Updated Aug. 15, 2017, 8:35 a.m. PT: After four hours of deliberating, a jury unanimously awarded Taylor Swift $1 in her groping trial, saying that DJ David Mueller did sexually assault her four years ago.

Swift's victory may be monetarily symbolic, but it's a win for all women who have been victims of sexual assault. In a statement, Swift acknowledged the privilege that allowed her to pursue justice and promised to help other women do the same.

"I acknowledge the privilege that I benefit from in life, in society and in my ability to shoulder the enormous cost of defending myself in a trial like this," she said. "My hope is to help those whose voices should also be heard. Therefore, I will be making donations in the near future to multiple organizations that help sexual assault victims defend themselves."

Meanwhile, Mueller has been speaking out about the trial too, still insisting he is innocent.

On Good Morning America, Mueller maintained that he never groped Swift and offered to take a polygraph test. Last week, Mueller's lawsuit against Swift for wrongful termination and lost wages was thrown out by a judge for lack of evidence.

Original story:

Taylor Swift is no stranger to making empowering statements, but she is using an unconventional method to send a message this week: a lawsuit. As part of her countersuit against a Denver radio host Swift alleges inappropriately touched her in 2013, the pop star is seeking a symbolic $1.

The alleged incident occurred during a concert meet-and-greet during which the host, David Mueller, reportedly lifted Swift's skirt and groped her. After Swift came forward about the incident, Mueller was fired from his job at the country music station despite coming forward with his own version of events.

In response, Mueller filed a lawsuit against the singer, saying that she fabricated the story — he is seeking $3 million in damages.

More: Taylor Swift Is Expected to Testify in Her Sexual Assault Case Today

For her part, Swift has never backed down from her story, filing her countersuit to "make an example out of him on behalf of her young fans," according to Refinery29. Thus, she is asking for only $1 as a gesture of her commitment to seeing justice done.

According to court testimony today, Swift — who was 23 years old at the time — posed for a photo when the alleged groping occurred. Immediately after the photo, she yelled to her team, "Dude, that guy just grabbed my ass."

TMZ released the photo in question last year, which shows Mueller with his hand below waist level behind Swift.

More: Taylor Swift Returns to the Dating Scene With a New British Boyfriend

Also damning, in July, a judge sanctioned Mueller based on some particularly questionable behavior following the incident. Per multiple sources, before the radio host was fired from his job, he destroyed "multiple electronic devices," including "a cellular phone, laptop, iPad, and computer."

Those devices in particular were said to possibly contain a lengthy recording with his boss, Robert Call, during which Mueller reportedly discussed changes to his story. Mueller and his legal team claimed the wrecked electronics were the result of an accident (coffee spill!), but U.S. District Judge William Martínez found the actions suspicious enough to warrant the sanction.

More: Katy Perry's Doing a Lot of Apologizing, Even to Taylor Swift

"He made the decision — inexplicably, in the court's view — to alter the original evidence and to present his lawyer with only 'clips' hand-picked from the underlying evidence," Martínez said.

Mueller may be intent on making his case, but Swift is sending a powerful message with her symbolic suit... and it isn't going unnoticed. The pop star's young fans lined up outside the courtroom as early as 4 a.m. to try to secure the 32 seats in the court gallery and offer their support.

ICYMI, the first total solar eclipse in the U.S. since 1979 is set to take over the sky on Aug. 21. In fact, it's the first total solar eclipse in U.S. history, which will cross from coast to coast and be visible only in America. To paraphrase the immortal words of Ron Burgundy, it's kind of a big deal.

Naturally, you probably have a lot of questions about this rare celestial event, so we've compiled everything you need to know about the solar eclipse. Because, really, who wants to waste valuable time scouring multiple sources on the internet for answers? Let's be honest. We all need that time to track down the legit, won't-burn-your-eyeballs-out solar eclipse glasses we should have ordered a month ago.

Keep reading to get all the pertinent details, including why this is happening and how you can join the millions of other American safely watching this highly anticipated spectacle.

1. Why is the solar eclipse even occurring?

Well, here's a fun fact: Total solar eclipses are basically great big cosmic coincidences! In order for one to occur, the moon must be the right size to block out the sun in its entirety. Fortunately for us, our moon is. Then the sun, moon and Earth essentially have to synchronize so they are in a straight (or nearly straight) line with the moon positioned between the sun and Earth. For this to occur and be visible here in America, the moon must be in its new moon phase, which puts it in prime position.

2. What can we expect during the 2017 solar eclipse?

The short answer here is that the moon will totally block out the sun. The long answer is that this total eclipse of the sun will leave parts of states in the path of totality in sudden and complete darkness for around two-and-a-half minutes. While the moon moves in front of the sun, you will see a ring of light around the moon called a corona.

3. Where will it be visible?

Good news: Pretty much everywhere in the continental U.S.! Every single U.S. state will see some portion of the sun engulfed by the moon, with the Lower 48 seeing the sun at least 55 percent blocked. However, the 14 states in the path of totality will experience complete darkness. So while the upside is anyone in America can view the eclipse, where you are will determine how much of the eclipse you will see. The eclipse will start near Salem, Oregon, and move along diagonally across the country until it hits South Carolina's coast. You can plug in your zip code to determine your percentage here, but below is a general outline of what the eclipse will look like across the U.S.

4. When was the last total solar eclipse in the U.S.?

The last time a total solar eclipse was visible anywhere in America was on Feb. 26, 1979 — yep, as in roughly four decades ago. The path of that eclipse differed greatly from the one before us, though, starting in Washington state and traveling east as far as North Dakota before popping up into Canada. The closest our country has come to an eclipse like the one it will experience on Aug. 21 was the very year we declared our independence: 1776. That eclipse was likewise only visible over the U.S. However, it did not cross coast to coast.

5. When is the next total solar eclipse in the U.S.?

Happily, we won't have to wait another 40 years to enjoy our next total solar eclipse. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible in the U.S. in states from Texas to New England. If you want to be in an optimal viewing area for that eclipse, plan a trip to Austin, Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland or Buffalo — all big American cities situated in the path of totality. And if you happen to reside in southern Illinois, southeastern Missouri, or western Kentucky, well, you can sit tight. These areas of the country are in the path of totality for both the 2017 and 2024 solar eclipses.

6. Why is this one so rare?

Not only has it been a hot minute since the U.S. experienced a total solar eclipse — and even longer since we've experienced one that was only visible in America — but this marks the first time in our history a visible-only-to-us eclipse has passed from coast to coast. Hooray for everyone in the continental U.S. being able to enjoy such a rare and special celestial gift!

7. Moment of truth: How do I not burn my eyeballs out?

Suffice it to say you need safety glasses to view the solar eclipse without causing any retinal damage. Seriously, don't take this lightly. Do not view an eclipse without glasses specifically made for this very occasion. You can check out NASA's recommendations for glasses here, and be careful, because there are a lot of fake eclipse glasses out there so make sure you only buy a pair of authentic, AAS-approved glasses.

You have to love a weather forecast that includes sunny skies — and a partial eclipse of the weather map caused by a pregnant belly.

More: 7 Things You Can Do to Send Your Kid Back to School With Confidence

Meteorologist Ginger Zee of Good Morning America delighted fans and co-workers by announcing that she is expecting a second child — and a baby bump that may interfere with the weather map.

"This is the breaking news part. There's a lesser-known visual phenomenon that's about to happen on our maps only for the next five months," she started, piquing the audience's curiosity. Highlighting the southwest and southeast portions of the U.S. map, she continued, "These areas are going to have a shadow from my belly... because I'm pregnant."

More: Our Back-to-School Survey Results Are Pretty Fascinating

Not surprisingly, the entire GMA audience cheered. Because baby news, people! So much better than high-pressure storm systems and heat waves.

Her co-hosts were obviously just as thrilled by the news that Zee and husband Ben Aaron are going to be parents the second time around.

"Another baby! Another boy," Zee said, adding that her new son is set to arrive in February 2018.

Zee was relaxed and happy during the big reveal.

More: 10 Reasons Prepping for Back-to-School Is Like a Horror Flick

"I feel good… five months left — [my belly is] gonna get big," she said. "That's why I had to tell everybody because it's already happening."

Zee also shared the news on social media (like ya do!) with a very sweet picture of her firstborn son, Adrian — born in 2015 — holding an ultrasound printout of his future little brother.

"Adrian already asking to hold his little brother," she wrote on Instagram. "New baby boy coming February 2018!"

Now that's a reliable forecast.

Finally!

Mindy Kaling decided we'd all waited long enough to get the scoop on her pregnancy, which is good, because maybe we'll finally get a little sleep. The not knowing was killing us, Mindy!

The Mindy Project star spoke with Willie Geist for a Sunday Today interview — which will air on Sunday, Sept. 10 — and in the preview, she reveals just how thrilled she is to become a mother for the first time.

More: Mindy Kaling's Baby Daddy Mystery Won't Die Down on Twitter

“It’s so unknown to me,” Kaling said. "I have a lot of control over a lot of aspects of my life, and this is one where I’m like, ‘OK, it’s out of my hands,’ which is kind of a fun feeling."

Geist asked Kaling what kind of parent she expected to be — and Kaling answered in her trademark comic fashion.

“It’s so easy to criticize parenting until you’re a parent," she said, "so one of the nice things about becoming a parent is that I’ll be able to openly criticize other parenting because I will have a child."

More: 10 Reasons Prepping for Back to School Is a Real-Life Horror Flick

Kaling told Geist that her late mother (Swati Roysircar) couldn't have been a better role model for her.

"My mom was incredibly fierce and so devoted to us, just loved us and really wanted us to be happy no matter what we did,” Kaling said. “My career choice was not something that she was familiar with and she was just so supportive of that. And if I could give that to my child, just that open-mindedness, I’d be so happy.”

More: Florida County Bans Homework, & Parents Cheer

The question, of course, on everyone's mind is: Who is the father of her baby? Kaling has declined to share this info — which means for now, at least half of all Twitter traffic will continue to be, "Who's the daddy, Mindy?" memes. (OK, we can work with that. We are suckers for a good meme.)

The Office alum did say this: "I’m not cavalier about who I would have a kid with. But the thing I ask every parent that I really admire, the one comment they all have is that they wish they had kids earlier.” 

What is with all these sneaky celebs holding out on us and having babies when we're not looking?

Seriously, quit it, you guys. We live for baby news. (Have you seen the real news lately? Ugh.) That means you too, Josh Hartnett and Tamsin Egerton. Stinkers.

The notoriously private pair is reported to have welcomed a second child according to the Daily Mail. The family — now a foursome! — was seen out and about shopping in Hampstead, London, on Monday.

More: Florida County Bans Homework, & Parents Cheer

Hartnett and Egerton (Hartnett's longtime partner and co-star in The Lovers) have never publicly shared the name of their firstborn — a daughter, almost 2.

The couple did attend Vanity Fair's 2017 Oscars after-party, where Egerton's baby bump was apparent despite her low-key black dress.

On June 7, Egerton was mighty pregnant at a party held for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, which she attended with Hartnett. She poked fun at her "mega bump" on Instagram the day after.

More: Good Morning America's Ginger Zee Announces Pregnancy During Weather Report

Hartnett did say a little bit about fatherhood on Good Morning Britain last May.

"It changes everything. What can you say?" Hartnett said. "The rubber finally meets the road and everything you have done beforehand is just preamble. You're actually living your life for the first time because everything matters a bit more, doesn't it?"

He added, "For me, it's not just about who I'm potentially working with," when asked on the show about what roles he might take on in the future. "I just want to take that opportunity and I want to live as much of a full life as I can because I'm taking care of my daughter and thinking about her."

More: Gwen Stefani Throws Harry Potter-Themed Party for Son Zuma's Birthday

Hartnett also spoke on Live about what it means to him to be a dad.

"I mean, your ego melts away when you have a new kid. Your heart kind of leaves your body, and you give it permission to walk around with someone else for a while," he said. "It’s really terrifying, but it’s beautiful. I love it more than anything. I wish I would have started it earlier. But I’m so glad that she is the one I’m raising."

Aw. We can't even be mad that you guys forgot to send us a birth announcement. Twice.

It's been quite a week so far in the wake of the horrific events that happened in Charlottesville, Virginia, over the weekend of August 12. Those events have the country divided, and celebrities and their followers are no different.

More: Jennifer Lawrence Calls Paparazzo a 'F***ing Loser' After Inappropriate Run-In

Jennifer Lawrence is the latest in a string of celebrities to speak out, calling, like so many others, for the people who attended the "Unite the Right" rally to be publicly identified by the photos of them marching with torches.

"These are the faces of hate. Look closely and post anyone you find. You can't hide with the internet you pathetic cowards!" Lawrence wrote.

More: Jennifer Lawrence Was On Board When Both of Her Private Plane's Engines Failed

Unsurprisingly, her words divided the internet since they were posted. You wouldn't think calling out literal Nazis would be a thing we need to argue about, but welcome to America in 2017. Some of the top comments on Lawrence's post are harsh criticism of her post.

"Jennifer Lawrence calling for people's private lives to be invaded because of their personal beliefs (no matter how vile) is ironic," reads one comment with nearly 4,000 likes. "The vast majority of celebrities are the faces of stupidity & hate toward conservatives," another commenter wrote, garnering hundreds of likes. Other comments called Lawrence an "idiot" or "snowflake" and asked her to "stick to making shitty movies" rather than saying anything political.

More: Shonda Rhimes & Lin-Manuel Miranda Are Getting Stars on the Walk of Fame

Granted, Lawrence's decision to post calling the marchers "pathetic cowards" probably wasn't the best way to start a productive conversation. But one person is on the right side of history here, and it's not anyone who was marching for the alt-right in Charlottesville, nor is it any of the marchers' supporters.; it's Lawrence.

Summer is almost over, but there's still some prime Moscow mule sippin' time left. Actually, part of the reason we love Moscow mules so much is the fact that you can pretty much drink them year-round. They're super-refreshing when it's hot, but also keep you warm in the fall and winter when things get chilly. In essence, they're nature's perfect cocktail.

We've got the step-by-step guide on how to make a traditional Moscow mule, as well as seven more not-so-traditional variations. Because who hasn't had a hankering for a Moscow mule Jell-O shot, right?

1. Moscow mule

The trick to making a great Moscow mule is using ginger beer, not ginger ale, which is much sweeter and lacks the spicy ginger kick of ginger beer.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 ounces vodka
• 4-6 ounces ginger beer
• Plenty of ice

Directions:

1. Mix all the ingredients together, pour over ice and serve in a copper mug if possible.

2. Skinny mule

This is the slender, aromatic sister to the original. Omitting the ginger beer cuts out the sugar, and adding fresh ginger provides flavor as well as a host of health benefits.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Lime wedges
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• Soda water
• Ice

Directions:

1. Peel and grate the fresh ginger. Muddle with the lime juice and 1-3 wedges of lime.
2. Stir in the vodka and serve over ice.
3. Top off with sparkling water. Garnish with lime.

Adding fresh berries boosts the existing flavors and creates a beautiful color. I like to cut back on the ginger beer to allow the berries to really shine through.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Fresh berries (about 4-6 per drink)
• 2 ounces vodka
• 3 ounces ginger beer
• Soda water
• Ice

Directions:

1. Muddle the berries with the lime juice. (I used blackberries and raspberries, but I've also made this with strawberries and blueberries; just use whatever you've got on hand or whichever fruits seem the ripest.) The berries should break down quickly as you muddle them creating a syrup-like texture.
2. Add the ginger beer and vodka.
3. Pour over ice and top off with sparkling water.

4. Spicy mule

I used about 3-4 slices of jalapeño per cocktail, but I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy food so feel free to adjust the heat level to your liking.

Ingredients:

• Jalapeño pepper (1 makes about 6 drinks)
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 4 ounces ginger beer
• 1/2 ounce orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau)
• 2 ounces vodka
• Ice

Directions:

1. Thinly slice the jalapeno and muddle a few slices with the lime juice and orange liqueur.
2. Stir in the vodka and ginger beer. Serve over ice.

5. Long Island mule

Inspired by the Long Island iced tea, this mule packs a punch. It is definitely strong, but it's surprisingly light and delicious.

Ingredients:

Directions:

6. Lavender mule

This drink is sophisticated and whimsical at the same time. I love the combination of lavender, lemon and elderflower; it's floral, fragrant and delightful! Remember to use culinary lavender or you'll wind up with something that tastes more like soap than food. You can find lavender syrup in some specialty markets, but making your own is really easy.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce elderflower syrup
• 2 ounces ginger beer
• Lavender syrup
• Lavender ice cubes (optional)

For the lavender syrup

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender

Directions:

For the lavender syrup

1. Combine the sugar and dried food-grade lavender in a heat-proof bowl.
2. Pour boiling water over the sugar and lavender, and stir for a few seconds until the sugar is dissolved. Let the lavender steep for 10-15 minutes.
3. Strain the lavender out and let the syrup come to room temperature, then refrigerate.

For the lavender ice cubes

For the cocktail

1. Combine all the ingredients, stir and serve over lavender ice cubes.

7. Citrus mule

The combination of juices creates a tart and refreshing drink; feel free to switch in other types of citrus like blood oranges, clementines or Meyer lemons depending on the season.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 ounce orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or Triple Sec)
• 2 ounces ginger beer
• 2 ounces vodka
• Ice
• Mint for garnish

Directions:

1. Stir together all the ingredients, serve over ice and garnish with grapefruit and mint.

More: Channel Your Inner Don Draper With This Old-Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

8. Moscow mule Jell-O shots

Here's one more way of enjoying Moscow mules: a grown-up Jell-O shot. I made these for a party six months ago and I'm still getting requests for them. Get the recipe here.

Originally published May 2015. Updated August 2017.

Oprah and her partner, Stedman Graham, have been together for more than 30 years and they've never tied the knot. Wild, right? Sure, rumors have swirled around them, with various outlets suggesting they finally took the matrimony plunge at some point or another, but as we all know, every single one of those rumors has turned out to be false. Instead, she and Graham have opted for a more progressive approach with their long-term partnership, proving to us all that marriage is not the end-all, be-all for a happy-ever-after.

More: Jamie Foxx Credits an Intervention by Oprah for Saving His Career

Interestingly, though, Oprah is revealing in a new interview with Vogue that she and Graham actually did talk marriage back in the '90s. "Nobody believes it, but it’s true. The only time I brought it up was when I said to Stedman, ‘What would have happened if we had actually gotten married?’" she remembered. "And the answer is: 'We wouldn’t be together.'"

More: Oprah Winfrey Reveals Why She Never Wanted Kids, Is a Total Queen

She continued, "We would not have stayed together because marriage requires a different way of being in this world. His interpretation of what it means to be a husband and what it would mean for me to be a wife would have been pretty traditional, and I would not have been able to fit into that."

There's clearly not just one way to make a relationship work; relationships, like snowflakes, are comes in a variety of styles. It's interesting to see this more honest and raw side of Oprah, who is continuing to be our unofficial life guru and inspiration by telling us all how she's made her own relationship work over the years.

More: Why Oprah's Involvement With the Henrietta Lacks Movie Was Destiny

It seems a little counter-intuitive that Graham's view of Oprah would change so drastically just because they made their relationship legally official, but hey, it's clearly worked for them.

For a lot of us, Disney princesses were everything when we were little. We looked up to them, watched their movies obsessively and took every opportunity we could to dress up and make-believe their world was ours.

Nowadays, we're probably more likely to look to real royals for a little inspo, be it for fashion (thanks, Kate Middleton!) or more serious matters (when Prince Harry spoke out about mental health, we wanted to cheer) — but that doesn't mean we can't still work a little Disney magic into our lives. These princess quotes will seriously brighten your day, and provide a little motivation and inspiration, to boot.

1. Elsa: Frozen

More: 16 Majorly Inspirational Quotes to Get You Through a Tough Day

2. Tiana: The Princess and the Frog

3. Belle: Beauty and the Beast

4. Cinderella: Cinderella

5. Princess Merida: Brave

6. Snow White: Snow White

7. Pocahontas: Pocahontas

8. Rapunzel: Tangled

More: Disney Announces Plans to Launch Its Own Streaming Service & Ditch Netflix Deal

9. Aurora: Sleeping Beauty

Originally published January 2015. Updated August 2017.

If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you’ve most likely heard about the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States. And if you haven’t, you better listen up.

Opioids are a class of drugs that affect the brain’s pleasure center. They are used in the form of prescribed pills, such as Vicodin, OxyContin or Percocet, or in the form of illegal drugs, such as heroin.

Our central nervous system produces opioids naturally in the form of endorphins, which we know as our “feel-good hormones.” They work to reduce pain, relieve stress and slow our breathing. However, our body does not produce enough of these hormones to eliminate chronic pain, which is why prescription opioids began to gain popularity beginning in the early 20th century.

When used for a set period of time with a specific purpose, like recovery from a surgery or throughout cancer treatments, opioids are extremely effective. That being said, given their accessible nature, those seeking the euphoric, pain-relieving effects of opioids can get dangerously hooked. In 2015, the number of deaths linked to prescription and illicit opioid overdoses climbed to 33,091.

More: I Didn’t Know I Was Addicted to an Opioid Until I Tried to Get off It

Last week, President Donald Trump informally declared the opioid crisis a national emergency. While he (hopefully) designs his plan to combat the epidemic, you can do your part by understanding the crisis and providing aid in the event of an overdose.

How does an opioid overdose occur?

“Simply put, an opioid overdose occurs when someone who is not used to taking opioids — or has not used strong opioids — takes a larger dose than their body can handle,” said certified addiction medicine physician Dr. Natan Schleider of The New York House Call Physicians group.

He explained that this often occurs when individuals (either intentionally or unknowingly) ingest opioids mixed with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that’s way stronger than heroin — try 50 times more potent.

What symptoms does a person experiencing an overdose exhibit?

According to behavioral addiction therapist Scott Dehorty, LCSW-C of , the three main symptoms you should be looking for are pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression and decreased consciousness.

Other symptoms include:

• Nausea or vomiting

• Heart rate becoming fast and labored, then stopping

• Limp body

• Change in skin tone, especially around the lips and fingertips (blue/purple for fairer skin types and gray/ashen on darker skin types)

• Choking or snoring sounds

More: There’s Been an Alarming Increase in Children Ingesting Opioids

What should I do if I encounter someone who is overdosing?

As a responder, there are time-sensitive actions that you need to confidently make, especially since communication with the overdosing individual will be limited — even if they are conscious and breathing.

“If they are an addict, they may not readily admit that they have taken opioids since they actually feel good, even though their life is at risk,” Schleider told SheKnows. “They may not be willing or able to volunteer the drug they took nor know that the drug they took was laced with a stronger opioid than they thought.”

With that in mind, here are the essential steps that any responder needs to take:

1. Visually assess the situation for possible symptoms (above).

2. Check to see if the individual is breathing. If they are not breathing or if their breathing is shallow, call 911 immediately. If you know CPR, begin to support the individual’s breathing as you wait for emergency personnel.

3. Check for responsiveness. Call out the individual’s name or shout something that would grab their attention (ex: “I’m going to call the police!”). If you don't get a response, try to wake them by causing pain by pinching their skin or digging your knuckles into their sternum.

4. If the individual is still unresponsive and you are properly trained and equipped, it is time to use naloxone, an emergency resuscitation medication.

5. Continue to monitor the situation until emergency responders arrive on the scene. Gather as much information from or about the individual as possible as you wait.

Wait — how does naloxone work?

Naloxone works by blocking the body’s opioid receptors. Available in the form of both injectable liquid and nasal spray, this drug allows someone experiencing an overdose to regain their breath. While laws vary from state to state, naloxone can often be prescribed by a doctor, might be available over the counter at a pharmacy or might even be given out to community members free of charge.

To learn how to properly administer this drug, there are free training resources available for all potential first responders. However, it is important to recognize that emergency medications are only temporary solutions.

More: Discovering My Mom’s Opioid Addiction Made Our Relationship Stronger

“In the midst of an overdose, the lifesaving benefits of naloxone cannot be argued,” said Dehorty. “It really can bring someone back to life, but the goal is to keep them alive. There needs to be prevention, education, treatment and aftercare to really impact the epidemic we are facing.” 

That being said, if you or anyone you know is struggling with an opioid addiction, there are a wide variety of treatment resources available, including medications and behavioral therapies. We can all play a part in ending the opioid epidemic.

Here's a nightmare scenario: You're out and about in the UK, minding your own business, and suddenly Prince William or Prince Harry or Kate Middleton or even freaking Queen Elizabeth comes walking down the street. And here's the kicker: You don't have your cell phone so you can't get a selfie with them. What do you do?!

More: Source Claims the Queen Plans to Crown William & Kate King & Queen

Here's what you don't do: get an autograph. As it turns out, there's an official rule that forbids certain members of the royal family from giving autographs to fans. It may sound like kind of a buzzkill, but there's actually a super legitimate reason for the rule: They want to try to prevent the risk of people forging royal signatures. According to The Express, the rule applies to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Prince William and Dutches of Cambridge the former Kate Middleton.

More: Prince George & Princess Charlotte Steal the Show on Royal Trip to Poland

Apparently, if you ask Charles for his autograph, he'll give you a straight answer, saying, "Sorry, they don’t allow me to do that." But there are exceptions to the rule — in 2010, he broke protocol by giving an autograph to a victim of a devastating flood. I guess the palace figures people aren't willing to go to such lengths as losing everything they own in a flood just to get their hands on a royal signature for forgery reasons.

More: Prince George & Princess Charlotte's Cutest Moments From Their Summer European Tour

Your best bet for a royal memento should you ever encounter a member of the family is to definitely have your phone on you, because rumor has it that Kate and Harry both love taking selfies with their fans. And in the age of the camera phone, who even collects autographs anymore?

On the same day that Taylor Swift won her symbolic $1 countersuit against the former radio host who allegedly groped her, another iconic American blonde took the conversation on sexual assault in a completely different direction.

In an interview with Marie Claire published yesterday, Paris Hilton slammed the women who accused Donald Trump of sexual assault as attention-seekers, and made her disregard for women’s bodily autonomy quite clear.

More: Why It Matters That Taylor Swift Showed Up to Her Groping Trial

When Marie Claire's writer asked Hilton about the infamous “grab them by the pussy” remark made by the now-President in 2005 (and unearthed in 2016 just before the election), she was dismissive of the comment, saying "I've heard guys say the craziest things ever, because I'm always around guys, and I listen to them speak.”

Hilton's casual response completely disregards the damaging effects of statements such as Trump's. Using her logic, being male automatically comes with a degree of ownership of women's bodies and gives men the right to “say the craziest things ever” — including but not limited to, “I view you as an inanimate object solely existing for my own benefit and pleasure.” 

More: Reminder: Vagina Is Not a Dirty Word

By any account, that would have been plenty misogyny-boosting for one interview, but Hilton wasn’t done.

When asked about the women who allege that the president sexually assaulted them, Hilton said: "I think that they are just trying to get attention and get fame.” And that’s just the part Marie Claire included in the published version of the interview.

This morning, Irin Carmon, the journalist who wrote the article, tweeted the extended version of her exchange with Hilton, noting that the contents was more than could fit in the print version of the story. The longer interview also includes the gem: “I feel like, a lot of people, when something happens all these opportunities will come out. They want to get money or get paid to not say anything or get a settlement when nothing really happened. So I don’t believe any of that.”

Over and over again, we've seen women who accuse famous and powerful men of sexual misconduct being routinely discredited, from those who testified against Bill Cosby to Casey Affleck’s former colleagues who sued him for verbal, physical and sexual harassment. Coming forward as a survivor of sexual assault is hard enough without having to first prove you were the victim of an attack, followed by defending your intentions – squashing rumors that you’re in it for all the fame and fortune that supposedly come with the humiliation of being on the receiving end of a sex crime.

And in case you need a reminder, men who have been accused of sexual misconduct have gone on to win Oscars and, of course, the Presidency. They’re doing just fine. There’s no need for Hilton to come to their defense and add to the already prevalent belief that women – apparently lacking other hobbies – fabricate sexual assault claims for fun and as a method of career advancement.

More: Can Mexico City Subway's "Penis Seat" Help End Sexual Assault on Public Transit?

And yet, Hilton said that she identifies as a feminist.

“I just feel it’s about women’s empowerment and girl power, and I’m very into that,” she told Marie Claire, in what came across as a half-hearted attempt at a Spice Girls audition 20 years too late.

Paris: People who have been sexually assaulted have a hard enough time being believed and not discredited without people like you – especially one who claims to be a feminist – attacking them, too. Just stick with the perfume, thanks.

By Mia Von Scha

We tend to think of parenting as a happy endeavor. Even though research tells us that in most countries, people with kids are less happy than those without, we know that we have the one-up on those childless couples because we are fulfilled!

But what if parenting isn’t fulfilling for you? Or what if that fulfillment isn’t enough? What if becoming a parent was the worst decision you ever made?

Now, we all have moments when we wonder what our lives would have been like if we’d made different choices — and that goes for all sorts of choices, not just childbearing ones.

For some people, though, this isn’t just an occasional fantasy. For some people, daily life with children is a living nightmare.

If you’re someone who loves parenting, be careful not to judge these folk too quickly. Every parenting journey is different and comes with its own set of challenges, and it can make some regret having kids.

Perhaps, you have some easygoing kids and have never considered the mom who is up at all hours of the night with an autistic teen who attacks her both physically and verbally.

Perhaps you would feel differently if you were parenting a terminally ill child or if you were parenting with an alcoholic or if you, yourself, had an illness that made it near impossible to live up to all the tasks and requirements of being the go-to person for a little human being.

We really don’t know what we’re getting into until it is too late.

When facing a seemingly unbearable circumstance, there are only every three viable options.

1. Leaving

Sometimes, a child is better raised by somebody else. This might mean that you leave entirely and the child is raised by the other parent or adopted. Or it may mean that you don’t leave altogether, but just spend less time with your kids.

Parenting can be outsourced, and this is often a better option than having a parent begrudgingly raising kids and not really present for them. Use the time to reignite your passion. Find something to do that truly fulfills you and just parent part time.

When you give yourself permission to go and do something that truly inspires you, it often makes you a better parent in the long run. If you feed your soul for a large portion of the day, you will find that interacting with your kids at the day's end can become more bearable or possibly even enjoyable.

2. Changing

You may not be able to cure your child’s autism or terminal illness or your partner's alcoholism, but there may be aspects of the situation that can change. Find out what specifically triggers your feelings of dread and see if there is something that you can do about those.

When we think of the situation in its entirety, it may seem hopeless, but if we break it down into its constituent parts, then there might be small things that can make small moments better… and many small moments of joy added up can make a huge difference.

See where you can delegate, what you can outsource and if there are better systems that can be implemented. If you can’t see the forest for the trees, get a life coach or a friend or your partner to help you brainstorm what can change and how to implement it.

3. Accepting

If you’re not going to leave and there is nothing you can change, then your only choice is acceptance. Our suffering doesn’t come from the situation itself, but from our thoughts about the situation, therefore the first step to acceptance is to examine your thoughts.

Question every thought as it arises. See if you can rephrase things so they don’t sound so dire. Try telling a different story about your parenting journey. For everything you hate about it, find 10 things to be grateful for.

When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at will change. Our minds are designed to filter the world according to our expectations. If you believe having kids was a terrible decision, then you will filter your life to prove that it is, in fact, that bad.

Weeding out and questioning that belief can go a long way to making your reality more pleasant.

If you’ve spent the better part of your parenting years believing that you made a mistake in having kids, please know that you are not alone. It’s a tough journey even for those who love it and live for it, and nobody knows the unique challenges you face.

Acceptance begins with acceptance of yourself — as you are now with your "negative" thoughts and emotions, with your desire for things to be different. Start with where you are, and then slowly see if there is some way for you to leave, for things to change or for you to find peace in what is knowing that nothing lasts forever.

Originally published on YourTango.

Y'all, Chipotle is the bomb, and we can eat us some sofritas all day long — and we're not the only ones. Sometimes we show up at our local franchise only to find the line snakes out the door and into the parking lot. While it's true that a big ol' sofritas bowl is worth the wait, sometimes we just can't deal, which is why it's so clutch that we can whip up a homemade version of Chipotle's vegan protein option right in our own kitchen.

This copycat sofritas burrito bowl only takes a few ingredients to make. It's a super-easy — but very flavorful — way to make a delicious meat-free dinner.

More: 26 So-Good Vegan Pasta Recipes You'll Make on Repeat

I like to use firm or extra-firm tofu in this dish, as it crumbles really nicely. To roast the poblanos, I just pop them into the oven at 400 degrees F until they start to blacken. This gives this dish so much flavor. I also tend to add lots of spice to my dishes since I like the heat. If you don't want your recipe to turn out super spicy, then just add a small amount of the spices, and adjust according to your taste.

While I opted to serve these "bowl" style, you can use Sofritas to make them into actual burritos or even serve them up with fluffy scrambled eggs.

Copycat Chipotle Sofritas recipe

Adapted from Pinch of Yum

This meat-free dish is made Mexican by using tofu simmered in a spicy poblano-chipotle sauce and is served over rice with veggies and fresh toppings.

Serves 4

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes | Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Sofritas

• 1 poblano pepper, roasted
• 3 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 tablespoons adobo sauce left over from the chipotle peppers
• 2 garlic cloves
• 3/4 cup fresh or store-bought salsa
• 1 tablespoon agave
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil or canola oil
• 1 block extra-firm tofu, crumbled
• 1 cup fresh or canned corn

For the burrito bowls

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup diced tomato
• 1/4 cup diced red onion (optional)
• Homemade or fresh salsa
• Sour cream and fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for garnish

Directions:

1. To a blender or food processor, add all the ingredients for the Sofritas except for the oil, tofu and corn. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth, and then set it aside.
2. Heat a large, nonstick pan over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of avocado or canola oil to the pan, then add in the crumbled tofu and the corn.
3. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the tofu begins to brown.
4. Once the tofu has browned, add the spicy sauce, and cover the pan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, and then remove it from the heat.
5. To assemble the burrito bowls, divide the cooked rice among 4 bowls.
6. Top each bowl with the Sofritas mixture, and then add desired toppings, such as diced tomatoes, red onions and salsa.
7. Garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges, and serve warm

Originally published March 2015. Updated August 2017.

OK, friends. I have some news that you may want to sit down for. Are you sitting? OK.

Hot on the heels of last year’s news that you can now have your wedding at Taco Bell, lucky newlyweds can now create a bridal or baby registry at everyone's favorite store, Costco.

Yes, it's true.

I'm kind of surprised this didn't already exist. I mean, Costco is the home of a giant selection of everything we’d ever want or need, so why shouldn’t we register there?

More: This Hack Lets You Shop at Costco Without a Membership (or Pants)

The process is simple. Visit the Costco registry sign-up page to choose your type of registry and manage your list. You can include everything from furniture to appliances to perhaps even mass quantities of your favorite canned goods. However, if you are not a Costco member, you won’t get as full a selection of items as those who are. Maybe you should also be registering for a Costco membership while you are at it.

Costco lists a Vitamix mixer and a popcorn machine as top registry picks, but that’s not all. There’s also everything from jewelry to diapers. The service is free, and you do not need to be a Costco member to start a list, but you will, as we said, need to be a member to get your full selection of options.

More: Costco's Finally Caught On to the Delivery Trend — & We're Into It

For those of us who aren’t getting married anytime soon, you can also register for graduations or other special occasions. Perhaps we’ll put our birthday wish list on there!

It looks like Aaron Rodgers is officially dating again, if sightings of the NFL player dining out with soccer player Marie Margolius are any indication. And, hey, it's apparently no sweat off of ex Olivia Munn's back — a source told Us Weekly that "Olivia couldn't care less about Aaron dating someone new."

On Sunday, Aug. 13, Rodgers and Margolius were spotted on NYC's Upper East Side heading into The East Pole restaurant around 10 p.m. Sources say the 33-year-old Green Bay Packers quarterback appeared at ease, albeit reserved.

More: Olivia Munn Quit Aaron Rodgers Cold Turkey

"When they walked in, they asked for a quiet, private booth. His arm wasn't around her, but it was stretched out on top of the booth behind her," an insider reportedly told Us Weekly. "He wore his hat tilted very low, and Marie did most of the talking to staff. They seemed pretty comfortable with each other."

Prior to Rodgers stepping out with Margolius, of course, he dated Munn for three years before the couple went their separate ways in the spring of this year. The relationship wasn't without controversy, as sources often cited it as the reason for Rodgers' rift with his family.

More: Olivia Munn Boycotts Typical Superhero Roles, Becoming Our Superhero IRL

The family drama became public fodder last summer on JoJo Fletcher's season of The Bachelorette, which famously included Aaron's younger brother Jordan (who, for the record, went on to win Fletcher's heart). Since that time in the spotlight, the family has remained largely mum about the rift, although reports claim the family never trusted Munn's motives for being with the NFL'er.

If the Us Weekly source is right, though, and Munn truly "couldn't care less" about Rodgers' dating life, well, it looks like everyone could simply be moving on.

More: 9 Gloriously Strange Reasons We Love Olivia Munn

Did you realize Jennifer Lawrence turned 27 this week? Proving that she only gets better with time like a fine wine, the Hunger Games star celebrated by launching a charitable campaign. And, speaking of wine, she wants to drink a ton of it and talk politics — possibly with you.

That's right; Lawrence is looking for someone to join her in partaking of two favorite pastimes. It's all part of a new partnership with Omaze, an online fundraising platform that rewards people for supporting charitable causes by offering them once-in-a-lifetime experiences and super-cool swag.

More: Jennifer Lawrence Gives New Meaning to 'Bleeding Heart' in Bizarre Movie Poster

Where Lawrence is concerned, that means flying one lucky winner and an arguably even luckier friend out to California to join the actress in wine country. The lucky pair will be put up in a 4-star hotel, and they will "picnic among the vines and play lawn games at the vineyard" with J-Law.

The campaign will benefit Represent.Us (for which Lawrence is a board member), a grassroots campaign aimed at united people across the political spectrum. The ultimate goal? To pass anticorruption laws and fix broken elections.

More: Jennifer Lawrence Is Keeping Her Relationship on the DL, but We See Them

"We can't continue this divide and anger," Lawrence said in Vogue's September issue. "There are issues affecting us as human beings, not as liberals and not as Republicans . . . we have to protect the foundation of this country, and acceptance."

The larger the donation made to the campaign, the more you stand to win — two wine charms, two wine tumblers and a "We Run This" t-shirt are among the potential swag.

As part of the official launch of her campaign, Lawrence debuted a LOL-inducing PSA-style video in which she tries to tell the difference between reviews of her movies and wine reviews.

More: Jennifer Lawrence Was On Board When Both of Her Private Plane's Engines Failed

If you still need incentive to watch the video and/or donate to Lawrence's campaign, which ends in 42 days FYI, mull over what a weekend hanging out in wine country with J-Law might look like. Hey, we'll make it easier for you. Here's Lawrence's personal pitch: 

"You want to help stop political corruption in America and drink a ton of wine? Well, you've come to the right video," the actress says. "I'm here to give you and a friend a chance to come wine tasting with me in California to benefit Represent.Us. It'll be great. We'll hang out, drink some wine, talk politics, drink wine, maybe we'll call your ex, maybe we'll call my ex — who knows? The point is, we'll have fun."

Uh, where do we sign up? (Hint: HERE.)

Still trying to put your patchwork heart back together following the death of McDreamy on Grey's Anatomy last year? Us too, friends... us, too. But here's some happy news that might help facilitate the recovery process — Patrick Dempsey is returning to TV.

Excuse us while we swoon so hard you can practically hear it.

More: Not Gonna Lie, Meredith Should Mention Derek in Every Grey's Anatomy Episode

In the time since Dempsey's Dr. Derek Shepherd character was killed off on the hit ABC medi-drama, fans have moved from anger to denial to abject grief and back again. They've lashed out at showrunner Shonda Rhimes and lamented all over social media.

Well, let the healing begin, because MGM Television just announced that a new series is in the works starring none other than the 51-year-old actor we all fell in love with when he was roaming the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

More: Praise Shonda! A Steamy New Grey's Anatomy Spinoff Is Coming to ABC

Slated to premiere on the Epix premium cable network, the show will be based on Joël Dicker's best-selling novel, The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair — which follows the murder indictment of an author after a young girl's deceased body is found buried on his property.

Dempsey, as it turns out, has landed the role of the title character. According to ET, Damon Wayans Jr., Virginia Madsen and Ben Schetzer will also star. While an official premiere date has yet to be released for the show, production is already underway in Montreal, Canada.

More: Grey's Anatomy Season 14 Will Feature a Blast from the Past

In other good, Dempsey-related news, the actor also has a slew of other roles in various stages of production. Currently in pre-production are two movies: 2017's Berlin, I Love You, and 2018's The Postcard Killings. The TV series Micronesian Blues has been announced for 2017, as has the 2018 film Disenchanted.

Yep, we'd say the year is starting to look up, wouldn't you?

Six months after ex Tarek filed, Christina El Moussa has finally (and officially) submitted divorce documents. Although the former couple still co-hosts HGTV's hit series Flip or Flop, their personal lives have remained largely separate since their split last year. So, now that a bit of time has passed, how did Christina respond to Tarek's request for spousal support?

Well, let's just say she's playing this one tit for tat.

In court documents obtained by People, Christina cites a classic reason for the couple's demise: "irreconcilable differences." As for Tarek's request for spousal support, Christina asked that the court terminate his request — while she requested spousal support from him.

More: The El Moussas Are Sending Mixed Signals About the Future of Flip or Flop

The 34-year-old property flipper also asked that Tarek, 35, be held responsible for all legal costs incurred as part of the divorce proceedings.

She is furthermore seeking joint legal and physical custody of their 6-year-old daughter Taylor and nearly two-year-old son Brayden. In an interview earlier in the year with People, Tarek revealed he and Christina are already sharing custody "pretty much 50-50."

More: Tarek El Moussa's Reportedly Dating a 'Mystery Blonde,' but We Know Who She Is

Although Tarek mostly keeps his dating life on the DL, Christina has since seemingly moved on. Most recently, she's been linked romantically to businessman Doug Spedding, whose own children are close in age to Christina and Tarek's.

And while the HGTV co-hosts' split hasn't been without drama, they're doing a pretty great job of keeping things copacetic for their kids.

More: Has Christina El Moussa Hooked Up With Tarek Since Their Split?

"We're getting through this by staying great friends and being the best parents possible. Divorced couples who fight their whole lives really mess up their kids," Tarek said. "We had a talk and said, 'We still want the kids to understand we're a unit — that we're still a family even if we're not together.'"

After all the controversy surrounding the alleged Corinne Olympios-DeMario Jackson scandal, Bachelor in Paradise has failed us all by not properly addressing what actually happened when the show shut down production and began investigating sexual assault claims.

More: Bachelor in Paradise Introduces Strict New Drinking Rule

Instead, they did what the Bachelor franchise does. They gave us a lot of teases, a ton of buildup, promises of answers and then failed to deliver. Instead, the show focused on saving their own asses and getting the cast to agree that ABC isn't liable before continuing the show.

And now they're teasing sit-down interviews with Olympios and Jackson, which will apparently actually clear up all the drama.

"...we did do one-on-one sit-downs with Chris Harrison that will air the following week with both Corinne and DeMario where they talk about what happened," ABC reality chief Robert Mills explained to The Hollywood Reporter. "The footage you will see in those first two episodes will correspond with what they are saying. You will definitely see first-hand what happened that first day, and then you’ll see Corinne and DeMario’s explanation and thinking of how they felt everything happened and how everything happened during the investigation and afterwards."

The letdown on tonight's episode was so crushing and disappointing, in fact, that many fans are now convinced the entire scandal was simply an elaborate publicity stunt to garner ratings for the new season.

More: Corinne Olympios Will Not Be Returning to This Season of BIP

Twitter was not impressed.

I hope for the sake of assault victims everywhere that the show wouldn't stoop to such low levels in order to get viewers. But, well, I have seen UnREAL.

More: DeMario Jackson Defends Corinne Olympios in His Account of the BIP Incident

Do you think the Jackson-Olympios sexual assault accusations were all just a publicity stunt?