The Belarus-born woman was born without legs and several fingers, but she's found her place as a competitive bodybuilder and runner... and she's absolutely dominating.
Khvitsko was 6 when she was flown to the United States to be fitted with prosthetic limbs and eventually made Kansas City her home in 2008. "People would treat you differently in Belarus. I wasn't allowed to wear skirts or dresses that showed my prosthetic legs. Here in Kansas, no one cares," she told Barcroft Media of why she loves the States.
bodybuilder born without legs
bodybuilder born without legs
Soon after, a Florida company fitted her with a pair of running legs, or "blades," as she calls them.
"The moment I put on my blades, I felt like I was flying," said Khvitsko, who has since run several marathons and 5K races.
She's now on to a new challenge: CrossFit and competitive bodybuilding. "Sometimes there are times in my gym where I'll do a workout and I feel frustrated because I have to take time to do the exercises," she admitted, adding that she makes modifications to exercises like squats so she doesn't injure herself. "I have to try to figure out how to do the moves when the able-bodies are doing the workout fine. But I'm exploring my disability and realizing what I can and can't do."
Like everyone, the badass blonde has her days when she wishes she wasn't different and could wear heels, but she's showing others that limitations are only in your mind.
The dough is no-knead, and all you need is about 30 minutes of rising time before you simply turn on the slow cooker and let it do its thing for two hours. The result is a soft and chewy, olive oil- and herb-infused loaf that will have you well on your way to becoming a bread-making machine!
According to Animal Planet, most evidence of dogs seeing the dearly (or not-so-dearly) departed is anecdotal. According to internationally known medium Bonnie Vent, it's absolutely possible, though just as with humans, not all dogs have the gift. According to Vent, dogs typically react to spirits in much the same way they would react to humans. If it's a friendly spirit, say the spirit of a beloved owner or a playful child, the dog might be caught jumping and romping with an unseen spirit. If the dog senses danger, it'll react much the same way it might to an unwanted living intruder.
Vent has witnessed her mother's dog play with an unseen spirit person and even communicated with animals to find out what they're sensing. However, Vent cautions against simply assuming strange behavior is a reaction to the spirit world.
One of Vent's cases, which was featured on the reality TV show Phenomena Police, featured a dog that was refusing to go upstairs. The homeowners were convinced their house was haunted. However, after communicating with the dog telepathically, it turned out there was a medical issue with the animal's back.
If your dog is exhibiting strange behavior, it's imperative to look for environmental causes before leaping to conclusions. Focused intently on something you can't see? Are you sure it's not just a fly? Refusing to engage in tasks it previously had no issues with? Take your dog to the vet for a checkup. Once you've eliminated all observable causes, you can take your dog to a pet psychic or clairvoyant capable of communicating with animals.
Check out this video from YouTube user Zack Clark who filmed his dog seeing a spirit. Around the 2:15 mark, she's clearly barking at something we can't see on the footage.
dog sees ghost
dog sees ghost
Can your dog protect you?
You dog cannot harm someone in non-corporeal form. That said, Vent tells us that spirits are just like living people. "They tend to be very emotional if they have unfinished business," she says. "Some are very nice, while others are angry at their circumstances. They have all aspects of what makes us human minus a physical body." That also means they're likely to react to a dog the way they would have in life, so your dog might scare them away or they might simply leave if they realize they're bothering the dog. She made it clear that most spirit people are kind and considerate. They probably mean no harm. However, if you suspect they do, the best step is to contact a proven paranormal professional.
Helping your dog deal with its gift
Like humans, most dogs either don't (won't) see spirits or only see them if the person (or even animal) was important to them. Some spirits may even purposely reach out to a dog that can sense them in order to have the dog attempt to communicate with you. Just like perfectly nice living people make some dogs nervous when they shouldn't be, spirits can too.
If the spirit presence seems to make your dog nervous even though its friendly (just like a storm might make your dog nervous even though there's really no danger), there are some steps you can take. Christine Argo, a clairvoyant who spoke to Pet360, suggests hiring an animal psychic if the dog's behavior becomes disturbing. But you can also feed your pet a few drops of an essence called rock rose (to help with courage) and mimulus (to ease fear) three times a day. According to Argo, there are no negative side effects, but as always, check with a holistic vet. You also might try a thunder shirt (meant to calm dogs that get nervous during storms). Whether or not it works depends on the dog, but many find it comforting.
Why can't I see the spirits?
Vent tells us that most people don't see or hear spirits, though many do. She also cautions that some may ask for a sign from a departed loved one only to ignore or dismiss the subtle signals he/she sends. If you ignore the signals, the loved one may try harder to be seen or heard, but there's also the possibility your dog is sensing something you aren't, so pay attention.
Regardless of why you can't see them, I highly recommend following Vent's advice of looking for worldly explanations before jumping to conclusions, especially where your pet's health may be concerned.
We’re only three episodes in, but this season of SNL is particularly good. The cast and writing staff seem to be finding a new rhythm. This season is much more naturalistic than usual, maybe a result of the influence of the single-camera, pre-taped sketch shows on the air (Inside Amy Schumer, Key and Peele, etc.). SNL is really benefiting from the faster pace and more naturalistic acting. With the addition of a fully recovered Tracy Morgan, the cast seems to be having relaxed fun together. The writing is also much more rooted in reality, like this line from the cold open:
Hillary Clinton: We do need to fix things, Bernie. But you’re promising everyone a golden goose. There is no golden goose. So America, follow me, 'cause I’ve got some chicken that’ll do.
The writers have basically summed up the entirety of the Democratic primary in one line. Between that and Alec Baldwin and Larry David’s spot on Jim Webb and Bernie Sanders impressions, we’ll forgive Jon Rudnitsky playing Anderson Cooper as a lispy gay stereotype, and Kyle Mooney playing… well, it was hard to tell who he was supposed to be playing. But the whole thing is worth watching just to see Larry David describe how Bernie Sanders launders his underwear.
SNL also gave its audience some pure wish-fulfillment in the monologue, by having the cast of 30 Rock reunite to welcome Tracy back to the show. But the best sketch of the night was definitely Family Feud. The sketch featured a man and his new family competing against his ex-wife and their children on the game show. This script is hilarious, and the back and forth between the cast and Tracy is rapid-fire. Basing the humor in family relationship issues, instead of a goofy premise, employs some of the darker, more realistic humor that younger comedy audiences appreciate. And let’s be real: It's cool that SNL actually has enough black people in the cast to play a family and still have one left over to play Steve Harvey. And Leslie Jones as the still-hurt ex-wife gave us so many amazing gems like:
Steve Harvey: Looks like the Williams-McGill family has a chance to steal...
Mrs. Williams: He has stolen enough from me, Steve!
This might be one of my favorite SNL sketches of all time.
Keeping with the theme of things that are “too real,” this week’s fake commercial is based on the idea that people would rather admit to doing cocaine than pooping at a party. Too. Real. If you've never been there... you're a liar. We've all been there.
Morgan continued to shine as Bernard, a resident of a singing village reminiscent of the little town from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Bernard just says what’s on his mind no matter how weird, offensive or out of context it is. At first, I thought the sketch was about the comment section of every article ever. But then one of the adult villagers admits to sleeping with an 18-year-old, and the village people stop singing and have a real moment of disgust, letting him know that his actions are not socially acceptable. So I guess this sketch is actually about Kylie Jenner and Tyga? Too soon? Because seriously, the day of someone's 18th birthday is probably too soon.
Another feature of this season of SNL is how many more pre-taped sketches they are doing. The pre-taped sketches allow the show to do pieces that benefit from a more single-camera feel and allow the comedy to build slowly. “Standoff” benefits from just that and is Morgan at his best: emotional, irrational and committed. And the entire sketch relies on his acting skills, showing that the show didn’t coddle him. He’s truly back in top performing shape.
Of course, we got a quick nostalgic taste of Astronaut Jones in the 10-to-1 slot, and then, once again, I was surprised to find the episode ending without any drag or bad sketches. That’s a great Saturday Night.
Also, at some point in the episode, hip-hop discovered Demi Lovato, and she’s cool now.
Questlove Demi Lovato
Questlove Demi Lovato
Pop Culture Demi Lovato
Pop Culture Demi Lovato
Source Demi Lovato
Source Demi Lovato
That's the magic of SNL.
Are there any other former SNL cast members you’d like to see come back and host?
With all of the drama in the Brown family, it's not hard to imagine the stress taking a toll on one's health. In Meri's case, she's lost 30 pounds in the past six weeks and has been having abdominal pain. When she visits the doctor, she learns it might be cervical cancer, and she needs to undergo further tests. It's worth noting that virtually all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV, which can be transmitted through sex, and women who have sex with men who have other partners simultaneously are considered high risk. In other words, if Meri has HPV, it's possible that the other wives have it as well.
Of course, there's more going on with the Browns — Robyn's pregnant, and she asks Meri to make the announcement to the family. Twitter, predictably, was aghast.
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SW tweet 4 2
Robyn's pregnancy takes front and center after the announcement, especially when the rest of the kids aren't so excited about it. Fans of the show have been watching Robyn and Kody closely, looking for all signs that she's the favorite wife. It's getting harder and harder to disprove that, especially when Kody goes to Robyn's prenatal checkup and not Meri's follow-up doctor's appointment.
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SW tweet 5
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SW tweet 8
We know there's more going on for Meri that isn't being discussed on the show, so to say that it's overwhelming to be her right now (and probably all the time) would be an understatement. It will be interesting to see how she and the family manage the emotional chaos going forward this season.
Image: etonline
What do you think about Robyn asking Meri to make her pregnancy announcement? Is Meri being a doormat, or is she just trying to help her family? Why did Kody go to Robyn's appointment and not Meri's?
Lauren is definitely not ready to have a kid right now, but her mom disagrees. The constant pestering from Caroline is bad enough, but now Vito's mom has also joined in on the fun. The two awkwardly shopped for baby blankets while Lauren was with them, leaving Lauren feeling very unhappy about the moms' lack of respect for her future plans. Eventually, she was forced to ditch the store and head for a wine bar. If her mother and mother-in-law continue to obsess about their future grandchildren, they could very well incite a full-on meltdown
If there was one thing going in Lauren's favor, it's that she was not the sole focus of Caroline's constant pestering. Chris also got an earful from his mom, as she was just as insistent about him settling down with a nice girl as she was about Lauren popping out a baby. Like Lauren, Chris does not appreciate Caroline meddling in his private affairs. He's made his stance on marriage clear, but if people keep bugging him, he just might snap.
Twitter users empathize with Chris' desire to avoid settling down. Several claimed to have faced the same pressure in their own lives, while others lashed out at Caroline for once again being way too pushy.
Chris alone
Chris alone
Chris Manzo selfish
Chris Manzo selfish
Manzo'd kids
Manzo'd kids
3. Vito wants to open up his own deli — and his dad might not like the idea
Believe it or not, some of the drama on Manzo'd with Children is entirely unrelated to Caroline's desire for in-laws and grandchildren. A big fight between Vito and his dad could be in the show's future. During tonight's episode, Vito admitted that he would love to launch his own deli. Unfortunately, this could be a huge problem for his father, who does not want to deal with another source of business competition. Previews for next week indicate that Vito will finally come clean about his big plans for the future, but nobody really expects his dad to take well to this news.
Spinoffs such as Manzo'd with Children rarely have Real Housewives-style feuds, but if the tension from tonight's episode boils over next week, a huge fight could ensue.
Do you think a big confrontation is on the way for Manzo'd with Children? Comment and share your opinion below.
As if her sleeping with a father and his son isn't already enough to give you the heebie-jeebies, it seems that Jules actually genuinely loves them both. It's so wrong.
At the beginning of the episode, she seemed intent on picking Hap. She was whining about becoming his mistress and wanted to be able to see him in public, which Hap was clearly against. And she put on her pouty face until he gave her a ton of diamonds as an early birthday present, effectively dropping the conversation and getting him laid.
On the other hand, Wick is thoughtfully trying to give Jules a birthday party worthy of her, and he succeeds. But it isn't the lavish guests and cake that make him the winner of our hearts in tonight's episode. Rather, he gives Jules a heart-twisting birthday speech about his desire to be worthy of her, further proving himself to be a man who is coming into his own. He is appreciative of Jules and seems to really care about her, so the natural inclination is to think that he should, ultimately, get the girl.
But this isn't a fairy tale, people.
In this case, Wick deserves the girl, but she doesn't deserve him.
Realistically, Wick will actually probably end up outgrowing Jules. As he should. Because if she's OK toying with two men at once, especially a father and son, then she deserves Hap and the mistress title that seems to already be threatening to haunt her.
Plus, this is not a secret that stays hidden. At some point, Wick is going to discover that his father is sleeping with his girlfriend. And it will most likely be right in time for Hap to discover that Wick was behind the oil rig crime.
Our heads will probably explode with all the drama.
In the end, it seems that Jules is won over by Wick's speech just like the rest of us. She leaves the diamonds behind at Hap's house, signaling the end of her relationship with him. But there's nothing like a love lost to get a man to fight. If we've learned anything about Hap so far on the show, it's that he's not one to easily give up.
He won't just let Jules slip from his fingers, especially when he's made it clear that he thinks Wick is unworthy at his current state in life. He practically had that exact conversation with his daughter, Lacey, tonight while convincing her to learn business by his side.
And while it would be perfect to see Wick learn of Jules' schemes and dump her, that seems like it's still a long way off. After all, what's a Sunday night soapy drama without a disturbing and creepy love triangle or two?
Who do you think Jules should end up with in the end?
These pitas are simple to make and packed full of wonderful balsamic-roasted veggie flavor. To make things interesting, there is an occasional pop of flavor from green olives that will have you coming back for more.
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows
And then there's the sweet apple cider vinegar-yogurt sauce that adds a hint of dill flavor to every bite.
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows
Whether eaten like a tostada or a taco, these veggie pitas are an enjoyable meal whether or not it's Meatless Monday.
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows
Roasted veggie and quinoa pitas with sweet apple cider vinegar sauce recipe
Since Flay's bitter divorce from his third wife, Stephanie March, he has been plagued by cheating rumors —including links to Mad Men's January Jones and fellow chef Giada De Laurentiis — and clearly there are some people who feel very strongly about his alleged infidelity, as evidenced by a protest outside the Brunch at Bobby's with Bobby Flay event, which was held in conjunction with the New York City Wine and Food Festival, In Touch Weekly reports.
The female protesters appeared at the event topless with red letter "X's" over their breasts and the word "cheater" sprawled across their chests, the outlet (which also obtained pictures of the protest) reports.
"The rumor is that Flay is being targeted in these protests by a fundamentalist group from Oklahoma ever since all the cheating allegations from his divorce surfaced," a source told In Touch Weekly.
And this is not the first time that Flay has been surprised by protesters accusing him of cheating; his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was disrupted earlier this year when a plane flew overhead with a banner reading "cheater."
Will this be the last time that Bobby Flay is interrupted by protesters? Probably not, but do these rumors have any substance to them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
In the spirit of giving more before taking more, we’ve rounded up three great organizations that can help you and your loved ones create new space and good will by giving toys to kids who may not have many. Nearly 14 million children in the United States — 22 percent of all children — live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level: $22,050 a year for a family of four. Just by donating a gently used plastic toy, you can make a world of difference in the life of a disadvantaged child and at the same time help keep non-biodegradable plastics out of our landfills.
1. Second Chance Toys (SCT) was started almost a decade ago with the simple intention of giving back to those who were less fortunate. When founder Sasha Lipton saw plastic toys left curbside during her neighborhood’s Spring Clean-Up week, she saw a chance to recycle and redistribute the toys, creating a second life for toys that had a lot more love to give and a lot more smiles to make.
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, SCT has created a campaign called “Road to 10.” This is a 10-month-long countdown and fundraiser to raise $10,000 for their mission. This mission is vital. Children without toys are harshly deprived of needed emotional development, imaginative play and more. This season, more than 230,000 toys are needed for children across 500 sponsors. That’s a huge order. And with demand growing in key metropolitan areas, Second Chance Toys is counting on you to help collect toys by signing up.
2. Letters to Santa, a United States Postal Service-backed program, is approaching its 101st anniversary this year. How does it work? Children from all over the country write a letter with their wish list for toys. Postal workers separate the Letters to Santa, open them and separate out the letters of the kids most in need. After that, a system of checks and balances is put into place to ensure that the kids’ addresses are never made public or exposed. Then a “Secret Santa,” an adult who decides they want to anonymously gift toys to a child in need, selects a letter and a lucky kid for whom they want to buy gifts.
Up to 10 different children can be chosen per Secret Santa. The customer presents proper ID to the postal clerk and fills out the appropriate forms for tax purposes. Then, the Secret Santa buys the requested toys from the letter, wraps them and, preferably, boxes them, returning to the same post office. Once boxed, which can be taken care of at the Post Office, they pay for shipping of the wrapped gift(s). And voilà, a smile is born!
3. Toys for Tots collects donations of new, unwrapped toys October through December, and distributes them as Christmas gifts in the collection campaign’s community. The goal? To deliver a message of hope, through a new toy at Christmas, to less fortunate youngsters, assisting them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens, according to Toys for Tots.
Affiliated with the Marine Corps Reserve, the toys can be distributed by a Marine Corps League detachment or by another authorized group. Corporate sponsors include Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Hess, Disney, Hasbro and Macy’s. Local campaigns are held in more than 700 communities and throughout the U.S., as well as in Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. The unique thing: Toys for Tots’ ongoing relationship with the Navajo Nation, which started in 1947 and transformed in 1980. Today, the Toys for Tots program has benefitted over 80,000 Navajo youth, and also supports the First Lady of the Navajo Nation’s Literacy Program.
So, with three different ways to give a child in need a smile this holiday season, the choice is yours. From recycling toys with Second Chance Toys, to donating new toys and possibly helping indigenous people with Toys for Tots, to sending a child exactly what they requested as a “Secret Santa,” you, and your community, can easily help a kid smile this holiday season. Remember, sharing is caring!
Congress returns to work today after a week-long break, and there's sure to be chaos. In the coming weeks, the Benghazi committee will finally get its chance to interrogate Hillary Clinton. Congress is also expected to vote on a budget that would defund Planned Parenthood and parts of Obamacare — a bill that would surely see the president executing his veto power. Oh, also? The house still needs a speaker and no one wants the job. Paul Ryan is expected to announce soon whether or not he'll accept a nomination. Early rumors suggest he's not really feeling it. John Boehner leaves at the end of the month, so the clock is ticking. It will be interesting to watch how this soap opera plays out. — USA Today
2. Unacceptable
The state of Virginia has outlawed Confederate flag license plates, but there seems to be one small problem: A bunch of people refuse to get rid of them. Virginia sent out 1,600 new flag-free license plates to everyone who needed to swap theirs out, but so far only 163 people have sent their old plates back. One man even told the local news he'll "go to jail" before he'll agree to change his plates. Driving with outlawed plates is a class II misdemeanor in Virginia, so it's likely he'll get his wish very soon. — Complex
A Texas high school football player has died after being injured during a game. Cam'ron Matthews allegedly told teammates he felt dizzy during a huddle on Friday night. Shortly after, Matthews had a seizure on the sidelines and was airlifted to the hospital, where he later died. He is the sixth high school football player to die since early September. — Fox News
4. More tragic gun violence
A manhunt is under way in Florida after a shooting at Zombicon left one person dead and five wounded. Zombicon is an annual zombie-themed festival that attracts about 20,000 people on average. After the shooting, the festival devolved into chaos with people running and screaming and trying to find places to hide. Police strung crime scene tape across the entrance and began trolling the streets with rifles, searching for the gunman. He fled and is still at large. This is the second shooting in the area within a week. — USA Today
Amazon is cracking down on fake reviews. The online retailer filed a lawsuit against more than 1,000 people for allegedly getting paid to post fake reviews on the site. Apparently people get paid — sometimes as little as five dollars — to give fake star ratings and post bogus product reviews. To combat these, Amazon is using new algorithms that base star ratings off of the most comprehensive and accurate reviews. They've also got a team working to remove the fake ones. The whole lawsuit thing should also help scare scammers away. — The Guardian
6. Excited we are
The final trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens will air tonight during the halftime portion of Monday Night Football. After the trailer runs, tickets will go on sale online for the Dec. 18 opening of the film. Also on sale will be tickets to a seven-movie Star Wars marathon at select theaters across the country the day before the opening. If you want any chance at all at scoring some of these tickets, you'd better be ready at your computer the second the trailer ends. Even then, may the force be with you. — CNN
"As I write this blog, I have so many mixed emotions, but mostly it's sadness and betrayal," Gunvalson began. She then went on to address her ex, Brooks Ayers' cancer, and whether she truly believed he was faking his illness.
"I don't know how or why the season ended the way it did, but all I want to share with you at this time is my perspective and what I went through this year AFTER the death of my mother. The constant subject line of Brooks' cancer, his choice of treatment, and if he was "faking" it or not has gotten out of control," she wrote.
"My stance is I do not believe he faked cancer, as there are way too many people involved, way too many doctor visits and way too many doctor reports which would be very difficult to falsify. As I said at the reunion, I didn't have enough information that he does have cancer, and I didn't have enough information that he doesn't. Brooks became very private with his health information the last few months of our relationship, which made it difficult for me to discuss this with him."
Gunvalson then explained that she and Ayers agreed she would "not discuss it [his cancer] without him present, which brought on more controversy."
But the "hardest part," she says, is that she knows "the ladies initially were coming from a good place, but unfortunately my emotions were heightened due to many personal reasons and I couldn't see that."
She added, "Hindsight, I didn't handle things always in the calmest manner which I am sorry for that, but I was extremely frustrated having to always be questioned about him."
Fans of the show know that Shannon Beador and Gunvalson had a falling out after she shared information about Beador's husband David's affair.
"I never betrayed her [Shannon], she was just embarrassed that it was exposed again when it was supposed to be about badgering me. I knew what David and Shannon shared this season, and it was Shannon's decision to reveal the affair so I didn't think it was a secret to tell my brother," Gunvalson wrote.
She continued, "All the ladies already knew, so for me to tell my brother privately was NOT betraying her. He had met David and Shannon the year before in Puerto Vallarta so he was aware of their marriage struggles as they were discussed there. When I told Billy and Ronda that they were able to reconcile their marriage and that they filmed their journey, I was proud of them and was their biggest supporter. I was not being malicious by any means."
Gunvalson's lengthy post also explained that Tamra Judge had previously told the group about David's affair and "even disclosed the woman's name and information about her." As well as apologizing to Heather and Terry Dubrow for accidentally involving them in her drama.
Do you agree with Vicki Gunvalson's statements about not betraying Shannon Beador? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
1. Don't ever assume we are actually interested in you
Just because I accepted your invitation to dinner doesn’t mean I have any sexual interest in you. (26-30 years old, Australia)
Sometimes when women say yes to a date it's not because they want you — or sex. Sometimes they are just lonely. (26-30 years old, Australia)
Don't make romantic assumptions because we enjoy your company. (61+ years old, Australia)
Going out with a guy does not mean we want to continue going out with them or go any further. (31-40 years old, United States)
Just because a girl wants to go and get coffee or something, doesn't necessarily mean they want to date you. (18-25 years old, Australia)
2. Stop talking and start actually listening — which is different from pretending to listen
A date is not a monologue about you and your life. A woman is not there to be talked at for your entertainment. (31-40 years old, Australia)
It's men who talk too much, not women! We don't want to hear all about your life. Let us get to know you naturally, not by your damn sales pitch! (26-30 years old, Australia)
A date is about a two-way conversation. Both of you should ask questions about each other. Don't just talk about yourself. (41-50 years old, Australia)
3. Treat your date with dignity and decency, not as a sex object.
Women are individual human beings first, not sex objects who happen to be human. Get to know me. (41-50 years old, Canada)
Never expect sex. You don't own her body just because you're dating her. (26-30 years old, United Kingdom)
Just because we've swapped numbers doesn't mean I want to send you pictures of my body, nor does it mean I want to receive dick pics. (26-30 years old, Australia)
4. Be a gentleman!
Chivalry is dead? False. Revive it, because there is nothing more of a turnoff than dating someone who is consumed with themselves. This goes for daters of all genders. Hold the door for your date, offer to walk the long way so they don't get their shoes wet in a puddle, walk with them to the door at the end and wait until they are inside before you drive away. And turn off your phone! Be present, courteous and kind. (23-30 years old, Australia)
Pretend you have a daughter and she's of dating age. Act like the kind of gentleman you would feel comfortable with your daughter dating. (31-40 years old, United States)
5. Paying for the date does not make you entitled to anything
You paid for my meal. My body is not up for sale. (14-17 years old, United States)
Paying for the date doesn't mean I have to repay you with sex. Sex is not a thank you. (14-17 years old, United States)
6. Agreeing to be in your company does not equate to us consenting to physical acts
News flash, guys, I'm not interested in touching your penis just because I agreed to go to dinner or the movies with you. (26-30 years old, Australia)
Don't touch me. I don't know you. (18-25 years old, Australia)
No matter how long you have been dating a woman, you have no entitlement whatsoever to sexual acts, and you cannot justify sexual pressure as a request for a compromise from her. (31-40 years old, Australia)
7. We glam ourselves up for us, not you!
I didn't get 'dolled up' for you. It was for me. (14-17 years old, United States)
When I get dressed up, I'm trying to look good for myself, not for you. (41-50 years old, Australia)
Just because I make an effort in looking nice or sexy does not mean I have intentions of having sex. (14-17 years old, United States)
8. No means no — and she can change her mind at anytime
Don't take anything other than a verbal "yes" as consent for sex. (31-40 years old, United States)
When I say "no," I don't mean "Yes! But I want you to see me like a delicate flower, so I am saying 'no.' Please use your manliness to make me say yes." "No" really does mean "no." (18-25 years old, Australia)
Women are allowed to change their mind. This applies to everything. (26-30 years old, Australia)
A girl can change her mind. If you continue after a "no," it's rape. (26-30 years old, Australia)
9. Be yourself and don't try to show off or pretend to be someone you’re not
Lying and bragging about yourself is not impressive. (18-25 years old, Australia)
Be yourself. Don't talk yourself up. It only leads to disappointment when she finds out the truth! (31-40 years old, Australia)
Mentioning the other girls you are seeing at the same time is not sexy, and will guarantee you won't get a second date. I'm either your all or your nothing! (26-30 years old, Australia)
10. Not only do we want to be entertained, we want to return from the date even smarter than when we left
Stimulate her mind with interesting conversation, personality counts, also. (31-40 years old, Australia)
Don't treat it like a job interview. Have fun. (31-40 years old, Australia)
A date is an educational experience. What are we learning from you? (41-50 years old, Australia)
If you come across a candy that's not on our list, there are a few things you need to consider to come up with your own perfect pairing.
Flavor
When it comes to pairing candy with booze, you can almost always pair like flavors. If you have a chocolate-covered caramel, chances are a chocolaty, malty or caramel-noted beer will pair nicely. But just as with shoes and purses, you don't have to be so matchy-matchy. Complementary flavors work too. An orange cream cocktail goes beautifully with dark or milk chocolate.
Mouthfeel
Some drinks are smooth and creamy, while others are thin or chewy or velvety… and more. A Werther's Original's velvety-smooth mouthfeel makes it the perfect pairing for a thick, creamy stout. Sour candies like Warheads pair well with heavily carbonated cocktails and beers with low-intensity flavors to cut the sour.
Intensity
Intensity is fun to play with. You can pair a candy with its polar intensity opposite for a playful juxtaposition or even to reduce the intensity of a flavor with a lot of kick. Pair a sour beer or apple martini with a deep, rich chocolate to have a brief reprieve from the punch of sour. But it's also fun to be adventurous. Have your sour beer or apple martini with Sour Patch Kids to amp up the flavor.
Pair your chocolate candy with beer, wine and cocktails
Pair your non-chocolate candy with beer, wine and cocktails
Image: Becci Burkhart/SheKnows
A special note on gin cocktails: Gin and gin cocktails almost always go with any citrus fruit-flavored candy (lemon, lime, orange) but may not pair well with other flavors.
This recap is a summation of all of the wild and crazy things that float through your head as moment-after-moment of jaw-dropping lines and action push you to the edge of your leather seat and zap your spirit animal with a candy-coated Taser. This recap is for the fans and the foes, and all of Empire’s woes running through the six.
Say what? Like all of Empire’s episodes, this, too, has themes that tap into the heart of pop culture, elite literary memes and Shakespeare. While Becky tries to film the FBI raid with her smartphone (which every urban dweller knows to do by now — good call, Lee Daniels), Jamal swoops in from his recording session to halt the madness of the raid. Lucious cuddles a sweet nothing in his chambers across town. (Sidebar: Andre Royo is magnificent as the street-ready legal eagle, who gets down and dirty with the driven district attorney, Roxanne, as he protects Lucious’ rights (and wrongs) and freedoms -- by any means necessary. And I mean any. Means. Necessary. The title, “Poor Yorick,” an ode to Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is spot on.)
Lucious roils in the brackish waters of decay as the affable clown, Vernon, lies rotting, Empire crumbles and Lucious’ legacy festers under the bright lights of the vengeful Roxanne. Andre, always on the verge of destroying or destruction, is used like a common garden tool. His loyalty to man that has — thus far, proved to be more of a snake than a lion — is heartbreaking. He begs for remittance to the Empire kingdom. Lucious tells the vulnerable, mentally ill Andre: "If you make this mess go away, you can have anything you want." With that, Lucious leaves Andre to literally do the dirty work to resurrect the ailing body of Empire.
Cookie
The name inspires awe, shock, respect and wrath. And in this episode, it also inspires empathy. Faced with a raid by the FBI, she keeps her eyes on the prize. Her single focus at the start of the episode is keeping Empire at bay and Dynasty at the table. But then... My chuch (no typo) community knows the phrase "But God" in the hands of the right pastor, priest or deacon, can sway a whole congregation to a pulsating crescendo of glorious emotion. Same emotion, different phrase. A brief spat with Lucious at his office leads to one of the best tit-for-tat lines ever, with Lucious’ nasty-nice greeting:
"Damn, you coming in here with a whole lotta demands, Miss Cookie Monster." Ha. Haha. Ow. He ends by calling Cookie "Grandma Moses." Never one to let a fool test her, Cookie fires back as she leaves a truly glorious GIF-able moment: "Tell me a Grandma that got an ass like this."
But then Cookie is arrested on the streets for a trussed up charge — a common occurrence in urban communities across the U.S. If you’ve watched TV at all in the last year, you know this. In a high-camp, "keeping it real with the streets" moment, she shouts out one of the best lines of the show: "If I die in police custody, I did not commit suicide." #SandraBland, we continue to say your name.
Fast-forward to the jail cell where Cookie is dressed like Eddie Murphy in Raw 3.0 and obvi having none of this. The cold chairs and Plexiglas window in the interrogation room pull her into time’s quicksand warp. The pain of 17 years in prison chokes her pride, scratches tears out of her eyes and claws at our collective hearts with non-compromising, good-ass acting. Pause. Go Taraji P. Henson. I see you, boo. The indomitable D.A., Roxanne, slithers in, eyeing Cookie like a bully at the playground at recess, and sits across from Cookie. Roxanne scoops Cookie’s heart out with a surgeon's precision when she tells her: “Honey, I will hurt your kids. Real bad.” I mean, dayummmmm. That right there? Enough to make the blood run cold in any mother.
To stop Roxanne from leaking Andre’s mental illness to the press — thus possibly forcing the dear boy to take his life — Cookie gives Roxanne a nugget about Lucious’ ploy to take over the radio stations. This nugget is wrapped in a layer of "and then Vernon went missing" by the agile-truthed Cookie. Beweaved and ruthless, Roxanne has one goal: the downfall of Lucious. Meanwhile, hours have passed since the arrest and her release, omitting her from one of the most dramatic scenarios of the episode. The family music video! Late, Cookie arrives and molds her shaken soul together, looking at what’s left of the music video set and, quite possibly, her dynasty. Gathering herself from the shadows of the aftermath of the set is Anika, twisting like a puppet in the wind, as she winds close to Cookie. She’s got Royal-T ready to sign with Lyon Dynasty. But, nah. Turns out, Cookie "don’t trust" her and doesn’t want her at Dynasty after all. Anika is cut loose. But then…
Hakeem and Jamal
OK. The chemistry between the both of them is nothing short of nuclear. Hakeem, piloted by ambition and desire, reflects the drive of Lucious in his quest to mount his own legacy, Lyon Dynasty, with his audacious mother, Cookie. By choosing to align himself with her, he has taken himself out of the semi-protective — but always destructive — umbrella of Lucious’ long reach. Jamal, Empire’s appointed heir, revels in the glory afforded him by teaming up with Lucious, though his artistry has been allowed to atrophy. The "ish" hits the fan when Hakeem is recruited to come to the set of a video that’s being shot to show a united front in the face of an onslaught by the FBI. The video — directed under the spurious eyes of Marisa Tomei, who plays Empire investor Mimi Whiteman with pure sass and whit — is the perfect setting for these gladiators to battle. Looking like an abstract end-of-world Thunderdome, the Empire family music video is meant to establish that Empire is here to stay, Dynasty is legit and the Lyons are united against the man (FBI, D.A.). Where’s Cookie to guide Hakeem out of that madhouse? Remember, she’s in jail being grilled by the D.A., but no one knows this. Never one to let a weakness go unnoticed, Lucious taunts Hakeem, (who, remember, doesn’t know his mom is being grilled by Roxanne) letting him know that he appointed Jamal as heir to Empire because, “He ain’t a mama’s boy.” Ouch. Later, for good measure, Hakeem plugs a knife into the neck of a portrait of Jamal, created by a seedy, horny Rolling Stones photographer for the cover. Best part? Michael, Jamal’s slighted boyfriend, kept his eyes rolling like eggs on a conveyer belt. Will the brothers make it? Will Lucious destroy their bond? Post video shoot, Hakeem sits at a bar sipping on that brown liquor, trying to get his head right. He hears an amazing singer take the stage. Will she be the new girl singer he needs to front his shattered girl band? Erasing an apology text to Jamal, Hakeem homes in on the one thing he seems to be a master at — spotting talent. The father is the son is the father...
Can you say ride or die? In an attempt to get back into the good graces of Lucious, Andre asks if he will be let back into the fold if he makes the whole "missing Vernon" issue go away. See, with Vernon missing and presumed on the lam, Roxanne will continue to taunt and terrorize the Lyons, destabilizing Empire and Dynasty until she gets something to help her punish Lucious for all his Lucious-ness. But, the obedient Andre has been keeping a lil’ secret with his wifey. Vernon is rotting in a grave in the woods, making it kinda hard for him to be a witness against Lucious. Knowing this, Andre and Rhonda hatch a plan to dig Vernon up and get his body in a safer place, so that the D.A./FBI/The Man can’t find him. In the darkest of nights, they dig only to find out that they don’t know where the body is. Yikes! Never fear, Lucious and his street legal eagle, Thirsty Rawlings (the name says it all) stroll into the thicket with a corpse-finding device that eerily resembles a metal detector. Yes. A homing device that finds rotting corpses just happens to be in Thirsty’s hand and Lucious’ power. Ta-da! Vernon’s putrid, black-plastic-bag-wrapped corpse is discovered. Always true to himself, Lucious leans into the trunk where his ex-bestie is now crammed post-exhumation and wishes him a farewell. Of sorts. “I hope you rot in hell, you snitch." Well, OK, that about sums up that relationship. Lucious is proud of the dastardly deeds of Andre. More importantly, he is now safe from prosecution from the D.A. and, thus, the FBI! Love and redemption is in the heavy air as he hugs Andre and welcomes him back into the covenant. In a biblical twist, God’s been speaking to Andre in dreams, and Andre may be having some issues about the dirty deeds he’s done to save the dirtiest of all, his father. Rhonda, a real trooper, gags in the corner as the stench of Vernon’s body wafts through the bushes as they lug his body. Now, ain’t that love? A midnight dig will melt a girl’s heart. Talk about commitment! The father is the son is the father…
Teaser points us towards Andre’s baptism, Cookie knowing God’s heart and Lucious grinning in that way that he does at a church. There’s also some talk of guns and the track that plays as the teaser? "God’s Gonna Trouble the Water." I’m bringing a life vest, popcorn and a shank to my couch, as me and the kids tune in next week. Come back on Oct. 20 for my next review. But then…
The teacher's aide was headed to her job at a local elementary school when she saw an 11-year-old student she recognized sitting in a vehicle with a man she definitely didn't recognize. The girl, Ferguson said, looked scared, and that was when she sensed something was wrong.
Something was wrong. The man, 51-year-old Santiago Salazar, had snatched the girl while she was on her way to school, luring her toward the car and then grabbing her wrist to drag her inside. Ferguson asked the girl if Santiago was her father, to which the girl responded no. She said the man was a friend, but still, something didn't feel quite right to Ferguson.
So Ferguson decided to take action. She blocked the man's vehicle with her car, called the cops and told the girl to get out. Luckily the student was unharmed, and Salazar was arrested and charged with kidnapping.
It's good that Ferguson trusted her instincts too. The man definitely wasn't a friend, and it turns out he wasn't even known to the little girl. Ferguson's brave actions that day could have prevented something truly awful from happening. Non-family abductions — where a stranger snatches a child — are incredibly rare and make up only 1 percent of abductions, but they are also the most deadly. The Department of Justice notes that these kidnappings are more likely to result in a child's extended or permanent disappearance or death.
We have a tendency to panic when it comes to the idea of kids around strangers, perhaps because the "what ifs" are too terrible to imagine. Still, it's important to remember that these types of abductions are extremely rare and to approach how you teach your children about strangers and safety in a common-sense, level-headed way that sticks with them rather than terrifies them.
So how do we do that? Experts say that an ounce of prevention is, as always, worth a pound of cure.
First, talk with your child about what is appropriate stranger talk and what isn't. It's fine to be friendly, and there's no need to run screaming from every stranger on the street, but there are some huge red flags that kids need to be aware of at any age:
1. Never go in or near a stranger's car
This is absolutely imperative; teach your child to accept rides only from pre-approved drivers and to never actually get inside a stranger's car. Once that happens, unless there is a Sandra Ferguson around, your child could be in real danger.
2. Stay with a buddy, and don't wander off
Tell your kids to stick to a group like glue. If they're on a field trip, stay near the teacher. If they're walking home from school, they should be with a buddy. Abductors can only be successful if they separate their victim from safety.
3. Adults don't need your help
This falls under common sense. Kids naturally want to be helpful, but it's important to teach the difference between helping around the house and helping a stranger find a lost pet or open their car door.
4. Know the code
A code word can be useful, but only if you practice and tell the other adults in your child's life to practice too. Teach everyone who might pick your child up from school or hang out with them regularly your code word, and remind kids to not go with people who don't know it.
But what if something bad does happen? We tend to gloss over the proactive part of the conversation — what your child should do if someone tries to take them. According to police, these two techniques can be effective in the event of an actual kidnapping:
1. "The Velcro technique"
Teach your kid how to grab on to something and hold on for dear life — a signpost, a car door, even another passing adult's hand. Abductors rely on speed and shock to get the job done; if your child can slow them down to raise the alarm, they may even give up.
2. "Yell-and-tell"
Teaching kids to yell as loud as they can is helpful, but it can't just be wordless screaming, because people might assume it's a tantrum. Instead, yell phrases like "you aren't my mommy/daddy" or "help, call the police."
Approach talks like these as safety chats. The world is not a dark place where kidnappers lurk on every corner, but it's smart to know what to do if you're in danger. The same goes for any kind of safety, like swimming or car safety.
"By far one of the best days of our lives outside Meilani being born," the newlyweds told E! News in a statement. "So blessed to have our daughter share this day with us!"
Farley was particularly excited for her nuptials and documented the buildup via Instagram by sharing a picture of her wedding lingerie (to accompany her custom-made dress by Stephen Yearick), and her rehearsal dinner — which included the most beautiful purple-and-white candy bar you've ever seen.
While fans are thrilled that Farley was able to have the wedding of her dreams, they are also concerned that she chose to wear a waist trainer, especially since she announced at her wedding that she's pregnant with her second child, Entertainment Tonight reports.
Taking to Instagram, Farley posted a picture of herself in a waist trainer, which she captioned, "Wearing My Favorite @Girlycurves_Extra Compression Cincher Ladies This Thing is Very Aggressive. I Will Definitely Be Wearing It Under My Wedding Dress As It Gives Me Instant Curves Thank You@Girlycurves_ For Helping Me Prepare For My Special Day."
"Jwoww....you are beautiful just how you are please don't put your body through such harsh treatment. You want to be comfortable on your wedding day and take everything in. Leave this contraption off," patriotfan37 wrote.
Instagram user bullhunterswife voiced her concern for Farley's pregnancy, writing, "Just learned you are preggo! Congrats to the both of you!!! But isn't wearing this a bad idea??"
miamcentee agreed, writing, "Also just read your [sic] pregnant, is this ok? Congrats on your marriage I'm sure your wedding was amazing."
"Congrats on your wedding and on your new pregnancy but you shouldn't wear waist trainer if you're pregnant" added ninasuxas.
Do you think fans are overreacting about Jennifer "JWoww" Farley's wedding lingerie? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The perfect costume for a one-dimensional ex who's like a stuffed animal — cuddly and comfy to sleep with. He needs lots of TLC but has little more to offer beyond his own needs and his cuteness.
Imagine your ex with a can of beer, bong and photo of babes with breasts — apron optional.
Lord Farquaad from Shrek
Image: WENN
This costume fits the insecure ex in your life. A clear reflection of his sense of self — or rather lack thereof — he compensates for his feelings of inadequacy and physical shortcomings by putting down everyone around him, especially you.
Picture your ex with black shoulder-length hair, yellow opaque stockings, kneepads — good for when he comes begging you for forgiveness — and a mirror for him to reflect what a jerk he is.
Charlie Parker from Two and a Half Men
Image: Matthew Simmons/Getty Images
Dress up the cheater in your life. He made you believe you were the one and only until you accidentally saw an incoming text with, "I can’t wait to see you again tonight." Then you did the I know I should keep looking, but... and read all his texts. The truth revealed itself — and so did he.
Visualize him in a bowling shirt, shorts and socks with loafers, holding a remote and a high ball glass filled with scotch or any other alcoholic beverage within arms length.
Optional: Picture him standing in front of an ongoing train. For those who didn’t see the Two and a Half Men finale, Rose, Charlie Parker's stalker and wife, pushed him in front of a train after discovering him in bed with another woman.
Homer Simpson from The Simpsons
Image: WENN
Your clueless ex definitely can be Homer for Halloween. Even when you tell him you’re leaving or what you wanted from him, he simply can’t compute your words and asks for another donut or beer. It was definitely time to cross him off your bucket list. Unlike yours, his only listed buckets of chicken, beer and chili.
Imagine him yellow with Botox lips, half open bulgy eyes, two black strands of hair on top of his head, munching on a donut with sprinkles and drooling.
Grumpy Cat
Image: Desiree Navarro/Getty Images
One picture says all you need to know about a costume for your grumpy ex. He never smiles or feels for others. Even when watching the Pope visiting America and embracing ill children, he just sits there with a blank expression asking, “Big deal, what can he do for me?”
Visualize him with whiskers on his grumpy mug, sitting in a litter box reading his own Facebook page and meowing.
Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of The Lambs
Image: WENN
This costume is perfect for the ex who is, well, a bastard. He has an insatiable appetite for self-indulgence and selfishness, is blind to your emotional well-being and loves fine wine — or at least he thinks it’s fine since its from Italy or France.
Imagine him in a dark blue, button-down shirt over a white T-shirt with a wrestling mask and glass of Chianti, the film classic side of fava beans and his liver are optional.
If Drama is your ex's middle name, this is the costume for him. You love him with all your heart and he adores you. You believe you’re soul-mates. He’s sensitive, sexy, romantic, smart and fun. So what's the problem? Life crises and insecurities detour him from building a life with you. You break up. You get back together. He’s back on track. You believe again that love conquers all along with therapy. The cycle continues.
Imagine him wearing a cowboy shirt and boots with jeans, sporting a scruffy beard and holding a guitar.
Optional: Your head on his shoulder with your heart going pitter pat, and wondering if he's your ex right now or not.
Share any and all ideas that you have, too!
Julie Edelman, aka The Accidental Housewife, has been a SheKnows Expert for three years, sharing tips and tricks to maintain your home, sanity and manicure. Now, Julie will be sharing entertaining posts, personal experiences and advice to help clean up another of life’s messes — a break-up. Called the Boyfriend Cleanz, born from her own emotional roller coaster journey to "cleanz" and get her sense of self and sass back!
I never understood their draw, as a packet of Easy Mac was much more my style back in my college days, and to this day, the smell of a microwavable ramen noodle cup makes me gag.
Image: Gina Matsoukas/SheKnows
So off into life I went after graduating, literally thinking that was the only kind of ramen noodle there was. I had no idea it was a bastardized American convenience item based on a legitimate Asian dish. Oops.
Thankfully, as they say, with age comes wisdom, and I finally got the opportunity to taste real ramen. Two words: game changer. Real ramen is a deliciously flavored bowl with all the comfort of a savory noodle dish and all the bright, gingery, cilantro, limey notes you expect from an Asian dish. This version uses pumpkin and a bit of spice to put a seasonal flair on it, and I can guarantee you this: One slurp in, and you'll never go back to the microwavable kind again.
1-1/2 cups cubed pumpkin (any winter squash will work here)
Generous pinch kosher salt
3 cups chicken broth
1 (15 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon red chili paste
2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
5 ounces ramen noodles
Chopped cilantro, green onions and lime, for garnish
Directions:
Place a large pot over medium-high heat.
Add the olive oil, onion, garlic and ginger, and cook until the onions are softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the mushrooms and chiles, stir, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the cubed pumpkin and salt, and stir until combined.
Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, pumpkin and red chili paste, and stir until everything is well mixed and the coconut milk, pumpkin and chili paste have dissolved into the liquid.
Place the chicken in the pot, bring to a low simmer, and cook until the chicken is done, about 10 minutes.
Remove the chicken from the pot, and either shred or chop it.
Return the chicken to the pot, add the ramen noodles, and cook until softened and broken up, about 7 minutes.
Serve with cilantro, green onion and a squeeze of lime, if desired.
This pound cake creates the most delicious pumpkin spice aroma that will make you wish you could bottle it up and turn it into a candle. Plus it's pretty easy to throw together and is perfect for a quick dessert. And to top it all off, it's drizzled with delicious salted caramel-spiced frosting. You'll love this fall treat.
Image: Brandy O'Neill/SheKnows
Pumpkin pound cake topped with salted caramel frosting recipe
Heat the oven to 350 degrees F, and spray a nonstick Bundt pan or 2 (9 x 5-inch) loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
To a large bowl, add the spice cake mix, canned pumpkin, eggs, yogurt, brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of the pumpkin pie spice. Mix together until combined and smooth.
Pour the batter into the Bundt pan or 2 (9 x 5-inch) loaf pans.
Bake for about 40 minutes or until the cake is fully baked.
Let the cake cool for 5 minutes, flip it out of the pan(s), and then cool completely before frosting.
To the bowl of an electric mixer, add the powdered sugar, pumpkin pie spice, 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce, the butter and 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix together until smooth and pourable. If it's too thick, simply add more of the milk. If it's too thin, then add more powdered sugar.
Pour the icing over the cake, and drizzle with the remaining salted caramel sauce.
