It's no secret that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have one hella strong bromance. It's also no secret that there's a third party involved in their ongoing bro affair: their mutual hometown of Boston. The two actors have starred in more than a few Boston-based shows and movies during their careers, The Town, Good Will Hunting, Gone Baby Gone, and The Departed among them.

More: Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck Go on Vacay Together Post-Divorce

So, who better to executive produce an upcoming TV series about Boston than the Hollywood buddies who love it the most? Affleck and Damon are teaming up to work on City on a Hill, a new drama series for Showtime. The series is will be set in the '90s and is based on the Boston miracle, a length of time when not a single Boston teen was killed following more than a decade of heavy gang violence.

More: Ben Affleck Is Moving On and Moving Out

The show will focus on "an African-American District Attorney who comes in from Brooklyn advocating change and the unlikely alliance he forms with a corrupt yet venerated FBI veteran who is invested in maintaining the status quo," according to a release. It's written by Chuck MacLean, a relative newcomer who's also working on the script for the upcoming thriller Boston Strangler. There's a theme here. Gavin O'Connor, known for directing Warrior and The Accountant, is joining Affleck and Damon as a producer.

"Chuck wrote a pressure-cooker of a script steeped in the tribal codes of a Shakespeare play — family, blood, betrayal, honor," O'Connor said in a statement. "His take on the ties that bind is handled with a deep honesty and insight. I see the show as a brawling thriller — and an intimate family drama — played out on the rough streets of Boston."

More: Jennifer Garner Addresses Unauthorized Divorce BS for the Record

Our only disappointment here is that there's no news yet about whether Affleck or Damon will star in the series. We can only hope.

George Clooney has turned into the fiercest dad around.

More: George & Amal Clooney & Twins Jet to Milan on Private Plane

Proving that his twins are not to be messed with, the actor is threatening legal action against a French magazine that published the first paparazzi shots to be taken of the newborns.

Voici published the photos, showing Clooney and his wife, Amal Alamuddin Clooney, holding the twins on their property in Lake Cuomo, Italy. The shots made the magazine's cover, which bragged about having "the very first pictures of the twins in the arms of their parents."

Clooney responded by giving a heated statement to E! News.

"Over the last week photographers from Voici magazine scaled our fence, climbed our tree and illegally took pictures of our infants inside our home," he said. "Make no mistake — the photographers, the agency and the magazine will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The safety of our children demands it."

More: Amal Gave George Clooney a Crazy-Realistic Birthday Cake

A rep for Voici denied that taking photos of the twins put them in any danger, without commenting on whether the photos were obtained while the Clooneys were on their private property.

"George and Amal Clooney have been very public personalities for the last few years," Voici's statement reads. "Their wedding in Venice, in September 2014, was a very mediatic event; the pictures of them smiling to the public were seen all around the world. The birth of their twins, Ella and Alexander, had also been commented a lot, by themselves and their families. The images published in Voici this Friday are a response to a public demand. People love George Clooney and have been following his life story for years now. Those pictures do not put in danger Mr. Clooney, his wife or their kids."

More: George Clooney Sold the Tequila Company He Accidentally Began

Ella and Alexander were born on June 6. Since then, the Clooneys have stayed secluded in Italy. Sources say they're enjoying parenthood and that neither has plans to return to work soon.

In our new series Pregnancy Diaries, we ask expecting women to jot down every pregnancy-related detail of their lives for a week. (Special thanks to New York mag and Refinery29 for the inspo.) Work-related conundrums, struggles with IVF and a whole lot of nausea ahead. This week, we have a 34-year-old film post-producer and first-time mom living in Chelsea with her husband. She was on the pill for eight years and got pregnant within five months of trying. She’s 20 weeks along.

Day 1

7 a.m. — I wake up hungry, like I do every morning. I gulp down a huge glass of water and jump into the shower.

8 a.m. — Eat a quick breakfast of banana bread and a clementine (I usually hate anything in the orange family, but [have] been craving it ever since I got pregnant.) I long for a big, hot, steaming cup of coffee. Man, I miss coffee. Even though my doctor said I can have 12 ounces of caffeine daily, I’m only allowing myself 12 ounces a week. It’s tough.

12 p.m. — Expecting a call from my OB-GYN about the genetic blood test we took last week. Anxious to know if our baby is healthy and also the gender!

12:30 p.m. — OB-GYN calls right on schedule. They tell me everything is OK with the baby and asked if I want to know the gender. Um, yes. Nurse on the line tells me we’re having a girl! I immediately call my husband with the news in tears. We’re over the moon!

3 p.m. — My clients are keeping me busy, so I can only sit to eat lunch now. I packed myself my own lunch today, which is very rare: a large salad loaded with veggies, a peach, a yogurt and a slice of banana bread. I regret not including any protein in my salad. I’ll make up for it at dinner.

8 p.m. — Finally leave work, but leaving at 8 p.m. is normal. I’m so thankful I got my Blue Apron food service shipment for the week so I don’t have to worry about what to make for dinner. My husband has already started dinner prep: roasted chicken with olives and a side of tomato couscous.

9 p.m. — Dinner, done. Dishes, done. Time to try to relax... with some Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Phone rings and it’s work. Damn — I have to get this.

More: 10 Pieces of Pregnancy Advice I’m Glad I Ignored

Day 2

6 a.m. — Alarm rings to remind me to go to the gym. I’m having a hard time waking up, so I hit snooze.

12 p.m. — Some clients of mine are giving me a hard time and want to come in today. Hoping they do so sooner rather than later. I don’t want it to be a late night.

3 p.m. — My clients confirmed they want to come in at 8:30 tonight... great.

6 p.m. — Knowing that I have to stay at work late, I quickly eat my leftover lunch of hummus, falafel and beets. I don’t feel satisfied or that I made a good health choice, but I have to eat something. Who knows when I’ll eat next?

9 p.m. — Clients arrive 30 minutes late. I was right about it being a long night.

5 a.m. — Still. At. Work. Clients won’t leave until they’re satisfied. Ran around the office doing damage control while feeling extremely guilty that Baby Girl is feeling my stress.

"I don’t even make it to bed and pass out on the couch."

Day 3

6 a.m. — Get woken up by a co-worker’s phone call. Can’t get back to sleep.

9 a.m. — Decide to get to work earlier than usual to make sure everything is in order from the night before. Haven’t even had a chance to eat breakfast and I didn’t eat a healthy dinner the night before. I worry that this can’t be good for Baby Girl, and I’m starting to feel stressed out.

6 p.m. — My workday was indeed Stress City. I decide to take my friends up on their offer and meet them for dinner at a Mexican restaurant. It was nice to have some girl time. As they pass a pitcher of margarita, I sip on some raspberry agua fresca.

9 p.m. — I get home and I’m suddenly hit with extreme exhaustion. I don’t even make it to bed and pass out on the couch.

1 a.m. — I wake up from a terrible work-related nightmare and realize I forgot to send an email out today. I take out my computer and start doing some work. Might as well get a head start to my day, right?

"It’s a gorgeous day, so we decide to walk there. It was a nice stroll, but I had to stop three times along the way to pee."

Day 4

9 a.m. — Heard of a sample sale I’ve been dying to go to, so I decide to stop by before heading to work. I told myself not to buy much, but I leave with three pairs of shoes and a bag. Yikes. I convince myself that I deserve these shoes and bag — I’m currently growing a human after all!

12 p.m. — It’s a co-worker’s birthday, so we decide to go out to lunch. I haven’t had a real lunch break in a long time. It was nice not to stress about emails and clients for a little.

3 p.m. — I start to feel snacky. I grab pretzels from the office kitchen, but it’s not holding me over. I make my way to the health food store down the street and buy some tumeric almonds and watermelon.

7 p.m. — I’m super-exhausted and want to get home, so I slip out of the office before anyone notices I’m gone. Once there, my husband is already preparing dinner. He tells me to sit, relax and let him take care of cooking tonight. Damn — how did I get so lucky?

8 p.m. — I get a call from my mom. She’s super-excited about her future granddaughter and is already planning out her monthly visits to New York. I’m wishing she lived closer so that we didn’t have to plan things out like this.

More: The Mom Whose First Birth Experience May Have Scarred Her

Day 5

9 a.m. — I decide to take a PTO day due to my 5 a.m. work night this week. I make plans to meet a friend for lunch.

1 p.m. — We meet up in the West Village. Even though I took a PTO, my phone is blasting with emails and phone calls. I have to excuse myself twice to answer some calls. This is not what a PTO day is supposed to be like.

2 p.m. — My friend looks annoyed by my lack attention, so I offer to treat her to some gelato on the High Line. It’s a gorgeous day, so we decide to walk there. It was a nice stroll, but I had to stop three times along the way to pee.

5 p.m. — The amount of emails coming in are starting to overwhelm me, so I immediately get on my computer when I get home. I get a good two hours of work in.

7 p.m.  — Husband gets home and surprises me with a date night. We try to have as many date nights as we can since we feel like we never see each other due to our work schedules, and it’ll probably get worse once Baby Girl arrives. We enjoy a nice dinner at an Italian restaurant and catch a comedy show.

11 p.m. — When we get home, we’re not the least bit tired, so we squeeze in some episodes of the old HBO show Big Love. We eventually end up passing out on the couch.

"I’ve gained 4 pounds since I first found out I was pregnant back in January. Is that too little? Too much? I take a mental note to Google that later."

Day 6

10 a.m. — I sleep in and immediately head to the kitchen to make my one weekly 12-ounce cup of caffeine. I enjoy it a little too much. I have that with a bagel and almond butter topped with strawberries.

1 p.m. — I’ve been missing my Saturday afternoon Pilates classes, so I’m determined to make the class today. It felt so good.

3 p.m. — The hubs and I have a baby registry appointment, which we’re overly excited about. The registry specialist is super-helpful, but I start feeling overwhelmed. Do we really need a baby wipes warmer? ...No, I think we’ll pass on the baby food blender... I don’t need a cup holder on my stroller, do I?

4 p.m. — While looking at the breast pump and breast pump accessories, I suddenly realize I’ve lost my husband. He shows up 20 minutes later with a Star Wars baby book, saying he just had to buy it for Baby Girl. I can tell he’s super-excited about becoming a dad [so] I’m not as overwhelmed as before.

8 p.m. — After a dinner of tacos per my request, we make it an early night, change into PJs and watch more episodes of Big Love.

Day 7

9 a.m. — I feel ambitious, so I go to the gym again — second day in a row! I haven’t weighed myself since my prenatal appointment 8 weeks ago, so I reluctantly do so after my workout. I’ve gained 4 pounds since I first found out I was pregnant back in January. Is that too little? Too much? I take a mental note to Google that later.

12 p.m. — I’m full of energy, so after a lunch of leftover salmon, brown rice and spinach, I start to clean my apartment from top to bottom. I then squeeze in some work. I always like to prepare for the week ahead.

4 p.m. — The hubs and I just want to spend the rest of the evening vegging out in front of the TV. We choose a movie off Netflix and make popcorn.

8 p.m. — The popcorn fills us up, so we don’t even think about dinner until now. We decide to order in some Thai food and watch another movie.

1 a.m. — I’m having the hardest time falling asleep due to my usual Sunday night work jitters. I’m hoping this coming week is not as bad as the last one. Baby Girl and I can’t handle more stress.

Want to submit your own pregnancy diary? Email pregnancydiaries@stylecaster.com to get started.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Is Mindy Kaling getting a scripted glimpse at what's to come in her future?

More: Mindy Kaling and Senator Cory Booker Are Basically in Love

Just after news broke that Kaling is expecting her first baby, she hit the red carpet at the Television Critics Association summer press tour to promote the final season of her hit Hulu series, The Mindy Project. Talking to reporters alongside her co-star Ike Barinholtz and executive producer Matt Warburton, Kaling revealed some upcoming details about the final episodes of the show, including that her character is going to face some mom-shaming.

"Marriage was a big [goal] for Mindy and now finally has it, and what’s fun about this season is showing the reality of marriage and what lived up to expectations and what didn’t — and then frankly getting disillusioned with it over the course of the season," Kaling shared.

More: We Still Can't Believe Mindy Kaling Got Slut-Shamed by Her Own Brother

Warburton then added some details about a specific plot that involves Modern Family star Julie Bowen, who will appear on The Mindy Project during its final season.

"I think she’s going to learn a little bit more about how to be a good, involved parent," Warburton explained. "We have a really funny episode where Julie Bowen plays a rival mother who thinks that Mindy’s not doing that great of a job."

If there's one thing the internet loves, it's shaming moms, especially celeb moms. Kaling probably won't be immune from it, which makes this storyline even more poignant in light of her baby news.

More: This Planned Parenthood Video May Be the Most Important in Meryl Streep's Career

Now, if only she would tell us who her baby daddy is. As much as we love Mindy Project details, that's what we're really dying to know.

When you’re in a relationship, you probably do what you can to keep it relatively healthy and happy. And of course, unless you're a complete masochist, you'd never do anything to deliberately sabotage it.

But it’s surprisingly easy to fall into bad habits that can slowly suck the life out of your relationship — and those can add up over time. “Relationships typically don't end over one big thing, but rather lots of little things that slowly bleed it to death,” says licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula, author of Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Since little issues don’t seem as important as bigger problems, it’s easy to let them go until they pile up into something toxic that feels too big to change. “In some ways, the bad habits weaken the foundation of a relationship, leave people feeling more vulnerable, less invested, more full of self-doubt and more likely to surrender or less able to collaborate when under stress,” Durvasula says.

We all slip up sometimes, but to avoid unintentionally trashing your relationship, it's important to keep these little bad habits on your radar and do your absolute best not to make them a regular thing.

Being on your phone all the time

Sure, sometimes work stuff can’t wait, but regularly being glued to your phone or checking it when you’re having a conversation with your S.O. sends a subconscious message that they're not your priority. “It can help to either be all present with your partner or let them know that you can talk once you are off your phone,” says licensed marriage and family therapist David Klow, owner of Skylight Counseling Center in Chicago. “Splitting your attention often leaves the other person feeling neglected and less valued.”

Instead, take time to put other distractions aside as much as you can when you’re together, even if it’s for a short time. And if you have to take a call or answer a text during quality-time together, make sure to say something like, “I have to take this, but our time together is really important to me. Please give me a couple of minutes, and then you'll have my full attention.”

Making public jokes at your partner’s expense

You know your S.O.’s insecurities, and the two of you may even laugh about them in private. But doing it in public is an entirely different story, Durvasula says, even if it’s phrased as a joke. So while your partner may think it’s funny when you say their new haircut makes them look like a less cool version of Conan O’Brien, they’re probably going to be hurt when you say it in front of your friends.

More: 3 Women on What Triad Relationships Are Really Like

Keeping score, even in your head

Obviously, you know your history as a couple, and you’ve both inevitably done some things that have ticked each other off. But it’s so important to address that stuff in the moment and then let it go — otherwise, it’s going to make you both miserable. “Counting the rights and wrongs that each person does can cause pettiness and resentment,” Klow says. “Instead of paying attention to the score, it can help to take a longer view and see that over time, the give and take may balance itself out.”

If you find yourself pissed off that your S.O. is taking forever to text you back during the workday, which seems to be a habit lately, it might help to remind yourself of your own texting habits when you were last swamped on the job. The same is true when you feel like you’re always letting them pick the restaurant you go to or having to empty the dishwasher — there was probably a time when they did the same for you. “Perhaps you're giving more this week, month or even year,” Klow says. “Yet if you track the overall course of the relationship, you'll probably find that things are ultimately pretty even and balanced.” 

Being passive-aggressive

You know this is bad. Pretty much everyone on the planet knows this is bad — but it still happens a lot. “This is a relationship killer,” Durvasula says. “This reflects indirect communication and usually a fair amount of unhappiness and challenges with self-esteem and insecurity on the past of the passive-aggressive person.” Basically, it doesn’t make you look good and it only serves to piss off your partner. When you find yourself slipping into passive aggression (it happens), try to take a minute and think about what you really want say, even if it's opening up about something you've been dreading talking about or frustrations you've been letting fester. Doing that instead of resorting to snark or sarcasm will get you so much farther than you think.

Starting fights over text

Text messages leave so much open to interpretation, and when you start an argument over text, you’re just asking for more issues. “Fighting via text is a setup for a mess — all the emojis in the world cannot substitute for the warmth in your eyes, a smile or seriousness when talking to your partner about something frustrating or upsetting,” Durvasula says. If you have a problem and you need to discuss it, ask them to save some time for a one-on-one later. And if it really can’t wait, call them — it’s not ideal, but hearing each other's voices is still way better than a text.

More: 6 Triggers That Can Lead to an Emotional Affair

Criticizing their family

While you probably wouldn’t start railing on your partner's mom out of the blue, family issues can come up. “If they bring it up, then you can reinforce their opinions if you agree, but don't fall into a trap that could come back to bite you,” Durvasula says. Instead, try be diplomatic and keep in mind how you’d feel if they said the same thing about your family.

If you have serious issues with their family's behavior — whether it's how they're treating your partner or you — then approach your S.O. gently and using I-statements so they don't feel attacked. After all, blood ties are some of the strongest ones out there, so even if your partner's normally super-level-headed, he or she might get defensive if they feel their family's being attacked. Let your loved one know that you just wanted to share how their behavior made you feel, citing specific examples, and chances are they'll be much more receptive to the feedback.

You don’t show regular acts of love

Acts of love — those sweet little things you do for your S.O. — are important for letting your partner know they matter to you and that you're just as into them now as you were during the honeymoon phase. These can be bigger things, like taking them to a surprise dinner, or little gestures, like making coffee in the morning when they usually do it. There’s no formula for how often you should do this, but you should definitely try to show acts of love on a daily basis. “This really highlights the critical issue of mindfulness in relationships,” Durvasula says. “If you're mindful, you will do the act of love each day without thinking about it.” But if you can't remember the last time you did something loving for your partner, you'll want to start making up for lost time ASAP (or if you don't want to do these acts of love, it's time to ask yourself why).

There's no denying it's been a wild few days in the world of American politics, from the Senate's attempt to repeal Obamacare to President Donald Trump's tweets about barring trans people from serving in the military.

But even before this week, some celebs were feeling less than optimistic about the political sitch we're in right now.

More: Celebrities Show Support for Transgender Americans Serving in the Military

Maya Rudolph and Sir Patrick Stewart may be busy promoting their new movie, The Emoji Movie, but that didn't stop them from taking some time out of an interview to cast a little light on how they view the USA today. And, uh, guys, it's not great.

After some lighthearted banter about what emojis best describe them, Stewart, Rudolph and co-star Jake T. Austin were asked, "What emoji would you use to describe America right now?"

You knew the answers weren’t going to be rainbows and unicorns when Rudolph immediately grimaced at the question.

More: The Internet's Best Attempts at Defining Donald Trump's #Covfefe

Austin copped out just a little bit, saying, “I would just use the American flag emoji. You know, just to describe the USA.”

Rudolph gave a slightly more involved answer.

"The American flag isn’t enough to explain what’s happening right now," she said. "'Cause there’s some stuff happening that’s really rockin' my faith. So it would have to be a combo platter... and there might be a toilet involved. The anxiety emoji. Anxiety sitting on a toilet.”

Strong words, but after the roller coaster of a week we've had in politics, it's hard to argue with 'em.

More: The Pope Threw Some Major Shade at Donald Trump

Check out what Patrick Stewart had to say — oh, and watch Rudolph hilariously try to explain eyebrow microblading to Stewart, all in the video below.

The Emoji Movie is now in theaters everywhere.

But there is one place where it is totally normal to get acne that people never want to talk about — in the vaginal and vulvar area.

More: 4 Common vaginal problems and how to deal with them quickly

The truth is women who get genital acne have nothing to be ashamed of because it can happen to anyone and has nothing to do with cleanliness.

“Vaginal acne isn’t as common as acne on the face, back, chest and underarms,” Dr. Kyrin Dunston, board-certified OB-GYN at Signature Functional Medicine in Georgia told Prevention. “But it’s not rare, either.”

Just like facial acne, a pimple that appears in the vulvar region is simply an irritated area of skin that is full of pus due to the overactivity of an oil gland. Whether be it from bacteria overgrowth, detergents or hormonal fluctuations, vaginal acne is generally harmless and can be treated just like acne on any other part of the body.

Do not try to pop any pimples near your vagina or on your vulva, as this may lead to further infections. Instead, opt to hold a warm washcloth on the affected areas to decompress the inflammation, particularly in areas where whiteheads can be seen.

More: An Approved List of Things That Can Go in the Vagina (You're Welcome)

Dr. Michele Farber of Schweiger Dermatology recently advised Teen Vogue readers to use medicated body washes with benzoyl peroxide on affected areas, both as a means of treatment and prevention.

In general, trying to keep the vulvar region as clean and dry as possible is helpful for preventing acne down there. This might include changing out of any moist or sweaty clothes (think bathing suits or gym shorts) as soon as possible and making sure to steer clear of products with potentially irritating ingredients, such as harsh sulfates, glycerin, parabens, phthalates, gluten soy or dairy.

If none of the at-home remedies seem to be working to get rid of your acne, it’s time to schedule a visit with a professional.

“The best thing to do is to undergo an exam by your OB-GYN,” advises Dr. Keith Downing, a female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery specialist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. “They should be able to sort out what exactly are the bumps you describe.”

More: Move over, Kegels: Woman says vagina weightlifting is the way to go

A gynecologist will be able to evaluate whether the bumps in the vaginal area are ingrown hairs or the result of an STI or whether they are just stubborn pimples that need a little TLC in order to disappear.

By Shaye DiPasquale

Originally published on HelloFlo.

Parenting is a learn-as-you-go job.

Your heart's in the right place in nearly every decision you make, but that doesn't make you (or anyone else) perfect. For instance, when it comes to giving your child freedom, you don't mean to be overly protective or controlling, but you just may be. Especially if you remember how much you wished your own parents helped you find your way through life. For most of us who grew up in the '70s and '80s, parenting was very hands-off, and in retrospect, we often felt very alone in the world.

Deep down, your goal for your kids is simple. You want to ensure that your child turns out somewhat like you (well... maybe your better parts) and experiences happiness.

There are lots of reasons parents do things that might border on controlling, like helicopter parenting and in extreme cases, slightly manipulative behavior, in order to create an outcome we want rather than what our kids want.

More: 4 Styles of Parenting & How They're Affecting Your Family

But what parent doesn't do what they do out of love?

Here's the thing: You can love and guide your kids without trying to control who they are.

You'll need to accept that sometimes, they're going to be people you didn't plan on them being — and sometimes (especially with teens!) you may not like who they are... at least temporarily.

One helpful source I found for advice on accepting people you love for exactly who they are was in Andrea Miller's fantastic book Radical Acceptance: The Secret to Happy, Lasting Love. While the book is primarily about romantic relationships, the advice works for parents too because it's about finding peace within yourself by no longer attempting to control what others choose to do.

So how do we balance our desire as parents to protect our kids and offer them the best outcome possible — while letting them become the people they were destined to be all on their own?

We asked our YT Experts to help guide parents to share with us why it's important to allow your child to learn on their own, find their own direction and accept their life choices — and why it's so hard to do so.

They provided us with nine amazingly insightful pieces of insight into why kids need to learn from experience and direct their own lives, and how to balance that with loving protection (and a healthy portion of radical acceptance).

1. Experience is the best teacher

• "They have their own path. Sure, they need guidance and help, but they are not mini-mes here to follow in your footsteps or fulfill your own unfulfilled life. Curiosity about who they truly are — and helping them understand how to better themselves — will not only bring you closer, it will help them have more satisfying lives and be more successful at whatever they pursue.
• "They are not little adults. Their brains are developing until mid- to late 20s, and some of the things we desperately wish they would figure out (like delaying gratification, thinking before they act or having empathy and understanding) just take time. And honestly, there is nothing you can do but wait for them to grow up and love and appreciate them along the way.
• "Love never fails. It's all any of us really want, whatever age we are. In X years, do you want to be in close relationship with your children? Then be today and give today the one and only thing we want from every person (and most definitely from the people who raise us): Love. And love means teaching boundaries, sharing our wisdom, being warm and accepting, challenging them sometimes and so much more. In fact, we have to learn what love is ourselves each day."

Ann Betz and Ursula Pottinga are the co-founders of BEabove Leadership. They have devoted their lives to understanding the complexities of love and consciousness, including researching the scientific underpinnings of what makes us human —  and what can help us transform. Sign up for their Seven Levels Human Relationships course for neuroscience-based tools for bringing more love and connection to all your relationships.

2. Learning self-awareness builds confidence

“As parents, the greatest gift we can give our children is a safe space to explore their own brilliant nature and the freedom to follow their heart.

"The No. 1 regret on our deathbeds is not having the courage to live a life true to ourselves and settling instead for a life others expected of us. Palliative care nurse Bronnie Ware shared this insight in her international bestseller the Top 5 Regrets of the Dying.

"Love means giving up what we think will make our child happy or successful by imposing our expectations of what we want and allowing them to choose what speaks to their soul. When you can give this kind of acceptance, the unconditional love you truly desire comes pouring back. It’s your child's soul thanking you for letting their own light shine.”

Carolyn Hidalgo is a spiritual life coach with a vision of living judgment-free for happy, healthy relationships. Pick up her free judgment-free guide at www.carolynhidalgo.com to discover the joy and freedom of living true to yourself in all your relationships.

3. Letting go with love helps them learn how to be happy with who they are

“If you treat your children as an extension of yourself, they will without fail wake up one day and resent you for what they may have missed. Instead, we must allow them to shape their own world by teaching them that they are in charge of the life they are creating.

"When you accept your children for who they truly are, they will still want to be around you when they have flown the nest.

"Our kids are part of a different generation and trying to mold them into what we think is best is a recipe for disaster. We can instill values, lead by example, encourage, challenge and love, but we should not try to control their destiny.”

Gonan Premfors is the co-founder of Gozamm, a child advocate and professional coach. Explore her articles on The Gozamm Voice or learn about her work across the globe at Gozamm.com.

More: The 28 Golden Rules of Divorced Parenting

4. By letting them make mistakes under your guidance, you instill trust

“When parents try to make their kids be someone they’re not, they’re unwittingly telling them that who they are isn’t good enough.

"Although parents often do this out of love, believing they can mold their kids into a more successful adult, they’re crushing their child’s ability to fully explore who they are (along with their child’s natural-born creativity) and are undermining their child’s self-confidence. And these are key ingredients to being successful in life.

"What parents should keep in mind is that success comes in many flavors (much like people), and their kids will find their best version of success only if done their way — based on who they are (and not who their parents want them to be).”

Heather Moulder is a career and life coach who specializes in helping working moms have both a successful career and happy home life (and have real work-life balance) by helping them gain a deep understanding of who they are and what they really want — and design their life around that. If you’re struggling with how to build and maintain a successful career while also having a happy personal life, schedule a free one-hour consultation with Moulder on her website.

5. Testing the truths of life under your protection gives you a chance to teach with depth

“Your child is not trying to push your buttons! More than anything, your child wants to please you and shine in your eyes. With a slight twist of the lens, sincere acceptance and a deep connection that feeds both of you at a soul-satisfying level can be your norm, whether your child is 5 or 25.”

Leeza Steindorf is the award-winning author of Connected Parent, Empowered Child: Five Keys to Raising Happy, Confident, Responsible Kids. She is a life and parenting coach, speaker and transformational trainer. Find out more about Steindorf and get her free webinar Genius of NonJudgment on her website, www.CoreSuccess.com.

6. You & your child are connected, but not enmeshed

“It’s important to recognize the difference between caring for our kids versus trying to fix our kids. Yes, as parents we ought to honor our roles of guiding our kids to help them navigate the ways of the world. Naturally, this will involve certain necessary rules and expectations.

"At the same time, we need to recognize that our kids will have their own interpretations of life, and unless such ideas are causing harm to themselves or others, we need to give our children enough space to experience the world without the filter of parental biases.

"Burdening our children with our own biases before they’ve had the chance to develop their own perspectives inhibits growth. Part of the growth process involves a little failure and pain — if we take these challenges away from our children in an effort to fix them or set them straight the way we want, we keep our kids from understanding and absorbing some of life’s most valuable lessons.”

Nina Cashman is a PCC-credentialed executive leadership and career coach, founder of Pave Your Way and lead trainer for the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. You can follow her blog on YourTango or her visit her website, paveyourway.com.

7. There's always room to grow, so grow together

“Your kids today are as you used to be — before your evolution into who you are now. As human beings, we never arrive because we never stop evolving until we are ready to depart for the next leg of our journey. They too will evolve as you cheer them on, so accept them for who they are so they can evolve into their best selves.”

Rashida Patel is a life and wellness coach and creator of Lifestyle Revisioning. You can follow her on YourTango and her website, Hellth2Wellth.

8. Parents who allow their children to take risks are teaching the gift of unconditional love in real time

"Accepting your children for who they are is a precious gift you give to yourself, your children and the world around them. When we expect our children to fulfill our dreams, we impose limits on the full expression of who they are; yet there can be no greater joy as a parent than watching your child do or create something you would never have dreamed of. Allowing our children to be true to themselves gives them the freedom to express the wonderful uniqueness they have been born to offer to the world."

Sara Mattis is a psychologist, hypnotherapist and energy healer. You can follow her on YourTango or on her website.

More: There's No Such Thing as Parenting the "Right" Way

9. Your child's self-love will deepen, & their love for you will too

“Even though you have their best interests at heart, your efforts to shape your children into who you think they should [be] invalidates their true self. They begin to believe that the core of who they are is wrong, broken or defective, which instills self-doubt and a tendency to defer to the judgments or opinions of others. By accepting them as they are, you are helping them to develop the self-confidence that will allow them to shine.”

Suzanne Meunier is a clinical psychologist and founder of Love Is the Answer. You can follow her blog on YourTango and find her podcast on her website, iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play for Android.

Originally published on YourTango.

By: Alex Redgrave

Whether you're planning a family trip or just headed to the park with friends, games are one of the best ways to beat boredom. Here are six favorites you should always have on hand.

1. The gold deck: Upgrade your poker night with this glitzy deck.

Gold playing card set by Idea International (Horne, $15)

More: These Are the Best (& Booziest) Canned Beverages of Summer

2. Backgammon: The classic travel game goes luxe, designed by a textile designer and hand-printed on FSC-certified Baltic birch.

Curves backgammon set (Wolfum, $130)

3. Monikers: A three-round “say my name” guessing game with charades thrown in for good measure.

Monikers card set (Monikers, $25)

More: Everything You Need to Throw a Chic Summer Soiree

4. Scopa: Not to be mistaken with a chic version of tarot cards, this Italian deck is the lazy gal’s answer to boccie ball.

Italian/Sicilian scopa playing cards (Amazon, $8.49)

5. The Voting Game: Find the player who best describes a question card and really get to know one another. (Best enjoyed several drinks in…) 

The Voting Game (The Voting Game, $25)

More: 12 Beach Coolers That Are Actually Cute

6. Bananagrams: A speedy crossword-off for the whole fam. Extra points for fruit-tastic packaging.

Bananagrams  (Bananagrams, $15) 

This story is part of Domino's 100 Days of Summer package.

Originally published on Domino.

Heading into The Men Tell All on Monday, the only person Bachelor Nation really seems interested in hearing from is Dean. The rest of the guys can really just go jump in a lake. Not interested.

All of the drama this season was honestly just annoying, especially when it came to the Whaboom guy, Lucas. I'm totally fine never hearing from that guy again. And Kenny and Lee dug their own graves.

But what will get Bachelor Nation going during The Men Tell All is questions about what the heck is coming up next on the show. Last week's episode ended on a major cliffhanger between Peter and Rachel. Plus, we didn't even get to see Bryan's fantasy suite date.

More: BIP's Evan Bass & Carly Waddell Have Officially Tied the Knot

Here are the burning questions we have heading into The Men Tell All.

1. Why are there three suitors left?

I'm assuming the finale will start with the end to the Peter drama. Then we'll go into Bryan's overnight, then a rose ceremony where Rachel will send a guy (I'm guessing Eric) home. But then we have the whole finale to get to. Why the heck would producers choose to make it such a muddled episode with three guys left? Does this mean there's a serious curve ball a'comin'? Or is this just clever editing again?

2. Will we even see Bryan's fantasy suite date?

We have to, right? Especially since he's probably, most likely, going to be the winner at the end of all this.

I mean... we all know how it goes down...

3. How is this finale going to play out?

Again, it seems like there's so much that has to happen in the show from now until the proposal that I have no idea how the show is planning on editing all of these details down. I'm back to the curve ball question. This might be the most unconventional finale we've ever seen on the show.

4. Will Dean be the next Bachelor?

Fans have some serious love for this guy and, if Peter isn't looking to get engaged, the job might fall into Dean's lap. Even if Rachel decides to pick fan favorite Peter over Bryan (let's be real, Eric's not gonna win her heart in the end... *sad face*), Bryan doesn't have much Bachelor love right now. It's either going to be Peter or Dean. Will we get some hints?

More: Chris Harrison Is All Smiles (& Beers) in Paradise

5. Will Rachel discuss her need for a ring?

Rachel flat-out tells the guys in the promo for the finale that she wants a ring, which is a problem for Peter, who isn't ready to make that life commitment after only knowing Rachel for six weeks. I can see both sides of the argument here, but in the end, not gonna lie, I end up on Peter's side. An engagement isn't "Hey, let's get to know each other better." It's "Let's plan a wedding." But I do understand Rachel wants the rock to signify a bigger commitment. We know she has a rock, so did Peter cave or did she pick Bryan? Will Rachel try to throw us off her winner?

6. Will DeMario talk BIP?

I'm less interested in DeMario's girlfriend drama and more interested in whether he'll address all the Bachelor in Paradise drama. I mean, the guy was accused of sexual assault and then the accusations were just dropped, just like that. I don't think he's necessarily the best of dudes, but I also don't think anyone deserves false accusations as serious as the charges leveled against DeMario.

7. What will Rachel say to DeMario?

I'm so interested to see Rachel and DeMario come face-to-face — again, not because the drama on the show really interests me but because so much has happened with Bachelor in Paradise.

How can the show not address the elephant in the room?

8. Can Whaboom please just not speak?

Need I say more? I don't want to hear from this guy. At all.

9. Same question, but for Lee

Lee did enough talking on the show. Maybe he could work on his listening skills.

10. Is Kenny embarrassed by the way he acted on the show?

Kenny had a downward spiral into his feud with Lee, and it didn't leave him looking like a guy who handles adversity appropriately. Will he address his meltdown?

More: Bachelor in Paradise Introduces Strict New Drinking Rule

11. What will Rachel have to say to Dean?

She told the guy she was falling in love with him and then sent him packing. How will she justify that decision? Will Dean be understanding? Wait, I take that question back. Of course Dean will be understanding. He's Dean.

What is the biggest question you need answered in The Men Tell All?

True Detective Season 1 knocked television ratings out of the park, but Season 2 left fans with something to be desired. Luckily, it seems that Season 3 is intent on bringing the show back to legendary status because Mahershala Ali will be taking the lead. Yeah, we'd definitely watch him as a kickass detective.

More: Scandalous? True Detective Creator Accused of Plagiarism

Entertainment Weekly reports that, while Season 3 hasn't officially been given the green light just yet, all signs look good, especially since Ali is officially confirmed to star.

During the Television Critics Association’s press tour, HBO President of Programming Casey Bloys explained, "I have read five scripts for a third season. I’m very, very impressed and excited about what I’ve read. I don’t want to give away the storyline, but I really think they’re terrific."

Bloys also explained that the final step before beginning production is to find directors, which the network is currently working on.

More: True Detective Finale: Prepare for the Creepiest Episode Yet

Ali himself is also excitedly sharing the news about Season 3:

Season 1 of True Detective, which starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, was nominated for four Golden Globes in 2015. Season 2, on the other hand, which starred Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams and Vince Vaughn, couldn't maintain audiences' fervor. For a while, HBO hadn't even confirmed if there was going to be a Season 3 of the anthology series at all.

More: True Detective Finally Steps Up Its Game With Its Female Characters

Luckily, True Detective will have another chance to hit it big, and casting Ali seems like a very, very good first step.

Will you tune in to watch Mahershala Ali in Season 3 of True Detective?

The appropriate reaction to news that Mandy Moore is releasing new music? Something like this...

This is the moment we have been waiting for, people!

More: Did Mandy Moore Just Instagram a This Is Us Season 2 Spoiler?

The minute I heard this news thanks to People, a series of images flashed through my mind, and I died a little of happiness.

But best of all...

Don't even try to tell me the Walk to Remember soundtrack doesn't still give you feels! It will forever be feel-worthy.

More: Mandy Moore's Parents Aren't So Sure About Her This Is Us Character

Now that we all have those images tucked into our hearts, we can get down to business here.

Moore confirmed she would be releasing new music in a new interview with People.

"I want to return to music," she explained. "I don’t have a record label, but I have a lot of music written. Next year, I’ve decided I’m putting it out there!"

Um, I don't think a record label is going to be a problem for Moore if she wants one.

The last time Moore put out a record was 2009's Amanda Leigh. But since her pop princess days, Moore has really been focusing on acting. She was in memorable hits like Saved, A Walk to Remember, Because I Said So and, of course, 2017's hit NBC show This Is Us.

"My life has sort of taken unexpected twists and turns professionally and personally," Moore told People, "but overall my journey is the reason I am here today and I feel fulfilled by everything that happened."

More: Mandy Moore & Claire Holt Risked Their Lives for Their New Film

2018 and new Mandy music can't come soon enough!

Since the dawn of men and women staring at their own asses in the mirror, cellulite’s been the target of rampant hatred. And with all the cellulite-reducing creams, potions and devices blasted at us on a daily basis, I’m not surprised that the one thing my body-positive brain has trouble accepting is the group of dimples and dents on my butt and thighs. So when I got the chance to try Cellfina, the only FDA-approved treatment proven to reduce the look of cellulite for at least three years — in a supposedly painless and minimally invasive way — I was all about it, especially since I’ve had exactly zero luck getting rid of my cellulite on my own despite working my way through Kayla Itsines’s insane Bikini Body Guide workout. (For the record, burpees can go to hell.)

More: Surprise: Makeup Wipes Are Actually Really Bad for Your Skin

Full disclosure: Thanks to the wonders of the beauty world, writers and editors often get to test out innovative treatments and procedures at heavily discounted or totally free costs, which is how I was able try Cellfina without totally destroying my bank account. The procedure generally costs anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 — and the results only last up to three years — so if you’re hoping to get rid of your cellulite fast, know that this treatment isn’t a cheap fix. It is, however, a supposedly quick and relatively pain-free fix, or at least that’s what I was told when I attended a big informational event about Cellfina and listened to precisely 1 billion rave reviews from real patients as well as the ins and outs of the treatment from a team of doctors. By the end of the event, I was sold.

But before I could get the procedure, a doctor needed to assess my cellulite situation to see if I was a candidate. Although Cellfina works on all cellulite, it’s only approved for use in certain areas of the body, like the thighs and butt, and its results are best seen in patients whose cellulite isn’t also coupled with excess fat. Otherwise, doctors recommend either losing weight first or coupling Cellfina with other weight-loss treatments like liposuction. But if your cellulite is caused by genetics, hormones or other non-weight-related factors, like mine, then you might just be the perfect candidate. “You can do everything right, including working out and eating healthy, and still have cellulite,” says Dr. Jeremy Brauer, a dermatologist at the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York, which explains why no amount of jump squats has helped me shed my dimples and dents.

It also explains why all of those “magical” drugstore creams and serums are complete crap, because as Brauer explains, genetic cellulite isn’t a superficial surface issue — it’s caused by fat pushing through the tight, fibrous bands beneath your skin to create a puckered, dimpled effect. So Cellfina works by “releasing” the bands (like when you loosen a tight rubber band) through small injections with a needle-size device. Once the fibrous bands are released, the skin bounces back and ideally smooths itself out for at least three years. Sounds easy, right?

Luckily, after a quick consultation, Brauer deemed my butt and thigh dimples (which I’m totally aware are not even that severe, but hey, we all have our hang-ups) as perfect candidates for the procedure, which would only take about an hour from start to finish, including before and after photos, prepping for the procedure and the treatment itself. Normally, I’m completely terrified of needles, and the thought of poking holes in my body truly nauseates me, but after attending an event for Cellfina the previous week and listening to dozens of reviews from real patients raving about the ease and painlessness of the procedure, I figured it was no big deal. But now, three months later, I have no idea what I was thinking.

Everyone’s happy, low-key attitude toward Cellfina at the event gave me this false sense of security; I truly believed I would hop up on the table, get my thighs suction-cupped and be left cellulite-free forever. Basically, I didn’t even entertain the possibility of Cellfina being a real medical procedure with painful or intense side effects, which in hindsight was definitely irresponsible of me. Cellfina actually involves a doctor first numbing the areas with injections of local anesthesia (which for me was by far the most painful part of the procedure) before sliding a micro-blade under the skin and cutting the connective tissue to release the bands. Not exactly a quickie, one-and-done procedure.

Of course, Brauer had warned me to expect some discomfort and bruising during and after the procedure, but I figured I’d walk in and out and move on with my day with only slight soreness. But somewhere between the hospital gown and booties; the super-sterile, serious-looking procedure table; and the four — yes, four — antibiotic pills I was required to swallow before beginning, my anxiety started creeping in, and I realized the magnitude of this treatment. This wasn’t just a few pin pricks or a tiny cupping massage, it was a legitimate medical procedure, and that scared the crap out of me.

Thankfully, Brauer and the nurses were super-calming, and I didn’t have a panic attack on the table, which is a win in my book. After sterilizing the backs of my thighs and butt and injecting the areas with anesthesia (which was probably the most painful thing I have ever voluntarily put myself through), Brauer pulled out Cellfina, a handheld device that looks like a giant magnifying glass with a tiny needle attached to it. Despite being so small, the actual machine emits an extremely loud noise, so Brauer suggested I listen to music to avoid panicking. So I cranked up “Whisky Fever” by Dorothy, closed my eyes and waited for it to all be over.

Surprisingly, the actual procedure took practically no time at all — seriously, I could only get through a few songs before it was done — and was by far the easiest and least painful part of the whole experience. After Brauer finished, a nurse rolled me onto my stomach and after saying, “This part gets weird,” began squeezing out excess anesthesia from my butt and thighs so I wouldn’t leak fluids from my backside all day. Yup. She then taped on sheets of gauze, helped me put on the compression tights I was instructed to bring to keep the swelling down and sent me on my way.

When I got home, I mentally patted myself on the back for getting through the treatment without freaking out too much. And then the anesthesia began to wear off. To call my ass and thighs “tender” wouldn’t do the pain justice — going to the bathroom caused shooting pain across my backside, and it was impossible for me to sit on my butt, even on the couch or on my bed. So for the next 36 hours, I had to strategically lie on my stomach while watching TV and sleeping and avoid moving as much as possible.

Finally, after three full days, I started to feel somewhat normal again. My ass was no longer in pain, though I still had hardcore swelling, which took weeks to go away. And when the swelling did go down, it was instantly replaced with incredibly huge purple bruises that looked like someone had pelted me with a bunch of golf balls at 60 miles per hour, all of which made it impossible for me to tell whether or not the treatment had even worked. I’m now three months post-procedure, and the bruising is almost totally gone, but I still have a few tiny yet visible marks from the incisions and injections as well as a bunch of small, pebble-sized knots caused by my muscles tensing up during the injections, which only recently disappeared. Needless to say, my ass was definitely not smooth or cute during the first few months after Cellfina.

And here is where I tell you that it was all worth it, because my butt and thighs now look like they did when I was 16, and I feel totally happy and secure in my body again. But my results weren’t actually that mind-blowingly amazing (though that’s likely because I didn’t have severe cellulite to begin with). When I’m totally naked, you can hardly notice a difference: My naked ass looks and feels almost the same as it did before treatment. But when I slip on my yoga tights or a pair of white skinny jeans — something I would have never worn before Cellfina — that’s when I notice a huge change. The backs of my legs are now super-smooth and dent-free, and my butt looks smoother, firmer and even a bit perkier. Definitely not what I was expecting from a cellulite-fixing treatment, but, hey, I’ll take the bonus side effects.

But even with the smoother skin, I can’t say that I would go through Cellfina all over again if given the chance. Not because of the treatment itself, but because I realized that emotionally, I’m just not the right candidate for an appearance-altering treatment. Although the treatment really did smooth out my dents, and my experience with Brauer and his team was excellent, I feel like I almost miss the way my body looked before the procedure because it felt like the “real” me in a way. I think I partially hoped that Cellfina would magically “fix” all of my imperfections and give me complete body confidence, which is obviously unrealistic and impossible, though an easy mindset to fall into when you’re getting cosmetic surgery. In the end, though, it’s still you — just a slightly different and maybe smoother you.

Of course, in a perfect world we’d all love our every nook and cranny, but when that love isn’t there — which is totally fine and normal — cosmetic procedures are. Still, if you’re considering going in for a treatment like Cellfina, make sure you understand that it is a legitimate medical procedure that should be taken seriously since it does have side effects, like soreness, tenderness and crazy-looking bruises, and for some people, the results might not even be that noticeable. Plus, the treatment can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000, so definitely chat with your doctor or dermatologist first to decide if Cellfina is really worth it for you. And if it is, my parting piece of advice for you is to schedule the procedure for the winter unless you’re cool with flashing the beach your black-and-blue ass for three months straight.

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Even though most of us don’t look forward to our annual visit with our OB-GYN, we’re all craving assurances that everything down there is working like a fine-tuned machine. Still, the few minutes (at most) that you’re allotted with your gyno each year — that is, once you’re settled out of the stirrups — doesn’t always allow for you to ask every question you might have about your lady bits. So we reached out to top OB-GYNs to find out some of the habits they want us to break for the sake of our sexual and reproductive health.

Slacking on your health

Of course, any doctor is going to expect that you’re on top of your game when it comes your health and well-being — and there’s no exception when it comes to reproductive health.

“A balanced diet, exercise in moderation, adequate sleep and stress reduction all improve one’s general reproductive health and may even improve the chance for pregnancy,” Dr. Alison Zimon, a reproductive endocrinologist and co-medical director at CCRM Boston, says.

Alcohol and smoking also both have a negative health impact. “Alcohol can affect the early development of a baby during pregnancy, and so any woman who is trying to conceive should abstain from alcohol as much as possible to avoid inadvertent exposure of the fetus during early pregnancy.” Smoking is an obvious don’t, whether or not you’re TTC (that is, "trying to conceive"), as it also has been shown to negatively affect developing eggs and is associated with higher chances for miscarriage and infertility,” Zimon explains.

Not filling your doc in on your medical history

Your health records and medical history from doctors you’ve seen previously are very important for any new health care provider to understand. “This allows him or her to fully assess your risk factors and best determine steps in evaluation and treatment,” Zimon says. “For example, sometimes patients will not disclose that they had a prior miscarriage or termination or that they had a prior STD such as chlamydia.” Because all of those situations can be associated with complications, it’s vital that you give your doc a proper update.

Forgoing condoms with new partners

“Condoms are the best way to help prevent sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and HIV infections,” says Dr. Sherry Ross, an OB-GYN and women’s health expert in Santa Monica, California, and author of She-ology. “Using condoms also helps prevent HPV-related diseases such as cervical cancer.” Though they’re not 100 percent effective against all infections, they do give you the best shot at preventing problems.

Douching

Despite what you may have heard or read, douching is a definite don’t, experts say. It might sound like something that will “clean you out” or make you smell better, but the active ingredients used in most douches can actually upset the healthy vaginal discharge and pH balance, creating a yeast or bacterial infection instead, says Ross — and no one wants that.

Taking supplements without consulting your doc

These days, you can take almost anything via an over-the-counter supplement — and you don’t even have to go to a drugstore to get them. In fact, even your corner store might sell a product that claims to be a supplement. But not all supplements are created equal and many are combined with filler ingredients that you’d probably prefer not to swallow. Additionally, many supplements are not safe during preconception and early pregnancy, Zimon adds. Thus, it’s really important to review all medications with your doctor to be sure that the supplements are not associated with risk or harm.

Thinking you can’t get pregnant during your period

News flash: It might be rare, but it’s totally possible “if you have a short interval between each period, meaning you ovulate early in the cycle,” Ross says. “For example, sperm lives for around three days, so if you have sex on day six of your period and ovulate on day nine, you could get pregnant.” Now you know!

By Jenn Sinrich

Originally published on HelloFlo.

We all know that spaghetti and meatballs is a combo for the ages — but that doesn't mean pasta can't be bomb without meat (or dairy, for that matter). Cheesy homemade macaroni and creamy fettuccine noodles can be yours to dive into, even if you're living a plant-based lifestyle.

All it takes is the right arsenal of vegan recipes, and you'll be enjoying a different — but still super-delicious — pasta dish every night of the month.

1. Avocado pasta recipe

Image: Damn Delicious

Avocados are a great source of energy, and their texture lends itself perfectly for creamy sauces, like in this recipe for avocado pasta.

2. Vegan Bolognese recipe

Image: Rachel Cooks

Lentils and quinoa make this recipe for vegan Bolognese a hearty and healthy option, even better when served alongside a mixed-greens salad.

More: How to Use Powdered Peanut Butter — Your New High-Protein Vegan BFF

3. Maitake fettuccine in creamy sauce recipe

Image: Allyson Kramer

Earthy maitake mushrooms make this maitake fettuccine in creamy sauce a delicious dinner idea. If you can't find maitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms work well too.

4. Pan-fried lemony artichokes with asparagus-pistachio pesto pasta recipe

Image: Half Baked Harvest

To make this pan-fried lemony artichokes with asparagus-pistachio pesto pasta vegan, just exclude the Parmesan cheese grated in the pesto.

5. Vegan fettuccine with creamy walnut sauce recipe

Nuts are the perfect element when creating flavorful and creamy sauces for pasta, like this vegan fettuccine with creamy walnut sauce.

6. Pumpkin Alfredo recipe

Image: Allyson Kramer

Pumpkin Alfredo is something we've always wanted to make ourselves. The orange pumpkin color is similar to the comforting cheddar in traditional mac and cheese.

7. Vegan mac and cheese recipe

Sometimes you just need a dose of comfort food, like this vegan mac and cheese with crumb topping.

8. Lasagna with creamy red wine sauce recipe

Image: Allyson Kramer

Serve up a slice of this gorgeous lasagna with creamy red wine sauce, and no one will miss the animal products, such as cheese, cream and meat.

9. Vegan penne alla vodka recipe

Vodka is definitely vegan, so make sure to add a splash, and cook it down to make this luscious vegan penne alla vodka.

10. Creamy mushroom and tofu stroganoff recipe

Another comfort food favorite, this creamy mushroom and tofu stroganoff recipe is great for chilly spring nights.

11. Creamy Mexican mac and cheese recipe

Spice up your Meatless Monday nights with this version of creamy Mexican mac and cheese topped with fresh tomatoes, jalapeños and cilantro. It's the perfect spiced-up meal.

12. Linguine with chipotle-pumpkin cream sauce recipe

The balance between chipotle and pumpkin is one that makes this recipe for linguine with chipotle-pumpkin cream sauce shine.

13. Stuffed shells with cashew ricotta cheese recipe

Learn to make your own vegan cashew ricotta cheese with this recipe for stuffed shells with cashew ricotta cheese.

14. Smoky butternut mac and cheese recipe

Image: Allyson Kramer

We're drooling over this delicious-looking smoky butternut mac and cheese recipe.

Keep reading for tofu soba noodles and more!

Originally published April 2015. Updated July 2017.

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15. Tofu soba noodles recipe

Image: Damn Delicious

Craving a pasta dish with an Asian twist? These tofu soba noodles hit the spot.

16. Cilantro-basil pesto pasta recipe

Image: Vegan Family Recipes

For all the pesto lovers out there, this cilantro-basil pesto pasta is a must-try. You can use the leftover pesto for sandwiches or salads too.

17. Vegan stir-fried udon noodles recipe

This vegan stir-fried udon noodle recipe will remind you of the days you used to sit on the couch and eat all the Chinese food your stomach could hold. Thank goodness this recipe is healthier.

More: 13 Store-Bought Items That Seem Vegan-Friendly, but Aren't

18. Vegan green chili mac 'n' cheese recipe

Image: Minimalist Baker

This vegan green chili mac 'n' cheese is reminiscent of those childhood instant mac 'n' cheese days, just infinitely better.

19. Vegan roasted red pepper pasta recipe

Image: Minimalist Baker

This vegan roasted red pepper pasta is the perfect combination of spicy and sweet.

20. Creamy cashew potato and pasta recipe

Image: Mind Body Green

This creamy cashew potato and pasta salad has all the nutrition and flavors you need.

21. Vegan pasta primavera recipe

Try this healthy, vegan spin on a classic pasta primavera for a quick, flavorful dinner dish.

22. Ginger-coconut green linguine recipe

Image: Produce on Parade

This ginger-coconut green linguine is sweet but has a hint of ginger spice.

23. Garlicky white bean pasta with kale pesto recipe

The white bean sauce in this garlicky white bean pasta with kale pesto is a healthy alternative to the ordinary Alfredo sauce.

24. Grecian Kalamata pasta recipe

Image: Produce on Parade

This Grecian Kalamata pasta dish has its own unique Greek flair. It's filling and perfect for dinner.

25. Vegan lemon-asparagus pasta recipe

Image: Minimalist Baker

This vegan lemon-asparagus pasta recipe is a quick fix for a weeknight dinner filled with vegetables and flavors.

26. Vegan caprese baked pasta recipe

Image: Edible Perspective

This vegan caprese baked pasta is filled with different textures and flavors that will just make you want to have more.

On the next... Arrested Development: The cast returns to the penthouse set for Season 5.

More: Welcome Back, Arrested Development!

Finally! In a tweet from Jason Bateman, aka the responsible child, Michael Bluth, there is official evidence that production for Arrested Development Season 5 is underway. Fans have been waiting for this day since the long-awaited Season 4 came out in 2013.

That furniture is a beautiful reminder that the Bluths have unfinished business, and apparently, it’s in the form of a murder mystery. Since Bateman’s tweet on Sunday, there have been plenty of responses that give more clues about the upcoming season. One of them is from the Nerdist blog, headlined, “Arrested Development Season 5 Will Be a Murder Mystery.”

More: Arrested Development's Tobias Fünke's Audition Reel

And, even better, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bateman said, “The central spine of that story is the death of Liza Minnelli’s character, and a bit of whodunit... That’s sort of a central thread around which [Mitch Hurwitz] is going to braid in all the colorful plot complications that he knows how to do.”

But one response that really has fans worried for the new season was from Will Arnett, aka idiot brother Gob Bluth.

Hopefully this is just a joke, because Arrested Development without Gob would be like Friends without Joey, and who wants a bunch of responsible smarty-pants characters running around?

More: Bluth-Approved Arrested Development Recipes

However, I will say that we’re lucky to still have the show at all, with or without Gob. Unlike Liza Minnelli’s character, Lucille 2, Arrested Development was brought back from the dead by Netflix in 2012, a deal that keeps fans hopeful that other beloved canceled shows can be revived. After only three seasons with Fox, the under-appreciated show became a canceled cult classic, and Netflix was brave enough and smart enough to snatch it up and put out a fourth season. And now the love continues!

There's no word yet on a release date for Season 5, but production will be roaring soon.

Everyone hold onto your crowns, because there’s possibly a Princess Diaries 3 in the works.

More: Anne Hathaway might be cast as Barbie next

Entertainment Weekly recently spoke with Meg Cabot, the author behind the Princess Diaries book series, in honor of the 16 years since Disney graced us with the first film, starring Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis, and Queen Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse Renaldi. Girls and boys everywhere resonated with the movie and wished the life of Mia could be their own.

So after two movies and an intensely popular 16 years, what does the successful author think about a part three? “Who knows?” Cabot started. “It could happen, as we say…”

More: Julie Andrews on her new show, Julie's Greenroom

EW followed up with questions of plot and continuing where the former-Princess Mia, now-Queen Mia left off. “I am not allowed to say,” said Cabot. “I would love to sit and talk about it, but I can’t. I’m not allowed. But it’s really more following the movie than the books, so if she - the last version I read, she definitely did not find out that she has a biracial younger sister… which I personally would’ve thought was hilarious, but that was not the direction they were going.”

There’s some good news and bad news to dissect from this little chat. Good news is that there are talks about any plot at all, and that talk sounds like near-future talk. Bad news is that the films still won’t stick to what happens in the books. This is normal for most adapted films, but precious things should stay precious.

More:  50 classic movies every kid should see by age 10

Unfortunately, the director for the first two movies, Garry Marshall, passed away June 2016, so any talk about a third installment has slowed down. But Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway have continued the discussion to put forth the third movie in his honor. “I think we might do it in honor of him,” Andrews told BuzzFeed. “Annie had an idea that she wanted to pursue about it, and I’m all for it, so if she’d like to…”

All good signs point to a third Princess Diaries, so be on the lookout, and thank you for being here today...

As a small child, I remember attending other children’s birthday parties at our local roller rink or McDonald’s and thinking, “Eww, I don’t want to eat that cake that some other kid essentially just spit on.” Turns out, I was onto something: Blowing out candles on a birthday cake can increase levels of bacteria by 1,400 percent.

Researchers from Clemson University in South Carolina just published a study looking at exactly what happens when someone takes a deep breath and huffs and puffs all over a cake. What I love about their methodology, though, is that before blowing all over a fake cake — a frosting-covered, cake-shaped piece of Styrofoam — the team ate some pizza to truly replicate the conditions of a birthday party. After that, they tested the frosting and compared bacteria levels with another frosted Styrofoam “cake” that did not have candles blown out on it. They found that the post-candle-blow cakes had 15 times more bacteria than the others.

More: Why I'm Planning to Give Birth Without an Audience

Of course, not all bacteria are harmful, but if the birthday person does happen to be sick, you might want to opt out of the cake.

More: Don't Ignore These 8 Signs That Your Baby Might Be Sick

Also, it wasn’t part of the study, but based on my own experience attending many, many children’s birthday parties, a lot of younger kids haven’t mastered the technique of blowing air through their lips without picking up some spit along the way. In fact, the cuter (read: younger) the birthday person is, the more chance there is for there to be saliva all over that cake.

More: What Changed About Exercise After Giving Birth

But there are clearly ways around this. There’s no need for the birthday person to spit on the whole cake: Why not just cut it first, plop a candle on one piece, and have them blow that out? Or, take a lesson from parents who may have forgotten to buy birthday-specific candles, and have your child blow out one of the regular candles you keep around your house for when the electricity goes out? What can I say? A candle’s a candle, and your kid will either get over it or write about it publicly 25 years later.

Relax, you guys.

Ryan Reynolds — funny Twitter dad extraordinaire — is not actually dropping off his baby girls at Burning Man or burying them in the sand overnight.

According to People, Blake Lively, actress and amused wife of Reynolds, says her husband "may as well work for the Enquirer" when it comes to the hilarious scenarios he tweets about their two daughters, James, 2, and Ines, 10 months.

More: Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds Have the Cutest Family Ever

Lively talked with Glamour (she's the September cover star) and took the opportunity to reassure any mildly concerned fans.

“When he says ‘my daughter,’ he’s never, ever talking about her. Everything is a completely made-up scenario," she said. "He’ll run them by me sometimes just to make me laugh. But oh, I’m so in love with him when he writes that stuff. I mean, I’m in love with him most of the time, but especially with that.”

More: Proof Ryan Reynolds Is the Funniest Dad on Twitter

Lively says as irreverent as her husband may seem on Twitter, he's dead serious behind the scenes when it comes to raising their daughters with intention. He cares deeply about the language they use as parents — in a way that Lively says has opened her eyes.

More: WTF Was Ryan Reynolds Thinking With His Birth Playlist for Blake Lively?

“I’m lucky to have someone who is so conscious. My husband was like, ‘Why do I always say he?’ And I said, ‘That’s what we’re taught.’ So he’ll pick up, like a caterpillar, and instead of saying, ‘What’s his name?’ he’ll say, ‘What’s her name?’” said Lively.

Lively also said the word "bossy" has been blacklisted at their house, for good reason:

"We’ve joked that my daughter is bossy. But my husband said, ‘I don’t ever want to use that word again. You’ve never heard a man called bossy.’ …. There would never be any negative connotation for a man being a boss, so to add a negative connotation on a woman being bossy? It’s belittling. And it doesn’t encourage them to be a boss. So do I know how to be the best parent for a daughter? No, I have no idea. All I can do is share what I’m thinking — and learn from others.”

We can't help but love this parenting duo. James and Ines, you scored big with these two.

By: Anna Kocharian

Planters take greenery from vibrant home accents to modern, stylish accessories that make any space look more thoughtful and polished. Ahead, check out our top 11 favorites to shop on Etsy now.

Outdoor 16-inch spun planter

Only the best for your favorite potted greens, right? Yield never ceases to impress us with their knack for transforming the utilitarian into the must-have accent pieces of the season. These extra-large powder-coated planters are no exception. (Yield Design Co./Etsy, $280)

More: We Found the Coolest Indoor Planters, & They're All Under $100

Orange air plant pot

Decked with one of our current favorite shades, this geometrically inspired planter boasts quite the cheery pop of color. (Wood Inspire Shop/Etsy, $21.95)

Black metal hanging planter

Impart your space with a two-tone accent that'll instantly establish an envy-worthy scene. This black metal hanging planter embodies an air of effortless cool thanks to its streamlined composition and delicate mix of contrasting elements. (iheartnorwegianwood/Etsy, $69)

Desert modern planter

Simplicity is the name of the game here, and this ceramic planter is taking the lead. With a white oak base and a delicate blush surround, this desert-inspired piece was made for the modern space. (East Pine/Etsy, $65)

Avocado-Sriracha bagel planter

We're swooning over the playful details of these one-of-a-kind handmade planters. Outfitted with cult-classic favorites (avocados and Sriracha? Yes, please) these planters are about as statement-worthy as it gets. (Hello Happy Plants/Etsy, $50)

Pink speckled planter

Featuring a dual-toned matte exterior, this mod ceramic planter comes with a delicately speckled accent and an inspired blush hue that's just in line with current trends. (Maevo Studio/Etsy, $54.22)

More: A Historic Cotton Mill Converts Into a Plant-Filled Dream Loft

Copper & concrete planter

A versatile planter that can function both indoors and out is key. Outfitted with an ultra-chic copper base, this cement planter is highly durable and even large enough to fit that new fiddle-leaf fig tree of yours. (Etta and Odie/Etsy, $100)

Band white hanging planter

Composed of handmade and wheel-thrown stoneware, this two-toned planter will look best perched in the corner of a cozy reading nook. (MudToLife/Etsy, $35)

Stripe planter cozy

Sometimes your go-to planter just needs a mini-facelift in lieu of a total overhaul. Enter this monochrome striped planter cozy, which is both hand-pressed and sewn, to give your pots an instant revamp. (POPBYTS/Etsy, $18.50)

Ceramic planter, blue & black

Consider this a style-focused solution for the bland planter that came with the purchase of your potted greens. Featuring a geometric layering of a complementary slew of hues, this mini-ceramic vessel boasts an angular shape and a speckled stoneware composition. (Kristen Saksa Juen/Etsy, $38)

More: These Succulent Centerpieces Are the Ultimate Alternative to Wedding Florals

Striped planter

These mini beauties were made for a mod tabletop display. Composed of porcelain and decked with a handful of delicate stripes, these vessels are ideal for everything from succulents to air plants. (Wapa/Etsy, $36)

Originally published on Domino.