Having a baby girl in August kind of shook me to my core. She has an 8-year-old older brother who looks up to my husband in every way imaginable, and I worried that my constant insecurities would rub off on her, when I really want to raise a strong, empowered daughter.

Reading a study published in the journal Science that shows that as young as 6 years old, girls are already less likely than boys to believe that the female gender is brilliant and that gender stereotypes do impact them made me more cautious about the way I act in front of my little girl. A recent body-confidence study by Girlguiding U.K. revealing that girls as young as 7 years old feel pressured to be pretty was enough for me take a cold, hard look at myself and the image I project each day.

The experience in the 10 months since my daughter was born has been one of the biggest learning moments for me. I’ve paid more attention to the message that I’m sending her through my actions every day, and it has in turn made me a more confident mom.

More: These kids make us pretty confident about the future

1. By being brave

I know that she’s still a little bit young to understand what being brave means, but I figured that if I get into the habit of starting it now, I’ll be able to keep pushing forward with my bravery her whole life. I decided that it’s time to take risks and break out of my shell whenever those opportunities present themselves. For instance, I’m typically the mom to sit on the sidelines and let everyone else have their fun, but while we were traveling last week, I joined in on all those scary rides at Universal Studios instead of just waiting for everyone else. I believe simple things like that that will establish bravery in her from the start so she never looks back and says, "I wish I did that."

2. Not letting my insecurities leave me sitting on the sidelines

So many of my insecurities are body-related, but I refuse to allow those to keep me from creating memories with my kids. Even something as simple as wearing a bikini even though I haven’t quite lost all the baby weight yet speaks volumes to a young mind.

3. Practicing positive mantras every day

Every day of her life, my daughter hears that she is strong, beautiful, kind and smart. These are the types of reiterations that will help her go through life replaying them in her head. She will be confident in herself, knowing she possesses everything inside her to make the best decisions in her life as she grows.

More: Raising body-positive kids after a childhood eating disorder

4. Recognize my strengths

In my experience, women as a whole tend to be really hard on themselves — and I’m no different. I look at my flaws and let them outweigh the things I’m actually really good at, and I’m trying to change that. I work from home and know that I’m good at my job, and I let my daughter see that every single day. I want her to grow up to see her mother being confident in her abilities and skills. I see this as a way for her to not only recognize her own potential, but know the enormous power in that.

5. Work out!

I want to not only empower my daughter to be strong-minded, but physically strong and healthy too. Having a regular fitness routine has always been a huge part of my life, and at exactly six weeks postpartum, my daughter was by my side in her baby swing watching or in the jogging stroller along for the ride.

6. Make healthy choices

The biggest standout for me with showing her to make healthy choices is that it translates to respecting her body. This is a big one because I want to empower her to always know that she is in charge of her body and makes all the decisions that go along with that.

7. Reading books with her that have an empowering message

Relaxing before bed and reading together is one of my favorite times of day with my 10-month-old. As she gets older, we’ll switch to stories with girls in the forefront, having adventures so she knows she can do anything boys can do. For now, our favorite is The Wonderful Things You Will Be by Emily Winfield Martin, as it instills the value in her mind of all the wonderful things she will do in her lifetime.

More: Age-by-age guide to fun reads

8. By being her cheerleader

Through thick and thin, I will always, always be there cheering my daughter on. I want my daughter to know that she has the potential to do anything she puts her mind to, but she also shouldn’t be afraid to work hard to get there. In these early years, cheering her on while she hits her milestones, learns something new and steps outside her comfort zone to do something as simple as trying a new food will keep me in her head, cheering her on, during those times in life when I may not be right by her side.

If pro soccer were a Disney movie, Cristiano Ronaldo would definitely be the cocky, preening villain, à la Gaston. So we melted a little when we caught a glimpse of Ronaldo's softie side this week on Instagram along with his 106 million other fans.

More: Girl disqualified from soccer match for looking like a boy

The soccer god — er, star — posted a completely adorable photo of himself with his 7-year-old son snuggling his brand-new twins with the comment "blessed."

Who are you, and what have you done with the real Cristiano Ronaldo?

The star of Spain's Real Madrid team is usually posting shirtless pictures of his admittedly impressive physique on Instagram, so this glimpse into his life as an adoring papa made for a nice change. Ronaldo has long relished playing a bad-boy role in world-stage soccer — and doesn't mind at all when he's jeered and booed by massive crowds. In fact, one of his most notorious quotes could have been one of Gaston's lines straight out of the Beauty and the Beast screenplay: "[I am booed] because I am handsome, rich and a great player, because I am envied. I have no other explanation," he said.

More: Girls in football? You bet, and here's why

Well, OK then, you handsome procreating devil, you. Confirmed details are scarce: The star athlete reportedly welcomed the twins via a surrogate and is currently dating Georgina Rodriguez (who is rumored to be pregnant with Ronaldo's baby, due in October).

We know; we can barely keep track either. No word on who will be on diaper duty for the new twins.

Yup, we love the daddy version of Ronaldo. We admit it. We can't help but laugh remembering the season during which he was asked which top soccer players caught his attention.

His response was epic: "Myself, in the mirror."

More: Celebrities who used surrogates to create their families

But it seems fatherhood may be changing his ways — clearly Ronaldo has eyes for a few other select humans besides himself now. The old softie.

We love being women, but sometimes having your period is the worst. Cramps can feel like torture, and when you're right in the middle of a particularly crazy cycle, it kinda seems like there is no way out of the situation —short of popping some pain relievers and hoping for the best.

But if you stay ahead of the game, there are actually some healthy ways to get rid of heinous cramps that don't include pills.

More: Your Period Might Be the Reason You Can’t Stop Cleaning, Tripping & Sneezing

Give these a try.

1. Eat right

Yes, when you're PMSing hardcore, all you want to do is reach for potato chips and sweets, but that will only makes things worse.

Eating the right foods, such as those heavy in fiber, can make all the difference. The Mayo Clinic reports that a number of studies have indicated that vitamin E (found in sunflower seeds, almonds and spinach), omega-3 fatty acids (load up on salmon), vitamin B1/thiamine (try green peas, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts), vitamin B6 and magnesium supplements may help to significantly reduce cramps.

If you're really jonesin' for chocolate, just make sure it's over 70 percent cocoa. Studies have shown that dark chocolate can actually help relax muscles.

And don't just start eating right when your period starts. If you know you're due for that time of the month, get ahead of the game and get feel-good nutrients into your body beforehand.

2. Heating pads

According to the Mayo Clinic, heat can be just as effective as popping over-the-counter painkillers when it comes to nipping cramps in the bud. Soak in the tub or place a hot water bottle on your lower abdomen to ease pain.

Most drugstores carry heating pads that are easily placed on the skin and fit under clothes — which are a lifesaver when you just can't miss work no matter how bad your cramps are. ThermaCare has heat wraps specially designed for menstrual cramps, and they retail for around $6 for a pack of three.

Try laying on the floor on your back with your legs up on a wall perpendicular to your body while you have the heating pad on. Trust me, it works.

3. Say buh-bye to caffeine

Coffee might be lifeblood on a normal day, but caffeine can actually enhance your cramps. Not only that, caffeine ups tension and anxiety, which is already higher than normal while you are on your period. Not good.

More: 5 Ways to Have Sex While on Your Period

4. Get movin'

It's probably the last thing you want to do when you are in excruciating pain, but exercise releases beta-endorphins — chemicals in the brain that boost mood, help relieve pain and relax muscles. They're pretty much the body's natural painkillers.

And we're not talking about running a marathon, here. A brisk walk, a bike ride or some light yoga are all helpful in releasing endorphins.

5. Try essential oils

Not only do essential oils smell amazing, but some claim that they can also be wicked painkillers too.

A triple-blind study published in the Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine found that ingesting thyme oil worked better for reducing cramps than ibuprofen. The researchers explained that thyme was so effective because of its analgesic and antispasmodic effects. As an added bonus, it also has fewer side effects than traditional over-the-counter painkillers.

Want to give it a try? The study used 25 drops of essential thyme oil diluted to only 2 percent, meaning it was diluted with another oil. It also should be noted that just because something is natural doesn't mean that there are no side effects. As always, be careful and ask your doctor if you feel off.

Essential oils can also be applied topically to help bring relief, says holistic health coach Lauren Birgitta.

"My favorite is doTERRA's Serenity scent blended from lavender, sweet marjoram, Roman chamomile, ylang-ylang, Hawaiian sandalwood and vanilla bean," Birgitta said. She suggests applying the oil with a spoon of coconut oil across the belly or lower back.

Originally published August 2011. Updated July 2017.

Let's be real: Most of us are way more comfortable dancing our butts off in the privacy of our homes — which is why we sometimes tend to avoid group exercise classes. Group exercise is an amazing way to burn calories and get fit, but it an also be super intimidating (and expensive!). That's where YouTube videos of Zumba routines come in.

These Zumba routines we found on YouTube are just as good as hitting the gym or a local dance studio and they're totally free. As an added bonus, they're super easy to work into your hectic schedule.

Most Zumba centers around four different types of dance: cumbia, merengue, reggaeton and salsa. We've put together a fun, blood-pumpin' workout that clocks in at just under 25 minutes. A quick routine can get your heart rate up and work on various parts of your body all at the same time, which is the key to effective exercise.

More: The Best Leg Exercises for Seriously Toned Quads & Calves

Side note: We tried to keep our routine at a beginners level, but the steps can still be tricky to get down at first. Don't give up! A couple of times through the routine and you'll be bouncing through it, no problem.

1. Warmup

According to Sports Medicine Information, a good warmup is an essential part of your routine that loosens joints and increases blood flow to your muscles — which helps prevent injuries. Don't skip out on it.

2. Cumbia

Cumbia music began as a courtship dance practiced by African populations along the Caribbean coasts of Columbia and Panama, but has become a hugely popular genre all over Latin America. It's definitely a fun and funky part of every Zumba routine.

3. Merengue

When you hear merengue, you usually think of ballroom — but that doesn't mean the style can't translate perfectly into a Zumba routine. This merengue set will definitely get your heart pumping.

4. Reggaeton

Compared to the other musical genres that comprise most Zumba routines, reggaeton is fairly new — but it's totally taken over the pop world. It's influenced everyone from No Doubt to Daddy Yankee, and it's a blast to dance to.

More: What Is a Macro Diet?

5. Salsa

You can't deny it: Salsa is pure fun. It revolves around one basic step and hip motion that can be altered from dancing in place to moving across the floor. It's all about the hips and what you do with your hands.

The moves in this salsa video seem a bit fast at first, but stick with it and keep moving.

6. Cool down

Don't drop to the floor just yet. Before you end your workout, make sure you do a proper cool down to avoid dizziness and extra-sore muscles. Plus, cool downs feel more like fun, crazy interpretive dance. So, why not?

Do it your own way

Once you think you've mastered the basics, don't feel like you have to stick to the videos. Find a good, inspiring and body-moving playlist and try it on your own. Try songs like this to get you started.

• "Despacito" (remix) — Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber
• "Shape of You" (Latin remix) — Ed Sheeran ft. Zion and Lennox
• "It Ain't Me" — Kygo and Selena Gomez
• "Sexy Body" — Pitbull ft. Jennifer Lopez
• "Something Just Like This" — The Chainsmokers and Coldplay
• "Limbo" — Daddy Yankee
• "Sexy and I Know It" — LMFAO
• "Eyes Like Yours" — Shakira
• "La Excelencia" — Salsa Dura
• "Show Me How You Burlesque" — Christina Aguilera
• "Zumba" — Don Omar
• "Starships" — Nicki Minaj
• "All Around the World" — Paulina Rubio
• "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)" — Fergie
• "Pause" — Pitbull
• "Hold It Against Me" — Britney Spears
• "S&M" — Rihanna
• "Zamba Zumba" — Zumba Fitness
• "I Wan'na Be Like You" — Robbie Williams (ft. Olly Murs)
• "Oh My God" — Ida Maria
• "The Wedding Samba" — Edmundo Ros

Pick the ones that make you want to move the most and get to shakin' those hips!

Originally published December 2015. Updated July 2017.

As much as we wish it could, the human body cannot survive on carbs alone. In addition to other macronutrients and micronutrients, the average adult woman needs to eat about 46 grams of protein per day. The body requires protein to build and repair cells, and it cannot function properly without an adequate intake.

More: 3 On-the-Go Protein Ideas That'll Kick Hunger to the Curb

Healthy, high-protein foods are also a great way to satisfy cravings, build muscle and lose fat. Load up on the protein you need by regularly enjoying these nutritious and protein-packed options.

More: Quick and Delicious Protein Hacks to Start Your Day Right

Source: USDA National Nutrient Database

Originally published March 2015. Updated July 2017.

Oh dear.

An Ohio mom set the internet on fire on June 28 when she posted a picture of her daughter with a faux dimple "piercing" — as a way of speaking out against the circumcision of children.

Enedina Vance faked a facial piercing on her daughter's cheek with the sarcastic caption, "So I got the baby girl’s dimple pierced...It looks so cute, right? I just know she’s gonna love it. She’ll thank me when she’s older lol. If she decides she doesn’t like it, she can just take it out, no big deal...I’m the parent, she is my child, I will do whatever I want.”

More: I was certain I couldn't circumcise my baby boy

Yeaaah. You see where this is going.

Vance's post was shared more than 12,000 times, with most commenters seemingly outraged and fully believing the piercing was real.

“This is disturbing [as] hell,” said one commenter. “Each to their own.”

Other commenters caught on that Vance was attempting to make a point against the alteration of children's bodies in any way, but the shock value of her post proved to be too distracting for most.

More: I wish I hadn't circumcised my kids

One commenter wrote, "Literally nobody on my [Facebook] page got the point of your post."

We have to agree: Her post was maybe not the best way to start a dialogue, as her point was lost in an immediate barrage of mommy-shamers' comments. People were so quick to pounce on the seemingly real facial piercing on Vance's daughter, Vance's main point went out the window. Poof.

A few days after the original post, Vance attempted to clarify her intention in another Facebook post.

“Altering a child’s body simply for aesthetic reasons is wrong.”

The conversation is a valid one to be sure, but we're not sure this was the best way to go about kicking off a complex discussion about child circumcision.

Just in case anyone was wondering what Lindsay Lohan, who hasn't lived in the U.S. for more than three years now, thinks of the current political situation, here you go: She's an ardent Donald Trump supporter. Cue the eye rolls.

More: Andy Cohen Thinks President Trump Is Acting Like a Real Housewife

It would appear that Lohan, who has gone so far as to adopt a weird unidentifiable accent to prove how not American she is now, thinks she can still tell Americans what to think about their classless, bullying brute of a leader. The really ironic part? She thinks Americans are bullying Trump, and not the other way around. Come again, LiLo?

The Mean Girls actress took to Twitter to share her thoughts on the president, which are basically that people should shut their mouths, sit back and accept everything Trump does. "THIS IS our president. Stop #bullying him & start trusting him. Thank you personally for supporting #THEUSA," she wrote.

More: Brad Pitt Insinuates Donald Trump Has Killed Us All

You're not dreaming. This is about the same Donald Trump who said on Howard Stern's radio show that then 18-year-old Lohan was "probably deeply troubled and therefore great in bed." But no, he's the one being bullied, you guys. Of course he is.

Surprising literally no one, Lohan's tweet sparked some debate. In response to one comment, Lohan doubled down, saying Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, Melania Trump and Donald Trump Jr. "are kind people," adding, "As An American, why speak poorly of anyone?"

Let me again remind you that Lohan hasn't lived in the U.S. for nearly as long as a presidential term.

More: Chrissy Teigen Begs Donald Trump to "Grow the F*** Up!"

Can we all just go ahead and agree that LiLo is not an authority on American politics right now? And can we also agree that as long as our president is a misogynistic, lying sexual predator who routinely insults women based on their looks, no one gets to claim he's the one being bullied? OK? OK.

When Melrose Place debuted 25 years ago, it made stars out of a bright new batch of actors and resurrected the TV career of Heather Locklear, but there are a few now-familiar faces who didn't quite make it into the apartment complex from hell. Not to worry, though; they did pretty well in Tinsel Town regardless.

Courteney Cox

Fresh off her role on Family Ties, Courteney Cox auditioned for the role of Billy's girlfriend, Allison. Producers went with a sound-alike actor instead, Courtney Thorne-Smith, and Cox eventually became America's favorite neat freak, Monica, on Friends.

More: Funniest TV Family Moments

Jason Bateman

Just one of several now-big-name actors considered to play Billy, Jason Bateman had just finished up his role as teen David Hogan on Valerie when he auditioned for Melrose Place. He didn't get the part, but he did keep working in Hollywood. Bateman blew up when Arrested Development became a cult fave.

Paul Rudd

Another potential Billy, Paul Rudd didn't make the cut for what would have been his first professional role. Instead, he made his 1992 acting debut in the critically acclaimed series Sisters, hit the big screen in Clueless, and eventually joined the cast of Friends alongside fellow Melrose castoff Cox as Phoebe's eventual husband.

Matthew Perry

Yet another Billy reject, Perry had previously appeared on Beverly Hills, 90210 — the show Melrose Place spun off from. For Perry, too, losing this part proved to be the best thing for his career, and he joined Cox for an award-winning series run on Friends as Chandler Bing. Could he be any luckier?

More: Primetime Soaps: The Big Comeback

Hunter Tylo

The then-unknown brunette beauty was originally cast as Taylor McBride, but producers unceremoniously dumped her from the role when she became pregnant, citing a clause in her contract preventing her from altering her appearance. She sued and eventually won damages in excess of $4.8 million. Lisa Rinna took over the role, and Tylo spent 24 years playing Dr. Taylor Hayes on daytime soap The Bold and the Beautiful.

Pamela Anderson

In an attempt to parlay her small role on Home Improvement into a larger TV career, Pamela Anderson tried — and failed — to nab a role on Melrose Place. No sweat off her nose, however. She soon found herself wearing the iconic red swimsuit on Baywatch and married to Locklear's ex Tommy Lee.

Calista Flockhart

The future TV lawyer auditioned for Melrose but didn't land a role. She'd later become the star of one of the hottest shows on Fox, Ally McBeal, where she was joined by Melrose alum Courtney Thorne-Smith.

More: 15 GIFs From the Most Ridiculous Celeb Workout Videos

Julianna Margulies

We could totally see Julianna Margulies playing Jo, a role landed by Daphne Zuniga, but it didn't happen. Instead, Margulies was one of the very first faces we saw on the premiere of ER a few years later and won no less than six major awards for her lead role on The Good Wife.

Noah Wylie

Fresh-faced Noah Wylie wanted a spot on Melrose Place, but it wasn't to be. Instead, he nabbed a small but key part in the flick A Few Good Men opposite Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, then landed his career-making turn as Dr. Carter on ER with fellow Melrose reject Margulies.

Just when you thought we were done with flower crown filters and creepy face-swaps, an innovative 18-year-old in Texas has found a seriously smart way to use Snapchat — and it’ll change the way you get manicures.

Emma Young, a teen high school graduate (and possible genius) came up with the clever real-world application for Snapchat Stickers. While visiting a salon to get her nails done, Young decided to use the app to trial different colors. Because physically trying on the nail polish color at a salon before your manicure is basically out of the question, instead she took a photo of the shade and used Snapchat to see what it would look like IRL.

More: 26 Times Celebrity Manicures Gave Us Life

“I was looking at the nail options, and the nail salon I go to has them glued inside the book so you can’t put your finger under it to see how it looks,” Young tells BuzzFeed. Remembering that Snapchat allows you to make your own custom stickers, she picked a color, took a photo of one of the fake nails in that shade, turned it into a sticker, and used her phone to see what it would look like on her hand. The whole process took less than a minute.

Young tried four different shades and then, understandably impressed with her idea, shared the beauty hack on Twitter — where the teen was basically labeled a wunderkind. In just a few days, the manicure trick has received almost 100,000 retweets and 260,000 likes.

BuzzFeed reports that Young ended up going with a mink gray color, by the way. And if you’re sitting at the office wondering what your nails would look like a different shade, you can always try an app like ShadeScout or ModiFace that lets you virtually “try on” hundreds of different colors, no Snapchat Sticker required.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

As kids, dunking cookies into milk was the ideal sweet snack. And it's not that I have anything against milk now, but as an adult, you start to finally appreciate the appeal of coffee — and the appeal of dunking chocolaty goodness into a hot cup. I mean, seriously, the marriage of coffee and chocolate is pretty much perfection, hence the popularity of all things mocha.

I know that; You know that; and Oreo definitely knows that. Their latest flavor capitalizes on everyone's love of chocolaty coffee goodness. Starting this week, you can buy Oreos flavored with Dunkin' Donuts coffee. Cookies that are basically made to be eaten for breakfast? Yes, please.

More: Oreo Candy Canes Are Coming

The cookie is a traditional chocolate Oreo, but the filling is mocha instead of vanilla frosting. Reports reveal you can even taste the espresso when you open the cookie and lick the icing directly, which is clearly the best way to eat an Oreo, anyway.

More: Oreo's New Summer Flavor Creates 'Fireworks' In Your Mouth

This is definitely going to be the standout cookie treat — and maybe even the star food mashup — of the summer, especially when the spinoffs arrive. Mocha Oreo ice cream milkshake anyone? Someone invent that, stat.

Um, Rob Kardashian's Instagram is a lot right now. On Wednesday, Kardashian went on an absolute tear on his Instagram account, posting possibly defamatory and libelous posts that levy serious allegations against his ex, Blac Chyna. While the couple has had a very tumultuous relationship in the public eye, it would appear this feud is being taken to another level.

More: Dream Kardashian Is Too Cute to Ignore

Here's what we know so far about what's going on with Kardashian and his constantly-forever-on-and-off lady friend Blac Chyna, who have always been the drama couple. First, Chyna made some pretty intense allegations about Kardashian, writing on her Snapchat that he abused her. "Rob u did all this but u beat me up and try act it never happen," she wrote. "U put hand on me I swear on god... On my kids but I'm supposed to be quiet because you're a Kardashian."

Those allegations were apparently all the flame it took to ignite the powder keg that is Kardashian, because he took to Instagram early Wednesday morning to fire back with a long series of posts accusing Chyna of cheating, using hard drugs, having their daughter just to spite the father of her first child, rapper Tyga, and more. Some of the posts Kardashian made have been deleted at the time of this reporting, like a series of nude shots of Chyna that he claims she sent him. It's really intense, fam.

Others seem to be being deleted and reposted throughout the hour. But the following screenshots tell as much of the story as we seem to be able to get. Kardashian is not playing, and he's making some really serious accusations about his ex here.

More: Rob Kardashian's Sticking to his New Year's Resolution After Being Hospitalized

First, he posted a video he claimed was sent to him by Chyna, showing her in bed, allegedly with rapper Rarri True. In the caption, he wrote that Chyna had slept with him immediately before the man in the video, and added, "U need help."

Then he posted a selfie allegedly taken by True in the bed Kardashian and Chyna shared while they were together. In the caption, Kardashian rants about all the bills he claims he pays for Chyna.

Next, Kardashian posted text accusing Chyna of heavy drug use, claiming she's asked him to buy alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy and Molly for her.

Then Kardashian posted a text exchange with a man he claims is sleeping with Chyna and hitting him up for money.

Kardashian also posted a photo of Chyna, who he claims is post-op in the pic after he paid for plastic surgery for her after she gave birth to Dream.

Following those, Kardashian posted a series of text posts, ranting about many of the accusations he had already made and repeatedly accusing Chyna of "disrespecting" him.

More: Rob Kardashian's Health Worsens After Another Break Up With Blac Chyna

One other thing: According to TMZ, the nude shots of Chyna that were posted, deleted, reposted and deleted again don't fall under California's revenge porn law because Chyna liked the pics on Instagram. The law states that "A person who intentionally distributes the image of the intimate body part of another ... knowing they'll cause emotional distress" can be sentenced to up to six months in jail. Chyna's decision to hit like probably negates any claim she would have had that the photos caused emotional distress, the site reports.

The messages are bizarre, not to mention possibly libelous and defamatory. We don't know what's going on, but we do know this is just the latest for Kardashian and Chyna, who have had a tumultuous relationship and who both have histories of volatile behavior. It should also be noted that outside of Kardashian's posts, there has been no official statement made by Kardashian, Chyna, True or the rest of the Kardashian family.

After an uplifting three days at the #BlogHer17 conference in Orlando, Florida, I didn’t think my weekend could get much better. That is until I had the opportunity to visit Pandora — The World of Avatar, which opened (to much fanfare) at Disney’s Animal Kingdom about a month ago.

The park brings James Cameron’s record-breaking film to life in surprising, wonderful ways. Don't believe me? I have the pictures to prove it. Consider this your definitive guide to what to see, do and eat at Pandora. And while I might sound like a total fangirl right now, trust me — you don't want to miss this.

Stop 1: Avatar Flight of Passage ride

Ride on the back of a banshee in 4-D as you soar through Pandora in the Avatar Flight of Passage ride. The experience activates all five senses, with pretty mind-boggling results. The best part for me was spotting a full-size Avatar, which displayed impressive craftsmanship and attention to detail (I'd expect nothing less from Disney).

Before starting the ride, you’ll need “genetic sampling” — accomplished by dancing around a bit — to connect with an Avatar. Within seconds, an expert connected me with a match. Making eye contact with my personal Avatar on the screen made the real world fall away, snapping my full attention to the exhilarating moment.

On the four-minute ride, you see Pandora through the eyes of the Na’vi via your Avatar. You can feel the banshee breathing as well as mists of water any time your banshee takes a dive. The smell, which varies in different locations, really got me — it had floral notes, was light, inviting and oh-so soothing. I'd like a bottle of that, please!

Stop 2: The Na’vi River Journey ride

On the Na'vi River Journey, you travel into a bioluminescent rainforest in search of the Na’vi Shaman of Songs, which is the most complicated audio-animatronics figure ever created by Walt Disney Imagineering. And I can see why. I did a double take thinking there was an actual human painted to look like an Avatar in front of me — but nope, it was an animatronic whose every feature just happened to be 100 percent lifelike. Trippy!

The river journey was peaceful, inspiring and really hit home for me. The Shaman’s song dedicated to Eywa (deity of Pandora and the Na’vi) really pulled at my heartstrings, evoking memories of my happiest moments dancing, singing and connecting with nature. Needless to say, you wouldn't have to twist my arm to get me to go on that ride again.

Stop 3: Lunch at Satu'li Canteen

I’m a vegan and given the eco-vibes of Pandora, I hoped there would be plant-friendly food options for me to dig into at lunch. I was right (way to go Disney!). Normally, I'm not a huge fan of tofu, but I ordered the fried tofu with veggies, and — no joke — this was the best tofu I’ve ever had. If I were to move to Pandora, I trust that I would be well taken care of in the food department.

Stop 4: A peek at the Pandoran flora & landscape

I spent the rest of my time at Pandora walking through the Valley of Mo’ara. When you’re running between rides and concession stands, it can be hard to take in all of the park's subtle atmospheric details. I knew I wanted to end the day with a mindful walk, taking in the Pandoran flora.

The spiny whip, which has a gorgeous blown-glass look to it, is one of my favorite Pandoran plants. The top of the plant collects raindrops, allowing it to act as a hydration station for birds.

The stunning grinch tree grows in a hunched shape with a twisted trunk and bioluminescent leaves. The Valley of Mo’ara is filled with these trees, which are said to be extra breathtaking at night.

The colorful puffball tree can be up to 15 meters tall and helps detoxify the atmosphere in Pandora. (If only I could take this home and put it next to my Sansevieria plant. Hey, a girl can dream.)

All in all, Pandora — The World of Avatar is an extraordinary addition to Disney's Animal Kingdom and a must-see for any fan of the movie. Considering how well Avatar did at the box office, I suspect this awesome new park will have no trouble attracting the many visitors it deserves.

Since I was a teenager, it’s been me versus this hair. When I was 16, a boy informed me that I had more hair on my upper lip than he did. (File under, “How to terrorize a teenage girl.”) I was beyond mortified, and since then, it’s been me versus this hair, which delightfully, also exists on my chin. My lip and chin hair has been much more of a source of anxiety than my leg hair, which I haven’t shaved in close to a decade.

What I didn’t realize as a teenager was that many women deal with facial hair, including my grandmother, who would regularly sit at her bedroom mirror extracting her wispy chin hairs. We go to extremes to eradicate hair on our faces, because it’s not what is traditionally considered attractive or feminine, and it can be a deep source of shame.

More: The myths and facts about women shaving their faces

“When someone points it out or touches my face, I freak out,” said L, who’s dealt with facial hair since she was a child. “It’s horrible to feel that something you can’t control is so very distasteful to those around you.”

Bobbe told me that she “goes nuts until [she] can extract [her] enemy. Patrolling facial hairs requires daily vigilance!”

This patrolling often happens in secret. D would wait until her college roommates were done in the bathroom so she could be alone to pluck her chin hairs. “I don’t like my facial hair, and that’s why I take so much time to get rid of it in a way where people usually don’t see me do it. The most important thing for me is to not have to feel the stubble or the related mental anxiety and distraction from it," she said.

Facial hair in women occurs for many reasons, like genetics, hormonal imbalances (such as polycystic ovary syndrome, an endocrine system disorder that includes acne and irregular periods among its symptoms) and side effects from medicine. While you should know the cause of your facial hair, why it’s growing doesn’t make the fact that it exists any less frustrating or alleviate the pressure to do something about it.

“I am tired of the expectation that the only hair a woman should have is on top of her head,” said Danielle Rosen, a content strategist at CIA Medical. “If there is no health concern relating to hair growth, let it be.”

More: Model makes history by being the first "bearded woman" on the runway

It’s hard not to be aware of the myriad of ways to remove hair. In terms of temporary methods, there’s waxing, plucking and applying depilatory creams. According to Rachel Loren Bolber, owner of Micro Me Miami, while you can use these methods until you’re blue in the face, “the source of growth must be analyzed in order to prevent it from getting worse.”

Not all facial hairs are created equal, so Bolber uses dermaplaning to remove vellus hair, the peach fuzz most of us have on our chins and on the sides of our faces, and laser hair removal, which damages hair follicles so hair can’t regrow, to address darker hairs.

While laser hair removal is more long term, it does have an expiration date, says Dr. Robin Evans of Southern Connecticut Dermatology. “I always suggest to my patients that if they are contemplating laser hair removal, they should hurry! It only works on hair that is pigmented, so it’s not effective on blond, gray, red or white hair.” Evans also suggests combining hair-removal methods with a prescription cream such as Vaniqa, which will slow the regrowth of hair so you have to attend to matters less frequently.

If you want to take a more natural route to hair removal, Dr. Kathy Taghipour of Savana Urban Spa in London suggests vitamin B6. “Vitamin B6 can reduce the production of prolactin, a hormone that causes the male hormone testosterone to be taken up by tissues. It also dampens cells’ responsiveness to hormones.” Sources for vitamin B include avocados, fish, soybeans, walnuts, peanuts and bananas.

More: Beauty vlogger makes strong case for shaving your face

Regardless of how or if you decide to remove your facial hair, know this: You aren’t alone, and you don’t have to be ashamed of it. While you’re secretly shaving or covertly plucking your chin hairs behind the closed door of your bathroom, there are other ladies doing it too, and we might even be relieved to talk to you about it.

By Chanel Dubofsky

Originally published on HelloFlo.

They're back!

More: Debra Messing Stands Up for a Woman's Right to Do Whatever She Wants to Her Body

The TV revival that no one can wait for is finally giving us a sneak peek of what's to come — NBC released the first trailer for its 10-episode revival of Will and Grace.

The promo video is short and sweet and does little more than reintroduce us to the iconic characters — Jack, Karen, Will and Grace — whom we would hope no one has forgotten about anyway. But even though it doesn't reveal much by way of details about the Will and Grace revival, the promo video has definitely gotten us even more psyched about tuning in than we were before, and we definitely didn't think that was possible.

More: Debra Messing's Hollywood Horror Story Is Every Woman's Nightmare

Details about the revival are still a little on the scarce side, but here's what we know so far. The revival season will be, initially, one season with 10 episodes. Even though early speculation said it would bypass traditional TV networks and air on a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu, it's actually set to premiere on NBC. The first episode will hit airwaves at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 28.

The reunion season comes after the cast of Will and Grace dropped a 10-minute reunion short just before the presidential election last November. That video got close to 10 million views on YouTube, which was probably just the push producers needed to see how successful a full revival of the beloved show could be.

More: You Can Bet the Will & Grace Revival Will Be Riddled With Social Commentary

After all, it's the 21st century, and if there's one thing we love, it's reviving nostalgic TV shows, amirite?

When we moved across town to be closer to my husband’s work, I was excited to meet our new neighbors. I didn’t expect them to come bearing gifts or casseroles, but I did expect to meet a few parents that we could relate to, hopefully with some kids around the same age as mine. I never expected the welcome we received.

More: My daughter was bullied for being an atheist

On moving day, we packed and loaded and reloaded the moving van — because furniture Tetris. I had just closed the trunk of my car when I got a text from the babysitter, "I just finished work, I can come over anytime! :)" I told her to meet us at the new house and loaded the kids in the car. We pulled into the neighborhood at the same time. We gave her a quick tour of the place and pointed her and the kids toward the playground. They took off and I got to work unloading the van. As I finished up, the babysitter introduced us to one of our neighbors — a mom who had just moved in a few weeks prior with her husband and two sons. She was pregnant with her third child, a girl. After our babysitter left, this sweet woman proceeded to tell me how amazing our babysitter was with the kids (I know!) and how she was so glad that she found her (wait, what?) to be on call for when her new baby came.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

At first, I was understanding. I had experienced life as a babysitter. Kids are kids; a job is a job; money is money. When an opportunity presents itself, you take it. I had worked for families who did early-morning runs, dinner dates, midday shopping trips, probably some afternoon delights. I had no problem babysitting for three different families back to back to back in one day. The paychecks sustained me, but I truly cared for these children. My babysitter was just adding another family to her list, just as I once did. What I couldn’t understand was how my neighbor, who literally could have picked a babysitter off the street — because, hello, she just did — had to take ours.

It took me three years, six months and 17 days to find our first babysitter. My daughter was an incredibly high-needs baby who would scream if I was not holding her constantly. As she approached toddlerhood, I discovered that the source of her discomfort was multiple allergies to foods that had been flooding her system through my breast milk. My second child was born with eczema that he would scratch until it bled if left alone for even just a second. I had resigned myself to constant round-the-clock care for the rest of their childhoods.

Then we attended an event showcasing local summer camps and my daughter took to one of the booth attendants like I have never seen her bond with anyone! The woman casually offered to babysit and I had to keep myself from getting prematurely excited. We had put out ads and crowdsourced for babysitters in the past, and while some have been available and friendly, they had been unable to provide the care that we need. After going over the basics of what babysitting for our family entailed — the extra effort required, plus the extra pay — this incredible person still wanted to babysit. It was a miracle!

More: How to talk to your kids about money

It truly was lifesaving. I was experiencing extreme parental burnout. I hadn’t had a full night’s sleep in years. I was doing my absolute best, but I knew that my kids needed more. I wasn’t playing. I wasn’t fun. I was barely making it through the day, just covering the basics. Our babysitter only came for a few hours, a few days a week, but in those hours, she worked magic. She had a boundless energy and a joyful smile. Her presence gave me a break, but it also gave me a reminder of how to enjoy the days. When she would leave, we would all feel recharged. It helped improve our family dynamic.

Part of the problem with my neighbor stealing “finding” our babysitter, was that I felt that she didn’t deserve her. Especially after learning more about their family. I learned how they felt about our other neighbors from different cultures and countries. I learned how they felt about their son playing with dolls. I learned how they felt about using physical punishment against their children. I learned that everything their parenting stood for was everything I was against. While I tried to suck it up and make sharing work, it was difficult to coordinate schedules with our babysitter. She had a new job and less time. We haven’t had her over in months.

Last week, my daughter was so excited when our babysitter got out of her car! She took off running down the sidewalk at the sight of her. She leapt into her arms and immediately engaged her in play. The babysitter commented on my daughter’s new haircut. My daughter beamed with pride. Then the babysitter gave her one last hug, walked past my daughter, and right into our neighbor’s house to babysit.

More: How to read your kid's body language

My neighbor is moving away this fall, right around the time of my wedding anniversary. My husband and I would really love to go out on a date. Maybe our babysitter will be available.

In New England, nothing screams summer like a lobster roll. Lobster meat lightly dressed with mayo (or clarified butter depending on who you ask — it's highly contentious) slapped into a bun (preferably a buttered hot dog roll) with some lettuce is the stuff that summery dreams are made of. And this summer for a limited time, McDonald's of all places has your seafood cravings covered.

More: That fancy lobster you're splurging on might be an impostor

McDonald's is serving up lobster rolls — yes, containing actual lobster — for just $8.99 in New England and Hawaii. The lobster is reportedly sourced from lobster fisherman on the East coast. It's cooked, frozen and shipped to stores, where they thaw the lobster and prepare the sandwiches.

Now, frozen lobster is fine, but it really can't be compared to succulent fresh lobster. But with a price tag of $8.99, it's a reasonable substitute for the fresh stuff, which usually costs at least $15 a roll.

More: Succulent lobster: How to take the fear out of buying, cooking and serving lobster

If you're craving a few bites of seaside pleasure while trapped on the freeway on your commute, McDonald's is here to answer your call. If you live in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut or Hawaii, you can grab a lobster roll for a limited time this summer. Thanks, McD's!

Daniel Dae Kim, former star of Lost and, most recently, former star of Hawaii Five-O, and co-star Grace Park left the CBS show over equal pay disparities. The public exit from the show came last week, and Kim has finally broken his silence about the disagreements about pay.

More: First look photo: Ingo Rademacher's Hawaii Five-O return date

"I will not be returning to Hawaii Five-0 when production starts next week,” started Kim in a lengthy Facebook post. “Though I made myself available to come back, CBS and I weren't able to agree to terms on a new contract, so I made the difficult choice not to continue.”

Rumors had been flying that the two actors decided to leave over pay inequality within the cast, more specifically between other white co-stars, Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan, who apparently make 10 to 15 percent more than Kim and Park, two well-established Asian American actors. Sources told Variety that CBS was not budging on a final offer, and the two decided to leave the show entirely for their own benefit, and to make a statement about pay inequality in Hollywood.

More: These equal pay numbers are truly shocking and unfair

Both have been with the show since its reboot seven seasons ago, so the decision to leave has not been easy. Although, Kim put his decision very simply and made an important statement about equal pay in the industry.

“As sad as it feels to say goodbye, what I feel most is gratitude. I am so deeply thankful to our crew, writers and everyone associated with the show - and especially the cast, who have been nothing but supportive through this entire process...Though transitions can be difficult, I encourage us all to look beyond the disappointment of this moment to the bigger picture. The path to equality is rarely easy.”

More: What's next for women now that equal pay laws are set to change?

The characters will be released from the show in the premier of Hawaii Five-O’s eighth season, debuting September 29.

Happy f*cking anniversary, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne! The couple celebrated 35 years together on Tuesday, July 4 after being through a lot together - Black Sabbath, three children, their own reality show, and a cancelled divorce.

More: In one harsh tweet, Kelly Osbourne annihilated Ozzy Osbourne's hairdresser mistress

Sharon, cohost of The Talk, posted an adorable Instagram to commemorate the big milestone.

The couple got married in 1982 and have three children, Kelly, 32, Jack, 31, and Aimee, 33. The family went through a rough patch last year when it was revealed that Ozzy was having an affair with his hair stylist, according to sources close to Us Weekly. The couple filed for divorce, but it has since been called off, and the two are still celebrating.

More: Ozzy Osbourne's mistress scandal is turning into one strange love triangle

After the news of the affair had gone public, Sharon revealed that she would be taking her husband back even after he had been unfaithful one morning on The Talk.

“Thirty-five years with someone is a hell of a long time,” started Sharon. “And I think I fell out of love with my husband and then fell back again. Probably, really, just months ago because he was trying so hard to be a better person — desperately trying, working his program, working with his therapist every day and trying so hard. I just had a newfound love and I respected him because he’s seriously trying to be a better person.”

More: 11 little things that can totally transform your relationship

It sounds like every story of infidelity ever. But everyone has a different experience with relationships, and I’m sure Sharon knows what she’s doing. And if the couple is happy and working harder to be better, then all the best to them!

Former E! News correspondent and daughter Kelly also posted a throwback picture of her parents for the big anniversary.

Ke$ha is back! The pop star teased a new album and a single called “Praying” with exciting Instagram posts to make a grid on her account, spelling out “The Beginning” with a dreamy, groovy vibe to the whole thing.

More: Why Kesha deserves more than a judge's ruling in her rape case

Unfortunately, the singer has been out of music for almost five years since she filed a sexual assault lawsuit against her producer, Dr. Luke, that lead to controversial contractual issues, and a lot of heated uprising against the producer. Along with the sexual abuse, Kesha has also claimed that she was emotionally and mentally abused by him during the time they worked together. The legal battle is still relevant, most recently because Dr. Luke filed a defamation suit against Kesha’s mother, Pebe Sebert.

But today, Kesha turned the news back to herself by posting about a new album for the first time in five years. Along with the grid, she posted an Instagram video today with very exciting news.

More: Kesha's lawsuit against Dr. Luke makes some horrific claims

“My new song, ‘Praying,’ is coming out tomorrow. And I couldn’t have done this without you. I fucking love you,” says Kesha.

Most of the posts on her Instagram that lead up to this have come with no captions, giving no real details to the exciting and beautiful pictures she shared. But fans have jumped to the conclusion that Kesha is coming out with a new, full length album. And we can only hope that the whole thing is leading to that!

More: Kesha will never be silenced, and she's made that perfectly clear

Although, what music can we expect from Kesha after everything she’s been through? With a title like “Praying” for the first single, it seems like it will be a much more somber style from the party-girl persona that we’re used to. A change in performance seems fitting though, seeing as Kesha has been through a lot. No matter what kind of music it is, true Kesha fans will be behind her the entire way.

There's no other way to say it: Ticks are gross. They can also be dangerous. They're known to cause a number of health issues, from minor irritation to red meat allergies (what?!) to full-blown joint problems and debilitating neurological conditions. In addition, some tick-borne diseases can be fatal.

Unfortunately for everyone who doesn't want a tick attached to them (that's probably everyone reading this), these little bloodsuckers are going to be pretty widespread this year. Here's what you need to know about ticks, from why there are so many to how to deal if you find one attached to your bod and when to seek treatment if you get sick.

More: Signs of Dehydration You Might Miss

Why will this be the "Summer of the Tick?"

Ticks are hardy little buggers, and to the detriment of us all, they're slowly expanding their geographic range. According to Dr. Nancy Troyano, an entomologist and director of technical education and training for Rentokil Steritech, ticks' normal hangout spots are closer than ever to humans and other hosts, which increases our chances of running into a tick.

Also, the weather may be playing a part. "We have had mild winters with a few extremes and have not had many deep freezes, which would typically control tick populations," she said. Another factor is tick hosts and how their populations are booming, particularly white-footed mice, whose numbers have also been boosted by recent mild winters.

What parts of the U.S. are most affected?

Those of you who live in the Northeast or the upper Midwest: We have bad news. Your local tick populations are going to be really high this summer, and even worse, these areas continue to widen and expand.

Where do you encounter ticks?

Despite what you may have heard, ticks are not usually found in trees and can't pounce or fly, noted Troyano. "Typical habitats for ticks (that most commonly bite humans) include woodland areas, especially along trails and edges of forests," she said. "They are also found in grassy fields or in areas with or surrounded by tall grasses and other vegetation."

How do you avoid ticks?

Of course, keeping ticks off your body in the first place is a good idea. First of all, avoid wooded and brushy areas that feature high grass, weeds and leaf litter. Walk in the center of trails too to keep contact with tick-infested areas at a minimum. Light-colored clothes can help you spot a tick easier than dark threads, and tuck your pants into your socks to keep them from crawling up your legs (eek). Sunny, open areas are best to frolic in, as ticks aren't keen on the sunlight, and keep away from shady areas with low-lying plants and shrubs.

Also, do a full-body inspection after being out in the great outdoors. Since most ticks work their way onto our bodies from the ground up, start with your feet, legs and groin areas. Ticks can also hide in belly buttons, ears, armpits, head hair and just about any nook and cranny you provide, in addition to your front, back, bottom, top and everything in between.

Read More: Is It True Your Allergies Change Every 7 Years?

You have a tick — how do you remove it?

If you've found an attached tick, resist the urge to pluck it off with your fingers. Instead, grab a pair of tweezers or forceps and grasp the tick as close to your skin as possible. Pull straight out, removing its head in the process. Wash and dry your tick bite, and resist the urge to immediately chuck the tick into your garbage. Save the tick instead in a sealed plastic bag or vial in case it needs to be identified if you develop symptoms later down the road.

When should you contact your doctor?

Not every tick bite needs medical attention. However, there are serious illnesses that can arise from a tick bite, so contact your health care provider as soon as possible if you develop symptoms such as a fever, rash or joint pain.

"Symptoms of tick-borne illness typically occur within a few days to a few weeks after a tick bite," said Troyano. Also, a bite from a Lone Star tick can result in a red meat allergy, which can be life-threatening, so if you develop symptoms such as hives, stuffy/runny nose or nausea, seek help, and if you're experiencing a severe allergic reaction (including trouble breathing, facial or tongue swelling or low blood pressure), you'll need immediate medical attention.