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Susan Sarandon Was Arrested While Protesting Current Immigration Policies

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More than 600 women gathered in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to exercise their civic duty and peacefully protest the Trump administration's immigration policies. Among the protesters was actor Susan Sarandon, who documented the protest and, later, her arrest.

More: Actual Things You Can Do Today to Help Families at the Border

According to People magazine, the protest was organized by the Women’s March and the Center for Popular Democracy. It took place in D.C. and culminated in a sit-in in the Hart Senate Office building during working hours. During the sit-in, the Women's March reported that approximately 630 women had wrapped themselves in foil blankets (similar to the blankets immigrants were being given in detention centers at the United States-Mexico border) and were vocally protesting. 

It's unclear how exactly Sarandon was arrested, but she managed to send one tweet indicating her current situation: "Arrested. Stay strong. Keep fighting. #WomenDisobey."

A few hours after sending that tweet, Sarandon tweeted out another photo from the protest, implying that she had been released from police custody (she has since retweeted other tweets, supporting the suggestion that she is out of custody). 

"Powerful, beautiful action with hundreds of women saying we demand the reunification of families separated by immoral ICE policy," Sarandon wrote in her follow-up tweet. "This is what Democracy looks like. #WomenDisobey."

Sarandon had been documenting the protest earlier in the day, posting her own original tweets and retweeting others that showed video footage and photos from inside the Hart Senate Office building.


More: Chrissy Teigen & John Legend Post Pumping Pic, Donate to ACLU, Will Likely Save World

It's unclear at this time why more than 500 protesters were arrested and what they were charged with, if indeed they were charged at all. Sarandon has not yet commented further on her arrest, and Capitol police have not released a statement.


Chef Carlito Jocson Shares the Sauces He Keeps on Hand — & Ketchup Isn't One of Them

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Carlito Jocson was going to be a doctor. That's what he was going to school for when he was working in restaurants and decided to change his career path entirely. Now, more than 20 years after cofounding the New American restaurant Yard House, a chain restaurant with 66 locations, we're glad he decided to pursue delicious food.

As Yard House's executive chef, Jocson is constantly coming up with unique flavors to put in his restaurant. But we wondered — what was in his fridge at home? Here's what he told us.

SheKnows: Tell us a little bit about what’s in your fridge.

Carlito Jocson: I keep a variety of condiments stocked in my refrigerator, including crab paste, taberu rayu and soy sauce. Additionally, I keep crispy shallots from Thailand, fish sauce, farm-fresh eggs, lemons and a variety of cooking oils — including extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil and grape-seed oil.

SK: Are there any items that you always make sure to keep in stock?

CJ: I keep those condiments stocked because they’re the essentials for preparing a full, flavorful meal. When my family gathers around to decide on the evening’s protein, these items can be used in various combinations to enhance the flavor and pair with different vegetables. Fusing these condiments with protein, rice or vegetables allows us to create a unique culinary mashup at home, and oftentimes, inspires dishes guests can find on the Yard House menu.

SK: What’s in your freezer?  

CJ: Currently, I have a bag of Benton’s Bacon, which is made by an artisan bacon maker, as well as falafel and our family’s favorite flavors of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams: Churro and Salted Peanut Butter with Chocolate Flecks.

Our family enjoys smoothies, so I keep frozen mangos, berries and bananas on hand.

SK: What’s your go-to healthy snack?  

CJ: I like roasted sesame seaweed.

More: The Surprising Ingredient Olympian Hilary Knight Puts in Her Smoothies

SK: Can you give us an example of one of your favorite weeknight meals?  

CJ: I enjoy making Beyond Meat burgers or whipping up a quick pasta dish. To keep the pasta interesting, I’ve been switching up our sauces. Most recently, I’ve been making sauces with chilies, sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce and peanut butter.

SK: What would you consider the ultimate comfort food?

CJ: My wife’s fried chicken. There’s truly nothing better.

SK: We have to ask, red wine or white?

CJ: It depends on what I’m pairing it with, but you can’t go wrong with a chilled pinot noir.

More: Whitney Port Has Never Eaten Pasta — No, We're Not Kidding

SK: Everyone has a signature dish that they can make really well. What’s yours?  

CJ: I make a delicious pasta with squid ink spaghetti, loaded with uni, or sea urchins and tender lump crab.

SK: Any foods you absolutely can’t stand?  

CJ: Raw liver. Hopefully, that’s enough said.

SK: Any dishes you’re excited to try this summer?  

CJ: I’m excited to try a true Georgia peach, straight from the Georgia farms and off of the truck from when they arrive in Nashville.

SK: What’s your favorite summer cocktail?

CJ: A refreshing mango or passion fruit margarita.

SK: If you could only use one small kitchen appliance (microwave, blender, slow cooker, etc.) for an entire month, which one would you choose?

CJ: As long as I have fire, I’m set!

SK: What’s the most stressful part of being a chef?  

CJ: As a chef, you never want people to leave hungry. I always make sure I have enough food for my friends, family and guests.

More: A Look Inside Paige Davis' Fridge

SK: Do you have any tips for parents who want to get their kids involved with cooking for the family? Any easy recipes that are great for young chefs?

CJ: Start with something simple and delicious, like a grilled cheese. Just make sure you’re making it the right way — with real butter!  

SK: You originally planned to go to school to be a doctor. What made you realize you would rather be a chef?

CJ: A restaurant critic came into a restaurant I was working at early in my career and told me that I could make a lot more people happy by cooking for them and feeding them rather than by healing them. That stuck with me, and at that point, I realized I wanted to be a chef.

SK: What’s the most rewarding part of being a chef?

CJ: The most rewarding part of being a chef is bringing people together through food and encouraging them to try something new. At Yard House, we strive to deliver guests with dishes that are at the forefront of culinary trends, infusing global flavors and tastefully twisting cultural favorites for Our House. We call this "new American cuisine."

I also appreciate using my talents as a chef to give back. My wife, Elizabeth, and I are very active in our church and volunteer each week to help feed people in our community. I have been blessed in my career and feel it’s my responsibility to utilize my culinary talents to help people.

SK: Did you teach your children to cook when they were young?

CJ: Our household always puts food at the center. Food brings us together, and everyone contributes. The Filipino culture encourages everyone to cook, so it’s always been a part of our family.

Megan Fox Gave Us a Rare (& Adorable) Update on Her Youngest Son

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Megan Fox has always been a proud mom, ready to share her life with the world. She's often shared photos of her two oldest boys, Noah and Bodhi, on her Instagram. But on Friday, she gave us a very rare look at her youngest, Journey, and to put it mildly, it was freaking adorable and we're going to need more photos of Journey from here on out.

More: Megan Fox Was Slammed for This Photo of Her Sons

In the wee hours of Friday morning, Fox posted the cutest Instagram photo of little Journey River, who is almost 2 years old. Wearing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles T-shirt (because of course), Journey looks unamused and maybe just a teensy bit sleepy, which is probably how many of us felt at the end of another week. Fox's caption for the photo was also pitch perfect: "#mood."

This is the second time that Fox has shared a photo of Journey with the world. The last time we got to see his cherubic face was back in October 2016. Fox posted a precious selfie with her youngest son, then just a few months old, and proceeded to melt hearts across Instagram.

More: Megan Fox's New TV Job Is So Random, but Also, We Love It

Fox may be busy preparing for her new TV show as well as attending to mom duties, but we sure are glad she took the time to give us another peek into her personal life. 

These Are Celebrities’ Favorite MAC Lipsticks

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If there are two things we love unequivocally, it’s celebrities and affordable makeup. So, when the two unite, you can believe we’re freaking excited about it. And thanks to Reddit, we now have a list of the MAC lipsticks celebrities swear by, which means no more digging to track down Madonna‘s famous red hue or Jennifer Aniston‘s signature shade from Friends.

The price point of MAC lipsticks hits at $18.50, which isn’t the cheapest per se, but nor is it ringing in at a cool $54, like Tom Ford’s. Thus, our excitement around the list stands. Recently, redditor @lilpinkpanties started a thread: “curious about which MAC lipsticks celebrities have admitted to wearing frequently and/or made popular,” before listing off a few celebrities and their go-tos. 

Now, even if these starlets don’t wear the shade anymore (i.e., Kim Kardashian West, who has since created her own nude lipstick), they did repeatedly once upon a time. Don’t worry; we did some fact-checking of our own and with only one error, the list was pretty legit.

So keep reading to see a few of our favorites from the iconic MAC shades list and get ready for affordable recreation.

Madonna: Russian Red

Celebs Favorite MAC Lipsticks: Madonna Russian Red

The color was made specifically for Madonna during her 1990 "Blonde Ambition" tour because she needed something that wouldn’t wear off during performances.

Russian Red, $18.50 at MAC

More: The Best Tinted Lip Balms for Your Pout

Kim Kardashian West: Angel

Celebs Favorite MAC Lipsticks Angel

In 2014, Kimmie K. made this nude frosty lip famous, and it’s not hard to see why. It still offers the perfect pink today.

Angel, $18.50 at MAC

Taylor Swift: Ruby Woo


As you can see, since Swift discovered Ruby Woo in 2009, she’s been wearing it at her concerts basically 24-7.

Ruby Woo $18.50 at MAC

More: We Tested Best Drugstore Liquid Lipsticks, & This Was the Winner

Jennifer Aniston: Paramount


The color, seen constantly on Aniston’s Friends character, Rachel Green, is the perfect mix of brown and brick.

Paramount, $18.50 at MAC

January Jones: Vegas Volt


There’s nothing better than a coral color to match Jones’ Mad Men character, Betty Draper, for all her fiery goodness.

Vegas Volt, $18.50 at MAC

Check out the rest of the list on Reddit to see the favorite MAC shades of Kylie Jenner, Nicki Minaj and Katie Holmes too.


Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Don’t Buy into the Backlash — the Science on Meditation Is Clear

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To everything there is a season. And to every cultural trend there is a backlash. And now, the backlash has come for meditation. Once confined to the lifestyle or health pages, you’re now as likely to read about meditation in business, sports or entertainment news. And just last week, there was news that the app Calm hit a valuation of $250 million amid what TechCrunch called “an explosion of interest in Mindfulness apps.” So it was no real surprise when we saw the New York Times opinion piece last week entitled “Hey Boss, You Don’t Want Your Employees to Meditate.”

But the problem is meditation isn’t just the latest fad to be fed into the cultural what’s-in-what’s-out machine. It’s a matter of public health. And the problem with this piece is — well, actually, there are many!

More: You Know You Need to Meditate Regularly — Here's How to Actually Do It

The central claim by the authors, Kathleen D. Vohs, professor at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, and Andrew C. Hafenbrack, assistant professor at the Católica-Lisbon School of Business and Economics, is that, based on their study, meditation diminishes motivation and, thus, “might seem counterproductive in a workplace setting.”

But getting to that conclusion and justifying the backlash headline required the authors to define virtually all the terms of the study and, in fact, the study itself as narrowly as possible. “A central technique of mindfulness meditation,” the authors assert, “is to accept things as they are.” In fact, what mindfulness does is empower you not to react emotionally, unthinkingly or impulsively to things as they are. Acceptance does not mean resignation. 

What it means is summed up perfectly in the serenity prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” 

And as Mark Williams, psychology professor at Oxford, wrote, “mindfulness cultivates our ability to do things knowing that we’re doing them.”

Then, the authors assert that motivation “implies some degree of discontentment with the present, which seems at odds with a psychological exercise that instills equanimity and a sense of calm.” But people are motivated all the time by more than discontentment — by love, by gratitude, by patriotism, by dreams of new products or new planets. With both mindfulness and motivation defined so narrowly, it’s not much of a stretch for the authors to set up a study that finds, as they write, “tension” between the two.

One of the biggest problems with the far-reaching conclusions is the scope of the study itself. To test the effects of meditation, the authors had participants listen to a single eight- or 15-minute mindfulness meditation recording online. We do not know if people were lying down or washing dishes as they were listening. Seriously? That’s not nearly enough time to justify such sweeping conclusions. The benefits of meditation are much more obvious after several weeks of practice. That’s why so many of the studies that have proven those benefits are based on programs of eight weeks or even longer.

More: The Unexpected Tool That Healed My Body

And those studies have been clear, unambiguous and nearly universal in showing a host of benefits, all of which are valuable in the workplace. One of the authors of this article (Dr. Richard J. Davidson) has conducted some of the first serious neuroscientific research on meditation and the first randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based stress reduction. 

In the recent book Davidson wrote with Daniel Goleman entitled Altered Traits, they explain that the point of meditation is the enduring, traitlike changes that come with extended practice. The kind of one-time practice studied by Hafenbrack and Vohs does not produce any enduring change and should not be confused with the changes from mindfulness meditation that scientists have been documenting for decades. In their new book, Goleman and Davidson have sifted through the approximately 6,000 scientific articles on meditation and summarized the very best science in this area and find that meditation can indeed improve task performance in many domains, including those requiring focused attention and some types of memory. Meditation also improves emotional regulation, which has secondary benefits on many other tasks.

Studies have also found that meditation can improve focus, lower stress, improve emotional regulation, help us get back to a task at hand after being distracted, and enhance compassion and creativity — all qualities incredibly important to the workplace. And in 2016, a review coauthored by Christopher Lyddy at Case Western Reserve and Darren Good at Pepperdine looked at 4,000 studies on mindfulness. What the authors found was that mindfulness improved performance levels across a broad range of categories. And they also addressed the question of motivation. “Mindfulness may support goal pursuit through improved attentional and motivational properties,” they write. “Although mindfulness involves non-striving, it should not be confused with passivity. Indeed, autonomous motivation—that is, the drive to pursue activities perceived as important, valued, or enjoyable—appears to be higher among mindful individuals.” Adds Lyddy, “When you are mindful, you can have a greater consciousness in the present. . .That’s vital for any executive or manager, who, at any given moment, may be barraged with various problems that call for decisions under stress.”

More: Committing 40 Minutes a Day to Meditation Gave Me More Time in My Busy Schedule

And that’s why so many companies are availing themselves of this powerful tool. At Aetna, a meditation program for employees offered by CEO Mark Bertolini, himself a practitioner, has been credited with improving productivity by 62 minutes per employee per week, which Aetna values at $3,000 per employee per year. It’s why Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio encourages the practice among his employees. “It’s the greatest gift I could give anyone,” he says, “it brings about equanimity, creativity and peace.” He also considers meditation to be the “single-most important reason” for his own success in building the biggest hedge fund in the world. It’s why Salesforce founder Marc Benioff installed meditation rooms all over the company’s new offices. It’s why Peter Cooper, founder of Cooper Investors, relies on the practice for his decision-making. “Being an investor requires the distillation of large volumes of information into a few relevant insights,” he says, “Meditation has helped me discard interesting but unnecessary information and focus on the few things that make a difference to long run investment performance.”


Originally posted on Thrive Global.

Busy Philipps Reams Delta for Rerouting Her Daughter — to a Different Plane!

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Busy Philipps is one mad mama bear right now, and she says Delta is to blame.

The trouble started on Friday, when the actress was traveling with her two children, daughters Birdie Leigh and Cricket Pearl. However, the family never made it off the ground due to the airline's decision to cancel the original flight and rerouting 9-year-old Birdie to a different plane — one without Philipps. Understandably, the bungled itinerary had Philipps seeing red.

"Hey @Delta! Thanks for cancelling my flight and then rerouting us and separating my MINOR child onto a different flight than mine and having a 2 HR call time wait! You are terrible!" she seethed on Twitter (the tweets have since been deleted). 

More: Busy Philipps' Mom-Guilt Meltdown Was Not in Vain

When a fan commented on the status to ask whether Birdie did, in fact, wind up on a different flight, Philipps was adamant that wasn't ever an option, saying, "I would NEVER!!!!!" 

Philipps continued her diatribe in her Instagram Story, filling in some of the blanks as to how this entire debacle came to be. 

According to the actress, she "got a text that our other flight was canceled and they had rerouted us and put us on different planes to different places" at 2:30 in the morning. Per the new flight plan, Philipps and her 4-year-old daughter Cricket would arrive in St. Paul, Minnesota, while "B was going to Detroit." 

Fortunately, Philipps found another flight that the entire family could fit on at such a weird hour. 

Delta tried to slide into Philipps' social media feed and do damage control, but she was one pissed off mama and did not appear` to respond. However, there was apparently communication going on behind the scenes. In a statement to People, the airline insisted that "Delta worked quickly to resolve the rebooking issue and coordinated directly with the customer to adjust their travel." 

More: 6 Questions With Busy Philipps About Motherhood

The spokesperson also noted that the problem stemmed from Philipps booking Birdie under two separate itineraries. But hey, we don't blame Philipps for being hot about the situation, especially given the fact that the hour of the flight was prohibitive enough to make getting a new one tricky. 

Had she not been able to get in touch with Delta (finally), what would the alternatives have been? To send Birdie on a separate flight to a separate place in the middle of the night? Skip her flight altogether? Philipps response, although strong, helped keep her family together and safe.

And right now, keeping families together and safe is a topic Philipps feels strongly about —she is a vocal opponent of the current administration's "zero-tolerance" immigration policy. Over the weekend, she underscored her support for those marching to help keep families at the border together. 

"I'm proud to support the thousands upon thousands of people taking to the streets today to say #FamiliesBelongTogether. Seeking asylum isn't criminal," she wrote on Instagram on Saturday. "I would do whatever I had to do to protect my family. Anyone would and to argue otherwise is insane." 

Justin Timberlake is 'Gifted Below the Waist,' According to Patricia Clarkson

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Has your weekend been a bit ho-hum so far? Do you need to kick things up a notch? Well, chew on this intel. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Patricia Clarkson spilled some seriously juicy gossip about Justin Timberlake — and, suffice it to say, size does matter.

More: Justin Timberlake Always Does This for Jessica Biel

The nature of Cohen's show means celebrities are going to reveal dirt on someone. Sometimes they even incriminate themselves. The best moments, though, come when a celebrity confirms something truly titillating about another star. In Clarkson's case, that equated to giving JT a shoutout for being well-endowed, anatomically speaking. 

"Who had your biggest chance of being your friend with benefits on the set of Friends with Benefits?" Cohen asked the Emmy-award-winning actress who played Mila Kunis' mother in the 2011 romantic comedy. 

More: Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel Are Starting Sex Ed With Their Toddler

It should tell you something that Cohen didn't have to ask Clarkson twice. "Hands down Justin Timberlake. Cause if we want to talk about big," she teased. Although Clarkson clearly seemed embarrassed by her admission, she let Cohen pry a little further. 

"Well, I had the good fortune of getting to see him all there because they were shooting a scene where he couldn't put anything on. He is a gorgeous man," Clarkson revealed. When Cohen prodded as to whether she was implying Timberlake was "gifted below the waist," the actress confirmed, "Oh, yes." 

So if you ever suspected the size of Timberlake's box in SNL's "Dick in a Box" was exaggerated, think again apparently. Where's Jessica Biel? We feel an overwhelming urge to find her and give her a fistbump. 

How to Talk to Kids About Religion

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These days (and in this country), the words "tolerance," "love" and "acceptance" seem to be increasingly hard to find — no matter your religion or creed. In fact, on Tuesday, the United States Supreme Court decided to uphold Trump's highly controversial travel ban, which prevents people from six predominately Muslim nations to enter the United States, in a 5 – 4 vote. In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor claimed the ban was "motivated by hostility and animus toward the Muslim faith."

Though appalling, the 5 – 4 vote, unfortunately, wasn't all that surprising. Throughout Trump's 18-month tenure in the White House, he and other elected officials have grown increasingly hostile toward nonwhite, non-Christian groups (calling Nazi sympathizers "very fine people," separating asylum-seeking families at the U.S. border, not condemning ongoing acts of violence toward Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims). Trump's biggest supporters had already condoned this behavior; now, the majority of the Supreme Court has joined them. The message to America's youth seems clear: You can bully people for their differences because the president says so.

So, how can we teach children tolerance, love and acceptance when there's so much judgment surrounding us? For Anne Rose, president of the Board of the Humanists and Freethinkers of Cape Fear, that answer starts and ends with empathy through education.

"It's really important to understand religions and to have an academic background that includes an understanding of the world's religions," Rose told SheKnows. "Think about how influential religion is in every aspect of our lives: in literature, in politics. If you don't understand, you're not part of the greater conversation. ... If we don't want to 'other' people who are not like us, we have to have some understanding of what there is in the world. And not understanding makes you fearful and judgmental ... We should promote freedom of choice for everybody and understanding and conversation is important."

More: How to Talk to Your Kids About Racism & Diversity

Have a game plan

There are thousands of religions practiced worldwide, but research from the Pew Research Center indicates that the main religious groups in the United States are as follows: Protestant, Catholic, Mormon, Orthodox Christian, Jehovah's Witness, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu. And of course, trying to teach your kids about all these religions can feel intimidating, especially for those of us who never studied theology. Thankfully, Dr. Philip Cunningham, an actual professor of theology (and director at the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations Specializations at Saint Joseph's University), says that the process doesn't have to be scary as long as you are prepared.

"Whatever parents may intend or whatever sentiments they may consciously or unconsciously hold, they inevitably pass along to their children their own attitudes and beliefs about religion and God. ... Parents should examine and discuss their own convictions and what they hope for their children," Cunningham told SheKnows.

Knowing what you do or don't believe, both as a parent and simply as a human, will help you as you navigate the world's vibrant religious landscape with your family, Cunningham explains. Don't shy away from open or uncomfortable conversations, either; this is about growth, after all.

More: How to Talk to Kids About Scary Things

Find a support group

You don't have to embark on this learning adventure alone. Talk to trusted friends and family about your mission to make your household more inclusive and welcoming for people of all faiths. They may have advice or express interest in participating, as well. You can hold each other accountable and bounce around ideas.

If you're interested in finding a faith-based community, pastor Touré Roberts suggests picking one that preaches coexistence, regardless of religion.

"A successful ministry is one that teaches and trains its members to understand and navigate the landscape of tolerance," Roberts told SheKnows. "We teach our children that everyone, regardless of the infinite ways of personal distinction, is loved by God and created in God's image. Each is worthy of love, respect and the opportunity to be understood."

Of course, organized religion isn't for everyone, as is evident by the Pew Research Center's findings that Americans who identify as "spiritual but not religious" (27 percent) or as "religious nones" (atheists, agnostics or no religion; 23 percent) is on the rise. There is also a variety of groups available to those still interested in finding a community of like-minded people outside a sanctuary setting, including organizations like the American Humanist Association and Parenting Beyond Belief, which provide social connection while also fighting for the spread of secularism in schools and politics. Rose even said her chapter hosts an event called #ServiceSunday, in which they do various community service projects.

"They're fun, and we're giving back," Rose said. "And we're really demonstrating through action that people who live without religions are still good people, which is an important message in a heavily religious community."

Explore

"Since many places in the United States are blessed with diversity, the best way for people to understand those of different backgrounds is to interact with them," Cunningham said.

Visit different places of worship, learn about and celebrate various religious holidays at home, and explore various cultures' art and history in museums.

Read, read, read

When in doubt, pick up a book. There are thousands of books on various world religions available for people of all ages. Below is a selection of titles for younger readers that are approachable, fun and educational:

Be curious

Your kids are undoubtedly going to have questions about all of the fascinating things they're learning. Talk openly and honestly with your children and encourage their curiosity. For instance, if your child asks why someone has strings hanging off of his shirt (tzitzit), take the time to stop and explain that some people of Orthodox Jewish faith adhere to a dress code. When you're back at home, you can then pull up some photos and further discuss. Approach every conversation without judgment and with respect so kids don't get the impression that some religions are "better" or "weirder" than others.

More: What to Teach Your Kids About Ramadan

There may come a time when your kids ask you what you believe. Should this happen, be honest. It's completely acceptable for you to share your beliefs with your child. Use these opportunities to ask them how they feel or if they have thoughts on various belief sets.

Finally, it's more than OK to admit that you don't have all of the answers. Rely on religious and scientific resources whenever needed, and most important, have fun.


The Tom Cruise Roles You Forgot About

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From Ethan Hunt to Jerry Maguire to Jack Reacher to Maverick, Tom Cruise is the man of many movies. He's starred in some of the most popular films since the '80s. But, believe it or not, there are probably some roles you totally forgot he once played — that's how many projects he's starred in.

More: Tom Cruise Shares First Photo From the Top Gun Sequel

Of course, Cruise is known for the Mission Impossible franchise, for dancing in his underwear in Risky Business, for going toe to toe with Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men and for yelling, "Show me the money!" in Jerry Maguire. And he's still going strong. Fans will soon be able to watch him in the sixth Mission Impossible, titled Mission Impossible: Fallout.  Oh, and he's also starring in the Top Gun sequel, Top Gun: Maverick

He can't be stopped, can he? Cruise has certainly made an impact with his career, but let's take a moment to discuss some of his earlier and more obscure roles.

1. Endless Love

In 1981, Cruise debuted in Endless Love, his first movie ever. It also featured Brooke Shields (who Cruise later had beef with) and Martin Hewitt in the leading roles. Based on the scene here, where his character talks about being "into arson" at the age of 8, you can see how far he's come. And yes, the hit ballad "Endless Love" from Lionel Richie and Diana Ross was recorded for the film. 

2. Taps

Does anyone remember this 1981 military movie that featured not only Cruise but also George C. Scott, Timothy Hutton, Sean Penn, Evan Handler and Giancarlo Esposito? As you can see in the clip, Cruise could march like no other.

3. The Outsiders

The Outsiders, based on the book of the same name by S. E. Hinton, had a huge cast. Cruise definitely wasn't the only famous face. C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Diane Lane and Leif Garrett also starred. As Steve, Cruise made a name for himself — especially with his cake scream.

4. Losin' It

Set in 1965, this 1983 flick sounds like the typical old-school teen movie about three boys on a journey to lose their virginity. They even head to Mexico to accomplish their task. Also, appropriately, Cruise's character's name is Woody.

5. All the Right Moves

If you don't remember this movie, Cruise played a high school football player named Stefan "Stef" Djordjevic. Stef's goal was to achieve a college scholarship in order to escape his small town and make more of himself. All the Right Moves also starred Craig T. Nelson and Lea Thompson. 

6. Legend

Legend just might blow your mind. Cruise co-starred with Mia Sarah (Ferris Bueller's Day Off) in this 1985 movie directed by Ridley Scott. There are unicorns involved, and Cruise's character is trying to stop the Lord of Darkness from destroying daylight altogether. You really need to watch the trailer to experience it for yourself.

7. The Color of Money

Starring alongside Paul Newman in this 1986 movie, Cruise played a talented pool player. According to Mental Floss, Cruise did most of his own pool stunts. You can see from the clip exactly how much he had to train.

8. Far and Away

In 1992, Cruise and his then-wife, Nicole Kidman, starred as love interests in Ron Howard's Far and Away. They played an Irish couple looking to settle in America. We haven't watched this movie in a long time, but last we remember, it's a pretty decent film.

9. Playing Austin Powers in Goldmember

Anyone remember Cruise's cameo in Austin Powers: Goldmember? He played Austin Powers. OK, a version of Austin Powers. The joke is that Steven Spielberg is creating a movie about the international man of mystery and loading it with stars: Danny DeVito as Mini-Me, Kevin Spacey as Dr. Evil and Gwyneth Paltrow as Dixie, Austin's love interest.

10. War of the Worlds

In 2005, Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Tim Robbins, Miranda Otto and Justin Chatwin starred together in War of the Worlds. It's kind of a forgettable movie, but once again, Cruise can be seen doing a lot of running, battling the villain (aliens) and getting in the middle of all the action.

11. Tropic Thunder

If you've seen Tropic Thunder, you may not have realized that Cruise plays Les Grossman. Yes, he's unrecognizable, but that's the point. He even busts out dance moves at the end. This supporting character also scored Cruise a Golden Globe nomination. 

12. Knight and Day

We honestly don't even remember this movie being released, but Cruise and Cameron Diaz starred in Knight and Day together in 2010. In no surprise whatsoever, Cruise plays — wait for it — a spy. 

More: 7 Things Tom Cruise Does in Literally Every Movie

13. Rock of Ages

Finally, there's Rock of Ages. Yes, this is a more current movie, but who else forgets Cruise is in it — and that he sings?! As Stacee Jaxx, Cruise channels his inner rocker and dons a lot of tattoos. It's definitely a different look for him, and we always have to adjust to seeing Cruise belting out classic rock hits.

5 Ways to End a Dinner Rut Tonight

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That feeling when you look in the fridge and there’s so much food, but you have no idea what to make for dinner — everyone’s been there. You open the pantry and nothing looks good, or as it turns out, you have no interest in actually making the super-complex recipe you found when scrolling through Pinterest on Sunday morning. Weekends and caffeine can really inflate a person’s ambition.

Even if you’ve been in a good cooking routine lately (that is to say, actually cooking), sometimes you're just tired of the same old same old. So, if you're feeling a dinner rut fast approaching, here are some ideas that won’t have you slaving over the stove or starving because you just couldn’t decide what to eat.

1. You’ll always have pasta

Always have noodles on standby. When you don’t want to cook but also don’t want to leave the house, it’s easy to boil some noodles and toss them with olive oil and Parmesan. For extra nutrients, make a side salad — and don’t try to get fancy (some romaine, balsamic and a little salt go a long way). If you have a veggie, sauté that and toss it in.

2. Mix up pizza night

Pizza night doesn’t have to mean a delivery driver with a box of pizza grease at your door. In fact, if you’ve been avoiding the frozen aisle, you may be surprised how the selection has changed. Sonoma Woodfired pizzas are a prime example. The oven-ready pizzas are first baked in a woodfired oven to create a crispy, tender crust. They come in creative flavors — such as Tofumami (tofu, portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, provolone and asiago), Kickin’ Chicken (chicken, zucchini, butternut squash, portobello, red peppers, provolone and asiago), and Trill Pepp (three types of pepperoni topped with provolone, Romano and oregano) — and each comes with a unique drizzle in a complementary flavor, elevating the pizza to restaurant-level quality.



3. Create leftover-stuffed tacos

Another easy dinner move is to take inventory of your leftovers and decide what could be combined into a taco or burrito — even if it’s just some leftover chicken cut up and combined with cheese and a sauce of choice. Get creative if you can, but don’t be afraid to keep it simple. Sometimes simple dinners are the best ones.

4. Welcome breakfast for dinner

This can really crack open your dinner options. It could be as easy as cereal or toast, or you could go all out and make pancakes or take the savory route with some scrambled eggs and toast. Either way, I always try to make a smoothie to pack some more nutrients into the meal.

5. Take a shortcut with rotisserie chicken

Not everything has to be 100 percent homemade. Pick up a rotisserie chicken on the way home from work. Eat it alone with some rice, cut up some pieces and add it to a simple salad or break out the black beans and make a burrito.

This post is sponsored by Sonoma Woodfired. Save $1 on all Sonoma Woodfired pizzas with this coupon.


Kaley Cuoco Marries Karl Cook, Becomes 'Legally KCSQUARED'

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Watch out, Leonard — Penny just got hitched to another man! In real life, Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco didn't marry the physicist boy next door; she married her pro equestrian fiancé, Karl Cook. The couple had a romantic summer wedding this weekend in San Diego. 

More: Is Kaley Cuoco Starting to Think About Babies? The Answer Is...

Seven months after Cook popped the question to Cuoco on her 32nd birthday, the pair wed in front of their closest friends and family. Although less than a year separated the proposal and the nuptials, it was a long time coming for Cuoco, who told E! News in March that she couldn't wait to marry Cook. 

"We are so happy and in love," she gushed. "He is excited as I am, which is sweet. I finally found my soulmate, so we're ready to do it." 

It's no surprise, then, that when that big day actually came, Cuoco broke the news on Instagram. On Saturday, the actor captioned a sweet black-and-white photo of the newlyweds, "Legally KCSQUARED 6-30-18." 

Cuoco looked stunning in a white lace gown with matching floor-length cape, hair in a messy bun for the ceremony. After, she switched it up with a high ponytail and a lacy jumpsuit. Cuoco shared a photo of the flirty ensemble as the couple presumably headed to their reception. 

More: Kaley Cuoco Is Gushing Over a Man Who's Not Her Fiancé

Cuoco and Cook were both clearly still swooning from the festivities the following morning. She shared a photo of the new Mr. and Mrs. on a balcony sporting matching jean jackets. 

Cook shared a beautiful wedding portrait, captioning the photo, "Good morning honey, I love you, and I'm sorry. I'm still processing the greatest night of my life marrying the love of my life! I mean god damn that dress was amazing!" 

Last weekend, Cuoco prepared for becoming Mrs. Cook in the best possible way — a bachelorette blowout with a few of her favorite people, including stylist Brad Goreski. 

More: Kaley Cuoco Looks Really in Love on Vacation With Boyfriend Karl Cook

This is the first marriage for Cook and the second for Cuoco, who was married to former tennis pro Ryan Sweeting from 2013 to 2016. 

Joanna Gaines Gives First Peek Into Baby Crew's Nursery, & It's So Her

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Since Joanna and Chip Gaines welcomed their fifth child into the world a week ago, Fixer Upper fans have been waiting with bated breath to catch a glimpse of the new baby's nursery. With a design maven like Joanna as a mom, he's guaranteed to get a room that will launch a million Pinterest dreams. And since Mama Jo just shared the first glimpse of baby Crew's special space, you can practically already hear the pinning begin. 

More: Chip Gaines Just Announced the Birth of His 5th Child

On Saturday, Joanna posted a photo of sweet Crew swaddled and snuggled up tight in a baby lounger. She captioned the snapshot, "It's been a little over a week and he's settling in just fine." 

Spoiler alert: Little Crew's nursery is divine. From the textured cream-colored rug to the giant potted fiddle-leaf fig, it's a study in modern farmhouse perfection. Of course, it is interesting to note that the space — although undeniably Joanna-esque — skews just as modern as it does farmhouse. In fact, there's no shiplap to be seen. 

Longtime fans of the Gaineses' HGTV show know that Joanna isn't a stranger to mid-century modern style, including the "Messy Mid-Century Modern" house they renovated for friends in 2015. 

More: You'll Want Everything From Joanna Gaines' Limited-Edition Baby Collection

Could baby Crew's nursery be the next chapter in the Gaineses' story? They've undoubtedly entered a new phase of life, welcoming a fifth child and leaving Fixer Upper behind. Perhaps this space hints at what's to come with Chip and Joanna's future projects. 

Regardless, we're just grateful the Waco couple is willing to take the rest of us along for the ride. So far, the proud mama and papa have been honest and open about their latest adventure in parenting.

"Our baby boy, Crew Gaines, is here and we couldn't be more in love," Joanna wrote on Instagram shortly after Crew's birth. "He made an unexpected (and speedy) entrance into the world two and a half weeks early — which is fitting given he was a sweet surprise from day one. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. We are so grateful." 

More: Joanna Gaines Is Working on a New Home Design Book

We can't wait until Joanna reveals the rest of Crew's nursery, but until then, we're perfectly content to coo over more close-ups of the little cuddle bug. 

Celebs Lend Support to Families Belong Together at Marches & on Social Media

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On Saturday, people came together at more than 700 marches across the country in support of the Families Belong Together movement. Among the tens of thousands of faces in the crowds — over 50,000 marched on Washington, D.C., alone — were celebrities lending their voices to the cause. Those who couldn't attend rallies in person showed up on social media to make it clear that Hollywood stands against the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" immigration policy. 

More: The Consequences of Diagnosing Donald Trump With Mental Illnesses

Since mandating zero tolerance in April, the administration has come under sharp criticism. The situation reached a fever pitch when video and audio footage surfaced in which young migrant children separated from their parents could be seen and heard crying in detention facilities. 

Although President Donald Trump initially claimed the problem could not be fixed through executive order, he eventually buckled and signed an order that purported to keep families together. However, the order did not specify what would happen to the thousands of children already separated from their parents. It has also been decried as strategic since the order would allow whole families to be held indefinitely. 

Many Hollywood A-listers are using their star power as a platform to effect change in response to the policy. 

More: Anderson Cooper Is Done With Donald Trump's Racism

Wonder Woman 2 director Patty Jenkins took a break from filming to lament the lack of a concerted effort to reunite the separated kids with their parents. 

The film's lead actor, Gal Gadot, also posted a poignant message. 

Chrissy Teigen introduced husband John Legend to the stage while holding her new baby, Miles, in her arms. 

Legend made a stirring speech and sang his powerful (and fitting) new song, "Preach." 

Comedian Amy Schumer attended a march alongside Scandal's Kerry Washington, Orange Is the New Black's Alysia Reiner and Top Chef's Padma Lakshmi. 

Laura Dern attended a march with her family (and her HBO family), and she also spoke at the event. 

America Ferrera joined forces with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alicia Keys. She gave a passionate speech during the rally that touched on being a new mom and her Honduran roots. 

Keys' speech also centered on being a mother, referencing her son Egypt, whom she brought with her. 


Miranda sang an apropos (and heartbreaking) lullaby he wrote for the parents of separated migrant children "until they can sing them to their kids again." 

Anne Hathaway posted a "Families Belong Together" banner on her Instagram, saying, "This is not about politics, it's about people." 

For more information about the Families Belong Together movement, visit the initiative's MoveOn page

How to Stay Safe Around Fireworks & Sparklers This 4th of July

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The Fourth of July holiday is one of the greatest things we get to look forward to each summer. Not only is it a fantastic time to get together with family and friends, but you also get to use all those oohs and ahhs you've been saving up all year — and yes, we mean for the fireworks. Of course, fireworks burn and can emit smoke, flames and sparks or can fly into the air, which brings a certain amount of danger when you're doing them yourself. Here's how to stay safe this holiday season when fireworks are around.

Fireworks dangers

The Centers for Disease Control reports that hospitals treated around 12,900 injuries related to fireworks in 2017, and around 8,700 of those were during the month between June 16th and July 16th. They also reported eight deaths — one of which was related to sparklers (the event happened in Wisconsin when a 4-year-old girl was killed when her father lit a bunch of sparklers in a metal tube). The most frequently injured body parts were hands and fingers (31 percent) followed by the head, face and ears (around 22 percent) according to the CDC report

Unsurprisingly, burns accounted for over 50 percent of the injuries, and sparklers themselves made up 14 percent of reported injuries per the CDC. While many firework injuries were the result of not using them correctly (for example, holding something in the hand and lighting it), some were malfunctions of the fireworks themselves, including fountains or tubes that tip over after they've been lit.  

More: Annoying Summer Body Issue & How to Fix Them

Leave it to the pros

Of course, the easiest way to stay safe this Fourth of July is to go see a community fireworks display in your area, Dr. Paul Glat, a plastic surgeon and director of the Stuart J. Hulnick Burn Center at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, tells SheKnows. This may be the only option in areas where consumer fireworks are illegal. For example, fireworks are completely illegal in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, so it's important to check your state, county and city laws before you try your hand at doing your own fireworks show.

Those professionals who get licenses to prepare for and put on a large fireworks display have the training and know-how to make sure everything goes according to plan — and they always have safety in mind as they do it. Professional displays allow you to sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

Control your environment

For those who do their own at home, there are safety precautions that must be put into place. Dr. Dena Nader, an urgent care physician and regional medical director at MedExpress, tells SheKnows that before the first spark is lit, you must make sure your surroundings are ready to go. 

"Fireworks require a controlled environment with nothing flammable nearby, like dry leaves or wood," she explains. Also, she says to keep a bucket of water and a garden hose nearby in case something goes wrong, and always store your unused fireworks at a safe distance from where you'll be lighting them.

Read the directions

It can be tempting to just plop something down, light the fuse and back away, but Nader suggests taking a moment to look over the directions (yes, each and every time) to see not only what the item does, but what it will do after it's lit. 

Will it sit there and emit sparks? Does it screech or make a loud boom? Does it fly into the air? This will help you decide when — and where — to light your items. 

Have an adults-only policy

Also, create an age limit before you get started. Glat says to make an adults-only policy upfront so kids aren't the ones handling lit punks (a smoldering stick used to light fireworks) or bending over an item to light it (or worse yet, standing over a bag of unlit fireworks near spectators with a lit punk in hand).

Hold sparklers away from the body

Sparklers are often given to children because they seem relatively safe, but Glat notes that they burn at an extremely hot temperature — around 2,000 degrees F. After all, it's basically a small flaming torch that shoots sparks out. Instruct the kids (or grown-ups!) who are using them to hold them away from their body, and definitely do not fling them at other people. And as always, stay away from your bag of unlit goodies.

Do not pick up or try to relight a "dud"

Sometimes, fireworks don't do what they're supposed to do — in fact, sometimes, they don't do anything. The fuse ignites and everyone just sits there but nothing happens. Instead of running over to see what went wrong or trying to relight it (or worse yet, picking it up to examine it), Nader has a better suggestion. "If the firework seems to be a dud, you should wait 20 minutes and then soak the firework in a bucket of water — or else an accidental explosion could occur."

More: Why Wearing Cheap Sunglasses May Actually Be Dangerous

Seek medical help if needed

No matter what, if something does go wrong — a burn, a burst eardrum or shrapnel embedded in your body somewhere (yes, that can and does happen) — seek medical help. If you're worried you'll get into trouble because maybe fireworks aren't legal in the city limits and you're doing them anyway, it's far more important to seek help and get your injuries treated.

Overall, it's best to plan to attend a professional display in your area. Many towns and cities across the United States have plans in place for a spectacular night out. You'll be able to ooh and ahh without risking the health of your family — or yourself. But if you do your own fireworks, make sure you prepare well and have water nearby so you don't have to head to the hospital on the Fourth of July.

How Recognizing the Abuse in My Childhood Has Shaped My Adulthood

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The last time my father hit me, I was 19. It wasn’t hard, and it didn’t leave a mark, but this was the norm in my household — whenever you misbehaved or said something deemed inappropriate, you were hit. I never knew any other form of punishment.

I always thought of child abuse as parents beating their children every day without any reason. These were the children who stared at me from bruised and forlorn eyes on the collection jars next to cash registers on store counters. These were the children who were starved, bruised and battered. These children weren’t me. 

If I acted like the perfect child and didn’t speak with an “attitude,” then there was no reason for my parents to hit me. If I cried child abuse, my parents called me a brat and claimed that others would see it that way. I speculated that if that happened, the police would walk into our well-kept house, see that I had sufficient food, shelter and clothing and two seemingly-loving parents — I had no credibility.

I never considered myself a victim of child abuse until my child psychology course in college. When one class session focused on abuse, I surreptitiously wiped the tears from my eyes as my professor — who happened to be a licensed child psychologist — reiterated, “There is never any reason for a parent to hit a child.” The deluge of tears ebbed down my face as I recalled some of the worst moments of abuse.

More: My Anxiety Got Me Fired From 5 Jobs

Not all beatings were bad, but certain ones are indelible memories. My parents like to argue that I only remember the bad and never the good, but when the bad was that bad, nothing can atone for it. 

The lies

My first lie occurred in second grade. I don’t recall the dispute, but out of frustration, my father threw a textbook at my face. When my mother noticed a mark on my nose, she kindly asked that if anyone questions it, I say that I was playing ball with my sister and it hit my face. My father later hugged me and apologized profusely, claiming that this would never happen again — but the cycle of abuse is impossible to break. 

My mother’s beatings weren’t as bad — she didn’t have half the strength of my father. Her signature punishment was hair-pulling. With my long, flowing hair, she would grab a large chunk and yank it as hard as she could. My head would jerk back as I would scream bloody murder trying to free my hair from her grasp. 

My mother’s hand would leave a temporary handprint on my body, but only once did I get a bruise, and it was because I backed into my dresser as I tried to get out of her reach. Sometimes, she would pin me to the floor so I couldn’t escape her hand. Her face gradually turned red, profanity flew from her mouth and more momentum was gained with each whack at my body. Yet I preferred my mother’s beatings to my father’s if I had to choose. I always feared my father.

When I was in fourth grade, my father got more creative with his beatings — he would pin me down, his body crushing mine, our noses just touching, his spit flying all over my face, as he screamed every profanity and insult that came to his mind. I was used to being “the little bitch,” “the devil’s child,” “idiot,” “bastard” and “fucking moron.” But he only succeeded twice with this new beating before my mom intervened. 

The kicking

Then there was the kicking phase — also occurring twice — during my first year of high school. I don’t remember the original argument, but because I “spoke back” to my parents, they were livid. After my mother yanked my hair and my father hit me, they both forced me out of the house and off of their property — they even threatened to call the police if I remained anywhere on their land. 

As I was walking down the steps, my father, in a fit of rage, kicked the back of my leg and yelled, “Get off my fucking property!” My scream was involuntary as I grabbed onto the railing to prevent my fall. 

I walked out of the house with disheveled hair, swollen eyes and tears streaming down my face. After coming to his senses, my father followed and begged me to return. After much convincing, I acquiesced.

More: Instead of Helping, My Psychiatrist Made My Mental Health So Much Worse

The next day, I noticed a large bruise with a wound where my father had kicked me. When I showed my mother, she acted as if it didn’t faze her, but I later heard her expressing anger at my father for leaving the mark. This provoked an argument about who hits me more — I hoped they would recognize the absurdity of this dispute, but they didn’t. 

The fight

My sister was braver than I was, so she fought back. When she and my father were exchanging harsh words one day, they both got physical. After he hit her, she punched him in the face, sending him into a fit of rage. I could see the anger in his eyes as he flew at my sister, with my mother trying to intervene. Overcome with trepidation, I ran toward my sister to protect her, but as soon as I was near, my father briefly turned to me, yelled and raised his hand.

All these years later, I still struggle with my past. No matter how I hard I try to repress those memories, I can never succeed. I can’t look my father in the eyes and say, “I love you.” I can’t allow all the good he has done for me to outweigh the bad. I can’t forgive my mother for not divorcing my father. 

I always contemplated reaching out to someone for help, but deep down, I didn’t want help. Despite the bad times, I loved my mother and sometimes liked my father. I was used to that environment, and if I had been separated from my family, I would’ve experienced a nervous breakdown. 

I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without my family. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees with unblemished transcripts, and I’ve found success in my career. Living on my own, being medicated and attending weekly therapy sessions have helped me cope with my past and move on with my future. It’s certainly not easy, but it is possible to find happiness with such a dark past. 


Big Bang Fans Will Love Johnny Galecki's Sweet Post for Kaley Cuoco

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On June 30, Kaley Cuoco married Karl Cook in a romantic ceremony held in San Diego. Since saying "I do," the Big Bang Theory star has been receiving all kinds of well wishes, including a sweet Instagram from her on-screen husband, Johnny Galecki. 

More: The Big Bang Theory's Penny and Leonard Are Just Like Ross and Rachel

Next to a beautiful image of Cuoco in her wedding dress and holding hands with Galecki, the actor gushed on July 1, "Couldn’t be happier for my fake wife @normancook and @mrtankcook whose words brought us all to tears last night. So much love for you both."

Seriously, how sweet is that? Also, we love how he refers to Cuoco as his "fake wife", since they play husband and wife on the hit CBS comedy. The picture will really make Big Bang fans feel all kinds of emotions. Galecki truly looks beyond happy for his co-star.


For those unaware, Galecki and Cuoco also once dated for almost two years, before calling it quits in 2010. Even though they were previously involved, they've remained close friends.

More: Kaley Cuoco Looks Really in Love on Vacation With Boyfriend Karl Cook

According to Us Weekly, Cuoco told CBS Watch! magazine in September 2010, along with revealing their relationship for the first time publicly, "We knew we weren't destined to be together. We accepted it and said, 'Look, if we ever break up, we will be professional,'" she said at the time. "I'm so lucky it was a mutual ending and that we don't hate each other. We've seen that happen on other shows."

Galecki also briefly dished about their romance and friendship with CBS Watch! magazine in November 2013. As reported by Us Weekly, the actor said, "We're dear friends, still. Kaley's not just an ex, she's a part of my life."

The fact that he was invited to the wedding and he sent such lovely congratulations to Cuoco and Cook speak to the type of relationship the former couple currently have. In a second Instagram shared on July 1 featuring Galecki, Cuoco and Cook, the actor who plays Leonard on TBBT wrote, "Deepest congrats to the newlyweds. Love you both so much @normancook & @mrtankcook So moved by tonight."

More: Kaley Cuoco Is Gushing Over a Man Who's Not Her Fiancé


In addition to Galecki, Big Bang star Melissa Rauch also posted an Instagram honoring Cuoco on her big day. Next to a photo of Cuoco and Cook kissing at their wedding, she wrote, "The most tremendous congratulations to these beautiful newlyweds!!! Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness!! Love you guys!" It's unclear if Rauch actually attended the ceremony.

More: Is Kaley Cuoco Starting to Think About Babies? The Answer Is...

Based on social media, Mayim Bialik and Wil Wheaton, who also star in the CBS comedy, were at the wedding. "Yes we are thrilled to be at @normancook and @mrtankcook ‘s gorgeous wedding and it’s super fun. Right @itswilwheaton !?", Bialik captioned her Instagram of the two posted this past Sunday.

It's clear Cuoco's co-stars couldn't be more thrilled for their friend. It's wonderful to see how close they all are in real life, especially Galecki. His relationship with Cuoco shows exes really can be friends.

Eating Potatoes & Other Life Tips Olivia Munn Swears By

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Olivia Munn is one of those rare and exotic Hollywood creatures that is a mesmerizing combination of beauty and, well, weirdness. We love her — we do. But Munn herself has always been quick to point out that while she may look like a glamorous star, deep down she's just a big geek. Couple that with the fact that she is famously publicist-free, and you wind up with some super-candid (and impossibly interesting) insight into the actor.

More: Aaron Who? Olivia Munn Found Herself a Spanish Hunk

Munn, who rose to fame as co-host of Attack of the Show, isn't one to mince words. In fact, in an industry where everyone seems to say just the right thing all the time, it's refreshing to find a star who's unapologetically forthcoming. 

Her candor seems to be serving her well, too. Munn is currently starring in the History Channel series Six, she's starring in the Predator remake out this fall and she's set to play Psylocke in next year's X-Men: Dark Phoenix. One can only hope that as Munn's star continues to rise, we'll be treated to more interviews from the Oklahoma City native. Until then, here are our favorite wise and, in some cases, wacky words from Munn. 

1. Eat your potatoes, people

She may very well have discovered the fountain of youth — but instead of drinking it, you eat it. "I'm really big on hyaluronic acid, it's so important," she told InStyle, explaining that it carries water to the parts of your body that need it most. When the pill form didn't work for her, Munn turned to Japanese potatoes, which are chock-full of the stuff. "I bake them every day with olive oil and cinnamon," she said.

2. Train yourself not to care about others' opinions

If there's one struggle that seems universal, it's worrying too much about what other people think of you (especially haters). Munn admits she's just as guilty as the next person in obsessing over this, so she literally started training herself not to care. 

More: Olivia Munn's Mother's Day Gift Is So Extra, but You'll Love It Anyway

"It's really hard not to care, so make a deal with yourself. Every hour that you spend caring about those people, you have to spend an hour learning another language, learning an instrument, or do something to give back to yourself," she shared with Bustle. 

3. When you're tired, put concealer on your...

You're probably thinking the inside corner of your eyes, right? Or maybe underneath your eyes, where some of us (including me) have circles so dark it looks like we haven't slept in a century. Nope! According to Munn, the trick to looking perkier has nothing to do with your eyes. Rather, as she revealed to Allure, "Concealer under your nose instantly lifts and makes you look more refreshed." 

4. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it

In Munn's family, there are five children and they are all karate masters. They started practicing the sport at around 5 years old and couldn't stop until they got their black belts, which translated to 16 years old for most of them. "The things that stayed with me the most from that training were the discipline not to give up when something feels too hard and the confidence that comes from knowing that if I keep working hard, I'll achieve my goal, even if it feels impossible," she told Good Housekeeping

5. Two words: jean shirts

When in doubt, break that denim out! We all fall into a style rut from time to time, or we simply can't possibly find one acceptable thing to wear in our closet. But if you ask Munn, she'd tell you that perhaps you've simply overlooked the best fashion staple out there. 

"Jean shirts," she revealed to Good Housekeeping. "I have at least 50 of them. Every time I find a new one, I'm like, 'Yes, I need this. The one I have doesn't have this wash, or this length, or this button!' It's so silly, but I love them." 

6. You should always say yes to bright lips

To be clear, Munn always starts her face by defining her brows and cheeks. However, the Asian American actor admitted to InStyle that her next step in the process is always playing around with her lips and eyes. While she loves a soft pink lip, she says, she swears by something much bolder. "My go-to is usually a bright lip. Some people feel like a red lip is more of a night thing, but I completely disagree. It can be really fun and funky and make any outfit look interesting," she told InStyle

7. Being funny is all about knowing your body

Raise your hand if one of your favorite things about Munn is that she's so damn funny. Yeah, us too. According to Munn, making people laugh is just a matter of being self-aware in an oddly specific way. 

More: 9 Gloriously Strange Reasons We Love Olivia Munn

"It's all about knowing your body and knowing what's funny," she told Elle. "Like Chris Farley, who made his career on being the big guy that comes in wearing something really small. You learn to play off what you have and turn it into a joke." 

10 Dry Rub Recipes That'll Truly Up Your BBQ Game

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Dry rub mixes are a great way to add plenty of flavor to meat, poultry and fish without adding loads of extra fat. In fact, they're also great on tofu for you vegans out there — just sprinkle it on after your regular marinade. A lot of the time we opt for premade rubs instead of throwing together our own. Sure, store-bought might be a teensy bit faster — but they just don't pack the same flavor punch as DIY rubs.

Not only that, homemade dry rubs are much cheaper than the store-bought versions, and they allow you to be in control of what goes into them. People who are sensitive to MSG know they're getting a rub without it. Need a lower-sodium content? Reduce or substitute the salt. You can even control the levels of spices like cayenne pepper to keep it mild or amp up the fire. You'll never buy store-bought again.

More: 5 Easy, Super-Flavorful Marinade Recipes for Grilled Chicken

Bonus tips

Before you start experimenting with DIY rubs, here are a couple tips to make yours the best it can be.

  • To mix, use a mini whisk so you really get everything incorporated. You can also whiz them in a small food processor or coffee grinder if you'd like a finer blend.
  • Clean, used spice bottles are a great way to store leftover seasoning. You can also buy shaker lids for Ball or Mason jars. If worse comes to worst, a plain old plastic baggie will do just fine. Just make sure it's an airtight container, especially for the recipes that have sugar in them.
  • Kosher salt, sea salt and table salt don't substitute equivalently. If using table salt for either of those, reduce it by at least half, and salt to taste.

Ready for the recipes? Let's get to it.

More: How to Grill Tender, Fall-Off-the-Bone Ribs: The Do’s & Don'ts

DIY dry rub recipes

dry rub recipes infographic

A version of this article was originally published in May 2015.

Turns Out, We're All Terrible at Washing Our Hands

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When it comes to washing our hands, Americans need a bit of work. In fact, a new study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that 97 percent of the time, we're not washing our hands correctly during food preparation. Considering that 100 percent of us need to eat, this is a problem.

So, what are we doing wrong? We're rushing, the USDA says, which can lead to cross-contamination of food and other surfaces, potentially resulting in foodborne illness. Specifically, we're not spending the minimum of 20 seconds washing our hands, and many people aren't using a clean towel to dry their hands. Both of those are problematic and can contribute to the spread of bacteria. 

More: Is Cooking With Aluminum Foil Toxic?

“As a mother of three young children, I am very familiar with the mad dash families go through to put dinner on the table,” Carmen Rottenberg, acting deputy under secretary for food safety at USDA, said in a statement. “You can’t see, smell or feel bacteria. By simply washing your hands properly, you can protect your family and prevent that bacteria from contaminating your food and key areas in your kitchen.”

Foodborne illness is a pretty big deal: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 48 million Americans get sick with them each year, resulting in roughly 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. People with compromised immune systems as well as children and older adults are particularly at risk of getting sick from food that's not properly handled. 

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Tips for effective handwashing

So, how should you be washing your hands? Mayo Clinic provides these steps:

  • Wet your hands with running water — either warm or cold.
  • Apply liquid, bar or powder soap to a cupped hand.
  • Lather well.
  • Rub your hands, palm to palm, vigorously for at least 20 seconds. (Sure, go ahead and sing "Happy Birthday" in your head if it helps.) Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
  • Rinse well.
  • Dry your hands with a clean towel.
  • Use the towel to turn off the faucet.

This is especially important when you're preparing food to ensure you don't get yourself or other people sick. Unlike so many things in life, washing your hands properly is something we can all do — it's well worth the extra 20 seconds. 

How to Cope With Pregnancy Aches & Pains

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Everyone knows labor and delivery is painful, but what about the rest of pregnancy? If this is your first foray into the world of baby-growing, it might come as a surprise just how ridiculously uncomfortable — and sometimes downright torturous — those three trimesters can be (of course, if you’ve been pregnant before, it's likely all too familiar).  

According to a 2008 study published in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicineanywhere from 50 to 80 percent of pregnant people report lower-back pain during pregnancy, and roughly 50 percent of pregnant people report pelvic pain during pregnancy (according to a 2004 analysis in the journal Spine). 

But because of the never-ending list of safety restrictions for treating ailments and illnesses during pregnancy, a lot of parents-to-be assume they have to grin and bear it through nine months of discomfort.  

Not so, says physical therapist April Oury, founder and president of Body Gears Physical Therapy in the Chicago area.  

Oury tells SheKnows pregnant people "suffer through common aches and pains during pregnancy because they hear, ‘Well, what do you expect?’ and don’t realize there are many techniques that are effective in changing those symptoms.” She also says, “Safe solutions are out there with caring, effective, licensed and trained professionals.” 

Here, a list of the most common pregnancy-related aches and pains, why they happen and — thankfully — what you can do about them.  

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Back pain 

Back pain — either lower or upper, between your shoulder blades — typically appears during the second trimester and is a result of your growing uterus.  

“Your posture changes to accommodate the weight you’re carrying in front of your body,” OB-GYN Christine Masterson, chief of the women and children’s service line for Summit Medical Group in New Jersey, tells SheKnows. “Your spine is curved more, you’re holding your body differently, and you’re using muscles in new ways.” 

While this kind of back pain can be treated with acetaminophen, stretching and massage or chiropractic care (if approved by your physician or midwife first), pregnant people should make note of any lower-back pain that isn’t alleviated by any of these treatments — this could be a sign of preterm contractions. 

Sciatica 

Your sciatic nerve runs from your lower spine through both sides of your hips and buttocks, then down your legs to your feet. It’s sensitive to postural changes, so pregnancy often puts pressure on it, causing discomfort anywhere along that pathway. Some people feel a shooting pain, while others experience numbness or tingling. Masterson recommends moving around regularly (changing your position from sitting to standing, for example) and walking around once every hour to stretch.  

Pubic pain 

As pregnancy advances, your body begins producing more hormones — specifically one called relaxin — to soften your ligaments and joints. This prepares your body for the hard work of giving birth, but it also leaves your pubic joint, which sits at the bottom of your pelvic bone, susceptible to soreness and tenderness.  

It's more common in pregnant people who’ve had babies before or closely spaced pregnancies, "because those periods of body stress mean your body needs to repair itself,” Susan Hernandez, certified nurse midwife and codirector of the midwifery program at Massachusetts General Hospital, tells SheKnows.  

If you’re experiencing pubic pain, Hernandez recommends regular low-impact exercise to strengthen the ligament. Physical therapy might also be particularly useful in this case; Oury says that pelvic pain is one of the most common pregnancy-related problems she sees in her work as a physical therapist (along with sciatica). 

“Often, we go through the abdomen to access the front of the spine muscles, [but] clearly, we cannot do that for our pregnant patients,” Oury explains. “Our approach is to assess the pelvic, lumbar and hip bones and how they relate to one another statically. We look at these bones and muscles not just on the treatment table, but during real-life situations like sitting and standing.”  

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Carpal tunnel 

Partially caused by the loosening effects of relaxin and partially due to pregnancy-related swelling, wrist pain (i.e., carpal tunnel) is a common ailment during the second and third trimesters. A 2009 review in the Wisconsin Medical Journal estimates that as many as 62 percent of pregnant people may experience carpal tunnel, with most reporting improvement after delivery. Carpal tunnel may feel like numbness, tingling or stiffness in your hands and fingers. Masterson recommends making sure you’re drinking enough water and limiting your sodium intake to reduce swelling and utilizing ergonomic solutions to alleviate pain.  

“There are carpal tunnel wrist braces you can buy at the pharmacy, and you can elevate your wrist at night by propping it up on a pillow,” she says. If your job requires a lot of repetitive motions, like typing, take regular breaks to stretch your hands, wrists and fingers.  

Rib pain 

This is one people are often surprised by, says Hernandez, though the reasoning behind it makes sense: as the size of your abdomen increases, your stomach muscles can separate and your ribs may “bow out,” causing stretching and inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone. This condition is called costochondritis.  

“The cartilage [along your ribs] is working extra hard to stabilize your core and your center of gravity, so it can get inflamed and sore,” she explains. “This can be a stabbing pain that feels like chest pain, and it can make breathing painful.”  

Hernandez recommends alternating hot and cold treatments to alleviate costochondritis, with cold always applied first to relieve any swelling.   

Round-ligament pain 

Between 16 and 26 weeks, Masterson says your uterus grows rapidly and starts to move from your pelvis to your abdomen. This can cause something called round-ligament pain, in which the ligaments supporting your uterus stretch to accommodate these changes. The pain can be one-sided or bilateral and may feel either sharp and stabbing or throbbing and achy. Masterson recommends resting and emptying your bladder to see if it resolves and — similar to her advice for back pain — taking acetaminophen and stretching while monitoring for signs of preterm labor. 

Leg cramps 

If you’ve ever woken up in the middle of the night with a Charley horse, you know it’s a special kind of agony. For some reason, Masterson says, leg cramps are more likely to happen during pregnancy; the American Pregnancy Association suggests that weight gain, pinching of nerves and changes in circulation may be to blame.  

Thankfully, leg cramps don’t usually last very long — but they’re pretty excruciating while they’re happening. Don’t point your toes during the cramp, advises Masterson, and gently stretch or massage the leg muscles to help it go away. She also notes that if it doesn’t clear up or your leg starts to swell, you should seek medical attention; a leg cramp could be a sign of deep vein thrombosis, a life-threatening kind of blood clot.  

More: Do Pregnancy "Rules" Really Matter?

What to remember 

Unfortunately, very few people make it through nine months of pregnancy without experiencing at least a little bit of pain. (And even if you do, you’ve likely got a world of hurt waiting for you in the delivery room... sorry). But the sources of those aches and pains may even have been there before you got pregnant — perhaps you just didn’t realize it. 

“Physical therapy can resolve issues that were present prior to the pregnancy but went unnoticed in the business of life,” says Oury. “With postural changes, weight gain, fluid retention and a change in the way the body carries weight, the unnoticed problems are now detected, [but can be] easily treated.”  

So it’s not all bad news about pain during pregnancy, and you should always talk to your doctor or midwife about your concerns (it’s what they’re there for!). Every provider has a different opinion on massage, chiropractic care and prenatal yoga, but many will give you the green light for these alternative treatments. And don’t forget that the pain you’re experiencing during pregnancy might be a sign to listen more closely to your body. 

“It’s simple body mechanics — the elements of how your body changes during pregnancy,” says Hernandez. “There’s a reason you’re body is telling you to slow down. It takes energy to grow a human being. That’s why you’re so fatigued in early pregnancy. You have to learn to use your body in a different way, and that might mean getting more support.” 

Bottom line: Even though pregnancy pain is pretty common, there’s no reason to suffer. Your body is working around the clock for nine months, so don’t be afraid to get professional help with those growing pains if you need it. 

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