When it comes to being financially secure, having a decent salary is only one part of the puzzle. There’s also your savings accounts, your emergency fund, and — *gulp* — your retirement plan. For most people, retirement comes in the form of a 401(k) and that tax-break money is invested through the employer to grow slowly over time.

But how much should you be putting toward your 401(k)? What if you want to get more involved in investing to save for other priorities like college for your kids or additional income? We talked to Jenn Imbeault, VP financial consultant at Fidelity Investments, and Rita Silvan, editor-in-chief at Golden Girl Finance, about their best tips for women looking to invest.

1. Think in percentages

Allocate about 50 percent of your income to living expenses, says Imbeault. Fifteen percent of your take-home income — and that can be including employer 401(k) matches — should go toward retirement. Five percent should go toward emergency savings. If you still have enough money to live the lifestyle you enjoy and put money into extra investments, go for it.

2. Write down your goals

You have to know what you’re saving for, says Silvan. “You can have multiple goals — short-term, longer-term — but you need to write them down in a contract with yourself,” she says. It will help you understand where to invest and how much and will also help you stick to your plan.

More: 7 Salary-Negotiating Secrets Every Woman Needs to Know

3. This order: Debt, retirement, emergency, extra investment

Paying down high-interest “bad” debt is going to serve you better in the long run, says Imbeault. Your next big focus should be long-term retirement savings and emergency fund savings.

4. You don’t have to have a ton of money

“One of the most common misunderstandings women — and many men — have about investing is that you have to have a large sum of money invested or ready to invest to talk with a financial professional,” Imbeault says. That’s just not true. “There are a wide range of professionals and services available to help you understand your investment options.”

More: I Was Professionally Ghosted (Yes, That's a Thing)

5. Know yourself

You have to be able to sleep at night. Your friends might be making a ton of money in one sector or another, but if those sectors are higher-risk than you’re comfortable with, they’re not for you. “What would you do if the value of your investments dropped 35 percent, which is the typical average drop in a bear market?” Silvan says. “If the idea of that terrorizes you, then invest accordingly.”

6. Keep it simple

A surprising amount of people do the work of investing in their 401(k) plans, but don’t take the time to roll them over when they join a new company, making it hard to keep track of where large chunks of their money have gone. “Simplify, organize, consolidate,” Imbeault says. “Having everything located in one place provides the opportunity to keep track of your investments to make sure they’re still lining up with your long-term goals.” It also helps should your family ever need to step in to help with your accounts.

More: 15 Ways the Workplace Will Change for Women in 2018 According to Experts

7. You can diversify within a single firm

We hear a lot about diversifying your investments, which typically refers to spreading your money across different industries so that if one struggles, you haven’t put all your eggs in one basket. But that doesn’t mean you have to become an expert in dozens of sectors. “Diversification can still be accomplished across your investments within one investment firm,” Imbeault says.

8. Diversify beyond industry sectors

Consider geography when you’re looking to diversify your investments. “Home bias is typical of most investors and it’s a costly mistake over the long-term,” Silvan says. “This is very easy to do today with low-cost global ETFs — exchange-traded funds.”

9. Don’t chase returns

Silvan says that although it can be tempting to trade investments frequently, it actually increases your risk. “You have to be right twice,” she says, “Once when you buy and once when you sell. Plus, there are frictional costs of trading and taxes to consider.

10. Be wary of high performers

“Buying funds or ETFs that have done very well in the recent past increases the likelihood they will underperform in the future,” Silvan says. It’s called regression to the mean. “Over time, both high and low performers settle somewhere into the middle range.”

11. Stick to the plan

The biggest mistake people make is not sticking to their investment plan, Imbeault says. Writing down the goals is important, but “following the plan will help you achieve them.”

There are certain rules that apply when someone meets a member of the royal family. Luckily, the family's official website spells some of them out, so we know what we should do should we ever be lucky enough to come face to face with one of the royals. One of those rules? Female royals are to be referred to as "Your Royal Highness," or, when more familiar, simply "ma'am." Allison Janney broke the crap out of that rule.

More: Rumors Are Spreading Fast That Olivia Munn & Chris Pratt Are Dating

Janney was as the BAFTAs where she accepted her award for best supporting actress, and later, was lucky enough to run into Prince William and Duchess Catherine of Cambridge, formerly known as Kate Middleton. The only downside to this lucky run-in? Janney had been wearing her uncomfortable heels all night and had taken them off just prior to meeting the royals, so she was barefoot when it happened. What makes it even worse is that pregnant Kate was still in her heels.

"I did meet Kate and William, and she was in her heels and pregnant, so I felt like a bit of a wimp that I was there in my bare feet," Janney said when she recounted the meeting to James Corden during an appearance on The Late Late Show. "She was in full-on heels, and she was my height when I was in my bare feet, it was kind of extraordinary that she's that tall. "I told her that I was in bare feet and I told her that she should take her shoes off 'cause she's pregnant. It was an awkward moment."

More: Best GIFs & Behind-the-Scenes Moments From the 2018 Golden Globes

What might make it even worse is that Janney threw all of that royal decorum right out the window when she referred to Kate as "Honey." That is an awkward moment, but something tells us the laid-back duchess probably didn't mind.

Well, the feud between former Sex and the City costars Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker that was simmering and was then recently reignited with some seriously terse words from Cattrall on Instagram has now gotten even shadier. That's because Jason Lewis, the actor who played the boyfriend of Samantha Jones, Cattrall's SATC character, actually took a side in this feud while being interviewed on KTLA 5 earlier this week. And honey, you're not gonna like which side Lewis took.

More: 21st-Century Celebrity Feuds People Will Be Talking About in 100 Years

Now, Lewis could have just pled the fifth and kept his mouth shut. He didn't have to engage in the debate and he certainly didn't have to betray his former TV girlfriend, did he? But no, Lewis decided to wade into this celebrity feud by choosing Team SJP and it's just so, so rude, y'all.

While he seemed reluctant to give any explicit reasons behind why he supported Parker, Lewis managed to say a lot both explicitly and implicitly when explaining to the KTLA anchors why he has always liked Parker. "I just have to say that Sarah was always just so lovely and constantly professional," he remarked. "I think people should remember their graciousness and the things that have been given to them."

Uh, is that a dig at Cattrall? I can't deal, but Lewis certainly could because he continued to show his true colors by choosing Team SJP.

More: Kim Cattrall's 17 Most Memorable SATC Looks

"I might just have to say yeah. What a gracious lady, she was always so good to me," he said, clearly getting a bit more hesitant at this point in the interview to elaborate. But the damage has already been done.

Okay, so, I'm sure that everyone is likely tired of this feud (we're all adults here, so can we just bury the hatchet?), it's a bit irksome to see that Lewis — in the vein of Parker and Cattrall, who have recently sparred in the media — is playing into this whole taking sides business as well. While it's understandable the Cattrall might be speaking out so vehemently because she is going through an incredibly tough time, both Parker and Lewis have had opportunities to squash any shady questions and have chosen not to.

More: Kim Cattrall Doesn't Want Sarah Jessica Parker's Sympathies

Come on, guys. Let's just build a bridge and get over it already. It's time.

You’ll probably spend about one-third of your life under the sheets, wrapped up in a blanket, head lightly placed on a pillow, lost in an endless dream. Your closest companions are what cover you: clothes, bedding, socks, pillows (aka linens and fabrics).

A typical adult spends 9,587.3 days sleeping over the average lifespan. That, my friends, is a lot of shut-eye. But while we’re all so concerned about how much or how little sleep we are getting, how much attention do we pay to our sheets and bedding? According to an article published in Everyday Health, researchers have found that sleep plays an important role in our body’s organs, but how do our sheets play a role in our lives?

I talked to a few of my friends about the subject. Dana* said she cleans her sheets every couple of weeks, and in the summer, she cleans them every week, while Robert* says he honestly can’t remember the last time he cleaned his sheets.

For myself, I honestly just forget and never find myself feeling grimy in bed, but I know I probably need to change them. Living in the city, laundry is expensive, and I don’t always have the means to clean my sheets regularly (excuses, excuses, I know). Since I struggle with acne, I try to change out my pillowcases every two weeks, which usually accompanies bedsheets as well.

Greg* says, “I haven’t changed my sheets since I moved into my apartment a few months ago.” Look, Greg, some of us might be crazy, but we aren’t that crazy.

More: 21 Tips to Get Your Best Sleep Ever

Let’s move on to the science behind clean sheets. Mattress Advisor made it clear how much I’m pushing the boundaries when it comes to clean sheets. According to the brand, keeping your sheets clean also contributes to personal health. Twenty-six gallons of sweat are poured into our bedsheets every year. Additionally, humans shed 10 grams of skin each day. Basically, a breeding ground for bacteria. And as you can expect, in the summer months when it’s hot and humid, the bacteria on your pillow can house “16 species of fungus each.”

Microbiologist Philip Tierno from New York University even goes so far as to call it a “botanical park” of bacteria and fungus. The bacteria live between the folds of our sheets and can contribute to getting sick. The bacteria then find their way into our noses and mouths, where we react with sneezing and an allergic response. A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that 90 percent of American homes that they tested had “at least three detectable allergens.”

Mattress Advisor conducted a study of 1,000 Americans and their opinions of their bed-cleaning habits. Most people go 24.5 days without changing their bedsheets and 25 days before changing their pillowcases. Scientists think that this is way too low and suggest you clean your bedding every week. The study also found that most people found it gross if they go up to 35 days without a wash of their linens. That’s roughly five weeks of unwashed sheets.

More: 5 Bad Health Habits & How to Fix Them

Who cleans their sheets more? Male-identifying people go 29.6 days without cleaning their sheets, while female-identifying people go 19.4 days. People in relationships change their sheets a little bit more often than those who are single. Married couples change their bedsheets every 19.9 days, while single people go, on average, 37 days. You’re only responsible for your own grime when it’s you and you alone, right? The study also found that people who sleep in the nude wash their sheets often. For people who drool regularly, however, they wait 31.8 days to change their pillowcases.

What about after coitus? Female-identifying people wait 4.3 days to wash their sheets after sex, while male-identifying people wait 11.7 days. This number increased after a one-night stand experience for male-identifying persons and decreased for female-identifying persons. For men, they wait 18.1 days after a one-night stand and women wait 2.2 days.

I write this article from the comfort of my bed (a perk of being a freelance journalist), and I can’t help but wonder: Should I fit another laundry day in this week? Between the of of my sheets are skin, fungus and bacteria. It’s not an attractive and comfortable image to imagine as I’m nestled between my pillows and comforter.

Whether your bedding is washed or not is up to your personal standards — no judgment here — but I will leave you to ponder this quote from Tierno, which is sure to make you buy a new bottle of detergent and begin collecting your laundry coins.

More: The Simple Thing You Can Do to Sleep Better Tonight

“If you touched dog poo in the street, you’d want to wash your hands,” says Tierno. "Consider that analogous to your bedding. If you saw what was there — but of course you don’t see it — after a while, you have to say to yourself, ‘Do I want to sleep in that?'”

*Names have been changed.

By S. Nicole Lane

By Melody Wilding

Every workplace is filled interesting personalities — including frustrating ones.

If you feel like you're surrounded by difficult people at the office — perhaps people who talk too much or a micromanaging boss — take heart, because you're not alone. Studies have found that 1 in 8 people leave a job due to problems with coworkers.

Since we spend more time at work than at home (and quitting tomorrow isn't an option for most people), it's worthwhile to figure out ways to get along.

Positive coping strategies may not only save your sanity, but they can also improve your well-being more than complaining ever will. In fact, learning to deal with difficult people can be a powerful way to develop your leadership skills.

More: How to Motivate Employees in 3 Surprisingly Simple Steps

Here are some strategies: 

Type 1: The coworker who hits you up on Slack to chat about office politics

Gossip is a compensatory strategy often used to cover low self-esteem or feelings of powerlessness. It’s likely your coworker is communicating this way — albeit passive-aggressively and manipulatively — to seek connection.

Nonetheless, hanging around gossiping coworkers is energy-draining. Plus, getting embroiled in rumormongering can damage your professional reputation.

To disengage from this toxic cycle, use a simple formula: empathize and redirect.

First, validate your coworker, letting them know they're being heard. By saying something like, "Ugh, it is frustrating to feel confused," you're not agreeing with or justifying their behavior, you're simply mirroring how they feel without getting involved or talking about other people. Your focus is on them, which is probably their favorite subject anyway.

You can then use redirection, including focusing on positives. “Sorry that’s still bothering you. For now, let’s talk about how things are going with the new project" or impose a solution-based boundary like, "You should talk directly with Jim rather than me to solve this."

More: 7 Signs You're Trapped in a Dysfunctional Workplace

Type 2: The coworker who is negative about... well, everything

Coworkers who have a victim mentality act like being busy is a badge of honor. Workaholism isn't healthy, so be careful not to reward or enable their behavior. Keep your own work-life balance in check so you don't enable an office culture obsessed with productivity.

If you're dealing with someone who constantly shoots down ideas in meetings, respond with thought-provoking questions like, "That’s an interesting point. What will help us make sure this project is a success?” This strategically interrupts their critical pattern and creates psychological safety for creative brainstorming.

Type 3: The coworker who gets too close for comfort

When someone's behavior is inappropriate for the workplace — like flirting or remarks about age, appearance or gender — you have to draw a line. The key to establishing and maintaining boundaries is to enforce them immediately and assertively.

Speak up should matters get out of hand and take the right steps to escalate it to your boss or HR.

More:  The Most Underrated Quality of a Great Boss

Whenever possible, try to first assume positive intent. Everyone at the office, including you, is an imperfect human being. Remembering that we all have strengths and weaknesses can be a good first step toward developing the type of empathy and emotional immunity needed to survive in a less-than-perfect workplace.

Originally published on Fairygodboss.

Didn't Josh Duhamel get the memo? You don't "phunk" with Fergie's heart. And considering the recent ruckus over her version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the NBA All-Star Game, Ferg's heart was likely in no condition to hear her ex-husband is dating someone new.

More:  Fergie & Son Axl Enjoy a 'Date Night' After Her Split From Josh Duhamel

It has only been five months since they announced their split. Granted, they explained in that announcement that they had been living apart for some time. As Fergie herself has sung, life goes on — and for Duhamel, 45, it's going on with 28-year-old actress-slash-singer Eiza (pronounced "ay-e-zaa") González.

According to Us Weekly, the pair sparked a connection in super-Hollywood style: at a party after J.Lo's pre-Super Bowl concert on Feb. 3. A source told the outlet that Duhamel was the pursuer, reaching out "to a mutual friend" to ask for Eiza's digits after a long night of drinking and hanging out.

She clearly said yes, because the source claims they've basically been together ever since.

"They definitely have a connection because they've been FaceTiming and texting nonstop while she's been in England working. They're keeping it on the down-low. He's telling her he's never met anyone like her before," says the source.

More: Fergie Open Up About Her 'Crazy' Behavior While Using Crystal Meth

It isn't hard to see why Duhamel would be smitten (sorry, Fergs — we still love you!). González, who was born in Mexico City, is stunning. She is also multi-lingual, speaking Spanish, English and Italian fluently. Although she hasn't been in a ton of films, her star appears to be on the rise. In 2017, she played Darling in the film Baby Driver, alongside Jon Hamm. And in addition to having several movies in various stages of production, she starred in a short directed by Justin Timberlake.

Other clues about this newcomer from her Instagram? She likes to read.

She's a football fan.

She's passionate about putting an end to bullying.

More: Fergie Gave the Saddest Relationship Update About Josh Duhamel

In summary, she seems like a pretty decent human being. Although it's always sad to see beloved celebrity couples split up, it's marginally comforting when they at least move on with good people. Here's hoping 2018 turns out to be the year Fergie finds what she's looking for, too — whether that include a romance or not.

Between a fall that left her needing 40 facial stitches and his return to the NHL, Carrie Underwood and hubby Mike Fisher have endured a roller coaster of emotions the last few months. But despite everything going on in their personal lives, the kind-hearted couple posted a selfie — her first since the fall — to raise awareness about a very important cause.

More:  Carrie Underwood's Emotional Letter to Fans Give New Information About Her Fall

The photo suggests Underwood still isn't quite ready to reveal her scars, as she holds a red "X" over her mouth area. Fisher, meanwhile, bears the mark on his hand. In the caption, the singer reveals that the selfie signifies their involvement with the End It Movement.

"Together, we're in it to end it! Help us shine a light on modern day slavery," Underwood wrote. She then tagged the End it Movement, an organization fighting for the millions of people each year who are trafficked, exploited and enslaved.

More:  Carrie Underwood's Husband Made a Big Announcement

There's little surprise that Underwood would use her platform as a country music superstar to try to contribute to this pressing problem's solution. She's known for her heart nearly as much as she is for her music.

Speaking of that heart, Underwood has been wearing it on her sleeve since taking her dramatic spill in mid-November. In an emotionally vulnerable letter to fans in January, the singer explained that the fall she took outside of her Nashville home was more serious than was initially let on.

In addition to a wrist break that required surgical pins, Underwood wounded her face in the fall. "I'll spare you the gruesome details, but when I came out of surgery the night of my fall, the doctor told [my husband] Mike that he had put between 40 and 50 stitches in," Underwood said. "Now, here we are 7 weeks later and, even though I've had the best people helping me, I'm still healing and not quite looking the same."

More:  Carrie Underwood Crying Over Her Speeding Ticket Is All of Us

In true Underwood fashion, though, the plucky performer remained grateful the fall wasn't worse. She also promised fans she would reveal her scars when she was ready. Although that time hasn't arrived, does it really matter? Regardless of what lies beneath that "X," Underwood's support of the End It Movement proves she's as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

You can help Underwood and Fisher wage the fight against modern slavery by heading to the End It Movement website and creating your own poster.

Now that millions have come forward with tales of sexual harm, it’s important to talk about healing options.

With no clear road to follow, how do we each find our customized path? I thought I had the answer to this question after years working as a sexual healing workshop leader and coach. That’s why I was shocked by the extra courage I needed to have and choices I needed to make to mend my own abuse.

Painful sex was how pedophilia had lodged itself in my body, and there was no relief despite decades of standard talk therapy. Right after my honeymoon, I decided to fix myself by investigating other avenues. Over the next five years, I saw 15 different kinds of practitioners and tried 30 varied modalities, including trauma therapy, sex therapy, physical therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, hypnosis, private tantra lessons, a visit to the site where I was molested and two naked workshops.

More: The Impact of Sexual Harassment on Mental Health

I developed agency on this adventure, and I learned enormously from each expert. Eventually, I realized, however, that these specialists could only see my problem through their particular lens. The only “expert” who had the full picture was me. Once I understood this, I could steer my recovery more deliberately and fully heal.

These five steps for restoring health with knowledge, wisdom and authority are drawn from my journey and work with survivors.

1. Diagnose yourself a little

I could have saved years (and tons of money) if I had better diagnosed my trauma at the beginning of my odyssey. When I’m working with clients, I have them put their problems into three categories: passion (including strong and numb emotions), sex and power. Try this yourself by making three long lists that you’ll whittle down to one main obstacle from each section; for example, chronic anxiety, low libido and a nonstop mental tape, saying, "You’re not good enough."

Looking at these narrowed-down challenges, ask yourself: What needs the most attention at this point in my life? Working on multiple issues simultaneously can be overwhelming, so pick a lane for the moment. Trust that you know more than you think you do about what’s right for you right now.

2. Discover your options

Once you know where you’d like to focus, it’s easier to discover help. If it’s anxiety you’ve chosen to work on, you could explore medication (with a licensed professional), meditation, yoga, running, volunteering or many other modalities. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find a remedy straight away. One trick I discovered on my path was pretending I was an investigative reporter assessing the benefits of each approach. This lifted my spirits and made me feel more in charge.

This mindset can also assist you as you search for a therapist. “Trust your gut instinct about how you feel around this person,” says Tali Elitzur, a sexual violation therapist and founder of Aha! Moment, a nonprofit that provides services to survivors. “If they are not the right fit for you, then move on. Keep looking for a therapist that feels right to you.”

3. Rewire your brain & body

In his book Rewire, psychotherapist Charles O’Connor says, “When we do anything repeatedly, with focused attention, our nerve cells will grow new connections.”

Nearly every professional I consulted with utilized this method, having me form new neural circuitry. This was how they defined healing. Following their advice, I retrained my pelvic floor muscles, calmed my nervous system, constructed erotic architecture in my head (giving myself a sex drive) and planted self-affirming thoughts in my subconscious.

If someone you’re working with asks for homework, jump at the chance. And be consistent. Just like physical therapy (another rewiring initiative), these exercises often carry the bulk of the load in our growth.

4. Turn your healing into a habit

Aside from what’s prescribed by others, you can create your own recovery practice using just five minutes a day. Think of it as a complement to more analytic processing you’re exploring with your shrink or as a way to have greater control over your progress.

Let’s say you’re wrestling with anxiety (going back to our earlier example); mindful breathing for 300 seconds every day might be a useful tool. For lack of desire, you could read a page of erotica every Wednesday evening at 7:30. Negative thoughts can be drown out by affirmations recorded on your iPhone, played back at bedtime. The point is: Turn your activity into a habit. Over time, habits become automated, making positive change easier and more possible.

More: Our Narrow View of Sexual Assault Is Letting People Get Away With It

5. Be shameless

Too often, survivors are ashamed of how our violation has affected us, especially if we’ve been damaged in intimate places. Our coping mechanisms embarrass us or we (mistakenly) blame ourselves. Author and academic Brené Brown has a solution: “…shame can’t survive being spoken,” she says in her groundbreaking book Rising Strong. Sharing the twists and turns of your recovery path with even one other person can kill a lot of demons.

#MeToo gave women the courage to say out loud what was done to them. Let’s stand bravely together, saying, "As a result, this is what happened…” Maybe we’ll start another movement through these declarations. Or maybe we’ll simply share tips and hold each other’s hand.

I can’t think of anything more powerful than that.

If you’ve ever fantasized about being a bona fide “soccer mom,” Target is about to make your parenting dreams come true. The powerhouse retailer has debuted an exclusive collection with the Manchester-based Umbro, a leading brand for soccer (or “football,” as it’s known in the U.K.) apparel and gear.

This launch includes 90 Umbro products at reliable Target-friendly prices, which start at $4.99 and top off at $19.99. The retailer hopes the collab will make buying head-to-toe soccer gear more affordable for families, and Umbro's high-quality footwear, clothing and accessories will allow kiddos to feel like pros both on and off the field. After all, nothing less would be expected from a trusted 93-year-old legacy sportswear brand that's respected for its authentic, high-performance products.

Can’t wait to be your child’s No. 1 fan from the sidelines? Head to your nearest Target store or click over to target.com to shop the collection now. You’re about to score big time.

Gooey. Salty. Creamy. Fruity. Buttery. Floral. Smoky. Nutty. These are but a few of the delicious adjectives one could use to describe the possible flavors of every red-blooded American’s favorite food group: cheese. Yeah, OK, we know it’s not an actual food group. But we’re so addicted it may as well be, and that can be a problem because cheese is unhealthy, right? Well, actually, cheese can easily fit into a healthy diet despite its reputation as an artery-clogger and a sodium slab.

Cheese does have health benefits. It can have calcium, protein and sometimes other beneficial nutrients. Some of it is fortified with vitamin D and pairs well, nutritionally speaking, with necessary nutrients that also happen to be fat-soluble to aid in absorption. In fact, in moderation, cheese might even be good for your heart.

But that’s still not an excuse to go overboard, cha-cha. The keys to responsible cheese consumption are moderation and a few tips and tricks that’ll maximize the gooey, salty, creamy, fruity, buttery, floral, nutty cheese-tasticness of your food without compromising your healthy-eating lifestyle.

Check the nutrition label

“But why?” you ask, “I already know it’s fattening!” Ah, but it’s not all about the fat and calories. Neither fat nor calories are inherently bad (you actually need both). While it doesn’t hurt to check those lines so you know what you’re getting yourself into, you’re also looking for other nutrients. You might think of cheese as a source of calcium, and most of it is. But some may have other necessary nutrients.

Cottage cheese, for example, is jam-packed with casein, a type of protein that helps build muscle tissue, making it a great cheese for workout buffs. Weightlifters even buy casein in powder form, which is probably overkill for most of us, but a serving of cottage cheese with some pineapple or on top of a salad (or even in your lasagna) isn’t a bad idea. As an added bonus, casein is also good for your teeth.

Being a label lookie-loo can also save you from making some common mistakes. Contrary to popular belief, American Neufchâtel is not better for you than one-third-less-fat cream cheese. The low-fat cream cheese has less fat and more vitamins than its French-aberration counterpart.

When you’re checking that label, remember you can control the fat by not eating three servings’ worth at a time. If a cheese has a good amount of something else you know you need, stock up.

Get a scale — & use it

You’ve heard it a hundred times, but it bears mentioning. When it comes to ingredients you’re supposed to consume in moderation, don’t eyeball it! A serving of cheese is 1-1/2 to 2 ounces depending on the type of cheese. We tend to overestimate how much that is when we try to guess (our tummies are master manipulators when we’re hungry or craving).

Let your cheese get to room temperature

Any cheese-maker or -monger will tell you cheese is meant to be enjoyed at room temperature, not cold from the fridge. That’s when cheese is at its most flavorful. You can use this culinary nugget to your advantage. If you let your cheese come to room temperature before you eat it, it’ll pack more punch and you won’t have to use as much. Plus, you’ll feel like a fancy pants-type like you’re freakin’ Rihanna or something. Shine bright like a diamond, cheese lover!

Pick naturally lower-fat cheeses

Some varieties of cheese are naturally lower in fat. Examples include Swiss, mozzarella, Parmesan, feta and goat cheese, though there are many more. Try using Swiss or mozz on your burger instead of cheddar. They melt better anyway. If you find yourself missing the sharpness of cheddar, try sprinkling on a little dill or using a little mustard.

Just make sure you look at the label if you’re focusing on fat. There’s no way to tell by looking. While some creamier cheeses are more fattening than hard, crumbly cheeses, others, like Camembert and Brie, are lower in fat. Likewise, the cheese’s color makes no difference. All cheeses start out white, off-white or lightly golden-ish (think muenster). “Yellow” cheeses like cheddar and Colby are dyed yellow using annatto seed. They’re no different in flavor or nutrition than a white version from the same batch.

Try raw cheese

In the U.S., raw cheese must be aged a minimum of 60 days and be clearly marked. This is because eating un-aged raw cheese increases your risk of getting sick from things like E. coli. But raw cheese also might have health benefits. They may be higher in vitamins and minerals, be easier for lactose-intolerant people to digest and contain gut-friendly bacteria (which may reduce the risk of certain infections in non-immunocompromised people).

Go high-flavor

There are cheeses like feta and blue cheese and even extra-sharp cheddar that are so flavorful, you don’t actually need that much. Brands and sources matter too. Real French Neufchâtel isn’t much like its idiot American cousin (actually, I like American Neufchâtel, but that’s what I imagine the French think). It’s more fattening, but it’s also higher in flavor, so you can use less.

You can also try flavored cheeses, like dill-packed Havarti, pepper jack, flavored feta (like sun-dried tomato) and smoked cheeses. If your supermarket doesn’t carry these, you can even hack some of them. Try using less Havarti and sprinkling it with dill. Add less Monterey Jack and spike it with peppers instead. Or here’s an idea: Buy a smoker ($189.99 at Amazon) with a cold-smoking attachment ($55.04 at Amazon) and smoke your own cheeses. Sure, it’s an investment to get into it initially, but you can choose your own flavors (applewood, hickory, mesquite, pecan, etc.), plus, you can smoke your own meats and more.

Buy the good stuff

Buying yourself new and interesting cheeses, especially from a real cheese-monger instead of the supermarket, might be expensive, but you’ll be more likely to save and savor them, so you’ll eat less. Look for things like Irish Cashel blue, try manchego or invest in 10-year-aged cheddar.

Look for part-skim or reduced-fat varieties

By now, we all know the myth that saturated fat contributes to serious health problems was greatly exaggerated. That said, if you’ve already gone a little nuts on the fatty foods today or if you’re planning to let yourself indulge later, opt for part-skim varieties, sometimes marketed as reduced-fat (check the ingredients to see if they’re made with part-skim cheese). They’re not quite as flavorful and they don’t melt quite as well, but they’re a reasonable substitute in many cases, especially if you use them in dishes that have a lot of flavor from herbs, spices or sauces. Just don’t add more cheese to make up for the flavor or because you feel like you can or you may as well use the full-fat version the same way you always do.

We don’t recommend nonfat just because the flavor profile is so low (and its melting ability is just slightly better than that of cardboard), and it’s unlikely to satisfy your craving, so you may as well go cheese-free IOHO, but you do you. Experiment with different brands too. Some are more flavorful than others.

* Fun fact: The reason it’s called “skim” is because back in the day, farmers would skim the cream off the milk and use that to make the cheese they sold to the wealthy. Then what was left over, the skimmed milk, was what they used to make their own cheese, which had a lower butterfat content — but it wouldn’t have brought in much money either. My, how the times have changed.

Sprinkle, don’t slice

When making burgers and sandwiches, you’ll use less cheese if you use shredded cheese instead of a slice.

Buy block cheese

Pre-shredded cheese is tossed with some kind of starch (like cornstarch) to prevent it from sticking. If you like your cheese super-melty, that’s going to cause a bit of an issue that might tempt you to use more than you really need… all over a little starch! But that’s not even the best reason to buy the block.

If you need it shredded, you have to put in the work. Either you get out your grater and put a little elbow grease in or you pull out the food processor and have to clean it afterward. Either way, that cheese becomes a much more precious commodity.

If you need slices, it’s hard to beat those presliced wonders, but you totally can. Just buy a deli slicer ($147 at Amazon) and you can slice them thinner than they come in the pack. Plus, you can use said slicer on meats, veggies and fruits for perfectly custom thin (or thick) slices each and every time. That said, if breaking out the slicer is a bit too much for you, Sargento now makes ultra-thin slices in some varieties in lieu of skimping on the butterfat (i.e., flavor).

Hack your cheese topping with breadcrumbs

It’s hard to beat a bubbly, brown, cheesy topping on your casseroles, but those very casseroles often call for a ton of cheese, not just in the casserole, but on top. For a lighter crust, use a fraction of a finely grated cheese with some breadcrumbs. You can use the cheese the recipe calls for grated on the finest grate (or even a microplane) or you can sub in grated Parm (which is a lower-fat cheese than most). Mix 1/4 cup of the finely grated cheese with 1/2 cup of panko or regular breadcrumbs (and herbs and spices if you want) and 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil or other heart-healthy fat and sprinkle that on instead. It may not be gooey like a melty layer of provolone, but the crunch is satisfying enough to make up for it.

Cut higher-fat cheeses with something else

If a recipe calls for a higher-fat cheese, go for a really flavorful brand and cut it with a lower-fat cheese like part-skim mozzarella. If it’s a recipe that calls for a serious amount of cheese, do a little web research to find a lower-fat version. Often, they contain cheese for the flavor, but they cut in other ingredients — not just other cheeses, but things that can give the illusion of creaminess, like fat-free evaporated milk and vegetable and fruit purées and additional spices for added zing. Ellie Krieger’s four-cheese mac and cheese is deceptively decadent, made with just a bit of extra-sharp cheddar (which brings the flavor), even less Monterrey Jack for added meltiness and lower-fat cheeses like part-skim ricotta (only half a cup) and Parmesan. The secret weapons are the squash purée that makes up a majority of the sauce and mustard powder to support the cheddar’s flavor throughout the dish.

This story was originally posted on StyleCaster.

The last time UnREAL fans saw Quinn and Rachel wreaking havoc on the set of Everlasting was all the way back in 2016.

The Lifetime drama finally returns on Tuesday, Feb. 26 and it sounds like it's going nowhere it's gone before. Not only does Season 3 go deeper into the lives of both Rachel and Quinn, but there is a major change coming to Everlasting — a female suitress.

Her name is Serena and she's played by Caitlin Fitzgerald (Masters of Sex, Rectify, Gossip Girl). The first two seasons featured male suitors, so this just might be the change UnREAL needs to get back to its roots and what fans loved so much in Season 1.

And after talking via email with this season's showrunner, Stacy Rukeyser, and four new stars (Brandon Jay McLaren, Adam Demos, Bart Edwards and Kassandra Clementi) it sure sounds like the third season has a lot in store for viewers.

With that, let's dive into all the spoilers they gave about Season 3, which will probably get you even more excited for the new season more than you already are.

More: 18 Hilarious Quinn 'UnREAL' Quotes That Prove You Don't Mess With Her

1. A new Everlasting psychologist

Dr. Simon is played by Brandon Jay McLaren. He is a former corporate crisis counselor and is known for being somewhat of a "fixer". Quinn brings him to the set of Everlasting and as McLaren says of his character: "This season, Dr. Simon goes on an intimate, emotional journey alongside Rachel. When first introduced to the Everlasting set, there is a steep learning curve for him, as he must acclimatize to their unusual and cutthroat work practices. But once he learns the ropes, his laser focus on improving Rachel's mental health may result in him compromising his own."

According to McLaren, "Dr. Simon starts off as a highly professional, hyper ethical, man of integrity. Then Everlasting happens. He quickly finds himself behaving in the same manner that he initially loathed." That sounds about right for anyone who enters this reality TV world. And the most shocking thing fans will see from his character? Per McLaren, it's something that "involves a camera and a grip truck".

2. Rachel has a tough journey ahead

At the end of Season 2, Coleman and Yael got into a really bad car accident at what appeared to be at the hands of Jeremy. It seemed to be his way of saving the show — and Rachel. Well, it will be touched upon this season.

"Quinn has brought in what we call a 'real ass shrink' to Everlasting for the first time," showrunner Rukeyser says. "Dr. Simon was supposed to just be a 'safety net' for Rachel. But he turns out to be much more in that he forces Rachel to confront her own responsibly in terms of what Jeremy did to Coleman and Yael. Dr. Simon then takes it a step further when he encourages Rachel to confront where the darkness inside her comes from."

Also last season, it was revealed Rachel was raped by one of her mom's patients when she just a child, which has understandably affected her entire life. That's something she's going to face and work through in the third season.

"This season really is Rachel Goldberg’s #MeToo moment — even though it was written and produced and edited before that movement even had a hashtag! — in the sense that Rachel confronts not only the rape she suffered when she was 12 years old, but also as she confronts the way her parents dealt with that trauma." Rukeyser adds, "Or refused to deal with it. Of course, because she’s Rachel Goldberg, she’s not going to handle this process by the book, but she is earnest in her attempt."

More: 10 Times Rachel’s Been More Manipulative Than Quinn on 'UnREAL'

3. Keep your eye on August

You better familiarize yourself with August, played by Adam Demos. His character is a pro-surfer, humanitarian and appears to be getting close to Rachel, as you can see above. Demos' role is said to be a "pivotal" one, which may or may not have to do with August becoming "involved in a major love triangle that becomes so important to the show it carries into Season 4 as well," per his character description.

According to Demos, he describes August as "a good bloke who’s on the show to promote certain causes and who’s also a bit of a ladies man which definitely gets him into trouble." But, he says, August does grow throughout the season. "I think by the end he’s no longer quick to judge that people can form a legitimate connection on a dating show."

If you really want to see what August is up to this season, check out the Season 3 trailer (below).

4. Jasper Hunt, the one for Serena?

More: 12 Times 'UnREAL' Season 2 Totally Missed the Mark

Bart Edwards plays Jasper Hunt, a successful, handsome, Wall Street investment banker. According to Edwards, Jasper is "full of himself". He adds, "He enters the Mansion with all the confidence in the world. On paper, he's a perfect match for Serena. Be ready to see some bubbles burst."

Not only does Edwards call this season a "roller coaster for everyone", but he says about his character, "You'll certainly be seeing Jasper and all the other contestants battling tooth and nail for Serena's heart. Be assured punches will not be pulled. It's going to be exciting to see how much ego really can fit in the mansion."

5. Chet's new girlfriend

That's right, Chet has a new lady in his life named Crystal, a "bubbly, naive and enthusiastic girl who is dubbed as Chet's 'midlife crisis' choice in girlfriend." She's played by Kassandra Clementi, who says that Crystal "comes in and shakes things up between [Chet and Quinn] and inevitably herself too."

6. A new struggle for Quinn

Last season, Quinn learned she couldn't have children, so what's ahead for her, especially with Chet walking around with a 24-year-old swimsuit model girlfriend? According to Rukeyser, "It’s one thing for Quinn to know that she can’t have children and to preemptively break up with her boyfriend, as she did at end of Season 2, if she knows that her career is soaring. That it so much how Quinn self-identifies."

Rukeyser continues, "But as we start Season 3, her career has taken a real hit. Everlasting has been put on hiatus and Quinn’s reputation has suffered. So getting the show back up and running and establishing her empire is even more important for Quinn. And yet, her journey is made that much more difficult by the fact that Chet has this new, younger, 'easier' girlfriend. The pressures in both Quinn’s personal and professional life cause her to act out in ways we haven’t seen before."

There's also this theme of "gender politics", which hits close to home for Quinn. Chet apparently feels like he can more "vulnerable and honest" with Crystal compared to when he was with Quinn, Rukeyser says. "He tells Quinn, 'It’s just easier. SHE’S easier.' And that is maddening and insulting — the implication that who Quinn is as a person was somehow responsible for what went wrong in their relationship. But by the end of the season, even Chet must decide if EASIER is what he wants or if there is something incredibly alluring and satisfying about a strong woman who can be an equal partner."

More: INTERVIEW: How UnREAL Gave Johanna Braddy a New Respect for Women

7. Women will relate to Serena

Serena sounds like she is someone female viewers will absolutely relate to. Rukeyser describes her as a "feminist suitress", who is "smart and successful, but for some reason still single. And no one is more mystified about why that is than she."

What should hit home for a lot of women watching this season is Serena feels its even more of a struggle to find love as the more powerful she becomes at her job. "She is in that all-too-common predicament where she finds that the higher she climbs the ladder at work, the harder it is for her to find a man." Rukeyser continues, "There is an undercurrent of insecurity, in that she can’t help but wonder if perhaps SHE is the reason she’s still single. And that insecurity makes her susceptible to the producers on Everlasting. She is honest in her desire to find a husband, but that desire doesn't always coincide with what the producers have in mind."

8. This season addresses the current national conversation

Season 2 wasn't well received by both fans and critics, and Rukeyser addresses that. "We took a lot of big story swings in Season 2 and that I do admire. But there were some plot points that we had not had the chance to explore fully on a more emotional, psychological level."

But, Season 3 is one fans should look forward to in the sense that it relates to so much that is going on today. As Rukeyser says, "What's exciting about Season 3 is that we get that opportunity, and while there are still a lot of big OMG moments, there are also a lot of deeper personal storylines for both Rachel and Quinn. We’re really excited about this season because it addresses so many themes that are very much in the national conversation these days about women, gender politics, sexual assault and power dynamics in Hollywood."

9. That Bachelor in Paradise situation

The Bachelor in Paradise situation involving Corinne Olympios and DeMario Jackson will not be featured or alluded to in any way in Season 3. Per Rukeyser, "Season 3 was in the can, completely edited and done before the Bachelor in Paradise scandal. But I did find the story riveting, the idea that after all these years, this was the first time a producer was making a complaint to the studio. This is a really big deal and it did become, in part, an inspiration for Season 4."

10. Jeremy is still around

If you recall, Jeremy drunkenly assaulted Rachel in Season 2, so fans are probably wondering if that will be addressed and if Jeremy will face any kind of consequences. First, Rukeyser wants to make it clear that Season 3 was "written, shot and edited" before #MeToo.

Secondly, she says, "But we do certainly address many of the same issues, simply because we are women (and men) who have experienced certain things in Hollywood and in the world about which we want to speak out. And it’s certainly wonderful that these issues are now being talked about on a broader scale."

As for Jeremy, Rukeyser explains, "Jeremy comes into Season 3 determined to make amends to Rachel. He is sober, has gone through anger management and is repentant. He believes that what he did to Coleman and Yael is what Rachel wanted — that even that was an act of amends. Which, of course, is crazy. So he has to come to terms over the course of the season with what he’s done, and how much being in this place has affected him."

More: UnREAL Will Make You Never, Ever Want to Go on The Bachelor

Who else is ready for the new season? UnREAL Season 3 premieres Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 10/9c on Lifetime.

It's been less than a month since Kylie Jenner became a mom and — judging by her latest social media post — she's settling into her new role nicely. On Sunday, the 20-year-old reality TV star shared a short Snapchat video of daughter Stormi that establishes Jenner is officially a member of the motherhood.

More:  Kylie Jenner Is Already Being Mom Shamed

In the Snap, the new mama can be seen holding her daughter's foot and gushing about how gosh darn adorable it is. "Mommy's cute little toes," Jenner coos as she rubs the sweet little feet.

And hey, we've all been there, right Mamas? It's practically a natural law for new mothers to lose their minds when it comes to things like tiny little toes. If she hasn't already, Jenner will be sniffing the top of her daughter's head and basking in the baby smell soon.

What? It's totally a thing.

More:  Kylie Jenner Now Has the Most-Liked Post on Instagram

Clearly, times have changed for Jenner, who used to reserve such enthusiasm on Snapchat for decidedly adult endeavors — think making out with her ex, Tyga.

However, Jenner admitted in her announcement post after Stormi was born that her priorities have shifted. The typically extroverted star drastically changed her lifestyle to ensure her then-unborn baby wouldn't respond to any external triggers like stress or fatigue.

It's a change that seems to be sticking for Jenner, who has been noticeably less visible on "the scene" lately. For the most part, she has been laying low and obviously enjoying every single minute with baby Stormi (and those tiny toes!).

Though, she did step out for her first official date with Stormi's dad, Travis Scott, on Saturday. The pair picked Nobu for their free time, enjoying the meal with family and friends.

More:  Kylie Jenner Shares First Photo of Daughter — & Super-Surprising Name

And, again, we've all been there. Maybe not Nobu, but you get the gist. It's easy to succumb to tunnel vision in those first few months after bringing home a new baby. Time out of the house to do adult things is important, too.

Besides, Jenner needed an excuse to take her "push present" from Scott for a ride. The couple showed up to lunch in none other than Jenner's recently gifted jet black Ferrari, which she debuted in her Instagram stories on Saturday.

So far, Jenner and Scott seem to striking a healthy balance between their old life in the fast line and their new one as parents.

Michelle Obama announced Sunday that she is penning a memoir titled Becoming, which is set to be released Nov. 13, 2018.

More: Michelle Obama Gave Out a Meaningful Award at the 2017 ESPYs

"Writing BECOMING has been a deeply personal experience," the former first lady shared on Twitter. "I talk about my roots and how a girl from the South Side found her voice. I hope my journey inspires readers to find the courage to become whoever they aspire to be. I can't wait to share my story."

The Becoming website describes the book, explaining, "Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her — from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it — in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations — and whose story inspires us to do the same."

More: Live Like a President in the Obamas’ Old Seaside Escape

The book will be published in 24 languages and will sell for $32.50 in the United States, according to publisher Penguin Random House.

CNN reports that upon the book's release, Obama plans to donate 1 million copies in the Obama family's name to a Washington-based nonprofit that is dedicated to "promoting equal access to education by providing new books, learning materials and other essentials to children in need in the U.S. and Canada."

Obama will be far from the only first lady to pen a memoir. Julia Grant, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Lady Bird Johnson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Rosalynn Carter, Edith Wilson and Helen Taft all penned autobiographies.

More: Michelle Obama Shaded President Trump Without Even Saying His Name

President Barack Obama is also writing a memoir, which is expected out this year as well.

It's been a whirlwind since Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux announced their split in mid-February. What to fans felt like a completely surprising and unreal bit of news about the couple evolved into a heartbreaking picture, with it becoming crystal clear there was tension and discord for a long time in Aniston and Theroux's marriage. Now, as both parties attempt to pick up and move on, it's understandable this will mean resuming old habits and getting back to business as usual.

More: Jennifer Aniston & Justin Theroux Are Splitting Up

For Theroux, "business as usual" includes posting on Instagram, a thing he did with semi-regularity while he was with Aniston, although Aniston was a very, very infrequent guest on his Instagram page while they were together. It seems Theroux is intent on maintaining a bit of normalcy, and that means returning to Instagram in order to post about a charitable cause he loves and spreading awareness about an important issue — a pretty classy move if you ask me — rather than post cryptic breakup photos and memes.

On Sunday, Feb. 25, Theroux broke his Instagram dry spell with an Instagram slideshow featuring himself and two adorable puppies, all nuzzling each other at Austin Pets Alive, a Texas-based center working to care for and help get cats and dogs adopted.

More: Jennifer Aniston & Justin Theroux Had Major Issues in Their Marriage

"Another very inspiring visit with the incredible people and pups @austinpetsalive. I cannot understand how they do what they do, day after day, so consistently and lovingly to save so many dogs and cats. I HIGHLY recommend going in and getting your nose bit by a toothless baby pitbull. These two aren’t yet ready to go, but when they are, go get 'em...," Theroux captioned the photo. It would seem Theroux has been particularly supportive of Austin Pets Alive for some time, as evidenced by the fact that the organization's post of the same photo of Theroux nuzzling two puppies mentioned his "continued support of their mission," implying he might have first gotten in touch with the organization while his hit HBO show, The Leftovers, was filming in Texas.

More: There Was a Mini Friends Reunion at Jennifer Aniston's Birthday Party

Theroux's been playing it very cool and low-key in the week or so since his split from Aniston was announced, with this Instagram being the most public thing he's actually done. He would have appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Feb. 20, but chose to cancel at the last minute, imaginably because he didn't want to risk questions coming up about his split.

"Justin's going to lay low now and just try to recalibrate,” a source told Entertainment Tonight. “The last thing he needs is to be on a major talk show so soon after the announcement where the focus will inevitably be on the split.”

It looks like Theroux is getting his feet back on the ground. Now that he's back on social media, it will be interesting to see what he chooses to post about and whether any of it will have anything to do with Aniston.

The other day, I had an interview with a national magazine about my past experience with exercise addiction.

As a blogger/writer who focuses on eating-disorder recovery, I’m used to the media and their questions. I’m brutally honest and willing to share, so when a reporter comes to me for “insight,” I don’t shy away.

However, what is really starting to chap my ass (I’m Southern, OK, so I’m allowed to write that) is the number of times a reporter follows up with me post-interview and asks for before and after pictures of when I was in my eating disorder and now, as a woman in recovery.

I audibly groan at my laptop — and smack my forehead against the screen while my dog looks on in bewilderment.

More: The Mental Health Impact of Sarahah

Why is it always the before and after they want?

But I remember.

Drastic, shock-infused before and after pictures of anorexics or morbid obesity get clicks. Clicks boost SEO.

These types of “I weighed X and now I weigh Y — look at me now!” pics tend to attract the eye given that we are a generation of mostly visual readers.

And that leads to the point of this article: I am exhausted by social media #TransformationTuesday before and after pictures that glorify eating disorders through weight.

On a Tuesday morning, I am constantly inundated with these #TransformationTuesday posts from the recovery community and “fitsporation.”

It’s always the same concept: Woman/man has an eating disorder (typically anorexia if she/he represents the recovery community or obesity if she/he represents the fitspo community) and it’s a side-by-side picture of them before and after. One picture is in the depths of their eating disorder, and it is typically shocking and causes someone like me to pause as I scroll mindlessly through my feed.

The other picture is where they are now — and this nearly always involves a big smile of success to represent how much “better” their life is now that they are in the “after” phase.

Look, I sound like a curmudgeon. Congrats to all of these people who have overcome odds. I am in support of anyone who is open and vulnerable enough to share trials and tribulations of their lives with the scary demonic world of internet commentators.

More: 5 Things You Need to Know About Eating Disorders & Your Heart

But what rubs me the wrong way is the glorification of eating disorders — and the perpetuation of eating-disorder stigma and stereotype through pictures like this.

Eating disorders are a mentality — a maniacal obsession. They are a loss of faith in yourself. They become a lifestyle at some point. They should not be represented only through physical weight, but more through the weight of the feeling you must abide by this “rule” or that “cultural appearance” — and the awareness you are not able to combat it alone.

The stereotypes of eating disorders play out in these #TransformationTuesday pictures because they insinuate that in order to have really struggled with an eating disorder, you have to have looked one way or the other (again, usually emaciated.)

This in turn perpetuates the ideology behind “not feeling sick enough” to deserve help. Those of us with eating disorders often live in shrouded shame that we are not “sick enough” because of how we see eating disorders depicted in society, so we don’t seek the proper medical help we need.

I didn’t have the classic waif figure of anorexia. My weight fluctuated during my eating disorder, as nearly all who struggle can attest. At times, it was a bit more physically apparent. But that’s not the definition of eating disorders — and it certainly is not the definition that invokes shock and awe.

I lived for eight years with my eating disorder before my family intervened. Eight years of missed life because I was under this bullshit impression that we have to be a certain weight to qualify as an eating-disorder sufferer.

We need to refocus the conversation of weight as the sole correlation of an eating disorder. We have to become more informed of the symptoms and the signs and the mentality outside the physical appearance. Eating disorders are the No. 1 most fatal mental illness — surpassing depression. Every 62 minutes someone dies in this country from one.

More: The Secret Life of Dating With an Eating Disorder

Before and after pictures of my physical appearance are not indicative of my eating disorder. You know what is? Remembering the little girl I was when I struggled and acknowledging the obscenely long road I’ve taken in order to get to the place where I am now (i.e., sounding off about subjects like this without it being a trigger.)

At the end of the day, eating-disorder recovery is not about weight gained or lost — it’s about living flexibly OK — secure, confident and OK with what your world is now.

Heather Locklear is facing some serious charges after being arrested on the evening of Sunday, Feb. 26. A Thousand Oaks Police Department captain told The Hollywood Reporter that Locklear was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and assaulting a police officer. She was booked into the Ventura County Jail.

More: Heather Locklear Injured in Car Accident

TMZ reports that the incident happened at Locklear's home in Thousand Oaks, California. According to the 911 call, her brother arrived at her home to find Locklear and her boyfriend fighting. Locklear's brother called 911, and when police arrived, they saw that Locklear's boyfriend had "a visible mark" and they arrested Locklear on suspicion of domestic violence. During the arrest, TMZ reports, she became combative and flailed, kicking and hitting three deputies, resulting in a potential for three counts of battery. Before she was taken to jail, she was reportedly taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Captain Dean Cook of the Thousand Oaks Police Department couldn't reveal many details, but told THR that the one count of domestic violence is a felony and three counts of battery against emergency personnel are misdemeanors. Locklear is no longer in jail after being released early Monday morning. People reports she is due in court on March 13.

More: Heather Locklear Checks Into Rehab for the Fifth Time

This isn't the first time Locklear has faced these kinds of serious issues. In 2012, police were called to the home of Jack Wagner, Locklear's boyfriend at the time, after a fight between the two got physical. Neither wanted to press charges against the other, so neither Locklear nor Wagner was arrested at the time. Reps for Locklear have yet to release a statement about this incident, so we cannot pinpoint why Locklear was reportedly so combative or what may have caused the domestic disturbance between Locklear and her boyfriend.

Aw, say it isn't so, Instant Pot! And on the heels of our favorite TV dad's malfunctioning slow cooker? Come on! We're still in mourning for This Is Us' Jack — how are we supposed to cope with reports that one model of Instant Pot's super-popular multi-cooking wonder gadget is overheating and melting, posing a real-life fire risk?

Yes, we're sad to say that the company behind everybody's latest addiction, the Instant Pot, reported on its Facebook page on Feb. 17 that there have been numerous incidents of one of its models having actual meltdowns. Not just a This Is Us-triggered emotional meltdown. We're talking thick plastic casing bubbling away on the bottom of the cooker to reveal the appliance's wiring — yikes.

More: 13 Awesome Meals to Make in Your Instant Pot

Now, don't panic just yet. Chances are good that your Instant Pot is just fine. The model in question is easy to spot: It's the company's only oval-shaped multi-cooker, the Gem 65 8-in-1.

The Facebook announcement from Instant Pot will help you figure out if you've got a potential danger on your hands:

"Dear Valued Customers,

"We have received a small number of reports of the Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker overheating, resulting in localized melting damage to the underside of the product. We believe the problem only affects batchcodes 1728, 1730, 1731, 1734, and 1746. To verify the 4-digit batchcode, locate the silver label on the underside of the product. The batchcode is the 4-digit number located at the bottom right of the label... We are asking all our customers with a Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker from batchcodes 1728, 1730, 1731, 1734, and 1746 to immediately stop use of the product."

Michigan mom of three Vanessa LaClair told ABC News she received the Gem 65 8-in-1 for Christmas and used it only a few times before she realized the cooker had melted clean through on the bottom, scorching the wires inside.

LaClair told ABC News she was worried for her family's safety. "I enjoyed how it cooked the food," she said, "but not as much as I enjoy the safety of my family." Fair enough.

“As a parent that’s not something I want to worry about when I get a product from a store,” she added. LaClair posted about the incident on Facebook on Feb. 13 to alert others to the potential hazards of the model.

Instant Pot has yet to issue an official recall, but the company told ABC News it's taking the matter "extremely seriously" and is working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. “We anticipate providing updated information and next steps regarding [affected consumers] receiving a replacement Gem 65 8-in-1 Multicooker within the next few weeks," the company said.

By Annamarie Houlis

In 2017, millennials (those born between 1981 and 1997) made up 90 percent of all new parents. That's largely because in 2015, more than a million millennial women gave birth for the first time according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics. The total number of U.S. millennial women who have become mothers has officially risen to more than 16 million — about 8 in 10 U.S. births in 2015.

While it's true that these so-called "parennials" waited longer than previous generations to have kids, they still made it a priority in their lives. In fact, more of today's women are starting families than women were in 2008; today's women are simply waiting longer to have babies because of career security and financial reasons according to a new analysis of U.S. census data from the Pew Research Center and Healthline’s State of Fertility Report 2017. That said, millennial women rated "being a good parent" as a top priority in a 2010 Pew Research Center survey. Some 52 percent of millennial women said that parenting was actually one of the most important goals in their lives — surpassing the goal of having a successful marriage — and 60 percent said that being a parent is "extremely important" to their overall identity (according to a 2015 Pew Research Center survey).

The research also shows that millennial women are confident in their abilities to care for children — even more so than previous generations were. Plus, they tend to have more fun with parenting and find it more rewarding than older generations did.

So, what is it like to be a parennial? We asked a few.

More: If Companies Are Smart, They'll Offer This to Millennials

1. You get outside

2. You're more discerning than your parents — or your kids

"My kids are part of Generation Uber, and they expect that if we need something, we can just order it up," says Erin Goodnow, cofounder and CEO of Going Ivy, a college admissions consulting group. "Believe me; that was invaluable when we were going through a box of diapers a week. Then, my daughter asked for gloves last August because her friend had gloves, and I said 'maybe in a while,' and she asked why I didn't just 'text it to my phone.' So as a parent, there are benefits and drawbacks to the conveniences we millennials couldn't live without.

"Parents of previous generations really couldn't fulfill every wish their children had, and maybe I could (if money grew on trees) because I have access to everything at my fingertips. But I choose not to fulfill every wish they have. It is a judgment call sometimes. They are learning the virtue of patience in a different way, and while they will also grow up with more conveniences available to them, it will be my job to teach them what is worth working harder for. As a millennial parent, experiences are worth more to me, and I want to expose my children to those experiences that will bring their lives value... I wouldn't give up quality time for more money."

More: How I Manage Postpartum Depression and a Fortune 500

3. You're self-aware

"I don’t know anyone else’s reality, but I make an attempt to know mine; my parenting styles are primarily a synthesis of learning from my parents’ mistakes and welcoming some ancient/modern ideas and techniques put forth by Dr. Harvey Karp in his Happiest _____ on the Block books," says Caleb Backe, a health and wellness expert for Maple Holistics. "My wife and I knew we wanted to present our kids with as much freedom as possible without being outright negligent or quasi-negligent. We knew we wanted to provide them with unstructured free playtime, ideally outside, on a regular basis. We knew we wanted to pretend there was a tooth fairy, but not lie to them about things that matter. Parenting is a process of trial and error, and you learn things as you go along, regardless of how many books you’ve read, movies you’ve watched and advice you’ve gotten.

"For me, this means understanding, internalizing and constantly reminding myself that it is my kids’ job to push the very limits I try so hard to set and to smash the rules I attempt to enforce. We test and 'educate' one another all the time, but proper parenting helps it remain a test, a trial, a right step in the ongoing evolution — without it escalating into a battle. You’re both going to lose that confrontation.

"Happy parents to happy kids? Is such a thing possible? Yes, but the key is not to expect it all the time. It is not a goal, it is a perk. It is a means to an end, not an end unto itself. If happiness happens to land on your doorstep today, great! Embrace it, enjoy it, saturate yourself in it, lose yourself to its positivity, and acknowledge its fleeting nature when it up and disappears. Self-aware parents, who understand they will make mistakes no matter what, are less prone to self-flagellation and also less prone to acting in a vengeful way towards their kids. Know your power, know your weapons, and do what you can to keep them sheathed."

4. You have a ton of tech — & try to ignore it anyway

"As the mother of a 2-year-old, working full-time in digital marketing and PR, it's vital to make my career and parenthood work together — because both are 24-7," says Lisa Deliberato, 27. "Prioritizing quality time during the week with my daughter is key, so I try to keep my phone and laptop use to a minimum from the time I pick her up from day care until she goes to bed. Finding an employer who is supportive of work-life balance is key.

"Having a kid has made us both more present. The glorious teeny-tiny baby phase is fleeting; first steps can be missed if you're checking your emails, and some of the things that come out of their mouths are comedic gold... So pay attention (and write it down!).

"When it comes to advice, it's tough not to get caught up in scary news stories, the latest nutrition trends or sucked into the feeds of enviable mommy bloggers, but we've learned (in our tiny two years as parents) that if you do what feels right for you and your child, things generally work out OK."

More: 6 Skills Every New Mom Should Claim on Her Résumé

5. You take all advice with a grain of salt

"Raising children in this day and age is hard," says Britnie Sims, a contributing writer for Oklahoma City Moms Blog. "It seems like us 'old' millennial moms just can't win. We're bombarded with conflicting information, and our parenting choices are scrutinized. One-second judgmental snapshots are posted about our lives everywhere, which makes raising children in this day and age a little murky and complicated. Raising babies and 'mom-ing' children with the world of information and opinions at our fingertips is risky business. Read through a baby book, chat with your girlfriends or scroll through a forum about any given topic, and you will end up more confused on the subject than when you started."

Originally published on Fairygodboss.

It seems like there's a new study on the link between depression and different types of birth control every year or so, and 2018 is no different. New research out of The Ohio State University Wexner Center found there's no evidence to support a link between hormonal birth control and depression.

But, wait: Wasn't there another recent study finding exactly the opposite? Yes, there certainly was — it was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry and put forth that women who took hormonal birth control had higher rates of depression than those who did not.

So how is this new study different? To begin with, it's a meta-analysis of thousands of studies on the mental health effects of contraceptives published over the past 30 years instead of specific population-based research, like the 2016 study. They included data tied to various contraception methods — including injections, implants and pills — as well as their effects on postpartum women, adolescents and women with a history of depression.

More: We Now Know More About the Link Between Birth Control & Breast Cancer

Also, Dr. Brett Worly, lead author of the new study and OB-GYN at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told CNN, "[T]he study last year was a population health study that observed a relationship between birth control and mood. We didn't look at mood changes and feeling down because those are difficult to measure. We looked specifically at depression." And in his research, Worly and his colleagues did not find sufficient evidence to prove that hormonal contraception increases rates of depression.

Being able to control if, how and when to have children is extremely important to people of reproductive age who have a uterus, and if a large category of contraception could result in depression, it would be a major setback and potentially present a difficult choice between maintaining reproductive autonomy and looking after their mental health.

"Depression is a concern for a lot of women when they're starting hormonal contraception, particularly when they're using specific types that have progesterone," Worly said in a statement. "Based on our findings, this side effect shouldn't be a concern for most women, and they should feel comfortable knowing they're making a safe choice."

And we're talking about large numbers of women — most have tried at least one method of contraception in their lives, with nearly 37 million women in the United States currently using birth control. Of those, 67 percent have opted for a nonpermanent hormonal method, such as an oral contraceptive pill, but among those, 30 percent have stopped using them because of the potential side effects.

So how do you explain the results of the 2016 study vs. anecdotal evidence suggesting some hormonal birth control could lead to depression? According to Worly, adolescents and pregnant people will "sometimes have a higher risk of depression, not necessarily because of the medicine they're taking, but because they have that risk to start with." In these cases, he noted it's important that the patients have a positive relationship with their health care provider to ensure they get the appropriate mental health screening done, regardless of what type of medication they take.

More: We're One Step Closer to Getting Birth Control Pills Without a Prescription

“We live in a media-savvy age where if one or a few people have severe side effects, all of a sudden, that gets amplified to every single person,” Worly said in a statement. “The biggest misconception is that birth control leads to depression. For most patients that’s just not the case.”

There are a few culinary truths I hold near and dear to my heart. You shouldn't wrap cheese in plastic, drinking the milk of cockroaches is totally gross, and you should stop cooking your avocados, like, ASAP.

Lately, it seems like everywhere I go there's some form of cooked avocado on the menu. Whether it's avocado fries, eggs baked in avocado halves, or slimy avocado slices oozing out of grilled cheese, the madness has got to stop.

I must admit that even I have fallen into the trap of cooking perfectly good avocados. My friend has an overly abundant avocado tree and sent me home with a basket of them one day. I never grew tired of eating them in guac, on toast or sliced over salads, but considering I had so many, I thought I might experiment. I put some chopped avocado into a batch of enchiladas, excited to see how their creaminess would add to the dish. So imagine my surprise and disappointment when I took my first bite, my tongue immediately recoiling at the slimy green avocado within. It was the first time I ever thought to myself that maybe avocado doesn't make every dish better.

More: Avocados Just Became Even More Hipster

Have you ever tasted cooked avocado and raw avocado side-by-side? The hot avocado is pasty and slimy, its cool creaminess totally lost. The flavor is akin to chewing on some pine needles. It's like a totally different fruit! And I can't think of any instance when these dishes wouldn't be better with a side of raw avocado.

Craving fries? Instead of battering and frying wedges of avocado, serve regular fries with a side of guac for dipping. Want avocado at breakfast? Avocado toast is a trend for a reason, people!

More: 14 Savory Avocado Recipes That Don't Include Any Toast

There are a couple of exceptions to my self-imposed rule. Avocados do work surprisingly well when mashed or puréed and added to baked goods as a heart-healthy replacement for butter or oil. There's so much sugar and so many other ingredients in those recipes that the bitter flavor disappears, and because it's blended, it integrates with the other ingredients and doesn't get slimy. It's also tasty when blended up with garlic and herbs to make a creamy sauce for pasta. Since you're tossing the avocado mixture with cooked pasta rather than heating it directly, it doesn't develop those same off flavors that can easily ruin a meal.

There are some things best left as nature intended. Cool and creamy avocados, with their silky, rich texture and light vegetal flavor, are definitely one of them. So the next time you feel the craving hit, keep the oven off and just dig in with a spoon the way nature intended. Your taste buds will definitely thank you.