"today my first baby turned 7!" Bookout wrote on her Instagram, along with a cute photo of the mother/son duo, "bentley, thank you for bringing true love into my heart, for making me a fighter, and for giving me the confidence to teach you the way of the world. i love you so deeply, more than you will ever ever know. i am so blessed that God chose me to be your mother. I am so proud of the little gentleman that you have become. Happy Birthday Bentley, remember that you will always be my baby!"
Maci Bookout and Bentley Instagram pic 1
Maci Bookout and Bentley Instagram pic 1
It's hard to believe it has already been seven years since Bookout first appeared on 16 and Pregnant. She then went on to join Season 1 of MTV's Teen Mom and is now a part of Teen Mom OG.
And though Bookout and Edwards have had their fair share of drama in the past, it looks like the two have officially put it all behind them for the sake of their son.
Pregnant Kim Kardashian showed off her seven-month baby bump in a gorgeous white Valentino gown at the InStyle Awards. Due on Christmas Day, Kardashian is ready for her second child, a baby boy, to be born — and even confessed on her website that she felt like a “f***ing whale.”
Kardashian shared another snapshot from the event where she poses with models Miranda Kerr and Alessandra Ambrosio, along with Selena Gomez.
Kim Kardashian InStyle Awards
Kim Kardashian InStyle Awards
“Feeling extra thin with all of the super models! LOL #InStyleAwards,” she captioned the photo.
Kardashian also shared a snapshot from her pajama party baby shower, in which guests all wore coordinating striped PJs.
Kim Kardashian baby shower
Kim Kardashian baby shower
Kardashian’s daughter, North West, was also at the party and wore matching pajamas with pink stripes.
Jessa Duggar
Jessa Duggar baby bump
Jessa Duggar baby bump
One week and counting! Jessa Duggar posted this new baby bump photo in which she revealed she is just seven days away from her due date. The 19 Kids and Counting star recently polled her fans as to the gender and name of her baby (they have kept both secret so far). Most fans thought she was going to have a baby boy named Luke or Zachary. The fans that thought she would be having a girl guessed the name as Savannah or Sarah. A large number also guessed that she would have twins — a boy and a girl.
Pregnant Chrissy Teigen luckily has a good tailor on speed dial. The expecting model posted this photo of her pants gaping open, thanks to her baby bump, along with a shout-out to her tailor, who turned the hem of her pants into a “crotch patch.” Teigen and her husband, singer John Legend, are expecting their first child together.
Teigen, who has revealed she had IVF after dealing with infertility, also shared that the little baby is doing a number on her immune system.
“This tiny baby is an immune system thief and I can't wait to tell it the second it comes out. We have a lot to discuss, actually,” she jokingly tweeted.
Kristin Cavallari
Kristin Cavallari pregnant
Kristin Cavallari pregnant
In less than a month, Kristin Cavallari will be a mom for the third time. The Laguna Beach alum posted this baby bump picture and revealed her due date for the first time since announcing she was pregnant with her third child.
Cavallari, who wrote that her two sons, Camden, 2, and Jaxon, 1, have “changed me in so many ways for the better,” is expecting a baby girl with her husband, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.
Ivanka Trump
Ivanka Trump pregnant
Ivanka Trump pregnant
What a cute little baby bump! Ivanka Trump shared a new pregnancy photo on her Instagram page, revealing that she has “four and a half months to go” before her third child arrives. She and her husband, Jared Kushner, already have a 4-year-old daughter named Arabella and a 2-year-old son named Joseph.
Ivanka, whose dad is Donald Trump, has yet to reveal the gender of her third child. However, she did say that “Arabella desperately wants a baby girl, and Joseph hopes it's a boy!"
#MyFeminismIs is the Ms. Foundation's new campaign, meant to "paint a broad, inclusive and intersectional picture of feminism as we continue to challenge and change the conversation around equal rights." So, naturally we wanted to know:
Tell us how you answer what #MyFeminismIs.
"#MyFeminismIs a world in which both women and men can be and do what they choose. Whether that's a dad staying home with kids, or a mom working long hours, or how that plays into hiring people to take over the extras at home. That requires us to remove a lot of guilt and expectation and pressure from what men and women do. It requires us to move away from traditional roles and instead just let us make choices as they are right for us. And it requires us to remove value judgment from what is considered worthy and valuable. The only obstacle is getting over our preconceived notions of what is supposed to be." — Leigh Shulman
"Feminism is the '-ism' to end all '-isms.' Feminism, when practiced correctly, is the social justice movement that encompasses gender/racial/economic equality, combats homophobia, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia... the list goes on. Feminism is/should be a wonderful intersectional umbrella that recognizes that we can't have true gender equality without confronting these other '-phobias' and '-isms.'" — Allison Smartt
"#MyFeminismIs, at its root, a movement that attempts to let all voices be heard and to give everyone a seat at the table. My feminism is a movement that includes a multitude of voices, all working toward the same goal. My feminism is equality across lines of gender, religion, ethnicity and sexual orientation. My feminism is for everyone. It fights for everyone. Every day." — Seraphina Ferraro
"#MyFeminismIs about working for real equality. This means speaking up on issues of equality around gender, race and sexual orientation. It means having space as a lesbian to speak for my family. And most importantly, it means shutting the f*** up and listening when women of color or trans women have something to say... listening and amplifying their voices. My feminism is about speaking up for equality, but not pretending that when I speak that I can speak for everyone." — Amanda Deibert
"#MyFeminismIsequal pay for equal work; liberty and justice for all people of every color, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation; and the wisdom of women lighting the way for a better world, one respected human being at a time, all the time." — Mayim Bialik
"#MyFeminismIs teen parent inclusive and centers their experiences as experts and capable individuals." — Gloria Malone
"#MyFeminismIs listening to the people who are facing the problems and supporting them as they figure out what's best for them. My feminism is doing its best to be non-prescriptive. My feminism recognizes that though not everyone faces the same challenges I do, there is always a way I can support and lift up, whether through re-boosting, reposting, sharing, amplifying or donating time and money." — Normandie Wilson
"#MyFeminismIs intersectional. It cannot celebrate justice for one woman unless it advances justice for all of us. My feminism does not care how many women are in the boardroom, when the women that clean that boardroom work for meager wages and cannot even countenance the demands for pay parity of celebrities and CEOs. My feminism centers racial justice, and sidelines white fragility. My feminism puts honoring the rights of trans women above honoring the biases of our foremothers. My feminism celebrates each hard-won advance, but will not stop until the entire system is torn down, and a new and better one is built in its place." — Margaret Corvid
"#MyFeminismIs empathetic. It is first and foremost, intersectional and multilayered. It holds a place for a myriad of voices and perspectives. It's growing and broadening as my understanding of the challenges facing non-cis white men expands. My feminism is about boosting signals of voices that are not mine, and shouting truths that are." — Asha Rajan
"#MyFeminismIs not just about what we think, it's about what we do. My feminism is about actively working toward the world we hope to see: a world in which the threat of violence isn’t a daily part of women’s lives; sexuality and gender presentation/identity aren’t policed but celebrated in their many forms; women have access to all the financial and medical support we need to decide what kinds of families we want to cultivate; all workers earn a living wage, and people with disabilities and others unable to work have the economic support needed to live healthy lives; and racial and gender discrimination no longer function to hold women and people of color back in education, business, politics, science, media, the arts, or anywhere else. For starters!
As fellow media activist Jamia Wilson and I co-wrote in "10 Ways Feminism Improves Your Life," #MyFeminismIs both a philosophy and an action. It "recognizes that 'Woman"'means many things, and that sexism and misogyny play out differently across race, class, sexual orientation, age, immigration status, and physical ability, among other identities. At its best, the feminism we both believe in and practice acknowledges that there can be no advancement for any marginalized group without the active pursuit of justice for all." — Jennifer Pozner
Last Wednesday, at PS 250 in Williamsburg, the 7-year-old began choking on her lunch in the crowded cafeteria. Her parents suspect that she was trying to finish her sandwich too quickly, as she had complained of being rushed by teachers to finish up in the past. Echavarria's family, including mom Ana Iris Santiago, also thinks that school staff waited far too long to respond.
According to reports, Qwasi Reid, a private EMT who happened to be driving past the school, was flagged down by a staff member. "She was already turning blue, and that takes a while," Reid said. Reid — who was suspended from his job for making an unauthorized stop(!) — suspects that the first-grader had been choking for at least five minutes before he arrived. He also added that no one in the school seemed to be helping her. “People were screaming, but no one was doing anything,” he told reporters. The family's lawyer, David Perecman, also suspects that the first call to 911 was made by Reid, not a member of the school staff.
An investigation is underway, but going off of what we know right now, it doesn't sound like the school was on top of its game. Of course, each child can't always be watched individually all day long — especially in boisterous, busy cafeterias — but when we send our children to school, we assume they're being cared and looked out for. Schools are filled with trained professionals, which should make us feel confident and comfortable, but clearly that's not always the case.
Ultimately when we send our children to school, they're out of our hands for that period of time. Again, we should all be able to feel comfortable with the people we're leaving our children with, but it may not be a bad idea to equip our kids with knowledge that could possibly help or even save them before we send them off to school.
Teach your child the international sign for choking, which is simply putting their crossed hands by their neck. This video shows exactly how to make the sign at around the 22-second mark:
choking
choking
This is also good for recognizing if someone else is making the signal, so your child can alert a teacher or even step in themselves.
If no one seems to be responding to your child, or if they're alone, there are also ways they can try to dislodge whatever is stuck. According to Mayo Clinic, people who are choking should place a fist slightly above their belly button, grasp their fist with the other hand and bend over a hard surface, shoving the fist inward and upward. This video demonstrates the technique Mayo Clinic suggests:
choking
choking
Of course, even with this said, we parents hope our children are looked after at school and that appropriate action is taken should anything ever go wrong.
“Leggin's ain’t britches. They’re not pant-pants!” It was the leggings rant heard ‘round the world when a Tennessee woman went viral for saying (in the cutest accent possible) that leggings-wearing ladies need to be modest with the way they wear the tight pants. This alone wasn’t overly controversial, and she’s certainly not the first person to make the argument, but then FoxNews had to take it one step further when Fox and Friends invited three famous dads to critique the trend.
Fox News analyst Arthur Aidala, Andrew Sansone (husband of Fox News' Julie Banderas) and DuckDynasty's Willie Robertson made up the Very Serious Leggings Panel — ironic considering that Robertson is basically famous for wearing very ugly pants.
At first the men tried to keep it lighthearted and funny: Aidala said he wouldn’t let his daughters leave the house in anything they couldn’t wear in a monastery, while Robertson said they’re all good as long as they’re worn with a shirt that covers all “the lady parts,” but Fox host Steve Doocy could let the leggings lie.
So they brought out three young female models, all wearing leggings, to gauge the men’s responses. Despite the fact that all three women were similarly sized and basically wearing the same tight bottoms — just in different colors — the men had widely varying opinions from butt to butt.
Kelly, the first victim, er, woman, was told she’s in the clear since her spandex pants are thick enough that “you can’t see a tattoo on her leg.” When Doocy asks her if she does actually have any tattoos down there, she laughs and says no… after which he offers to validate her parking in one of the weirdest examples of quid pro quo I’ve ever seen on live television.
The second model, Amanda, is clad in head-to-toe black, similar to what one sees the trendy moms wearing at the school pickup, and was praised for her modesty. “It’s all black. You could wear that to church,” Aidala said. Plus, her long top mostly covered her butt and lady bits.
But then came poor Paige, an athletic woman in purple yoga leggings and a black tank top. Whether it was the bright color of her bottoms or the fact that they were paired with a tight top, she drew all the eyes and the comments.
"Obviously her physique, God bless you, you've worked out, you've earned that," Aidala said while laughing uncomfortably and making a show of trying to avert his eyes. The audience hooted and, while not shown on camera, I’m sure several men grew cartoon wolf heads and howled.
To say it was confusing and awkward would be an understatement. But Paige handled the public scrutiny of her privates like a pro, saying she is indeed comfortable wearing her Pilates outfit anywhere. Mercifully the segment ended there.
To be clear: The problem here isn’t the discussion about leggings (or leggin's, depending on where you live). Plenty of women don’t like them as pants and won’t wear them out of the gym or without a long top, and that’s totally fine. The problem is that even though the men on the panel valiantly tried to be funny and nice, it was what it was: the lining up of women for the purpose of having their bodies, and “lady parts” in particular, judged by a panel of ogling men and then told what was OK for them to wear based on how men feel about their bodies.
Being a woman in public is hard enough. Between catcalls on the street to shootings in gyms, we are constantly reminded that we always have to be on guard and be aware of how men are perceiving us. We’re left with the job of assessing who’s dangerous, who’s a jerk and who’s just a clueless “nice” guy, and to add up whether or not the situation will end up with us humiliated or even dead. This isn’t the type of math we should be teaching our daughters. We should feel safe no matter what we’re wearing.
So, thanks for making that just a little bit harder.
Galactagogue is a fancy way to describe something that helps increase your breast milk supply. From oatmeal to sesame seed bagels, there are plenty of foods you could be snacking on to boost your milk supply.
Check out the top tips for foods that help boost your milk supply.
Image: Becci Burkhart/SheKnows
1. Soup
Warm, nourishing soups can help encourage milk production as they heal postpartum bodies. Amy Mager, a lactation consultant, acupuncturist and practitioner of Chinese medicine explains how soup can help. "You want to first be eating warming foods that build Qi, life force and blood," she tells SheKnows. "Chicken soup is queen for postpartum mamas to nourish, warm, heal and make milk. When one is vegetarian, then lentil soup is a good substitute for chicken soup — especially with some miso used in the broth."
Many people suggest that eating a bowl of oatmeal every day is helpful to boost your milk supply. Some connect it to the high source of iron in oatmeal, which can help. Enjoy your oatmeal as a hot breakfast cereal, or perhaps even in a batch of oatmeal cookies.
3. Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds are high in calcium, which is great for increasing your milk supply. While they work best when crushed, you can still enjoy a sesame seed bagel. For an added bonus, top it with some tahini spread (made with sesame seeds!).
Much has been said about this herb that can be found in many teas that specialize in boosting milk supply. While it can help increase milk production in as little as a few days, there are some people who should avoid it. If you have asthma or certain allergies, use caution if using fenugreek. Those with thyroid issues, are hypoglycemic or take blood thinners may want to avoid it altogether.
5. Dates
Dates support and nourish the blood, according to Mager, which helps with milk production. "You can eat them in soup, by themselves or pour hot water on them." You can even add them to a batch of oatmeal cookies for double the power!
While not a food, remaining hydrated is one of the best ways to make sure you are producing enough breast milk. Keep a full water bottle by you to help remind you to stay hydrated, and so that you drink before you even feel thirsty. Try to get into the habit of drinking when your baby drinks!
While some of these tried-and-true home remedies may not work for everyone, there's no harm in eating an extra oatmeal cookie now and then if it might possibly help with breast milk production! If you are truly concerned about your milk supply, make an appointment with your doctor or a local lactation consultant.
Now, she is tweeting her disgust at the criticism she’s been getting over her recently published People magazine cover.
The story marked Kardashian’s first interview since Odom was hospitalized after being found unresponsive in a legal brothel, in Las Vegas. In the interview, she told the magazine that while the couple has called off their divorce, that does not mean they are getting back together. It was after the story was published that Kardashian felt she needed to defend herself, and explain her actions.
She tweeted, "I want to make this VERY clear… My People cover, I shot and interviewed for PRIOR to all the events that happened." She continued, "It was contracted press for my book that I wrote months and months ago. Timing is what it is."
She also took a moment to put the haters in their place, shaming them for trying to shame her, saying, "Shame on you all for thinking the worst of me. It’s been a tough few weeks. I don’t need your f***ed up energy!"
Khloe Kardashian tweet 3
Khloe Kardashian tweet 3
In response to questions about the information in the interview about Odom, since she claimed it was done before everything happened, she gladly and easily cleared that up, saying, "I had to do a follow up 5 minute phoner after the events only because I was contracted to. I cancelled my book tour to avoid this attention."
Khloe Kardashian tweet 4
Khloe Kardashian tweet 4
And she wishes that people would get some facts before they jump to judgement.
Since tweeting these things, folks seem to have done a 180, and Kardashian has been getting nothing but support. Many folks have tweeted at her with some really nice and uplifting messages, which give a glimmer of hope that people maybe aren’t quite so terrible all the time.
Khloe Kardashian tweet 6
Khloe Kardashian tweet 6
Khloe Kardashian tweet 7
Khloe Kardashian tweet 7
Khloe Kardashian tweet 8
Khloe Kardashian tweet 8
Khloe Kardashian tweet 9
Khloe Kardashian tweet 9
Do you think people were too harsh for criticizing Kardashian for her interview, or do you understand her explanation and think people need to relax?
One of my favorite treats is a fresh doughnut — warm and soft, with just the right amount of sweetness and perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. Since I frequent the bakery more than I should to get my doughnut fix, I decided to try to make a healthier version at home.
With a simple doughnut pan I purchased from my local home goods store, I made these decadent treats that are baked rather than fried. They satisfy just like the real thing but are slightly more in line with a healthy lifestyle.
I am the proud owner of two tiny Chihuahuas. While everyone I know is quick to gush over their cuteness (and widdle paws and widdle eyes), my dogs are almost always left out of the "big dog" topics — think exercise, security and companionship. Even the most tenderhearted dog lovers among us don't see small dogs as man's best friend. The general consensus is that small dogs, while adorable, are decorative. They're merely glorified cats.
But as a lifelong small-dog owner, I'm here to tell you this couldn't be further from the truth. Sure, my small dogs would happily sleep 22 hours of the day curled up on my lap if I'd let them, but there's got to be a reason why more pet owners are downsizing than ever before. Blame it on Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton, but today, almost 48 percent of U.S. households own a small dog under 25 pounds, compared to large-dog households at only 36 percent. The Kennel Club UK calls small breeds one of the "top 10 risers" in the last five years.
Most small-dog owners agree that when you train 'em well, small dogs are great to have around small children. "Small dogs hardly scare a kiddo with their size or ferocious bark," says Adam Wendt, vice president of marketing at Best Friends Total Pet Care.
2. They're cheaper
Pomeranian
Pomeranian
Think of how much food you'd buy for a giant dog each week, and then think of how much your tiny terrier eats in a month. I rest my case. Pomeranian owner Adelaida Diaz-Roa adds that grooming is much cheaper, too.
3. They make great lap dogs
Lapdog
Lapdog
For those huggable types who get their thrills from physical affection, a small dog fits the bill nicely. According to Wendt, a small pooch makes the perfect lap dog "should you want a dog that wants to cuddle up next to you while you read or watch TV."
4. There's less mess
Small dog
Small dog
When it comes to cleaning up poop, size matters most of all. Amy Yu, the big-dog and small-dog owner behind Wagdrobe, explains, "Small dogs poop less — especially having to pick up in the busy streets of New York!"
5. There's more room
Yorkie in bed
Yorkie in bed
It's finally possible to sleep with your furry friend when it doesn't take up half the bed, though Yu qualifies, "Small dogs take less space on the bed, but I still let my small dog take a third of the bed."
Speaking of Napoleon complex, small dogs are at their cutest when they don't know how small they really are, says Dana Fedman, CPDT-KA, of Pupstart Family Dog Training.
Just because you have a small dog doesn't mean you have to give up on your big trail hiking dreams. Diaz-Roa recommends the Ruffit carrier for any small-dog outdoor excursions, saying, "I can take him mountain climbing, bicycling, to graduation — pretty much anywhere."
Like that inevitable mess that comes with owning a big dog, extra slobber is part of the big-dog package. But with a small dog, you get small, sweet kisses that you can savor in the morning without messing up your makeup. "Tiny dog kisses don't leave your face all slimy," says Trish Loehr, toy poodle owner and dog trainer at Loehr Animal Behavior.
10. The travel is friendlier
Dog travel
Dog travel
If you've ever tried to transport a big dog anywhere farther than the grocery store, you have my sympathies. Small dogs are easy to stow on a plane, says Wendt. "Many small dogs can be taken with you while you fly without paying extra. Larger dogs are forced to go into the hold of a plane, while smaller dogs can fit comfortably under your seat."
Here's the biggest small-dog benefit of all if you can't imagine a life without your furry little sidekick. Loehr says, "Small dogs have a longer lifespan than big dogs." Small dogs may live for 12 to 14 years on average, compared to larger breeds at only eight to 10 years.
So far this year, 43 kids have found a way to make a gun go bang and hurt someone, which is inexcusable. Being a gun owner must include responsibly securing your gun at all times from any unauthorized person, especially a child.
So how do you do that? SheKnows spoke with gun safety experts Mark Luell of Growing Up Guns and Shawn Pappas of Suarez International Firearms Training. Both Luell and Pappas are certified firearms instructors, tasked with training police, military and civilians in proper gun use and safety. More important, though, both are fathers, tasked with raising children in a home where guns are a necessity by occupation. Luell and Pappas offered up these tips for living in a home with both guns and children:
“If you are not in direct control of the firearm, it needs to be locked away. On top of a shelf or under a sofa doesn't count. Think your child doesn't know it's there and can't reach it? Think again," says Luell. Cost should never be a factor either — this combination gun vault is just $25, and you can even get this simple gun lock for free.
Always store your ammunition and your guns separately
"A gun without ammunition is just an expensive club,” says Pappas. If there is no way to make the gun fire, no one can be shot.
Pappas says, “Stop. Don’t touch. Get away. Tell a trustworthy adult.” “Stop” can buy them precious time to remember what else you’ve taught them. An undisturbed gun will not fire, making “don’t touch” vitally important. Kids need to know to “get away” from the gun, even if it means leaving a friend’s home abruptly in the middle of a playdate should they find a gun stuck in a couch. And kids need to understand who they can trust to tell — ideally it should be you.
Unmask the mystery
“Make the gun a part of your everyday life, and introduce your child to it early,” says Luell. “Tell them they can handle it (don't use the word ‘play’) whenever they want, as long as you are there with them. Let them watch you clean it, dry fire, and so on. Removing the mystery early is key.” You can use Nerf or Airsoft replicas to introduce them to safe gun handling, but be sure to make the distinction between the “real” gun and the “fake” one, and always emphasize the fact that guns are not toys.
“Your children will learn from TV and media about guns unless you step in and educate them first. Don't let them think it's a game or that guns are to be taken lightly," Luell said. “It’s easier to train a child than a gun,” says Pappas. “All that your children have, especially when they leave your home and supervision, is the knowledge and guidance you have given them.” You have a moral and often legal obligation to give them the tools and information they need should you not be there to help them.
U.S. Marine and creator of the modern technique of handgun shooting Jeff Cooper is credited the four fundamental rules of firearms safety: 1) Consider all guns to be loaded, 2) never point at something you don’t intend to shoot, 3) keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire, and 4) don’t fire until you can see what you are hitting (and what may be behind it).
All gun owners must follow this list, but according to Luell, there should be a fifth rule: Prevent access to your firearms by all unauthorized people. Children are at the very top of that list of people. If all gun owners would take Luell’s proposed fifth rule as seriously as the other four, children shooting guns should no longer be an issue.
Another key to clean, crisp lines when it comes to painter's tape is when you remove it, not just how. It's a common misconception that you should wait until the paint is dry to remove it, but really, you should pull it off as soon as you can so that it doesn't peel or chip after it dries.
Doors are a huge hassle. But if you can get away with it, simply mask the hinges and use an Exact-o knife or razor to cut the shape out. Then you can keep the door up without having things look too sloppy.
5. Protect your carpet when you're painting baseboards by wedging packing tape underneath them
It can be tough to know how to prep baseboards and tape off the surrounding areas when you're getting ready to paint them. Drop cloths can be too slippery, and you can't just forego it or you could ruin your carpet or floors. Packing tape is thin enough to slide under the baseboard, and sticky enough to stay put.
6. You can save a lot of time by using an edge guard instead of tape
The top of the baseboards are another story; if you're just making touch-ups or aren't doing anything too drastic, you can easily keep an edge guard in place, painting as you go.
If you need to spray paint a fixture, stick it in a cardboard box to ensure that you get even coverage and don't accidentally spray yourself in the face if the wind picks up.
10. Keep all of your paint colors handy with a paint chip key ring
The middle child could not get off the ID bracelet from the patch, the oldest could not reach the book she wanted and the little one wanted water. The car erupted into chaos just five minutes into the trip home. Not being able to help them at all and annoyed that this perfect day was going to have a black mark, I tried to reason with the kids to stop the escalation.
I failed and finally went to what I thought would work: "You have lost going to the book fair tonight! But if you can get it together and be nice, you can earn it back."
My 6-year-old shook me into reality: "You always say that mommy and we always earn it back without doing anything!"
Image: Lori Pace/SheKnows
She proved she knew I lack the ability to follow through and shattered my image of being a good mom.
I think we all do it. We make threats, take away things and then cave and go back on our word. Facebook is full of people ready to pounce on a mom who does something we all deem as bad parenting. I, myself, have fallen victim to the 'perfect moms' who degrade, judge and demean moms who don't parent like they do. I actually hesitate to ever post that I make mistakes — but I make them, all the time.
Truth be told, I don't think not following through all the time is a bad thing.
**ducking to avoid tomatoes from the perfect moms club**
Our kids are told "no" all the time. No, you may not hit your sister over the head with a book. No, you may paint on my walls. No, you may not jump from the top bunk to the other top bunk with a cape wrapped around your neck while screaming, "I can fly!" No, no, no. You cannot do that, say that, eat that, think that, be that, cry about that, play with that or argue about that.
Image: Lori Pace/SheKnows
No has to be the most commonly used word in the parental language, but we still worry that kids will grow up thinking there are no consequences. This is so much so that if we see a mom slip up, we pounce on her like a cat on the best black-market catnip. I am here to say that though following through is absolutely necessary in most cases, it is totally OK if you don't sometimes.
I am the kind of mom who thinks most things can be fixed. Aside from death, most things in life can be adjusted to and resolved in some sort of manner if you work hard to get through them. Maybe I get this view from my very rocky childhood or from blind naiveté, but I think you can earn back some of what you lost by making better decisions and accepting your failures as lessons. When I tell my kids that they have lost something but can earn it back, I do think they are learning a valuable lesson after all.
Image: Lori Pace/SheKnows
I will admit, Megan's comment that they "always" earn it back stung a little. As far as they knew, they had lost the book fair. It was only after I got reports from all three teachers that their conduct was perfect, their kindness apparent towards other kids and their grades were more than acceptable at the parent-teachers conferences that night that I told them they had earned getting books back. The jubilation was contagious, and I did feel like a good mom.
In the grand scheme of things, they are becoming the ladies I want them to be.
Being tired and cranky in the car after a great day has not changed that one bit.
The other great thing about buying turkey legs is that they are super cheap. They are actually cheaper than chicken and provide you with a ton of meat. How's that for a savings?
Image: Brandy O'Neill/SheKnows
These turkey legs are simply roasted in the oven until the skin is crispy and then slathered with sweet BBQ sauce. It's the perfect meat lover's meal any time of year, but it makes a perfect small-scale Thanksgiving dinner too.
Image: Brandy O'Neill/SheKnows
Baked BBQ turkey legs recipe
Serves 4
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 1-1/2 to 2 hours | Total time: 2 hours
Ingredients:
4 raw turkey legs
Kosher salt
Pepper
1/3 cup chicken stock (more may be needed)
BBQ sauce (use your favorite)
Directions:
Heat your oven to 350 degrees F, and line a 9 x 13-inch pan with foil.
Place the raw turkey legs into the pan, and season the skin with kosher salt and pepper, to taste.
Pour in the chicken stock. You want it to just cover the bottom of the pan. Add more if necessary.
Place the turkey legs in the oven, and let cook for an hour.
Remove the turkey legs from the oven, and cover them in BBQ sauce.
Place them back into the oven, and bake for another 30 minutes to 1 hour or until the internal temperature is 180 degrees F.
Your final cooking time will depend on how large your turkey legs happen to be. If the BBQ sauce starts to brown too quickly, cover the turkey with foil until it reaches temperature.
OK, so that's my thought process every year. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I even think about putting some money aside a few months prior, so I won't be strapped for cash when it's time to be the Khaleesi from Game of Thrones.
But then October comes. And then the week of Halloween comes. And then All Hallows' Eve's eve comes. And I'm no closer to being the Mother of Dragons than sweeping my cat's offerings of dead lizards off of my front porch.
So, what does our generation do best (thanks to Pinterest)? Create. And make things pretty. But yes, mostly create. We can MacGyver any situation and make mountains from molehills with just a little inspiration.
You'll be surprised how many costumes you actually already have in your closet. The outfit ideas below are easy and fun — but really clever, too! So even though they're last minute, they don't have to look last minute.
No one is ever too old for Hello Kitty. Here are the basics you'll need for this costume — but you can really have a lot of fun with this one. Think cute skirts, tall platforms and sparkly makeup.
Pink bow or yoga headband tied in a bow (Suddora, $5)
If you're really strapped for time and your closet selections are limited, try Regina George from Mean Girls. Here's everything you'll need (and your tanks can really be any color):
I love this one. You can take it so many different ways, depending on what you have. We've outlined what you'll need to be a party leopard, but think pandas, giraffes and lions, too!
Forget Heisenberg — go for the real Walter White that we know and love from Breaking Bad. Head over to your boyfriend's closet for a little help on this one (except for maybe the underwear...).
If you're a girl for pearls, then this one is for you. Pull out your inner Holly Golightly from that first scene in Breakfast at Tiffany's with just these few items.
Yes! You can be a unicorn! Now's the time to pull out that old bridesmaid dress you wore once, try that hair chalk kit you bought last year and tie your hair into a bow.
Minions and their popularity are taking over the world. So, why not join in? Heck, for this one, you could dress up as a minion and your friend can be the unicorn (above).
SheKnows: Much like Monica, you have drawn some criticism on social media. Some are mocking your Survivor strategy, saying you weren't aware of the game happening around you. What is your reaction?
Woo Hwang: I don't take it [personally]. The game is a lot tougher than what you think it is on TV. Was I on the wrong side of the votes? Yeah, absolutely. Was I having conversations with people before Tribal to be on the same page? Yes. A lot goes down. The very first Tribal we went to when Vytas got blindsided, I was aware that we were voting out Abi. But I was on the wrong side of the vote. Of course it cuts off and makes it seem like I'm not quite sure what's happening around me. That's the information that I'm given, and I can only work off of what I know. If I know, "Hey, let's write Abi's name down," then all of a sudden Vytas gets blindsided. Yeah, it definitely comes off that I'm pretty unaware of what's happening around me. Like I said, if somebody says we're voting Abi and you want to stay with the numbers and move forward in the game, that's what you're gonna do.
SK: Walk us through the moment you were eliminated. Was it a true blindside?
WH: I had no idea it was me next. It was a legitimate blindside that I was not expecting.
SK: When the majority of votes fell against you, who did you think turned on you?
WH: Where it went wrong, and they didn't air this, was a conversation I had with Kass when we made that swap. Kass and I were just catching up. "Hey, how are things? It's been a long time. How crazy is it we're playing this game again together?" Kass goes on like, "What's your relationship with Savage?" I'm like, "Kass, things are good. We started together at Angkor and we're so happy to be out of there." She was taking it all in. She was like, "How is your relationship with Tasha?" I said, "We're solid. We're rock solid, don't worry about it." I remember having a conversation with Tasha and Savage at the old Angkor camp. They pulled me aside and said, "Play with us and we make the merge, we guarantee you will be safe because we have a lot of alliance members from the original Bayon tribe." That's Jeremy, Keith, Fishbach, Ciera, Tasha and myself. I felt that was the best thing I heard of all 14 or 15 days I was out there. I remember having the conversation with Kass about being cool with Savage and cool with Tasha. I walked away thinking, did I just reveal too much? I don't remember Savage ever saying that Kass was a part of his alliance. Maybe she was thinking since Savage wanted to throw Spencer under the bus, and Woo is already admitting how close he is to those guys, Woo is going to be aligned with all those other guys. I'm thinking the reason behind flipping and voting me off was simply to start phasing out Savage's alliance members. That included myself.
Image: CBS
SK: On the show you talked about trusting Savage. Why were you so connected to him?
WH: Trust is a tricky word in the game of Survivor. He communicates really well. He just seems like such a straightforward guy. We had built a relationship at Angkor and the experience of not having much food. Our shelter was very poor. When they decided to vote off Jeff and keep me, that really kind of bonded my trust with Savage. I felt like I could play with him and he was willing to play with me.
SK: On the flip side, who did you feel most threatened by going into the game?
WH: I was threatened by Spencer. He's really popular in the Survivor world. I know he's got a lot of ties and relationships with a lot of the Second Chance members. I was threatened by Joe. I was threatened by Tasha, Kass, you've got so many great players. Vytas. Jeff Varner. You name it, there's just so many great players you almost have to go in being threatened by everyone.
SK: Since there were four castaways, including yourself, from Survivor: Cagayan selected to be on this season, was there any talk of an alliance together?
WH: Before the game started, I didn't have a conversation with any of those guys. Looking back, maybe I could've snuck a Twitter message to Spencer, Kass and Tasha saying, "Maybe we should definitely consider working with one another. Maybe at the second stage when we hit the merge we can join forces, but maybe in the beginning keep it on the discreet side so we're not targeted." I definitely had that in my game plan that once I got those guys in the right position on the right day that we could right there, being four of us, we could run the show. That was definitely in the back of my mind as a strategy. Spencer and I, we started off on the show together.
Image: CBS
SK: If CBS called tomorrow and said they were doing Survivor: Third Chance, are you in?
WH: Come on! Get me on there! Please! I'm sure the viewers are probably sick of seeing my face, but are you kidding me? If Survivor called me again, hands down I'm there. Maybe I can be one of those third chancers. 10 years from now I'll be 41, and I'll be one of the dads coming in for my revenge.
SK: In Cagayan, you wore those FiveFingers toe shoes, which seems like a very smart decision. Did you bring them this season?
WH: I did. I had those. Once I suffered those cuts on my feet, they weren't very helpful. I had a bunch of cuts on my toes, so sliding my feet into those FiveFingers shoes was just too much. I just decided to wear my other shoes, which were Nike cross-trainers.
SK: You made it all the way to the final Tribal Council the first season you played. But your decision to bring to the end ultimately cost you the $1 million prize. It's something you seemed to take very hard when you lost. How long did it take you to get over that loss?
WH: When the votes were revealed, I was shocked. I was surprised and very disappointed. A lot of that went away pretty quick when I looked in the audience and saw my mom, dad and cousin who flew out. I had my girlfriend in the audience. They came out there to be with me at the finale. They were just as upset as I was, but there's no point in hanging on to that. Things happen. They happen for a reason, and you can choose to accept it or not accept it. If you choose to accept it, take it for what it is and stay positive, or let it affect your mood and the whole vibe of the trip for everyone else. When it was over, I needed to click back into who I was personality-wise to keep a smile on face and be happy for my family and friends.
SK: Anything else you'd like to say?
WH: Just to take the time to thank all my fans who are out there for tuning in and making my Second Chance dreams come to reality. Thank you very much for all your support and love. Until next time.
Image: CBS
What are your thoughts on Hwang's comments? Do you think he's a clueless player? Are you sad he was voted off pre-jury? At this point in the competition, who do you hope wins the entire season? Join the conversation by leaving a comment now.
I went to Whole Foods in search of something gentle because my face literally felt like it was on fire. My skin was raw and dry. I searched in the baby aisle for a gentle cleanser with absolutely no luck. The ingredients in the baby products were just as harsh and unpronounceable, so I passed in fear of having another let down. I grabbed a bottle of Dr. Bronner's Baby Mild Magic Soap and headed towards the skin treatment section in hopes I'd find a magic cream. Still, no such luck. So, I asked a saleswoman. She was great. She suggested I make my own cleanser. I've made things in the past, but never a facial cleanser.
Here is what I suggest for anyone experiencing upset skin:
Our unscented baby soap contains no fragrance, so it is great for people who have allergies or sensitive skin. Of course, it is great for babies as well. All oils and essential oils are certified organic by the National Organic Standards Program. And they are packaged in 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.
I used aloe vera because it is naturally calming for scars and burns.
I cut the leaf of an Aloe vera plant and take the gel from it — about half a teaspoonful. It is safe for putting on any scrape, wound, bite, burn, acne, stretch marks, scars or damaged skin. Aloe vera is a natural astringent perfect for applying to clean washed skin to tighten and regenerate the cells.
Jojoba is safe to use directly on your skin.It moisturizes skin without leaving any oily residue.It effectively cleanses clogged pores.
Here is what I do:
I wash twice daily with the Aloe vera and magic soap mixed in the palm of my hand.
Next, I rinse my face with warm water.
Finally, I moisturize with a drop of aloe vera from the leaf (a little goes a long way) and seal in the moisture with the jojoba oil.
I felt immediate relief and saw improvement. My skin no longer burned, and the black marks from the wind burn began to disappear. My skin is not flaky from the gel, nor oily from the jojoba oil. In fact, my skin is extra soft and my dry/oily combination skin is balanced. Jojoba oil is the best oil you can use on your skin because it is similar to the oil your skin naturally produces.
If you are suffering from breakouts, it is important to check the ingredients in the products you are using. I quickly discovered that I have an allergy to talc and mica, which is commonly used in foundations, eyeshadows and press powders.
For the winter weather that will soon approach us, it is important to keep your skin moisturized and covered from the harsh elements.
Kroy Biermann has been through Zolciak's side through it all, including reality TV stardom, her doomed stint on Dancing with the Stars, a scary health diagnosis and major heart surgery, and now he is really reaching deep to bring a smile to his wife's face — all the way down to his toes.
Zolciak posted a pic to her Instagram account showing the fancy pedicure Biermann got just for her: an EKG design with a heart.
"Kroys [sic] toes for my surgery," she captioned the photo. "If that isn't love I don't know what is!!"
Biermann also returned to Twitter after a month-long hiatus to thank fans for their support of both him and his wife during this trying time of doctor's visits and hospital stays.
Zolciak, who suffered a ministroke while competing on Dancing with the Stars last month, has been updating fans from the hospital, including posting glam selfies from her bed post-surgery. Her previously unknown genetic condition, a hole in her heart, has been successfully repaired.
"I have one of the top cardiologists in the country who's amazing," Zolciak told E! News. "Anything that has to do with your heart and brain is pretty scary, but heck, I've been through it. I'm OK."
Glad she's on the mend, with such fancy feet by her side!
Full disclosure, I used to get them quite often, because for some reason, my body was prone to them. No matter how much water I drank or how clean I kept myself, they kept coming back. Thankfully, after minor surgery, I now get them very infrequently, but I still get chills when I think about those awful symptoms that accompany them.
UTIs are incredibly common in women. According to One Medical, 50 to 60 percent of adult women will experience at least one in their lifetime. The simple reason behind why women tend to get them much more often than men is women's urethras are shorter and closer to the anus. That means that the likelihood of bacteria traveling into the urethra and causing an infection is much greater.
While you might get a UTI for any number of reasons, researchers recently discovered that one particular season seems to be a major catalyst for them — the summer.
Researchers at the University of Iowa looked at UTI hospitalizations from 1998 to 2011, and found that the numbers spike during the summer months. And while such severe UTIs only represent a small portion of the 7 million UTI cases that occur in the United States annually, it's a good indication of the country's UTI pattern.
They found this spike was most apparent in younger women between the ages of 18 and 40. As age went up, this tendency towards "seasonality," as the study calls it, went down. While nothing's been proven thus far, the researchers came up with several theories why our urinary tracts become more susceptible to bacteria in the summer.
Dehydration being more common in the summer is one possible reason. However the more interesting cause is that sexual activity increases for younger women in the warmer months. Think about it. You're more inclined to go out and be social when it's warm, and we all know what socializing leads to... or dancing, if you're from the Footloose town.
My own personal experience with UTIs has lead me to believe that sweat and hanging out in tight, spandex clothes after working out can play a part too. And obviously more sweating happens in the summertime.
So what can you do about it?
The study suggests that there's not much that can be done about the influx in UTI hospitalizations, because that likely has to do with more resistant strains of bacteria than anything else. However, you can do several things to lower your risk of getting an everyday, run-of-the-mill UTI in the summer months.
1. Drink water regularly
No, you don't have to be one of those people who carries around a giant water bottle bigger than they are, but you should try to be more conscious of hydrating in the summer, especially because your body loses moisture more quickly when it's hot.
2.Pee after sex
Sure, you may be getting busy more often in the summer, but you can help prevent bacteria from getting cozy by peeing both right before and after sex.
3. Drink cranberry juice
Now, the effectiveness of this is somewhat debated, but cranberries do contain a natural antiseptic called hippuric acid, which can keep bacteria from sticking to the lining of your bladder.
4. Wipe from front to back
I know, I know, this may sound childish, but some people don't know, and others are just lazy when they wipe after going to the bathroom. However, remember what we said about the proximity of the anus to the urethra? That's how easily wiping the wrong way could lead to painful urination.
Waiting to pee puts stress on your bladder, and can lead to a UTI, so the rule of thumb is: If you feel it, free it.
6. Change your yoga pants
Any clothing that stays tight to your body can get sweaty, and sweat leads to bacteria if left in place for too long. So change your clothes before you sit and watch that episode of Gilmore Girls after working out.
Young Rising Sons, the four-piece from Red Bank, New Jersey, has only recent blown up, thanks to the aforementioned poppy single "High" (that you might have also heard in the now-canceled TV shows Red Band Society and Selfie), but they've been at it for quite some time. Young Rising Sons singer and guitarist Andy Tongren talks all about that, their catchy-as-hell single, their love for their fans and so much more:
SheKnows: For those who are hearing of Young Rising Sons for the first time, describe your music in three words.
Andy Tongren: Optimistic, energetic, soulful.
SK: "High" has been everywhere, and it's a crazy catchy song. What inspired the song and lyrics?
AT: It really sums up our journey as a band. Before we signed with Interscope, we had been playing small venues and dive bars for years. "High" captures the moments that may not be so wonderful and illustrious, but with a positive sentiment in that you can't know what happiness feels like until you've experienced them.
SK: What are a few songs you currently can't stop listening to?
AT: There is so much great music that has just come out recently. Our friend Olivver just put out a new EP that is fantastic; my favorite song is "Blue." The new Third Eye Blind record is really awesome. Also BØRNS just put out a new album that is really pretty amazing.
BORNS 'Dug My Heart' song
BORNS 'Dug My Heart' song
SK: Halloween is coming up (obviously). Do you believe in ghosts and spirits? Have you had any encounters with the afterlife? If so, tell us what happened.
AT: Yes and yes. I suppose I was asking for it, however. At one point, I lived across the street from a graveyard in a house that had been built in 1850. Lots of weird things occurred: TV and lights turning on and off on their own, things going missing and doors slamming without any kind of a draft. Pretty terrifying. Definitely broke my lease to move out early.
SK: What's been the biggest challenge to getting where you are now, and how did you overcome it?
AT: There wasn't necessarily one specific obstacle we faced aside from time. So many people we played music [with] growing up with had given it up, but we were still going and for the longest time had nothing to show for it. There were times when we wanted to quit; however, we knew that this is what we would do all along.
SK: What advice do you have for kids with dreams of becoming successful musicians?
AT: Don't give up. Keep going, because if you want it badly enough you can make it happen. It gets hard, but keeping a positive mental attitude goes a long way.
SK: Have you had any really memorable fan experiences? If so, tell us.
AT: Occasionally we do sporadic, impromptu meet-and-greets if we are in a city and don't have a show. It's always so incredible when you post a location and a time with an hour's notice, and so many people take the time to come and say hi. We love those one-on-one experiences with our fans.
SK: Technology has changed the way we listen to and experience music. It has even changed the way we create and maintain relationships. But live music has always been such an important, personal experience for many people. How important are live shows to you? How important is it to create a lasting, memorable experience for your audience?
AT: The live show is perhaps the most important part for us. Songs will resonate with fans through a sound recording, sure; but to be in front of an audience in the flesh and to be able to connect with them is so powerful. I think if you're able to bridge that gap and make it feel as though the audience and what's happening onstage is just one giant entity rather than band vs. audience, it's an experience that's hard to forget.
SK: What’s one live show that completely changed you and left a lasting impact on you?
AT: Needtobreathe was one of the most moving and inspiring performances I've ever seen. It was one of those moments where all the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, and you remember why you want to be a performer.
SK: If you could put together a dream music festival lineup, who would be on it?
AT: The Rolling Stones, Kings of Leon, Beach Boys, The Killers, Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Duran Duran & Young Rising Sons — because I would die to play with all those artists.
SK: What's up next for you guys?
AT: After this tour, we are back in the studio to continue writing. Top of next year will entail more touring and eventually a full-length [album].
SK: Y’all have an amazing cover of Tove Lo’s "Habits." Would you ever cover Justin Bieber’s "What Do You Mean?"
AT: Honestly, I love that song, so maybe.
SK: Is there anything else you want to add?
AT: Make sure you grab our new EP The Kids Will Be Fine.
Catch Young Rising Sons on tour! Here are the dates:
Bazen, who is the principal at Plymouth Christian High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, took issue with an op-ed posted to MLive. In the original op-ed, the MLive editorial board proclaimed dress codes to be shady and gross, and called on Michigan schools to discontinue them.
There's no denying that dress codes and dress code violations affect girls more than boys, and that the excuse we often hear is that a flash of shoulder, a stray legging, or (heaven forbid) a bit of thigh are distracting to students boys. But attempting to articulate what exactly it is about dress codes that seem sexist can be a challenge, especially when the language is coded in broad arbitrary strokes, as it often is.
Fortunately, Bazen's letter to the editor just did a better job of showing how truly creepy these dress codes are, and how the attitude behind them is a pile of sexist garbage, than even the most raging of feminists could hope to.
The principal's response opens with a very condescending, "You say that harping on the young ladies to 'cover-up' does more harm than good. To me, that's a double standard because as a female you will never completely understand the male mind."
Oh man, the old, "I'm not sexist, you are" response! This was directed at an editorial board that is, in fact, not one woman but a couple of ladies and at least one dude.
But that's not all. Bazen goes on to talk about the male mind in an extremely enlightening way. He has three main points in his rebuttal. The first is that, "Being wired more visual, males are attracted to shape and skin" (yawn), the second is "expecting the guys to keep their eyes off young ladies with shirts revealing their cleavage, short skirt, tight pants/leggings, shorty shorts, or tight shirt, is like walking out into the rain and expecting not to get wet" (WOW), and finally that "The only way you can help young men not treat young ladies as sex objects is by telling the young ladies to cover up!"
Actually, you can help young men not treat young ladies like sex objects by expecting them not to and not tolerating it when they do.
There are so many things wrong with this, but let's start with the idea of how important it is to understand the male mind. Sure, that's important, especially when you're teaching, you know, young males. But it still represents approximately half of the average student body. So basically, unless you think that males should take precedence over female students, can we retire this tired line of reasoning? Plus, however damaging it might be for a boy to see a boob and not be able to touch it, it's infinitely more damaging to teach girls that they must always don a nun's habit and take responsibility for their peers' boners.
Second, boys are not shameless animals. They are human beings. They are not "like wolves" or "like sharks" or like horny dogs. They are people, and like most people, have a thing called impulse control. It's time to stop perpetuating the myth that when girls mess up it's girls' fault, and when boys mess up, it's also girls' fault.
Finally, people accept what Bazen has written (and much, much more) as indisputable fact: men and women are just different, male success is sacred, women shouldn't bring harassment upon themselves by existing... we've all heard the clichéd reasoning behind this crap.
It isn't new, and it isn't justified. Bazen isn't dropping truth bombs, he's perpetuating stereotypes that are, frankly, an embarrassment in 2015. He comes off less fatherly and more creepy than he probably intended, and it would be a good idea for him to stop while he's behind.
