It's somewhat rare that exes can genuinely stay friends after a breakup, though some people, like Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, seem to have figured out the secret. The pair are apparently hanging out more than usual, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're diving back into a romantic relationship, especially since they've remained close through the eight years since their breakup.

More: How Drew Barrymore Deals With Instagram Trolls & Self-Doubt

According to E! News, a source says that Barrymore and Long "have been talking more" since Long's breakup with musician Lauren Mayberry, of Chvrches. The source added, "They are both single and they are spending time together," but "that's all it is for now." Although the "for now" could indicate that this person things there's a chance of Barrymore and Long rekindling their romance, we're not so sure.

E!'s source said that Barrymore and Long have maintained what sounds like a healthy friendship and professional relationship since they ended their romance in 2010. They said the pair have "worked together and bounced ideas off of each other from time to time" in the last eight years, adding that they have a "very special connection and bond that never went away." 

Additionally, they said that Barrymore has  "a fondness for [Long] and he's always been in her life even if they weren't a couple." 

Long told Ellen DeGeneres in 2009 that Barrymore is "effortlessly charming and easy to be around... She has this amazing ability to make anyone feel like at ease." We could all use a close friend with that skill, especially in the wake of a relationship ending, so it makes sense that Long and Barrymore are spending a little more time together now.

The couple first met on the set of He's Just Not That Into You in 2008, in which Long starred and Barrymore was a co-producer, according to E! News. They were on and off for two years, working together on Going the Distance and rekindling their romance for long enough that Long accompanied Barrymore to the 2010 Golden Globes, where she won for best performance in a mini-series or motion picture made for television for her role in Grey Gardens. They broke things off for good shortly after, before Barrymore started dating her now-ex-husband Will Kopelman.

More: 27 Best Golden Globes Looks of All Time

It's easy to hope that our favorite celebrity couples will find their way back to each other, even if it's been years since they were together. Barrymore and Long were super sweet for the two years that they dated on and off, so it's hard to resist the siren's call of wanting their relationship to somehow be written in the stars. Strong friendships are just as important, if not more so, than happily-ever-after romances.

Judy Greer and Jennifer Garner aren't just good friends, they are the best of friends. In fact, the pair has known each other for 14 years. And while solid, long-term friendships are hard to come by — especially in Hollywood — it seems Greer and Garner have it all figured out. In fact, when Greer spoke about Garner on The Social, a talk show on CTV, she got very emotional. Well, to put it more plainly Greer broke down in tears but don't worry — she had a super sweet reason to do so.

More: Jennifer Garner's Kayaking Disaster Is Straight Out of a Rom-Com

“I just really love her so much, and she is such a special person,” Greer told The Social cohosts Melissa Grelo, Cynthia Loyst, Elaine Lui and Marci Ien. “There’s not a lot of people in the world that deserve everything that they’ve gotten, and all the success, and she is one of them. I’m really happy for her."

“She’s also, like, a really amazing mom and a really great friend,” Greer said. “And I don’t understand how she has time for all of it because I do not.”

Oh, my gosh, we can't handle how sweet she is!

For those not too familiar with their friendship, Greer and Garner met when they were filming the beloved rom-com 13 Going on 30. While the pair has shared several major milestones together, including Garner's recent induction on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Twitter users still could not get enough of this new, endearing moment in their friendship journey.

Of course, some users used Greer's interview to express how much they loved their own friends:

More: Tearful Jennifer Garner Receives Hollywood Walk of Fame Star, Credits Her Kids

Truth be told, there were dozens of comments which echoed the sentiments expressed above and we have to admit that we totally agree — these two are definitely #FriendshipGoals.

In March, Sex and the City alum Cynthia Nixon announced her candidacy for New York Governor, running on a Democratic Party ticket against incumbent Andrew Cuomo. After six hard months of campaigning, Nixon lost against Cuomo in the primary elections for the state on Thursday. It was a crushing loss to those who had stumped for her, voted for her and thrown their weight behind her. But, unshakeable and admirably brave-faced, Nixon stood up on Thursday evening and gave a hopeful, rousing concession speech that she hopes everyone will take with them into the future.

More: The Internet Is Having a Field Day With Cynthia Nixon's Bagel Order

As reported by People, Nixon conceded just after 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, when Cuomo was ahead in the votes by 2 to 1. In her concession speech, she said, "We started with nothing and we earned every single vote. And the establishment came at us with everything they had. ... We wouldn't back down, we refused to be quiet, and we made our voices heard."

In addition to her concession speech, in which she thanked supporters for believing in her and in the change she represents, Nixon also tweeted words of encouragement to her 241,000 followers on the social media platform.

"While the result tonight wasn't what we had hoped for, I'm not discouraged," Nixon wrote, directly quoting from her speech. "I'm inspired. I hope you are too. We have fundamentally changed the political landscape in this state."

Nixon also took to Instagram to communicate with her followers and supporters, sharing a photo of herself at the podium during her concession speech.

"Thank you all for believing and fighting and leaving it all on the field. We started something here in New York, and it doesn’t end today. This is just the beginning. And I know that together, we will win this fight." Nixon captioned her photo, in a message that she also tweeted.

Prior to conceding, Nixon also used social media to communicate with her supporters, thanking them on Twitter for their hard work on the campaign: "I want to thank all of the #TeamCynthia volunteers, supporters, and voters who dedicated their time to championing the progressive message of our campaign. I’m so proud of all the work we've done to build a New York that works for all of us."

More: All the Celebrity Commencement Speeches of 2018

Although Nixon did not win the primary election to become the official democratic candidate for New York governor on the mid-term ballot this November, we are sure that she will remain politically active and that the effects of her first campaign will be felt far and wide.

Brace yourselves, Modern Family fans. Season 10 is already shaping up to be totally heartbreaking, and it doesn't even premiere until the end of the month. Cocreator Christopher Lloyd has revealed that a significant character death will occur in the first part of the season, and we are honestly not ready to say goodbye.

More: Matt LeBlanc Was Almost Phil Dunphy on Modern Family

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lloyd remained secretive about who will die (of course), but he did say that the death “will be a moving event — and an event that has repercussions across several episodes.” He also said, “We’re handling some bigger life events in this season. We do deal with a death, which is certainly a topic that families have to deal with, and on television, it’s not easy to do because that’s a heavy subject. But at the same time, it would seem unusual for a family not to go through it.”

In response to the news, several members of the cast took to Twitter to express their thoughts — and concern for their characters' safety. Sarah Hyland tweeted, "Is this how actors on @GameOfThrones & @WalkingDead_AMC feel?!?!" The implication is that no one is safe from the grim reaper when it comes to major TV deaths, not even young cast members.

Rico Rodriguez also went with the comedy/fear response, tweeting, "But, Manny is safe right...RIGHT?!?!" along with two emojis: eyeballs and hands-on-face-screaming.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson responded with a far drier quip about the Lloyd's exact phrasing: "Significant Character is a GREAT Drag Name."

According to Entertainment Weekly, season 10 is Modern Family's last season in the show's contract with ABC. Since the series premiered in 2009, it's garnered tons of attention and praise, including a record-tying five consecutive-year wins at the Emmys for outstanding comedy series. With that said, Lloyd tells EW that he hopes the show will get another season after this one.

"From our standpoint creatively we’ve gotten excited writing this season and changing the lives of the characters — some in a significant way — and it’s made us think, ‘Wow, there’s a lot to explore in the lives of these characters,’" Lloyd said. "They’re in many ways such different characters than they were five or 10 years ago when we started and they’re just as interesting and just as funny. So our standpoint was, ‘Well, if we can do another season, we may as well. I’m hoping that we have some news on that [soon], and if it winds up that we tried and just couldn’t make it work, we will have a great final season for sure."

In the meantime, Lloyd hinted at "significant change in the dynamics of the family," which may or may not have anything to do with the planned death, but we all know that death totally alters how people relate to each other.

More: For Wells Adams & Sarah Hyland, It Wasn't Exactly Love at First Sight

Since everyone is keeping mum about who Modern Family will permanently write off this season, including the cast, your guess is as good as ours about who might be leaving. We'll get the tissues ready for when the time comes to cry our eyes out.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are a Hollywood power couple, make no mistake. This week alone, Legend became the first ever black man to win an EGOT and then announced that he's joining NBC's The Voice as a coach in season 16, but Teigen has been busy with her own big announcements. On Thursday, Teigen announced that she's launching a kitchen collection at Target, named after her 2016 best-selling cookbook, Cravings.

But when her husband's Voice news dropped the same day and overshadowed her new cookware, Teigen took matters into her own hands and roasted him on Instagram — in a post celebrating their anniversary. Talk about a power move.

More: John Legend Just Got a New TV Gig as a Coach on The Voice

On Friday, Teigen shared a romantic photo of the moment when she and Legend sealed their marriage with a kiss, five years ago. She wrote, "12 years ago today, I met the man of my dreams. And 5 years ago today, we got married. We have two babies and some pups and a life I am grateful to have. My everything, I love you and am so proud of the story we've created."

Then she added, "But you are an asshole for releasing your @nbcthevoice news on my target launch day for real."

To be fair, Legend did retweet Teigen twice about the news. He was also in her photos at the Target/Cravings event, as reported by Entertainment Tonight. But we have to applaud Teigen for staying on brand and not missing the opportunity to once again lovingly poke fun at her hubby. 

In his own Instagram post celebrating their anniversary, Legend took the chance to gently rib Teigen back by reminding his 8.8 million followers about her new kitchenware line.

"What can I say on a day like today?" he wrote. "I could talk about the 12 beautiful years I've known you. I could talk about the 5 years of wedded bliss, the 2 wonderful children we've brought into this world. But I feel the urge to say something far more important. I LOVE your new kitchenware line at @Target. I can't wait for it to come out on September 30th. I'm so proud of everything you've done in your career and how much joy you bring to people's lives. Did I mention that your Cravings Cookbook is coming out Tuesday? Because it's coming out Tuesday. I love you, baby."

More: These Baby Pics of Chrissy Teigen & John Legend & Their Kids Are Identical

He got the verbiage a little twisted (Teigen's cookbook came out in 2016, and September 30th is a Sunday), but we're pretty sure Teigen can forgive him, especially since he made such a heartfelt declaration toward her new line. These two have a lot to celebrate this week and we love to see them thriving.

It finally happened. You've found the perfect pair of heels and can't wait to wear them. Or maybe you regularly wear high heels because you feel they complete your bangin' outfit but can't wait to take them off at the end of the day. Sure, they look great, but we have to wonder — are heels really A-OK to wear? Do they mess up your feet? While we think a great pair of shoes can enhance your overall look, the type of footwear you select can impact your feet, and not in a good way.

Your foot in a high heel

High heels can feel and look like a great idea, but they can actually damage the structures of your feet — and other body parts as well. "High heels cause a myriad of problems for the wearer, not just in the feet, but also in the ankles, knees and even the back," podiatrist Dr. Julie Schottenstein tells SheKnows. "Heels cause the body weight to be transferred to the ball of the foot, leading to increased pain in this area, called metatarsalgia."

And the bad news doesn't end there. She explains that hoisting your body weight on the ball of your foot can cause pinched nerves (neuromas) and stress fractures. It also causes your knees and hips to shift forward, which means your back needs to try to adjust by extending backward, which can really jack it up. Heels can also compress your toes, she says, and can result in hammertoes as well as ingrown toenails. 

It can even be worse for those who wear heels on the regular. "Long-term wearing of high heels can also lead to a shortening of the Achilles tendon and the muscles leading to muscle pain, spasms and leg cramps after wearing shoes," Schottenstein explains. This might also mean you have a greater potential for injury when you're wearing flat shoes, such as while you're exercising or simply walking around. 

More: Here's How to Get Rid of (& Prevent) Blisters

Are some heels better than others?

Yes, says Schottenstein, there are heeled shoes that are far better for the human foot than others. "When picking a high heel to wear, it is best to look for a heel or wedge that is 2 inches or less with a good amount of space in the toe box area of the shoe so the toes are not cramped," she explains. "Cushion in the front of the shoe, under the ball of the foot, is also important to try and prevent pain."

But if you don't want to risk your feet at all, Dr. Barbara Bergin, an orthopedic surgeon at Texas Orthopedics, Sports and Rehabilitation Associates, tells SheKnows that flat shoes with a wide toe box are best. Flat shoes won't force your toes into a tiny space and send your body alignment out of kilter, so those are your best bet, she explains.

So no heels… ever?!

If you love heels, though, it's not all bad news, and it's possible you might have a medical reason to avoid flat shoes, says Schottenstein. "For some foot conditions, like plantar fasciitis, wearing a small heel is actually helpful, and wearing very flat shoes is discouraged," she explains. "Wearing a small heel, under 2 inches, can actually encourage the arch to lift, alleviating some discomfort and helping to stretch the fascia." (Ask your doctor.)

More: Stylish Flats That Are Actually Good for Your Feet

Also, if you have the perfect set of heels to go with that one amazing outfit, all is not lost. As with many fun things in life, moderation is crucial. "The key to wearing heels in general is to do it in moderation — in both time (three hours or less) and frequency, alternating in wearing them with more supportive shoes," Schottenstein explains. 

In other words, make sure you have a pair of more comfortable shoes to slip on if you expect your evening to go on but your feet are hurting. But most of the time, pick a flat shoe with plenty of space for your toes for your feet to be — and remain — happy. 

I know it sounds shallow, but I find myself getting jealous when I see photos of other people's kids on social media — doing all the adorable things and smiling full-on for the camera. If you take a look at the camera roll on my phone, however, you'll find nothing but blurry pics and lots of solemn baby faces. Those adorable weekly/monthly photos everyone seems to get of their newborns? Most of mine involve the back of my daughter's head. Sure, she's quite photogenic when she wants to be — which is usually never. 

But I still continue to take the shot. 

More: Why You Won't See My Kids' Pics on Facebook

“Look at me and say cheese, sweetheart!” 

I hold my phone steady, finger on the white circle ready to snap a photo of my toddler in pigtails. It's the first time I'm able to convince her to let me put her hair up, and the final product is too adorable not to share. Of course, she takes one look at me and turns her head away. 

“No.” 

She crosses her chubby arms right when I tap my screen — and I'm left with a blurry image yet again as she races away from me. Such is life with a toddler. 

I shouldn’t be too surprised considering she did the same thing when she was a baby. I’d line up the perfect shot and snap a photo with confidence — only to be left with a subpar image of a baby — fuzzy-haired, rolls for days — defiantly looking away from the camera.

But after almost three years and 9,468 photos, I’ve gotten a chance to do some reflecting, and I think I've landed on the crux of my photographic persistence against all odds: I have a terrible memory. My daughter will be 3 soon, and without my photos to look back on, I won't be able to fully picture her at different stages of her life. Yes, I remember certain moments, but they’re fleeting. It’s difficult for me to bring to mind the image of her as a newborn from memory alone (then there's, you know, sleep deprivation; that first year of motherhood was rough). Plus, I love capturing moments as they happen — and looking at photo after photo as they retell the story years later. 

More: How Much Is Too Much When It Comes to Sharing Your Kids' Lives on Social Media?

So maybe I don’t get to be the mom with crisp and clear images, the background beautifully blurred and my daughter’s eye color slightly popped from photo editing. In fact, I have no clue how people get those backgrounds to be so white and bright, so, let’s face it: I’m never going to be Insta-famous. Sometimes I wonder what the point of trying to capture all these images of my wild and crazy daughter is — especially when she’s so unwilling to sit the hell still. 

But here’s why I press on in futility. 

Because it's hilarious. My husband and I got a newborn shoot done when my daughter was about 2 weeks old. There’s a photo in there that my photographer captured perfectly of my baby making a grumpy face. The epitome of all grumpy faces, like she couldn’t possibly hate her photo being taken more than in that moment. And she looks so ridiculous that I still bring up that photo to this day whenever I need a laugh. 

Because nothing showcases her personality like having a camera on her. OK, so I didn’t get that perfect shot of her in the swing at the playground for the first time. But what I do have is her face, eyes closed halfway, mouth open — because she was probably screeching at me — and tiny baby fists balled above her head. And that right there sums up my life with my daughter. That right there shows me her personality more than any sweetly posed photo ever will.

More: Healthy Meal Hacks for Picky Toddlers

Because this is what life is like right now. Crazy. Messy. Chaotic. Life with an active toddler is nothing like I could ever have prepared for. Trying in vain to capture my daughter holding letters that spell out “Dad” and her refusing to even touch them: It was frustrating at the time, and now I look at those photos that never made it into the frame and remember how blessed I am to even have these moments. I know they are far from those perfect shots, but I'm going to look back and remember exactly what this time was like. 

And years from now, when my daughter is grown, I’m going to need those reminders of how life was pretty great — uncooperative toddler and all.

Would the week ever truly be complete if there weren't at least one story of celebrity mom-shaming? Sadly, no. It seems that the online snake pit will always find a way to nitpick famous moms for every little thing. Jessica Biel let her son grow out his hair? Shamed. Khloé Kardashian left her daughter at home with the baby's father? Shamed. Victoria Beckham dares to have a close relationship with her son? You guessed it. Shamed! 

All of this online bullying has been enough for another mom-shaming target, Kim Kardashian West, to come out on the offensive. 

More: Kim Kardashian West Claps Back at Follower Hair-Shaming North West

The KKW Beauty mogul has been busy online lately promoting her Classic Blossom collection, a range of pretty, floral-like lip colors. As a budding makeup artist herself, North naturally wanted to sample one of the hues. Kardashian West captured her daughter's adorable transformation on Instagram Stories along with a stern message for mom-shamers. 

"North wearing #6 in the new Classic Blossom Collection," she captioned the video. "Relax mom shamers, it's coming off in a few minutes. I needed a bribe to get out the door...you feel me?!" 

More: Kim Kardashian West & Kanye West Plan 4th Child With Last Embryo

Her preemptive response was likely due to the backlash she received after posting another video of North attempting to contour her face earlier this week. In the now-vanished IG clip (thankfully captured by fans), the 5-year-old artist covered her nose as if the makeup were sunscreen to protect her during a long day at the beach. She enhanced the overall look with blue eye shadow. 

Is there a conversation to be had about what age children should be allowed to wear makeup out in public? Sure, but ripping apart another woman (one commenter derogatorily referred to Kardashian West as a "porn star" and inferred her daughter would follow suit) is not the way to start it. 

Women can do anything. Need proof? Look no further than model Slick Woods, who walked the Savage x Fenty runway show during New York Fashion Week (in heels and ultra-sexy lingerie, I might add) while in labor. 

"A lewk, 14 hours of labor, and A king is born," she captioned side-by-side images of herself on Instagram. "This is the face of a WOMAN IN LABOR, we hold shit down must of us don't even know how much we're going through, I'm here to say I CAN DO WHATEVER THE FUCK I WANT WHENEVER THE FUCK I WANT AND SO CAN YOU." 

More: Rihanna's Strategy for Accepting Her Body at Any Weight Is Goals

Woods didn't explicitly confirm that she'd given birth to her son, Saphir, in the post; however, her partner and the baby's father, fellow model Adonis Bosso, posted a sweet photo Friday morning with the simple caption, "Fatherhood." The picture was proof enough for many fans that Saphir had arrived, and they showered Bosso's comment section with love. 

Unfortunately, Woods hasn't been receiving the same level of adoration and good wishes. Dozens of angry trolls have invaded her Instagram page to bash the icon for daring to look sexy while pregnant. 

More: Kate Hudson Shamed for Daring to Wear a Bikini While Pregnant

"You’re so classless. Tried to stick this one out but unfollowing bye," one person wrote on a photo of Woods wearing an open blazer that revealed her bare belly. Others wrote things like, "That's nasty," or left strings of puke-face emojis. 

Thankfully, Woods doesn't seem to be letting the mom-shamers get her down. She celebrated her pregnant body, clothed in a mini sequin dress, in another post with the caption, "I almost wish I cared why y'all so upset." 

May she be as confident and badass throughout the entirety of her motherhood journey. 

Ree Drummond is a food writer, blogger, photographer and TV personality best known for her hit Food Network show, The Pioneer Woman. However, Drummond — who makes some of the network's best home-cooked comfort food — may soon be known for something else: her new Instant Pots.

More: Chrissy Teigen Releases a Gorgeous Kitchenware Line at Target

Drummond already has a home goods line at Walmart, one dominated by bold colors and floral prints, but the two new pots will be her first such appliances.

Drummond told People that, initially, she was suspicious of Instant Pots, which are essentially modern-day pressure cookers, and remained skeptical for quite awhile. 

“I was a little bit resistant to jump into the Instant Pot world for a while because it was just another piece of kitchen equipment that I didn’t think was necessary," Drummond said. "Then my good friend Hyacinth, who is on my show with me a lot, gave me an Instant Pot for my birthday last January. I think she realized that she was going to have to force it upon me. Of course once it kind of clicked and I saw what this machine was capable of. I was totally hooked.”

She even dished on why the Instant Pot converted her. “It usually takes three to four hours to make my pot roast recipe if you make it on the stove top or in the oven,” Drummond said. “And in the Instant Pot, it took an hour and 20 minutes. I’ve always proudly said you can’t rush pot roast, but actually, in a pressure cooker you can rush pot roast and it doesn’t taste rushed, it actually comes out just perfectly tender and moist.”

But Drummond's Instant Pots aren't just practical, they are pretty. Covered in bold patterns, these appliances are meant to make a statement.

More: The Best New Items From Chip & Joanna Gaines' Hearth & Hand Line

The pots retail for $99 and will come with a booklet of Drummond’s favorite recipes, including hard boiled eggs, spicy Dr Pepper pork and chocolate lava cakes. They are available for preorder now at Walmart. 

Party snacks are a dime a dozen, but, vegetarian party snacks take a little more finesse to find. We have done our due diligence and found some unique and tasty snack ideas for your next party that are sure to please vegetarians and nonvegetarians alike.

1. SunChips original flavor whole-grain snacks

These old-school vegetarian chips haven’t changed their savory yet slightly sweet taste in decades.

SunChips, available at Amazon

2. Biena habanero roasted chickpeas

These spicy and dried chickpeas have a medium spicy heat index with a hint of lemon. The habanero flavor is their most award-winning one and sure to be a hit at any party.

Biena chickpea snacks, available at Amazon

3. Dang toasted caramel coconut chips

These popular coconut chip snacks are delicious bite-size pieces of coconut flavored with caramel and guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Dang toasted coconut chips, available at Amazon

4. Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws in sea salt flavor

Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws are a combination of potatoes and ripe vegetables and have 30 percent less fat than leading-brand potato chips. With a generous 38 straws per serving, there is no need to feel guilty about this snack.

Veggie Straws, available at Amazon

5. Dandies vegan marshmallows in vanilla

Dandies vegan marshmallows are air puffed, giving them a traditional marshmallow texture and flavor. A multiple-award-winning snack, these vegan favorite 'mallows are the perfect addition to any party and might surprise your guests with their amazing flavor. Use them for vegan baking and desserts too.

Dandies vegan marshmallows, available at Amazon

6. Planetarians protein chips

Planetarians snacks are the first food product made from sunflower meal as the primary ingredient. These snacks have more protein than meat does and 10 times more dietary fiber than an apple. Enjoy a variety of flavors, such as ranch, barbecue and chili-lime.

Planetarians snacks, available at Amazon

7. Harvest Snaps green pea crisps

The Harvest Snaps green pea crisps are flavored, baked and made from whole green peas. These snacks make a great substitution for overly sugary snacks or salty potato chips and are always a hit.

Harvest Snaps green pea crisps, available at Amazon

8. Annie Chun’s roasted seaweed snacks

Annie Chun’s roasted seaweed snacks are lightly seasoned and tasty roasted sheets of nori that are seriously addictive. Made from Korean seaweed, they are roasted and then seasoned with a dash of salt and sesame seed oil, creating the perfect balance of sweet and savory.

Annie Chun’s roasted seaweed snacks, available at Amazon

9. Somersaults sunflower seed bites in Dutch cocoa flavor

Somersaults sunflower seed bites are a one-of-a-kind snack powered by sunflower seeds. These are the perfect snacks, packed with heart-healthy good fats. Full of protein and a touch of sweetness, these will be gone before you know it.

Somersaults sunflower seed bites, available at Amazon

10. Rhythm Superfoods Kale Chips in Zesty Nacho flavor

The Rhythm Superfoods nacho-flavored kale chips offer a crispy raw kale base dusted with vegan nacho seasoning. A great source of vitamins A and C and a great raw food treat for any party.

Rhythm Superfoods Kale Chips, available at Amazon

This story was originally published on Spy.com. This is e-commerce content. If you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale. 

We’ve all heard of the term "spectrum," used to describe everything from colors to mental health, but what does it mean when applied to gender and sexuality? As the world has further explored the deepest parts of sexual identity and orientation, spectrums have been created to help people figure out how exactly they identify. Spectrums also are a useful tool for researchers and educators who are often tasked with explaining the concepts of gender and sexuality. Let's take a look at why that is.

What is a spectrum?

First things first: In this context, a spectrum is a tool (often shown with single-line chart) that has a descriptor on one end and the opposite descriptor on the other end. For example, a gender spectrum would have female on one side and male on the other side with space in the middle for those who identify as neither male nor female (such as nonbinary and gender nonconforming folks). 

The Kinsey scale

One of the most famous spectrums is the Kinsey scale. The Kinsey scale is a numerical heterosexual-homosexual rating system created in 1948 by Dr. Alfred Kinsey, according to the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. This scale has heterosexual as 0 on one end and homosexual as 6 on the other end, with 3 in the middle for those who identify as equally hetero and homosexual (or bisexual). It also has an “X” option for those who do not have sexual relationships, or as we call it now, people who are asexual. The scale was one of the first academic tools that challenged perception of sexuality and began discussions that still continue today.

More: Celebrate Pride Month With These LGBTQ Sex Toys

While the Kinsey scale is one of the oldest spectrums and historically important, some don't consider it the best spectrum for the current state of gender and sexuality. For example, queer educator Lindsay Amer tells SheKnows that the Kinsey scale is “pretty black and white" and "doesn’t really take sexuality into account outside of homo and heterosexual and it’s super-simplistic about asexuality.” 

The Kinsey scale only allows for one type of asexuality (which itself is an entire spectrum) and assumes that all attraction is specifically toward men and women, which we know now is not the only kind of attraction, Amer explains.

Other types of scales

Spectrums go far beyond gender and sexual orientation; they can also measure romantic attraction and relationship style. There are also spectrums that exist within specific communities, such as the kink spectrum.

“On one end [of the kink spectrum], you have submissives, or bottoms,” Zoe Whitney, the founder of SSASE (an educational group for submissive women and nonbinary people), tells SheKnows, “and on the opposite end, you have dominants, or tops. And right in the middle of the scale sits the switch, someone who enjoys both."

According to Whitney, the best part about using this model in the kink community is that different people or relationships can help inspire different places on the spectrum, "so with one person, you might fall closer to submissive, and with someone else, you might be closer to dominant.”

More: My Sex Ed Ignored LGBTQ People — so I Took Matters Into My Own Hands

Along the same lines, Amer notes, “Spectrums help us describe different facets of our identity because they represent every possible gender, sexuality, attraction and expression.” This is important because many people struggle to firmly articulate their identity, and spectrums help people define who they are, especially if they exist outside binaries.

Spectrums are also important because they reinforce that our world does not exist in black-and-white binaries. A great way to understand this outside gender and sexuality is to use liking/disliking specific foods. For example, on one end of the broccoli-liking spectrum is the statement, “I love broccoli,” and on the other end is, “I hate broccoli.” You may fall on one end of the spectrum, but a lot of people will also fall somewhere in the middle. Maybe they like broccoli sometimes or only like broccoli steamed or on pizza. People who identify in the middle of the broccoli-liking spectrum need a place to exist that isn’t in the strict love/hate binary. This same concept can be applied to gender or sexuality.

It's also important to note that new spectrums are created all the time. As we discover and talk about new aspects of identity, we create spectrums to help us to define and describe who we are. For more information on spectrums, check out some of the resources available, including SexInfoOnline, Queer Kid Stuff's "What Is a Spectrum?!?" video, "The Kinsey Scale" and Ash Hardell's "Queer, Asexual and Gender Spectrums!" video.

Jenna Cooper may be down, but she’s not out. Per the Bachelor in Paradise alum’s most recent Instagram post, she won’t give up on her relationship with Jordan Kimball — cheating scandal be damned. 

More: Bachelor in Paradise Fans Have Officially Turned on Dean

In case you missed it, Cooper and Kimball appeared on the BiP "After the Finale" special on Tuesday, during which they gushed about their engagement. The pair even asked host Chris Harrison to officiate their wedding in Mexico next year on June 9. 

However, mere hours after the finale special aired, explosive allegations surfaced on Reality Steve claiming Cooper had been cheating on Kimball (with the receipts to prove it). In the following days, Kimball ultimately decided to end the relationship. 

But on Friday night, Cooper took to IG to clarify that she isn’t going anywhere yet. “To Jordan, our families, friends, and supporters: please stand by as I prepare to provide the true facts that will demonstrate the fraud perpetrated by terrible individuals. Please be patient as this takes time. In the interim, I appreciate all the continued love and support I have received. I am presently back home with my family trying to heal from this heartbreak,” Cooper wrote. 

She continued, addressing Kimball directly, “And to Jordan, I am sorry that horrible people have used fabricated, hateful efforts to come between us. I promise you that the truth will be set free in the coming weeks, and will unquestionably be to your satisfaction.” 

Cooper underscored that when she clears her name, she looks forward to “moving forward with Jordan, and life.” 

Whether a reconciliation with Kimball is even possible at this point remains to be seen. He hasn’t posted anything since Wednesday when he explained why he had decided to walk away from the engagement. That evening, he appeared on Reality Steve’s podcast, where he admitted he believes the screengrabs of Cooper’s alleged affair texts are authentic. 

More: All the Bachelor Scandals Throughout the Years 

“I got played," he said. "It’s looking like I got played, and once you got played, the last thing you want to do is get fooled as well.” Kimball told the podcast host that, given the phrasing and emoji patterns in the messages, he believed it was “my Jenna.” 

Asked by ET about the whole debacle, host Chris Harrison says he was just as shocked as everyone else. “If she’s faking it, she fooled me too,” he admitted, adding that he was “still rooting for them.” 

Happy Birthday, Prince Harry! Everyone’s favorite red-headed royal turns 34 today and, let’s be honest, the year he’s had is likely gift enough for the good prince. Not only has he further endeared himself to the world through his continued charity work, but he also put a ring on former Suits star Meghan Markle. Still, it’s nice to receive a little something on your birthday — and while we don’t know for certain what other gifts are in store for the Duke of Sussex today, we do know that the royal family took to Instagram to celebrate his life. 

More: Prince Harry Made His Musical Debut in Hamilton, & Our FOMO Has Never Been Worse

In a series of cute posts on their official social media accounts, the royal family gave shout-outs to Prince Harry in honor of his birthday. On Kensington Palace’s feed, they posted a photo of Harry smiling, with the caption, “Thank you everyone for your lovely message on The Duke of Sussex’s birthday! #HappyBirthdayHRH.” 

Also throwing in some celebratory sentiments was @theroyalfamily account, who likewise shared a photo of a beaming Prince Harry. “Wishing HRH The Duke of Sussex a very Happy Birthday! #HappyBirthdayHRH.” 

Royal Collection Trust, the organization tasked with looking after guests to royal residences, posted a short but sweet note on Twitter. “#HappyBirthday to #PrinceHarry, who was born on this day in 1984,” it read.

But our personal favorite came by way of royal commentator Omid Scobie, who tweeted a precious video of the down-to-earth prince dancing to Katy Perry’s “Firework” at a Chilean daycare center in 2014. “Happy birthday to the kind of getting stuck in and being a good sport!” wrote Scobie. 

Although it’s unclear precisely how Harry’s wife, Markle, will celebrate her royal husband on his 34^th birthday, People did manage to dig up several telling quotes from the former actor’s now-defunct social media accounts and lifestyle site, The Tig. 

“It’s easy to grab another T-shirt for your man — but you’ll likely steal it for PJs anyway. Instead give him something creative that he’ll actually enjoy,” Markle once wrote of gift-giving. 

More: Can You Guess What Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Named Their New Dog?

So, we apparently know what she won’t be getting Harry. What seems more likely is that Markle will plan a cozy night in for the royal couple. 

“Let’ discuss the simple pleasures in life: holding someone’s hand so seamlessly that you can’t decipher their fingers from your own, fresh baked bread smeared with briny French butter, a smile that says you are endlessly adored, the sizzle and smell of sautéing onions, and finding the perfect book,” Markle once said. 

And, if you ask us, that sounds like a pretty perfect birthday night. 

Technology often drives innovation, but a long walk along the Potomac can too.

I’m a big believer that well-being creates a major boost to creativity and performance, and frankly, to my own peace of mind. I’ve seen it with my team, and I’ve noticed it with myself — some of my best ideas come during a power walk.

Every day, I’m asked how I’m able to fit well-being into my crazy-busy work schedule that includes leading a large team and traveling almost every week. It takes a little creativity, but it’s not as hard as you may think.

More:  How to get more deliberate rest for better mental health

I’ve learned that the key to building some well-being rituals into your demanding schedule is to keep them simple and easy-to-incorporate. Add a little discipline to make them stick, and you’re well on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

Here are a few rituals that have worked for me.

Walking meetings

The benefits of physical exercise are obvious, but sometimes, it’s about getting a change of scenery and some fresh air. For me, walking every day isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have to cope with the stress. Just 30 minutes allows me to work through challenges and clear my head. When the weather isn’t ideal, I walk through the halls of my office or on my home treadmill. One of my Deloitte colleagues who works from home told me that her team has weekly walking conference calls to get away from their desks and devices. Great idea!

At a recent executive leadership meeting, I made a point to include a wellness hike in the agenda. In place of a traditional coffee break, we all took a 45-minute nature walk on a nearby trail. While some were skeptical at first, the feedback was positive. It led to several one-on-one conversations about strategic business matters but also personal catch-ups as well. Everyone returned to the meeting refreshed and recharged (skeptics included).

More: Laughter Therapy — Should Doctors & Patients Embrace It?

Clean eating

The food you eat can directly impact your energy levels. And the more energy you have, the more you can get done. The result? A greater sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It’s tempting to gorge on leftover cookies from that catered lunch meeting or to grab that extra bag of chips, but it will sap your energy later. I try to pay attention to how my diet affects my energy, and I plan my meals and snacks strategically.

One of the perks of being the boss is being able to choose our breakfast and lunch menus at team meetings. My team already knows to opt for healthy and natural food, like lean protein, antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, low-sugar desserts and plenty of water. Sometimes, this requires a little creative prodding with the caterer, but most food-service providers are more than willing to accommodate their customers’ requests.

Clean eating is now a lifestyle choice I would never change. I feel healthier, more alert and more energetic. And more productive.

Take a break 

I love what I do, but it comes with a lot of stress and pressure. On some level, I thrive on it. But when it gets to be too much, I take a break. It could be just a day or two, but even a short time away to focus on things outside of work rejuvenates me.

When I step away, I ask my leadership team to avoid sending anything for review unless it’s urgent, and I designate a person to answer for me. Taking a proactive approach to time away is the key. When I have peace of mind that issues will be handled, I’m able to truly unplug.

Improving your overall well-being may require a bit of a mind shift, but a few simple steps can lead to great strides. As a leader, I try to be a role model who encourages, creates and promotes a well-being culture for my teams. I’ve found that having a healthy mind, body and soul helps get us to our peak performance level and sets us up for success.

More:  Floatation Tank Therapy: How Sensory Deprivation Tanks Can Improve Stress & Anxiety

The first step to enhancing your wellness in a busy life is the hardest. Try an activity or two for a week, and it’ll quickly become a habit. Pay attention to differences in your energy level, mood and performance. If you’re like me, you’ll see a big improvement.

Please read our disclaimer information here.

Originally published on Thrive Global.

Carrie Underwood is currently pregnant, but the country superstar said the road to a second child was not without major obstacles. In a new interview, Underwood opened up about her heartbreaking experience of having three miscarriages over the past two years.

In August, she and her NHL husband Mike Fisher announced that they are expecting a baby and the couple’s 3-year-old son, Isaiah, will soon be a big brother. 

More: Here's Why Carrie Underwood Delayed Her Pregnancy Announcement

But, according to a new interview with Underwood, the pair had originally hoped that would happen much sooner.

“Here we go. Oh, lawdy! 2017 just wasn’t how I imagined it,” Underwood said on CBS Sunday Morning. “I’d kind of planned that 2017 was, you know, going to be the year that I work on music, and I have a baby. We got pregnant early 2017, and didn’t work out.... Yeah. It happens,” revealed Underwood. 

The couple rallied, though, and simply hoped for the best. “And that was the thing, in the beginning it was like, ‘OK, God, we know this is, just wasn’t Your timing. And that is all right. We will bounce back and figure our way through it,’” she said, adding. “And we got pregnant again in the spring, and it didn’t work out.” 

Still, Underwood and Fisher decided to keep trying and trusting. 

“Got pregnant again, early 2018. Didn’t work out. So, at that point, it was just kind of like, ‘OK, like, what’s the deal? What is all of this?’ And throughout the whole process, you know, I’m writing and, like, literally right after finding out that I would lose a baby, I’d have a writing session, I’d be like, ‘Let’s go. You know, I can’t just sit around thinking about this. Like, I wanna work, I wanna do this,’” Underwood explained.

It was the music, said Underwood, that was her outlet during this unimaginably difficult time. She would have to put on a smiling face for interviews and photo shoots, but then she could come back and pour her emotions into her music, she said. It proved “therapeutic” for her.

And, to be honest, Underwood said in the interview, she needed a way to work through the complexity of what she was feeling. Because she felt she’d been blessed so much already, she didn’t think it was fair to complain about the miscarriages. 

“I have an incredible husband, incredible friends, an incredible job, an incredible kid,” she said. “Can I be mad? No... and I got mad.” 

More: Carrie Underwood Is Spicing Up Football Season With a New Song

Underwood was particularly torn when she thought she was in the midst of a fourth miscarriage. With Fisher out of town, she curled up in bed beside a sleeping Isaiah and sobbed. “And I was like, ‘Why on Earth do I keep getting pregnant if I can’t have a kid? Like, what is this? Shut the door. Like, do something. Either shut the door or let me have a kid,’” she said. 

A few days later, Underwood learned she wasn’t having a miscarriage — rather, she was pregnant and would be having a second child. 

“And for the first time, I feel like I actually told God how I felt. And I feel like we’re supposed to do that,” she said, adding that maybe “He heard me.” 

Although all is still well with mama and baby, Underwood did recently have a scary bout with a viral illness while on tour in the U.K. “I ended up in a German hospital for three days,” she said last week during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “They were so sweet and so nice, and we were, like, in our room trying to learn German and communicate with the people.” 

Whew, what a year! Best wishes for continued health for Underwood and her sweet family. 

Do you, David Harbour, agree to make good on your promise to officiate a fan’s wedding? The Stranger Things star obviously said "I do," because he presided over the nuptials of one Ericka Millholland from Springfield, Illinois, this weekend — dressed as Chief Hopper, to boot! And, to be honest, we couldn’t be more jealous.

How in the Demogorgon did this happen? Well, it’s kind of a funny story. Back in January, Millholland made the request to Harbour via social media, asking, “What would it take to get @DavidKHarbour to be the Officiant at my wedding in September?!” 

More: Stranger Things Spoilers Are Here, & Warning, They're Dark

Harbour agreed to Millholland’s challenge if she could get 125,000 retweets. “Provided date works with s3 shooting schedule, I will get ordained and perform ceremony. I get to read an esteemed love letter of my choosing, and after the cake is officially cut, I get the very first piece,” Harbour stipulated in his response. 

Hilariously, Millholland's then-fiancé-now-husband had “never actually sat and watched the show” at the time, she told the Chicago Tribune. But Millholland managed to exceed Harbour’s requirements in less than a day and, subsequently, he agreed to hitch them. So, yeah, we’re going to go ahead and assume a serious binge-watching session ensued prior to the big day. 

On Saturday, Harbour posted a photo from the wedding on Twitter. “Hey internet. I know it’s been awhile. I retreated. Needed some space. You probably get it,” he wrote. “But I’ve been thinking about ya in the interim. And all your retweets. And so me and some fun folks in Springfield, Illinois made good on our promise we made all those months ago.” 

If you’re thinking Harbour is right about needing to make his challenges a little harder, well, he already did. 

More: This Halloween, You Can Visit the House From Stranger Things

Last October, a fan asked how many retweets it would take to get him to cameo in her senior photos. He said 25,000, and when she got around 29,000, he showed up at a California high school and smiled for the photo in a school sweatshirt and holding a trombone. 

First a senior photo, then a wedding... what’s next? We half expect Chief Hopper, er, Harbour to pop up on Twitter any day now holding a newborn baby he birthed. 

For real, though, how many retweets do you think it would take to get Stranger Things Season 3 moved up to this fall? Asking for a friend. 

It’s a mystery no more — Richard Gere and his wife, Alejandra Gere, have confirmed they are expecting their first child together. And it would appear their baby has already received a unique blessing!

More: Richard Gere Has a New Job Title That Literally Everyone Should Be Excited About

Alejandra shared the happy news on Instagram Sunday, posting a picture of herself and Richard along with none other than the Dalai Lama. “A very special moment just a few minutes ago,” Alejandra captioned the snapshot. “Getting blessings for our precious to come... we couldn’t announce it before telling HH Dalai Lama. Un momento muy especial para nosotros hace unos minutos.. Muy feliz recibiendo bendiciones para nuestro preciado tesoro por llegar... no lo podía anunciarlo sin antes habérselo dicho a su SS Dalai Lama.” 

This will be the first child for Richard, 69, and Alejandra, 35, his third wife. However, they each have one child from previous relationships. Richard and ex-wife Carey Lowell have a son, Homer, 18. Alejandra has a 5-year-old son, Albert, from her first marriage. 

While rubbing elbows with the Dalai Lama is certainly extraordinary, Richard — a practicing Tibetan Buddhist — first met the Dalai Lama in the early ‘90s. 

More: Richard Gere Got Married & Hid It From All of Us

Alejandra, an activist, shares many of the same values. In an interview with Hola!, the Pretty Woman actor revealed that she makes him the best version of himself. “I have found the quiet and happy life that I have always sought,” he said. 

And the feeling is clearly mutual. In an earlier interview with Hola!, Alejandra said, “I was a little lost, without light, and knowing him gave meaning to my life. It was feeling that someone was reaching out and showing me my true path.” 

It seems like we only hear about Child Protective Services when terrible things happen. Like the five kids in Lansing, Michigan, who were locked in a “dungeon” without food, water or a chance to use the bathroom for days at a time over a period of at least six years. Naturally, Michigan CPS came under fire when the children were finally removed from their parents’ care in 2017 and it was revealed that the abuse and neglect was documented in CPS reports as far back as April 2009. CPS visited the family at least 10 more times before the kids, who told investigators they were whipped as a punishment, were finally removed.

More: How to Spot Signs of Sexual Assault in Kids — & What to Do Next

Every state has its own CPS department. While there may be procedural and legislative differences, each one has the same goal: investigating reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation. If they find evidence of these crimes, they have a statutory duty to intervene and take all necessary measures to help the victims and prosecute those who are responsible. 

Nobody wants to be the person who didn't call CPS when they had concerns about a child and abuse or neglect later comes to light. But equally, nobody wants to get someone who hasn't done anything wrong into trouble. Calling CPS on a friend, relative or acquaintance can be a hugely difficult choice to make, but here are some professional guidelines to help you decide whether it's the right thing to do. 

According to Emily Mendez, former private-practice psychotherapist and mandated reporter (a professional required to make a report of suspected abuse when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a victim of child abuse), there are three different circumstances in which you might consider calling CPS. 

If you suspect a child has been physically abused, you should call CPS. You might notice bruises, cuts or other signs of physical injury on their body. Another reason to call CPS is a suspicion of sexual abuse or exploitation. Finally, if you think a child may be neglected, make the call. "Ask yourself, 'Are the child's basic needs being met?' If the answer is no, you should call," Mendez told SheKnows. 

You might find yourself avoiding making the call because you're not certain that abuse has occurred — but keep in mind that you don't have to be certain. "All you need is a reasonable suspicion," said Mendez. "It's better to err on the side of caution and call CPS if you have a suspicion." 

More: I Royally Screwed Up Parenting Because I Was Abused as a Kid

Former CPS worker Lizbeth Meredith says not to let a fear of offending someone put you off calling CPS. “If you have a suspicion of abuse or neglect, call them,” she told SheKnows. “You don't have to investigate further yourself — just call. In some states, it can be an anonymous call if you’re concerned there will be reprisals. Social workers are used to getting calls from vindictive former partners or disgruntled family members; they will sort it out.” 

Even if you don’t stay anonymous, your name is typically not released to the family involved, although your name and contact details are retained to let investigators obtain additional information from you if necessary. 

Check your state's Department of Health Services for CPS contact information. There will be a child abuse hotline and guidelines to help you make the call and provide the necessary information for CPS to register the report. The guidelines vary by state, but generally, you should be able to provide identifying information for the child (such as name and address or telephone number), the age of the child (state law only applies to children under 18), where the abuse took place, where the child is now and details about the alleged abuse or neglect. The more detail you can provide, the better. 

More: Yes, Kids Can Have Depression Too 

If you wish, you can phone the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) before calling CPS. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and puts you in touch with a trained counselor who can offer advice and provide resources. 

If you suspect that a child is in immediate danger of being harmed, call 911; CPS does not always investigate right away. 

Remember, CPS should always act in the best interests of a child — and that's a pretty good starting point when deciding whether to call them in the first place.  

"Together is a cookbook, but it's also the story of a West London community who gathered together in a kitchen and discovered the healing power of sharing food."

This is how the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan (née Markle), describes her new charity cookbook, Together: Our Community Cookbook, which releases much sooner than you'd think.

Showcasing over 50 recipes from women whose community was affected by the June 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, Together hits stands on Thursday. 

More: This Is Meghan Markle's Favorite Recipe of All Time, & It's Perfect for Fall

According to Bustle, who spoke to a Penguin Random House representative, the cookbook will be available at "all good bookshops and online retailers."

In a video recently released by Kensington Palace, Meghan said she visited the Al-Manaar Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre and met a group of women whose community was affected by the apartment building fire, which took the lives of 72 people.  

"For two days every week, these women were able to cook and share their delicious recipes together," Meghan said.

The best part is the cookbook raises money for survivors of the fire and will allow the kitchen to stay open for up to seven days a week.

"The proceeds will allow the [Hubb Community Kitchen] to stay open and thrive so it can continue transforming lives and communities through cooking," Meghan says.

"We've called the kitchen the Hubb Community Kitchen because in Arabic, hubb means 'love,' and we share love in here," one of the women explained in the video.

"We were instantly caught up by the extraordinary vision for this project with the women of the Hubb Community Kitchen," Baroness Gail Rebuck, chair of Penguin Random House, told the Royal Foundation. "Every woman who has contributed a recipe to this book has also contributed a fragment of their lives and memories. Each dish tells a story of culture, family and a sense of home.

Meghan wrote the foreword to the book. According to the Royal Foundation, it reads:

"I immediately felt connected to this community kitchen; it is a place for women to laugh, grieve, cry and cook together. Melding cultural identities under a shared roof, it creates a space to feel a sense of normalcy — in its simplest form, the universal need to connect, nurture, and commune through food, through crisis or joy — something we can all relate to… Through this charitable endeavor, the proceeds will allow the kitchen to thrive and keep the global spirit of community alive."

More: The Royal Family Wishes Prince Harry a Happy 34th Birthday via Instagram

On the Royal Foundation's website, the goal is to sell 50,000 copies to make over £250,000 (about $328,755 USD) for the Hubb Community Kitchen.

"But most of all, Together is an homage to life and friendship and we hope it will act as a symbol to all communities and encourage cooking together for life and joy," Rebuck says.