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15 Hacks to make eating outdoors a lot more delicious this summer

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You want to be surrounded by nature, not infiltrated by it! Luckily these handy tips will help you enjoy the best of both worlds. You can have your cake and an ocean view too.

1. Be prepared

Rainy day picnic

Rainy day picnic

First things first. You're outdoors and not just in the backyard. That means you have to bring whatever you might need with you. Sunscreen, bug spray, umbrellas, hats, long-sleeved shirts — it may seem like a lot, but you'll enjoy your outdoor dining experience a lot more if you're not alternately frying in the sun, being eaten alive by bugs, caught in an unexpected rain shower and left shivering.

2. Bring wet wipes for easy cleanup

Sand, dirt, juice and sandwiches aren't exactly a match made in heaven. Bring along some wet wipes so you and the kids can clean up before digging into your epic outdoor meal. You'll be surprised at how much more enjoyable outdoor dining is when your sandwich isn't crunchy with sand.

3. Make walking tacos

Walking tacos

Image: Saving Dollars & Sense

These "walking tacos" are made inside of mini chip bags and eaten with a utensil, meaning no dirty or sandy fingers will get all over your food. Precook the meat at home, and pack your favorite toppings together in a container like a salad. When you're ready to eat, just spoon the ingredients into an open bag of your favorite corn-based chips. No matter how crazy your day outdoors gets, tacos will make everything better.

4. Keep it cool

diy cooler2

diy cooler2

The best way to ruin a picnic? Food poisoning. According to the USDA, prepared food shouldn't sit out for longer than two hours — even less in hot summer weather. Make sure your food is kept in an insulated container with plenty of ice or freezer packs so it stays cold. And if you're feeling crafty, fancy up your cooler with some custom artwork.

5. Use Mason jars for portability

Pineapple potato chicken salad

Mason jars won't just make your picnic seem cute and chic; they're also super practical. For hearty foods, like this chicken salad with pineapple and potatoes, layer everything together as you wish. For more traditional greens-based salads, put the dressing in first, then layer the ingredients from most sturdy (think cucumbers) to most delicate (your greens). This will ensure that nothing gets soggy, and when you're ready to eat, you can just shake up your jar so that every bite of salad is perfectly dressed. No salad bowl, tongs or bottles of dressing required.

6. Do your homework

BBQ at the park

BBQ at the park

From reserving a grill at your local park to making sure your favorite campsite is available, planning ahead will make your outdoor fun go off without a hitch. And if you're inviting guests outside of your closest friends and family, make sure you ask about any allergies or dietary restrictions too.

7. Low-maintenance recipes

Lemon pasta salad

If the thought of preparing food outdoors makes you cringe, not to worry — there are tons of delicious dishes perfect for the park or beach that you can make ahead of time. Try one of these recipes so you can spend your time outside stuffing your face instead of working.

8. Bring a cutting board

Cutting board at picnic

Image: Bliss at Home

Even if you don't end up needing to cut anything, having a firm, flat surface to put on the grass or in the sand is super helpful. You can put drinks and condiments (and wineglasses!) on your wooden cutting board so they don't tip over, saving you a ton of messy cleanup.

9. Use foil packets for effortless grilling

Tex Mex chicken grill packets

Scraping the grill clean is a huge pain, especially if you're using one at a public park or campsite. Those things can be so grody you don't even want to think about cooking your food directly on them. That's why foil packets are such a lifesaver. You can cook amazing food, like these Tex-Mex chicken grill packets, right in the foil, and when you're done grilling, all you have to do is crumple them up and toss 'em. No more grill scraping for you, thanks very much.

10. Stay dry

15 minute DIY picnic blanket

Image: Lil' Luna

Tired of sitting on an inevitably soggy blanket at the park or beach? Lay down a tarp before you set up your blanket to prevent any moisture on the ground from soaking through and ruining your meal. Or you can DIY your own by sewing together one waterproof tablecloth with a fabric one. Either way, food tastes a lot better when you don't have to worry about looking like you wet yourself when you stand up.

11. Do double duty

Mexican iced coffee

Use frozen water bottles to keep your food cold. As they melt, you'll also have plenty of icy, cold water for hydration, which is super important when you're outside in the sun all day — especially if you're enjoying any adult refreshments. Try freezing a delicious flavored water or fun iced coffee for an extra-special hydrating treat.

12. Cook corn in a cooler

Corn on the cob cooked in a cooler

Image: The Thrifty Couple

If you're camping with a large group, this trick can have you serving up a healthy side dish with almost no work at all. Just heat up some water to boiling on the campfire or grill. Add shucked corncobs to a cooler, then add the boiling water, and cover. After 30 minutes, you'll have enough perfectly cooked corn to feed an army.

13. Turn your chip bag into a bowl

How to turn a chip bag into a bowl

How to turn a chip bag into a bowl

Salty, crunchy chips are the perfect outdoor snack, but trying to keep the bags from constantly tipping over and feeding the ants instead of yourself can get annoying fast. Instead, use this simple trick to turn your chip bags into their own snack bowls that stay upright without any hassle. More chips for you!

14. Keep electronics safe

Keep electronics in a plastic bag

Keep electronics in a plastic bag

Keep your phone or tablet in a plastic bag to keep it safe from water, sand, dirt and food. I mean, in a perfect world, we would just enjoy being outdoors without electronics, but we all know the need to take selfies on a beautiful day outdoors is real. And of course, Instagram is dying to see the pics of your delicious picnic spread! Or so I always tell myself.

15. S'mores without fire

s'mores bars recipe

Image: Cooking Classy

S'mores just scream summer, but depending on where you are, access to an open fire can be tricky. Instead, make one of these no-fire-required s'mores treats at home, and take them with you. You'll get all of the ooey-gooey marshmallow and chocolate you crave, minus the terrifying combo of children + fire.

More outdoor dining

13 Outdoor entertaining hacks for flawless summer shindigs
Steak grilled cheese made on the grill — genius!
Juicy Indian chicken kebabs will make you love your grill


Robot fails miserably at giving this dog a treat (VIDEO)

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The robot is given a piece of a Pop Tart that it appears he is then commanded to give the dog. However, while he grips the pastry pretty well at first, he quickly drops it, much to the dismay of the dog, and then things just fall apart from there.

Robot dog

Robot dog

I'm not sure who designed this particular robot, but they didn't think too much about his ability to balance. The dog seemed dubious about him from the get go, but after he stomps all over the treat, and falls twice — once on his back, then on his face — the dog wants nothing to do with him. Perhaps we should take our cues from our canine buddies — artificial intelligence will either usurp our authority, or fall over trying.

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9-Year-old saves friend from abduction attempt

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I'm not going to sugarcoat anything — this story is uncomfortable to read or imagine happening to your own child. Just the thought of someone trying to harm something so precious is absolutely heartbreaking and enraging.

What started off as an ordinary day almost turned tragic when a man tried to abduct a child. FOX 4KC reports 9-year-old Luke Larson and his 7-year-old friend were on their way to summer school. Instead of taking their main route, they decided to try a shortcut through a park, where an attacker grabbed Larson's friend.

"I started running down toward them, he tried to grab her again, then he realized I was coming down, and he ran back into the woods," said Luke.

Hearing the screams of his schoolmate, quick thinking made Larson's attempt successful, as he was able to scare away the assailant. Gladstone police praise him for his efforts and urge parents to have a serious talk with their children about safety precautions. "We tell kids if you were approached by a stranger or grabbed to scream, yell, get attention, and that's exactly what they both did," said Captain Jeff Self.

Between watching the news and episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, my children will be lucky to not get carpooled everywhere. There's too much craziness happening these days that makes it almost impossible to not be a little paranoid. As much as I want to be their personal bodyguard, I know I can't and have to teach my kids the importance of being alert.

Growing up as a cop's daughter was extremely annoying at times. Outside of the "clean my gun" speech my dad would try to give to boy crushes in high school, there was protocol for everything. God forbid we came under an alien or zombie attack — I knew I would be well prepared to handle the situation. Now that I'm a mother, I can't help but think about the life lessons my dad taught me that I will pass along to my kids.

Shortcuts of any kind will heavily be discouraged. Outside from making it hard for parents to retrace steps if necessary, you just never know who is lurking around the corner — especially in an area with potentially fewer people. Traveling with a friend or two is also crucial, as there is strength in numbers. Parents should also check in with their children via text or phone call to make sure they safely reached their destination.

I know kids don't like rules, but many help to keep them safe. Luckily for this 7-year-old girl, she had a friend nearby — though that doesn't always help a situation. At the end of the day, we can only do our best and pray it's enough.

More on parenting

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Actually, the pain of childbirth wasn't that bad

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I had two unmedicated births, one at a birthing center and one at home. I had my own personal reasons for choosing to go that route — many of them related to money since we did not have insurance at the time, and unmedicated births were cheaper — but I vividly remember getting an eyebrow raise from family and friends every time I shared my birth plans.

And it wasn't just an eyebrow raise: Any mother who had popped out a baby before me felt it was her duty to tell me her horrific tale just so I would be "prepared." Thanks, thanks a lot. After I had my first son, I was happy to report back that my birth experience wasn't the slasher film scene I was told it would be. It was just fine, thank you. I had a moderate amount of pain, and I would probably do it again one more time (and I did).

I am adamant about the fact that we shouldn't judge women based on their birth experience: go "natural," get an epidural or have an emergent or elective C-section. You do you. But part of supporting mothers at birth also includes painting a totally accurate picture of the birth experience. Many times, birth is painful, scary and even dangerous. Other times, it can be quick, pleasant and almost pain-free.

The question I am dying to know is: why don't we talk about the good times as much as the bad? If you're wondering about the upside of birth, here are a few women who had a pretty good time bringing their babies into the world.

The pain was positive

Beyoncé

Image: Giphy

Linda Carlson, mom of two babies delivered without drugs, isn't going to lie — her labors were "probably the most intense pain" she had ever experienced, but she calls this excruciating pain "positive." Carlson says, "You know something good is coming out of it. There's little or no residual pain. This is not like breaking a bone, where you go from intense pain to a nagging ache. When that baby comes out (especially with a first baby), the pain is over immediately."

The epidural was magic

Nick Jonas

Image: Giphy

Christina Nicholson of Mascara Maven and More, mom of a boy and a girl, calls her birth story "abnormal." After popping out both kids, Nicholson felt good enough to go home and cook everyone lunch the next day. She told SheKnows: "In a nutshell (with both), I went in to be induced. By the time I was hooked up to everything, I was already in labor. I asked for the epidural before I could feel pain. I read or slept the whole time I was in labor. I was woken up every now and then for the dilation check. When my water broke, that started me — weird feeling. Then, I was woken up again to push. Did about five pushes during a three-minute span... and I was done."

It was fast

Taylor

Image: Giphy

Just like her near-record-breaking 12-minute birth, Cathy Milne keeps it short and sweet: "I was 20 years old. I swam every day of my pregnancy, but I was still overweight. My labor lasted 45 minutes and the actual birth took 12 minutes. I did not use an epidural; just basic Lamaze training."

It was easier each time

Rihanna

Image: Giphy

Through the births of her three children, Maria Moser of Change-Diapers.com has seen it all: "One was a typical hospital birth ending in an epidural, the second was a med-free hospital birth and the third was a home birth." With each child, Moser used her past birthing experience to make her next birth even better, so that, "By the time my second was born, I had learned the positions that worked best for me (and stayed home as long as possible) and worked with one contraction at a time, relaxing and letting it do its work. It was definitely painful — don't get me wrong there — but it was easier to cope with than other types of pain."

It was natural by accident

Nicki

Image: Giphy

Marilyn Santiesteban, assistant director of career services at Texas A&M University, says she was "lucky" to have a fast, natural childbirth since it wasn't what she planned for. Santiesteban recounts, "When I went to the hospital, I asked for an epidural. The doc set everything up and asked me to tell him when the pain got bad. It was my first child, and labor lasted over seven hours before I couldn't take it. The doctor smiled and told me the baby was crowning, and it would be all over soon. No one was more surprised than me to have a natural childbirth!"

It was natural on purpose

GOT

Image: Giphy

Natural birth was what she wanted, and natural birth was what she got, says Tiffany Komba of Growing Pains Feel Good. Komba's inspiration came from the fact that her mother delivered three children all-natural with no pain meds, so how hard could it be? Komba explains, "It wasn't hard at all. I had prepared my mind for nine months to experience the pain of a natural childbirth. I remember constantly hearing my doctor say, 'If you breathe, it will help tremendously.' And it really did! I was eating chips and banana nut muffins while in the hospital bed during active labor. I was surrounded by family, and it was an absolutely amazing experience. And the best part is that I didn't scream or yell not one time."

It surprised me

Pink

Image: Giphy

Marie Bigelow, music childbirth educator and doula, is another mom who had a good time giving birth, despite the difficulty and intense pain. Bigelow birthed four kids without pain medication, finding motivation in the fact that her "body always rose to the occasion." Bigelow's uplifting outlook can encourage any pregnant mom who is nervous about giving birth for the first time. She says, "I became stronger as labor progressed, and as my focus continued, I was able to withstand more than I ever thought I could. Physically, it is the hardest thing I have ever done. The longer I am a mother (going on 11 years now) I realize that physical pain is much easier to bear than some of the emotional pain that life has handed me. The pain of labor prepares mothers to love selflessly and primes us to overcome the challenges that await us in the future."

More on birth

SheKnows guide to giving birth
Dear birth wars: Vaginal and natural don't mean the same thing
Born in the Wild takes natural childbirth to the extreme

How to protect all the data your child’s school is collecting

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"What types of data do you collect?"

Your student's school likely collects data from a variety of standardized assessments, including the ACT and the PARCC. However, this may not be the only form of data administrators and teachers gather. Your child's attendance may be recorded, as well as her class grades. Her instructor may even observe and document her behavior during group work or independent work, or as she completes a particular task. It is your right as a parent to know what type of educational data is collected about your student, so don’t be shy about asking her principal and teacher. Chances are they'll be more than happy to tell you.

"How will you use this data?"

Once you're familiar with the sources of your child's data, investigate how this information will be used. Do statewide assessments, together with your student's grades, determine whether she is promoted to the next instructional level? Do her grades affect which classes she can register for (AP, IB, dual-credit, honors, etc.)? Are certain types of data only applicable to school accreditation or teacher evaluations? These details may be available on the school district's website or on your school's individual website. You may also find additional details in a school newsletter or in the main office.

"Who has access to my child's data?"

Some forms of educational data, such as classroom observations, may be intended for just two parties, the teacher and the parent or two instructors. Others, like PARCC results, may be viewed by parents, instructors, school and district administrators and so on. When you ask this question, inquire about whether "big" data like PARCC scores is presented blind (in other words, presented with a less personal identifier like a number, rather than a name). You can also research consent policies; to what degree can you control who sees this data, and in what form they view it?

"Is this data secure?"

All educational data is sensitive, and should be treated as such. This may be accomplished in a number of ways; teachers might store anecdotes or notes in a locked desk drawer, while digital score reports for the ACT or SAT might require a login and password to access the server where they're stored. Many forms of student assessment are relatively new, and like any new system, errors can occur. Being proactive about the safety of your child's educational data is an excellent idea, as is learning about the who, how and what of this data.

For more tips and strategies to help your student succeed in school, visit varsitytutors.com.

Fans prepare for heartbreak with Robin Williams' final film (VIDEO)

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More: Zelda Williams is struggling to return to a happy life after her dad (VIDEO)

The movie's just-released trailer tells the story of an in-the-closet family man in a loveless marriage named Nolan, who meets a prostitute purely for his company and discovers an emotional connection that spurs him to find his true self.

"Nothing turned out the way I thought, I guess," Williams as Nolan says in the trailer. "And suddenly I'm 60 years old."

And while Nolan's life might be very different from that of Williams' at the time of his death, it still rings with similar sentiments that make the trailer more deeply felt.

More: Robin Williams' son Zak finally opens up about life without his dad

"Maybe it's never too late to finally start living the life you really want," Nolan's friend Winston says in the trailer.

Robin Williams Boulevard Reaction tweet 1

Robin Williams Boulevard Reaction tweet 1

Robin Williams Boulevard Reaction tweet 2

Robin Williams Boulevard Reaction tweet 2

Robin Williams Boulevard Reaction tweet 3

Robin Williams Boulevard Reaction tweet 3

Robin Williams Boulevard Reaction tweet 4

Robin Williams Boulevard Reaction tweet 4

Robin Williams Boulevard Reaction tweet 5

Robin Williams Boulevard Reaction tweet 5

"This is one of the kindest characters Williams has ever played, which makes his self-imposed turmoil — the consequence of not wanting to hurt anyone, least of all his wife — all the more tragic," film critic Peter Debruge said of the film in Variety when it premiered at the Tribecca Film Festival in April. "Tapping into that same loneliness felt in One Hour Photo and Good Will Hunting, the actor projects a regret so deep and identifiable, viewers should have no trouble connecting it to whatever is missing in their own lives — whether those regrets are romantic, sexual, professional or spiritual."

More: Robin Williams' widow and kids are taking their disagreements to court

It's important to note that, while this film is Williams' final on-screen performance, he is a voice performer for a dog named Dennis in the 2016 feature Absolutely Anything, which is scheduled to hit theaters in 2016.

Check out the full trailer for Williams' Boulevard below. And be sure to have some tissues handy.

Boulevard Robin Williams trailer 1

Boulevard Robin Williams trailer 1

Police brutality questioned after Fairfield swimming pool incident

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You aren't misreading anything — this is yet another incident at a swimming pool involving police and race. It hasn't been a month since news broke of a Texas cop pulling his gun on teens at a swimming pool, and now a similar situation has occurred.

RT News reveals four people — two adults and two adolescents — were arrested after reports of an altercation involving a family and staff at a community pool in Fairfield, Ohio. Video of the arrest shows multiple officers subduing young black teens, including one using what looks like a choke hold. Adults Krystal Dixon, her sister Maya and a 15-year-old boy were charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. A 12-year-old girl was also charged with resisting arrest in addition to assault.

Officers arrest teens and adults at swimming pool

Officers arrest teens and adults at swimming pool

The Dixon family is accusing Fairfield police officers of brutality and excessive use of force. There were even claims the 12-year-old involved suffered a fractured rib and broken jaw, but those allegations have since been dismissed.

Krystal Dixon states she dropped off eight children at the Fairfield Aquatic Center before leaving to pick up her sister, Maya. When informed that one of her nephews did not have the proper swimwear and was asked to leave, she returned to the pool to provide the necessary attire. Still, staff members insisted her group vacate the premises, as they had violated rules and became disorderly when advised of the situation. Krystal claims a park ranger asked for her identification and, when she refused, took her by the arm, threatening to arrest her. Because of this action, many children in the party tried to step in, causing staff to call 911.

As you would expect, members of the aquatic center staff have a different recollection of what transpired.

Daytona Journal-News reports a staff member called 911 after unsuccessfully getting the adolescents to leave the pool because of their behavior. The exchange allegedly became violent, with the park ranger trying to break up a fight. A police report mentions that Krystal Dixon "aggressively confronted pool staff" when asked to leave. When police arrived at the scene, the report alleges that Dixon and her sister began striking officers, which led to others in their party trying to join in.

Audio from the 911 call indicates those trying to videotape the incident wanted to make it look racially motivated. "They're videotaping, trying to make it look like a racist thing, and it's not at all," an employee states to the 911 dispatcher. "They were breaking our policies. We told them they couldn’t be here anymore, and it’s really scary, and I don’t feel safe."

Fairfield police officer Doug Day believes the officers used great restraint. "At one point, one of our officers felt his gun was being taken away from him," claims Day. "The only weapon he used was the OC spray to get someone off the back of the officer."

This situation is completely crazy to me. If we just went off video, it would — once again — look like another case of police brutality against blacks. As a black American, I'm not ignorant to the fact that situations like this unfortunately still occur in modern times. Yet as the daughter of a retired police officer, I also am aware at how one's actions (or reactions) come into play. I don't think any 12-year-old needs to be manhandled by someone twice her size, but at the same time, I feel that not complying with police when they ask you to leave is just pure craziness. My parents would slap me into next week if I ever spoke to someone in authority in such a disrespectful manner. Yes, it definitely does not justify any horrific actions on their end, but my goodness, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

With all of this "he said, she said, they said," who knows if we'll ever get to the bottom of what really happened? At least to me, it's not worth it to get arrested for not leaving a swimming pool — especially children. If I ever felt there was discrimination involved, I would rather fight through legal action and not against the police.

More on parenting

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Why I want to have sex like a man — literally

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When did I realize my penis dream? Well, I'm a girl, duh, who is married and sexually active. My husband has a penis; I do not. Get it? I’m being obvious because I want to be clear. I don’t want to be a man. I just want a penis to drive around town like an expensive car for a day.

There are the simple, fascinating things I'll try, like writing my name in pee and running around naked with my new penis. But then, I'll get serious. The real reason I want a penis: I want to know what sex feels like for a man.

Famed sex researchers Masters and Johnson have concluded that, for men, orgasm is inevitable after a certain amount of stimulation. During that same study, they learned that men's refractory period (the time in which a guy needs to rest before achieving another orgasm) can last anywhere from one minute to an hour.

What does this mean? If I had a penis, I am basically guaranteed an orgasm, and I can have, like, at least 20 in one day, if not more, depending on how many women I have around.

Let’s face it: As chicks, we got the raw end of the deal where quick and easy sex is concerned. Although our orgasms do last longer, a study from the University of Chicago found that 75 percent of men reach orgasm consistently in their sex lives, whereas just 50 percent of women can say the same.

Plus, on a female empowerment level, we're the ones being penetrated. Someone we love (or sometimes don't even like) gets to just hump away. How intrusive! Which brings us back to my penis for a day.

More: Woman-in-charge sex positions

For just one day, I want to have sex like a man. I want to have inches of sensitive skin instead of a teeny-tiny, itty-bitty clitoris. I want to have a dozen easy orgasms that involve the bare minimum of work.

There's the joke about men having a "nothing box" in their brain. They go there and think about nothing. I've seen this firsthand when my husband watches TV and basically forgets where he is. This can make orgasm easier for men because they can shut out the day's clutter. So even if I have a penis, will I have the same racing brain that can ruin my clitoral orgasms?

Will I be thinking about my stomach fat? Will I be worrying about what I need to do tomorrow? Will I worry too much about how my partner is feeling? These emotions are some of the reasons women don't orgasm: we're too much in our heads and not in our bodies.

Is it our anatomy that makes sex great, or is it our confidence? Our ability to relax? Our attentiveness to sensation? See, the more I think about it, the more I realize I might not need a penis for a day. Although I'm still incredibly open to the experiment (for sure), maybe lack of penis isn't the problem; maybe the problem is me and my over-thinking and personal judgments.

More: Women's sex drives drop much earlier than we all thought

If science ever allows (or if I meet a genie), I will ask for a penis for a day. Until that happens, I'll embrace what I've got, despite "her" occasional malfunctions.


How to hide the necessary, yet ugly things in your home

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Computer cords

computer cords

Image: Shabby Nest

Why, oh why, are so many computer cords necessary to power up one device? Conceal those maddening cords by making a peg board to hang behind your computer. Not only will it keep those computer cords hidden from the naked eye, it will make a great statement decor for your work space.

Router

router

Image: Dwellings by Devour

Honest question, why is the router so ugly? Can't they make pretty cases for it like our smartphones? Well, you may not be able to buy the latest Kate Spade case for your router, but you can certainly make something even better with this lovely tutorial.

TV cords

tv cords

Image source: Fresh Crush

Ever since wall-mounted flat screens came out, us clean freaks spazzed out. Where the heck are we supposed to hide those pesky, but much-needed cords? Blogger at Fresh Crush gave us the perfect solution: take shower rod, measure, cut, mount and voilà, no more ugly cords staring us in the face.

Cable box

cable box

Image: Abode Love

No need to stare the unattractive cable box in the face anymore. Cover that bad boy up with this permanent, yet simple solution.

DVR and Blu-ray player

dvr player

Image: PB & J Stories

If you don't want to do anything drastic to your home, but still want a convenient way to conceal your beloved DVD and Blu-ray player? Stack them in between like-colored books for a simple, yet appealing decor piece.

Lamp cords

lamp cords

Image: Fox Hollow Cottage

For those of you who don't frequent the home storage solution aisle as much as the rest of us, there is a wonderful solution out there for those pesky lamp cords in your home. The 3M Command clear round cord clips can stick easily to your wall without any damage to your wall or your decor scheme (LD Printer & Office Supplies, $5).

Laundry needs

laundry room

Image: Sophia's Decor

Similar to the flat screen TVs, we had a love it/hate it relationship with our new, efficient front-load washer and dryers no thanks to now having full view of the ugly cords and plumbing. However, this can be an easy fix with a curtain rod and a pretty little valance.

Charging devices

charging station

Image: Driven by Decor

There's nothing worse than having a clean space and then seeing a messy smart device charger hanging from the wall. Sure, you can tuck them into a drawer after every use but how annoying is that to do day in and day out? Now, thanks to USB electrical outlets and a little drilling, you can make your very own charging station! How cool is that? (Amazon, $25)

Outlets

outlets

Image: Bachman's Sparrow

Who needs accent paint when you can fancy up your wall with your very own DIY outlet covers. Paint them, washi tape them or Mod Podge them with this awesome tutorial.

Thermostat

thermostat

Image: Bliss Bloom Blog

For those of you that love a good gallery wall, this is the solution for you. Instead of leaving the thermostat in plain view, hang a hinged canvas over it to open and close at your leisure.

Trash can

trash can

Image: By Dawn Nicole

Don't have an extra-large drawer to hide your trash can? No worries, now you can build one to hide your ugly garbage can and its stinky smell too.

Printer

printer

Image: PB & J Stories

It's bulky, it's ugly, but it's totally necessary. Keep your printer tucked away by turning a desk drawer into its very own printer space with this easy tutorial.

More in home: 

Arranging flowers like a pro is simpler than you think
INFOGRAPHIC: Best spots for your houseplants
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Cat nurses rescued baby goat back to health (VIDEO)

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However, before that could happen, a family rescued little Iker, and brought him into the loving care of the Leon Vegano Animal Sanctuary. Together with Mino Valley Farm Sanctuary, they saved his life, turning the little goat's unlucky streak right around.

While Iker was recovering, he met another rescued animal, Cody the tabby cat, who immediately took to him, and started sleeping next to him every night. Cody has a knack for nursing animals, and now does so with others who come through the Sanctuary. However, his connection with Iker was particularly special.

Iker and Cody

Iker and Cody

I love that Iker's like, "OK, that's enough" towards the end. Cody just likes to be really thorough. After Iker's surgery, he was brought to Mino Valley Farm Sanctuary where he'll live out his days with other rescued animals like Cody. While he may never walk normally again, he's recovering well, and is surrounded by loving people. And Cody knows it was all thanks to him and his miracle tongue bath!

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Mindy Kaling reveals how Chris Messina makes filming sex scenes hot

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The Mindy Project star said that as opposed to being awkward, filming sex scenes with costar Chris Messina is amazeballs and she wants everyone to do it.

More: Mindy Kaling and Chris Messina share a super steamy onstage moment (VIDEO)

"Chris Messina is the most in-touch-with-his-body person of all time, and all he does is make you feel beautiful and confident," she told Time magazine. "I've known him now for quite some time and we're so comfortable with each other that I wasn't self-conscious at all. I wish on every actress that they get to shoot a sex scene with Chris Messina, because it's great fun."

In fact, in her upcoming book Why Not Me the actress said that contrary to popular belief, filming sex scenes is not awkward at all and is actually really, really awesome.

More: The Mindy Project: 7 Girlfriend tropes we hope they don't include on the show

"Obviously onscreen sex is not actual penetrative sex, but, as any religious high schooler will tell you, simulating sex can be pretty damn enjoyable as well," she writes, adding that even the dozens of on-set crew members can't dampen the mood. "To that I say: the more, the merrier! Most of those people are artists whose job it is to make sure your physical imperfections are cloaked in mysterious shadows. By the end of the shooting day, you'll wish there were more people there."

"People already think acting is the world's easiest and most frivolous job," she says. "So we all have this tacit agreement to keep our traps shut about the world's best job perk."

BRB gotta go land a TV role.

11 Things you didn't know about Taylor Kitsch's past

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In a new interview with Elle magazine, Kitsch opened up about his childhood, his career, and his relationship status. Here are 10 interesting things we learned about the actor, that made us love him even more:

Taylor Kitsch Gif

Image: Giphy

1. He grew up in Canada and was raised by a single mom

Kitsch was born in Kelowna, British Columbia and grew up in a trailer park. But he’s definitely not ashamed of his roots. "White trash. Growing up, I really was. Proud of it, " he told Elle of his younger self.

2. He was a funny and artsy teenager

In high school, he was voted the funniest in his class. He was also super active in drama, an early indicator of his future career. "I always had to be the lead in the play, " he said.

3. He’s always been athletic

Kitsch is apparently one of those rare people who is funny, artsy, and athletic. In his younger days, he was an accomplished hockey player, even completing a brief stint with the junior A Langley Hornets after his graduation in 1999. But his hockey career came to an end after he injured his knee.

More: 12 Times the True Detective trailer totally freaked me out (VIDEO)

Taylor Kitsch Gif

Image: Giphy

4. He started out as a model

Soon after the end of his hockey days, Kitsch was scouted by a modeling agency in Vancouver. He signed with the agency IMG in 2002 and began living and modeling in New York, which wasn’t as glamorous as it sounds.

"It's not like I was this mainstream fuckin' runway model, " he said, later adding that lack of work cost him to lose his apartment in Spanish Harlem. "… I lost that, so I'd just catch the blue train. It skips a lot of stops at night, and then it stays up at 181st Street, I think. So I'd sleep there. And the security guy would come on and be like, 'Get out.' And I'd get out. "

5. He wasn’t an overnight acting success

While some may think Kitsch just came out of nowhere and immediately landed his well-known role on Friday Night Lights, that’s not the case. When he first headed to L.A. to pursue acting, the star landed small roles in various projects (like John Tucker Must Die) in which he basically played a hunky neighbor or something of the sort. He landed his breakout role as FNL’s Tim Riggins in 2006.

More: True Detective's 'large-scale' orgy scene could have two stars stripping down


6. He almost had a different Friday Night Lights role

Thanks to his acclaimed turn on the cult show, audiences will forever associate Kitsch with his character of Riggins. But he was originally brought in to read for different role: the part of straight-arrow quarterback, Jason Street. Thankfully, things worked out just the way they should have.

Taylor Kitsch Gif

Image: Giphy

7. While on Friday Night Lights, he improvised a lot of his lines

Per Elle, Kitsch says "80 percent " of his lines were improvised, which seems like a pretty high number. But it turns out FNL creator Peter Berg is known for his letting his actors run free in order to add to the show’s authenticity. Even FNL co-star Kyle Chandler copped to Kitsch’s improve skills, callng him "the most extreme " when it comes to on-the-spot riffing.

8. His career has already had ups and downs

After Friday Night Lights, everyone was calling Kitsch the next big thing and he definitely seemed destined for stardom, booking leads in two high-profile blockbusters, John Carter and Battleship. Unfortunately, both ended up tanking commercially and critically. Still, Kitsch, who has stuck to smaller-scale films like Lone Survivor and The Normal Heart since, says he doesn’t regret either role.

More: 6 Reasons to watch HBO’s The Normal Heart


9. He’s sacrificed relationships for his career

Kitsch is refreshingly upfront when it comes to talking about his personal life and why he’s single. In the interview, he admitted that his career has taken his toll on past relationships. "You sacrifice so f*ckin' much [as an actor], " he said. "How do you build a relationship with a gal and then tell her, ‘Hey, I gotta do press all over the world. I expect you to have the same feelings you have now in eight weeks.’ And that's not me playing the violin. It's my choice. But it better be worth sacrificing for. "

Taylor Kitsch Gif

Image: Giphy

10. He was really emotional while shooting True Detective

Kitsch will portray troubled cop Paul Woodrugh in the second season of True Detective and he admits that filming the HBO series was an unexpectedly moving experience. "I didn't know True was going to be near as emotional. This season—fuck," he said. "I could feel Paul seeping into me. I'd be doing something or acting a certain way and think, Oh, this isn't me. "

Season two of True Detective premieres on June 21.

When elder care and child care come together, magic happens

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Why not combine child care with elder care? The benefits to both the kids and older adults are incredible.

It’s already happening at the Intergenerational Learning Center in Seattle. There, day care kids come together with the more than 400 elderly adults who live there to sing, dance, make art, tell stories and just play together.

For their part, kids get to spend the day with adults who have the time to lavish attention on them. At the same time, the kids get valuable lessons in what the natural aging process looks like, and their anxiety about being with older people is eliminated.

The retirees get that sense of play and energy only kids can bring into your life. But most important, the kids give the older adults a purpose — someone to share their stories with, someone to inspire them to move around and get physical activity, someone to love and a sense of self-worth.

The parents of these kids are naturally the ones I'm most excited for. Because they know that when they drop off their precious baby for the day at the Intergenerational Learning Center, they will be more than just supervised — they will be loved and adored.

And we're going to need practical solutions. With 72.1 million elderly people expected in the U.S. by 2030 — more than double the number there were in 2000 — as a society, we're going to need to figure out how we're going to take care of kids and aging parents at the same time. Combining elder care and child care looks like a win-win solution for everyone.

Don't just take my word for it. Evan Briggs is a filmmaker who has made a trailer for a documentary on the Intergenerational Learning Center and has even launched a Kickstarter page to get a full-length film funded.

"Present Perfect explores the very real experience of aging in America—both growing up, and growing old," Briggs writes about her film. "It was filmed in a preschool housed completely within a retirement home, powerfully capturing the subtleties and complexities of the young children's interactions with the elderly residents, while challenging us to consider what we're doing--and what we’re not--to prepare future generations for what’s to come."

Here's the trailer. It’s really beautiful. And fair warning, you might want to have some tissues handy.

Present Perfect

Present Perfect

More on kids and the elderly

Teaching teens to honor the elderly
The Sandwich Generation: Taking care of your parents and your kids
Preschool vs. day care: Which is best for your child?

Swap the processed junk for delish vegan blackberry muffins

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My son loves muffins, and while on occasion I don't mind him enjoying one, I really don't like him eating all those processed ingredients or the serious amount of sugar they contain.

I came up with this much healthier muffin that swaps out all the bad ingredients and uses good things, such as coconut oil for healthy fats, oat and almond flour in place of white flour, hemp seeds for protein and organic blackberry jam and stevia for sweetener. Now I can allow my son to enjoy muffins without feeling like I'm feeding him garbage.

Organic, vegan, blackberry jam muffins recipe

All-natural and gluten-free, these vegan muffins skip the processed stuff and use good-for-your-body ingredients.

Yields 12

Prep time: 15 minutes | Bake time: 15 minutes | Inactive time: 30 minutes | Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

Wet ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1 large, ripe banana, mashed
  • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 6 drops vanilla stevia
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup organic blackberry preserves

Dry ingredients

  • 1 cup oat flour
  • 1-1/2 cups almond flour
  • 1/4 cup hemp seeds
  • 1/2 tablespoon baking soda
  • 1/2 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

  1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees F, and prep a muffin pan with muffin liners.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the ground flaxseeds and warm water. Mix well, and let stand 5 minutes or until very thick.
  3. To a large bowl, add the remaining wet ingredients (expect for the preserves), and fold in the flax mixture.
  4. To a separate bowl, add all the dry ingredients, and mix well.
  5. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and mix well.
  6. Using a medium-size cookie scoop, fill each muffin cup about 3/4 full with muffin batter.
  7. Top each muffin with a heaping spoonful of blackberry preserves, and swirl it into the batter using a small butter knife.
  8. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
  9. Remove from the oven, and let cool for 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

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

More vegan recipes

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Harry Potter pancakes are the most magical breakfast ever (GIFs)

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I mean, for starters, I couldn't even make a perfectly round pancake, let alone a face. And I'm talking just a regular ol' smiley face, not a crazy realistic version of each character from Harry Potter.

But apparently I am an underachiever when it comes to pancakes. The man (and by man I mean breakfast wizard) behind Saipancakes is clearly the opposite.

Behold the insanely accurate portrayals of Harry Potter characters in pancake form. Bonus points for the magic wand action on each flip.

Dumbledore, who I love so hard I don't think I could eat his face

dumbledore pancake GIF

Snape, who looks smug as ever even as a breakfast food

snape pancake GIF

Ron Weasley, who just needs a little tint of red in the hair

ron weasley pancake GIF

Hermione Granger, who still looks perpetually annoyed with the world

hermione granger pancake GIF

Dobby, whose face I would relish eating (sorry, not my favorite)

bobby pancake gif

And last but not least, Harry Potter, complete with lightning-shaped scar

harry potter pancake gif

All images: GIFsBOOM

You can watch all the magic (see what I did there?) happen in the full video below.

harry potter pancakes

harry potter pancakes

More on pancakes

10 Pieces of pancake art that would make your breakfast amazing
If you're not making pancakes like this, you're doing it wrong
Avengers pancakes put your flapjack skills to shame (VIDEO)


Why kids need an emotionally intelligent dad (and how to be a better one)

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Good parenting involves emotions. It may sound obvious now, but this notion hasn't always been the case. In past generations, including my own, a father's role was seen primarily as the family breadwinner, while the nurturing and emotional care of the children was relegated to the mother. Those days are gone.

According to the American Psychological Association, a father's contributions to his child's social, emotional and cognitive development is now known to be just as impactful as that of a mother's. Noted psychologist Marc Brackett, Ph.D., from Yale's Center for Emotional Intelligence, has found that children who receive emotional support from their dads are less likely to struggle with behavioral problems or substance abuse, and do better in school and in their relationships with others.

So, with that in mind, what are some notable characteristics of a high-EQ dad?

  • He is emotionally engaged with and aware of his child's moods and feelings.
  • A high-EQ father recognizes the importance of his role in his child's emotional development and sees it as an opportunity to deepen their bond.
  • He is an empathetic listener who respects and validates his child's feelings.
  • He avoids telling his child how to feel and reassures him that that all feelings are OK.
  • He knows, for example, that bedtime is an ideal opportunity to connect with his child and quietly talk through the ups and downs of their day.
  • He teaches his child how to problem solve.
  • A high-EQ dad helps guide his child through everyday challenges by offering simple, age-appropriate strategies or, perhaps, even through role playing. By doing so, he empowers his child, showing him or her that there is a strategy for every problem they may face.
  • A high-EQ dad positively models how to handle strong emotions such as anger or frustration.
  • He shares his own feelings because he knows that these are often the most teachable moments and that even strong feelings can be managed by using simple strategies such as taking a time out, or pausing and taking a few deep breaths to calm down.
  • He makes time to play!
  • A high-EQ dad knows that when children are at play, they are exploring and experiencing a wide range of emotions.
  • He knows that it is not about having the latest toy or electronic gadget, but about the quality time that he is sharing with his child.

Being a high-EQ dad takes patience, practice and commitment but the rewards are immeasurable. Your child is watching, listening and learning by your example. Celebrate this Father's Day by beginning to use these best practices so you can give your child the building blocks they need to be happy, healthy, emotional beings.

15 Ingredients to finish your dish for maximum flavor

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BAM! That one culinary expletive, combined with a liberal dusting of spice, was for many of us an introduction to the art of finishing your dish with a final touch of flavor. Emeril Lagasse was the Baron of BAM!, and he always made sure to finish a dish with a dash of his now equally famous essence. That gave the final dish extra complexity, and it was better for it. Now, like Emeril, you can finish your dishes with a little extra pizzazz, using essence, herbs or really anything whose flavor you enjoy.

1. Parsley

marinated tomatoes

Parsley is a standby on many savory dishes because a little sprinkle adds nice color to otherwise drab dishes. If you cut your parsley slightly larger (maybe into 1/4-inch pieces) and use flat-leaf parsley, you'll get not only color but a slightly herby flavor perfect for many savory dishes, fried foods and salads. Parsley gives these marinated tomatoes on rustic grilled bread the perfect finishing touch.

2. Asian five-spice

chinese five spice powder

Image: Pim Techamuanvivit/Flickr

Emeril's essence was a Louisiana-inspired spice mix that finds a kindred spirit in Asian five-spice powder. Consisting of five spices (star anise, Sichuan peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon and fennel), this blend lends itself to sweet foods (like pork and chicken), where the cinnamon, cloves and licorice-flavored anise combine to add a very spice cake finish to a dish. Use sparingly, because a little goes a long way. Learn to make homemade five-spice powder.

3. Turmeric

tandoori chicken

Usually known as an ingredient in curry or as the stuff that makes mustard really yellow, turmeric nonetheless has a subtle spiciness and aroma that is reminiscent of mustard. A slight pinch scattered over a dish will add depth of flavor and a unique color to the food. Try this recipe with turmeric to discover the delicious flavor it lends to tandoori chicken.

4. Hot chili powder

lemon pound cake

Chiliheads will love the idea of dusting a little (or a lot) of a flavorful warm spice — chipotle, cayenne or ghost pepper, for instance — over the finished dish. Adding too much dried spice to a dish will give it a grainy texture, but adding a pinch will add another layer of tongue-scintillating scorch to what may already be a spicy dish. Try this sweet and spicy lemon pound cake that has a pinch of cayenne pepper in the glaze.

5. Balsamic vinegar

grilled vegetable tart

Anytime you add vinegar to a dish, you should know what you’re doing, and balsamic vinegar is no exception. The pungent acidity of any vinegar can ruin the balance of the best dish, but a little drizzle of balsamic can give the dish a little something extra. Also, if you’re not worried about the sweetness, you can reduce 3 parts vinegar with 1 part brown sugar to make a thick syrup. Spreading that syrup over a dish gives it a tangy sweetness you won't find anywhere else. A balsamic reduction gives this simple grilled vegetable tart tons of flavor.

6. Flavored vinegar

melon mozzarella salad

Specialty vinegars, especially those mixing vinegar and herbs, are becoming increasingly popular. A dash or two of vinegar flavored with herbs that complement the flavors in the dish can awaken taste buds and make the dish come alive. Just add the vinegar while it's still warm, and give it a minute to mellow before serving. Champagne vinegar mixed with mint gives this melon and mozzarella salad some zing.

7. Olive oil

burrata salads

Many Mediterranean cuisines (in particular, Greek, Italian and Spanish food) love to top their final dishes with a big drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. You can take a page from their book and add a little good, high-quality olive oil to the top of a dish. The extra richness and fattiness from the oil brings out additional flavors in the dish and oftentimes just tastes good by itself. Try these incredibly flavorful Mediterranean-style salads that are dressed simply with olive oil, salt and pepper.

8. Flavored oil

truffle fries

Don't just consider adding regular olive oil either. You can find flavored olive oils or consider oils with extra flavor like groundnut oil, truffle oil or even peanut oil if you are absolutely sure that no one is allergic to peanuts. If you're not sure where to start, you can find toasted sesame oil in most Asian aisles, and many stores are starting to carry citrus olive oil. Try these shoestring fries with black truffle oil to see how flavored oil amps up a dish.

9. Melted butter

homemade gnocchi

Not sure what to add, but you know your dish needs something? Try melting butter and brushing it lightly across the top of your dish. A little butter never hurt anything. The only sauce this homemade gnocchi needs is butter.

10. Melted garlic butter

grilled oysters

If you want to be a little more exciting than just butter, try chopping some garlic and tossing it in a pan with a stick of butter. Melt the butter, and stir together. Take that resulting garlic butter to add spice and the salty richness of butter to any dish. Try it out with these easy grilled oysters topped with herbed garlic butter.

11. Specialty salts

pink salt

Image: BlacknBlueBerry/Flickr

Speaking of salt, there are now a number of flavored salts on the market. Now, finishing a dish with a little salt is no excuse for not properly seasoning your food during cooking. Rather, consider adding smoked sea salt, sulfur-rich pink salt or gourmet gray salt to a dish to add additional saltiness, the flavors that are part of the salt and the crunch from the crystals. A pinch of finishing salt on a perfectly cooked steak can be a wonderful thing.

12. Honey

butternut squash tart

Use honey only if you're not afraid of making your dish too sweet. If this is not a concern, then a little honey (or a mixture of water and honey) can be brushed or drizzled over a dish to give a golden sweetness you don't get with anything other than honey. A drizzle of honey on this savory butternut squash tart gives just the right balance of flavors.

13. Bread or cracker crumbs

braised fennel

Image: Rev Stan/Flickr

Flavored breadcrumbs, crushed crackers or panko can top a dish to provide a nice textural element. They also bring a little flavor to the party (usually an herbaceous flavor or salty flavor) that can be nice, but large enough crumbs are great for enhancing the mouthfeel of a dish. Panko gives this braised fennel a bit of crunch.

14. Hot sauce

udon noodle bowls

Not for the faint of heart, a few lines of Sriracha sauce, Cholula or another fancy hot sauce add several things to a dish: heat, a slight acidity from the vinegar, sweetness from added sugar and the natural flavors of the peppers that make the sauce. Again, a little goes a long way, but it can be a nice way. These udon noodle bowls get kicked up a notch with a drizzle of Sriracha sauce.

15. Grated cheese

vegetable gratin

What dish can't be improved with cheese? All you need to do is find a hard cheese or an aged cheese (or an aged hard cheese) and grate it over your dish. The result adds saltiness and usually gives it what can only be described as a sourness that really does wonders for most dishes. Grated Parmesan adds the perfect hint of flavor to this fresh veggie gratin.

More on toppings

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QUIZ: The hardest Full House quiz you'll probably ever take

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We've all missed the Tanners. Luckily, almost everyone is back: Danny, Joey, Jesse, Stephanie, Becky, D.J., even Kimmy; just no Olsen twins. But, as Stephanie would say, "Tell me something I don't know!"

No joke, this is the hardest Full House quiz ever. Let's see how you do...

How'd you do? Let us know in the comments!

More on Full House

Fuller House confirms major, obvious cast addition
Fuller House: 10 Juicy details we know about the new series
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Why I'll still celebrate Father's Day as a single mom

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As a single mom, I'm the target audience of this heart-tugging viral video. It busted me up a little to see adult children tear up over all the amazing things their mothers did for them, but I found myself bristling at the idea of saying "Happy Father's Day, Mom."

For one thing, this campaign played right into the crowd of naysayers who love to insist that single moms are always looking for a pat on the back (or a handout). These people make me crazy. I don't like feeding their misogynistic demonization of single moms. They didn't see this message as heartwarming; they saw it as yet another case of single moms eroding the very fabric of society. Excuse me while I roll my eyes until they hurt. I don't love the message, but I don't think it's about bratty single moms trying to steal all the parenting thunder.

Even if those troll-ish individuals were removed from the picture, I'd still balk at the "Father's Day for moms" message.

More: Easy Father's Day crafts for kids

Of course there are plenty of women who bust their butts day in and day out to raise their kids without help from a man. But they're not acting as "mother and father" to their children. Those single moms are mothers. Full stop. And mothers are capable of talking about boy parts and playing sports and being tough and supporting their children. Calling a woman "father" for doing the job of both parents plays into gender stereotypes and expectations. It insinuates that the role of "mother" isn't quite enough to raise a child. It insinuates that men have power and women are just there to nurture.

Nope. Not buying it.

My heart breaks for women who raise their children entirely on their own, with no visitation or child support. These women deserve to be honored and celebrated on Mother's Day, and every damn day of the year. But we don't have to call them "father" to acknowledge that they're parenting with the weight of the world on their shoulders. We don't have to say "Happy Father's Day" to praise them for doing an incredible job.

There are many great fathers out there. Let them have their day.

I won't lie. I don't really enjoy Father's Day. It's a reminder to me that my family isn't the traditional family I wanted it to be when I had kids as a married woman. But that doesn't mean I want pity that day, or that I expect others to acknowledge my Father's Day angst — or celebrate me on Father's Day. Because here's the thing. I'm perfectly capable of celebrating myself. I'm an awesome mom. I raise my sons with strength and an open mind and a willingness to adapt to their individual needs.

I'll be enjoying a pedicure this Father's Day like the boss bitch I am.

Happy Father's Day, guys.

More: Scratch-off Father's Day card

OITNB's Natasha Lyonne puts a sexist reporter in his place (VIDEO)

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CQC, which has a reputation for trying to be "funny," sent reporter Rafael Cortez to a junket to interview Uzo Aduba, Natasha Lyonne and Samira Wiley. Because of the nature of the show, we assume his questions were meant to be humorous, but we're really over blatant sexism disguised as humor.

More: OITNB Season 3: 15 Unexplained details that need to be deciphered

OITNB cast shuts down sexist reporter

OITNB cast shuts down sexist reporter

More: Mindy Kaling calls out sexist reporters with one impactful tweet

First he asked Aduba, "Don't you think that in the series, you really need a guy inside the prison with you, doing things that just one guy can be able to do?… I'm talking about guys, men. Want to see my muscles?"

"No," she answered flatly.

Then he asked Lyonne and Wiley if it was hard to act because they are beautiful women.

"What, because of how beautiful we are?" Wiley responded.

More: Melissa McCarthy blasts sexist Hollywood in this brilliant interview

"Sometimes, on those days, you start to be angry, to be furious, you keep fighting with each other — on those days, is it hard sometimes?" Cortez asked.

Lyonne had enough. "I feel like it's accidentally maybe a little bit misoginistic, because it's like 'You're so beautiful! What's it like having to do all that acting?' I can't tell if that's the question, but if it is it's insane," she said.

"Despite the great beauty on the show, everybody is, you know, professional and talented and very capable, so I don't think that anybody's thinking about anything as meaningless as their beauty when they're at work, or certainly at this show."

The whole line of questioning is so ridiculous that it totally has a Between Two Ferns feel, but apparently, the show isn't a satire. So awful.

OITNB season 4 hints slideshow

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