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Piers Morgan attacks Nicki Minaj and 'Black Twitter' in op-ed piece

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In his latest edition of "Open Mouth, Insert Foot," the disgraced CNN reporter took to the interwebs to voice his opinion in regard to the recent Nicki Minaj vs. Taylor Swift feud.

In an op-ed written for the Daily Mail, Morgan denounces Minaj (over and over) for her Tuesday tweet-fest about not being nominated for Video of the Year in the recent MTV Video Music Awards nominations.

Morgan lists the reasons Minaj was snubbed because she is "a) black and b) not skinny enough." He says, "The target of her tempestuous tirade was self-evidently Taylor Swift, who did get nominated in the Video of the Year category, along with 8 other nominations, and is both white and skinny."

More: POLL: Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift feud on Twitter over VMAs, but who's right?

Morgan began his piece by thoroughly trying to discredit Minaj by claiming she has a bad attitude and didn't take a picture with his kids. He unbelievably referred to her as a "stroppy little piece of work." Well, that isn't offensive (read: sarcasm).

While what he says about Minaj is completely uncalled for, by far the most offensive thing he discusses is "Black Twitter."

He says, "… Taylor was promptly eaten alive on social media by the self-styled 'Black Twitter' — a very large, vocal and aggressive social media group of mainly black Americans who collectively leap on any perceived racial insult or bias to expel their indignation."

More: Nicki Minaj just achieved something no other woman ever has

He tried to qualify the fact that he knew firsthand that "Black Twitter" exists by claiming he has been the victim of their attacks himself.

He said, "I myself also ran foul of Black Twitter yesterday when I responded to the current popular activist hashtag '#BlackLivesMatter' by tweeting '#ALLLivesmatter.'" He was dubbed a "white supremacist" by commenters and, quite frankly, given this incoherent tirade and despicable use of language, he doesn't help his case in not looking like one.

He further puts Minaj down, saying, "I have no sympathy for Nicki Minaj, who emerges as a whiny brat that just doesn't like losing. Her charge of racism and big-bodyism are frankly laughable when you consider that three of the five nominations for Video of the Year are black artists."

More: Piers Morgan slams Shia LaBeouf for #IAMSORRY rape claims

In the end, Morgan showed his true colors and his article is just as racist as he warned "Black Twitter" it would be.

Piers Morgan tweet

Piers Morgan tweet

The only thing Morgan proved is that he has a serious lack of understanding of Twitter, racism and the definition of "raging."


Bobbi Kristina's aunt is finally saying goodbye in an undeniable way

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If we didn't already know in our hearts, now we do: Bobbi Kristina is never coming home, and her family knows it, too. Her aunt, Pat Houston, was seen clearing out Bobbi's home in Roswell, Georgia — the same residence where the young woman was found unresponsive in a bathtub on Jan. 31, leaving her in a coma from which she has never woken.

"She kept all the pictures and Whitney's platinum and gold album plaques," a source close to Brown told Us Weekly. "But she threw everything else out."

"Everything" includes Bobbi's romantic partner, Nick Gordon, who is staying with his mother and was recently served with a lawsuit alleging he physically and mentally abused Bobbi before she was found unresponsive, knocked out her teeth and fraudulently accessed money from her bank account.

More: Bobbi Kristina Brown's family now has to deal with an ill-timed lawsuit

But Pat has been by Bobbi's side since she was admitted to the hospital in January. "She visits every day and often spends the night," the insider revealed, adding that while grandmother Cissy Houston is too ill to travel long distances, "Pat calls Cissy and lets her speak to Bobbi over the phone. Cissy wants to be there badly."

Bobbi was moved to a hospice in June after doctors told her family there was nothing else they could do to help her.

Amy Schumer nails it with new quotes about body image

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But in reality, Hollywood is a continuous stream of criticism published across media platforms everywhere and if you don't fit the prototype, you're probably going stand out.

And that's something Amy Schumer loves to jokes about. It's a self-deprecating but "I'm totally owning who I am" humor that makes it easier to just be ourselves, something she seems to be an expert at. She recently revealed to InStyle that, with the help of her costume designer on the set of Trainwreck, she learned to love her body more by making clothes work for her rather than the other way around.

And shouldn't that be a cardinal rule of fashion?

More: How to love your body even when it's not perfect

"She really introduced me to tailoring," Schumer told InStyle magazine. "I didn't know. I just thought, you buy it. If it doesn’t look right, [that's] it. But she takes every outfit as just a suggestion, and then you make it for you. It was eye opening."

More: Amy Schumer's latest EW cover sends positive message about body image (PHOTO)

Sometimes, we are so heavily focused on society’s cookie-cutter definition of "beautiful" that we fail to see the beauty in ourselves and all it takes is the right person to reinstate the universal truth that everybody is beautiful.

"I like stuff that shows my body," Schumer continued. "I'm not a stick, but I feel very much like a woman, and I want to show that."

There are so many things I love about Schumer, but above all, I adore the fact that she does not pretend to be something she is not. She is able to confidently admit that no, she is not a stick, but yes, she is a woman — and she is proud of that.

Empire releases first Season 2 teaser with plenty of satisfying spoilers (VIDEO)

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More: Everything we know about Empire Season 2... so far

Want some spoilers? Cause we have 'em. The video is only 30 seconds long (24 if you take out the promo card at the end), but it's packed with info. What have our favorite music executives been up to since we last saw them a few short months ago? Where can we expect them to go from here? The first teaser has plenty of answers and leaves us with one big question. Let's pick apart this beast, shall we?

Empire Season 2

Empire Season 2

First and foremost, the tune backing this teaser is awesome. "It ain't about the money, it's about the power," perfectly sums up Empire. Though, I think Jamal (Jussie Smollett) would tell you that it's about both.

More: 23 Times Cookie threw shade and made us feel unworthy

What else can we garner from the half-minute-long trailer? Lucious is still in jail, for starters. He's also rockin' a shaved head which, let's be honest, still can't hurt Terrence Howard's style. And, despite Cookie's tryst with that rockin' security guard, it looks like she'll still do anything to save her man, Lucious, including dance in a cage onstage at a Free Lucious concert starring Jamal. Of course.

The rest of the Empire gang is up to their usual stuff, too. We see Anika and Andre power walking through the building, clearly on a mission they've dubbed of the utmost importance. And Hakeem? Dude is livin' large and enjoying every minute of it. It's clearly not all drama and business, though. Even within the short-but-sweet promo, they still find time to show us some grinding bodies in some seriously tight clothes. So, it looks like someone is still having fun, even with Lucious behind bars.

Will Lucious' arrest change things between him and Cookie? She'll clearly stop at nothing to save her one-time man. Empire Season 2 premieres Wednesday, Sept. 23. We'll be right here with all the deets as soon as we have 'em.

More: 8 Ways Empire is like The Christmas Carol

Sexy book excerpt: Career woman meets hunky firefighter in this NSFW scene

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“I think it’s time you realized how goddamn sexy you are, Miss Taylor.”

“But we — we can’t. Did you not hear a word I said about keeping it prof —” She lost her train of thought because Luke’s sandpaper-rough hands had started swirling tight, erotic circles on her back . . . her hips . . . her ass.

“I’ve — I’ve given up on men.”

“Wait until tomorrow, baby.” He nuzzled along the line of her jaw, his lips igniting volcanic heat across her skin. “Today, let this man take care of you the way you need.” His hands kneaded her rear in a way that made her mindless with desire.

“I can take care of myself,” she moaned, then added, “and my orgasms,” in case her implication was unclear.

She felt the curve of his lips in a smile against her neck. “I don’t doubt it, but why should you have to?”

“Luke, stop. You’re already in enough trouble —”

But trouble was what found her when Luke’s lips brutally claimed hers. His hand shaped her neck, his thumbs held her jaw in place for his assault. She surrendered, no fight left in her, no longer wanting to be the difficult woman. She let him work her mouth, slide his tongue inside, map the roof of her mouth. She let him use her.

He broke the kiss, his eyes hazy with a strange brew of lust and compassion. “That’s okay, baby. Next time, I expect your full participation, but right now I’m drivin’ this train.”

Yes. She was so tired of trying to do it all, wear the pants and the skirt. Giving herself permission to submit was as arousing as anything Luke Almeida brought to the table.

He turned her so she faced the cracked mirror, its luster diminished but still bright enough to show her body’s potent reaction to this astonishingly sexy man. Nipples a lot perkier than she felt, hair the wrong side of sexy tousled.

“You need to see how beautiful you are, Kinsey. How powerful.”

Trailing a blunt hand along the border of her bikini bottoms, he tested the boundaries. She shuffled her feet apart. His grin turned disgracefully wicked.

“Do you want to direct?”

“No, just do it right, Luke. Make it good.”

He bit down on her earlobe, a tender puncture to that sensitive flesh, then yanked her bikini bottoms halfway down her thighs so roughly she gasped at the contrast. Moisture flooded her sex at the thought of what would come next.

More: An unlikely pair find passion in this risqué romance

One strong forearm banded beneath her breasts while his other hand tunneled through her tawny curls, parting her swelling folds to where she was already shockingly hot and slick. Reaching up, she cupped the back of his head and set anchor. He kissed her wrist over her rocketing pulse.

“That’s my girl,” he whispered. “Hold on tight.”

He slid a finger inside her.

Then, giving her the intimate stretch she needed, a mind-melting two.

“You really need this, don’t you? You need me deep inside you, baby.”

“Yes. God, yes.” Every fluid thrust massaged her clit perfectly on the return, and increased the spirals of want low in her belly. The raging evidence of his own need jutted into her spine.

“There, right there.” She grasped his hand and pressed it closer to where she needed it.

He chuckled. “Seems you can’t resist taking charge.”

Mind in a blur, she froze. That’s what David had hated. Her assumption of the role of aggressor, her pleading for him to deliver more than he had to give.

The rules were so hard to follow.

“Don’t stop, Kinsey. If you need to tell me what makes you feel good, do it. I’m yours to command.”

Thoughts vaporized. Muscles dissolved. Desire flew loose in her core as those words smashed her senseless.

“I need . . .”

“What, baby? Tell me what you need.”

This. You. Everything you have.

“Your fingers . . . your fingers spreading me. A little rougher than —...” Oh! He followed her instructions, the callused sides of his rough-cast fingers abrading her sensitive folds as he plunged inside her.

“Like that?”

“And my breasts. Squeeze my nipples.”

His meaty paw yanked away, then replaced, the triangle of fabric over her aching breast. He covered her easily, molding her soft flesh to his rough ministrations.

“Please, Luke,” she begged. “More.”

Another bite on her earlobe, a further pinch of her nipple, and he adapted quickly to her raw, desperate needs. An invisible thread of pleasure shot straight to her sex and produced another gush of pleasure on his hand.

More: Read a sexy excerpt from Kresley Cole's The Master

The blatant look of male satisfaction on his face said he approved.

Faster, he rubbed against that taut bundle of nerves, drawing the blistering sensation to a peak. All she could do was writhe. And watch. And feel. His dark, cocoa skin against her gilded flesh heightened their contrasts, yet also showed how well they complemented each other. She stood cradled in his arms, half dressed, a sleazy mess, which made it filthier and sexier and so, so good.

You can purchase a full copy of Flirting with Fire here.

About the author: Originally from Ireland, Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Mills & Boon thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip. Visit her at KateMeader.com.

Doctor Who alum says he's 'not a massive' fan of sci-fi

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More: Why The CW's Hawkgirl is the only princess/superhero story we need

We were already excited for Legends of Tomorrow and all the nerdy DC goodness that would come with it. News of Arthur Darvill's attachment only made it all the more thrilling. Things took a turn for the surreal, though, when it was announced that Darvill would play Rip Hunter, a time traveler. Uh, what? That's right, folks. You're going to see Rory Pond traveling space and time once, again!

This may be Darvill's second adventure through all that wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff, but don't let that fool you. Darvill says he's not actually a science fiction fan.

"I'm not a massive, massive fan of it," Darvill admitted. "If I were, I wouldn't be able to do it, if that makes sense?"

Don't worry, though, geeks. He doesn't hate us. Quite the opposite, in fact. Darvill went on to say he has plenty of respect for those who work in science fiction and take part in the fandoms.

More: Why the new Batgirl is the perfect superhero for your kid

"What I like about the way these science fiction shows are going — and I suppose it’s always been historically like this — is that the stakes are really high, and the people who write them really, really care about them," he said. "There's a whole community. You get to tell stories about humanity and about what it is to be a human being, what it is to be a person, and good and evil. That’s what's exciting to me."

He loves us! He really loves us! We love him, too, of course. And, for all you massive Darvill fans, what the actor said about "researching" his role of Rip is sure to conjure the most glorious image in your mind.

"I mean, my research is me sitting at home in my pants reading comics, which is great work," Darvill shared. He went on to say that his research only has him more thrilled for the role. "I've had some discussions with the producers about who Rip is and about what he’s got going on, and I'm so excited."

We are, too, Rory. We are, too.

Legends of Tomorrow Trailer

Legends of Tomorrow Trailer

PS. Anyone else see Rip's jacket and think of another, younger Doctor?

More: DC rebrands superheroes for little girls

Donald Trump gets involved in latest celeb feuds with the most absurd insults

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MoreFind out what the cheeky Donald Trump Insulter is saying about your friends

So, seeing as it'll likely only be a matter of time before he weighs in anyway, we decided to use the far-too-much-fun Donald Trump Insult Generator to see what the ol' <del>hairbag</del> bazillionaire might have to say about some of the major celebrity feuds of the moment.

In his, er, unique brand of response, naturally.

1. Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift

Heaven help the Twitterverse — Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift have started a Twitter feud. It all began when the Video of the Year nominations for the VMAs were announced and they didn't include Minaj's twerk-tastic "Anaconda." She sent a tweet many view as a thinly veiled dig at Swift, whose "Bad Blood" was up for the award. Swift pointedly responded and the universe has been out of whack ever since. So what would Trump have to say to these feuding pop scions?

Donald Trump

Hmm. Shall we call it a draw?

2. Katy Perry and Taylor Swift

Katy Perry couldn't help throwing her hat into the ring for this Nicki Minaj/Taylor Swift throwdown, seeing as she is supposedly the inspiration behind Swift's "Bad Blood" lyrics. Addressing the heated exchange between Minaj and Swift, Perry tweeted, "Finding it ironic to parade the pit women against each other argument about as one unmeasurably capitalizes on the take down of a woman..." But faux-Trump isn't having any of it.

3. Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert

We're all still a bit broken up about, well, the breakup of country's reigning king and queen, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. Especially since there now seems to be a bit of a nasty he said/she said war going on between the two over who cheated first. Boo! These two were one of our all-time favorite famous couples. In this bitter split, though, the Trump-sulter appears to be on Lambert's side.

More: 8 Times Blake and Miranda made us believe in happily ever after

4. Meek Mill and Drake

Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift don't corner the market on musical Twitter tiffs — Meek Mill got fired up earlier this week in a Twitter rant accusing Drake of, among other things, relying on ghostwriters to pen his lyrics for him. Drake doesn't seem to be sweating it too much, considering he hasn't so much as acknowledged the accusations made by Mill. We'd say Trump's reaction to this spat is a toss-up.

5. Kim Zolciak and Nene Leakes

If you were dreading NeNe Leakes and Kim Zolciak's new reality show spinoff, don't. Word has it these two Real Housewives couldn't rein in their divalicious behavior long enough to get a production schedule hammered out. Despite their shared proclivity for hairpieces, Trump would obviously have next to no sympathy for Zolciak.

And, um, his response to Leakes is simply nonsensical.

6. Kylie Jenner and Amandla Stenberg

Kylie Jenner incurred the wrath of Hunger Games star Amandla Stenberg when she posted a selfie to her Instagram page sporting some serious cornrows (along with the questionable caption, "I woke up like disss.") Stenberg accused Jenner of appropriating African American culture for her own gain and perpetuating racism. Jenner fired back, telling Stenberg to "go hang w Jaden or something," referring to Will Smith's son and Stenberg's prom date. The Trumpster? Well....

More: Hunger Games' Amandla Stenberg slams Kylie Jenner for "racist" hairstyle

7. Brandi Glanville and, like, everyone

Who doesn't former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Brandi Glanville have beef with these days? The beleaguered blonde might just be working her way through the social hemisphere. For one, Joanna Krupa has a defamation suit in the works against the reality star. And, ouch, the insult-slinging Trump doesn't mince words when it comes to Glanville.

What is hokey garbage, exactly? While we ponder that, live a little and plug your own name into the insult generator.

5 Energy healing exercises that kill stress almost immediately

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It's rooted in acupuncture methods, yoga and Kinesiology, all centered on the idea that, just like your blood flow, your energy flow can get blocked. What you're left with are issues like the inability to sleep, heightened stress, aches, pains and more.

Lara admits, "Our Western medical beliefs are based on scientific research and because people can't see energy, it has been difficult to incorporate energetic healing into our Western Medical way of thinking." But, folks, don’t knock it 'til you try it. All it involves are simple body movements and tapping that help balance your energy.

When you're stressed, your body gets tight from the back of your arm, the back of your neck and across your temple, Lara explains. Naturally, you want to relax these areas. And this will help.

1. The triple warmer massage

Energy healing triple warmer massage

Lara explains that this will calm the fight or flight response in your body. You know, the one that convinces you to throw your cell phone at the wall when you read a nasty email. Or the one that makes you snap at your kids when they are driving you nutso.

Watch the full exercise here.

2. The cross-posture

Energy healing cross posture

In what I thought was the most interesting bit of all this, Lara tells me that when we're stressed our brains only use our dominant side in order to conserve energy, and that is essentially what can create anxiety in stressful moments. So, the goal with this exercise is to override the stress response by getting you brain to work bilateral again and, as Lara puts it, put your body in a restive, parasympathetic state.

You'll also want to cross your ankles and repeat, "I release my feelings of..." Watch the full exercise here.

3. Emotional freedom technique

Tapping energy healing exercise

This is only part of Lara's full routine on tapping to relieve the most stubborn kinds of stress. You might feel a little goofy doing it but the idea is that you're tapping certain acupressure points while saying a positive affirmation.

Watch the full exercise here (and be prepared to go outside your comfort zone for this one. You have to be OK with feeling like a total goof).

4. Stress relief to sleep pose

Sleep better exercise

You want to practice this just before you go to sleep to put you in a more ambient state. After a stressful day, and several fight-or-flight reactions, blood rushes to your limbs, and this exercise signals it to go back to your brain and reverse your stressful state. Lara explains the full effect here.

5. Protecting yourself from catching other people's stress

Negative energy healing exercise

Stress, like yawning, is contagious. So Lara recommends protecting yourself from the contagion by doing this daily before you leave your house or before entering large crowds. You actually draw a line up the center of your body starting at your pelvis (maybe not the most comfortable in public settings) and moving up to your nose and twist like you're locking a key at your nose. Read more about negative energy here.


RHOC's Meghan Edmonds now dealing with a major family loss

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More: Kim Richards' latest rehab decision could cost her her family — for good

Reality Tea reports that a source close to the family has confirmed Lee Ann Edmonds has passed away after a battle with cancer. Lee Ann, who was Jim Edmonds' first wife and the mother to his two daughters, Lauren and Hayley, only appeared briefly on the show, but was loved by many around her, including Meghan Edmonds, Jim's current wife.

Meghan hinted at the sad news on Twitter, where she posted first, "Today is a sad day. Pls send positive vibes this way!"

Lee Ann Edmonds 1

Lee Ann Edmonds 1

Later, she was back on the site to say, "Time has ceased But cherished memories still linger This is the way of life and all things We shall meet again."

Lee Ann Edmonds 2

Lee Ann Edmonds 2

More: 7 Facts about Kim Richards' past that will shock you

Other fans have been sending their condolences to the family via social media and Meghan has retweeted some of the sweet messages, including one that says, "Sending love and prayers to you, Hayley and the Edmonds Family."

Lee Ann Edmonds 3

Lee Ann Edmonds 3

She also posted a photo of herself and Lee Ann to her Instagram account, captioned with a simple red heart emoji.

Lee Ann Edmonds 4

Lee Ann Edmonds 4

The picture, posted Wednesday afternoon, had nearly 2,000 likes and plenty of well wishes from fans.

"Praying for you and the family. You will need to be strong for everyone," one user wrote. Another added, "Terribly sorry to hear the devastating news. Thinking about and sending many prayers your way."

Our thoughts are with the entire Edmonds family during this difficult time.

More: How Joe Giudice's new show is teaching his kids a horrible lesson

What's your favorite memory of Lee Ann from The Real Housewives of Orange County?

Katy Perry tweets out a sick burn toward Taylor Swift

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More: Donald Trump gets involved in latest celeb feuds with the most absurd insults

As everyone on earth knows, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift aren't exactly buddies — supposedly, Katy stole Tay's backup dancers a hundred years ago and they're still not over it because "Bad Blood" is all about how much they still hate each other, plus the fact that every famous woman ever was in the "Bad Blood" video, purportedly so Taylor could show Katy how popular she is, because as we all learned in middle school, your character is determined by how many BFFs you have.

So, naturally, it should come as a surprise to no one that Katy is weighing in on Taylor's more recent feud — with Nicki Minaj — and she's not holding back.

It all started Tuesday, when Nicki took to Twitter to complain about how her song, "Anaconda," was only nominated for two VMAs, instead of four. It broke streaming records, so obviously it deserves every award, she said (OK, I'm paraphrasing). Then she threw some shade at Tay Tay, whose "Bad Blood" video also broke streaming records and got a Video of the Year nomination, unlike "Anaconda."

Nicki v Taylor 1

Nicki v Taylor 1

Taylor tweeted back, fans got involved, everyone thought Kim Kardashian was in the middle of it, etc. If you're into celebrity catfghts, grab your popcorn and settle in.

Now, Katy has jumped into the fray, and considering her ongoing beef with T-Swift, we probably don't need to tell you whose side she took.

Katy Perry VMAs tweet

Katy Perry VMAs tweet

And then Nicki, who has clearly given up on trying to pretend her tweets weren't directed at Taylor, favorited the tweet.

Will this be the end of it? Or will Taylor fight back? We're sure we'll find out soon enough.

More: Piers Morgan attacks Nicki Minaj and "Black Twitter" in op-ed piece

Have you voted in our poll? Tell us whose side you're on — Taylor Swift's or Nicki Minaj's — and then head to the comments and tell us whether you think Taylor should hit back at Katy or just let this one go.

Taylor Swift vs Nicki Minaj poll

Taylor Swift vs Nicki Minaj poll

Arrow fans have one thing wrong about the show's new 'black Nazi' character

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More: How Sara Lance will return from the dead for this new spinoff

At first wind of Akingbola's casting as Baron Reiter, confusion seemed only natural. Historically, in Arrow's comic world, there was a Nazi super villain known as Baron Blitzkrieg. Blitzkrieg was the leader of the highly evil organization Shadowspire. So, it's an easy mistake for comic fans to assume Reiter will be a Nazi. The show's executive producer, Marc Guggenheim, wants fans to know that this couldn't be farther from the truth, however.

Baron Reiter is just a name and will have no affiliation with Baron Blitzkrieg, Guggenheim assure frenzied fans. He also promised he wouldn't later turn into Blitzkrieg. Akingbola's Reiter will play Oliver's nemesis in flashbacks in the coming season, but he will only be Baron Reiter, whom Guggenheim swears is not a Nazi.

More: Arrow actor and martial artist Darren Shahlavi dead at 42

"We wanted a really great villain for Oliver in the flashbacks," Guggenheim told Entertainment Weekly. "We wanted to come out of the gate strong with someone great and we wanted to, quite frankly, cast the best actor. As it turns out, our best actor was African-American."

Don't feel too bad, though. Guggenheim admits the uproar was partially his and the production team's fault for not being straightforward with fans.

"I totally get it," he said. "It's all good. We were surprised because we mistakenly assumed that everyone was on the same page as we were, but why would they be? We haven't told anyone anything about the flashbacks, but this was so obviously not our intention to do Baron Blitzkreig. If we were, in fact, doing a Nazi being played by an African American, I would expect us to be very duly Internet chastised."

What else can you expect from Arrow's fourth season? Guggenheim remained tight-lipped on the subject. The only time he even mentioned the upcoming season's plots was when telling EW that he couldn't say anything for fear of spoiling a major plot twist in the premiere episode.

So, just three more months of waiting to find out. Arrow restarts on Oct. 7 at 8/7c on The CW.

More: 14 Things to know about the Arrow vs. The Flash crossover

Ask a Raging Feminist: What do you hide inside your purse?

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Today's question: What's in your bag?

"A nutcracker."April Salazar

"Makeup bag; travel-size dry shampoo; reading glasses; sunglasses; phone-wallet combo; Metro Card in the side pocket for easy access; and a travel umbrella, which doubles as a baton to smash the patriarchy with — or at the very least threaten street harassers." — Amber Garrett

More: Ask a Raging Feminist: What reality show would you appear on?

"My purse is only used for essential daily needs so I try to be super selective of what I throw in there. For starters, I have 4 super different shades of lipstick from pale pinks to deep purples. Of course, I also have matching lipliner for each one so I can ensure my lips are perfectly defined and easy to see when I say things like 'F*** off' to patriarchy. There's also a big keychain filled with keys that unlock the doors to magical worlds where men don't harass women and elite feminists aren't chanting 77 cents to women of color who make significantly less. Oh, and I also have a bottled energy drink because being a smart bitch is exhausting." — Natasha Vianna

"My retainer for my vagina dentata, my one-size-fits-all male-gaze blocking cape, a venti cup of female privilege, my copy of the Misandry Handbook, and chapstick." — Alex Blank Millard

"A wallet, a computer, shades, a lipstick, a spare tampon, and a Five Hour Energy because being a raging feminist is exhausting." — Hanna Brooks Olsen

"War paint, Mace, brass knuckles, and a journal chronicling my conquests over misogynistic oppression. Also, mints." — Seraphina Ferraro

More: Ask a Raging Feminist: Where would you go if money was no object?

"My virginity. I thought I had lost it, but it was in the side pocket under a half-eaten chocolate bar." — Therese Shechter

"Nipple clamps, choke chain. Cards representing debt. An empty journal. Smartphones connecting me to two dozen unfinished poems." — Margaret Corvid

"My whole life is contained in the bags on my bicycle. I have a snuggly sleeping bag, clothes, a tent, a book of Adrienne Rich poems, my journal, a cookstove, a toothbrush, dried mango, water, and a million other things. Such is the life of a solo female touring cyclist!" — Devi K. Lockwood

"All the usual girly things you'd expect, like money, condoms, and business cards, this coupon for free bacon I keep forgetting to use...and a multipurpose utility tool. This tool helps me open beers for my man AND open childproof packaging in even the most rustic of settings. Bonus: the mini-screwdrivers and wrenches allow me to dismantle the patriarchy whenever an opportunity presents itself.

Also, tampons, lip gloss, and at least eight ponytail holders." — Jessica Sutherland

More: Ask a Raging Feminist: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

The science behind what really attracts you to someone — at first

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"People find facial symmetry more attractive," says Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D., a.k.a. "Dr. Romance," a licensed psychotherapist and the author of Love Styles: How to Celebrate Your Differences. "There is a clear link [between attraction and facial symmetry]."

So does that mean we're superficial creatures who should look no further than skin-deep to find our one and only? And what's behind this whole symmetry-is-sexy thing, anyway?

The answer to the first question is not exactly, but more on that in a bit. As for the second, studies have shown that it's because symmetrical faces are associated with good health in a potential partner.

"From a biological point of view, men and women are seeking mates who are 'developmentally stable': pathogen resistant, healthier and not damaged by psychological or genetic distress that suggests flaws in the person's potential to protect, provide for and support a family," Jeanette Raymond, Ph.D., a licensed couples therapist and the author of Now You Want Me, Now You Don't!, explains, citing a review of the research published by Symmetry 2010. "They use appearance as a way of judging for these characteristics, and symmetry seems to be the best overall cue."

More: How to create magnetic attraction in your relationship

So what parts of the face are most important when it comes to symmetry and attractiveness? Raymond says it's the eyes, nose, lips, cheekbones (for women) and chins (for men). Voices considered to be attractive are also associated with a greater level of symmetry.

One 1998 study titled "Facial symmetry and the perception of beauty" had researchers manipulating photos of faces to be slightly more or less symmetrical, then showing them to the subjects and asking them to rate their attractiveness.

"Attractiveness increased when we increased symmetry and decreased when we reduced symmetry in individual faces," the authors wrote. "Similar results were found when subjects judged the faces on appeal as a potential life partner, suggesting that facial symmetry may affect human mate choice."

To further confirm the biological, rather than cultural, explanation for why symmetrical faces are perceived as more attractive, it's interesting to note when women find symmetrical faces most appealing in men.

"Women are more likely to go for symmetry in males when they are ovulating," Raymond says.

High testosterone in men is believed to be what creates more symmetry in the body, including in the nose and nostrils, chin, ears and even the stomach, Raymond says, citing the existing research. Even the ratio between the index and ring fingers is an important measure of symmetry.

"Testosterone levels also indicate dominance and industriousness," she says. "Those men who have the appropriate symmetry have higher athletic ability and musical abilities."

When it comes to women's bodies, the waist-to-hip ratio is significant, as are the lips, cheekbones and chest.

"Waist-to-hip ratio is a symmetrical feature that spells out a woman's child-bearing ability, and that is one cue men are primed to look for," Raymond explains. "Symmetrical breasts, lips and high cheekbones are attractive to men, as they spell sound health."

In other words, it isn't just facial symmetry that's a turn-on and signifies a healthy, good mate.

"Overall body symmetry is strongly linked to attractiveness in both sexes," says Raymond. "It's not just the face but overall symmetry that signals health, resilience, better emotional and psychological health, the ability to run and show prowess and the ability to work hard and offer good genes."

A downside of going for a symmetrical guy? He might not be the most faithful.

"Men with high symmetry are more likely to have affairs," Raymond says.

All that said, we aren't necessarily aware that we're drawn to people with symmetrical faces and bodies.

"All this happens at an unconscious level," Raymond says. "We don't know why we feel excited or why there seems to be chemistry. Unconsciously, we go for symmetry, but we overlay fashion, culture and style [as cues for attractiveness]."

More: 5 Features science says people are most attracted to

And as for whether we're just superficial beings who choose life partners based solely on whether their faces are symmetrical, well, that isn't really the case. While we might find those people enticing and attractive, we don't always act on that chemistry.

"We're way more complex than that," Tessina says. "Because we are formed by our families of origin, we tend to be drawn to similar looks, whether they are symmetrical or not. People don't always feel a connection to the most attractive. In fact, it's often intimidating, and we'd prefer to worship it from afar. We tend to really make connections with people who are more similar to ourselves."

So if we're choosing mates who are like us, we're not really being superficial, are we? But narcissistic? Maybe.

Sweet potato 'noodle' salad — the low-carb way to satisfy your pasta craving

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If you love noodles but are looking for a healthier way to enjoy “pasta,” then this is a great recipe to try. Veggies are transformed into noodles by using a spiralizer. You can find these in most cooking stores and online.

After making the noodles, I lightly sautéed them in olive oil, then tossed them into a bowl with fresh spinach and other healthy ingredients, along with a super-flavorful sauce using tahini (which is made from sesame seeds and is the consistency of peanut butter). Adding a few cloves of fresh or roasted garlic along with a splash of honey really makes this sauce light and bright. It's perfect for drizzling all over these healthy veggie noodles.

Sweet potato noodle salad with creamy tahini-garlic sauce recipe

Sweet potato and zucchini "noodles" are lightly sautéed and tossed in a fragrant roasted garlic-tahini sauce. This vegan recipe is perfect for a light meal or even as a side dish.

Serves 6

Prep time: 25 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes | Total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

For the garlic-tahini sauce

  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 4 cloves roasted or fresh garlic
  • 2 tablespoons raw honey or maple syrup

For the noodles

  • 4 large sweet potatoes, washed and peeled
  • 2 large zucchini
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 small sweet onion, finely diced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 2 tablespoons hemp seeds, for garnish (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

  1. To a blender or food processor, add all the ingredients for the tahini sauce. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Taste the sauce, and adjust the seasonings as needed, then set aside.
  2. Using the spiralizer, make noodles out of the sweet potatoes and the zucchini. Place all the noodles in a bowl, and set aside.
  3. Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil, red pepper and onions, and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
  4. Add the sweet potato and zucchini noodles to the pan, and sauté until the noodles are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  5. Transfer the noodles to a large bowl, and add the baby spinach. Drizzle with the tahini sauce, and toss well using two forks or tongs.
  6. Garnish the dish with hemp seeds and fresh cilantro, and serve immediately.

More sweet potato recipe ideas

Sweet potato gratin with Gouda
Broccoli-sweet potato cakes
Baked sweet potatoes with orange-yogurt sauce

12 Digital hacks to make tech work better for your family

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This isn't only about restricting, banning or monitoring. Part of managing your kids' media means arming yourself with information so that you can make media and tech work for you — instead of the other way around. It's also important to realize when tech isn't the solution at all.

Here are our favorite hacks to improve what your kids watch, see, play and do.

1. Make YouTube more kid-friendly

YouTube's safety mode hides most age-inappropriate videos and also enables safe search in Google. Just go to YouTube and scroll down to the bottom of the screen. See the little box that says "safety: off"? Click it on.

2. Tame games

The popular game network Steam offers lots of kid-friendly games such as The LEGO Movie Videogame, Portal and Sid Meier's Civilization V. But it also sells plenty of games that aren't appropriate for kids. With Steam Family View, you can help kids find the games they're ready for.

3. Get high-quality, low-cost kids' shows without cable

Online streaming video services aren't only for grown-ups. Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video and Netflix offer high-quality, original kids' shows. Nutri Ventures (Hulu), Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street (Amazon) and Turbo FAST (Netflix) are only a few examples. Some advantages of streaming versus TV: There are fewer commercials, and programs don't run continuously.

4. Help kids focus on one app at a time

  • In iOS: Let your kids play away on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch without worrying that they'll get distracted by another app — or worse, get into your email or private files. Apple's Guided Access feature (found in Settings/General/Accessibility) temporarily restricts your device to a single app.
  • In AndroidThe restricted user profile (for tablets only) lets you create individual environments for each family member, providing access only to the apps (and various features within those apps) you set.

5. Turn off gore in video games

Sometimes even serious gamers like a little less blood, gore and violence. A handful of popular titles, including Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Left 4 Dead 2Assassin's Creed, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty and Team Fortress 2, allow players to tone down or turn off the gory stuff. Check your kids' games to see if this feature is offered.

6. Be present (and still get work done)

Need to cut out of work early for a soccer game or music recital? Got a sick kid on your biggest deadline day? Designate VIPs in your email or phone-contacts lists and you won't be disturbed until they — and only they — contact you. In iOS, you can create a VIP setting that notifies you of important emails. Android apps such as My VIP Calls only let through calls from specific people (such as your kid's teacher, who may call when you're in a meeting).

7. Get serious about passwords

Kids are accumulating more and more passwords for school, services, social sites and even their devices — and it's easy to forget, misplace or share them by accident. But with increasing large-scale data attacks targeting log-in information, it's vital to protect the confidentiality and security of your information. Password managers not only generate passwords and keep them secure, they can help reinforce the importance of safeguarding your private information. A few to try: LastPass1Password and KeePass.

8. Help your kid manage screen time

Kids don't necessarily have a built-in off switch. But learning when enough is enough is an essential digital-age skill. Software timers such as Timers4Me and Time Timer count down the minutes you've set, allowing kids to take responsibility for managing their own screen time. They work for other tasks too, such as practicing piano or getting ready to leave the house in the morning.

9. Get kids reading — for free

Kids are reading less than ever. Reverse this disheartening trend with free digital books, available for your computer or mobile device. In addition to local libraries, which use services such as OverDrive to let you check out free ebooks, a few websites offer free ebooks, including Project Gutenberg, the Open LibraryBarnes & Noble (for use with the free Nook app) and Amazon (for use with the free Kindle app).

10. Shore up your privacy

Did you know that you're collecting cookies? These data trackers are deposited on your computer by websites and follow you around online, enabling sites to recognize you — but potentially invading your privacy. Sites don't always make it clear when and how they use cookies, and the data they collect aids marketers more than it does you. Plus, they may be tracking more than you really want anyone to know. Deleting your browser history won't get rid of them. Here's how to fine-tune the privacy settings on the most popular browsers: ChromeSafari and Internet Explorer.

11. Find your phone — and, while you're at it, your kid

The free Find My Phone app for iOS or Android is a no-brainer to locate a lost device. But it also can help you check up on your kid, so long as he or she is attached to the phone. Installing the app and enabling the phone's location services displays the phone (and, presumably, its handler) on a map.

12. Master your home network

The Internet security company OpenDNS offers a download that lets you set up parental controls on your home network. The service is free, but you have to make a change to your wireless router (it's daunting but worth it, and the directions talk you through it.)  This filtering service is nearly impossible for kids to defeat.


Birth control pills really do prevent cancer, says science

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Now we can hopefully put this particular alarmist theory to bed, because a new study shows that taking birth control pills is helping to reduce the risk of various womb-related cancers. But it gets even better than that. According to the study's research, you don't even have to remain on the pill for more than a few years to benefit from this lowered risk for decades.

MoreThe Mamafesto: Why this mom says #ThxBirthControl!

Researchers at Oxford University found that over 200,000 possible cases of womb cancer have been prevented over the last 10 years thanks to birth control pills. Moreover, after looking at 36 other studies, they estimated that 400,000 cases of endometrial cancer have been prevented due to the pill over the past 50 years. That is a huge number, especially considering what a specific type of cancer they were exploring.

Based on their findings, which they recently published in the The Lancet Oncology journal, they concluded that for every five years a woman remains on the pill, she lowers her risk of developing a form of womb cancer by 25 percent. That means if you've taken the pill for more than a decade, your chances of being diagnosed with womb cancer fall by 50 percent — from 2.3 out of 100 to 1.3 out of 100.

More5 Ways birth control can actually be sexy

Common womb cancers are ovarian and endometrial (the lining of the uterus), and if you've taken the pill for longer than a year, you could have successfully lowered your risk of getting either for up to 30 years. It's amazing to think that something people have been so ready to label a cancer causer actually does the opposite. Professor Valerie Beral, co-author of the study, told The Guardian, "What it means is that women in their 50s and 60s who took the pill are less likely to get cancer than women who did not, and the longer they have taken it the less likely they are. That is pretty important." Yeah, I'd say so!

That's not to say that taking the pill is suddenly free of negatives and risks. The increased risks of weight gain, moodiness, headaches and even blood clots still exist. However, Beral and the rest of the research team hope their findings will help women to weigh the benefits against the risks with more clarity. Really, any medication you take comes with a list of side effects you should certainly consider but not allow to scare you into forgetting why you wanted or needed it in the first place.

Simply put, this is just another reason women have to thank birth control for being awesome, and hopefully it will send the fear mongers back to their dark, cancer-free caves.

More22 Women share why they use birth control — but why do we have to give a reason?

Millennials are killing relationships and we should be concerned

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While many might've thought hooking up was just a passing young adult phase, like belly button piercings or drinking Red Bull and vodka to stay up all night, experts are saying it could be here to stay. Relationships and emotional commitments may simply be too much to expect from the "want it right now" generation.

It's not entirely their fault, though. Many grew up in a world where technology made everything too accessible. They can maintain friendships with old camp friends living halfway across the world just as easily as they can order Chinese food at 1 a.m. via an online app. And now that dating has been similarly technologically streamlined, arranging for a late-night, no-fuss rendezvous is no different.

MoreScientists link millennial casual sex trend to depression

As a result, the terms "boyfriend" and "girlfriend" have become almost as rare as "fiancée" and "spouse" in this generation pool. You might think it's commitment phobia, but I think it has more to do with lack of interest in commitment, because the other side of the coin is more desirable, at least for now. A major personality aspect of millennials overall is that they're always jumping from thing to thing, so the idea of being tied down to one person might feel limiting. Things move so fast now that stopping to commit might start to look like a big roadblock. In light of that, it makes sense why this casual noncommitment seems like their best option.

Recent statistics are backing up this trend toward keeping it casual. According to recent data recorded by Gallup, only 16 percent of people ages 18 to 29 were married in 2014, and only 14 percent were living with their significant other. That means the majority of millennials are choosing to live the single or undefined relationship life. They're simply not feeling the pull to nail down a life partner and start a family yet, because their lives are busy enough, and who has time for all that these days?

MoreWomen longing for 'old-fashioned' men need to wake up and smell 2015

There's certainly nothing wrong with keeping it casual if you're not ready to commit and you enjoy dating around. However, shouldn't we worry about how many of these millennials are saying they're cool with just "hanging out" because they want to fit in with their generational trend?

Jordana Narin said it succinctly when she wrote about her own experience traversing through this noncommittal, label-less land of millennial dating. "We aren’t supposed to want anything serious; not now, anyway. But a void is created when we refrain from telling it like it is, from allowing ourselves to feel how we feel. And in that unoccupied space, we’re dangerously free to create our own realities. Women today have more power. We don’t crave attachment to just one man. We keep our options open. We’re in control.”

And therein lies a major issue — women are feeling like they have to give in to this "cool girl," casual dating lifestyle, because it allows them to remain competitive on other planes with men. However, it's apparent that many women (and probably men too) are hiding a longing for something deeper but feel they can't express it because it's "too much to ask for."

Not using labels to define a relationship may sound freeing, but the lack of definition is leaving these poor creatures floating from one non-thing to another like lost souls in dating purgatory. That doesn't sound easy or fun to me at all.

MoreWomen want casual sex just as much as men

Gabrielle Union reveals she fought black stereotypes on Bring It On

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But little did I know my eyeballs would be glued to the screen and I would get up after watching it and want to do a few backflips myself.

What started out as a "cheerleading movie" turned into a sports movie franchise that would pave the way for the likes of the Barden Bellas and other girl squads like them. The cheer-tastic flick spawned four spinoffs and launched the careers of young, fresh-faced actresses such as Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union.

More: Gabrielle Union takes the crown for the best video photobomb, ever (VIDEO)

Union was cast as the inner city and rival squad Clovers captain, Isis. The producers and casting directors said, "Gabrielle was always Isis. She was Isis at the reading and she was Isis in the movie. She was destined to play that part."

And Union knew it, too. She also knew that her role would be bigger than that of a high school cheerleader. She knew, at a young age, how she would be viewed and what it meant for her and her role as a black woman. What she says about it shows the head on her shoulders was in a way better place than most teenagers at that age, and it might just blow you away.

During a recent interview with MTV, she said, "There were a ton of teen movies at the time that I passed on that were not committed to getting it right. The reasons why I even took the table read of Cheer Fever was because the cheerleading movie I wanted about bank robbing [Sugar and Spice] — they didn't want to go black on any of the characters."

More: PHOTOS: Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade tie the knot

But wait, the rest of her thoughts about diversity are even more impressive. She continues, "So it's interesting, the group that didn't want to commit to diversity didn't seem to do well and the movie that was about righting the wrongs did well, and that included diversity."

She goes on to discuss that it wasn't just diversity she was standing up for, but the way black people were perceived in movies.

She said, "I remember at the table read my character being a combination of Foxy Brown and about eight other Blaxploitation characters sort of rolled into a cheer-lawyer-defender type person."

Which Union was not down with playing. She told the producers that if she was going to be Isis, she was going to do it right. An executive producer for Bring It On said of her, "She was like, 'You know what, I'm not down with Foxy Brown. I want this character to be super real because I am representing — I will be perceived as a monolithic and I don’t want to be that, because that's what happens when you're not white and in a movie.'"

All in all, Union said the cast had a lot of fun together shooting the now-iconic movie, which went on to be one of the most successful teen movies to date.

More: Gabrielle Union's wedding: No cell phones, no cameras

John Stamos responds to rumors that he tried to get the Olsen twins fired

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The Full House actor admits that a scene in the upcoming Lifetime flick The Unauthorized Full House Story showing him demanding the twins be canned after a dirty diaper ruined a shot is not that far from the truth.

"It's sort of true that the Olsen twins cried a lot," he explained to critics at the Television Critics Association's semi-annual press tour.

"It was very difficult to get the shot. So I [gesturing], 'Get them out…!' That is actually 100 percent accurate."

More: Fuller House changes D.J. Tanner's most controversial storyline

But Mary-Kate and Ashley's replacements didn't fare much better.

"They brought in a couple of unattractive redheaded kids," Stamos said. "We tried that for a while and that didn't work. [Producers] were like, all right, get the Olsen twins back. And that's the story."

Since the twins have long since proved their worth, ranking quite high on the most lucrative child stars in history, they would probably be welcomed back to Fuller House with open arms — and despite statements to the contrary, Netflix is holding out hope that it could still happen.

"The Olsen twins are teetering [on] whether or not they'll be around," chief content officer Ted Sarandos told reporters at the same conference last week. "There's a bunch of opportunity for them if they choose to. But they're not in the current creative."

Let's hope they don't cry this time.

full house behind the scenes slideshow

Fizzy violet lemonade will be your new favourite summer drink

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With a combination of fresh lemons, honey, ginger, chilled sparkling water and violet flower syrup it is bound to become your new summer favourite.

Twist it up with fresh lemons, honey, ginger and chilled sparkling water and ponder how you ever lived life — and survived summer — without this refreshing fizzy twist on the old classic.

Violet lemonade recipe

Fizzy Violet Lemonade

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Total preparation time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 5 to 6 large lemons
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely chopped
  • 2 glasses sparkling (or still, if you prefer) water, chilled
  • 2 teaspoons violet flower syrup

Fizzy Violet Lemonade

Directions:

  1. Cut and squeeze the juice of 5 or 6 large lemons into a jug or bowl. If you like your lemonade to be pip-free pour the juice through a sieve. I like to keep mine rustic — pips and all.
  2. Stir in two teaspoons of honey (or more if you prefer your lemonade to be on the sweeter side).
  3. Sprinkle the fresh ginger into the mixture and stir together. Press the ginger lightly with a spoon as you stir to release some of its juices.
  4. Pour the juice into the bottle or jug in which you are going to serve your lemonade (you can use the container you have made the lemonade in if you like).
  5. Top it up will chilled sparkling (or still) water, tasting as you go, until you reach the intensity of flavour that you like.
  6. Slowly pour in two teaspoons of violet syrup. You can also add ice cubes if you don't think the lemonade is cold enough.
  7. Pour the lemonade into glasses, swirl with a straw or stirrer and serve.


Fizzy Violet Lemonade

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