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3 Quick and easy Italian-inspired dishes for the lazy vegetarian

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These three recipes are ones I have been making often and that even my youngest son (who is the pickiest eater of all) loves. I love that these meals come together so easily (with the help of some fresh but premade ingredients), allowing me time to do other things besides cook for what feels like hours on end. You can always save even more time by prepping ingredients ahead of time and then just putting them together when dinnertime rolls around.

Crispy skillet gnocchi with fresh vegetables recipe

Fluffy, premade gnocchi is combined with fresh, sautéed veggies and a simple sauce and then baked in a skillet until crispy.

Serves 4

Prep time: 15 minutes | Bake time: 30 minutes | Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 (18-20 ounce) package fresh gnocchi (sizes vary based on brand)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 yellow squash, sliced
  • 1 small zucchini, sliced
  • 1 cup fresh green beans
  • 1 small red onion, sliced
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

  1. Bring a large pot full of water to a boil, and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Add the gnocchi to the boiling water, and cook until they float to the top. Drain, and set aside.
  3. In a medium-size cast-iron skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and the fresh vegetables. Cook the vegetables for 5 to 6 minutes or until they start to soften.
  4. Add the gnocchi to the skillet along with the remaining ingredients, and mix well.
  5. Place the skillet in the oven, and bake for 30 minutes or until the gnocchi starts to get crispy and golden.
  6. Remove from the oven, and serve warm.

Open-faced tomato melts with fontina cheese recipe

Fresh crusty bread is topped lightly with freshly grated fontina cheese, thickly sliced tomatoes and basil.

Serves 6

Prep time: 10 minutes | Bake time: 12 minutes | Total time: 22 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 loaf fresh French or Italian bread
  • 1/4 cup softened butter
  • Garlic powder
  • 1 cup freshly grated fontina cheese
  • 3 large tomatoes, sliced
  • Fresh basil, for garnish

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Slice the bread into 6 thick or desired-size pieces, and place them onto the baking sheet.
  3. Spread the tops of each slice with the softened butter, and sprinkle with garlic powder.
  4. Top with grated fontina cheese and tomato slices.
  5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cheese starts to melt and the bread is toasted.
  6. Remove from the oven, and serve warm as is or alongside a salad or bowls of soup, if desired.

Baked cheese ravioli in vodka sauce recipe

Fresh, premade cheese ravioli is baked in a tomato cream sauce with a hint of vodka (that cooks away), topped with fresh basil and served with Italian bread.

Serves 4

Prep time: 15 minutes | Bake time: 30 minutes | Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 (20-24 ounce) package cheese ravioli (sizes will vary based on brands)
  • 2 cups tomato pasta sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil, for garnish

Directions: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Fill a cast-iron Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot with water, and bring to a boil over high heat.
  3. Add the ravioli, and cook until they float to the top. Drain the ravioli, and return it to the pot.
  4. To the pot, add the tomato sauce, seasonings, maple syrup, cream, vodka and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
  5. Top with the grated mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan, and bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling. Remove from the oven, and serve with fresh Italian bread, if desired.

More easy vegetarian recipes

Vegetarian-style Mexican lettuce wraps
Spicy Sriracha udon noodle bowls
30-Minute or less vegetarian meals


11 Things to know about Robin Thicke's gal pal April Love Geary

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1. She's 19 years old

Robin Thicke is 37 (insert "eww" here).

7 Hilariously heartless tweets about the Robin Thicke - Paula Patton divorce

April Love Geary

2. She lives in Huntington Beach

That would explain all the bikini shots.

Robin Thicke gives up quest to win wife Paula Patton back

April Love Geary

3. She's been a model for over seven years

That would also explain all the bikini shots.

April Love Geary

4. She was invited to attend the Sports Illustrated casting call

Because bikinis.

April Love Geary

5. Her nicknames are "Apes" and "Love"

(We gotta ask — is "Love" her real middle name? It sounds a little made-up.)

6. She has terrible taste in music

She likes Justin Bieber and Chris Brown! (She redeems herself slightly by also liking Beyoncé and Michael Jackson.)

7. She has poor selfie-judgment

Geary got in hot water last week when she — in an act of incredibly poor taste — posted selfies while posing in the house and bedroom that Thicke and estranged wife Paula Patton shared. The images have since been removed from social media.

Robin Thicke's new GF is posting pics from Paula Patton's old room (PHOTOS)

8. She may also have poor taste in men

Geary just started dating Thicke, but according to an interview with Sports Illustrated, she was "in a relationship" last June. At least she took a little more time between relationships than Thicke did.

April Love Geary

9. She gets confused sometimes

When SI asked if she was spontaneous or a planner, she underlined both. Cute. She also said if she started a charity, it would be to help "homeless kids find homes." We assume she meant she'd help homeless families find homes, as home ownership is a lot of responsibility for kids. Oh, to be 19 again. Speaking of which, did the drinking age in California change to 19 when we weren't looking?

10. She's best known for her…

"Never-ending legs and my bubble butt." Tee hee.

11. She loves playing Mario Kart

No way! She likes video games too? And hanging out in jeans and T-shirts? Someone has been taking a few too many "What guys look for in women" quizzes in Cosmo.

3 Simple ways to winterize candles with candy stripes

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Candy canes are a wonderful reason to love the chilly days of November and December and their classic designs are fun and cheery, to boot. So why not bring that very design into your home decor this season? This DIY project is so easy — and completely removable — so you can change it as often as you'd like.

Supplies:

  • Candles of your choice — preferably battery-operated, since it would be hard/impossible to actually light some of these candles once they're decorated
  • Scissors
  • Red/striped ribbon, washi tape or red electrical tape, your choice

Directions:

For the first candle I used a battery-operated one and a red and white striped washi tape. Start at the top or bottom, leaving a bit leftover so you can cut to the exact shape of the candle.

Wrap the tape around the candle diagonally, crop at the other end then repeat this one more time, eyeballing the space between the two pieces of tape. This is completely removable, so you'll have no issues fixing it if it's not to your liking.

The washi tape sticks to the wax surprisingly well and yet leaves no marks or residue when you peel off. You can leave the bottom uncut and just stick it down. No need to be fancy here.

OK, you're done with this one. Next, grab another battery-operated candle and a few more supplies — red and white paper straws, double-sided tape and ribbons.

Start with the double-sided tape. Place a strip in the middle and top of the candle. If you want to avoid some frustration, maybe add one to the bottom of your candle, too.

Now you're ready to start placing your straws on the candle. As painful as it may seem, place them on one at a time. Otherwise you may get gaps in between straws, which will be harder to fix when you're finished.

When you get all of the straws on, tie a ribbon (or two) around the candle. This serves two purposes — decoration and making sure your straws don't all fall off. You're finished!

Sleeping dog completely optional...

Now you could call it a day at this point, but I really wanted to use that electrical tape. So grab that and two taper candles and start with a strip of tape at the top of the candle. No need to be perfect — this is your 'measuring' tape to make sure the stripes are evenly spaced. The next strip will stay on, so make sure it's straight and there are no bubbles. Remove that first strip and place it under the last one. Leave it on for now and place a third strip beneath that. Make sure the ends all line up so that you can hide them later.

That's it! Repeat on one or more candles, and you're all set.

Add some of the leftover straws for an added punch of stripes next to your candles. Aren't they fun?

Remember that when you need a change, all of these designs are completely removable — even the electrical tape.

More stripes you might like

How to create a candy cane nail design
How to wear stripes right
DIY holiday sweater with sequin stripes

12 Stages of Christmas shopping in GIFs

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1. Pure Christmas spirit

SpongeBob Christmas

GIF credit: Giphy.com

Ahh, what could be better than Christmas? You woke up this morning with a special pep in your step — the same pep that has been welling up since the first of November. Your house is decorated, your stockings are hung... all that's left to complete the Christmas perfection are presents under the tree.

2. Excitement over every and all holiday decorations

Chevy Chase

GIF credit: Giphy.com

The moment when you step out of the car at your first shopping stop is unrivaled — and, in that moment, nothing could dampen your spirits on this glorious day. Never have you seen a vision more beautiful than this fine purveyor of presents bedazzled with faux-holly wreaths.

3. Momentary shock

Santa

GIF credit: Giphy.com

Can you possibly mark off everything on your list with this many people standing between you and Christmas shopping nirvana? Still, you rationalize, we're all in this together! Nothing like the shared human experience to really enhance the Christmas spirit.

4. The tsunami of crowds

Simpsons GIF

GIF credit: Giphy.com

When you step into the sea of shop-goers, you're nearly carried away by the rush of goal-oriented shoppers.

5. Your cart begins to fill

Beyonce

GIF credit: Giphy.com

You manage to drop the first of many presents into your shopping cart. They call that winning.

6. Distraction! Adorable winter-clothed babies

Christmas Cookie

GIF credit: Giphy.com

Any boundaries you once had disappear in the blink of an eye when a cute baby ventures into your line of sight, and you become the kooky old lady saying sweet-but-borderline-creepy things to all those itty bitty Christmas cookies.

7. Starvation

Elf eating

GIF credit: Giphy.com

Sheesh, spreading Christmas cheer sure does burn some calories. You might actually be dying of hunger, and you need some food court lo mein in your life, like, yesterday.

8. Back into the fray

Hunger Games

GIF credit: Giphy.com

After lunch, the shopping arena starts to get serious. All hell breaks loose when the final five WowWee Robots make their way to an end cap. It's a mad dash to snatch one — lest suffer frostbite from the cold shoulder your kid will inevitably give you — before the other tributes, er, shoppers deplete them.

9. Winning a tug-of-war over the last toy

Amy Poehler

GIF credit: Giphy.com

When you do happen to grab the last in-demand toy, you catch a teensy case of cockiness. C'mon, though, those other chumps never saw you coming. Sure, it's decidedly un-Christmas-like behavior, but between the palpable tension in the air and your competitive nature, who could blame you?

10. Closing time panic

Lea Michele

GIF credit: Giphy.com

The store's PA system announces the 10-minute warning mark for closing time, and you go into full-blown panic mode. You can't possibly have hit everyone on your must-buy-a-gift-for list. Soon you're questioning everything from the skillet you bought for your mother-in-law to the candy cane socks you were so certain were the cutest socks ever created when you pulled them on this morning.

11. The "When the heck did I buy all this?" moment

Harry Potter

GIF credit: Giphy.com

You vaguely remember tossing that cologne into your cart, but you've got no recollection about the Coach purse or Dora the Explorer doll. Or, you know, the gazillion other gifts that someone threw into your cart while your subconscious was preoccupied with the yuletide Hunger Games going on.

12. Pure Christmas spirit... again

Merly Streep

GIF credit: Giphy.com

The cycle is complete. Your calves are on fire from power trucking it through 17 department stores and you may or may not have thrown shade at a few unsuspecting senior citizens slowing your pace, but you did it. And now, thanks to your perseverance, you get to see your loved ones' faces light up on Christmas morning. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

More Christmas fun

15 Epic Christmas light displays to inspire you this season
15 Holiday traditions to keep, modify and kill this year
5 Christmas cocktails made in 5 minutes or less

Love horoscopes: Dec. 1 – Dec. 7

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aries

taures

gemini

cancer

leo

virgo

libra

scorpio

sagittarius

capricorn

aquarius

pisces

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ARIES (March 20-April 18)

It looks like a casual fling is heating up. There's a lot of fiery energy coursing through your horoscope right now so you're totally into having a good time and not giving tomorrow too much thought. Fire energy is always about the here and now. However, that fellow you're seeing appears intent on setting up dates to get together in the future. It's flattering, but you've seen this change too many times in the past when you decided to get serious. He's going to have to show a lot more staying power before you lower your guard.

Up next: Taurus horoscope

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TAURUS (April 19-May 19)

People are going to want to give you things this week while Venus forms a trine to Jupiter. It's always nice when astrology's two benefics trine because it means that happiness and good fortune will come streaming your way. You can expect a lot because Jupiter is the planet of largesse. Not only will this fatten your wallet, but it will also make you feel attractive and desirable. It's been a long time since you've gotten this kind of cosmic love and attention. The Venus/Jupiter trine will provide just the sort of ego boost you need.

Up next: Gemini horoscope

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GEMINI (May 20-June 19)

Is the universe deliberately trying to trip you up? Maybe. But if it is, then it's in service to a higher agenda. On Dec. 5 you'll be tempted to dump the guy you're seeing when a Mercury/Uranus trine introduces someone completely different. This new guy will be smart and funny and you'll feel the click right away. Just like when you first met your current paramour. Don't fall for this flash-in-the-pan romance. You've always been a sucker for shiny new objects and it's this predilection that has prevented you from finding the long-lasting intimacy you seek.

Up next: Cancer horoscope

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CANCER (June 20-July 21)

You really don't give up on people. Life would be so much easier if you could, but it goes against your nature to turn your back on someone you care about — even if that person's been perfectly abominable. Now some people will say that this is because you're a masochist, an enabler or maybe even a co-dependent. And they say this because you remind them of their own diminished capacity to love. In any case your selflessness will be rewarded on Dec. 1 when a rare Mars/Saturn sextile shows a prodigal loved one reappearing at your doorstep.

Up next: Leo horoscope

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LEO (July 22-Aug. 21)

Combative Mars enters Aquarius on Dec. 4. You can expect a lot of heated disagreements in your relationship over the next 5-1/2 weeks. You will naturally see yourself as infinitely reasonable, but you might want to review those areas of life where you are being inflexible. And if you can't think of any, then ask your friends. They'll tell you. Fights are never fun, but they're a necessary part of being a couple. They teach us to stand up for ourselves, to respect differences and to broker truces so that you don't go to bed angry.

Up next: Virgo horoscope

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VIRGO (Aug. 22-Sept. 21)

It's hard to resurrect a friendship when there's been so much bad blood between you. Most people would just skip it. You, however, will always keep the door open. Maybe it's because you're more forgiving by nature or maybe it's because you're just better acquainted with human nature. In any case, the Mars/Saturn sextile on Dec. 1 shows you reaching out across the aisle. You may never regain that bosom buddy intimacy, but you'll both recognize how much happier you are being in each other's lives.

Up next: Libra horoscope

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LIBRA (Sept. 22-Oct. 21)

A watched pot never boils and the same can be said for smartphones. Checking your messages every three minutes won't make that guy call any faster which is why you should accept friends' invitations to get out and about. It's not every day when Venus and Jupiter trine in fire signs (Dec. 4). These two planets will pump up the volume on your charm, charisma and even your hair. Don't miss out on the fun by staying home and sulking over some putz. Take a selfie and post it on Instagram instead! He'll see what he's been missing.

Up next: Scorpio horoscope

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SCORPIO (Oct. 22-Nov. 20)

Mars enters that part of your solar chart that pertains to hearth and home on Dec. 4. This will transform that once peaceful sanctuary of yours into an occupied territory for the next 5-1/2 weeks. Expect to rush about putting out fires raging between family members, in-laws and even outraged pets. It will feel as if everyone decided to have their meltdowns all at the same time. Thankfully you were born under a zodiac sign that comes to life in a crisis. If anyone can save the day while putting people in their place, it's you.

Up next: Sagittarius horoscope

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 21-Dec. 20)

Hop off the couch and get thee to a beauty salon because the fish are jumping this week thanks to a sensational Venus/Jupiter trine. There's no question you'll be turning heads with so much fiery energy coursing through your horoscope. However, it's the kind of heads you'll be turning that matters most now. Invest in a makeover from head to toe because Venus's motto is that you need to look like a million if you want to snag a million. And even if he isn't a millionaire, there's still a good chance that he hails from a higher tax bracket.

Up next: Capricorn horoscope

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 21-Jan. 18)

Why is it that you're the one who always has to make the respectable decisions? It comes with the territory. You were born under Capricorn, one of the two parent signs of the zodiac (the other one is Cancer), so it falls to you to be the designated adult when others are acting reckless and crazy. It's not much fun in the moment, but your prudence and integrity has never led you astray. This is something you'll need to remember on Dec. 4 when you have to make the decision that you know he can't (and won't) make.

Up next: Aquarius horoscope

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 19-Feb. 17)

Can you feel the love? It will be unmistakable on Dec. 4 when Venus trines Jupiter. There will be such an outpouring of gratitude and affection that you won't know what to do. It will be an embarrassment of riches. And it's because any form of praise makes you so stiflingly uncomfortable that you will want to rehearse your expressions of thanks ahead of time. Make a point to hug back, to return people's compliments and to respond warmly to their devotion. Yes, you'll be overwhelmed in the moment but you'll also enjoy the afterglow for weeks to come.

Up next: Pisces horoscope

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PISCES (Feb. 18-March 19)

Stop trying to please people who cannot be pleased. Born under Neptune, the planet of unconditional love, you will never stop endeavoring to understand, sympathize and empathize. But where does it say that you have to be everyone's psychic doormat? Your decision to spend the holidays with welcoming friends rather than your dysfunctional family or to not invite a certain pain-in-the-derriere to your annual get-together couldn't be better timed. Yes there will be hell to pay but it will be worth the price of that heavenly feeling you'll enjoy spending time with the people you care about most.

More horoscopes

Your weekly horoscope

6 Work struggles for introverts and how to handle them

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In her 2013 bestselling book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking, author Susan Cain makes the case that corporate America is built to favor extroverts. And this, she claims, is really a shame since introverts are the people who innovate, create and propel the world forward.

So, what is a hard-working introvert to do in an office that rewards the gregarious and self-promoting? Try to approach typically-awkward work situations with these tips for social panache. Though challenging, we promise your boss will be pleased. We've adapted these tips from one of the expert sources for Cain's book on introversion, The Washington Post's Lillian Cunningham.

Taking credit for work

Introverts typically prefer self-deprecation to self-promotion. This is a wonderful character quality, but it makes it hard for employers to give credit where credit is due.

Solution. If you're introverted and feel squeamish about speaking up for your hard work, make a spreadsheet where you catalog each of your achievements and projects. Call a meeting once quarterly — or use your yearly performance evaluation, if your boss won't be receptive to regular meetings — to review your successes and ask for ways to build on them.

Networking with ease

Chatting with colleagues and vendors is painful for introverts, particularly when networking functions have no purpose besides chatting. It's like a work meeting, but with even less of a point. Networking, however, is super important for building relationships and strategically moving up in your field.

Solution. Set a goal to attend a certain number of events per year, and then forget about it once you attend. Remember, too, that online networking through e-mail and social media can work just as well — and can even widen your circle beyond your geographic residence.

Surviving office parties

Holiday office parties are the only time to watch your boss run around with a lampshade on her head, but that doesn't change the challenge of all the noise and people milling about.

Solution. Drink! Just kidding, although it doesn't hurt to have a little social lubrication. Try to remember that office parties only happen once or twice a year, and that you can always leave early. The most important thing is that your colleagues see that you care enough to attend, even for thirty minutes.

Escaping the over-talker

Introverts are endlessly polite, but politeness ends poorly if the office over-talker takes up residence at your office door. Over-talkers are a time suck, and they're also likely to exhaust you as you're trying to plow through work.

Solution. Find mastery over kind phrases that cut the conversation short. Here's a formula to try out: non-verbal cue, validation and conversation killer. For instance, put your hand up in a motion that signals he or she should stop talking, and then say, "You know, I really know what you mean about that project. Let me finish this task so I can think about that more thoroughly." And then get back to work.

Dealing with groupthink

Unfortunately, modern office managers tend to believe that problems are solved in the group context of meetings. For introverts, the exact opposite is true. Your best creative work is done in solitude, which makes it hard to shine when the boss demands solutions during a meeting.

Solution. When an important problem-solving meeting is scheduled, block out an hour of time on your schedule to go for a walk to think. Explain this need to your boss, and come to the meeting with your thoughts written on paper, so you don't feel overwhelmed in the group.

Public speaking

Introverts are often brilliant, but it's hard to display that brilliance when you shun public speaking, whether in a small office meeting or an auditorium.

Solution. Desensitize yourself to the fear of public speaking by practicing in small, manageable ways. Join a toastmasters group. Give a speech to your kids. Do anything that takes the edge off the fear, and practice in small ways until you feel more confident.

This post was sponsored by Sanuk.

More about your career

Sneaky ways illegal interview questions are rephrased by hiring managers
Letting your boss know you have cancer may get you fired
Major signs that you're about to get fired

Weekly horoscopes: Dec. 1-7

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taures

gemini

cancer

leo

virgo

libra

scorpio

sagittarius

capricorn

aquarius

pisces

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ARIES (March 20-April 18)

You may awake with a jolt on Dec. 4 asking: What was I thinking? Revelations often strike like bolts out of the blue when the Sun trines Uranus, the planet of revolution and change. Your first instinct will be to reverse your most recent decisions and commitments. Now it’s true that you’ve been making some interesting choices lately, but they haven’t been that bad. One might even say they’re inspired given your willingness to try fresh perspectives and test-drive new ideas. It’s not every day that you get a chance to think outside the horoscope. Give it a go!

Up next: Taurus horoscope

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TAURUS (April 19-May 19)

Mars, the planet of gumption and drive, will be arcing over your solar midheaven for the next five and a half weeks. This will make you bold, daring and hell-bent on achieving your aims. And with Mars so advantageously placed, you can expect dramatic breakthroughs and successes on Dec. 20, 24 and 29. The only thing you have to watch out for is throwing your weight around and getting too bossy. You want to build bridges, not burn them. Keep this in mind and you’ll discover how to channel the Mars energy in ways that are constructive and that benefit everybody.

Up next: Gemini horoscope

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GEMINI (May 20-June 19)

You may be surprised to discover that the stars have selected you to play Secret Santa this year. Evidently you’re in a position where you could make somebody else’s dreams come true. Maybe it’s by providing a valuable introduction, putting them in touch with someone who can assist them with a problem that they’re struggling with or even slipping some money into their PayPal account as an anonymous donor. You won’t get anything in return, except for that warm glow that comes with being able to help out. And that may be the best holiday gift of all.

Up next: Cancer horoscope

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CANCER (June 20-July 21)

Something extremely desirable lands in your lap on Dec. 4. You could be given an insider price, a juicy contract or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Unfortunately, you won’t have much time to act. In fact, you’ll probably hear about this right when it’s about to be snatched up. Life is always a gamble when you’re dealing with fire-sign energy, and these are the sorts of risks that leave your stomach tied in knots. Nevertheless, Jupiter in Leo is all about taking leaps of faith, so go ahead and jump. Chances are you’ll like where you wind up.

Up next: Leo horoscope

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LEO (July 22-Aug. 21)

If there was ever a time to go for it, then it would be on Dec. 4. Rivals consider you to be out of the running — or at least too gun-shy to do anything reckless — so a relentless push for what you want should result in a spectacular victory. There are times when a little audacity makes all the difference, and the Sun/Uranus trine shows that this is one of them. The more farfetched or pie-in-the-sky your aims, the better your chances for success. You always want to bank on the long shot when Uranus is powerful.

Up next: Virgo horoscope

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VIRGO (Aug. 22-Sept. 21)

You had a hard time getting your act together this year. Things that used to come easily grew more difficult, and you often felt insecure. It also didn’t help that certain people failed to deliver on their promises. This often left you in the position where you were waiting expectantly outside a closed door with nobody on the other side. Thankfully, you decided to pursue what you wanted on your own, and the Mars/Saturn sextile on Dec. 1 shows that you will be rewarded handsomely for your efforts. There’s a reason why self-sufficiency has always been your credo.

Up next: Libra horoscope

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LIBRA (Sept. 22-Oct. 21)

For the past two years, Saturn — planet of trials and tribulations — has been wreaking havoc on your finances. If you weren’t in debt, then you were beholden to someone who didn’t let you forget that he had the upper hand. Thankfully, the Mars/Saturn sextile on Dec. 1 shows you pulling yourself out of this rut. Maybe your ship finally comes in, you pay off that debt or you close on a deal that ate up a lot of time and resources. Your ordeal is over, and you can look forward to some real and lasting security.

Up next: Scorpio horoscope

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SCORPIO (Oct. 22-Nov. 20)

It’s amazing how much you’ve grown since Saturn entered Scorpio in October 2012. The past two years weren’t easy, but there’s no denying that they gave you a new lease on life. It was only by tearing down the “old” you and forcing you to travel a different path that the stars were able to lead you to where you find yourself today. Yes, there’s still a lot of work to do (there always is), but you are more alive, together and open-minded than you have been in years. You are truly coming into your own.

Up next: Sagittarius horoscope

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SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 21-Dec. 20)

You believe that each one of us was born with a unique purpose and looking for yours is a never-ending quest. But sometimes you can get so involved in the searching that you miss out on the finding, and this is something you’ll want to pay attention to this week. As a fire sign, you expect big answers to your big questions. But what if those answers aren’t so grandiose? What if they’re simpler and humbler than you think? Re-examine the workings of your day-to-day life. You may discover that what you’re looking for is close at hand.

Up next: Capricorn horoscope

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CAPRICORN (Dec. 21-Jan. 18)

Every Capricorn dreams of being her own boss. Being your own boss — whether it’s a department head, a consultant or running your own business — means that you’re the only person you have to answer to. Some find this responsibility frightening, but you don’t because you know from experience that you will always come through. Whether or not others will come through for you — like clients, employees and customers — remains to be seen. Mars in Aquarius for five and a half weeks shows that you may be the Big Kahuna, but your success is still contingent on the performance of others.

Up next: Aquarius horoscope

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AQUARIUS (Jan. 19-Feb. 17)

It won’t be easy living with Mars in Aquarius for five and a half weeks. Mars was named after the Roman god of war, so it’s a fighter, not a lover. This is good for advocating causes and winning arguments; however, it’s less than ideal for tolerating different points of view or building consensus. You will think that you are being your same reasonable self, but you aren’t. You’re apt to be inflexible, heavy-handed and maybe even paranoid. But that’s OK; we all have our off days. Just make sure to give loved ones fair warning ahead of time.

Up next: Pisces horoscope

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PISCES (Feb. 18-March 19)

How committed are you to fulfilling your dreams? This is an important question to ask with Saturn less than a month away from entering your solar midheaven. Between now and then will be a winnowing process. This is when anything that’s been left to loiter — like half-finished projects or postponed pursuits — will be tossed out. And Saturn will be unrelenting. So if there’s anything that truly matters to you (despite your hemming and hawing), then you best get moving. Wait any longer and it will be too late. Saturn has zero tolerance for woulda, coulda, shoulda.

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The best method to trim cuticles without damaging your nails (VIDEO)

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To properly trim your cuticles, you'll need cuticle removing solution. This can be picked up at Walmart for less than five dollars. You'll also need a basic nail kit that includes a cuticle trimmer, a cuticle pusher and a nail buffer to get the best results.

The most important thing to remember when caring for your cuticles is to be careful. If you push or pull too hard, you may rip the skin and bleed. Make sure to be gentle and your results will be much better. Rubbing your nails with cuticle oil after you're finished is the best way to keep your nails looking great.

More beauty tips

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4 Clever gift sets made entirely out of thrift store items

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Pretty kitchen accents for my mother-in-law

Look in the random bags

You can find amazing pieces in these bags, like silver-plated serving sets. You can usually move things around in the bag enough to take a look at the marks on the back of each piece. They may not all be quality pieces, but even if only one piece is silver plated, you're getting your money's worth.

To clean: Place in a glass container lined with aluminum foil (shiny side up). Sprinkle baking soda on the silver-plated items and pour boiling water over the them, making sure all parts are covered. Add a small amount of vinegar to speed up the process. Let them soak for about a minute, wash with dish soap and dry well.

You'll be left with gorgeous serving pieces that would make the perfect gift for the hostess in your life. All of these pieces were in the same $3.99 bag. What a gold silver mine!

Check out kitchenware shelves

Look for creamers, sugar bowls and even interesting teapots. These make great gifts for the hostess on your list because they're usually also very unique! This copper teapot was $1.99, and all it needed was a bit of cleaning. It's perfectly useable, though it's also a lovely decorative piece!

The final look:

A warm wool blanket for my homebody husband

Check tags on blankets and scarves

Blankets and scarves are a great gift for people who love to cozy up. The best tip when looking at these is to go right for the tag. You'll be amazed at how many 100 percent wool vintage blankets you'll find. This plaid one was $9.99, but easily worth about six times that.

To clean: Wash in cold water, lay flat to dry and you're done. Wrap with a thrifted belt and you have yourself a lovely package.

A complete bar set for my brother

Search through glassware

It may be hard to get a present for the newlyweds you just got a wedding present for, but think outside the registry for some old things making a trendy comeback — welcome to the bar cart. Glass carafes are usually higher up on shelves and sometimes you can even find crystal ones. These were $3.99-$4.99 each. Look in the bathroom section, too — you may find gorgeous little trays and more. I found a mirrored tray that really brought all the elements of this gift together.

To clean: All you need is a little soap and water (and maybe vinegar to get rid of any smells).

If you're lucky enough, you might even find an actual bar cart. Yes, it's been known to happen. This one was a whopping $5.99 and way too good to pass up. It may be hard to give someone an actual cart unless you know them really well, so it's OK to just stick with the accessories.

Keep an eye out for matching utensil sets

A few other things to look for — ice buckets and unique glasses. This is what really polishes off the look for a newlywed couple or the Don Draper-esque guy in your life.

The final look:

A brass mantlepiece for a gift to myself

I love to bring in cool, new things to be displayed around my house. I was looking for a "worldly" piece, and this little brass case kind of feels like it's from across the globe. Brass is abundant at most thrift stores and also happens to be a very hot home decor material at the moment. Little figurines, candlesticks and even the odd picture frame can be easily polished and gifted. I found this brass figurine as well as artwork at this thrift store.

The final look:

This post was sponsored by Savers.

More ways to love a thrift store

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The medical marijuana alternative that's being marketed to pet owners

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Pot for pets is controversial for a reason

There is no question that the benefits, safety and legality of cannabis in the United States is a hot-button topic. People are inarguably polarized on the medical marijuana issue when it comes to human consumption; now the controversy has spilled over to our pets.

On one side you have pot smokers getting their pets high for fun or leaving their stash around for Fido to accidentally consume. Another side advocates the use of medical marijuana to help relieve pain and treat other pet medical conditions. Then there is the side of pet lovers who don't want their pets to unnecessarily suffer yet are against using a psychoactive drug for relief.

Janell Thompson falls into the latter category, so she opted to try CBD supplements, which provide the active medicinal compound in cannabis but not the psychoactive ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in marijuana.

Roxy -- Janell Thompson's Labrador

Photo credit: Janell Thompson/Hemp Health, Inc.

Do CBD supplements really work?

According to Thompson, the CBD supplements (dipped in a bit of peanut butter) significantly improved her pawed pal's life. "As soon as I learned about CBD and its therapeutic benefits, I immediately researched its safety for use on canines and learned that canines possess at least one additional cannabinoid receptor than us humans and therefore are much more receptive to CBD," she explains. "They can experience the benefits much easier and more quickly than we do, and [as proof] today Roxy is still full of energy and smiling at us every day.

Thompson wasn't satisfied with simply giving Roxy CBD supplements for relief. She joined forces with Katarina Maloney, another pet lover, to explore ways to extract pure CBD from hemp and provide supplements for other pet lovers. They founded Hemp Health Inc. and pride themselves on providing CBD supplements, in the form of capsules or oral sprays, that are organic, non-GMO, vegan and free of dangerous additives. CBD supplements don't get your pet high.

"We absolutely do not advocate giving marijuana to pets because we believe THC is bad for your pet and that getting your pets high is a terrible idea," stresses Maloney. "CBD is not a drug nor is it classified as medicinal marijuana, rather CBD is a supplement that provides pets with the therapeutic ingredient in hemp while protecting them from the negative mental and physical effects of marijuana.

Journey -- Katarina Maloney's Husky

Photo credit: Katarina Maloney/Hemp Health, Inc.

So, what's the difference between hemp and marijuana?

There is a general misconception about hemp and marijuana, according to Maloney. They are the same but different. She explains: "Marijuana is a cannabis plant breed [for] the purpose of high levels of THC (the psychoactive part) and has very low levels of CBD (medicinal component), while hemp has very high levels of CBD, the medicinal part (cannabidiol). CBD is the healthy component and has very low or almost zero levels of THC. You don't get high."

Maloney also points out that hemp is grown for the purpose of fiber and oil. It is used to make T-shirts, paper, rope and other items. It is also available for consumption as hemp seeds, hemp butter, hemp milk and more. She adds, "There is a long history of industrial hemp... this country was built on it, and even the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper, and every single rope on ships before the 17th century was made from hemp."

Can CBD supplements harm your pets?

Just because something is legal and considered safe doesn't mean that it can't cause harm. Maloney, however, says there are no serious side effects if your pet takes CBD supplements long term or takes an extremely high dosage. "There is no possibility of an overdose [and at high doses] the only thing you may notice is sleepiness or mild sedation," the hemp expert adds.

When it comes to finding the most effective dose, Maloney says each dosage will depend on the size of your pet and the condition it has. She assures, "Usually the dosage is very small. If it's oil, it's the size of a grain of rice, and if it's in spray form, it will be one pump once per day."

Also of note, CBD supplements are legal in the United States and, unlike marijuana, can be legally and ethically recommended by veterinarians.

Journey with family friends

Photo credit: Katarina Maloney/Hemp Health, Inc.

What pet conditions might benefit from CBD supplements?

Federal regulations prevent Thompson and Maloney from making claims regarding the benefits on specific pet ailments, but there is a growing body of research on CBD. According to the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health, laboratory, animal and preclinical testing have demonstrated that CBD may have anti-tumor effects as well as anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain relieving) properties. In addition, researchers are actively investigating CBD’s potential to treat epilepsy, anxiety, arthritis, neurodegeneration, nausea and other medical issues.

If your pet is suffering from pain or other medical conditions, talk to your veterinarian about the efficacy of CBD supplements on what ails your furry companion.

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House of Cards Season 3 gets release date and preview (VIDEO)

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The good news is that there's a release date; the bad news is that it's three long months away. Sadly, the Underwoods won't be back on Feb. 27, 2015.

Kevin Spacey and others remember House of Cards' Elizabeth Norment

How did we learn this bit of news? Oh, just from what might just be the world's shortest preview video. Even if the sneak peek isn't officially the shortest on record, at just 12 seconds it's bound to be up there in the top 10 somewhere.

In the Season 2 finale, the last thing fans saw was Frank (Kevin Spacey) taking over the Oval Office, and all we really know from the preview is that he's still in office. The video shows Frank and Claire (Robin Wright) walking up the steps to board Air Force One. So if you were wondering if it was somehow all a dream or a trick, we're here to tell you that it looks like he really is president.

Kate Mara gives major spoiler to House of Cards — too soon?

The second season highlighted the Underwood's journey to get into the White House, but now that Frank is president, what will the story be in Season 3? Just making it to the president's desk is only half the battle when it comes to politics. Now Frank will undoubtedly face challenges that include doing a good enough job to be elected again in four years. Then there are those pesky assassination attempts that we're betting Netflix will toss in just for fun.

VIDEO: 3 New promos for House of Cards

What do you think will happen in House of Cards Season 3?

House of Cards tweet

House of Cards tweet

7 Health and fitness gifts you can give without looking like a jerk

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Giving a health- or fitness-related holiday gift can be tricky though; offer someone a gym membership or personal trainer and you get that "What are you really trying to say?" cut eye.

The good news is that there are a ton of innovative and trendy new products, services and brand collaborations (many of which are Canadian!) geared toward the wellness-minded individual. You may even have to buy two, one for them and one for you.

Fresh canteen

Getting started with home cooking or really just not in the mood to hit the grocery store? Fresh Canteen takes the guesswork out of meal prep and sends you a refrigerated box with perfect portions and easy-to-follow recipe cards that will take you from random ingredients to a delectable epicurean delight in just a few steps!

(freshcanteen.com, $13/serving)

Tory Burch for Fitbit

Fashion meets function for gorgeous wearable tech! Ever-stylish lifestyle brand Tory Burch has partnered up with Fitbit to create stunning, on-trend accessories that won't drag your outfit down. Available in silver, gold or rose gold, the Metal Hinged Bracelet and Fret Pendant Necklace will tastefully monitor your fitness (or lack thereof) activity.

(fitbit.com/ca, $175 - $195, Fitbit Flex sold separately)

Six Pack bags Victoria Elite Tote

Repeat after me: no more carrying lunch in shopping totes. Fortunately, Six Pack Fitness is ahead of the curve with their stunning Victoria Elite Tote, perfect for the meal planner on the go. With room for four meals, this beautifully designed bag can also house a laptop, keys, wallet and phone.

(sixpackbags.com, $400)

Munch better

When the 3:00 brick wall hits, turn away from the candy bar and coffee shop; stock the office drawer with healthy homegrown snacks! Munch Better, the Canadian snack subscription box, is packed with healthy munchies (even gluten-free and vegan ones) for no-guilt nibbling. Even better, it's the gift that keeps on giving, coming to your door once a month.

(munchbetter.ca, $25/month)

Fitset

Boxing? Spinning? Yoga? Find your perfect workout match with the Fitset pass. Ideal for fitness newbies and veterans, there's always a new workout to try in Toronto and Fitset makes that easy. With 20 studio partners across the GTA, the Fitset pass gives members six months to try 20 trial classes, cheaper and way more fun than most gym memberships! Bonus: All studios are accessible via public transit.

(fitset.ca, $49)

Jules's Baskets

Julie Tadeson, the Jules behind Jules's Baskets, says "A gift is more than a kind gesture, it tells the story of a relationship you share with someone." She hits the nail on the head with her selection of gift baskets, with collections ranging from spa, to stress-busting, to chocolate lover and more. Packed with items like artisan jams, antioxidant teas and inspiring books on wellness, there's a basket designed for every recipient on your list.

(julesbaskets.com, $37 - $347)

Chi Junky

There's a concierge service available for almost everything under the sun and Toronto meets its first wellness concierge through Chi Junky! From practitioners to classes to restaurants, Chi Junky will find you the best of everything the city has to offer when it comes to health and wellness. Their stunning Leslieville space is also home to a private yoga studio.

(chijunky.com, call 416-466-7447 for pricing)

Photo credit: SimplyPanda/Flickr

9 Most shocking things Chris Rock told New York magazine

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1. Class differences could cause a revolution in the U.S.

While the average Joe lives paycheck to paycheck trying to feed his family, the one percent live a much different lifestyle — but if people knew exactly how different, we'd have a major problem on our hands. "Oh, people don't even know [how bad it is]," Rock said. "If poor people knew how rich rich people are, there would be riots in the streets. If the average person could see the Virgin Airlines first-class lounge, they'd go, 'What? What? This is food, and it's free, and they… what? Massage? Are you kidding me?'"

2. He's really hoping Bill Cosby is innocent

Bill Cosby stands accused of sexually assaulting over a dozen women, but Rock is hoping against hope that the reports are false. "I don't know what to say. What do you say? I hope it's not true," he said. "That's all you can say. I really do. I grew up on Cosby. I love Cosby, and I just hope it's not true. It's a weird year for comedy. We lost Robin, we lost Joan and we kind of lost Cosby."

3. He gives his biggest compliment to Joan Rivers

The late, great Joan Rivers earned a huge accolade from Rock. "The compliment you give of a comedian is: Who wants to follow them onstage? Nobody wanted to follow Joan Rivers, ever. Even in her 80s, nobody wanted to follow her," he said.

4. Obama should have run the country like a baseball team

Barack Obama's presidency has been described by some as coming in with a bang and leaving with a whimper. Rock believes things would have been much different if the president took on a wildly different leadership style.

"When Obama first got elected, he should have let it all just drop. Just let the country flatline," he said. "Let the auto industry die. Don't bail anybody out. In sports, that's what any new GM does. They make sure that the catastrophe is on the old management and then they clean up. They don't try to save old management's mistakes. Let it all go to hell knowing good and well this is on them. That way you can implement. You hire your own coach. You get your own players. He could have got way more done."

8 Cringe-worthy moments from Chris Rock and Prince on SNL


5. Racial progress is a farce

Black people haven't come a long way, Rock claims — white people are just wising up. "When we talk about race relations in America or racial progress, it's all nonsense. There are no race relations. White people were crazy. Now they're not as crazy. To say that black people have made progress would be to say they deserve what happened to them before," he said. "So, to say Obama is progress is saying that he's the first black person that is qualified to be president. That's not black progress. That's white progress. There's been black people qualified to be president for hundreds of years."

6. He's not buying Jerry Seinfeld's autism bit

Jerry Seinfeld thinks he's autistic because he's socially awkward. Rock says that's BS. "He bores easily. I bore easily. Not because I'm on some spectrum, but because I hear so many conversations again and again," he explained. "So many people come up to you, and not enough people try to take into account what you've heard already."

7. He wants to be a 60 Minutes correspondent

If this whole comedy thing doesn't work out, Rock has a second career planned: TV journalist. "I would love to be a 60 Minutes correspondent. I would cover anything. I mean, I'd be in Ferguson right now, and it would be in-depth, and it would be funny," he said. "I'd do a special on race, but I'd have no black people."

8. He and Nora Ephron were buds and wanted to do a project together

As unlikely as it would seem, the Pootie Tang star and the Sleepless in Seattle director often talked about partnering for a film. "She and I used to talk about making a movie all the time," he explained. "She always used to say to me, 'Are you ready to walk? That's the only way we're going to make a movie. We're going to have to do a lot of walking and talking.' She would've directed it. I wanted her to direct me really bad."

9. He'd rather have all the black people in the world pissed at him than Hillary Clinton

When it was pointed out that Bill Clinton treated Obama quite shabbily during the now-president's first campaign — where he ran against Hillary Clinton — Rock said he didn't blame the guy. "He's a dick, but you're talking about a guy who's embarrassed his wife. So he had a choice, and I couldn't judge him. I had to choose between pissing off all the black people in the world or having my wife mad at me? Then the hell with the black people, because he doesn't live with all the black people. He lives with his wife."

Read the complete interview with Chris Rock in the Dec. 1, 2014 issue of New York magazine.

Everyone farts, but now you can make yours smell like chocolate

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Chocolate fart pills

Chocolate fart pills

Just in time for Christmas, a French man named Christian Poincheval has announced that in addition to violet and rose, you can turn your regular farts into chocolate ones. "Our renowned fart pill is back with a xmas fragrance based on real cocoa. You can now fart through to the New Year in grand style." So reads the website for a "special xmas edition chocolate aroma fart pill."

No, I'm not talking about actual chocolate farts (the kind you have to change your underwear for, ew). Poincheval has managed to create a pill that turns your typical intestinal gas scents into those that are more pleasing to the nose. His first efforts were flowery, which is definitely better than regular farts, but this chocolate scent may be the most amazing thing ever.

No longer would you worry about inopportune gas attacks. There is not much worse than letting one slip out in public and hoping it doesn't follow you around as you try to escape it. If someone catches a whiff, your suspicious actions will target you as the offender. Taking a chocolate fart pill at mealtimes will instead leave you smelling delicious instead of like poop, and you can move away without worry, leaving a cocoa scent in your wake.

Even though everyone farts (it's part of being human), it's not generally culturally acceptable in the U.S. to do it around other people. Children learn early on that they're either hilarious, embarrassing or inappropriate (depending on the actions of the adults around them), and some kids grow up not even knowing that women fart because their moms always did it in private.

The idea of cloaking or hiding natural body smells is nothing new, considering how long humans have been using deodorant (centuries), and how many controversial products there are that are designed to "improve" the scent of a female crotch (like one type of probiotic that happens to make a vagina smell like peaches).

Sometimes people stink, and most of the time, we can't deal with that. Poincheval says the ingredients of his magic fart pills are all-natural and benefit your tummy, and as long as you take two to six per day at mealtimes you'll surround yourself in a Christmas-y chocolate aroma as you go about your day. What's not to love?

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Spicy Malaysian lamb stir-fry is your easiest dinner tonight

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And one of my favorites has to be this incredible bowl of Malaysian spiced noodles I had while strolling the streets of Singapore. It was so good that I went back to the same restaurant the next day to order exactly the same thing. Now, I'm not sure if my rendition of this favorite will ever measure up, but every bite takes me back to Singapore, and that's just good enough for me.

Malaysian-inspired super-spicy lamb stir-fried noodles recipe

If you can't make it to Southeast Asia anytime soon, then whip up this amazing Malaysian-inspired super-spicy lamb stir-fry, and pretend you're there anyway. Every bite is packed with amazing Asian flavors, and the best part is it's so versatile. Sub in tofu, shrimp, chicken or beef for a taste that's truly your own.

Serves 6

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients: 

  • 3 lamb chops
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 package dried lo mein noodles
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1/2 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 4 heads bok choy, chopped into strips
  • 1/2 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 3 tablespoons red curry paste
  • 2 tablespoons garlic black bean sauce
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • Cilantro

Directions: 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a standard-size roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray. Liberally salt and pepper the lamb chops.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the lamb chops in the skillet, and cook until browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the lamb chops from the skillet, and place them in the prepared roasting pan. Roast for about 10 to 12 minutes for a medium-cooked lamb. Remove, let the lamb chops rest for about 10 minutes, and then remove the meat from the bone and chop it into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Bring a pot of water to a boil, and add salt. Add in the lo mein noodles, and cook until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse the noodles, and set them aside.
  4. Meanwhile, heat the sesame oil in another skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic, and cook until lightly softened and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Add in the bok choy and chopped peppers. Heat another 2 minutes. Add in 1/2 cup of water, and increase the heat to medium-high. Reduce, and let simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes.
  5. In another bowl, whisk together the honey, red curry paste, black bean sauce, soy sauce and lemon juice. Pour the sauce into the vegetable pan, and toss to coat. Mix in the red pepper flakes and lamb, and add another 2 tablespoons of water.
  6. Heat for another 2 to 3 minutes or until thickened. Serve with fresh cilantro.

More Asian recipe inspiration

Taro fries with Sriracha ketchup
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If Disney ladies had jobs today, this is what they'd be doing

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Snow White

Snow White

It takes a special person to live with seven tiny men, and our beloved Snow White is certainly one of them. The red-lipped princess would be sure to work as a group home leader while working toward her BSW. A loving soul, Snow White would be in absolute bliss helping all of the people, children and, yes, dwarfs of the enchanted forest.

Cinderella

Cinderella

If we know one thing about Cinderella, it's that she knows how to turn rags to riches. The blonde-haired beauty queen best known for her one-of-a-kind glass slipper would undoubtedly become the next Vera Wang. Can you just imagine the line for an authentic Cinderella gown? We can just see the runway now.

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty got her Disney nickname for a reason: She really is a knock out while snoozing! Considering that none of us real ladies #wokeuplikethis, we think Sleeping Beauty would give even Beyoncé a run for her money. The princess, who also met her man through her singing career, would kill it on stage, on film and in song if Aurora was really in the flesh.

Ariel

Ariel

Let's be honest. If our favorite Little Mermaid walked the earth, we would probably see her on an episode of Hoarders. And to feed her addiction, Ariel would need a major discount in her life to afford all of those thingamabobbers, something that a career in retail could give her. Let's just hope Ariel would find her filthy rich prince to help her fund her other necessities, like food and shelter, since under the sea won't cut it in real life.

Disney has a new movie and we're freaking out over its main character

Belle

Belle

There's no doubt that Belle would live her real-life days with her nose in a book. The brown-haired beauty fell in love with the Beast solely for his enormous library, and we doubt that she would live her life any differently as a human. Her best days would be spent helping children fall in love with books, while penning her favorite love story at night.

Jasmine

Jasmine

The apple of Aladdin's eye was one sassy princess. Not only did she make him fight for her affection, she stood up strong for women's rights, the homeless and exotic animals. Strong-willed, we could see her running for office and winning as the prettiest politician on Pennsylvania Avenue. Jasmine may just want to ditch her crop tops for a three-piece suit to look a bit more presentable for her public.

11 Real-life Disney princess homes you can rent

Pocahontas

Pocahontas

Pocahontas stood up for her land and her people against the first settlers. And although the division of land has long since been settled, we think Pocahontas would spend her days making sure people respected the land and the creatures on it. In fact, we could totally see her tying herself to Mother Willow in protest.

Rapunzel

Rapunzel

There's no doubt that for Rapunzel to have maintained those luscious golden locks, she had to have had some serious talent in the hair department. Equipped with a killer weave and dye job, Rapunzel would have appointments booked a year out with the ladies lining up at her door for stellar hairstyles. And no would dare complain about her work for fear of getting a frying pan to the dome.

Elsa

Elsa

The Snow Queen is the first Disney princess of her kind. Why? Because she's not a princess at all, she's a queen! If the beauty with pipes were to live in today's society, she would no doubt be a CEO. She's got #girlboss written all over her, from her platinum hairstyle to the way she rocks her killer stilettos. Not to mention, her ice-cold personality is sure to rise her straight up the corporate ladder.

12 Secrets to the perfect Elsa Frozen braid

Anna

Anna

There is no doubt that Anna loves her family and her man. A loving little lady, this princess would devote her days taking care of the castle and her royal brood. One of the hardest jobs known to man, Anna wouldn't mind a bit. Plus, she's so amazing! I'll bet she would also be president of the PTA, the go-to carpool organizer and a successful lifestyle blogger, keeping Arendelle up on the happenings of the royal family.

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Shia LaBeouf raped in an art gallery: 6 Details that don't add up

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6 Reasons the Hank Baskett cheating scandal is super-weird

We get that and we even respect his plight, but the recent bombshell he dropped about his living art project has left us baffled.

The one-man art installment piece, #IAMSORRY, ran for five days in February of 2014. During the run, LaBeouf sat silently in a room with a paper bag over his head with, "I am not famous anymore," written on it, and people were able to enter the space for one-on-one time with the actor. LaBeouf claims that a woman entered his exhibit and sexually assaulted him during his performance.

25 Things Shia LaBeouf does that the rest of us could never pull off

The rape allegations have left some angry, while most people are just trying to wrap their heads around what really happened. Here are some things that are contributing to the confusion.

1. He didn't defend himself

LaBeouf claims that the woman in question whipped his legs for 10 minutes before removing his clothing and raping him. Rape is not a word to be thrown around or taken lightly. Usually when someone is being raped, a fight for their life is put forth. Not to say that LaBeouf doesn't have a reason to be traumatized by what happened to him, we're just wondering why he didn't fight back.

2. "Implements" were provided

"Shia LaBeouf is sorry," it says in the press release from the gallery that hosted the show, via E! News. "Sincerely sorry. He will be in situ at 7354 Beverly Boulevard for the duration. Implements will be provided. Free admission." It doesn't elaborate what materials were provided, or what they were intended for, but the word "implement" conjures up some Silence of the Lambs sort of images.

3. LaBeouf, a high-profile figure, was placed in a room with no protection

In a world where celebs are constantly stalked and faced with death threats, it's pretty hard to believe that the camp of someone as famous as LaBeouf would sign off on putting him in a room alone with no surveillance or protection. It also seems like a huge liability for the gallery, considering it was a free event and it was advertised that the aforementioned implements would be at the public's disposal.

4. The alleged perpetrator's boyfriend was supposedly in line

While recounting what happened, LaBeouf said that the woman's significant other was in line. "It was not good, not just for me but her man as well," he said. If no conversation was had, how we he even have this information?

5. His girlfriend happened to be in line as well

LaBeouf also shared that one of the most traumatizing things about the experience was that his current girlfriend, Mia Goth, just happened to be in line when the assault occurred. Word leaked through the line and when Goth came inside to confront LaBeouf about it, he couldn't say anything. It was Valentine's Day, he says, which made it all the more painful.

6. Collaborators' accounts don't really make sense

Luke Turner and Nastja Säde Rönkkö, the artists who were collaborating with LaBeouf on the project, took to Twitter on Sunday to back up LaBeouf's claims. Turner and Rönkkö both tweeted the same series of messages, saying that they didn't intend for their cohort to be attacked and they stopped it as soon as they found out.

Luke Turner tweets about #iamsorry

Luke Turner tweets about #iamsorry

Luke Turner tweets

Luke Turner tweets

Luke Turner on shia

Luke Turner on shia

But when pressed for information and asked why they didn't question the woman as she walked away, or why they let her walk away at all, Turner replied, "It wasn't clear at the time precisely what happened and the first priority was to ensure everybody's safety in the gallery. She ran out, rather than simply walking away. Beyond that, it's not my place to comment." They claim they went in when they found out what was going on, they "were aware of the incident and put a stop to it," but then they backtrack and say they didn't detain the woman because what happened wasn't clear. So which way was it? Did they know what was going on and put a stop to it, or were they confused about the situation?

Dating while pregnant: Is it possible?

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Mother Shannon Dimmock certainly thought it was worth a try. "I decided to give dating a go while I was pregnant because I'd just split up with my daughter's father, and thought to myself, 'Why should he have all the fun?'" Dimmock now admits that it wasn't her most mature decision, but she's still grateful for what she learned when her love life was complicated — and uncomplicated — by her pregnancy.

Though we don't spend much time talking about pregnant dating, it's more common than most people think. For the first time in American history, nearly half of all babies are born to unwed mothers. Sure, some of these moms are in committed relationships, but many are not. With all of these pregnancies detached from a long-term or marital relationship, it just makes sense that pregnant women might want to stay in the dating scene.

And for Dimmock, dating while pregnant had several substantial benefits that she found illuminating. "I was able to find out motives quite quickly," she said. "First date sex was off the menu, so the men I dated had to get to know me." She felt empowered by the dynamic, and better able to spot guys who had the wrong motives. "It was also much easier to see through people, and the dates were based around conversation a lot more than normal, because no alcohol was involved." And even though women can find it challenging to feel sexy while pregnant, it was a non-issue for the men Dimmock dated. "None of them seemed to have a problem with my body, and one of the guys even said my pregnancy was sexy."

It wasn't all roses, though. Dimmock found that a lot of the guys she dated seemed a little too interested in a ready-made family. "Some guys seemed to think I was a little desperate," she said. "It seemed like they just wanted a desperate person to take advantage of, and that wasn't something I was interested in."

When her daughter was born, Dimmock was quickly immersed in diaper changes and feedings, and decided to exit the dating scene for a while. "It's completely off the cards for now," she said, "But the experience taught me what to look out for and how to spot the good ones."

So, dating while pregnant is completely possible. If you're like Dimmock, you may not find "The One," but you might get some valuable practice in spotting the good guys.

More pregnancy trends

'Dear Prudence' thinks siblings don't belong in the delivery room
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Child-sized pregnant mannequins stir debate over sex ed (VIDEO)

10 Reject Oreo flavors that no one would ever want

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From Root Beer Float to Pumpkin Spice, the brand has branched out. But with every real flavor it announces, there seem to be dozens of rumors about the next trendy flavors. Right now, everyone's talking about a possible Red Velvet Oreo. But is it real?

An Oreo spokesperson could neither confirm nor deny an upcoming Red Velvet Oreo to SheKnows. "Oreo limited-edition flavors are constantly a source of excitement and speculation. Over the last few years, we've seen a number of made-up flavors 'leak' online, but we've also seen actual flavors leak too. When we have more information to share about any of our new limited-edition flavors, we'll be sure to let you know."

Granted, a Red Velvet Oreo sounds kind of baller. But just because a food is trending doesn't mean it would make a good cookie.

For your consideration:

10 Rejected Oreo flavors no one wants

1. Kale Oreos

kale oreos

Kale is the hottest vegetable around. Kale smoothies, kale chips... Why not kale Oreos? Just imagine a dingy green cookie with a kale-flecked tofu crème icing. Sounds good, eh?

2. Cricket Oreos

cricket oreos

Edible insects are all the rage right now, what with their high protein content and the foodie badge of honor that goes along with eating them. Why not add cricket flour to Oreo cookies — or just dip the edges of the Oreo into a vat of the critters like sprinkles?

3. Calamari Oreos

calamari oreos

Calamari is one of the most beloved appetizers in the country. Imagine if it were Oreo-ified? Two deep-fried squid discs sandwiching an emulsified olive oil-garlic crème. Come on, it could work!

4. Kombucha Oreos

kombucha oreos

This fizzy probiotic drink is more popular than ever, and not just with the yoga set. A sweet and spicy cayenne cookie with a lemon frosting full of good-for-you bacteria — this one actually sounds kind of good!

5. Blood sausage Oreos

blood sausage oreos

It's sausage made of blood, and that tells you everything you need to know about why it hasn't been selected as the next Oreo flavor, no matter how trendy it is.

6. Earwax Oreos

earwax oreos

Hey, they did it with jelly beans. Why not make every-flavor Oreos, straight out of Harry Potter? Each bag could be a mystery, with different flavors like grass, toast, treacle... You get the idea.

7. Flamin' Hot Cheetos Oreos

cheetos oreos

Listen, people will put this stuff on anything, so of all the gross, rejected Oreo ideas, this might be the one to actually turn a profit. I just hope no one at Oreo HQ reads this and gets inspired.

8. Fried chicken Oreos

fried chicken oreos

Yeah, for a brief moment everyone freaked out that this might actually be a thing. But while chicken and waffles is a mash-up that makes sense, the thought of a chicken-flavored cookie just reallllly doesn't do it for me. I think it's OK to keep meat and dessert separate.

9. Bacon Oreos

bacon oreos

I'm actually really surprised this hasn't happened yet. Mark my words: Bacon Oreos will either happen or at least be the subject of major speculation at some point in the near future. Because bacon.

10. Breast milk Oreos

breast milk oreos

There's breast milk ice cream and breast milk jewelry, but breast milk Oreos? This would give a whole new meaning to milk and cookies. But just because it's allegedly "the greatest health supplement ever" doesn't mean we want it in our food.

More on Oreos

20 Recipes that put Oreos to good use
Oreo turkeys and pilgrim hats
This Halloween-inspired candy bark is simply to die for

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