somewhere else.

A source close to the family told E! that Brayden was fine, even though his fall was a scary experience for Christina El Moussa, who took Brayden to a local hospital after it happened.

"Thankfully all is fine and Brayden is doing great," the insider said. "He's his happy, healthy self and Christina was being overly cautious by taking him to the hospital to be checked out."

More: Tarek & Christina El Moussa May Go to Court, but Not for Their Divorce Drama

Both El Moussa and the nanny who was watching Brayden were questioned at the hospital by Child Protective Services, but according to the source, "CPS being called is part of protocol for water-related issues."

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

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two children aged 14 or under die from unintentional drowning each day in the United States. Drowning is the fifth-leading cause of accidental injury death in the country. The CDC recommends protecting children by installing fencing that completely surrounds pools and keeping toys away from the sides of pools so children aren't tempted to go near the water without supervision.

An Adult Film Star’s Guide to Having Sex on Your Period

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By Jessica Drake

It’s happened to almost every sexually active vagina-owner out there: A big vacation, event or hot date is coming up, and you just want to get some, but your cycle has other plans. Don’t give up the dream! I’m here to give you some insider info on having period sex, because it’s awesome.

Sex in general is pretty fantastic, with lots of benefits — and sex during menstruation can be too. It can help with cramping and headaches, it can improve your mood, and it can bring you closer to your partner. Some women even notice their sex drive increasing along with the hormonal changes and find that on their period, arousal is faster and orgasming can be easier. What’s not to love?! (And if you’re worried about the gross-out factor, keep reading.)

My top period sex tips are below, but please note that in all these situations, communication is key. Don’t try to hide your period or cramps from your partner; instead, have a talk to see how he or she feels about having sex anyway. Some folks won’t care at all, and some might actually like it. One of my personal favorite mantras is: “A period stops nothing but a sentence.” Of course, others are grossed out by blood or freak out when it’s all over them. That’s fine too as long as there’s no shaming. Either way, find out what kind of attitude you’re dealing with and proceed accordingly.

More: The 10 Best Sex Toys According to Jessica Drake

Period sex
Image: StyleCaster/Getty Images

Now for a few period sex tips and ideas.

Use a towel

And stick to missionary for the least amount of blood leakage if that’s important to you. Yes, it will feel extra wet at least for awhile, but as the blood begins to dry, it can turn sticky. Using a lube like Wicked Sensual’s Aqua can help protect those sensitive areas from too much friction or even tears.

Have shower sex

Easiest clean-up ever! You’re already there, and how nice to have someone to wash your back afterward too. One drawback: The water will wash away the blood, but also the lubrication, so this is a great place to use a silicone lube like Wicked Sensual’s Ultra. Just be very careful not to slip. Silicone is very long lasting and able to resist water.

Try a menstrual cup

Menstrual cups (like SoftCupsLunette and Evacups) don’t provide birth control, but do catch blood as you’re having sex. They’re fairly easy to insert, but potentially messy as they’re coming out of you afterward. The key here is practice. Our bodies are all different, so a certain brand may be great for your friend, but not as comfortable for you.

Use natural sea sponges

From time to time due to scheduling issues, I may shoot a movie while I’m on my period, but the viewer will never know. I use a sea sponge rinsed out with very hot water, and after squeezing out the water, I insert it inside my vagina. During sex, it absorbs the blood, but afterward, getting them out can be a challenge, especially the first few times. Squatting over the toilet with one foot up or crouching in the shower usually works, but the key here is to relax. Also, if you have trouble removing it, see your doctor ASAP to prevent infection.

Try string-free soft tampons

Made from polyurethane foam string-free soft tampons have a finger grip for removal, but it’s still a good idea to practice with them a few times. After removal, they cannot be reused. My personal favorite brand for these is Beppy.

No matter what, practice will reveal the right product for you and your body. Do your part to help end the stigma that period sex is wrong or dirty. Go forth and enjoy!

More: Jessica Drake’s Guide to Stimulating Your Partner’s Senses

Originally posted on StyleCaster.


New Footage Suggests Melania Trump Just Avoided Donald's Hand for a Second Time

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If video footage from Donald and Melania Trump's recent travels are any indication, it would appear the First Lady is taking a distinctively hands-off approach when it comes to her politico husband — quite literally. In the second example to surface this week, Melania appears to reject the Donald's attempt to hold her hand.

More: Did Melania Really Swat Donald Trump's Hand Away?

In this instance, the presidential pair can be seen exiting Air Force One in Rome on Tuesday. Just before they begin their descent down the stairs, Donald reaches for Melania's hand. Only it isn't there anymore, because Melania had moved it away mere seconds before contact was made in order to brush the hair out of her face.

Melania Tweet 2

Melania Tweet 2

Normally, such a subtle move on Melania's part may not even have garnered attention. However, it happened right on the heels of a video circulating one day prior that seems to show the First Lady actually swatting Donald's hand away.

Melania Tweet 1

Melania Tweet 1

POTUS and FLOTUS were later photographed holding hands, but the brief conciliatory moment did little to distract the internet from what appeared to be two rejections in as many days for the president.

Ahead of this overseas trip — which is the first for the couple since Donald became president — Melania seemed excited enough, saying, "I am very excited for the upcoming trip. This will not just be an opportunity to support my husband as he works on important matters of national security and foreign relations, it will also be my honor to visit and speak with women and children from different countries, with different perspectives."

More: Billy Bush Is Trying Really Hard to Earn Everyone's Forgiveness

So although there's no way to know for sure what was going through Melania's mind in those moments, we can certainly speculate — the most popular theory of which is that Melania is trapped in a loveless and stifling marriage, and these are her little rebellions.

However, there are plenty of far less depressing possibilities.

In the video that surfaced on May 22, Melania and Donald were in the Middle East. It's possible that Melania is more aware of the cultural expectations of the region than her husband is, and therefore she knew that women are supposed to walk behind men and aren't allowed to hold hands.

In the video that surfaced on May 23, the First Lady could seriously have just been trying to get the hair out of her eyes. It was a windy day, she knew the paparazzi would be out in full force taking photos and she wanted to put her best face forward, so to speak.

And lastly, maybe she's just annoyed with Donald over an argument they had in private. I know I've been known to ice my husband out on occasion, and I find him far less offensive than I find 45. Point being, no matter what Melania does, it's going to be met with the highest level of scrutiny.

More: The Rock Might Make a Run for Donald Trump's Job

Sometimes that scrutiny will yield truly interesting perspectives (like when Melania's Twitter account liked a negative tweet about her relationship), and other times it will leave us all wondering whether Melania hates her husband or just needed to straighten her gosh-damn hair.

Tom Cruise Says Top Gun Is Getting a Sequel, 30 Years After the Original

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Hold the phone, die-hard Maverick and Goose fans (may the latter RIP) — Tom Cruise just dropped a major bomb during an interview with Australia's Sunrise on Tuesday afternoon. Finally, 30 years after the fact, Top Gun is getting a sequel.

Sure, there have been rumors over the years. Reports of a sequel have cycled through the headlines, but no such follow-up film to the 1986 classic ever came to fruition. Until, it would seem, now.

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"It's true, yeah it's true," Cruise told Sunrise while promoting his new movie, The Mummy. "You know what? I'm going to start filming it probably in the next year. I know, it's happening, it is definitely happening."

Cruise further revealed, "You're the first people that I've really said it [to]. This is going to happen."

Naturally, this revelation spawns countless questions we likely won't get the answers to anytime soon. Did Maverick marry Charlie? Are they still together? Will Kelly McGillis reprise her role as Charlie? What about Val Kilmer? Will he return as Iceman?

More: Tom Cruise Has a Type — Female and His Co-Star

And while Anthony Edwards can't bring Goose back to life, can we at least get a few flashback cameos from everyone's favorite wingman?

If you're still feeling skeptical about this new development, rest assured that all systems seem to be a go — as of press time, Cruise's IMDB has been updated with the announcement of Top Gun 2, listing him as Maverick. So feel free to get excited, you guys.

Although Cruise has had a bit of a rocky go of things over the last few years where public opinion is concerned, a nostalgic film reminding everyone of his heyday could be just what the veteran actor needs to restore his once undeniable star appeal.

More: Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx Risk an Encounter with Tom Cruise in Paris

It remains to be seen if Maverick made good on his promise to become a flight instructor, but we sure look forward to finding out in the (hopefully) near future.

New Cosby Unraveled Podcast Plans to Explore the Inner-Workings of Bill Cosby

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Bill Cosby is once again monopolizing headlines as time closes in on June 5, the date on which opening statements are set to begin for his alleged sexual assault of Andrea Constand. With public interest over the proceedings piquing, Philadelphia's public radio station WHYY has announced that they will be publishing a podcast focused on Cosby.

More: Bill Cosby's Latest Defense Is His Most Outrageous Yet

Called Cosby Unraveled, the project aims to "explore Cosby's beginnings in the projects of North Philadelphia, the heights of his influence, and the causes of his downfall."

In short, the podcast endeavors to answer the question, "Who is Bill Cosby?" It will explore the former Cosby Show patriarch's inner-workings, particularly in context to Philadelphia — the city that culturally enveloped him as an icon.

The podcast plans to release three episodes leading up to Cosby's June 5 trial, with the first dropping on Wednesday, May 24. WHYY will then continue to cultivate content based on what happens during the trial's progression.

Reportedly hosting the podcast will be Annette John-Hall, an award-winning columnist at Metro before joining WHYY.

More: Bill Cosby Is Teaching His Daughter's Kids 'Family Values' — Ugh

Although Cosby clearly curries no favor in the court of public opinion, the podcast will examine how he fares in a court of law and how that relates to his currently tattered status.

Despite allegations from over 60 women, is Cosby still culturally relevant in Philadelphia? Do we, as the audience, have the responsibility to consider the cultural impact he had on America prior to his legal woes? These — and undoubtedly many more — pointed questions will be explored.

The podcast will likely draw criticism, although it is far likelier to concern the controversial subject than the criticism lobbed at another recent viral podcast, Missing Richard Simmons.

The latter drew heat due to the perceived prying being done by host Dan Taberski into the personal life of Simmons, who obviously wanted to be left alone.

More: Missing Richard Simmons Podcast Creator Seems Apologetic & Almost Defensive

In Cosby's case, though, it's safe to say the disgraced comedian's actions have opened his life up to intense scrutiny. If Cosby Unraveled ventures to suggest that Cosby should still be considered a cultural icon, well, then the podcast will surely open itself up to intense scrutiny, too.

Alicia Keys Just Received the Perfect Send-Off From The Voice

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From day one, it was clear that Season 12 of The Voice would be all about Alicia Keys. She didn't make any overt efforts to hog all of the attention, but she did so nonetheless with her beautiful voice, her eloquent feedback and her killer outfits. We just couldn't take our eyes off of her.

More: Chris Blue Reminds Everyone Why He's a Frontrunner on The Voice

It's only appropriate, then, that Keys emerged victorious during her second and final season. Of course, most of the credit goes to her talented contestant Chris Blue, but she made all the right choices and provided him with exceptional feedback. Strategic coaching is critical, and Blue certainly received it while working with Keys.

Chris Blue and Alicia Keys The Voice video

Chris Blue and Alicia Keys The Voice video

Sadly, this is it for Keys on The Voice. And unlike many coaches, who keep the possibility of a return open, she claims to be done for good. She admitted some time ago that this is her very last season. That being said, her limited time on the show may have actually benefited her team; as she admitted earlier this year, "I am excited for this; it’s like a finale for me. That’s why I’m so passionate about my team."

More: Kelly Clarkson Is Filling One of Those Red Spinning Seats on The Voice

It will be impossible to truly fill Keys' shoes, but new coaches Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson will bring something very valuable to the show: experience as a reality TV contestant. Keys believes that they will relate better to the competitors than any other judge, and as a result, provide more accurate feedback. She's probably right, but there's only one Alicia Keys and we're sad to see her go.

Alicia Keys tweet future

Alicia Keys tweet future

It's unfortunate that Keys is ending her tenure on The Voice so soon, but at least she was able to end with a win. This certainly isn't the last we'll see of her, for, inspired by the many artists with whom she worked, she's moving on to a variety of new and exciting projects. We can't wait to see what Keys has in store and how she'll continue to impact the music industry.

More: Aliyah Moulden Is The Voice Season 12's Biggest Success Story

Were you glad to see Chris Blue and Team Alicia win The Voice, or did you vote for one of the other finalists? What do you think is next in store for Alicia Keys? Comment and share your opinion below.

This Mother & Son With Handmade Graduation Signs Are the Sweetest

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Brittney Brooks recently earned her MBA from the University of Maryland University College, and there's no question who her No. 1 fan is: Mason, her 4-year-old son.

These two might have created our favorite graduation photo of the season. The internet agrees — Brooks and Mason have gone viral with a shot of them holding two signs to celebrate the occasion.

More: 13-Week-Old Baby Says "I Love You," Shocks World

Brooks' sign? "I did it!" Mason's sign? "No! Mom, you mastered it!"

Brittney Brooks

Brittney Brooks

Oh, you guys. Sniff.

Brooks and her sister, avid Pinterest-ers, thought matching signs would be a cute idea for the big day, but Brooks had no clue the photo would explode on social media. It was Brooks' brother, Xavier Codie Robinson (aka artist Codie Monowi) who shared the photo on Twitter — and it's been retweeted over 5,000 times. Not half bad for some Pinterest-inspired signs, eh?

"I just wanted to take this with my son and hang it at work or home and share with a couple of friends on social media but I never thought it would be this big," Brooks told Popsugar.

This MBA was no small achievement for Brooks. She started work on her master's in 2011 — then learned she was pregnant with Mason. It was all too much at the time, so she hit the pause button on her academic career for a few years.

"I decided to go back in 2015 and never looked back," she said. "It was very hard and challenging having to work full-time and be a mom and have a social life plus full-time grad school and wedding planning."

More: 25 inspirational quotes for your favorite graduate

There's another adoring guy on the sidelines: her fiancé. "He is amazing and a great dad and without him, I wouldn't be able to do it," Brooks said. "He is my biggest supporter along with my son and they push me to do better and go further... [There were] times I wanted to give up but they wouldn't let me. I am forever grateful for them."

Brooks said she's aware the picture might make some assume she is a single mom who accomplished this MBA on her own, but she's adamant about giving credit where credit is due.

"Some people look at the picture and think I did this on my own and that I am a single mom but that's far from the truth," she explained. "I had a great support system and even though it was hard and I felt like giving up so many times, I pulled through because I had people depending on me. My advice is to get a positive support system that will encourage you and build you up. It could be family, friends, co-workers, whoever, but that's what is going to get you through — their words, advice, support, and encouragement."

We love her attitude — sounds like Brooks has also mastered this whole life thing too.

Little Boy's Mrs. Doubtfire-Themed Birthday Is a Hilarious Success

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We loooove adorably weird birthday themes for kids. (Who didn't fall in love with the little girl who insisted on a poop-emoji-themed party — and the parents who agreed to it?)

This week, we're party-crushing (ha! see what we did there?) on 4-year-old Evan Kowalski of Michigan, who is obsessed with the '90s movie Mrs. Doubtfire (starring the much-missed Robin Williams) and just had to have a party based on that theme.

Evan's mom, Laura Kowalski, hadn't exactly planned on a Mrs. Doubtfire party for Evan's fourth birthday. Uh, because no mom in history has ever planned a Mrs. Doubtfire party for a bunch of 4-year-olds. (Or for a bunch of 44-year-olds for that matter.)

"I asked him one evening what type of party he wanted and made some suggestions for him, such as a soccer theme or bugs (he's obsessed with bugs!)," Kowalski said to Popsugar. "But instead, he threw back at me, 'I want Mrs. Doubtfire!' I tried changing his mind, but his mind was made up."

Challenge accepted: Euphegenia Doubtfire it would be. But how does a mom throw a Mrs. Doubtfire party?

More: 20 super-cool birthday theme ideas for kids

Kowalski scoured Pinterest as well as Etsy for anything, anything, anything related to the iconic Robin Williams character. No go. She said she came up with "absolutely nothing."

So Kowalski posted to her Facebook page a request for a baker eager to take on a Mrs. Doubtfire-inspired birthday cake.

Mrs Doubtfire cake

Mrs Doubtfire cake

And because the world is weirdly wonderful like that sometimes, Facebook answered in the form of Angie Claxon of Cakes by Sweetypants. Claxon baked a most hilarious masterpiece (complete with pie in the face), and in the meantime, the rest of the Kowalski family went crazy riffing on other Mrs. Doubtfire items and snacks ("run-by fruiting" kebab snacks, anyone? or goodie bags reading, "Thank you for coming, dear"?).

Mrs Doubtfire birthday party
Image: Laura Kowalski
Mrs Doubtfire birthday party
Image: Laura Kowalski
Mrs Doubtfire birthday party
Image: Laura Kowalski

We're thinking Robin Williams definitely would have approved, dears.

More: The '90s Were Awesome, so Here's How to Parent Like They're Back

20 Percent of Children Who Die in Car Wrecks Aren't Restrained Correctly

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We know you won't move your car an inch if your children aren't buckled in — but are they buckled in properly?

More: 7 of the Coolest (& Safest) Bunk Beds

A sobering new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics claims that a devastating 20 percent of kids who died in car crashes between the years 2010 and 2014 weren't restrained properly. The study suggests that making sure children under 15 are wearing seat belts or are restrained correctly in an age-appropriate car seat or booster could save 232 lives a year. That's a lot of children.

Those are some powerful statistics. Additional numbers paint an even more harrowing picture: Of the more than 18,000 children involved in the car crashes studied in those years, 15.9 percent died, and the main reason was whether or not the child in question was restrained correctly.

One surprising factor that increases a child's risk of death in a car accident is driving on rural roads. Red light cameras, however, decreased the chance of a child dying in a car accident.

Interestingly, the study found that child fatality rates varied quite a bit from state to state. This is perhaps understandable, considering public info on car seats, seat belt laws, the frequency of rural roads and usage of red light cameras also vary greatly depending on which state one's driving in.

The South (along with Montana and Wyoming) is currently the most statistically dangerous place for a child in a car. More than half of the children who died in a car accident lived in Southern states, with the highest death rates in Mississippi, Wyoming, Alabama, Montana and Virginia according to CBS News. The numbers from Mississippi are heartbreaking: a massive 38 percent of children who died in car crashes weren't restrained properly — or even at all.

The lowest fatality rates in case you were wondering were in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Washington and Rhode Island.

The takeaway from this study? It's definitely time for stronger seat belt laws for kids and far better car-safety education for parents (or anyone driving with kids in the back.) 

More: How to Keep Night Terrors in Children at Bay so the Whole Family Can Sleep


The 7 Best Concealers Makeup Artists Swear By

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Oh, concealer, how we have a love-hate relationship with you. Sure, you’ve got the power to cover up even our worst breakouts and hide the darkest of circles under our eyes, but why do you insist on sliding down our faces and settling into every tiny crease and line by lunch? We want to love you, we really do, but you make it hard — or at least some of your crappier formulations do. Look, we understand that not all concealers are bad, but it seems almost impossible to find a formulation that checks off all of our boxes. At least that’s what we thought until we checked in with a bunch of makeup artists, combing through every interview and Instagram photo we could find to figure out which concealers the best of the best experts swear by. And, yes, we hit the jackpot.

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Thanks to our tireless dedication (oh, hey, here’s our back if you want to pat it or something), we not only found a ton of incredibly excellent concealer recommendations, but we were also able to uncover some helpful application tips from the pros, like Nick Barose, Melissa Walsh and Benjamin Puckey (if their names mean nothing to you, maybe their clients Gigi Hadid, Sasha Pieterse and Jennifer Hudson do?). So click through our list of the best of the best concealers below, and get ready to have insanely good coverage all day long.

More: I Did It. I Got Botox Twice — Here’s Why

MAC Studio Pro Conceal and Correct Palette

M.A.C. Studio Conceal and Correct Palette
Image: MAC Cosmetics

Pro: Nick Barose

Clients: Sasha Pieterse, Tracee Ellis Ross

Product: "@Maccosmetics Concealer Palette Creamy and powdery, it sets to a velvety finishes, it's nice to have a few extra colours you can mix n match for different part of your face and or when you're darker in the summer so your Concealer doesn't 'Float' on your face," wrote Barose about one of his favorite concealers.

MAC Studio Pro Conceal and Correct Palette (MAC, $40)

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Image: Nars Cosmetics

Pro: Adam Burrell

Clients: Fergie, Jennifer Hudson, Little Mix

Product: Burrell posted a pic on his Instagram account showing his favorite go-to products he uses to get Jennifer Hudson ready for her appearance on The Voice U.K., which included this cult-favorite Nars concealer.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (Nars, $30)

RMS Beauty "Un" Cover-Up

Rms Beauty
Image: RMS Beauty

Pro: Suzy Gerstein

Clients: Leighton Meester, Millie Bobby Brown, Christy Turlington Burns

Product: As Gerstein wrote in an Instagram post about this dual-purpose concealer and foundation, you can "even out any discoloration in the skin with @rmsbeauty "un" cover-up, patting in with fingertips."

RMS Beauty "Un" Cover-Up (RMS Beauty, $36)

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer
Image: Lancôme

Pro: Benjamin Puckey

Clients: Gigi Hadid, Hailey Baldwin, Suki Waterhouse

Product: This concealer comes highly recommended by Puckey, who wrote on Instagram, "This @lancomeofficial concealer is really good! #alittlegoesalongway."

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer (Lancôme, $31)

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage
Image: Laura Mercier

Pro: Liset Garza

Clients: Michelle Dockery, Phoebe Tonkin, Natasha Lyonne

Product: "My favorite concealer of all time," wrote Garza on Instagram about this two-toned palette.

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage (Laura Mercier, $35)

Hynt Beauty Duet Perfecting Concealer

Hynt Beauty Duet Perfecting Concealer
Image: Hynt Beauty

Pro: Melissa Walsh

Clients: Ruth Negga, Rachel Brosnahan

Product: "Not only does a little go a long way, but it covers everything from dark circles to pimples and doesn't feel heavy or get cakey. It also is vegan, organic, and toxin-free," said Walsh in a Byrdie interview about this creamy, super-blendable concealer.

Hynt Beauty Duet Perfecting Concealer (Hynt Beauty, $24)

Chanel Correcteur Perfection Concealer

Chanel Correcteur Perfection Concealer
Image: Chanel

Pro: Andie Markoe-Byrne

Clients: Ashley Graham, Frida Aasen, Philomena Kwao

Product: "I absolutely love these! Velvety texture; don't crease; great colors," wrote Markoe-Byrne in an Instagram post.

Chanel Correcteur Perfection Concealer (Chanel, $42)

Glowing skin
Image: ImaxTree

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Should You Pee on a Jellyfish Sting?

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In an iconic episode of Friends, Monica gets stung by a jellyfish at the beach and Joey informs the group that urinating on the sting will help to relieve the pain. Joey gets stage fright, so Chandler steps up and pees on his future wife, traumatizing the entire group. While this is a great example of pop culture influencing our beliefs about medical treatment, is there any truth to Joey’s claim?

In what sounds like a plotline out of a mid-‘90s sitcom that I would absolutely watch, Dr. Marc Taub is an emergency physician and the medical director of emergency services at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California, and has surfed for more than 40 years, resulting in dozens of jellyfish stings. If anyone knows about emergency treatment for beach-related injuries, it’s him.

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To start with, jellyfish envenomations — the fancy name for stings — are definitely painful, but are generally not life-threatening in North American waters, Taub tells SheKnows. The stings happen when jellyfish inject their venom through tiny structures called nematocysts on their tentacles. The aim of any jellyfish sting treatment is to remove the nematocysts from the area of the sting and weaken the effects of the venom, he explains.

If you are stung, you need to start by removing the nematocysts. To do that, rinse the area with saltwater, gently scraping it with a flat object like a credit card. Don’t vigorously rub the area or flush it with cold water, Taub warns, as it could further injection of the venom and worsen the symptoms.

Next, apply vinegar to the sting if it’s available, and soak the area in hot water. If you’re at the beach, lifeguards are usually equipped to help with this first aid, he says.

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“Prevention, as usual, is the best measure,” Taub adds. “Before entering the ocean, swimmers should scan the water for jellyfish and other dangers and inquire about hazards with lifeguards.”

What you wear in the water can also make a difference: long-sleeved Lycra shirts and wetsuits can provide some protection from jellyfish stings. If you’re going to be in an area prone to active jellyfish, you might want to consider using a jellyfish protection lotion, available as an over-the counter preparation, Taub says.

Based on his own experience with jellyfish stings, Taub has found it helpful to apply a nonprescription hydrocortisone cream and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) spray to the area and take an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl, Claritin or Zyrtec, which may also help with itching and swelling.

More: In a Surprise Move, Charlie Sheen May Have Actually Saved Lives

But what about pee? Is urine really the antidote for jellyfish venom?

“No, urinating on the area doesn’t help!” Taub says, which proves once and for all that Joey Tribbiani is not a reliable source of medical information.

6 Tips for Speaking Confidently in Meetings (Even When You’re Anxious)

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By Melody Wilding

Another meeting is coming up at work, and you’re nervous. Maybe you’re shy, introverted or are coping with social anxiety and the stress it brings. Whatever the case, sitting frozen through yet another meeting can be a terrible feeling.

Here are some very simple strategies you can confidently implement at your very next meeting to make speaking up easier.

Banish pre-meeting jitters

Your hands are shaky. Your stomach is doing somersaults. You suddenly start second-guessing if you spelled the client’s name correctly on the agenda. These are common pre-meeting anxieties. It’s normal to experience anticipatory stress when you feel as if your intelligence or contributions are being evaluated.

Instead of impugning your jitters as a sign that you’re inadequate or otherwise not up to the task at hand, Stanford psychologist Kelly McGonigal suggests befriending your stress response, reframing it as a sign you’re ready for action and prepared to bring your best to the (conference) table.

Ease into it

It may be tempting to arrive right before a meeting to appear prompt or avoid awkward small talk. But if you feel rushed or short on time, this will only exacerbate the existing stress you already feel during meetings.

Instead, build in a buffer and plan to settle in before things get underway. Give yourself the opportunity to ease into the physical meeting space. If it’s a virtual teleconference, get comfortable with the webinar controls, your mic and webcam ahead of time.

As colleagues arrive, focus on making conversation with one or two people at a time, which can feel both socially fulfilling and less overwhelming. You’ll also already have an in of sorts as the meeting begins and conversation turns toward agenda items. This can help ease anxiety and make speaking up for the duration of the session seamless.

Commit to speaking early

Have you ever come to a meeting with ideas and a plan for what you want to say, but then left realizing you said nothing the entire time? While you’re not alone, staying quiet is doing yourself a disservice. It typically gets more difficult to enter the conversation as a meeting progresses. The longer you wait, the more your anxiety will build.

Growth often comes from discomfort, so push yourself to speak up early. Set a simple strategy to say something in the first 10 to 15 minutes of the session — whether it’s to welcome attendees, present your main argument, ask a question or offer an opinion on a new business proposal. It’s a surefire way to ensure you contribute.

Use your strengths when speaking up

You don’t have to be the loudest in the room. Even the soft-spoken can still make an impact by backing up a co-worker’s comment with a simple, “Great idea! I can see that working really well.”

You can also focus on asking powerful questions. Especially if you consider yourself an introvert, you’re likely very observant, which gives you an edge when it comes to posing the kinds of thought-provoking questions that haven’t crossed your colleagues’ minds quite yet.

Another powerful way to increase your impact and visibility even after the meeting wraps is by following up with an email to your boss summarizing key points raised or better yet, providing a proposal for a new project sparked by the conversation. You’ll build up a reputation as someone who makes useful contributions and you’ll come to everyone’s mind more quickly when promotion time comes around. More important, you’ll gain confidence in yourself.

More: 5 Career Tips You Should Always Ignore

Be the one to take action on next steps

Did something come up in the meeting that could use more research? Commit to taking on something for the next meeting. It shows you have initiative and that you’re interested and invested in your organization.

This is a great example of employing a precommitment device, a habit-formation technique you can use to nudge yourself toward behaviors you desire. You’ve committed yourself — now you’ll be more motivated and likely to follow through.

Challenge your beliefs about contributing

Many people’s leadership instincts may not have been nurtured to their full potential in childhood, and subconscious insecurities can seep into our behavior to this day when it comes to speaking up. So how do you overcome old, outdated scripts holding you back from feeling confident about speaking up? It requires a deep-dive into your presumptions about self-worth and speaking up.

Growing up, what were you told about standing out? Were you given the message by your parents, teachers and community that you could be whatever you wanted, or did you internalize concepts like, “People won’t like you if you try to stand out”? If you find yourself easily devastated by real or imagined negative feedback should you express your ideas, consider that you may be reverting back to an immature identity when your self-esteem was more contingent on others’ (especially that of authority figures’) opinions.

When you have a point to make, yet find undermining thoughts creeping in, thank your inner critic for trying to do its job by keeping you protected. Fear can signal you’re saying something of significance. Seize the moment. Stop playing small. Remember, you’re part of your organization because you’re qualified, you’re effective and you matter.

You’ve got a lot to offer — now it’s time to let everyone know it.

More: 5 Effective Ways to Overcome Work Anxiety

Originally posted on FairyGodBoss.

Kinder Eggs Are Coming to the US (& Yes, They Have Toys Inside!)

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Kinder Eggs are one of those food items like raw French cheese and Beluga caviar that seem all the more exciting because they're banned in the U.S. The Kinder Surprise Egg has been banned since its inception because of an old FDA rule that states that food items can't contain a "non-nutritive object," in this case, the small toy enclosed in each chocolate Kinder Egg. But all that is about to change, and even though I'm a grown-up, I can't wait to get my hands on one.

Ferrero International, the Kinder parent company, is bringing a product called the Kinder Joy to the U.S. It's made up of two halves: One side contains a small toy, while the other side is filled with chocolate and milk créme that's topped with crispy wafer bites that you eat with a spoon. That way, the non-food item never comes into contact with the sweet chocolate confection. Brilliant hack, chocolate masterminds!

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It's not identical to the same Kinder Surprise that's sold in Europe (which doesn't have that chocolate wall dividing the inside in two) but it'll do the trick for me! After all, from cereal boxes to Happy Meals, there's nothing that beats getting a toy with your food — even if you're a grown-ass adult. And honestly? Chocolate créme you eat with a spoon sounds even better to me than a hollow milk chocolate egg.

The Kinder Joy should be available in the U.S. starting in 2018. In the meantime, the Easter candy I hoarded from my niece will have to satisfy my egg-inspired chocolate cravings.

More: Slow Cooker Sunday: 17 ways Nutella could be waiting for you under that lid

Mayim Bialik Wants to Teach Your Daughter About Sex

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You can call Mayim Bialik a "hot head and a loudmouth feminist" or even a "bleeding-heart liberal" (her words, not ours) but for the purposes of her new book Girling Up, it's best if we actually peel back those layers and look beyond her vocal public persona to the woman, mother and neuroscientist underneath.

More: Mayim Bialik Writes Spot-On Bill Cosby Opinion Piece

Bialik calls her new book, aimed at girls ages 10 to 18, "the encyclopedia of the female experience," no easy feat of writing in a time when there are enough definitions of feminism and girl power to make your head spin.

"This was a very, very difficult book to write. It's a really difficult topic. It's one I've struggled with my whole life as a female," Bialik explained. "Particularly, as I talk about in the book, as a female who didn't always fit the mold of what females are expected to be like. And that's kind of continued my entire life. So I have a little bit of a unique perspective, even though it didn't always feel like such a blessing to be so different."

But Bialik wanted to take the politics out of being female.

"We do not discuss political aspects of sexual intimacy," Bialik was sure to tell the parents at home reading.

She added, "I really wanted conservative parents and liberal parents alike to be able to give this book to their daughters without it feeling like it's a political statement.

But there is a chapter called "Sex and Dating."

More: Let's All Be Like Mayim Bialik and Stop Saying the Word "Bitch"

Bialik broke it down for us, "The main emphasis of the sex and dating chapter is on understanding some of the fundamentals of emotional intimacy. Not just sexual or romantic intimacy, but emotional intimacy, because I want to try and infuse that notion of significance to relationships. We have emotionally intimate relationships with siblings, with best friends. You know, there's all sorts of kinds of relationships. But I really wanted to do it in stages. So we talk about emotional intimacy. Then we talk about the difference between that kind of intimacy and crushes, the feeling of romantic intimacy. No one ever explained to me what it would feel like when you like someone. Of course, it feels crazy and your head's everywhere, but I really wanted to explain: This is what goes on in your brain and body. This is why the judgments you make and the decisions you make should be weighed carefully. And that's not to say I wrote a chapter about, 'don't have sex before you get married' because for a lot of people, that's not going to be practical. But what I did want to do is reintroduce the notion of courtship. Why do we have courtship? What does it even mean? Is it even relevant today?"

The book isn't just sex and dating, though. Bialik really delves into any and all topics, including mental health challenges, puberty, volunteer work, finding your passion, using your voice, differences between genders and gender identity.

"My 11-year-old proofread this book. He was not a huge fan of looking at the chapters that talked about puberty and things like that because that's age appropriate for him not to want to," Bialik explained. "But in terms of the stuff about gender and about life choices, it is never too early to start talking to kids about the differences between boys and girls and the similarities between boys and girls. The notion of a lot of things in the book absolutely apply to boys, how our brains work and all those things are equal-opportunity information that I'm providing. But I think the book also provides a really good format for parents to use to open conversations with their daughters, and that, I think, is really, really important."

More: The Big Bang Theory's Coitus Episode Proved Sex Is Just Like Star Wars

Do you plan to read Bialik's Girling Up with your daughter?

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