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What Every Mom Should Know About the First Week Back at Work

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Before that long-awaited date on the calendar arrives, it’s impossible to predict how you’ll feel about it. No, we’re not talking about your due date or your child’s birth date. The epic day in question is the one when you head back to the job — same worker, new title: mom.

Though the experience of balancing parenthood with professional responsibilities is different for everyone, the transition period is almost universally tricky to navigate. As for that first week back at work with a new baby at home or in day care? Clinical psychologist and parenting expert Dr. Stephanie O’Leary warns new parents: Brace yourselves for a whirlwind of feelings.

In addition to likely being hormonal and exhausted, you might notice a shift in your attitude toward work. “Your heart is now connected to your baby, which changes the way you view the entire world,” O’Leary explains. “Things that seemed so important before — like project deadlines and business-casual attire — may now seem trivial compared to how many times your infant has eaten in the last several hours or the impact of teething on naps. As a new mom, you are suddenly facing the new challenge of maintaining your professional identity as a mother, and there are layers of emotion that come along with that journey.”

More:  7 Tips to Help Working Moms Maximize Their "Kid Time"

Overwhelmed yet? Just take a deep breath. Not only have you totally got this, but we’ve tapped experts for their best advice on how to hack it — broken down to one key tip for each day of your first week out of sweatpants. Because “one day at a time” really is the only way to go here.

Monday: Don’t feel guilty if you’re thrilled to be back in the office

When you first part from your baby after being glued at the hip (or, ahem, the nipple) for the past days, weeks or months, O’Leary says it might feel strange at first. And yes, of course, you might shed a few tears as you drive away from your home or day care — but you also might feel… relief.

“You will be appropriately worried and apprehensive about leaving your baby, but it is also completely normal to be excited at the prospect of wearing grown-up clothes and having conversations that do not revolve around bowel movements and spit-up,” O’Leary explains. Instead of beating yourself up over the guilt, savor the time you have reconnecting with your colleagues, sharing your iPhone full of baby photos and using another side of your brain again.

Tuesday: Embrace the superwoman vibes

Congrats! You’ve successfully made it through one full workday plus one evening with three feeding cries for your attention, and you’ve still made it back to your desk, coffee in hand. O’Leary says many moms feel energized by their ability to manage work and home life, if only for one day — so far. We hate to break it to you, but that feeling will likely wane and waver over the next few days, weeks and months, so bask in it now — cautiously. “Savor this newfound confidence while maintaining realistic expectations. You don't have to be perfect, and it's OK to pace yourself by not taking on more than you can manage at first,” O’Leary advises.

Workplace expert Dr. Amy Cooper Hakim suggests reaching out to your human resources department for information on mother’s groups at your company or other tools available to you.

More:  Cult Skin Care Products Moms Love

Wednesday: Accept that your weekend countdown has changed

Prepregnancy, “hump day” had a different meaning; the halfway point of the week maybe meant happy hour plans or making a workout-and-brunch date for Sunday. But nowadays, as Wednesday rolls around, it might dawn on you how much your working situation has shifted. After all, a year ago, grabbing cocktails or heading to spin class with your desk mate after work may have been the norm, but now you’re unavailable. O’Leary suggests setting different expectations and anticipating feeling a tad let down as you hear office chatter around after-work activities. “It may feel like you've worked 10 days straight by this point, and there are still three full workdays on the calendar before the weekend,” she adds. “Be sure to make self-care a priority so you don't lose your momentum.”

Thursday: Set boundaries & delegate, delegate, delegate

When you yawn your way out of bed at 7 a.m. for baby’s first breakfast of the day, don’t be surprised to find an inbox full of emails and calendar invites. By now, O’Leary says your manager has likely fully implemented you back into your role, and the responsibilities will start to mount again. As you weed through your laundry list of duties (and that laundry load full of onesies), O’Leary urges working parents to employ the same strategies at their office as they do at home. “You still have to pull your weight and meet expectations that do not bend for parents or those running on less than four hours of sleep. Try to delegate responsibly whenever possible and resist the urge to bring your work home — because less sleep is not the way to increase productivity,” she explains.

If you’re still feeling out of touch with your company, your brain could be to blame, according to Hakim, as postpartum mental fog is common for many women. That’s why she suggests setting up a one-on-one to go over any lingering questions that contribute to your performance.

More:  7 Moms Reveal What They Wish They Knew Before Returning to Work

Friday: Welcome back, sweatpants

While you might have been mourning your social life on Wednesday, now that you’ve put in a full workweek, those parties and gatherings might seem less enticing as you eye a weekend of quasi-relaxation (or at least what passes for it these days). In other words: If all you can think of is lounging around your living room and cuddling with your baby, that’s totally, completely OK and normal. “Give yourself permission to fantasize about staying in your PJs,” O’Leary urges. “This phase will not last forever, so give yourself credit for all you've accomplished, and use your weekend to recharge,” she adds. Sound advice if we ever heard it.

What every mom should know about the first week back at work

The Dawson's Creek Cast Reunites — Could a Reboot Be Next?!

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Do you hear that? If you listen closely, you might be able to hear Paula Cole's "I Don't Want to Wait" playing over opening credits of a sun-dappled North Carolina landscape as fresh-faced teens get close-ups. We're introduced to the core quartet of actors — James Van Der Beek, Michelle Williams, Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes (in that order) — on a show that would span five years and six seasons and become wildly popular. The show, of course, is Dawson's Creek. Luckily for us, we get to celebrate this beloved coming-of-age teen drama, because 2018 is a very special year from Dawson's Creek: it's the 20th anniversary, baby, and Entertainment Weekly was able to get the proverbial band back together for this milestone celebration.

More: Well, Thanks, Katie Holmes, For Ruining Our Dawson's Creek Revival Dreams

Where to begin... I guess we have to start with the EW cover, which featured Jackson, Van Der Beek, Holmes and Williams, all just looking so, so cool. I mean, seeing the entire crew back together, front and center on this cover of EW and just looking so comfortable to be in one another's company is kinda like getting a warm hug from an old friend. Sure, everyone is a little older (though they've aged really well) and they've all forged their own paths over the years, but it's really nice to see them come back together for this special occasion.

EW Dawson's Creek 20 Years Cover Tweet

EW Dawson's Creek 20 Years Cover Tweet

Speaking of older, it's wild to think just how far each of these actors has come in their lives and careers since their Dawson's days. They're all parents now, and they've all had their fair share of film and TV roles. Williams works predominantly in film, with her most recent roles including All the Money in the World and The Greatest Showman; Holmes is poised to return to TV and was recently part of the Logan Lucky cast; Van Der Beek has kept his focus on TV, popping up in Modern Family and on the Vice comedy What Would Diplo Do?, and soon, he'll be seen on Ryan Murphy's upcoming show Pose; and Jackson has stayed on TV for the most part too, with fans currently getting their fix watching him on The Affair.

More: Where Are They Now? Katie Holmes & the Cast of Dawson's Creek

Our favorite Dawson's Creek stars have done so much in the past 20 years, including starring on this iconic show, and as such, it's hard not to feel a bit of reboot fever while scrolling through some of EW's photos from the reunion shoot. Yeah, the cast says they still see each other — how great would it be to actually get them all back together for a rebooted Dawson's Creek? Surely something could be scripted that would make sense for their characters 20 years on. I mean, if we can bring back Full House and Clarissa Explains It All, we can bring back Dawson's Creek for Pete's sake.

Dawson's Creek Full Cast Reunion Photo

Dawson's Creek Full Cast Reunion Photo

It sounds great in theory, but when the cast was asked if they'd be down for a reboot, there were some mixed reactions. Van Der Beek's reply sounded a bit hesitant: "It would have to be a reinvention of sorts."

Holmes chimed in implying that any kind of Dawson's Creek reboot might not live up to the magic of the original. “What I love about this show is that it existed at a time pre-social media, pre-internet, and it was nostalgic when we were shooting it. So I really like it where it is, to be honest."

More: Katie Holmes Is Returning to TV

Basically, this is my unofficial rallying cry for a Dawson's Creek reboot. Let's get those soft maybes from the cast transformed into hard yeses. Call everyone up, get the contracts worked out, get the script written and make sure Paula Cole is game to rerecord "I Don't Want to Wait" for the 2018 crowd. Let's make this happen, people.

9 Home Decor Trends That Need to Go Away & What to Replace Them With

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We love following new home decor trends, but there are some that just won't die. That's why we hunted all over to find new styles you can incorporate into your home, gracefully ushering out the fads that don't have a place there any more. Of course, staying true to your personal style is always best. But if you're looking for a change, check out these decor ideas for inspiration before you decide to spruce up your home.

1. Bye: Tropical prints

We like dreaming of swaying palm trees as much as anyone, but there's no need to have big, tropical leaf print in every room of your home.

Hi: Bold botanicals

This bold hydrangea bed set is from Hygge and West

Instead, try incorporating some bold florals into your decor. They pack a big design punch while still bringing a natural element into your space.

Hydrangea bedding, $205 at Hygge and West

2. Bye: Word art

Word art is an easy way to let the world know what things you like, but it's not exactly subtle.

Hi: Actual art

Display your love for all things caffeinated with this art

Flaunt your personal style by choosing an art print that expresses the same idea that your word art did — these cute coffee-related painting are a lot more charming.

Coffee wall art set, $7 at prettyblossomprints/Etsy

3. Bye: Chevron

This chevron shower curtain from Target is over

Chevron adds a lot of impact to a room, but it's so busy. And because it's such a distinctive design, it can become overwhelming if you use it in more than one area of your home.

Hi: Texture

Add this embroidered lamp shade to your room

Bring the same sort of impact to your room by opting for items with texture, like embroidery or beading. They're less busy, but still can jazz up a room with little effort on your part.

Moroccan cross lampshade, $78 at Anthropologie

4. Bye: Metal signs

These rustic metal signs honestly look like something from an old mechanic's garage. There are more chic ways to add a bit of metal to your room.

Hi: Mirrors

A geometric mirror adds some art deco class to your home

This geometric mirror still has that shiny metallic look, but it will also open up your room thanks to its reflective powers.

Alexia mirror, $368 at Anthropologie

5. Bye: Woven wall hangings

Woven wall hangings are neat, but they can be overdone

Chunky woven wall hangings are proliferating at an alarming rate — add too many to your home, and it looks like you're living in an area rug sample showroom.

Hi: Hanging baskets

These hanging baskets add texture to your home

If you love the woven look, hanging baskets offer a more streamlined way to show off intricate designs.

Antigua hanging baskets, $98 at Anthropologie

6. Bye: Millennial pink

Say bye bye to millennial pink furniture like this sofa

Millennial pink started a sort of hysteria in the design industry, and it's taken over as the pastel color du jour. But there's more to life than just pink.

Hi: Lilac

Lilac is the new millennial pink

Cool, purple-gray lilac, lavender and amethyst tones are a more subtle way to soften the look of your room.

Swiger convertible sleeper sofa, $397 at Wayfair

7. Bye: Pom-poms

Pom Poms look a little juvenile

Pom-poms have been everywhere — on pillows, curtains and bedspreads — but it's time to give a new embellishment a try.

Hi: Tassels

Tassels add lots of movement and texture to your room

Tassels add texture and movement to your favorite linens, but have a slightly more elegant, chic look.

Magical Thinking net tassel sham set, $49 at Urban Outfitters

8. Bye: All-white kitchens

Stark white kitchens are nice but utilitarian and, dare we say, a little boring?

Hi: Bold kitchen colors

Green tiles add a pop of color to your backsplash

Express yourself in the kitchen by putting in a bold backsplash or painting your cabinets a fun color.

9. Bye: Agate

Agate is a little too overdone

Agate has a super-distinctive look, which means it likely won't age well design-wise.

Hi: Marble

Marble and wood together make a natural statement

To bring a natural look to your decor, try looking for marble and wood items — or those that combine both.

Frosted timber knob, $10 at Anthropologie

Make these swaps, and breathe new life into every room of your home.

KFC Made a Double Down Version of Chicken & Waffles

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In case you thought KFC couldn’t get more gluttonous (no disrespect!) than the gut-busting Double Down, a meat-filled concoction consisting of two fried chicken patties holding together a mixture of bacon, cheese and sauce, well — you’re in for a surprise.

KFC dropped their new Waffle Double Down this week, giving their own spin on chicken and waffles. Like the original Double Down, the sandwich “bread” consists of two fried chicken patties, but they’ve swapped out the bacon, cheese and sauce for a maple aioli-smothered Belgian waffle.

More: Just in Time for Spring, Peeps-Flavored Beer Is Here

Are you canceling your brunch plans yet? Don’t be too quick — turns out they’re only releasing the new menu item in good ole Canada, which, honestly, we don’t get. Sure, they’re the home of maple syrup, but the United States is clearly home to the chicken-and-waffles combo.

More: McDonald's Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry Is Back for Easter

"The Double Down is our most talked about and demanded menu item in Canada, so we wanted to do something special exclusively for Canadian fans," said Samantha Redman, chief marketing officer of KFC Canada, in their press release.

More: New Snack Alert: Chips That Taste Like Taco Bell Hot Sauces Are Coming

But we don’t buy it. Maybe they’re afraid to compete with something we already get so perfectly. If they wanted to go purely Canadian, maybe they could have found a way to make fried chicken poutine. I mean, we would try it.

Anyway, unless you’re gonna hop a plane to Toronto this weekend, you’ll just have to find the traditional version of chicken and waffles at your local diner. There are worse fates that could befall you.

What to Do With Spoiled Milk — From Baking With It to Facial Masks

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There's no use crying over spoiled milk — because you can still totally use it. We usually toss out milk that's gone sour ASAP, but it turns out we may have been missing out on a few interesting uses for dairy that's past its prime.

According to Dana Gunders, Natural Resources Defense Council's leading expert on food waste, cooking with sour milk is delicious.

"It's a substitute for buttermilk," she tells NPR. "You can [use it] in pancake or biscuit batter. And you can't taste the sour! I've pushed it, and let the milk get really old. The pancakes turned out fluffy, and really good."

More: Before You Ditch Dairy, Just Know There May Be Benefits to Drinking Milk

But first, a very important warning: Don't consume milk if it's curdled because of age. This can make you very sick. We're talking about milk that has a sour taste but hasn't curdled yet and is safe to consume.

Typically, milk goes sour about three days after the expiration date. If unopened, it can last up to two weeks past the expiration date. Sour milk has many uses you may find helpful, and you'll no longer feel the need to rush to consume it all before it expires.

Make cheese

The first thing I think of when I find soured milk is making cheese. After all, the main ingredient in cheese is milk that's gone bad. You can make cottage cheese by cooking sour milk in a double boiler over simmering water until it begins to whey (when the watery part of milk separates from the curd, or cheese). Strain it through a towel to remove excess milk, and add in some cream and salt and pepper to taste.

You can also make regular cheese by lining a colander with cheesecloth and pouring in curdled milk. Gather it into a bundle, and hang it in the fridge over a bowl. Once it stops dripping, the cheese is done. Enjoy with crackers and wine!

More: 12 Hacks for Getting Your Cheese Fix — the Healthy Way

Bake with it

Sour milk is a common ingredient in many pancake, cake and waffle recipes. Once it's cooked, you can't tell that sour milk was used, and it's an easy (and delicious) way to use it instead of having it go to waste. Check out this recipe for lemon Bundt cake or this one for Coca-Cola cake. Note that you can also make your own sour milk by adding vinegar or lemon juice to fresh milk.

Other uses

Though sour milk can be delicious in baked goods, desserts (think custards and cheesecakes), eggs and casseroles, there are many other uses for it that don't involve food:

  • Beauty. Sour milk is a common ingredient in facial masks. It's great for the skin — making it smoother and giving it a more even, consistent color. Place sour milk all over the face, let sit, then rinse off with milk (strange, I know), followed by a final rinsing of water.
  • Pets. Use sour milk for pet food — make dog or cat biscuits, or feed it to hens once it's curdled (you can sit it outside in the sun to speed up this process).
  • Home and garden. Pour it around plants to keep deer away, and put it at the base of rosebushes to help them grow. You can even pour sour milk over silver and let sit overnight to make it shine.

As you can see, there are many uses for milk that has spoiled. So next time, think twice before pouring it down the drain!

A version of this article was originally published in October 2012.

How to Convert Any Recipe to Gluten-Fee: Your Handy Guide

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When you first go gluten-free, it's usually your baking that takes the hardest hit. How can you convert a beautiful layer cake recipe to gluten-free and still expect it to be good? Believe it or not, there are some easy recipe hacks that allow you to nix the gluten — and still keep your baked goods delicious.

Almost all recipes can be altered to be gluten-free. Give these tips and swaps a try.

More: 13 Things Vegans Can't Eat (Even Though They Seem Totally Fine)

1. Swap the flour

Substitute all-purpose gluten-free flour in place of all-purpose regular flour at a ratio of 1:1. Try Bob's Red Mill all-purpose gluten-free flour. If you are baking items such as cakes and/or breads, add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum.

2. Eliminate the flour

Try omitting the flour altogether. If you are craving peanut butter cookies, for example, try this simple recipe without the flour.

peanut butter cookies

Simple gluten-free peanut butter cookie recipe

Yields 6 – 8

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 – 2 eggs (depending on how moist you want them to be)

Directions:

  1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Blend the ingredients, and place the dough on a cookie sheet.
  3. Bake for about 10 minutes.

3. Create a gluten-free flour mixture

In place of flour in a recipe, try this combination.

  • 3 parts white or brown rice flour
  • 2 parts potato starch
  • 1 part tapioca flour/starch
  • 1 teaspoon xanthan gum for every 1-1/2 cups flour mixture

More: 21 No-Bake Chocolate Desserts That Are Totally Delicious

4. Consider arrowroot powder

Arrowroot powder can be used in place of xanthan gum if you are having a hard time finding the latter. As a general rule, use 1/2 teaspoon of arrowroot powder for each cup of wheat flour called for in any recipe. Note: Round up if the recipe calls for a partial cup.

5. Experiment with ingredients

Other ingredients in the recipe may need to be adjusted when trying new flours and flour combinations. For example, use 2-1/2 teaspoons of baking powder for every cup of flour used in a recipe. Some flours may be a bit drier, so you may have to add additional liquid ingredients, such as water or oil, depending on what the recipe calls for.

A version of this article was originally published in October 2014.

One Thing You May Have Missed Watching Ready Player One

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OK, listen. I'm not gonna lie. Ready Player One is ridiculously fun. Like, the kind of fun you have watching a movie so completely fleshed out in its Technicolor dreams that you feel like you're actually a part of it after a while. It's the kind of fun where you soon find yourself muttering quietly (so nobody in the theater will shush you) that you recognize a particular pop-culture reference. "Hey, I know what this is!" might tumble out of your mouth in a whisper multiple times if you're a pop-culture junkie watching Ready Player One. In fact, this was the case with me during a screening of Steven Spielberg's latest film ahead of its official March 29 release date.

I'll try to give you the best and briefest spoiler-free rundown of the movie. Adapted from Ernest Cline's 2011 novel of the same name, the film follows Wade Watts, a young man living in Columbus, Ohio, who has found an escape from the run-down, crowded, part steampunk, part dystopian, part-Hunger Games-ish world he inhabits through the virtual reality world called The Oasis. When the creator of The Oasis dies and leaves behind a prize that would reward the finder with half a trillion dollars and control of The Oasis, Wade and a small cohort of friends come together to get the prize.
To get a better sense of what we're working with, take a moment to watch the trailer.
Ready Player One Trailer

Ready Player One Trailer

From its dystopian setting (2045 with its various decrepit visions of a world where overpopulation has forced innovative living situations and people escape into VR worlds) to characters that are not only immersed in a variety of pop-culture characters and references (King Kong! A DeLorean! The Iron Giant! A plot that's basically a big ol' Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory reference!), but they know this pop culture well, Ready Player One is an attractive film. It brings out the better instincts of veteran director Steven Spielberg, who is always inclined to indulge in nostalgia and yearn for the magic of childhood and items and icons of childhood (consider his sense of play and whimsy in early films like E.T. and later, Hook and Jurassic Park). Here, the source material merged with Spielberg's vision makes for a thoroughly exciting film, a summer blockbuster dropped into our laps in the early days of spring.

But I couldn't fight the distinct "oh no" feeling that was rising from my stomach and into my throat as I watched Ready Player One. While the film is a visual feast and yes, it's easy to get lost in this world, there's one thing that was off: the function of the women in this film. This adventure, to retrieve the Easter egg that functions as the key to The Oasis, is distinctly seen through Wade's eyes. This is his story, this is his glory to seize, this is his world. As such, it's hard to not to feel like the group of friends he is surrounded by, which are notably people of color and women, are given very short shrift in the process.
Ready Player One Lena Waithe Olivia Cooke

There's Aech (pronounced like the letter "H"), Wade's sidekick in The Oasis, who as an avatar is a male-presenting ogre of sorts. Outside the virtual world, Aech is Helen Harris, a black lesbian who is just as badass as Wade and who, as it becomes clear over the course of the film, has been made to conform to heteronormative gaming practices, needing to mask both her blackness and her queerness in The Oasis so she can find success. Just as people of color code-switch in the real world so they can conform to various cultural systems, Helen's literally recoded herself into an avatar that fits in with the bro culture of gaming.

Ready Player One Olivia Cooke Tye Sheridan

We also have Wade's love interest, Samantha. In The Oasis, as Art3mis, she's one of the top players and she's actually a total badass. She is as skilled as Wade and is arguably even more fearless than he is. But Samantha quickly becomes a perfunctory part of Wade's story — she brings him into the group of players he befriended in The Oasis and becomes one of his main aides in their quest to find the hallowed Easter egg. But we get the bare minimum amount of information about Samantha, and thus, we get further distanced from her. Aside from being encouraged as viewers to understand that the port-wine stain Samantha has on her face has contributed to her trying to create a version of herself in The Oasis that is fearless and beautiful and acceptable by societal standards, who is she? And no, it's not acceptable to me that this movie implies that just being a love interest and assistant to Wade's heroics is enough character development.

More: The Best Books Made Into Movies

So, that's what Ready Player One does for its women. It others them. It distances viewers from them. It gives them a place in the story but actually fails to give them a voice. Perhaps the reason this bugged me so badly is that even if this is a shortcoming in the original book, the adaptation could have made amends and made room. And while I can't comment on the intent or views Ready Player One's screenwriters — notably both male — have about women, their adaptation of Cline's novel implies there will never be a real place or voice for women in the worlds of gaming, of pop culture or as true heroes in a story. Women are there to prop the male hero up, essentially.

Then again, this notion of "place sans voice" feels quite apt considering we're talking about a film world where gamer culture and the nerdier pieces of pop culture rule the world, not unlike our own world now. Those corners of society, which are rapidly finding a place in the mainstream right now (think about the massive commercial success of the Marvel cinematic universe), value straight, white male perspectives and creative voices and memories. There's a priority placed on revering certain items of pop culture as valued by straight, white men. Nostalgia for the pop culture of yesteryear only serves to remind us that the pop culture of said yesteryear was predominantly created by straight, white men, who in turn are telling us that that's the most valuable pop culture to put nostalgic energy into.

That dominance in creative vision and in pop-culture memory was written by men, directed by a man and then filtered through the lens of a man in Ready Player One, and it only serves to remind me that as great as this film is in its popcorn flick-y kind of way, it's ultimately a sly commentary on the fact that we need to make room for women who can come through with their own voices in male-dominated spaces and redistribute the wealth, as it were, just a little bit better.

50 Crazy Sex Facts for the Modern Woman That'll Fascinate & Educate You

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We always knew sex ed in middle school didn't teach us everything (or even close to it, let's be honest) — but after reading all these crazy facts, we think that class needs a complete overhaul.

From the art of the female orgasm to STIs and condoms, here are 50 sexual truths that will fascinate, entertain and undoubtedly educate you.

More: 6 Unusual Fetishes & Other Surprising Sex Trends

How many of these did you actually know?

1. We automatically perceive people who smell good as more attractive.

2. Ginger stimulates the feelings of excitement associated with sex. Eating ginger elevates your heart rate, gets your blood flowing and gets you excited for the night ahead.

3. A study found that men feel more emotional pain after a breakup than women do.

4. It's official: This study shows that men and women cannot be just friends.

5. Some people consider sperm to be an antiaging treatment, as it has a tightening effect on the skin.

6. Sleep-deprived men are more likely to believe women want to have sex with them. This is not a joke.

7. People who are into kinkier sex may be psychologically healthier.

8. Endorphins released during sexual activity create a euphoria similar to opioid drug use.

9. Some people experience the same feeling of arousal when thinking about food as when having sex.

10. After ovulation, a female's egg is fertile for 24 to 48 hours, and a man's sperm can live 48 hours inside the female body. Do the math, and be careful. There have been documented cases of live sperm discovered eight days after sex.

11. In the U.K., 90 percent of adults admitted to having some form of sexual interaction in the office.

12. You can't say happiness without saying penis. (You're welcome.)

13. Only 18 percent of women orgasm on vaginal penetration alone while having sex with a partner.

14. The Kama Sutra has over 250 references to different types of kisses, when to kiss and how to kiss. How many have you tried?

15. A study found that good sex triggers the region of the brain associated with falling in love.

More: 6 Products & Apps for Long-Distance Couples

16. Men who have sex at least twice a week can almost halve their risk of heart disease according to a 2010 study.

17. Still have that condom from a while back? Toss it! The average shelf life of a latex condom is three to five years.

18. It's a good idea to keep your own condoms because you don't know how long your partner's been holding onto his. Condoms kept in wallets for over a month are more likely to break.

19. There are five to seven calories in a teaspoon of semen.

20. One orgasm a day may decrease a man's risk of prostate cancer.

21. There are some foods that boost your sex drive, one of them being black raspberries. This phytochemical-rich food enhances both libido and endurance. Oysters are high in zinc, which is vital for testosterone production and healthy sperm. Watermelon contains citrulline amino acid, good for the cardiovascular system and to help relax the blood vessels that increase your sex drive.

22. The average vagina is 3 to 4 inches long but can expand by 200 percent when sexually aroused.

24. Sex is 10 times more effective than Valium.

24. Shaving your pubic area increases your chances of spreading an STI.

25. Yeah, they're called STIs (sexually transmitted infections) now instead of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).

Next: More sex facts

A version of this article was originally published in June 2013.

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26. A woman's butt sticks out 25 percent more when she is wearing heels.

27. According to a National Center for Health Statistics analysis, 5.8 million women have used the morning-after pill after sex.

28. Stay on top of your visits to the gynecologist. Many of the worst STIs you can contract have absolutely no symptoms at all for up to three to five years.

29. Keep it PG and still feel good. The nerve endings in the clitoris extend out to where the pubic hair grows, which is why grinding (dry humping) feels so good.

30. Your pain threshold can increase significantly during arousal.

31. The amygdala, the part of your brain that triggers fear and anxiety, shuts down in women when they have an orgasm.

32. Having an orgasm releases an antidiuretic hormone, which is why you probably find yourself unable to pee right after sex.

33. You should pee as soon as possible after sex to prevent urinary tract infections.

34. A blow job is the No. 1 sexual act desired by straight men.

35. Sorry, straight ladies: A study revealed that lesbians have more orgasms.

36. According to a study in 2010, one-third of Brits reported having a sex-related injury.

37. The largest penis on record is 18.9 inches long. The owner says it has ruined his life.

38. Thirty-seven percent of women reported regularly using a vibrator with their sexual partner during intercourse.

39. It's possible for women to achieve orgasm from breast stimulation alone.

40. According to a 2008 survey of sex therapists, sex is too short when it lasts one to two minutes, adequate is three to seven minutes and desirable is seven to 13. If you're still going at 30 minutes, most people will think it's too long.

More: Here’s What You Need to Know About "Psychic Orgasms"

41. A study estimates that 15 percent of women have experienced an orgasm during exercise.

42. Women over 40 years old are more likely to have multiple orgasms than women in their 20s according to a report.

43. According to a survey of adults aged 20 to 59, women have an average of four sex partners during their lifetimes and men have an average of seven.

44. Some sexual dysfunction can stem from how a woman feels about the appearance of her genitals. Love your body. All of it.

45. Festivalgoers would rather spend time doing drugs, drinking and having sex than watching the concert they paid big money to see.

More: New Sex Toys People Are Buzzing About

46. Women with higher testosterone levels might be more interested in masturbation than in having sex with someone else.

47. New moms are ready to have sex sooner than the six-week wait period instructed by their doctor.

48. Nipples are erogenous zones because the sensation of hardened nipples travels to the same part of the brain as sensations from the vagina, cervix and the clitoris.

49. Almost half of American men have HPV.

50. About 75 percent of men always reach orgasm during sex.


Serena Williams' Empire Is Continuing to Grow — This Time With HBO

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What would tennis be without Serena Williams? Moreover, what would Serena Williams be without tennis? Well, it's easy to say that tennis would probably be markedly less exciting without Williams' formidable and capable presence, and in my opinion, it's even easier to say that Williams is still an amazing, driven and inspirational woman outside her tennis career; she's doing so much more than tennis these days, and she is still coming out on top.

More: Serena Williams Will Return to Tennis 5 Months After Giving Birth

But a new HBO documentary, Being Serena, is set to examine Williams' life and the major changes it has undergone in the last couple of years, because there has been so much, and it has indeed rerouted Williams' trajectory, personally and professionally, in a number of ways. Getting married, becoming a mother, venturing into new business endeavors and, yes, staying on top of her sporting career have all come into Williams' purview in a very short amount of time. So, it's understandable that when we see Williams in the Being Serena trailer, she is noticeably contemplative about her life in the present day as she tries to figure out her new place in the world.

Being Serena Doc Teaser

Being Serena Doc Teaser

"I put so much pressure on myself," Williams says in a voice-over as we watch her train in the gym, consult on her foundation and snuggle up with her daughter, Olympia Alexis Ohanian Jr.

"I want to make sure I'm the best. I don't know if there's anything left for me in tennis," she states, looking directly into the camera. "But I'm not done yet." And there it is: that empire-building mindset of Williams' that has gotten her where she is in 2018 comes right on through at the end of the teaser.

MoreSerena Williams' Baby Daughter Makes Her Vogue Debut — on the Cover

It's that determined "I'm not done yet" that reminds us Williams is still dedicated to her career, even if the time is quickly approaching when she'll no longer able to play tennis. She's too busy raising her beautiful daughter with husband Alexis Ohanian, working on various charitable endeavors (like the work she does at the Serena Williams Foundation) and doing things like appearing in various public-speaking engagements (like that time she sat down to chat with SheKnows in 2017).

More: At Long Last, Serena Williams' Baby Daughter Is Here

Williams isn't slowing down anytime soon, and Being Serena makes that clear. Instead, it looks like we're going to be treated to a deeper look at the woman and the creative, ambitious drive that powers her toward new personal and professional highs. We're going to see a woman singularly dedicated to redefining herself with each new milestone achieved and new role acquired. We're really going to see Serena Williams, and that, my friends, is truly exciting.

An Update on Danica Patrick & Aaron Rodgers' Relationship (Hint: It's Good)

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Updated March 28, 2018, 10:50 a.m. PT: Danica Patrick and Aaron Rodgers are going strong and are growing more and more comfortable letting the world take a peek at how cute they are as a couple as the days go by. Case in point: Patrick posted a very twee set of photos to her Instagram on Tuesday that showed off how she rang in her 36th birthday. She sounds so ecstatic in her caption, with the happiness practically radiating through the screen: "I love getting older!!!!!!!!!!! Super grateful for all the love around me in my life! People, work, opportunities, dreams.....full heart space! Don’t forget to dream big for the things you want in your life!" she wrote.

Danica Patrick 36th Bday Instagram

Danica Patrick 36th Bday Instagram

The "how" may have been super-cute and very 2018 (lots of unicorn accessories and a matching cake to boot), but it's really the "who" that we're interested in. It's hard to miss Patrick and Rodgers in a side-by-side embrace as they pose with the rest of Patrick's friends and family for these very festive photos. They look so happy and comfortable with one another that you'd be forgiven for saying "Aww" aloud and maybe secretly hoping these two stay together for a good, long while. Wait; is that just me?

Let's hope these two continue to document their relationship for all to see, because together, they make one heck of a cute couple.

Original story, published February 19, 2018: A month after officially confirming their relationship, Aaron Rodgers and Danica Patrick aren't hiding their love. Rodgers was at the Daytona 500, one of the final races of Patrick's career, over the weekend to cheer on his GF, and that included giving her a big smooch before the race in front of fans, spectators, news cameras and everyone.

Aaron Rogers and GF Danica Patrick kiss at the Daytona

Aaron Rogers and GF Danica Patrick kiss at the Daytona

More: Aaron Rodgers Has a New Lady Love in His Life

Aww! How cute are they?!

Last month, Patrick officially confirmed she and Rogers are an item, telling the Associated Press, "Yes, Aaron and I are dating." They met way back in 2012 at the ESPY Awards, where Rodgers was accepting an award for Best NFL Player. She's not saying whether she had eyes for him then, but soon after, Rodgers started dating model and actor Olivia Munn. They broke up last April, and clearly, Patrick saw her opportunity.

They might be careful with the PDA, though, because Rodgers has been pretty vocal about publicity being a big factor in his high-profile split from Munn. In interviews after the breakup, he repeatedly talked about how hard it is to have a relationship in the public eye. It looks like he may be heading down that path with Patrick, and we'd hate to see their relationship go the same way.

For now, though, they're clearly very happy. Ahead of the Daytona 500, Patrick posted a series of photos to Instagram showing her with all her family — and Rodgers.

More: Danica Patrick Talks About Dominating in a "Man's" Sport

Aaron Rogers and GF Danica Patrick kiss at the Daytona2

Aaron Rogers and GF Danica Patrick kiss at the Daytona2

"Doing Daytona with all the people that mean the most to me," she wrote in the caption.

William & Kate Are Totally Ready for Baby No. 3's Arrival

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The arrival of the newest prince or princess is imminent, and bookies are betting on a baby girl named Alice for those of us keeping track at home. I don't know about you, but I'm so ready to see adorable pics of Prince George and Princess Charlotte with their new brother or sister, who's expected to arrive on April 23. Meanwhile, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, more commonly known as Kate Middleton, have gone total type A and meticulously planned every detail of the birth, complete with thorough backup plans for every possible scenario.

More: Kate Middleton Is Living Her Best Pregnant Life With This Tattoo-Hard Hat Combo

For security reasons, Kate's maternity suite at St. Mary's Hospital (located just 1-1/2 miles from Kensington Palace) has been on lockdown for the past two weeks. "Security does regular sweeps of the room, then it’s resealed each time with tamper-proof tape," a source told Us Weekly. “It’s a high-security operation. Even the crawl space above the room is checked regularly.”

More: Kate Middleton's Snaps of Charlotte's First School Day Are Instagram Gold

The source also told the outlet that a "baby team" of people close to William and Kate are waiting with bated breath to get the call that she's in labor. "[The team] is dedicated to making sure everything is ready, from media plans to security to hospital arrangements," the source said. "There’s a backup plan for everything."

The couple understandably wants to avoid tipping off the press, so the hospital will only get five minutes' notice before William and Kate depart Kensington Palace. But thanks to all the meticulous planning, they're totally ready and prepared to deliver the next prince or princess on very short notice.

More: Kate Middleton's Chicest Pregnancy Outfits

And it seems St. Mary's is prepping for the royal birth in even the subtlest of ways. For example, as reported by People, the railings outside Kate's wing have just received a fresh coat of paint to prepare for the moment the royal couple makes their first public appearance with the new baby. We get it, St. Mary's; you've got to make that paparazzi shot shine.

The location itself is meaningful too. The royal couple introduced George and Charlotte to the world outside the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's, and it's also where William and Prince Harry were debuted in the arms of Princess Diana.

So will Kate and William be welcoming an Alice into their royal wonderland? It sounds like we won't have to wait too much longer to find out.

Everything We Know About Meghan Markle & Prince Harry's Wedding So Far

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Updated March 28, 11:40 a.m. PT: More developments have emerged about the upcoming royal nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and this time, the news is decidedly quite sentimental. On Wednesday, Entertainment Tonight reported that Harry and Markle had sent out 250 invitations to members of the British Armed Forces for the royal wedding. In a statement issued by Kensington Palace, it was noted that there would be a special role for the servicepeople in attendance.

"Regiments and units that hold a special relationship with Prince Harry will provide ceremonial support at the wedding and during the carriage procession at the request of Kensington Palace. More than 250 members of the Armed Forces will perform ceremonial duties at the wedding," the statement read.

ET additionally reported on some those aforementioned duties, which include: members of the Household Cavalry will line the stairs at St. George's Chapel where Harry and Markle will be married. Also, members of the Windsor Castle Guard, which includes those who have served in the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, Royal Navy Small Ships and Diving, Royal Marines, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, The Royal Gurkha Rifles and RAF Honington and who all have ties back to Harry, will line the streets of Windsor, the city where St. George's is located.

This is an especially meaningful royal wedding development because Harry, if you'll recall, served two tours in Afghanistan after joining the military in 2006. It is expected that in addition to the strong military presence at his wedding, Harry will also wear his military uniform (just as Prince William did) on his wedding day.

Updated March 15, 2018, 10:50 a.m. PT: The royal wedding countdown is truly on. With just over two months to go until they say their I do's on May 19, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are checking off items on a royal to-do list. The latest? Getting formal permission from Queen Elizabeth II.

British law states that the first six people in line for the throne must have the current monarch's permission before getting married. Should any of them marry without formal permission, they give up their right to ascend to the throne as well as the right of all their descendants to do so. Harry is currently fifth in line, right behind his niece, Princess Charlotte, meaning he had to have his grandmother's blessing or give up his spot.

In a letter to the privy council, though, the queen sounded thrilled to give her permission to Harry to wed Markle this spring.

"I declare My Consent to a Contract of Matrimony between My Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales and Rachel Meghan Markle, which Consent I am causing to be signified under the Great Seal and to be entered in the Books of the Privy Council," her letter read.

QEII official wedding consent tweet

QEII official wedding consent tweet

Will we see a Princess Meghan in the future? With Harry so far from the throne, it's not likely. But with this development, it's officially possible.

Updated Feb. 27, 2018, 11:45 a.m. PT: It's been rumored that Ed Sheeran will be staging a performance at the upcoming royal wedding, but that's been shot down by Sheeran himself. Another maybe more likely rumor says Elton John may take the stage. But the Spice Girls' Mel B just dropped a big hint about a musical performance that would have everyone talking.

During an appearance on The Real Tuesday, Mel B told hosts Adrienne Bailon, Loni Love and Jeannie Mai she is going to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. When asked, "Did you get an invitation?" Mel B replied, "Well, it was the five Spice Girls. Why am I so honest?!"

Um, so does this mean the Spice Girls are performing at the wedding? They've previously declined to reunite and perform together, but when the actual Prince of Wales and his fiancée ask for something, we imagine it's hard to say no.

Mel B on maybe Spice Girls reunion

Mel B on maybe Spice Girls reunion

When asked specifically if she's attending the royal wedding to perform with the Spice Girls, Mel B just looked at her cards and shook her head. The cohosts screamed, and Mel B threw her cards in the air and said, "I need to go! I am going to be fired!"

No matter how you slice it, that sounds like an admission. Could this really be happening? Only a few months left before we find out for sure.

Updated Feb. 13, 2018, 12:40 p.m. PT: Here are a few more reasons to get up early and tune in to the royal wedding. Reports are saying there will be some world-class entertainment to help Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrate tying the knot — Harry has reportedly personally asked Ed Sheeran to perform at the wedding. Here's hoping he chooses something a little more romantic than "Shape of You."

There are also rumors Elton John will perform now that he's canceled a few of his Las Vegas shows amid confirming he scored an invite to the wedding of the century. Basically, everything he plays is tear-jerkingly romantic, so we can't imagine anyone better.

Updated Feb. 12, 2018, 10:30 a.m. PT: May keeps inching closer, and that means more and more royal wedding details are hitting the headlines. Over the weekend, we learned a little more about what to expect when May 19 rolls around and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say their I do's, including what time we'll need to be up to be able to tune in to the ceremony.

According to Kensington Palace, the wedding is set for noon in the U.K., which is 7 a.m. Eastern or 4 a.m. Pacific. It's gonna be an early morning for those of us on the West Coast, but it'll be worth it to see royal history being made.

The palace also revealed that after exchanging vows, Harry and Markle will lead a parade through the streets of Windsor, riding in a horse-drawn carriage. It's something Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge did on their wedding day, and it was definitely a highlight. We're so excited to see it becoming something of a tradition.

The one thing the palace isn't revealing is who or how many people made the guest list. We still don't even know if invitations have been sent out, but we do know that St. George's Chapel can hold about 800 people, so there's plenty of space for a large wedding.

Spring really can't get here soon enough.

Original story, published Jan. 5, 2018: The next royal wedding was only just announced, and yet it's right around the corner. Before we know it, May will be here, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be exchanging their vows. With only five months to go before the big day, obviously we're hungrily searching the internet for all the information we can find about the upcoming ceremony.

More: Meghan Markle's New Year's Resolutions Are Inspiring

Some of the latest news to hit the 'net is that both Markle and Harry are starting to assemble their wedding parties. A source told Us Weekly that Markle is sticking to some American traditions, despite the very British wedding that's being planned, and that means she's chosen a maid of honor rather than a chief bridesmaid.

"While it is very much a British wedding, expect a few American touches too," the insider said. There's still no confirmation about exactly who her maid of honor is going to be, but there are definitely some predictions out there: Markle's best friend and stylist Jessica Mulroney, fellow actress Priyanka Chopra and Suits co-star Sarah Rafferty would all be unsurprising picks.

More: Meghan Markle's Engagement Ring Will Pay Homage to Princess Diana

Harry, on the other hand, has a pretty easy choice for his best man.

"Harry has several close guy friends, but there's no way he would ask anyone but William to take on the top job," a source told Us Weekly last month. That one was a no-brainer.

More: A Definitive Timeline of Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s Relationship in 2017

While the royal family is hard at work preparing for the wedding, all of Britain is preparing for the huge influx of tourism that will likely come with it. When Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot in 2011, 350,000 tourists came to the UK for the big day. Britain's Office of National Statistics is already expecting similar crowds around Harry and Markle's May 18 wedding date, as well as a $680 million boost to the UK's economy because of the wedding. Two beautiful lovebirds tying the knot and single-handedly boosting their country's economy? What a win-win.

Pregnant Chrissy Teigen Is Already Excited for Baby No.... 3?!

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As Chrissy Teigen and John Legend prepare to welcome little Luna's baby brother, there are many preparations to make. But it turns out the model, cookbook author and Lip Sync Battle host is a skilled multitasker (is anyone surprised?). With the birth of her and Legend's son four months away, Teigen is already making plans for... baby No. 3.

More: Chrissy Teigen Reveals Why They Created Extra IVF Embryos This Time

"I think I do want to have another baby after this and then get hot," Teigen told Us Weekly. "I just want to go babies, back to back to back, but then I think maybe I want to have my 30s, really live in my 30s and not just be pregnant throughout them."

Although it's clear women are plenty hot during pregnancy (um, just look at Teigen) we do love that she's so enthusiastic about motherhood.

More: Chrissy Teigen Has Some Unusual Name Choices for Her Son

Chrissy Teigen With Luna

Chrissy Teigen With Luna

She also shared that Legend is the most supportive spouse anyone could ask for.

"I have a husband who truly loves the whole experience," Teigen told Us Weekly. "He holds my belly at night, sings to it, wants to be there for me. I’m really lucky because some men start to look at you like a tool, I’ve heard, so I’ve been scared and don’t let that happen to me! But it hasn’t, and it’s really good."

I mean, we'd expect nothing less from Legend.

More: Chrissy Teigen Laughs Off Playground-Phobic Mom Shamers

As Teigen plans for her second and third babies, I'm personally excited enough for the second one — whom Teigen has quipped she'd like to name "Urban Legend" (he-he). As for the first photos of Luna and her new sibling, something tells me they're going to make my heart melt into a puddle. The Teigen-Legend family generally has that effect on me.

The Most Common Sex Injuries & How to Avoid Them

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Sex is tons of fun, but sometimes, things can go wrong. Yes, we're talking about sex injuries — they can and unfortunately sometimes do happen, and they're not just unenjoyable, they can hurt a lot too. Here are the most common sex injuries and how they can (hopefully!) be avoided.

But first things first: Sex involves your genitals of course, and no matter what type of genitals you have, if things aren't aligned well, you're not properly lubricated or you're in a position that suddenly moves, then things can go bad in a hurry. While human genitals are made of pretty hardy tissue (after all, female genitalia and reproductive organs are designed to withstand the birth of a 7-plus-pound infant), it's still a sensitive area and you can get hurt. Here are a few common injuries to keep in mind the next time you're enjoying some intimate time with a partner (or yourself).

Rips or tears

Dr. Michael Ingber, who is board certified in urology and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, notes that there is an area just "south" of the vaginal opening called the posterior fourchette that may be prone to rips or tears. Other tissue in the vagina area can also be torn, and it can all hurt and can bleed, and there is the potential for chronic issues as well. "The chronic ripping-tearing-healing cycle leads to vulvar granuloma fissuratum, which requires surgical therapy," he explains. Ouch!

The solution: Lubrication can drastically reduce rips or tears in tender vaginal tissue. It will reduce friction and keep the good times rolling without tearing your flesh.

More: Here's What People Got Stuck in Their Vaginas Last Year

Pelvic floor strain

Your pelvic floor provides support for your pelvic organs, and repeated stress or straining during sex can affect not only your comfort level, but negatively impact how your innards are all held together, which can lead to health problems down the road (such as pelvic organ prolapse).

The solution: Proper amounts of lubrication can help prevent this problem, as it alleviates discomfort and involuntary pelvic floor muscle stress. Relaxation during sex is crucial as well, so call off your escapades if you're experiencing anxiety.

Penile fracture

This happens to you if you have a penis, of course, but it generally occurs during sex with a partner. It involves an erect penis forcefully banging into an immovable object, such as a woman's pubic bone or her perineum.

"Typically, a pop is heard, and the penis can actually swell up and become bruised to the point where it looks like an eggplant," Ingber says. This, of course, causes a great deal of pain to the owner of the penis, but it is also painful for their partner whose tender body part was impacted hard enough it caused a penis fracture.

The solution: This can happen during rough sex when the participants get carried away. Try to take it slow if possible, and if you feel the penis hitting a part of the body that it's not supposed to, switch positions immediately. And if it does happen, seek medical help ASAP.

Pulling a muscle

Sex is a calorie-burning (and sometimes athletic) activity, and it's totally possible you can pull a muscle while going at it — and we mean regular muscles like those found in your back, not necessarily those surrounding your sex organs.

The solution: Preventing muscle strains during sex can be as simple as doing a little pregame warm-up. "Before you start bending and contorting your body into different sexual poses, sometimes you need to stretch or start things a bit slower and warm up to more complex situations," notes Caitlin Hoff, a health and safety investigator at ConsumerSafety.org.

Breaking a bone

Yes, you can even break a bone or sprain a joint by getting frisky. "These injuries might range in severity from bent fingers to cracked ribs depending on the situation, but most commonly these injuries come from falling off a bed, slipping in the shower or by dropping your partner," says Hoff.

MoreWhat to Do If You Get Something Stuck Inside Your Vagina

The solution: Be aware of your surroundings and don't get so caught up in the moment that you don't notice you're about to fall off the bed or slip in the shower.

The verdict: Take it slow!

Basically, we're telling you to take a moment to lube up, stretch out, make sure you're not getting pounded in the pubic bone and have a solid surface beneath you before you get busy with your partner. If you experience serious injuries, of course, see a doctor as soon as possible, but a few pre-sex preparation tips may prevent them from happening in the first place.

7 Key C-Section Recovery Tips — From Scar Care to Diet

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Since 1965, when national C-section rates were first measured, the number of C-sections in the U.S. steadily climbed, peaking in 2009 at 32.9 percent after increasing every year since 1996. However, recent C-section rates declined for four straight years starting in 2012, with 2016 showing the all-time lowest (31.9 percent) C-section rates — down from 32 percent in 2015.

Although the rates are still declining, they're still well above the national target set by the Department of Health and Human Services: 23.9 percent. That said, it's almost certain someone you know (or maybe you) will have a cesarean delivery — the total number of cesarean deliveries in 2016 was 1,258,581, after all.

Of course, as with any other part of the birthing process, C-sections can come with complications and difficulties — and plenty of women have had negative C-section experiences. However, plenty of others have said that they loved the experience. Many hospitals are even implementing new C-section protocols — such as gentle C-section, which promotes more skin-to-skin contact — to make the transition after birth easier on both the mother and the baby.

More: The Photos of This Heroic Mom Giving Birth in a Hallway Will Amaze You

Experts’ top C-section recovery tips

One thing’s for sure: The C-section debate isn’t going to quiet down anytime soon, and until then, women will still be getting C-sections every day. So, what’s a mom to do when she gets home with a new baby and a big wound that needs to heal? That’s where most new mothers find themselves between a surgical rock and a hard place. It’s during these challenging first few days (and weeks) that it’s critical to focus on C-section recovery to make sure the surgical incision heals completely. If you're in the same boat, here's how to deal.

1. Ask for & receive help

Recovering from surgery as a new mom while getting used to a new baby is no time for humility. On the contrary: It's the perfect time to run up a white flag, rest a little more in bed and finally let other members of your family do something for you.

The first step, says Marjorie Nass, cofounder and chief wellness officer at Ready Set Recover, is to "acknowledge you've not only had a baby — you've also had surgery, and your body needs time to recover." She also offers advice for making help happen. "When people ask what they can do to help, thank them. Be specific by making a list of what you'll need, and share it with those who've offered to help. People love to assist new mothers, and in many ways, when you allow others to help you, you're actually helping them."

More: What No One Tells You About Having a Home Birth — but I Will

2. Focus on a nutritious diet

As the old saying goes, change comes from within, and C-section recovery also starts from the inside. Eating nourishing foods is the best thing you can do for your body after having a baby — and could even make recovery easier following a major surgery. Dr. Carolyn Dean, health, nutrition and prenatal and postnatal care expert, recommends a nutrient-rich diet for C-section moms that is high in magnesium. Dean explains that over 75 percent of women do not get their recommended daily allowance of this important mineral, which has anti-stress properties and can aid in the digestion of proteins, carbohydrates and fats while supporting recovery and more restful sleep. Dean says eating more magnesium-rich foods, like leafy greens, nuts, seeds and avocado, and taking a magnesium supplement can help.

Draion “Dr. Drai” Burch, an OB-GYN who specializes in women's health and transgender health, advises to start slow and work up to this healthier diet, especially following surgery. "Take it easy on the food — start with ice chips, then liquid diet and then regular food," he says.

3. Care for your scar

Attending to your C-section scar may not be the first thing on your mind right after having a baby, but Dr. Jill Waibel, scar expert and owner of the Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute, says that paying attention to this delicate area immediately post-operation can help to improve scar appearance and skin recovery. "One tip to reduce scarring immediately after surgery is to start with compressions, such as wearing Spanx or Steri-Strips, which will prevent worsening of the scar formation," says Waibel. "Verify with your OB-GYN that this will not interfere with anything or cause further medical concerns. It is also important to keep the area covered to avoid infection. Excellent post-operative care after surgery is critical and will help prevent severe hypertrophic scar formation."

4. Start walking, but avoid lifting

Once your doc has given you the go-ahead to start moving after surgery, staying active is key to supporting your recovering body. Dean advises waiting for any medications to wear off so you can feel your body before you start walking regularly, building up your strength and distance gradually. She cautions, "Don't do any lifting, including the baby, if at all possible."

Dr. Drai agrees that heavy lifting, bending at the waist and lifting above the head are totally off-limits during recovery. He also recommends starting slow. "Try to get out of the bed the first night after your C-section. Once the urinary catheter comes out, you're free to walk, so stretch your legs!"

5. Practice "bracing"

If you can’t lift your own baby after a C-section, then what can you do? For those mamas looking for C-section-specific recovery exercises to get them back on their feet faster, Colleen Flaherty, certified strength and conditioning specialist at the Baby Bump Academy, knows just the trick.

"The first thing women can do as soon as they get home is bracing," she says. "This means pulling the belly button into the spine for five seconds and [then] relaxing. Bracing can be performed as much as possible wherever, standing, [lying] or sitting. When you brace properly, you continue to breathe normally and even feel it tighten in the lower back."

6. Try rolling/pushing up instead of sitting up

It may be your natural urge to pop up in bed when you hear your new baby squawking in the night, but try to resist if you can. "Women should avoid sitting up — in bed, off the ground — at all costs, as the internal pressure it too great on the incision," says Flaherty. "Instead, roll to one side, and push yourself upright with your arms. When sneezing or laughing, make sure to brace [explained above] to keep the core safe. The last thing is to squat properly instead of bending over all the time. Bending over puts a crazy amount of pressure on the lower back, which wraps around to the front, which is weak from the incision."

More: 30 Beautifully Raw Photos That Capture the Reality of Childbirth

7. Be kind to yourself

If the stress starts to get the best of you and you feel like you’re totally mucking it up as a mom (and as a surgical patient), take a beat and take a few deep breaths. Nass recommends practicing deep-belly breathing each day to relax both you and your baby during feedings. "Be kind to yourself," she urges.

It helps to remember that C-section recovery can take time. Dr. Drai estimates typical recovery at six to eight weeks, while Flaherty believes it may take up to a year before a woman feels herself again. Although, Flaherty says performing the right exercises (and taking care of yourself) can be a big help to speed the recovery process along.

C-section recovery tips

A version of this article was originally published in June 2009.


The Real Reason You Need to Microwave Popcorn ‘This Side Up’

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Ah, it’s movie night, finally! After a long workweek, nothing sounds better than a night in cuddled up under some blankets with, of course, some movie night munchies. Popcorn is a must.

As anyone who’s eaten buttery goodness from a microwave popcorn bag knows, there is a large label on one side of the package stating, “This Side Up.” Naturally, the rebel in me has to ask, “What if I don’t?” What exactly will happen if I microwave it upside down? I’ve never tempted fate and done it since I can imagine firefighters showing up after a giant explosion, with one saying to me, “Why can’t you follow directions?” So I did what any good writer would do — I researched it.

More: 9 Surprising Uses for Aluminum Foil

What I discovered

No, the bag will not explode if you microwave it upside down. The real answer lies with an interesting material called a susceptor. It’s the metallic-looking sheet (sometimes wrapped in paper) found both in microwave bags and in crisping sleeves for other microwaved foods. It absorbs the microwaves, which raises its temperature high enough to cook the kernels by conduction. In order for this to happen properly, the kernels should be positioned over the susceptor.

If you were to cook a microwave popcorn bag upside down, you would simply have far fewer (and less evenly) popped kernels in the bag. If you’ve ever popped corn in a brown paper bag, you know that isn’t very efficient, though some think it is safer than popping prepackaged popcorn bags.

More: Your Guide to Sugar Alternatives & When to Use Them

A silver lining (sort of)

The next time you want to make some popcorn-inspired snacks, peek into the empty bag. You’ll notice a large gray rectangle on the “down” side of the bag. That gray patch is the susceptor.

Is it safe?

Well, that depends on whom you’re asking. The FDA states the following:

“Studies by FDA, with hot vegetable oil in contact with a susceptor, have shown that the susceptor materials liberate volatile chemicals that may be retained in the oil at parts-per-billion (ppb) levels.”

The study was performed on various microwavable foods containing susceptors to try to ascertain how many chemicals they came into contact with went into the food. Among others, benzene (a known carcinogen) was found in small amounts in three of the foods that were tested. The study did note that more-recent susceptor products appeared to have been reformulated to remove even those trace amounts.

More: I Tried 6 Energy-Boosting Foods. Here’s What Really Works

The more you know! With this information, you can choose what you’re comfortable eating. Maybe a daily bag of microwave popcorn isn’t a smart idea (on many levels), but you can always go for this easy stove-top method. In any case, you can rest easy knowing that the bag won’t explode in the microwave if you put it in upside down.

Originally published on Taste of Home.

10 Ways to Soothe a Kid With Chicken Pox

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Each year, there are more than 3.5 million cases of varicella — or the chicken pox, as we commonly call it. It's a virus that needs to naturally run its course, which means it will last anywhere from five to 10 days (which can feel like a lifetime for kids and adults alike).

While it used to be a common childhood illness in the United States, especially in kids under age 12, chicken pox is rarer now thanks to the introduction of the varicella vaccine in 1995. Nowadays, kids get the vaccine when they're 12 to 15 months old and then follow that up with a booster shot between the ages of 4 and 6.

But when your little one does catch a case of the chicken pox, it's no easy feat to soothe all that itching plus the aches and pains. Sure, you know you shouldn't let your kid scratch the rash — but what else can you do to ease your poor kiddo's suffering? From over-the-counter remedies to at-home soothing soaks, here are five ways to soothe a child with chicken pox.

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

Quell aches & pains with acetaminophen

The chicken pox virus typically comes with viral-type symptoms, such as headache, fever, fatigue, sore throat, stomachache and muscle aches. When your children are suffering through these discomforts, you can give them acetaminophen (Tylenol) according to the dosage information on the bottle.

However, do avoid anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen. Taking this can make your child very ill. Plus, children under 16 years old should never take aspirin, as it could lead to Reye's syndrome, a severe disease that affects the liver and brain and can cause death.

Reduce itching with soaks

Cool or lukewarm baths (not too hot or too cold) with two cups of ground oatmeal blended in (use home-ground oatmeal or a store-bought oatmeal bath packet like Aveeno) can help reduce itching in children with chicken pox. Adding one-half to one cup of baking soda to the bath may also put a halt to the itches. Give your child a bath frequently — every three to four hours — for the first few days of the virus.

Other ways to calm itchy chicken pox skin include:

  • Tap or pat the itch. Never scratch! This includes when you're drying your child's skin off post-bath: Just dab or pat it.
  • Wear loose cotton clothing. This allows skin to breathe.
  • Keep your cool. Use a cool, wet washcloth on itchy areas to calm skin.

More: 7 Tips to Help Working Moms Maximize Their "Kid Time"

Dry up chicken pox with lotion

Calamine is the most common lotion used to soothe itching due to chicken pox; apply it directly to blisters to help them dry out and give skin relief. Do not, however, use calamine lotion on the face near the eyes.

"My strategy was to give them a bottle of Caladryl and an artist's brush and let them paint their 'polka dots,'" says Elisabeth Morrissey, author of It's Not All About You! and former nanny. "Then they'd get to play dot-to-dot and draw pictures with the spots."

Treat itching from the inside with medication

You can also give kids over-the-counter antihistamines such as Benadryl to lessen severe itching. Due to its drowsiness-inducing nature, though, Benadryl works best at night. Claritin or Zyrtec may also help diminish severe itching from blisters, and those do not cause drowsiness. You may also discuss antiviral medications such as Zovirax with your doctor; these may shorten the course of the virus.

Before you administer any medications, though, check with your doctor first to make sure your child can safely take antihistamines.

Keep your child hydrated

In order to stave off dehydration, make sure kids drink lots of fluids. This will help the body rid itself of the virus faster. (And yes, they do need to ditch sugary drinks and choose water instead).

In terms of food, if chicken pox sores develop in the child's mouth, keep them on a soft, bland diet. Avoid hard, spicy or salty foods; these can make your kid's mouth very sore. You can, however, offer a few sugar-free or 100 percent juice ice pops. (Your kid will love that.)

Avoid bacterial infections by preventing scratching

Scratching varicella blisters can lead to skin and bacterial infections, so make sure to keep kiddo's nails trimmed to keep him from breaking open itchy chicken pox sores. You can also have young children wear cotton mittens to prevent scratching, especially at night during sleep.

More: 14 Cute & Useful Baby Subscription Boxes Parents Love

But before you do anything...

Do you suspect one of your kids has caught a case of varicella? You may want to get a professional opinion before treating it as chicken pox.

"With the vaccines available today, incidents of chicken pox are rare," explains Dr. Charles I. Shubin of Mercy Medical Center. "If you suspect that your child has the chicken pox, call your pediatrician immediately to rule out other possibilities."

But for those kids who do come down with for-real varicella, you're now prepared to be a superhero parent, conquering the pox like it ain't no thing.

A version of this article was originally published in November 2011.

Today Got Awkward for Savannah Guthrie This Morning

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You have to hand it to Savannah Guthrie: She's been working in broadcast news for more than 20 years and only now is she experiencing one of the major hiccups of the trade. The hiccup? Accidentally swearing while wearing a "hot," aka on and live, microphone. Luckily, she didn't say anything too, too spicy, but it was shocking enough to warrant Guthrie having to smooth things over in the most charming way possible.

More: Savannah Guthrie Highlights Her Happiest Day on Her Anniversary

So, the way Us Weekly reports it, Guthrie was looking over her notes while Today was live, and unbeknownst to her, the camera cut back to her just as she muttered, "Oh, shit," while on the air. Yeah, that totally happened, and no, I'm not going to post it here and further embarrass Guthrie; go Google it if you're curious. But as soon as it happened, Guthrie was heard saying, "Sorry, guys," before the broadcast cut right to commercial.

Savannah Guthrie Swear Apology Tweet

Savannah Guthrie Swear Apology Tweet

Later that morning, Guthrie hopped on Twitter to make light of her gaffe and officially apologize to the world. "Check, check - is this thing on? Yeah I guess it is. So sorry guys. Thanks for being kind and understanding. And guess it’s [a] good thing I don’t wear a mic all day. #ohdarn," she tweeted out to her followers shortly after the incident occurred.

Naturally, her followers were quite forgiving and were able to laugh along with her.
Guthrie Swear Reaction 1

Guthrie Swear Reaction 1

Guthrie Swear Reaction 2

Guthrie Swear Reaction 2

Guthrie Swear Reaction 3

Guthrie Swear Reaction 3

Guthrie Swear Reaction 4

Guthrie Swear Reaction 4

More: Savannah Guthrie Sees the Bright Side of Matt Lauer's Termination From Today

Just between you and me, this whole incident just serves to make Guthrie even cooler and more endearing to me. She's already just a ray of sunshine on Today, but then she goes and has a very human moment with this slipup and it makes her even more relatable. I mean, who among us has accidentally gotten a little extra fresh at work without realizing it? Haven't you ever gone on autopilot and all of a sudden, you find a spicy curse word tumbling out of your mouth and there's no chance you're able to transform it into another, less spicy word?

More: NBC Was So Worried About Ratings, They Called Savannah Guthrie to Save the Day

All I know is I'm now #TeamGuthrie more than ever before. It's good to see she's shaking off this awkward moment, but honestly, we've all been there, sis. We get it.

Jennifer Lopez & Alex Rodriguez Are Planning For the Future With a New Home Purchase

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While there's been talk of these two getting serious for quite some time, we have had many hard and fast indicators that Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez were in it for the long haul — aside from celebrating their 1-year anniversary recently. True, that's no mean feat, but when it feels like there's a story circulating darn near every other day that these two are thinking of marriage or possibly having kids, we need something a little more concrete to hang on to that tells us just how serious these lovebirds are.

And now, we have that indicator.

More: Jennifer Lopez Talks Alex Rodriguez on Their One-Year Anniversary

Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Lopez and Rodriguez bought an apartment together in New York City and they paid — brace yourself — approximately $15.316 million for it. I mean, if that's not commitment, at least in the world of celebrities, then I don't know what is. You don't just go halfsies on a $15 million-plus apartment if you're not sure that the person you're buying it with is someone truly special.

From the sounds of the listing, this is also not just any piddly love nest in the city that's been hyped up, either. The pad is located on the very clutch Park Avenue in Midtown, Manhattan and boasts 4,000+ square feet with three bedrooms, four-and-a-half- baths and a library. A library, people. What could be more serious than buying a luxe apartment that includes a freaking library? There's also views that overlook Central Park, a doorman, marble floors and countertops and maybe the most clutch feature of all (especially for chilly NYC days): heated floors in the bathroom. Pure bliss.

More: J.Lo & A-Rod Are Taking the Big Leap Into Domesticity

Buying this apartment is big news for J.Lo and A-Rod, who continue to show us each and every day just how committed they are to one another. After a year together, the couple has already introduced their children from previous marriages to one another, have begun living together (which will no doubt continue with this new apartment), teamed up on various charitable endeavors including giving relief and aid to Puerto Ricans after Hurricane Irma, vacationed together, become ingratiated in one another's professional lives and so forth. Lopez is even dropping off all of the kids (hers and Rodriguez's) at school — how cute is that? Basically, they're knocking down relationship milestones left and right and this apartment purchase seems to prove that they are set on building a life and future together.

More: Jennifer Lopez & Alex Rodriguez Are Looking Extra Loved Up These Days

As far as I can tell, the only way is up for these two and right now, whatever "up" is is looking pretty darn wonderful.

Can You Really Get Addicted to Food?

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Addiction is a health issue that can take many forms. We're familiar with alcoholism or drug addiction, but can people really be addicted to food? After all, food is a basic need of human beings, so how is that even possible? For those who experience it, it's a very real issue. Here's why.

Food & its potential for addiction

Eating is a normal function necessary to maintain life in many life-forms, including our own. We require sustenance to maintain our energy levels and basic biological functions, such as growth and cell renewal. However, food doesn't just affect the body — consuming it also has physiological effects on our brains.

"When we eat, the feel-good hormone dopamine, which controls the pleasure and reward centers of the brain, is released," says Dr. Susan Albers, a clinical psychologist. It turns out this is similar to what happens when drugs or alcohol are introduced to our system — it feels awesome, and we like it.

More: What to Do if You've Overeaten

For some people, however, the pleasure centers in the brain are more active than in others, which means they experience far more food-related pleasure when eating. This can lead to overeating and binge-eating, which can then result in physical distress and overwhelming guilt, which is paired with an inability to discontinue these habits and feel better (do note, however, that this type of bingeing doesn't include aspects of bulimia, such as intentional vomiting, although it can happen naturally as a result of the overeating).

Dr. Keith Kantor, a nutritionist with a PhD in nutrition science and CEO of the Nutritional Addiction Mitigation Eating and Drinking program, explains that certain foods seem to be more addicting than others — for example, those that contain potent amounts of sugar, sodium and processed fats.

"Food originally was not processed and contained only natural occurring fats, sugars and sodium that the body was made to use for metabolism, for optimal energy," he said. So while our ancestors didn't have unhealthy processed foods readily available, we certainly do, and it can be a factor in a developing (or ongoing) food addiction.

Treatment for food addiction

One of the obstacles to treating a food addiction, says Albers, is that it's not recognized as a disorder in the DSM-5, the handbook health care professionals use to diagnose mental health disorders.

'"This is partly because, unlike addiction to alcohol or drugs where there's a physiological response, here, individuals have a psychological relationship with food," she explains. She notes that food addicts who avoid their triggers won't necessarily go through withdrawal, but they struggle with the same feelings. She says when she works with clients and listens to their experiences, it's very similar to the language and the behaviors to other kinds of addiction.

However, the first step to overcoming a food addiction is becoming self-aware that you may have a problem, Kantor explains. If you realize that food may play a negative role in your life, or you find yourself binge-eating or eating food when you're not hungry, you may have a food addiction. Additionally, those with this affliction often go out of their way to get a desired food or become fixated on how to get it, where they'll get it and how they'll pay for it.

MoreThese Are the Early Signs of Digestive Problems in Women

Once you recognize these behaviors, there are some simple steps you can take on your own.

"Replace your unhealthy food choices with healthy unprocessed options like fruit instead of candy, nuts instead of chips or 70 percent dark chocolate instead of processed candy bars," Kantor says. "Ensure that you are eating a balanced diet rich in healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, quality protein and whole, unprocessed carbohydrates. If your diet is packed with optimal nutrients, your cravings will reduce simply because your opiate receptors will not be stimulated and hormones like insulin levels will be in optimal range."

Albers has additional suggestions, including embracing mindfulness practices. "Teaching people how to use mindfulness to ride out the craving and get to the other side of it without responding to it is key," she notes. "I always suggest taking a nature walk, meditating, piling blankets on top of you to feel warmth and comfort (a sensation we get from most foods) and so on."

Get help if needed

Of course, simply making food swaps and riding out your severe cravings may not be enough, but there is hope — you don't have to tackle food addiction alone. Seek out support groups, or reach out to a qualified counselor or psychologist if you feel your efforts are not giving you the results you need.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a food addition, it may help to get in touch with organizations like Food Addicts Anonymous or the Food Addiction Institute.

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