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After teen dies in football accident, parents push for better research

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The day after 15-year-old Matt Gfeller died, his parents noticed a hummingbird buzzing around their outdoor patio. Bob and Lisa watched the hummingbird linger throughout the entire day and, at one point, buzz very close to Lisa.

A tiny, persistent bird brought incredible comfort during the couple's first hours without their larger-than-life, persistent son. "We believe that that little bird was sending a message from Matt that he was fine where he was," Bob shares.

That positive outlook is a family trait, and Matt carried that spirit with him in everything he tackled — right up to his very first varsity football game and the helmet-to-helmet collision that ended his life in August 2008.

"He's not moving"

As No. 57 lay on the field, "I remember looking at Lisa and saying, 'That's Matthew. And he's not moving,'" Bob shared later in an online video. The accident happened on Aug. 22. On Aug. 24, surrounded by loved ones, Matt was taken off life support.

Four hours after life support was removed, Matt Gfeller's life ended, and Bob and Lisa Gfeller's new purpose was born — all for love of No. 57, Matt's jersey number at R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

"Play it safe"

Before year's end, the family founded the Matthew Gfeller Foundation. Its mission is "to help parents prevent, recognize and treat youth sports head injuries."

"We support the role athletics can play in our kids' lives, but believe that head injuries can be minimized through better equipment, training, diagnosis and early treatment. We simply want kids to play it safe."

The Gfellers describe their fun-loving, determined youngest son in a video that introduces people to the family's dedication to traumatic brain injury (TBI) research and treatment.

"Matt was a very curious and passionate child and young man," Bob tells SheKnows. "When he put his mind to something, he set his goals and worked hard to achieve them. Of course, at the time of his death, football was his main goal.

Note on Matt's door | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: The Matthew Gfeller Foundation

The Gfellers shared a photo of a motivational note Matt posted on his bedroom door on June 21, 2007, listing his athletic goals ("Dominate!" and "Play college football!") and including perhaps a bit of an afterthought at the very bottom: "As well as excelling in all of my academics."

"Pretty funny," his Dad remarks.

That note remains on Matt's door today. "We use his room as the Matthew Gfeller Foundation office," Bob explains.

Matt's ability to motivate others blossomed during his short life and has downright exploded in his memory.

The annual Matt Gfeller Memorial Doughnut Run is a 5km run or walk created by Matt's three best friends who "wanted to commemorate his fun loving spirit and his love for Krispy Kreme doughnuts," Bob explains. "They dreamed up the idea and over the five years of the race, many of our friends and family have helped put it together to raise awareness for TBI and all that families can do to be better informed on the prevention side."

The event also serves as a fundraiser, with proceeds divided to support the work at the Matthew Gfeller Center at UNC (more about this in a moment) and the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma at Wake Forest.

Facts about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

These were shared with us by the Matthew Gfeller Foundation:

  • TBI (concussion) is a contributing factor to 30.5 percent of all injury-related deaths in the U.S.
  • Children/teens are more likely to get a TBI and take longer to recover than adults.
  • Symptoms may appear mild, but the injury can lead to significant lifelong impairment.
  • Each year, U.S. emergency departments (EDs) treat an estimated 173,285 sports-related TBIs, from birth to 19 years.
  • During the last decade, ED visits for sports-related TBIs, among children and adolescents increased by 60 percent.
  • Ninety percent of sports-related TBIs occur without loss of consciousness.
  • Sixty-two percent of sports-related injuries occur during practice, not games.

Interested in helping?

The sixth annual Matt Gfeller Memorial Doughnut Run takes place Nov. 15, 2014. For more information, to register or to donate, please visit www.matthewgfellerfoundation.org/doughnutrun/.

Beyond the Doughnut Run

As you probably guessed, Matt's legacy doesn't end with a lot of running and some really awesome Krispy Kreme doughnuts (a race in which this writer has participated as a walker, because to me, any running is a lot of running).

In May 2010, the Gfellers attended the dedication of the Stallings-Evans Sports Medicine Building, which houses the Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center, the "first and best of its kind on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, right across from Keenan Football Stadium," the Foundation website says.

Matt didn't live long enough to achieve his goal to play college football, but what his life and the circumstances of his death inspired will unquestionably benefit more lives than a college football stint ever could (although surely it would have been a h***uva stint).

In fact, Bob and Lisa advocated for the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act to protect the safety of student athletes in North Carolina. The act was signed into law on June 16, 2011, by Gov. Beverly Purdue. It focuses on three areas: education, emergency action and post-concussion protocol implementation and clearance/return to play or practice following a concussion.

"I am now working for Matthew"

In April 2014, Bob became executive director of the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, after more than 30 years in branding and retail marketing — most recently as an executive vice president for Lowe's home improvement stores.

"The decision to move on from Lowe's evolved over the period of years since Matt died and also while our other children grew and matured through their stages of life," Bob reflects.

"Working in the TBI world for those many years opened up a lot of new hopeful ideas for me and also opened a huge network of people who all wanted to help with our work, including the Childresses and the team at the Childress Institute," Bob says. "The move away from Lowe's evolved as we continued to do more work in the TBI area. Then, when the Childress Institute started a national search for a new executive director, I put my name in the hat."

For Bob, the final decision didn't come easily and yet... it did.

"Overall, for work and life, it is the right decision," he shares. "I am now working for Matthew and for all of the other victims of pediatric trauma. I know he is both proud and smiling from heaven and I bet he has a lot of questions he wants to ask me when we meet again."

Matt Gfeller

Matt Gfeller

Loss for Lowe's is gain for research

As a former employee at the Lowe's corporate office, I reacted strongly upon hearing of Bob's departure. His energy and positivity created an aura around him, from the hallways to conference rooms to the sales meeting stage, which gave us all a heightened sense of possibility. His email sign-off said it all: "Stay inspired!" preceded his signature, "BG." Just seeing Bob in the halls could brighten a stressful day, because he greeted everyone warmly and personally.

I wasn't the only one sad to see him go while also inspired by his decision.

"Although Lowe's was disappointed to lose Bob and the leadership, expertise and insight he provided, I am incredibly proud of Bob and the decision he made to pursue his purpose in life," Lowe's president and CEO, Robert A. Niblock, shared with SheKnows.

"Being a father, I cannot imagine the inner struggle Bob has dealt with in the years following the tragic loss of Matthew. I am happy for Bob and Lisa and I am confident that Bob's leadership at the Childress Institute will have a meaningful impact on reducing pediatric trauma. I wish him much success in this important and meaningful chapter of his life."

Bob knows it's the right move. "How could it not be right?" he says. "Taking the path of life to serve others and help save and improve the lives of children. How can one not support such a move and want to help?"

Bob and Lisa Gfeller offer this advice to all parents:

  • Get educated about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
  • Ask a lot of questions of coaches and trainers.
  • Attend and watch your child's practice sessions, and if you do not like what you see from a safety standpoint, then speak up.

"Flow with the day"

Today, the Gfeller family remains a united force. "We are a very strong family," Bob says. "Have been and continue to be. We have faith that God is caring for Matthew better than we can here on earth."

Matt's older brother and sister "are doing super," Bob shares. "Robbie is 24 and Haley is 22. We take care of each other and also celebrate the life we have."

"For me, a big learning from the loss of Matt is that we are really not in control of our life. Things happen good and bad and it is best to flow with the day as it comes and goes. Try not to plan too much, as it may not work out that way."

That's a tough lesson for someone so inspirational and hope-driven. But Bob's new reality doesn't diminish his positive, calming spirit. When the weather warms, the family finds peace amid some new friends.

"We have since dedicated a lot of our outside space for the feeding of hummingbirds," Bob shares, remembering the day after Matt's death. "Matthew is all around us, as are the spirits of all of our loved ones."

Learn more about traumatic brain injuries

The Gfellers recommend these resources:

More about kids' sports

The best non-team sports for kids
Team sports: How kids benefit from organized athletics
Soccer may cause brain injuries: Will you still let your kids play?


Meadow Walker posts smiling holiday weekend photo

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In the picture, she is sitting on the beach and the caption is simply "glad to be back." The 15-year-old girl has a sweet smile on her face and appears to have inherited her father's breathtaking good looks.

Meadow Walker

Meadow Walker

It's a relief to see Meadow looking happy and healthy after everything she has been through since last year. Since Paul's death in a fiery car crash in November 2013, Meadow has been caught in the middle of a bitter custody battle and legal issues involving Paul's mother, Cheryl Ann Walker, and ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Soteros, who is Meadow's mother. Cheryl claimed Soteros had a drinking problem and was an unfit mother. She filed a petition seeking full guardianship of Meadow, as well as court documents seeking control of Paul's estate. The late Fast & Furious actor had left his entire $25 million estate to his daughter. In April, Cheryl abandoned the legal fight and opted to resolve the issues with Soteros outside of court.

Walker brothers to play Paul's character on Fast & Furious 7 >>

Though Meadow is not very active on her Instagram account, she did post a picture in June showing she is trying to keep her father's memory alive through charity. Paul had been very active in environmental causes, as well as public service, and Meadow's photo was taken on World Oceans Day. The caption reads, "I had an amazing weekend celebrating World Oceans Day with the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It was an honor to be apart of something so special. I couldn't think of a better recipient for the first year of the Paul Walker Ocean Leadership award than @marisamiller! Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen."

Meadow Walker's Instagram

Meadow Walker's Instagram

Paul's brother, Cody Walker, announced in January that he would be taking Paul's place as head of the charity, Reach Out Worldwide. "As Paul would say, 'when you put good will out there, it's amazing what can be accomplished,'" Cody said when he made the announcement. "We can all make a difference in this world and I am honored to join the ROWW team in fulfilling my brother's legacy and ensure that the good my brother did lives on."

Arrow enlists Brandon Routh to play The Atom

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According to Deadline, Routh's Palmer will play an unexpected role in the lives of Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) and Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards) when he becomes the new owner of Queen Consolidated. As if that's not complicated enough, the site also reported that Routh will appear in 14 episodes in Season 3 and that his character will also be a love interest for Felicity.

Hold the presses. He'll be a what for Felicity?

VIDEO: The Flash trailer teases Arrow bromance >>

Did you hear that? That was the sound of millions of "Olicity" shippers crying out in pain. Many fans have been hoping that Oliver and Felicity would finally admit they are madly in love with each other, but it still hasn't happened yet. Instead, the show seemed to have fun last season teasing fans into thinking it might happen, then snatching the possibility away again.

Who's hotter? Stephen Amell vs. Colton Haynes >>

In a moment that had fans crying out in joy and then screaming in dismay during the Season 2 finale, Oliver told Felicity that he loved her, but it turned out to be a trick meant to fool Slade. Later, the two admitted it was all an act, but was it? Either way, it looks like Oliver and Felicity are going to have yet another hurdle put in the way of their true love.

This role will be the second time that Routh will play a DC superhero. Routh also played Superman in the 2006 film, Superman Returns. So, at least one can say that Felicity has great taste.

About time! Arrow finally gives Oliver a mask >>

Will Oliver and Ray fight over Felicity's heart or will Oliver once again decide that it's safer for Felicity if they aren't together? Fans will have to tune in to Arrow Season 3 to find out.

Switched at Birth review: Who was in danger?

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Going back in time, the show took us through the 12 hours that led up to the accident. I had a feeling from the beginning that it was Angelo, but I thought the accident would come in another form. We saw Regina not only learn how to shoot a gun, but get more and more agitated by the East Riverside project. That situation has already been pretty volatile, but then it turned out that Wes was meeting with Chip Coto.

Switched at Birth review: No easy answer >>

Coto was, of course, the man that Daphne discovered was sleeping with his intern and blackmailed him into resigning. He didn't recognize Regina as Daphne's mother, but he did go ahead and threaten Wes and Regina when they decided they didn't want him involved in their business arrangements. It's great to know that he's still the same scumbag.

Meanwhile, Daphne was losing her mind over the idea of taking her SATs again so that she could get a new, better score and qualify for medical school. Angelo decided they needed some time away and took her to his restaurant for some quality father/daughter time. It was all very sweet, but the closer they got and the more they laughed and had fun, the more I anticipated something terrible happening to him.

I really thought that Regina was going to accidentally shoot Angelo. It seemed like the episode was leading us there, so I was shocked when it was Daphne who ran up the stairs and had a gun put in her face.

Switched at Birth: Katie Leclerc promises insanity ahead >>

Then, the episode did a bit of a sleight of hand. Regina and Angelo got into a big argument and he drove off angrily. But rather than make it a sure thing that Angelo was going to be in the accident, we were given another option.

During all the drama, Bay, Toby, Kathryn and even John were involved in an art project. I was happy to see that Bay immediately confided in Toby and that Kathryn joined in on their idea to go create some street art. John was a good sport, as well, and after Bay admitted that she had been rejected by Pratt, it was nice to see her family rally around her. Their evening of artistic expression ended with Toby asking if he could drive the Porsche and that's when we got our second option for accident victims.

5 Switched at Birth spring finale questions to ponder until summer >>

When the call came again, I didn't know if Toby and Bay had been in an accident or Angelo. But my original suspicion came true and it turned out to be Angelo on that table. It's horrible luck that Daphne may lose Angelo right after they just became so close, but, then again, that is the point of a dramatic TV show. Now, I can't wait to see what happens next, but something tells me next week's episode won't be nearly as happy as this one was.

My favorite bits:

Toby's new scruff. I'm with Bay; I think I like it, too.

Daphne: "Have you seen my SAT book?"
Regina: "The one that's been attached to your face all week?"

Toby referring to the SATs as the "Sadistic Act of Torture." Sounds about right.

Toby's video of the Northern Lights. Beautiful.

John accidentally putting his foot in his mouth when he referred to Toby's music as weird techo-pop. Oops.

Toby: "The only person who gets to say you're an artist is you."

Angelo and Daphne cooking his family's old recipe.

Regina warning Tammy that she needed to keep Coto away from her interns. Ha!

My jaw dropping when Bay told her mother she wasn't a "real writer." Ouch.

Kathryn lying her face off to a security guard. Nice!

Angelo and Daphne taking a selfie. So cute.

Bay's art display.

Toby asking John to fire him from the car wash.

What did you think of this episode? Who did you think had been in an accident?

Holly Fisher is threatened after posting contentious photos

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Holly Fisher

Holly Fisher

She's a gun-loving Republican who is a mother of three, a wife to a war veteran and an internet sensation. She's pretty, she has opinions, she has a set of controversial photos and she has 34.4K followers on Twitter. Why, you ask? Because Holly Fisher is a woman with a First Amendment right that she isn't afraid to use. Unfortunately, not everyone is on board with her viewpoints and they're taking their comments to a shocking new level.

Shocking new level

Shocking new level

Best known as Holly Hobby Lobby via her Twitter account, Fisher made headlines in late May as she voiced her opinions on the negative effects that her family felt in relation to ObamaCare. At first glance, she merely looks like a woman expressing her opinion, but take a closer look and you'll see that she has a large amount of people who either lover her or hate her. And we mean hate. Receiving a momentous amount of internet shaming, Fisher has been hit with rape threats and death wishes for publicly vocalizing her personal opinions.

Personal opinions

Personal opinions

Personal opinions 2

Personal opinions 2

So, how did Holly Fisher become such an internet sensation? Landing her 15 minutes of fame, Fisher hopped on the bandwagon with the likes of Chick-fil-A, pro-lifers and Hobby Lobby by posting a picture portraying her beliefs in a tendentious photo.

As you can see, with 100K likes and 2.6K comments, Holly Fisher is having no problem grabbing the attention of internet trolls everywhere. And beyond where you stand with the issue, whether you agree with her contentious ways of gaining social media fame or not, the problem that we see isn't with Fisher, it's with her commentators. In reply to her tweets and Facebook posts, she has received not only threats, but derogatory remarks about her lifestyle, her looks and her intelligence — and for no other reason than practicing her First Amendment right of free speech, which begs us to ask: Is this the new trend when a woman publicly posts her thoughts on a heated subject?

However, Fisher doesn't seem a bit concerned about her internet shaming. Like the recent headlines of Kendall Jones, the 19-year-old cheerleader who proudly posted photos of herself posing with dead exotic animals, she is thriving on both the positive and negative feedback. Instead of hiding in a corner, Fisher is loving all the attention, as noted in the following tweet:

Holly Fisher

Holly Fisher

Holly Fisher2

Holly Fisher2

In reaction, many of Holly Fisher's followers are stating that the comments should be considered a #WaronWomen. Would the trolling backlash be as extraordinary had a male taken the same photo with a rifle and a Bible in hand? Would she have as much controversy, followers and fame if it were her war veteran husband tweeting out these comments? Compared to Sarah Palin and other women Republicans, it would be safe to think that a man would not gain such momentous notoriety in such a small time frame. Regardless of your thoughts on the matter, resorting to internet shaming is never the answer.

More topics of interest

Child with autism defined to dog cage
Japanese scientists create lifelike robot women
Burn victim's unaltered cover shoot turns heads in a good way

Weight Watchers didn't whip Jessica Simpson into shape

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"Jessica did a vegan diet for about two weeks leading up to the wedding," an inside source told Us. Before her July 5 nuptials to Eric Johnson, the entertainer "also got quite a few B12 shots," said the source. In addition to eating plenty of vegetables, Simpson got a healthy glow by having "sugar dermabrasion on her face," according to the insider who added that sugar was chosen over salt dermabrasion because it is a less-harsh option.

Kim Kardashian jealous of Jessica Simpson's weight loss >>

While an entirely plant-based diet may seem radical for most people, if Simpson's hot bod serves as an any indication, the method certainly seems to work. The songstress has battled with her weight ever since 2005, when she famously flaunted toned legs in jean shorts as Daisy Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard. Though she utilized the services of Weight Watchers and even served as their spokesperson, Simpson fought to stay trim before and after giving birth to her daughter, Maxwell, and son, Ace. However, Simpson emerged victorious this past spring and has celebrated her once-again glorious figure by posting photos of herself on Instagram.

The "I Wanna Love You Forever" singer is not the first celeb to hop on the vegan train. Last December, Jay Z and Beyoncé pledged to go vegan for a 22-day challenge during the holidays. Jay Z claimed that going vegan was easier than he thought and said on his blog that "you can call it a spiritual and physical cleanse... I don't know what happens after Christmas. A semi-vegan, a full plant based diet? Or just a spiritual and physical challenge? We'll see... best of luck and health!"

Jessica Simpson's wedding day hairstyle tutorial

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Our good friends at SalonCapri helped whip up this easy recreation of the hairstyle and in the name of wedding season, we were stoked to share the step-by-step breakdown.

Senior stylist Graziella Lembo (who, by the way, also helped us recreate Blake Lively's most-memorable braid at Cannes) says start by curling one-inch sections of the hair with a 1-1/2 inch curling iron.

And then the magic starts here:

  1. Spray curls with Kérastase Laque Noire hairspray for strong hold.
  2. Gather two 2-inch sections of hair at the crown, one in the front and one in the very center of the head.
  3. Tease the center section lightly with a comb until you achieve your desired fullness. Smooth the front section gently over the teased area.
  4. Twist the ends of the two sections together and secure with bobby pins in back of head.
  5. Gently brush through curls to loosen them up. Finish the look by spraying a light coat of L’Oréal Professional Perfect Shimmer Shine Illuminating Mist lightly for shine and a light, non-sticky hold.

More celebrity hair inspiration

Rock the wet hair look, just like Beyoncé
The summer bob takes over Instagram
Hilary Duff's morning chop: See pics of the cut!

Celebrate the little princess with this baby girl diaper cake


Back off, work: Kim Kardashian re-prioritizes Kanye over career

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"My mom kind of taught us girls we could have it all," the daughter of Kris Jenner, who has become a household name thanks to the family's omnipresence in the reality television world, explained during a visit to CNBC's Closing Bell.

The mother of 1-year-old North West continued, "You know, she works hard. She taught us that if you work hard, it's just all about prioritizing."

Kim Kardashian's advice on how to balance work and family >>

Kardashian, who wed Kanye West on May 24, went on to explain that while she does value her work life, their sweet daughter has caused her to look at spending her time differently.

"It could get tough after you have a baby," the 33-year-old Instagram star also shared. "There [have been] so many times when I just didn't want to get up and work on something. I just wanted to be home with my baby, but for me, [and] I think I can speak for my sisters, it makes us feel good when we are out working."

However, motherhood has caused her to "totally re-prioritize" her life. "You know, now that I'm married," the beauty said, "I would so much rather spend time with my husband, my family and my baby than run around the world working for other people."

What Jeremy Meeks, Miley Cyrus and Kim Kardashian have in common >>

Of course, when you're one of the Keeping Up with the Kardashians stars, the line between work and personal time isn't ever entirely clear.

Take, for instance, the task of interacting with fans to keep her popularity peaked into consideration. Posting the image seen below on Sunday with just the hashtag #goodmorning, Kim managed to pull in a stunning 672,000 likes:

kim k ring pic

kim k ring pic

Scaling back career for home life: unwise move or commendable in your book?

Revamp your shoe collection without breaking the bank

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You can spice up your wardrobe (and your life) and revamp your shoe rack without draining your bank account by scooping up these essential pairs. The good news? They're all adorable. The great news? They're each less than $100.

D'Orsay flats

D'Orsay Flats

We love a good ballet flat, but chances are you've been wearing them for years. Make your new go-to flat a d'Orsay style. A pointed toe gives this style a super modern look that will still go with everything. This one from Report Signature is versatile but adds interest with a two-tone color palette and suede and patent leather texture. Tres chic. (DSW.com, $40)

Cutout Oxfords

Cutout Oxfords

You probably know how amazing oxfords are by now and maybe you even own a few pairs. Want to expand your collection? Step up your game with a cutout pair like these Modernist Oxfords from Forever 21 in black and white. They’re just as wearable as a regular oxford and yet the cutouts add some unexpected edge. Imagine how great patterned socks would look peering out from underneath. What a great way to give a spunky masculine edge to girly dresses. (Forever 21, $26)

Mid-heel sandals

Mid Heel Sandals

Comfort is way in right now (and thank goodness for that) but sometimes you don't want to sacrifice height. You're in luck because sturdy, medium-height heels are also hot, especially in the sandal department. For maximum awesome, choose a diamante-encrusted pair like these from Zara. The strong heel contrasts nicely with the metallic straps and the large jewels are just glitzy enough. Summer workday footwear has never been better. (Zara, $50)

Patterned-sole wedge

Patterned Sole Wedge

Patterned shoes are a perfect way to up the fashion quotient of your wardrobe. Why not throw a curveball with this shoe that allows the sole of the shoe to take center stage? The shoe's upper part is done in simple go-with-anything navy suede, while the scalloped pattern on the platform adds some retro flair to your outfit. (ModCloth, $60)

Colorblocked pump

Colorblocked Pump

Colorblocking is a stylish technique for adding a geometric dose of color to your outfit. Colorblocked pumps, like these from Seychelles, are a step up from your basic pair of heels and are totally on-trend. The dark gray shoe gets a serious upgrade with the addition of a tomato-red heel. (DSW.com, $60)

Lace-up boots

Lace-up Boots

Ankle booties have been getting all the attention for quite awhile. Maybe it's time we paid attention to their sexy precursor, the lace-up boot, once again? The Prospectress boot laces up the leg to about knee height and has a substantial (but not flimsy) heel. It's reminiscent of the Victorian era, but that doesn't mean it should be left there. (ModCloth, $70)

Check out more shoe trends with these links:

Building a shoe wardrobe
The best heels for schlepping around the city
21 Spring shoes under $100

EXCLUSIVE: Kelly Obsourne says "sometimes women take feminism too far”

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Kelly Osbourne talks about her "scary" new role on The 7D >>

"For me there are a lot of self-proclaimed feminists who sort of take things too far," Osbourne explained. "And it becomes wrong rather than women loving other women and respecting other women and standing up for what they believe in."

We know exactly what she means. Most girls' fallback mode is pithy and sarcastic. We're all guilty of getting together with friends and judging the girls two tables away. We've all thought snippy things about someone's outfit. That's not right, though, and it's certainly not in the feminist mindset. Whether we're judging ladies for being too girly, too tomboyish or too anything, we're still nudging and that's not what Osbourne believes should be at the core of feminism.Kelly Osbourne

On the flip side, Osbourne also believes you shouldn't bestow that hate upon yourself, either. Being a feminist means loving yourself for exactly who you are. Whether you're acting the way your mama raised you or you're pretty sure your dad would be ashamed of your behavior, it doesn't matter. Own who you are and be yourself for yourself. Osbourne's biggest concern on this front: ladies who think they need to dress to please their man.

Who got a head tattoo? Kelly Osbourne, obviously >>

"For example a girl who gets dressed because they think a guy will like them," Osbourne suggested. "No. Get dressed in what you want to wear because it makes you feel good."

Osbourne, and SheKnows, isn't suggesting you're wrong to want to get all dolled up for your dude. That's sweet and we're sure he appreciates when he comes home to find his girlfriend looking like a pin-up. But your day-to-day choices need to be about what makes you happy and leaves you feeling comfortable. Osbourne suggests that being a feminist is just as much about loving yourself as it is about loving your fellow female.

That's a message we can get behind and, like always, we love that Osbourne is the one spreading the knowledge.

For access to more celebrity interviews, sign up for our newsletter >>

The downside to antioxidants

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Since the 1990s, the food and supplement industry has touted the health benefits of antioxidants and, today, antioxidant supplements represent a $500 million industry that continues to grow. Added to breakfast cereals, energy bars, energy drinks, vitamin water and other processed foods, antioxidants have been promoted as additives that can help prevent heart disease, cancer and memory loss, among other conditions.

The "dark side"? High doses of single-nutrient antioxidant supplements — such as vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium and beta-carotene — can potentially accelerate the aging process and increase cancer risk, rather than having a protective effect.

We talk to fitness and nutrition expert Shawn Talbott, Ph.D., L.D.N. and author of the forthcoming book, Deadly Antioxidants, who shares his expert insights with us. "Antioxidants are essential nutrients that our bodies need and they are protective — but only up to a certain point. Overconsuming antioxidants can actually cause more damage in the cell," he says.

Oxidation, free radicals and the role of antioxidants

To understand how antioxidants benefit us, it is also important to understand what oxidation is and how free radicals are created.

Oxidation is a natural process that occurs when oxygen interacts with cells of any kind. For example, you can see the result of oxidation when apple slices (exposed to oxygen) turn brown, or when a cut finger becomes inflamed. Atoms that have been exposed to oxygen will "break" and end up with unpaired electrons, creating unstable molecules, called free radicals.

"We have a baseline exposure to free radicals just by being alive, breathing oxygen and metabolizing our food," says Talbott, who adds, "From the oxygen that is used to convert our food into energy, two to three percent of that oxygen converts into free radicals — it just comes with the territory."

Having too many free radicals in our body, however, can damage DNA and cell membranes, resulting in tissue damage that leads to chronic diseases and conditions that become more common as we age, including arthritis, vision loss, heart disease, cancer and dementia.

Sources that generate problematic free radicals include:

  • Cigarette smoke
  • Air pollution
  • Car exhaust
  • Excessive exposure to sunlight
  • Overtraining
  • Poor diet
  • Pesticides and toxins in food and water
  • Excessive consumption of alcohol

Antioxidants are protective molecules that can prevent or slow cell damage. As the "good guys," antioxidants can inactivate a free radical, so that it cannot cause cellular damage. Natural antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables, and the most common dietary antioxidants are vitamins A, C, E, beta-carotene and lycopene. Synthetic forms of antioxidants can be found in supplements.

"Oxidative balance is the proper balance between free radicals, or 'damaging' molecules, and antioxidants, which are 'protective' molecules," says Talbott.

With antioxidants, more is NOT better

Those of us who are health conscious tend to think that if a few antioxidants are good for us, then more must be better. Unfortunately, research now suggests that taking high doses of isolated nutrients can cause more problems than they prevent.

For example, a large trial of beta-carotene was conducted among 29,133 Finnish men, all smokers, at high risk for developing lung cancer. Smokers who took the beta-carotene supplement had significantly higher rates of lung cancer than those who took the placebo. A 2011 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association tied vitamin E supplements to an increased risk of prostate cancer. And another study published in the Journal of Nutrition reported that supplementing with vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium and zinc increased the risk of skin cancers in women.

Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables

When it comes to antioxidants, Talbott advises consuming small amounts of a wide variety of antioxidants for a beneficial, synergistic effect — rather than taking high doses of any single antioxidant, which can have a potentially harmful effect. "Your best approach is to eat 10-12 servings of different, brightly colored fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Organic and local foods will also be higher in phytonutrients than conventional produce," he says.

When you consume even low levels of antioxidants (e.g., through whole foods) your body is able to naturally increase its own production of antioxidant enzymes within cells that can be up to one million times more effective in fighting free radicals. In other words, "making" your own antioxidants (internally) may be much safer and more effective than "taking" (externally) high doses of antioxidant supplements.

Activating your body’s own "security system"

How can we encourage our body to protect itself and turn on its own internal antioxidant defense systems?

One simple way is by eating foods that activate Nrf2 — a powerful protein within each cell in the body, which stimulates production of our body’s most important antioxidants.

"Nrf2 is at the very center of this cellular protective pathway, and it serves as a 'master regulator' of the body’s antioxidant response. Think of Nrf2 as a 'thermostat' within our cells that senses our level of oxidative stress and other stressors, and turns on internal protective mechanisms," says Talbott.

Some of the best Nrf2 activators are plants that may not necessarily be antioxidant rich, yet trigger vigorous antioxidant production — like sulforaphane, an organosulfur compound from cruciferous vegetables.

According to Talbott, some of the best foods, spices and herbs for "turning on" Nrf2, so that cells can produce their own antioxidant enzymes, include:

Foods

  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Blueberries

Spices

  • Turmeric
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Sage

Herbs

  • Milk thistle
  • Green tea
  • Bacopa
  • Ashwagandha

With age, we acquire a higher level of oxidative damage.

To help reduce age-related increases in oxidation, Talbott recommends regular consumption of spices as an "intervention." Just sprinkling spices on food (such as those listed above) is enough to deliver a small degree of Nrf2-inducing benefits. For spices taken in supplement form, Talbott advises taking around 100 mg, a safe and effective level for Nrf2 effects. "That’s not very much — about 1/50 of a teaspoon. However, it is these very small 'doses' of spices, used on a regular basis, that are associated with the best long-term health benefits — not isolated, mega-doses of antioxidant supplements that may cause potential harm," he says.

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American Gods: Why producing a TV adaption is the worst idea ever

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Good things have been done with Gaiman's work. For instance, young adult book, Coraline, was turned into an animated film and it was perfect, complete with button-eyed monster mom and creepy, carnival house. Then, BBC Radio did an adaptation of my favorite Gaiman novel, Neverwhere.

Why did these work? In the case of Coraline, it was YA, so it worked well as a cartoon. The imagery was perfect. Neverwhere worked because it was radio. Radio allowed me to listen while retaining the images my imagination had already created. I don't think I can handle someone else's vision of American Gods being shoved in my face.

Book or film: Which is better? >>

American GodsAmerican Gods is a very, very difficult book to read. It's up there on the list of Gaiman's most famous (and weirdest) books, with good reason. I mean, there's this one scene where a woman, well… she sort of digests a man with her private parts. The story itself is complicated as unlikely hero, Shadow Moon, must rally old gods to fight new gods. It's a road trip story, uh, sort of.

Anyway, I don't want it turned into a TV show. Starz is in charge and they've pulled in Bryan Fuller (Hannibal) and Michael Green (Heroes) to write the pilot. See problem number one? Yeah, Gaiman isn't writing the pilot. Problem number two: Some books just shouldn't be adapted.

Example A: The Great Gatsby. Hollywood has adapted this American classic twice. In both cases, they cast hot leading men and did wonders with costuming and setting. However, the movies just can't stand up to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Although (thankfully) the 2013 version did end with the final lines of the literary masterpiece, it just wasn't the same. And don't even get me started on Jay Z's ill-advised soundtrack.

Top 5 must-read Jazz Age novels for Gatsby fans >>

Example B: Atlas Shrugged. This 1,200-page monster of a book has been split into three films and, so far, no one has seen them. No one. Ayn Rand considered Atlas Shrugged her manifesto and that's what it is: a manifesto. The action ain't kicking, folks, and there's a 70-page-long speech. Although I read Atlas Shrugged (every single grueling word), I can give you the message in three paragraphs. Who thought it was a good idea to make this into a film?

So, I guess I'm worried. I'm worried because I don't know how involved Gaiman will be with the TV adaptation. I'm worried because American Gods is super intense and complicated with lots of characters. Mostly, I'm worried that people are going to watch the TV show and actually not want to read Neil Gaiman — an artist who should be read.

Martin Scorsese adapting Gangs of New York for TV >>

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Starz's take on American Gods will be just fantastic. That said, American Gods was not a book I read and thought, "I can't wait to see the movie!" Some books should be left alone. When is Hollywood going to figure that out?

More books on film

A politician's bookshelf: Paul Ryan's Ayn Rand problem
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Patricia Arquette "explodes" Hollywood stereotype, resists pressure to stay young

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Boyhood

Photo credit: IFC Films

Patricia Arquette plays Olivia, a divorced mother with two young kids (Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linklater), struggling to make a life for her family. Her ex-husband, Mason Sr., (Ethan Hawke), a wannabe musician, has recently returned from a stint in Alaska, hoping to make amends.

The film explores how the entire family manages to grow up, though not without making mistakes along the way. We asked the True Romance actress what attracted her to this project.

Patricia Arquette quits Facebook: Dislike >>

"Part of what's really interesting to me about this movie was that it didn’t really fit a formula that we're used to seeing. And the guy (Linklater) had 12 years to second-guess himself. There's no robot busting into the room. There's no kid getting arrested, ending up in prison or other horrible things happening to him. Those are all the things we expect to happen."

Boyhood

Photo credit: IFC Films

Instead, Arquette says the film quietly examines the smaller moments and events in life rather than force the drama to make a traditional Hollywood movie.

"There's a scene in the garage with the boys, and there's a real undercurrent of wilding sexuality, out of control and older, kind of Rasputin-ish boys leading you down a dark path. But it doesn't go that way."

Arquette attributes that brave choice to Linklater's restraint, saying, "He has faith the whole time that life would hold itself. That it's not about the big moments. He didn't want to see the first time the boy had sex. He was very clear throughout that life was about the normal moments in between. There are things that are painful in life when they happen, but that's not the whole story."

Boyhood

Photo credit: IFC Films

Ethan Hawke doesn't believe in monogamy >>

We asked Arquette what it was like to watch herself grow, mature and age over a decade on film. Her answer surprised us.

“Really, I think I'm little strange in that, ever since I started acting, I never really wanted to be an ingenue, even if I was for a minute. I wanted to get out of that box as soon as I damn well could. It's a very boring and short-lived box. This business wants to freeze you in a time zone of youth, and I really wanted to explode that into a million pieces."

Arquette gives one blast of a performance, we can tell you that. Boyhood opens on July 11.

Boyhood

Boyhood

Emma Watson named Goodwill Ambassador to UN Women

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JLaw and Emma Watson meet up at Paris Fashion Week >>

According to the United Nations, UN Women is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women and was established to help meet their needs across the world.

Watson will be working with the organization to promote her new campaign, HeForShe. The campaign encourages men to speak up about inequality of genders, all around the globe.

The actress, who rose to fame as Hermione in the Harry Potter series, announced her excitement over the opportunity on Tuesday.

Emma Watson joins UN Women

Emma Watson joins UN Women

"We are thrilled and honoured to work with Emma, whom we believe embodies the values of UN Women," said Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. "The engagement of young people is critical for the advancement of gender equality in the 21st century, and I am convinced that Emma's intellect and passion will enable UN Women's messages to reach the hearts and minds of young people globally."

PHOTO: Emma Watson graduates from Brown University >>

In the past, Watson has showed her passion for the cause, and in May she took to Twitter to share her anger over the kidnapping of Nigerian schoolgirls.

Emma Watson joins UN Women

Emma Watson joins UN Women

Watson made a statement on her new project via the United Nations.

"Being asked to serve as UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador is truly humbling," she said. "The chance to make a real difference is not an opportunity that everyone is given and is one I have no intention of taking lightly. Women's rights are something so inextricably linked with who I am, so deeply personal and rooted in my life that I can't imagine an opportunity more exciting. I still have so much to learn, but as I progress I hope to bring more of my individual knowledge, experience and awareness to this role."


Scandal actor says woes have been magnified by the press

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Though there seems to be an insurmountable amount of evidence that's not in his favor, the actor claims the occurrences have been blown out of proportion by the media.

Paul Simon, Edie Brickell cleared of domestic abuse charges >>

"I think there's a time when your personal life get's magnified by who we are as celebrities," Short said when asked by Billy Bush on Access Hollywood if recent events in the news have all been misunderstandings. "Both of those two cases that you were speaking of earlier, those are dropped," Short added in reference to misdemeanor spousal battery and aggravated assault charges that he had been hit with in February and March, respectively.

The charges from February stemmed from an altercation between Short and his now-estranged wife, Tanee McCall, who alleges that an intoxicated Short threatened to kill her and himself with a knife. In March, Short allegedly punched a man in the face while in a Los Angeles bar. The man suffered a broken nose and was knocked unconscious for several minutes, according to TMZ. In April, Short announced that he would not be returning to act in a fourth season of Scandal and there were rumors that his contract was not renewed because of his personal dramas.

Most recently, Short was arrested for public intoxication over the Fourth of July weekend when he was involved in yet another bar-room tiff involving off-duty police officers.

"I was involved in no fight," Short asserted on Access Hollywood of the incident this past weekend. "I was with a group of people that were eating and I went to the bathroom. I came back and there was an altercation ensuing. I guess the cops thought I was somebody involved in the situation and they grabbed me up. By the time I was on the ground I said, and I apologized to the officers later, but said some pretty choice words."

Short also addressed the accusations from the bar fight in March, for which he has been hit with a million-dollar lawsuit by the alleged victim. "See, there comes a time when you have to exercise patience, I believe, and sometimes you get yourself in situations where you don't realize that people are actually testing you." The actor claimed that his estranged wife was with him that night and his actions were in her defense.

Though the actor says that his behavior has been less than exemplary, he still denies any claims that he has been violent. "I haven't been perfect. I have not been perfect, but I have not been all the things that's been in the press," he said. "I am not a physically violent man. I have never put my hands on a woman physically. Ever."

10 Things Red Lobster can do to save its crumbling empire

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Top 10 things Red Lobster can do to save its crumbling empire

Photo credit: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News / Getty Images

Revitalizing after the sale

As recently as 10 years ago, Red Lobsters were destination restaurants. They were done up to look like a fish shack, but inside you could pick your own lobster and enjoy scallops and crab legs, even amongst the country's central plains and tall peaks. They were one step below fine dining, with both the bountiful gourmet selections and price tags to prove it. Of course, time is a cruel mistress, and the American diner is an ever-changing creature.

As the years have gone on, Americans have demanded quicker meals, spending less time in sit-down establishments (by both preference and necessity) in favor of express menus, all-you-can-eat soup and salad lunches, Chipotle's and an ever-growing selection of fast food. Unfortunately Red Lobster had difficulty adjusting its central identity to this new reality. Add to that the fact that the American diner also began to demand fresher seafood and find avenues to get it, Red Lobster faced a challenge it was somehow unable to overcome.

Now it's sold, and its future lies in two things. The first is a holding company's decision makers, and the second is the continued passion diners feel for garlic cheddar biscuits. This combination does not a successful restaurant make. However, for those who remember Red Lobster as a special place for birthdays and celebrations, all hope is not lost. Red Lobster can save itself, and there are several ways to do it.

1. Change the signature

If you asked someone to name the one dish they associate with Red Lobster, they wouldn't say lobster — they'd say cheddar biscuits. While everyone loves these carby wonders, they're not going to draw diners to a pricey sit-down establishment. Instead, Red Lobster needs to find a new signature dish or two (think Chili's baby back ribs or burgers, Outback's Bloomin' Onion or Applebee's half-price late-night appetizers) that will draw people to the restaurant.

2. Don't just change the signature — change the handwriting

Of course, that won't be enough. A lot of Red Lobster's dishes are either soaked in wine and butter, are high in cream or are deep-fried. These types of dishes have been "sometimes" foods for the majority of American diners, especially those with the disposable income you need to dine at a current Red Lobster. Therefore, instead of heavy foods, Red Lobster should really concentrate on tasty seafood dishes without a lot of oil and fats.

3. Focus on fresh

Right now, Red Lobster has a quality problem. The seafood served at the restaurant is low quality, tastes frozen and reheated and is generally of a lower grade than you could buy at a supermarket for your own consumption. In an era where sustainable, regional, organic and farm-to-table cuisine is popular, Red Lobster needs to find a way to offer fresh, high-quality seafood. Chef Jasper Mirabile of Jasper's Restaurant notes, "If the quality of food was better, they would have a better reputation. Instead they look at price, and they think that's all people want."

Yes, they still need to cut the price, but they can do that by decreasing the size of the gigantic platters of food they call a meal.

4. Expand their desserts

The desserts at Red Lobster aren't spectacular, and this is an area in which the restaurant could definitely improve. Diners will seek out restaurants based on the quality of their desserts, both for dinner and just for desserts and after-dinner drinks. In particular, Chef Jasper recommends a key lime pie, as it would fit Red Lobster's theme.

5. Get a signature cocktail

Bars dominate a significant portion of many Red Lobsters, but what is their signature cocktail? Again, the chain needs to find a themed drink (Navy Grog, perhaps, or a hurricane, etc.) that will draw people into the restaurant. Serve them in a fun glass with giveaways, and people will buy them. Even better, liquor sales produce easy cash.

6. Expand overseas

From a practical business perspective, Red Lobster may be forced to peddle its brand across the seas in markets like China, which often yearn for bits of American pop culture. Also, diners in foreign markets often enjoy more sit-down restaurants and will want the eating experience Red Lobster currently offers.

7. Customer service is king

Jasper recommends that Red Lobster work on its customer service. There is often a divide amongst servers at a Red Lobster. The experienced veterans tend to be knowledgeable, while those with less than a few months' experience are often lost, hesitant and ignorant of the menu. This speaks to a lack of training and a lack of incentive for veteran team members to mentor younger employees. Frankly, if Red Lobster did nothing to change its food, it might just win customers back with exceptional service.

8. Express, express, express

Applebee's and Chili's curbside service, Chipotle's, Subway and fast food continue to dominate the American dining landscape because they fit Americans' busy lives. Few families have the time to sit and eat together anymore (which isn't great, but that's another article), and so restaurants that can get people in, fed and on their way make money. Red Lobster should concentrate on 30-minute express lunches and curbside service as well as consider opening fast-casual restaurants similar to the Pei Wei restaurants opened by P.F. Chang's.

9. Keep it cheap

So here's the kicker. The American economy isn't doing great, so while all these changes are happening, Red Lobster needs to find a way to cut costs (without cutting back on biscuits, of course!). This can happen by improving internal processes but will also likely mean the restaurant will need to reduce portion sizes and offer more value options on the menu.

10. Make it fun

Lastly, eating at Red Lobster needs to be fun again. Perhaps not loud, rowdy fun, as this will likely scare away the restaurants' current customers, but there's not really any make-you-smile fun about eating at Red Lobster. Maybe with a signature cocktail, an emphasis on beach living or just getting front-of-house staff who are bubbly, perky and make the restaurant friendly will help.

More thoughts on Red Lobster

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Finally, the mac and cheese engagement ring I always wanted

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Please take notes.

When the words “true love” come to mind, I don’t think of cushion-cut diamonds. Or silk. Or garters. Or red velvety boxes filled with truffles.

I think of a hot bowl of mac and cheese being handed to me while I sit on the couch under a fleece blanket watching reruns of Property Brothers.

You see, diamonds are not really a girl’s best friend. Comfort food is. For better or worse. Richer or poorer. And when I'm on my period.

So if you want my everlasting love and affection, I’ll take this macaroni and cheese ring in a size 4.

Thanks,

L.

Macaroni and cheese ring

Buy the macaroni and cheese ring on Etsy >>

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Roasted corn and caramelized onion quesadillas with queso fresco

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My favorite part about these twice-baked and stacked quesadillas is that I can eat them as finger food, and the melted cheese is inside, in between and on top of each piece. Oh! And the roasted corn and caramelized onion with each bite is a match made in heaven. They make a great appetizer or even a meal, but no napkins allowed until you finish your plate.

Roasted corn and caramelized onion quesadillas with queso fresco recipe

Roasted corn and caramelized onion quesadillas with queso fresco recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients:

For the caramelized onion

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, peeled and sliced
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 3 dashes salt
For the quesadillas
  • 4 small flour tortillas
  • Caramelized onion (reserve 1 tablespoon of onion for garnish)
  • 2 ears roasted corn, cut from the cobs
  • 1 large jalapeño, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 4 dashes salt
  • 4 dashes ground black pepper
  • 1 (10 ounce) package queso fresco cheese, crumbled
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Directions:

For the caramelized onion

  1. Heat a large skillet on low heat, and add the olive oil, onion, sugar and salt to the pan. Stir together.
  2. Continue to stir as the onions are cooking.
  3. Cook until the onions are brown and soft (about 25 minutes).
  4. Remove from the heat, and set aside.

For the quesadillas

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Lay 2 tortillas onto a pizza pan or cookie sheet.
  3. Top with the caramelized onion, roasted corn, jalapeño, red bell pepper, salt, pepper and 1/2 the amounts of both cheeses (reserve the remaining cheese for the topping).
  4. Lay the remaining 2 tortillas on top of each like a sandwich.
  5. Bake until the cheese starts to melt (about 5 minutes).
  6. Remove from the oven, and cut each quesadilla into quarters.
  7. On an ovenproof serving dish or pan, lay 1 piece of the quesadilla. Then top with some of the cheese. Continue this process by stacking each piece of quesadilla on top of a layer of cheese.
  8. Top the stack of quesadillas with the remaining cheese, and bake in the oven just until the cheese melts (about 5 minutes).
  9. Top with the remaining caramelized onion and chopped cilantro. Serve while hot.

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Old people baby names we love

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Just as naming fads come and go, sets of names fall in and out of style. Parents tend to eschew the names of their own generation and those of one or two beyond that, but what about names that topped the charts 100 years ago? Suddenly they sound brand new.

Dozens of old-fashioned names top the baby name charts. Not much sets these apart from names of their peers a century ago — they just haven't caught on yet. While it can be frustrating to present these name ideas to previous generations and have them turn up their noses, imagine your own children wanting to use names like Debra and Larry. Eventually those names will come back around, but for now they feel too close.

We scanned the Social Security Administration's top baby names from the 1890s through the early 1900s. Can you find any of these in your family tree?

Gorgeous grandmother names for girls

Ada: This short and sweet name reminds us of Ava.
Adeline: It's like Madeline without the M.
Agnes: Trust us — say this one aloud. Beautiful.
Beatrice: So elegant.
Betty: Or Betsy. Take your pick!
Della: We love the allusions to Adele and Ella.
Edith: Downton Abbey pits us against her, but we still love the name.
Effie: Can the Hunger Games trilogy bring this one back?
Flossie: Short for Florence, but more modern than Flo.
Ida: We love this refreshing alternative to Isla.
Loretta: This name means "pure" and comes with the nickname Etta. Love.
Lula: We love this combination of equally adorable monikers Lucy and Lola.
Mae: West. Need we say more?
Margaret: The nicknames are endless.
Nell: Give this to a girl with a gentle spirit.
Opal: Use this gem name instead of Ruby.
Sylvie: Surprising and similar to Sophie.
Viola: Choose this instrumental name over the floral Violet.

More old lady names we love: Clara, Cora, Daisy, Dorothy, Estelle, Frances, Gladys, Harriet, Josephine, Mabel, Miriam, Myrtle, Sylvia, Willa and Winifred

Gentlemanly grandfather names for boys

Alvin: The Chipmunks haven't ruined Simon or Theodore — Alvin deserves a shot!
Archie: Take the British route and go right for this diminutive of Archibald.
August: Perfect for a baby born in any season.
Calvin: We adore the nicknames Cal and Vinnie.
Clarence: This Latin name means "bright; shining; gentle."
Conrad: Meaning "brave and wise," this name is nerdy in the best way.
Edmund: It sounds more prestigious than popular Edward.
Emmett: Pay homage to Back to the Future's Doc Brown.
Felix: We adore this saint name meaning "lucky."
Gordon: Jordan skews girl these days, but Gordon reads boy, boy, boy.
Harvey: It sounds sweet, but this German name means "warrior."
Irving: We picture a 1950s sitcom dad.
Lyle: This name has true Southern charm.
Marvin: We love this Welsh form of Merlin.
Otis: Fits in perfectly with trendy four-letter vowel names like Arlo and Ezra.
Silas: We love this underused Biblical name.
Sylvester: Think Stallone, not "and Tweety."
Wallace: Skip Wally and call him Ace for short.

More grandpa names we love: Alfred, Arthur, Claude, Dale, Ellis, Ernest, Jerome, Lawrence, Louis, Miles, Roland, Roy, Walter and Wilson

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