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Study links breastfeeding to higher IQ and more success in life

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When researchers studied the now-adult test subjects, they found that exclusive and extended breastfeeding was associated with higher IQ, better educational attainment and higher income. Before you blow your retirement and plan on living off your baby genius's income when he's a neurosurgeon 30 years from now, consider the potential gaps in this research.

The study didn't explore the home life of each of these babies, so it's impossible to know if the actual breast milk influenced intelligence or if it had more to do with mother-child bonding and other types of intellectual stimulation in the home. (Or if it was all of these factors combined.) But the study, which was published in The Lancet Global Health, suggests that there's a high likelihood that "breastmilk itself has a programming effect on intelligence." Whoa.

A lot of factors go into success in life, success in education and general intelligence. Upbringing and income can have a lot to do with that. What's particularly interesting about this study is that the results seemed to cross socio-economic boundaries. When it began in Brazil in the '80s, no particular group of women was more likely to breastfeed for a year or longer. Regardless of upbringing, the babies who were breastfed the longest were more likely to be more intelligent and successful.

What does this actually mean? Of course it's another element of "breast is best," but like any study on the benefits of breastfeeding, it isn't meant to condemn mothers who breastfeed for a short amount of time or don't breastfeed at all. It definitely doesn't mean that breastfeeding for a year or longer is a one-way ticket to raising kids who become successful, wealthy adults.

Don't stress out if you didn't breastfeed or don't plan do. And if you did breastfeed your kids for over a year, make sure you remind them how difficult that was. Frequently. Your kids owe you a cut of that big, fat paycheck in 30 years.

More on feeding babies

Facebook clarifies stance on breastfeeding photos
Breastfeeding mom escorted out of YMCA locker room
If you formula feed, don't panic about arsenic exposure just yet


5 Beauty secrets models have mastered that you can copy

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1. Red lipstick (or any lip color) goes with casual outfits, too

Image: WENN.com

You know when you want to look good, but don't have the time (or energy) to make it happen? Then lipstick is your new best friend. No matter what you're wearing, the time of day or getting coffee like the beautiful Alessandra Ambrosio seen here, a crimson shade or a peachy gloss will divert attention. Even if you happen to be wearing sweatpants or holey jeans.

2. Accessories dress up basic outfits

Kendall Jenner accessorize

Image: WENN.com

When you're sick of your clothes, turn to your accessories for a little pick-me-up with your basics. Take it from flawless (as per usual) Kendall Jenner. A casual monochromatic base, sprinkled with accoutrements like a sassy hat, simple necklace, bag and large shades makes for a chic look.

3. Wearing natural makeup, or skipping it all together, is trendy

Bare faced

Image: Brian To/WENN.com

Sometimes less is more. Take it from this natural, Bella Hadid. You might feel naked at first, but your skin will thank you for a night or day off from your makeup regimen. And according to a brand new study, giving skin a break from make-up is the key to a perfect complexion."

4. The white button down is your best friend

White button down

Image: WENN.com

This versatile top should be an essential part of every woman's wardrobe. You can dress it up, tone it down and layer, like fashionista Karlie Kloss, or tuck in the front and let it hang out in the back for an easy sophisticated look.

5. Buns don't have to be fancy to make you look dressed up

Bun

Image: Brian To/WENN.com

Whether it's on top of your head, or a low-hanging knot with a whimsical tendril like Gigi Hadid's, you can't go wrong with this effortless look. Perfect for a humid or rainy day, or when your hair just will not do what you want it to.

Gigi Hadid Bun

Image: Brian To/WENN.com

More beauty and style

Scary new laser treatment can turn brown eyes blue
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Kraft issues huge Mac & Cheese recall — check your boxes

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Kraft Foods Group, Inc. has chosen to recall 242,000 cases of the beloved blue boxes because of a risk that they may contain small pieces of metal. Yikes! Metal? In a statement, a Kraft spokesperson said that "a piece of stainless steel got wedged in a metal piece of equipment, which may have generated friction that resulted in small pieces of metal potentially falling into the product."

Although the company "deeply apologize to the consumers" it has disappointed, this news comes on the heels of a similar recall less than four years ago, when Kraft recalled 137,000 Velveeta Shells & Cheese single-serve cups.

With so many alternative macaroni and cheese options these days, I am sure consumers are increasingly faced with the question: Is our favorite mac 'n' cheese still worth it?

For now, check your boxes of 7.25-ounce packages of "original" flavor with "best when used by" dates of Sept. 18, 2015 through Oct. 11, 2015.

Fortunately no injuries have been reported. It seems Kraft got ahead of the issue — for now — but it leaves a pretty bad taste in our mouths.

More food news

New (Kevin) bacon and eggs commercial is just too cute (VIDEO)
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Teen Mom Catelynn Lowell's new baby pics were worth the wait (PHOTOS)

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And her parents gave her a pretty sweet name, but we haven't been able to catch more than the tips and toes of little Novalee Reign. Until now.

How did Teen Mom star Catelynn Lowell and daddy Tyler Baltierra not burst waiting to post pictures of that cute little peanut? They certainly have more willpower than I do.

But with the imminent return of Teen Mom OG, they have begun posting some of the sweetest photos of the now 3-month-old.

With adorable big blue eyes, we totally get it when Tyler says, "…every time I look at that face I fall in love more & more #NovaleeReign #MyGirl."
Tyler Baltierra Novelee pic

Tyler Baltierra Novelee pic

Lowell posted the darling little girl sleeping in her arms, with the caption, "Our sleeping beauty."
Catelynn Lowell Instagram pic

Catelynn Lowell Instagram pic

The young couple has been going through a very active time in their lives with their book release, a new baby and a new show. It must be emotional and exciting for the historically beleaguered but now flourishing couple who have been open about their struggles, from putting their first baby up for adoption to drug abuse.
It is so cute to see the young parents dote and love on that cute little baby.
Catelynn Lowell baby pic

Catelynn Lowell baby pic

More on Teen Mom

Teen Mom's Tyler Baltierra recalls terrifying drug-related brush with death
Farrah Abraham reveals the real reasons she returned to Teen Mom
Teen Mom's Amber Portwood reveals shocking details about drug addiction

'Three Pregnant Dads' try birth simulator after month of wearing empathy bellies

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After a month of wearing the false bumps (admittedly only a fraction of the time women have to carry real, live, growing. moving babies around in their uteri) Jason Bramley wrote, "I no longer have to wear this blasted pregnancy suit. I never want to see it again quite frankly."

During their month-long experiment, Bramley and his fellow publishing directors Steve Hanson and Jonny Biggins wore 33-pound pregnancy suits to honour Mother's Day and all the women who go through pregnancy. The suits also had heavy false breasts and the bump itself was designed to put pressure on the bladder, stomach and lungs, cause abdominal distention and make it difficult to get comfortable. The trio wore the suits at all times — to work, to the pub and to bed.

More: Watch what happened when the dads wore full-term baby bumps

Now the dads have taken the next step, hooking themselves up to a machine that sends out electric shocks to try to experience labour pains.

The three "pregnant dads" promised to try a birth simulator if they reached 6,000 likes on their Facebook page and they kept their side of the bargain. Here's how they handled it:

3 pregnant dads birth simulator

3 pregnant dads birth simulator

Video credit: tboe curator/YouTube

Hanson wrote of his experience on the 3 Pregnant Dads blog: "I found a (slightly odd) way of expressing to my mum and wife just how much I admire and love them. Of course I could have just told them, of course I could have just made them a cup of tea, or bought a big bunch flowers with a nice loving note attached. I didn't. Instead I did this, and I'm very happy I did. Every last moaning moment of it."

More on pregnancy

Pregnant model skinny shamed because her belly is "too small"
A new study suggests men cause women more pain in childbirth
Plane makes unscheduled landing when mum goes into labour

Plus-size model starts campaign to debunk bikini bodies

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Nothing against anyone who just shares pictures of their kids and their dogs and fun nights with friends on Facebook (I'm definitely guilty of a few of those), but what Lexi did is so much cooler. She started asking her followers to submit photos of themselves that they felt reflected their most confident self, which she treated as a sort of casting call for a photo shoot she then organized, called Shooting for Confidence.

"I chose girls from size 8 to size 16. I wasn't focused on a particular size. I [just] wanted to get girls out of their shells. Lacking confidence is a problem for all women and all sizes," Lexi told SheKnows. "A lot of people think that heavier women are the only ones that are not confident. That is not the case."

She received over 400 entries from women of all shapes and sizes, from all over the world — some who submitted photos publicly, and some who submitted them privately. And this was the result:

Shooting for Confidence

Image: Lexi Placourakis/Brad Olson

Lexi herself had struggled with confidence, facing harsh criticism as a plus-size model who was always, according to various industry stereotypes, either not skinny enough or not plus size enough.

Since when was it not OK to just be somewhere in between, to just be who you are with the body you were given? Not to mention all this talk about "getting your bikini body" that is naturally starting to fill our feeds given summer is "right around the corner." Eek. Better start toning up, ladies, or you won't be able to wear a swimsuit.

Now, there's nothing wrong with toning up and losing weight if that's what you choose to do for your own personal reasons, but why are we practically force-fed the issue? Summer is to the health and fitness world what Valentine's Day is to Hallmark: an excuse to sell you products and specific ideas about what your life or your body or your relationship "should" be like. By all means, buy the products. But don't buy into the ideals.

Shooting for Confidence

Shooting for Confidence

I asked Lexi to define what "bikini body" means to her. Her answer happens to also perfectly sum up the purpose of her whole project:

"It means confidence to wear any bathing suit, and look and feel beautiful and sexy. You need to have confidence. That is why I chose suits to wear for my campaign. Hearing that I inspire people to buy their first suit in over five years or that they can't wait to flaunt their body this summer... it's why I do what I do. Own what you have, and if you don't like how your body looks and feels, do something about it!"

Keywords are all you, you and you.

More body love

Loving my body is a battle, but I will win it without thinspiration
9 Women reveal why they actually want to lose weight
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Mini Reuben wonton bites make amazing St. Patrick's Day leftovers

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These babies are packed full of chopped corned beef (perfect when you have leftovers!), sauerkraut, Russian dressing and just a touch of shredded Swiss cheese. They are crunchy, creamy and packed full of delicious flavor. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day leftovers or any day when you might have a little extra corned beef lying around.

mini reuben wonton bites

Mini Reuben wonton bites recipe

No need to eat boring leftovers for days when you overbought on the corned beef. These little wonton bites are the perfect vehicle for snacking.

Yields 24

Prep time: 10 minutes | Bake time: 20 minutes | Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 24 wonton wrappers
  • 1 cup chopped corned beef
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup sauerkraut, drained
  • 1/3 cup Russian dressing

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray, and fill each little cavity with 1 wonton wrapper, pressing down the middle but keeping the sides straight.
  3. In a bowl, mix together the corned beef, 1/2 cup of Swiss cheese, the sauerkraut and Russian dressing. If the mixture looks too dry, you can add a little more Russian dressing. However, with the remaining water in the sauerkraut, it should be moist.
  4. Fill each wonton with an equal amount of corned beef mixture. Top each bite with the remaining shredded Swiss cheese.
  5. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the wonton is crisp around the edges and the cheese has melted.

For tons of great recipes, like our I <3 Comfort Food page on Facebook.

More appetizer recipes

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Could having a conscientious partner increase your earning potential?

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According to research, there is one aspect of a person that could affect your earning potential and it's called being conscientious.

What does being conscientious even mean? If we take a cue from our school report cards, it could mean anything from sitting up straight and paying attention to actively participating in the task at hand.

A group from Washington University studied a group of Australian couples for their research and all the information pointed at an interesting conclusion: The more conscientious your other half is, the more you could potentially earn at work.

The study found that a person's rate of success at work was linked to the characteristics displayed by their partners. So if a partner was conscientious — punctual, careful, diligent and dedicated — that would likely rub off on you or at least influence you and your lifestyle in some way and impact your work. Whereas if your partner was not conscientious, but rather a flaky, risk-taker with no goals and no sense of time, then that, too, would probably impact your lifestyle and work outcomes.

That could explain a whole lot of work-life balance issues during my 20s. Now I see it so clearly.

Researchers even gave an amount of how much more people with conscientious partners could expect to earn over their flaky-partnered counterparts — $4,000 if their partner is pretty conscientious or $8,000 if their partner is super conscientious.

The study came to this surprising conclusion by comparing a person's work life — including job satisfaction, income and likelihood of promotion — with five of their partner's characteristics and traits: extroversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, conscientiousness and openness.

And according to the Harvard Business Review, people with conscientious partners (either male or female) are 50 per cent more likely to get a promotion than those who have partners who are extremely unconscientious.

So, what now? Should we all go out and make sure we keep in mind conscientiousness when looking for a mate? Well, the chances are that we're already doing that, subconsciously.

Of course, we probably don't verbalise that being conscientious is a trait we're after when looking for a mate, but things like support, being goal-focused and careful are things people generally look for in their partners anyway. And stability and security at home often result in stability at work, too.

What do you think? Can your relationships impact your success at work? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

More on current events

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Midwife who told teen to keep her legs closed during childbirth was so wrong
Would you let your 15-year-old son take semi-nude photos of you?


Jon Cryer puts Charlie Sheen's disgusting behavior on blast

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More: Charlie Sheen tweets strange poem supporting Brian Williams

It kind of looks that way.

Cryer is currently promoting his new book, So That Happened, and in previews so far, it looks like every single story in the memoir is about Cryer's Two and a Half Men costar, Sheen. The stories aren't exactly flattering, either.

One story begins, "One day during the first season of Two and a Half Men, I got a knock on my trailer door. It was Charlie — my trailer was next to his — and he seemed panicked. 'Dude! Dude! I need your help.' 'Sure thing,' I said and ended the cellphone call I was on. 'What's going on?'"

Cryer continues, "He handed me a heavy shopping bag. 'Denise [Richards] is coming over,' he said, 'and I need you to hide something for me.' Oh, boy, I thought. If this is drug paraphernalia … 'Is it legal?' I asked. 'What? Yeah, oh, yeah. It's legal. Hey, thanks.' He left, and I had to look. By legal, he meant barely legal. The bag was filled to the brim with porn."

More: Charlie Sheen blasts Kim Kardashian in expletive-filled Twitter rant

Another story details how, after his divorce, Cryer didn't feel like the most desirable guy around, so he turned to Sheen for help finding a prostitute. Sheen reportedly pointed Cryer to the internet, where he found a hooker who he eventually ended up giving financial advice to.

Probably the worst story of all, though, details Cryer's reaction to Sheen's 2009 arrest for assaulting his then-wife, Brooke Mueller.

"Alarmed and freaked out, I texted him: Dude, my thoughts are with you. If you need to talk, give me a call; if you've got bigger problems, call me when you get back," Cryer wrote. "Charlie texted back: Thanks bro. Yikes — f*** me, wut a bad day … I'm flying home tonite. I'll try to call over the weekend. Shower rape was bad but the food was okay. Hair and makeup for mug shot got there too late. He followed that with: And I had same bail bondsman as Kobe. … No joke … :). I took the sense of humor about shower rape and sharing Kobe Bryant's bail bondsman as a good sign, though it seemed pretty clear my friend and colleague wasn't sober anymore."

Classy stuff, obviously.

More: Charlie Sheen's ex-fiancée distraught after breakup, rushed to hospital

We're not particularly impressed, but we want to know what you think. Will you read Cryer's book? Head down to the comments and let us know.

Liza Minnelli back in rehab after serious relapse

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More: Gigi Hadid unleashes her wrath on tabloid that claimed she snorted cocaine

According to TMZ, the Arrested Development star is currently undergoing treatment in a substance abuse rehab facility in Malibu, California. Minnelli has battled substance abuse issues for much of her career and this is far from her first rehab stint, though it's her first in more than 10 years — she last checked into a facility in 2004.

Substance abuse runs in the legendary singer and actress' family. Minnelli's mother, Judy Garland, battled addiction for most of her life before she overdosed and died in 1969.

More: Miley Cyrus' disturbing pics: Is it time for us to finally be concerned?

There is good news, too, however. We're happy to hear Minnelli is not only seeking help, but appears to be doing well with her recovery.

TMZ reports that a rep for Minnelli confirmed Wednesday the actress had been in the Malibu facility for several days. She's struggling mainly with alcohol addiction, the rep continued, and she's making "excellent progress" with her treatment

"Liza has valiantly battled substance abuse over the years," Minnelli's rep told the site.

Minnelli has struggled in the past with addiction to prescription pills, as well, most notably with Valium, which she started taking after her mother's death. Andy Warhol famously wrote in his diary about Minnelli's recreational drug use in the 1970s — she once arrived at a party at famous fashion designer Halston's home, Warhol wrote, and immediately asked the host to "give me every drug you've got."

In 2010, Minnelli was offered half a million dollars to appear on the reality series, Celebrity Rehab. She turned it down, which gives us even more hope that she's taking her recovery seriously and focusing her energy on getting better.

More: Demi Lovato gets touching "sobriety" message from Wilmer Valderrama

Our thoughts are with Liza Minnelli during her treatment and we wish her all the best for a speedy recovery.

Marvin Gaye's family isn't done with 'Blurred Lines' lawsuit

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

Gaye's children won a lawsuit last week against Robin Thicke and Pharrell in which they alleged the songwriters copied Gaye's 1977 hit, "Got to Give It Up," when they wrote "Blurred Lines." A jury determined Thicke and Pharrell would have to pay Gaye's family nearly $7.4 million in damages.

Now, the family is going even further — they want to completely stop all copying, distributing and performing of "Blurred Lines."

The injunction was filed in court Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. In addition, Gaye's family hopes to amend the verdict to include rapper T.I., who cowrote "Blurred Lines" with Thicke and Pharrell.

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

"With the digital age upon us, the threat of greater infringement looms for every artist," Gaye's family said in a statement Wednesday. "It is our wish that our dad's legacy, and all great music, past, present, and future, be enjoyed and protected, with the knowledge that adhering to copyright standards assures our musical treasures will always be valued."

The injunction means we could very well be spared from having to hear "Blurred Lines" again. The song was 2013's biggest hit, selling more than 7 million tracks. Even if you liked it in the first place (despite it's rapey vibes and Robin Thicke's general grossness), I'm willing to bet it's been hopelessly stuck in your head so many times you don't like it anymore.

However, the injunction — and the lawsuit in general — is bad news for music. Music is an art, which means musicians are constantly building on the work of their predecessors. Musicians frequently borrow from each other's work in the form of sampling and remixing. They take what others have created before them and they use their own creative license to make it new again. If this suit is considered a legal precedent, it could seriously restrict the abilities of future artists to put their own spins on music made today — or in the past, like Gaye's song.

More: If Robin Thicke, Pharrell lose "Blurred Lines" lawsuit, this will happen

What's your take on the "Blurred Lines" lawsuit? Do you think Marvin Gaye's family was right to sue? Or should Robin Thicke and Pharrell have won? Sound off down in the comments.

8 Beauty products with horrible reviews on Amazon

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It would be easy to spend hours lost in the worst of the worst Amazon beauty product reviews. While there are a number of highly rated beauty products out there, there are just as many that disappoint.

"Worst" might be in the eye of the beholder, but you can't deny that these beauty product reviews are really, really bad:

1. Does not smell like a vagina

Vagina

(amazon.com, $34)

Disappointment is when you want something to smell like a vagina, and it doesn't. James says of VULVA Original vaginal scent, "[It] doesn't smell like vagina, more like stripper."

2. Made me look older

Facemask

(amazon.com, $60)

Disappointment is also when a "Special Non Surgical Facelift Mask with Anti Aging Skin Care Ingredients" makes you look older instead of younger. James S. Maziarz explains, "After four uses, the skin on my cheekbones looked 30 years older! I stopped using it."

3. OK, except for the gash in my head

Ponytail

(amazon.com, $39)

How much do you really want that Christie Brinkley ponytail? Enough to bleed your own blood? According to Michelle Barnett, "I am extremely disappointed with this product. The first time I tried to use it, one of the wires that wraps around your ponytail broke and was sticking into my scalp. I suppose I could still use it if I was okay with a gash in my head." Yikes.

4. Once you break through the crust…

Lip balm

(amazon.com, $2)

You know it's going to be a good lip balm when you have to break through the crust to get to the product. Or maybe that's just crème brûlée. Athena Fitch says, "The consistency was terrible. It had such a hard skin/top layer, I had to wind up breaking through the top crust manually, only to find that under it was sticky, goopy and thick. The taste was not pleasant at all on the lips, and it wouldn't distribute evenly, so it was a chunky mess. Epic fail." Luckily, Amazon was kind enough to give this honest gal a refund.

5. Turned me into a lobster

Clay mask

(amazon.com, $8)

In her eloquent one-star review simply titled "Lobster face," an anonymous unemployed teacher from Hawaii hopes to turn her experience with a bentonite clay mask into a cautionary tale. Even though she hasn't used the product in question, she says, "Be careful using bentonite clay — I purchased this same sort of bentonite clay mask (not this product or from amazon.com), and my face and neck turned bright red — I look like a lobster. I have heard it will take a week of treatment to help this go away."

6. Worst fake eyelashes ever

Eyelashes

(amazon.com, $2)

Inexpensive LTop fake eyelashes tanked with 46 one-star reviews and counting. Anna explains the product's awfulness, "These are the worst fake eye lashes I ever had. First, they are totally straight, no anatomic curve, looks very funny. Second, these eyelashes are heavy and super rigid. I could use them only for a Halloween party."

7. Worst hair product ever

Color oops

(amazon.com, $8)

Color Oops hair color remover has been deemed the "worst hair product" ever used by Esmee — so terrible, in fact, that she wishes she could leave a zero-star review: "I tried it about a year ago for the first time, and it basically bleached the top of my hair and left a gradient of red from the middle (copper) to the ends (dark brown). I'd be okay if my hair were all one color."

8. Worst mascara ever

Mascara

(amazon.com, $26)

Pricey blinc Mascara Amplified is yet another cosmetic to join the Worst Amazon Products Hall of Fame. Emkubler explains how this beauty product made her life a living hell, "This is by far the worst mascara I have ever purchased. I tried using it for two-and-a-half weeks, and I hated every moment of it!" Daisy Buchanan adds, "The frustrating part was trying to take it off… I have lost most of my lower eyelashes on one eye, and my eyes are irritated."

More on beauty

12 Reasons you’re losing hair faster than ever
DIY serum to grow out thinning brows
How to get rid of blackheads without popping them

15 Slow cooker recipes that will make spring cooking easier

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All you need are some great, lighter recipes with seasonal ingredients to make a tasty meal you just threw together (almost literally).

1. Springtime Crock-Pot minestrone recipe

crockpot minestrone

Image: How Sweet It Is

Make minestrone the easy way using fresh spinach, asparagus and carrots in this springtime slow cooker minestrone.

2. Miso split pea soup recipe

miso split pea soup

Image: Never Home Maker

This playful Asian twist on split pea soup uses seasonal peas, carrots and garlic for an out-of-this-world vegan soup that's perfect for spring.

3. Crock-Pot collard greens recipe

crockpot collard greens

Image: A Palatable Pastime

Few dishes get Southern hearts thumping like a perfectly cooked plate of collard greens (as long as there's pepper vinegar nearby).

4. Slow cooker beef and broccoli recipe

slow cooker beef and broccoli

Image: Damn Delicious

Skip the stir-frying for this damned delicious slow-cooked beef and broccoli. This looks so good I'd venture to say you may never bother with takeout again.

5. Light turkey (or chicken) and corn chowder recipe

chicken corn chowder

Image: Cookin' Canuck

With all the flavor and half the calories, this corn chowder isn't weighed down with cream, which together with the seasonal spring ingredients like corn and spring onions, means it's also a prime candidate for soups you can eat when the weather gets warmer.

6. Slow cooker strawberry-rhubarb jam recipe

slow cooker strawberry rhubarb jam

Image: The Cottage Mama

No need to labor all day over the stove to make this strawberry and rhubarb jam. Just put everything in the slow cooker, and this amazing toast-topper will be ready in no time.

7. Rustic chickpea stew with apricots and turnip recipe

chickpea stew

Image: Simple Bites

Clear out some leftover pantry items, and make a refreshingly different vegetarian chickpea stew at the same time.

8. Slow cooker lemon-thyme chicken recipe

lemon-thyme chicken

Image: The Healthy Foodie

Cooking the whole chicken in a slow cooker on a bed of chopped, fresh-picked leeks, lemon, garlic and fresh thyme makes this slow cooker lemon-thyme chicken one deliciously juicy and flavorful spring chicken.

9. Asian-fusion slow cooker pulled pork tacos recipe

asian pulled pork tacos

Image: Family Spice

Pork roast is slow-cooked in honey and hoisin sauce until it is fork tender and served as pork tacos with fresh coleslaw and avocado.

10. Slow cooker carrot-ginger soup recipe

carrot ginger soup

Image: Homemaker's Habitat

If you just picked up a big bunch of carrots at the farmers market, try this tasty carrot and ginger soup to help you transition into spring.

11. Slow cooker fennel chicken with orange recipe

fennel chicken with orange

Image: Empowered Sustenance

Fennel and orange will make this healthy slow cooker fennel chicken a regular on your family's dinner table.

12. Crock-Pot chicken tagine recipe

crock-pot chicken tagine

Image: The Black Peppercorn

Step outside of your normal ho-hum dinner routine, and cook yourself this easy variation on this beloved North African staple, chicken tagine.

13. Slow cooker quinoa brownies recipe

quinoa brownies

Image: My Whole Food Life

Eating lighter doesn't mean you can't treat yourself right. These irresistible quinoa brownies are a healthy way to sneak something sweet every once in a while without blowing your getting-ready-for-bathing-suit-weather diet.

14. Slow cooker chicken and mushroom pot pie recipe

chicken and mushroom crock pot pie

Image: One Lovely Life

This chicken and mushroom pot pie, topped with puffed pastry instead of dense pie crust, isn't as heavy as the comfort food we're used to and can be prepared the night before for a quick, easy meal the next day.

15. Crock-Pot pho recipe

crock pot pho

Image: Steamy Kitchen

Great pho needs to simmer for hours for the best flavor, but a slow cooker can create those same deep flavors without having to toil away all day in the kitchen. Better yet, you get to top this Crock-Pot beef pho off with heaps of fresh veggies when it's ready.

More springtime recipes

Light, fresh, springtime pasta with pea pesto
Sunday dinner: Lemon chicken and spring veggie rice bowls
Spring fennel salad with avocado and salmon

8 Ways the Empire finale was like A Christmas Carol

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It's like A Christmas Carol arrived three months late tonight in music empire form.

Think about it...

1. Lucious is Scrooge

He has alienated his entire family at the start of the episode. They can barely stand to look at him.

Lucious and Cookie

He might as well have added a "Bah, humbug!" after he refused everyone.

More: Can the show tap Oprah next season?

2. Bunkie is Marley

But then Lucious gets some amazing news: He doesn't have ALS, after all. He was misdiagnosed.

Lucious Lyon

And he falls into a deep, drug-induced sleep where a Bunkie hallucination arrives, much to Lucious' Scrooge-like horror.

3. Jamal is the ghost of Christmas past

That song Jamal and Lucious made together was my favorite for the entire season, I think.

Baby Jamal

And the flashbacks served to show how Lucious has grown as a father.

Lucious Lyon

More: Dress like Cookie Lyon

4. Andre is the ghost of Christmas present

Andre

Lucious has to face his present demons, especially Andre's bipolar disorder and his decision to search for happiness with God.

5. Hakeem is the ghost of Christmas future

Hakeem and Anika

As soon as he's seen hooking up with Anika, Lucious sees what he could have had. He also realizes what a mess he's made of his family and his company. Hakeem has the most growing up to do. And not just because he's the youngest.

6. There are major religious undertones with Judas and the threads of forgiveness

Jennifer Lawrence in Empire

MoreEmpire battle: Who's the hottest brother?

7. Lucious is reborn

With the misdiagnosis, Lucious realizes he must make things right and gives his sons meaningful gifts to get their forgiveness.

Lucious Lyon

8. He gets a second chance

Of course, he's too arrogant to use it wisely. And it's a little too late, especially when he accidentally confesses everything to Cookie.

Plus, Empire isn't a kid's story, and it definitely isn't filled with Christmas cheer....

We are a long way away from a happy ending.

How about that twist everyone?

Cookie

How long do we have to wait until Season 2? So. Good.

Images: Fox

Would you use a parent-friendly vending machine?

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Best of all everything in the machine — nappies, baby wipes, age-appropriate toys, snacks and drinks — is free of charge. It's part of a wider parent-led initiative being adopted by Meadowhall following several focus groups and a survey of parents.

When asked what would ruin a shopping trip, 8 out of 10 parents said a fear of toddler tantrums could spoil their day out and 76 out of the 100 questioned said losing items such as teddies, toys and dummies would also cause stress.

“We want Meadowhall to be a family-friendly environment but we know there are things we can do better. We have listened to our customers to find out what they both want and need and these are the first two initiatives we’re rolling out as a result," said Meadowhall's director Darren Pearce.

As well as the vending machine, the centre is also launching a "Mini & Me" club, for parents, grandparents and childminders to get together over monthly breakfast meetings. Each meeting will feature a guest speaker or theme, covering topics such as baby massage and baby and toddler first aid. Tumble Tots will be there to run physical play sessions to keep the kids amused while the parents get to know each other.

Sounds good, right? Let's hope it's a huge success at Meadowhall and other U.K. shopping centres follow suit.

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Most adorable child explains why she doesn't want to go to school (VIDEO)

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Girl school

Girl school

Um, we think we speak for everybody when we say we "lub" you, too, little angel!

This kid has hit the nail on the head. It's not that we hate our jobs — in fact, we love our jobs, particularly when they involve watching videos of crazy-cute kids like this one — we just have no desire to get out of bed at the time required for us to be punctual employees. Nobody gets anything of any real value done in the morning anyway, right? Just us, then?

We think this little girl should talk more about things she hates, because she was so right about this one thing, she made everything else seem wrong.

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Supernatural: Why Sam couldn't handle losing Dean again

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Warning: Spoilers ahead for Supernatural "The Things They Carried."

Another devastating loss

Poor Sammy, he just can't catch a break, can he? While I was glad that Dean was able to keep Cole fighting long enough to survive his run-in with the Khan worm, it did suck that Sam wasn't able to keep Kit alive. Of course, Sam had the bigger job, seeing as how Kit's worm had been in him longer and already led him to drink blood, but it was still devastating for the younger Winchester.

More: Proof that Supernatural has the most dedicated fan base

These final lines in the episode killed me.

Dean: "Don't blame yourself for Kit, man."
Sam: "I can't help it, Dean. It feels crappy."

Sam: "I tried. I did, I tried. I just couldn't save this one."
Dean: "You know you can do everything right and even still, sometimes the guy still dies."

The man pain was cranked up to high, but it wasn't just about the loss of another innocent life. The look Sam gave Dean after Dean said the last line above was all the evidence you needed to know Sam was obviously thinking about Dean. Sam has been trying every possible thing he can to save Dean from the Mark of Cain, but what if they try it all and Sam still can't save Dean? Would he survive that kind of loss? It's highly doubtful seeing as how he barely survived the last time Dean disappeared.

More: 17 Signs you're so obsessed with Supernatural, it's unnatural

Could Sam handle losing Dean, even temporarily?

Even if Dean "loses" this battle, we all know he would come back. That's not even up for debate. But the question then becomes: What kind of effect would that loss have on Sam? We fans can sit back somewhat comfortably in the knowledge that, no matter what, Dean will return. But Sam doesn't have that same luxury.

If Dean transforms into the kind of monster that Cain was, Sam will lose his brother, and that won't be good. In the past, Sam has had varying responses to losing Dean. He went into complete robot-hunter-mode when the Trickster (aka Gabriel) made him live in an alternate universe with Dean dead. When Dean was actually pulled into Hell, Sam took up with a demon. When Dean was in Purgatory, Sam basically ran away from the pain and tried to start a new life.

What if Sam lost Dean again?

If Sam had to go through the pain and trauma of losing his brother again, I don't know if he could survive it this time. As much as I worry about Dean and what he's going through, I also worry about Sam as well. We've seen that it's often harder on the one left behind than on the one who goes away. Would Sam lose his sanity? Would he decide to give up hunting for good, even after Dean returned? I feel like anything is possible when you're talking about that much heartbreak.

More: Why Supernatural's Sam and Dean absolutely must switch bodies... like now

Sam losing Dean to the Mark of Cain could bring about a whole new Sam we've never seen before. And that's saying something, considering all the different versions of Sam we've seen in this series. I wonder if he might not harden his heart to keep from getting hurt again and, therefore, shut his brother out once Dean did return. This show loves to pull the brothers apart, and that would be one good way to do it.

What do think will happen to Sam if Dean succumbs to the Mark of Cain on Supernatural?

4 Explanations for why cats love boxes

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There are certainly some more obvious reasons behind why cats are obsessed with boxes — they like to be cozy and are prone to making stealth attacks, for which a box provides excellent cover. Scientists have been doing studies on these evasive animals for years and always find it difficult to get them to participate. However, that didn't stop Dr. Claudia Vinke, a Netherlands-based ethologist, who led a study on stress causes in cats at the Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

Image: Giphy

1. Box as security blanket

Dr. Vinke and her team brought a group of cat test subjects into a shelter, and they randomly divided them into a group that would be given a hiding box and one that would not. The behavior of the cats was observed over a couple of weeks and assessed using the Kessler and Turner Cat-Stress-Score (CSS). The aim of the study was to determine if box hiding would help lower stress in recently admitted shelter cats.

The results of Dr. Vinke's experiment explain a great deal about why cats may be inclined to spend time in boxes. She told Sheknows, "As behavioral biologists we are always eager to explain questions from the perspective of the biology of the species [...] We see that the first reaction of a cat in stressful situations is to withdraw and hide. So quite probably, hiding is the best behavioral strategy of the species to cope with environmental challenges / stressors. That was our hypothesis."

Her hypothesis turned out to be on the money. The cats that were provided with a box "recovered faster" in the new environment than those that weren't, thus leading the researchers to conclude that boxes act as major stress reducers for cats.

Dennis C. Turner, Director of the Institute for Applied Ethology and Animal Psychology in Switzerland and author of The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behavior, had some thoughts on boxes as a stress reducer as well. He told Sheknows there might be something to the close contact with the walls of a box. "The 'edge effect' when leaning up against the side of a box also offers physical contact, which has been shown to lower stress levels." So being squeezed into a cube shape is the cat version of meditation.

Image: Giphy

2. Box as fort

Another explanation that Vinke has explored for why cats enjoy box time is that it encourages playing. "Other functions of a box might be play, but then you’ll see a relaxed cat. This is definitely not the case under quarantine conditions and in shelters but can be the case for pet cats at home," Vinke told SheKnows. Anyone who has cats at home can likely attest to their tendency to center playtime around a box. My cats in particular like to guard it from the outside, and when a potential security breach comes along, bop each other like catty sorority sisters.

Vinke explains that this play stealth attack may actually be your cat's way of preparing for possible real attacks in the future. "There are theories that play behavior is a kind of mega-exploration and training for the unexpected. Thus play in boxes by your cat might be seen as a kind of preparation for eventual challenges in the future (in this way [he/she] may know which box fits best for the future)." So if the zombie apocalypse ever goes down, talk to your cat — it may have some good evasive maneuver tips, but heaven help you if you try to steal its box.

Image: Giphy

3. Box as warmth

Cats really seem to enjoy being in tight, cramped spaces. For example, my cat Vespa just loves falling asleep squeezed between our couch cushions, which is adorable, if not somewhat weird. Well, according to a 2006 study conducted by the National Research Council as found by Wired, the "thermoneutral zone for a domestic cat is 86 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit." This is essentially the range in which cats are comfortable (aka, not too hot and not too cold) and a good 20 degrees higher than our own comfort range.

Suddenly those videos of cats tightly pressed inside cardboard boxes that appear a tad too small for them make perfect sense. Cardboard works as an insulator, and when cats curl up tight, they're conserving their own body heat and staying "comfortable," even if it really doesn't look it.

Image: Giphy

4. Box as conflict avoidance

Then there's the notion that cats are simply more antisocial than other domesticated animals. According to Turner's book, The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behavior, this may stem from cats' inclination to run from conflict. "Cats do not appear to develop conflict resolution strategies to the extent that more gregarious species do, so they may attempt to circumvent antagonistic encounters by avoiding others or decreasing their activity."

So the next time your cat hides under your bed, be sure to check for broken things, ripped things or poop on the floor. It's likely making itself scarce because it can't handle confrontation. Moreover, according to Vinke, cats are quite capable of killing each other with a single bite. "For the cat, fighting is quite [a] risk-[filled] strategy [...] they have large canines, and they can easily kill each other." Running and hiding is a much preferred alternative to possibly dying, and the box makes for the perfect safe zone.

Image: Giphy

In conclusion, there are a number of reasons why cats enjoy their boxes, and stress is only one factor. However, I think we can all agree, whether it knows it or not, a cat squeezing into a box is a never-ending source of amusement, as is proven by cat internet sensation Maru. Here is just a brief overview of the funny feline's love affair with his boxes.

Maru box

Maru box

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Corned beef and cabbage quesadilla is an Irish-Mexican mashup you'll love

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This easy quesadilla recipe is the perfect, sassy leftover recipe. All that delicious flavor piled in between a cheesy and crispy tortilla — hello, delicious! It's really good plain but even better when dipped into homemade horseradish Russian dressing.

corned beef and cabbage quesadilla

Corned beef and cabbage quesadilla recipe

Get into the kitchen, and use up that leftover corned beef. This quesadilla is packed full of cheese, homemade corned beef and cabbage.

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 8 small flour tortillas
  • Olive oil spray
  • 3 cups chopped corned beef
  • 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1 cup chopped cooked cabbage (you could also use sauerkraut)
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon horseradish
  • Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Spray 1 side of each tortilla with olive oil spray.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the corned beef, Swiss cheese and cabbage.
  3. Place the olive oil-sprayed sides of the tortillas down, and top each one with equal parts corned beef mixture.
  4. Top each quesadilla with the remaining sprayed tortillas, olive oil sides out.
  5. In a large skillet, cook each quesadilla until browned, flip, and continue cooking until the other side is browned and the insides are melted and warm.
  6. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, horseradish, kosher salt and pepper.
  7. Serve the warm quesadillas with the Russian dressing dipping sauce.

For tons of great recipes, like our I <3 Comfort Food page on Facebook.

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10 Icky things at the gym that we need to talk about

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Look, I'm not a princess (cough, cough). I can get down and dirty with the rest of them and love the outdoors. But gyms? They often have "that smell" and are pretty much seething pits of disease, bacteria and other icky stuff.

"They're germy little places," says Kimberly Dawn Neumann, a top fitness instructor at Equinox gyms in New York City. "I am constantly using hand sanitizer after touching equipment. You don't know where those weights have been!"

Plus, there's some really unsavory stuff that the people in gyms do, right before your very eyes.

Don't worry if you're one of those workout queens who lives at the gym. You can still have peace of mind when you exercise, as long as you beware of the 10 most disgusting things about your local fitness center.

1. The grunters

You know who I mean: Those gross guys who sound like they're having loud sex every time they lift a weight. Ugh. Get a room with those barbells, guys! Don't subject our virgin ears to the pervy caveman in you. Please. We beg you.

2. The girl or guy next to you with the tight, revealing Spandex

We did not come to the gym to see your girls hanging out next to us on the treadmill, spilling out of a tight sports bra, or your package, you with the bulge in your biker shorts. It's nauseating (except if you find it attractive), not to mention distracting.

3. The locker room

It all begins in the locker room, doesn't it? It's understandably riddled with germs. People get naked in there, throw clothes and underwear around, sit bare bottomed on benches, pad around barefoot in the pools of bacteria and ... ew. Can't keep thinking about it or I might never set foot in one again. And, yeah, if you can avoid showering at the gym — or peeing, for that matter — that sounds like the safest way to go. Your place isn't that far away, right? Just wait till you get home.

4. The germ-infested mats

Well, do we have to spell it out for you here? Sweaty people rolling all over these things, dripping bodily fluids on them during classes or cool-downs... And, hello, do you really think they're cleaned every time someone new flops down on them? Of course they're going to be loaded with viruses we can catch!

5. Dirty feet in your face

Filthy bare feet and socks typically wind up so close to you in a fitness or yoga class, you could kiss them. Ew, ew, ew. Please, people, wash yourselves before you hit the gym instead of subjecting everyone else to your lack of personal hygiene. Thanks.

6. The floor

Floors at gyms are so gross. Not only do they get the usual beating floors fall victim to, what with all the dirty, muddy, germ-filled shoes tramping around on them. They also get heaving, sweating people lying all over them. And many gym floors have wall-to-wall carpeting that isn't deep cleaned all that frequently. Blech.

7. The bacteria-laden workout equipment and weights

Hands, legs, bottoms, feet — you name it — come into contact with both the machines and free weights constantly without always being sanitized in between uses. And, of course, those hands and things then touch faces and mouths breeding germs. "You're sweating, you touch the equipment, you touch your face — but those are not cleaned between every person using them or every class," Neumann says. Is anyone else thinking of buying their own elliptical right about now?

8. The luxurious pool & sauna

Public pools are not the most sanitary places to begin with, but at an exercise facility, they're full of swimmers who dive right in after sweating up a storm from an intense workout. And then they're all drinking in the same pool water as they breathe in and out during those laps. Yeah, it's chlorinated — great. But yuck. Don't get me started on the sauna, with all the naked body parts sweating on and touching things that other naked body parts have just sweated on and touched.

9. The "pristine" water fountains

Mouth grazes fountain when thirstily lapping up water. Water trickles into mouth, but some leaks out back onto fountain. Different mouth touches same water fountain... and the cycle continues, viciously. Gag.

10. The stench

If the cloying scent of stale air, sweat, rubber, B.O. and bad breath appeals to you, then the gym should be your home. It's delightful. And it never fails to make me want to turn back around and get the hell away from there the minute I walk in.

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