Quantcast
Channel: What's New
Viewing all 33701 articles
Browse latest View live

Top Chef's Angelina Bastidas explains the challenge with her age

0
0

More: Top Chef may have just delivered on the worst dish ever (PHOTOS)

SheKnows: Who is your favorite Top Chef contestant of all time and why?

Angelina Bastidas: My favorite Top Chef contestant has to be Nina Compton. She's an all-time badass, even though she didn't take it home.

SK: Were you surprised by your elimination?

AB: With my elimination, I was expecting to take the win with the sudden death, but not plating my dish killed me.

SK: What was it like working with all of the judges on the show?

AB: It was great to get to know the judges and see that they are real people just like any of us.

SK: Which contestant do you think deserves to win? Or who are you rooting for?

AB: Honestly, all the chefs this season are amazing. All so talented. I think it's pretty close. However, gotta root for my big sister Marjorie or my fellow Floridian Jeremy.

More: Top Chef star Gail Simmons gives birth to her first child

SK: Who did you consider your biggest competition?

AB: My biggest competition has to be everyone here. From owners of restaurants, to James Beard nominees, to food and wine best chefs... Crap! Being the youngest in this competition is a lot of pressure.

SK: Was there anyone on the show you really clashed with? Who was it and why?

AB: I really did not clash with anyone, though I have a really strong personality, as you all know. At the end of the day, we are here for a competition.

SK: Who is your favorite out of the judges and why?

AB: My favorite has to be Padma. She is so humble and gives proper criticism. She's not just a pretty face. She knows her stuff.

SK: Who do you think deserved to go home on last night's episode?

AB: I think after our sudden death quick fire, it was only karma that bit Wesley in that butt of his! Joking aside, Wesley did a great job with sending me home. However, overcooked lamb doesn't work anywhere.

SK: What was the best experience you had on the show?

AB: The best experience on the show was being among some of the greatest chefs in the country. Being able to travel around California, as it was my first time there, was great as well. I was so shocked with the views.

More: Top Chef contestants lose followers after wedding challenge behavior

SK: What was the biggest challenge for you on the show?

AB: The biggest challenge was trying to accept that I was the youngest chef. Age is not an issue. However, I dealt with obstacles throughout the competition, feeling like I somewhat had to prove who I was as a chef, and [that] added pressure to me. [I'm] realizing now, the biggest challenge was getting out of my own head.

Do you think Angelina Bastidas deserved to go home?


Anne Hathaway slams 'the Internet' for tearing down Jennifer Lawrence

0
0

More: Anne Hathaway applauded for proudly showing off baby bump in bikini (PHOTO)

Following the "scandal" that occurred when JLaw jokingly told a reporter at the Golden Globes to get off his phone, Hathaway clearly felt the need to speak out in support of her fellow actress.

"Dear the Internet," Hathaway wrote on Facebook. "It's become pretty clear that the Jennifer Lawrence 'scolding' was taken out of context and that she was dryly joking with a journalist who was indeed using his phone to take photos of her."

But Hathaway took her rant one step further, using Lawrence as an example of how society unfairly targets women for perceived social missteps. In her post, she urged her followers to support women even when they make mistakes.

More: Anne Hathaway tears up while talking about women who've bad-mouthed her (VIDEO)

"Let's not continue the sad but common practice of building people - especially women- up just to viciously tear them down when we perceive them to have misstepped," Hathaway wrote. "Jennifer is a beautiful, talented, wildly successful, popular, FOUR TIME OSCAR NOMINATED young woman. Please let us not punish her for these things."

Anne Hathoway defends Jennifer Lawrence at Golden Globe

Anne Hathoway defends Jennifer Lawrence at Golden Globe

Unfortunately, some of the followers commenting on Hathaway's post don't seem to agree.

"So being a FOUR TIME OSCAR NOMINATED actress gives her some kind of privilege?" one wrote. "yes, she's a talented actress but she's also a human being she can do right but also wrong...she did wrong"

Others, however, did take Hathaway's side.

"I wish female entertainers of all types could have the luxury of not caring what others think of them, as those of us employed in more private ways do," another wrote. "And, maybe you don't (which is good). Suffice it to say that you, Jennifer Lawrence, and a lot of other women are talented, beautiful, and appropriately assertive, which is also good. Keep on keeping on."

More: The Kardashians have even managed to earn the respect of an Oscar winner

Do you agree with Anne Hathaway? Was Jennifer Lawrence's behavior at the Golden Globes justified?

Camille Cosby is fighting back against Bill Cosby's rape charges

0
0

More: Bill Cosby's lawyer files to dismiss assault case for reasons that may be justified

Bill Cosby's wife is doing everything she can to avoid being questioned in an upcoming deposition for the case, the Associated Press reported Friday.

According to reports, Camille Cosby's lawyers are fighting a judge's decision to allow her to testify under oath in the case, filed in Massachusetts by seven women who claim they were sexually abused by Bill Cosby decades ago.

More: Bill Cosby has been charged with sexual assault of Andrea Constand (PHOTO)

The AP reports that Massachusetts Magistrate Judge David Hennessy has refused to throw out a subpoena for Camille to testify. A rule in Massachusetts that disqualifies spouses from testifying against each other or about private conversations within the marriage only applies in actual court, Hennessy reportedly ruled, and doesn't apply to the upcoming deposition.

But Camille's lawyers are arguing that the rule encompasses all court proceedings, which would include depositions. They filed an appeal Thursday to try to block their client from having to participate in the deposition, which is scheduled for this month.

Meanwhile, nearly 50 other women have come forward over the last year to accuse Bill Cosby of sexual assault, drugging and rape. He continues to deny all of the allegations, and has filed a counter-suit against the seven women who are suing him in Massachusetts.

More: Bill Cosby has a message for all his fans following sexual assault charge

Do you think Bill Cosby's wife should be required to testify under oath in his rape case? Head down to the comments and tell us where you stand.

Jessa Duggar gets a much better reaction to new baby pics than Jill (PHOTOS)

0
0

Spurgeon Seewald might have an unusual name, but he is awfully cute — and Jessa has finally let us have another peek at him.

New mom Jessa has barely posted any photos of her baby since Christmas, and considering the fallout her sister Jill has gotten for a couple of photos of her own baby, we can't say we blame her.

But this is an awfully cute kid, we can't deny that.

Spurgeon Seewald 1

Spurgeon Seewald 1

Spurgeon Seewald 2

Spurgeon Seewald 2

Jessa's photos are getting a far better reception than ones her sister Jill has posted of her own baby boy lately. Last week, Jill posted a photo of little Israel lying on a bed, tightly swaddled and crying. She and her husband Derick Dillard were immediately accused of the controversial and violent disciplinary practice of blanket training. The she found herself under fire for another pic where an un-baby-proofed electrical socket could be seen in the background.

This week, the official Duggar family Facebook page posted what appeared to be a happy family photo of Jill, Derick and Israel, only to come under attack because the baby has what appears to be a bruise on his head.

More: Jill Duggar's recent pic has fans genuinely concerned for Derick's health (PHOTO)

Israel Dillard bruised

Israel Dillard bruised

More: Leader of Duggar family ministry sued for sexual abuse

"He has bruises even on his chin,” wrote commenter Ben Wild. "Something really seems off that every pix he has new marks. That is suspicious. My kids had accidents but not new marks weekly. Something really seems wrong, maybe I am wrong but it's sure fishy!!”

"Poor Israel looks like he got hurt. Hope he is ok,” wrote Tanya Crici.

These people obviously don't have children. Because kids that age who are crawling, pulling up on everything regardless of stability and teetering around learning to walk have bruises all over, everywhere.

That energy of concern might be better spent on Dillard's ill-thought beard.

More: Josh Duggar's new court papers reveal a very scandalous detail

Low-carb gooey skillet brownie for two

0
0

More: Super simple, sugar-free panna cotta is a low-carb sweet treat

Skillet brownie
Image: Carolyn Ketchum/SheKnows

Well, look no further than this sugar-free gooey skillet brownie. It takes less than 20 minutes to make and serves exactly two. Or one, if you prefer. This is the kind of perfectly gooey comfort dessert that you just can't get enough of. Best of all, it still fits into your low-carb, gluten-free diet. Go ahead — you deserve it!

More: Creamy dreamy tiramisu ice pops you won't believe are low-carb

Brownie with ice cream
Image: Carolyn Ketchum/SheKnows

Low-carb skillet brownie for two

Nutritional Counts:

Food energy: 198 kcal; Total fat: 23.81 g; Calories from fat: 214; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrate, by difference: 9.26 g; Total dietary fiber: 4.57 g; Protein: 7.14 g; Sodium: 278 mg

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 5 tablespoons almond flour
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons Swerve Sweetener or other granulated erythritol
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or melted butter
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon sugar-free chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and lightly grease a 6-inch ovenproof skillet (you can also use a 6-inch casserole dish).
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, cocoa powder, sweetener and baking powder.
  3. Stir in the water, oil or melted butter, egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. Pour batter into prepared skillet and sprinkle with chocolate chips, if using.
  5. Bake 13 to 16 minutes, or until puffed but not quite set. The brownie should jiggle a bit in the center when shaken.
  6. Remove and top with lightly sweetened whipped cream or your favorite low-carb ice cream. Serve immediately.

Updated by Bethany Ramos

HTGAWM spoilers: New cast additions could hold the key to Annalise's past

0
0

More: HTGAWM: [Spoiler] shot Annalise — is she their mom, too?

When HTGAWM returns to ABC on Feb. 11, viewers will be introduced to the Mahoney family: matriarch Sylvia (Roxanne Hart), patriarch Wallace (Adam Arkin), and son Charles (Wilson Bethel). The Mahoneys are a privileged bunch. Sylvia's a socialite, Wallace is Warren Buffett-eqsue, and Charles is an Ivy League grad. And, according to showrunner Pete Nowalk, the family will play a critical role going forward.

"The Mahoney family plays a really big part in a legal case in our last six episodes," Nowalk told TVLine yesterday. "They're very wealthy people. It's a murder case, and it involves Annalise in a big way." Nowalk also added that the Mahoneys aren't affiliated with any of Annalise Keating's former clients, nor are they connected to anyone in her inner circle.

This news also suggests that Annalise is likely to make a quick recovery from her gunshot wounds. Indeed, earlier this week Viola Davis told Entertainment Tonight that "Annalise is fine... Annalise is working it out like we are all working it out."

Davis added that "after what [Wes] did to [Annalise]" in the midseason finale, fans should expect that the protective relationship that the two characters previously shared "may be in question."

More: 11 Predictions for How to Get Away With Murder Season 2

Another hint revealed to ET: The remainder of Season 2 will be heavily focused on character backstories and flashbacks, which will ultimately unite the group in a new, powerful way.

"It's just a lot of us trying to hold it together," Aja Naomi King (aka, Michaela Pratt) told ET this week. "I think you're gonna see us come a lot closer in the latter half of this season, which is also really nice."

So even if the Mahoneys have no direct, prior relationship with Annalise or her students, it seems likely that they may hold the keys to the mysteries of their pasts. And, naturally, the biggest mystery on everyone's mind is the connection between Annalise and Wes's mother. The midseason finale revealed that Annalise knows Wes's real name, Christophe, and that she's known him since he was (at least) 12 years old, when his mother committed suicide — or so he's been told.

In November, SheKnows contributor Julie Sprankles addressed the popular theory that Annalise is Wes's biological mother, ultimately concluding that the evidence presented in the midseason finale contradicts that notion. She did posit, however, that Wes's mother might have been one of Annalise's early clients. That's the theory that makes the most sense to me right now — it would explain why Annalise still feels the urge to protect Wes after all these years — and it provides an entry point for the Mahoneys. We know that the Mahoneys aren't previous clients of Annalise, nor are they closely connected to any of her former clients — but could they still have information about the case that Wes's mother was involved in? Could they have indirectly played a role in her death?

More: How to Get Away With Murder: 6 New clues from Season 2 trailer

Or perhaps we're looking at this from the wrong angle entirely. Maybe it's not Annalise's past to which the Mahoneys are connected. Did they perhaps know Emily Sinclair, the now-deceased prosecutor, whose backstory and murder is likely to play a role throughout the remainder of Season 2?

Luckily, we won't have to speculate for long. New episodes of HTGAWM begin in four weeks, so soon these mysteries will be resolved — surely with new ones around the corner.

Are you ready for the return of HTGAWM on Feb. 11? What are your Season 2 predictions?

Blogger shares shocking hospital photo to warn against binge drinking

0
0

She's no longer drinking to excess, thanks to an experience during summer 2015 that almost took her life.

More: Woman's skin sheds uncontrollably because of rare steroid side-effect

Lottritz and her friends hit up the Night in the Country music festival in Yerington, Nevada, on July 25 to hear country acts like Joe Nichols and Jake Owen. She had two beers there, far less, she said, than friends who spent much of the day drinking. So she decided to play catch-up.

"I ended up at a campsite where I found some of my other friends. I am a competitive person by nature and this group was mostly guys who (for some reason) I promised I could outdrink," she wrote on her blog, adding that later she and a guy friend decided to see who could take the longest drink from a bottle of Black Velvet Whiskey. She drank from the bottle, then friends said she drank a Solo cup full of the same hard liquor.

"Immediately after this I told my friends I felt fine, and about five minutes later I collapsed. I wasn’t breathing," she wrote. "My friends picked me up and started carrying me to the medical tent. From there I was intubated and taken to Renown hospital in Reno, Nevada."

More: 3 Subtle signs you have carbon monoxide poisoning

At the hospital, doctors diagnosed her with acute respiratory failure and acute alcohol intoxication. "My blood alcohol concentration was .41 when I arrived at the hospital, five times over the legal limit," she continued. "The doctors thought I was brain dead because I was completely unresponsive. My pupils were sluggishly reactive, I had no corneal reflex and I wasn’t responding to verbal or painful stimuli."

Hanna Lottritz
Image: Hanna Lottritz

She woke up 24 hours later. Medical staff said she was lucky to be alive and asked if she tried to kill herself. "This question hit me the hardest. From my hospital bed in the Intensive Care Unit, my eyes were opened to the seriousness of being irresponsible with alcohol," she wrote. "The next day when I was discharged from the hospital, I realized that the way I looked at alcohol would be changed forever."

Binge drinking in women is defined as drinking four or more drinks in two hours and a recent study found that women are doing it 36 percent more than they did 10 years ago. This can lead to a hangover, at the very least, or death. Luckily, Lottritz escaped with no lasting effects, but has a message for others.

More: Fitbit saves teenager's life by detecting serious heart condition

"Fortunately for me, I had good people around when all of this took place," she wrote. "I could have easily been taken advantage of when I passed out. I could’ve been left alone to 'sleep it off.' I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the phrase, 'Let them sleep it off, they’ll be fine in the morning,' but I’m alive today because my friends got me help. Don’t take a chance if you see a friend passed out from drinking too much."

Man plans the perfect proposal for his Friends-obsessed girlfriend

0
0

That talent — among her many other awesome attributes — is why her boyfriend, 25-year-old Mitesh Jadva, decided to propose.

And of course Friends was involved.

More: Guy proposes to girlfriend 149 times, but she had no idea (VIDEO)

After a dinner at the famed London restaurant, The Shard, Jadva led his girlfriend to the Red Cross Gardens at sunset where he had a scene set up to look like the backdrop of the show's famed opening credits. A group of singers serenaded them with the show's theme song — "I'll Be There For You" by The Rembrandts — as they made their way to a couch.

It all looked picture-perfect, but not all went as planned.

Friends proposal

Friends proposal

"The journey to the park in the cab was when the nerves really started to kick in," Jadva told the Daily Mail. "We knew the timing for sunsets that week and had planned the proposal for a time which would give us good lighting for the video, but also would be dark enough for the candles and fairy lights to shine. Luckily I was able to stall the cab for 10 minutes, and I even got us dropped five minutes' walk away from the park."

More: Man text-proposes to girlfriend while stranded at Chicago O'Hare

All the stress was worth it.

"When we took a seat and the singers came out Anisha shed a few happy tears, and that's when I knew I'd done my job right," he said. "The entire night Anisha kept telling me how overwhelming it was and how she was so happy she felt like it wasn't actually happening."

'I'm just happy she liked it and now has a memory for life."

Take notes, boys.

More: Adorable puppy helps man pull off the cutest marriage proposal (WATCH)


Marriage Boot Camp's Sugar Bear deserves criticism but not homophobia

0
0

More: Are Althea and Benzino planning their own reality show after Marriage Boot Camp?

sugar bear and mama june
Image: WE tv

Is tantrum-y a word? Well, it is now. It's the best way to describe Sugar Bear's behavior on Friday's new episode of Marriage Boot Camp. At the end of last week's episode, Mama June told Sean and Catherine that more would come out about his infidelity, such as that fact that he got with some dudes.

When we returned to our heroes this week, Sugar Bear basically threw a fit while admitting he'd cheated, claiming that the woman in question came on to him, because taking zero responsibility for your actions is an excellent strategy for healing your relationship. He continued to act-out during the episode, telling Mama June he wants to give up on their relationship and displaying a scary level of anger, which was definitely exacerbated by the fact that the couples had to assemble an IKEA bed (the most realistic exercise ever to happen on this show.) 

So Sugar Bear is a giant jerk-face, and according to Jim and Elizabeth, probably a sex addict (which, to be clear, has nothing to do with his jerk-face-ness). At the end of the episode, he also admitted to Mama June that he had had a sexual encounter with another guy. One place this did not go over well: Twitter. And by "did not go over well," I mean, "was really homophobic."

MBC 1

MBC 1

MBC 2

MBC 2

MBC 3

MBC 3

MBC 4

MBC 4

MBC 5

MBC 5

More: Mama June's new reality venture proves her marriage is in serious trouble

You get the idea. It's so far beyond the point to state that engaging in sexual activity with people of the same gender as you doesn't make you gay, and Sugar Bear did characterize his behavior as "experimenting." But can we not lose track of the ball here? You can be upset about the fact that he cheated on Mama June without resorting to homophobic remarks (and you can also decide not to post those homophobic remarks on Twitter). Sugar Bear might be bisexual and that still wouldn't be the point. There is so much going on for these two in addition to who the cheating happened with, but for some reason, the fact that a same-gender encounter happens is suddenly the most appalling thing.

Homophobia has a very warm and snuggly relationship to misogyny, which is made super clear by these Twitter reactions. It's bad enough that your male partner cheated on you, but the fact that he cheated on you with another dude is supposed to say something about your desirability as a woman — specifically, that you aren't desirable, especially in the case of Mama June, who constantly gets fat shamed and publicly degraded. Get it together, Twitter.

More: Honey Boo Boo's Mama June gets real personal about her sex life (VIDEO)

What do you think of Sugar Bear's admission? Are you surprised by Twitter's reaction to it? Can Mama June and Sugar salvage their relationship? Should they?

Sundy and Cedric
Image: WE tv

honey boo boo slideshow
Image: Paul Redmond FilmMagic

5 Most memorable quotes from Shark Tank guest Chris Sacca

0
0

1. I'm an investor for Uber.

This is not the first time Sacca has appeared on Shark Tank, and, at this point, his involvement in Uber is common knowledge among regular viewers. Yet, for some reason, Sacca insisted on constantly bringing up Uber. This was a source of annoyance among several Twitter users, who complained about Sacca's repetitiveness and smug demeanor.

Chris Sacca Uber

Chris Sacca Uber

Chris Sacca tweet

Chris Sacca tweet

2. Never. Stop. Selling.

Sacca never stop selling

Sacca never stop selling

To be fair, this is a quote from Sacca's live Twitter coverage of tonight's episode. However, it ties in to the persistence the Hatch Baby investors demonstrated. Their determination alone won them the support of Sacca, who was initially reluctant to invest.

More: Shark Tank fans go wild for Robert Herjavec's dance moves

Chris Sacca
Image: ABC

3. I want to be investing in the future and not in the present.

Sacca is very convinced that car ownership is on its way out. Thus, he was reluctant to invest in Fixed, a start-up dedicated to fixing drivers' parking tickets. Not everybody agreed with Sacca's stance on car ownership but, given the accuracy of his past predictions, it's hard not to at least consider what he has to say about automated vehicles being the future. Only time will tell if Sacca's prediction rings true.

More: Shark Tank gets morbid with inappropriate comments about cancer

4. I'm seeing four different businesses pitched... I don't think you can tackle all four of them.

In this quote, Sacca emphasized the need for focus. He then succinctly summarized exactly what the passionate individuals behind Village Scholarships hoped to accomplish. By this point, several viewers were completely lost, as the pitch was not particularly well-organized.

More: Shark Tanks' Purlettes +1 capture fans' hearts

Sacca
Image: ABC

5. Ideas are cheap; execution is everything.

After summing up the aspirations of Village Scholarships' founders, Sacca made an offhand remark that ultimately ended up being the most valuable insight of the episode. Although this quote is really just an offshoot of the "talk is cheap" cliché, it's still something most of the entrepreneurs on Shark Tank could stand to hear. So many hopefuls arrive with grand ideas and nothing to back them up.

What did you think of Chris Sacca's appearance on Shark Tank. Did you appreciate his insight? Or did you find his frequent mentions of Uber annoying? Comment and share your opinion below.

Music videos filled with cigarettes and alcohol pose a risk for young teens

0
0

The findings of the study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, reveal that the images of glorified alcohol and tobacco use shown in music videos, which are most popular with younger audiences, could "promote use of both of these products."

More: UK singer has a lot to say about new track being rejected by Radio 2 (WATCH)

The research team analysed 32 of the most popular YouTube videos of the top 40 chart songs in the U.K. between the periods of Nov. 3, 2013, and Jan. 19, 2014. They then noted the average number of images or lyrics associated with alcohol and tobacco in 10-second intervals in each video.

Researchers determined the total number of impressions from the videos and found that the videos delivered a total of 1,006 million gross alcohol impressions and 203 million tobacco impressions to the British population, with maximum exposure on girls aged between 13 and 15.

The music videos with the highest numbers of tobacco impressions include "Trumpets" by Jason Derulo, "Love Me Again" by John Newman and "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke. Videos with the highest impressions of alcohol were "Timber" by Pitbull and "Drunk in Love" by Beyoncé.

More: Adele's 'Hello' gets the David Attenborough treatment (WATCH)

"Per capita exposure was around 5 times higher for alcohol than for tobacco, and nearly 4 times higher in adolescents, who were exposed to an average of 52.1 and 10.5 alcohol and tobacco impressions, respectively, than in adults," the study states, concluding that, "YouTube music videos deliver millions of gross impressions of alcohol and tobacco content. Adolescents are exposed much more than adults. Music videos are a major global medium of exposure to such content."

The majority of music videos appear to be aimed at teenagers or young adults, who tend to be at impressionable stages in their life. While not all music poses problems for teens, it is important to consider the lyrics and imagery, as these can undoubtedly have a strong influence on young minds.

Do you try to limit your teen's exposure to music videos? Or is this a near-impossible feat? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

More: Fifth Harmony responds to their slut-shamers with an important message

Overnight sausage and Swiss chard strata is the best use of day-old bread

0
0
breakfast strata
Image: Patricia Conte/SheKnows

Overnight sausage and Swiss chard starta is the kind of dish that couldn’t be easier to put together. Do all the prep before bedtime, then wake up, and put it in the oven. In under an hour, breakfast or brunch is served.

You’ll get classic morning ingredients in each bite of this delicious strata. I like to use day-old bread for this dish as the perfect way to use up leftovers. Swiss chard adds great color and a dose of veggies to this egg-based dish.

You'll love how amazing this overnight sausage and Swiss chard strata is for breakfast or brunch!

Image: Patricia Conte/SheKnows

Overnight sausage and Swiss chard strata recipe

Keep in mind you can bake this dish immediately instead of refrigerating it overnight.

Serves 4 – 6

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 45 – 50 minutes | Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces breakfast sausage, browned and cut into 2-inch pieces, set aside
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup white onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups Swiss chard leaves, torn into 3-inch pieces, stems diced and reserved
  • 3-1/2 cups day-old bread, cubed into 2-inch pieces
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

  1. Spray a baking dish with the nonstick cooking spray, and set it aside.
  2. To a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion, and cook for about 3 minutes or until it begins to soften. Add the Swiss chard stems, and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat, and set aside.
  3. Blanch the Swiss chard in boiling water for a few minutes or until they turn bright green. Remove, and drain. When cool to the touch, squeeze the leaves to remove any remaining liquid. Reserve.
  4. Add the milk to the beaten eggs, and whisk to combine. Next, add the salt, black pepper and thyme.
  5. Place a single layer of bread across the bottom of the baking dish. Pour 1/2 the liquid mixture over the bread cubes to moisten all of them. Continue by adding a layer of the sausage, the onion mixture, the Swiss chard and the Parmesan cheese evenly over the bread cubes.
  6. Add the remaining bread to the mixture, then pour the remaining egg mixture over the bread to moisten it all.
  7. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.
  8. Remove from the refrigerator, and allow to sit for about half an hour. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 45 – 50 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese, and serve warm.

More brunch recipes

Mini feta and spinach tarts with sun-dried tomatoes
Cinnamon breakfast quinoa with berries and nuts
Tomato-basil frittata

How I finally learned to embrace my dark under-eye circles

0
0

Reading Anil Dash's piece on unlearning to hate his under-eye circles was eye opening for me, literally.

I always knew that my under-eye circles were ugly — too dark — and something to be hidden under makeup, or better yet, corrected with some chemical concoction.

More: 10 Gifts for women of color who absolutely love makeup

Over the years, my mother would offer different brands of concealers for me to try. She would give advice on what shade to choose. I found the titanium dioxide additive in most makeup was giving me way too much of a whitish cast, resulting in a harsh line between my cheek and jawbone line. I sought a more natural alternative. No good cover-up presented itself.

More: How to make a simple skin cleanser to calm sensitive skin

I tried the creams meant to cure my problem.

It didn't take me long to find out that the "typical" under-eye cream was not for congenital hyperpigmentation (I was born this way), but for broken blood vessels.

I tried a stronger brand and burned my eyes and skin so badly that my face puffed up. I had to stop wearing my contacts for weeks. I still can't wear mascara anymore without causing another flare up. Luckily, kajal eyeliner is just fine and all the makeup I wear now.

More: How to use turmeric to ease psoriasis flare-ups

Somewhere after having kids and finding myself with very little time or desire to primp every day, I stopped wearing makeup and concealer. Now, the kajal is all I wear — when I remember — and it makes my eyes look darker. But I like that.

Somehow it took reading Dash's piece on unlearning self-hate to make me put feelings into words. Maybe I'm not just being lazy by leaving my under-eye circles unwhitened?

I live in a world not made for me. I am different. I am beautiful. The same lessons I keep trying to teach my kids, I needed to teach myself.

I never found that perfect concealer. But, I now realize that I can stop the search. I have beauty in my own skin. Maybe I am born with it.

9 Most controversial Big Brother contestants ever

0
0

More: Celebrity Big Brother in trouble for airing reaction to Bowie's death

With so many to choose from, it's not easy to choose the most shocking Big Brother contestants of all time. But this lot are definitely up there for causing their fair share of controversy.

1. Nick Bateman (2000)

Big Brother's Nick Bateman
Image: WENN

Nick Bateman's scheming ways in the very first series of Big Brother might seem like nothing compared to the fighting, bullying and prejudice that viewers have witnessed since then, but "Nasty Nick" will go down in the reality-TV history books and his superb line, "I live by the sword, I die by the sword" is one of the best BB quotes of all time.

2. Makosi Musambasi (2005)

Big Brother's Makosi Musambasi
Image: WENN.com

After an explicit midnight "romp" in the pool, Big Brother's Makosi claimed to have conceived fellow housemate Anthony Hutton's child and asked for a pregnancy test (which thankfully turned out to be negative).

3. Jade Goody (CBB, 2007)

Big Brother's Jade Goody
Image: WENN/Z.TOMASZEWSKI

2008's Celebrity Big Brother is possibly the most controversial series of the show ever, sparking worldwide debate after Big Brother 3 contestant, the late Jade Goody, made allegedly racist comments about fellow housemate, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, referring to her as "Shilpa F***awallah," "Shilpa Daroopa" and "Shilpa Poppadom."

A record number of over 45,000 complaints were recorded, protests took place across India, and Goody was kicked off the show. Then Chancellor of the Exchequer and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who was visiting India at the time, found himself asked questions about Big Brother throughout his trip.

4. Charley Uchea (2007)

Big Brother's Charley Uchea
Image: WENN.com

Big Brother intervened swiftly after housemate Emily Parr used the word, n*****, in conversation with Charley Uchea, and disqualified Parr from the show. However, 922 viewers complained to Ofcom when producers took no action following Uchea's continued use of the same word, accusing them of favouritism. Channel 4 later confirmed that Uchea had been called to the Diary Room and reprimanded after using the word twice in one night, but this wasn't broadcast on TV.

Uchea received her third warning after suggesting that housemate Gerry Stergiopoulos was a paedophile, triggering over 300 Ofcom complaints after saying Gerry liked to "sleep with 15-year-olds."

More: Celebrity Big Brother kicks Tila Tequila off the show for her Hitler support

5. Alexandra De-Gale (2008)

Big Brother's Alexandra De-Gale
Image: Lia Toby/WENN

Within the first week of the show, media watchdog Ofcom and Channel 4 had collectively received over 400 complaints about alleged bullying from housemate Alexandra De-Gale, after an argument broke out between her and the other housemates regarding oven chips. De-Gale was warned that her behaviour could be deemed threatening, and after only two weeks she was ejected from the house for apparently threatening to have housemates who nominated her for eviction dealt with by her "gangster friends."

6. Helen Wood (2014)

Big Brother's Helen Wood

Image: WENN

Wood received a caution from Big Brother following accusations that she was bullying fellow housemate Jale Karatup. She received her first formal warning for being aggressive and using threatening behaviour in an argument with Matthew, and her second after using threatening language when talking about Ashleigh. Despite her behaviour, Wood went on to win the show.

She also appeared as a "guest" on the 2015 series and lived up to her previous reputation, calling Victor Ebuwa "coke-head" and telling Brian Belo he looked like "a rapist and a murderer," for which Belo later said he sought counselling.

7. Jeremy Jackson (CBB, 2015)

Celebrity Big Brother's Jeremy Jackson
Image: WENN.com

After only a few days in the Celebrity Big Brother house, American actor Jeremy Jackson was pulled from the show by Big Brother for "wholly unacceptable behaviour," after exposing Chloe Goodman's breast by pulling on her dressing gown while she was helping him vomit after drinking too much. Jackson explained he did not know Goodman was naked underneath the robe, and also took her helping him as "flirtation," before back-tracking and stating he was too "emotionally wounded to really even gauge any real relationship-type flirtation." Following a police investigation, Jackson was given a caution for common assault by Hertfordshire Police.

8. Farrah Abraham (CBB, 2015)

Celebrity Big Brother's Farrah Abraham
Image: WENN.com

Teen Mom star Abraham left the Celebrity Big Brother house in disgrace after threatening to spit on and kill all of her housemates. During a secret task, which instructed her to do everything she could to irk the British housemates, she shocked viewers and reduced some housemates to tears with extremely graphic, homophobic and offensive words.

The drama didn't stop after Abraham left the show. She appeared on Celebrity Big Brother's Bit On The Side with Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace (probably not the best idea) and got into a fight, which lead to the broadcast being taken off-air and resulted in panelist Vicki Michelle attending hospital for her injuries.

9. Megan McKenna (CBB, 2016)

Celebrity Big Brother's Megan McKenna
Image: WENN.com

So far, the present series of Celebrity Big Brother has brought plenty of controversy, mainly in the form of former Ex on the Beach contestant Megan McKenna.

Viewers called for 23-year-old McKenna's immediate eviction from the CBB house after explosive scenes saw her having to be restrained by two security guards in the Diary Room when she launched a stream of abuse at Tiffany Pollard, calling her a "ghetto c***." She also lashed out at John Partridge, calling him a "little lying scumbag c***." The show’s producers released a statement on Twitter shortly after the explosive episode aired, confirming McKenna had been disciplined for her behaviour.

More: Farrah Abraham and Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace come to blows on live television

How to tame your negative thoughts

0
0

More: 3 Helpful tips to make your goals more achievable

Everyone has their own way of sorting through their thoughts to make the best decision for themselves. There are so many interesting parts of our personality. Some aspects of our personalities change as we age, such as anxiety, friendliness, patience and eagerness. Our personality plays a major role in our lives such as the house you live in, your taste in music, your choice of friends and the list goes on and on.

The only answer I’ve come up with to calm the voices and different personalities is meditation. Meditation may not work for everyone; I only speak on things that have worked for me. Can you honestly sit quietly for 30 minutes? No cell phone, no TV, no radio and no noise? Just you alone with your thoughts. Take some time to calm your mind so that the right answer can come to you naturally. Try this for one week and watch the difference with your thought pattern. Trust me, this actually works. What do you have to lose if you try?

More: How I learned to positively channel my negative thoughts

Find a quiet place to calm your mind. The amount of thoughts that pass through our brain every day is amazing in itself. It's so easy to get side tracked and to lose focus. Meditation can help us clear our mind and allow us to put things into perspective. If you are a beginner, try meditating for 10 minutes. Trust me, it will make a difference in your day. Pull away from your desk and go to the park for some quiet time.

If we are overwhelmed with our thoughts, we can easily forget important tasks. Try to create a consistent plan that will work well with your daily schedule. Meditation may not be your thing, and that’s OK, however it’s important to find out what works for you. If you don’t try something new, you will never know. What do you currently do now that will keep you from being overwhelmed?

After years of meditation, I can honestly say that it has helped tremendously. This is still my go-to method for solving a lot of my problems.

When you feel overwhelmed or you are unable to make a decision due to the racing thoughts in your head, at least try something new and different. Meditation may be your answer, and you will never know unless you dive in head first. Once you are able to quiet your mind from the chatter, ask yourself where are the thoughts truly coming from and why are they so loud.

Don’t continue to go through life with unresolved issues that trouble your soul in the present. Eliminate all issues and focus on subject matters that are of priority. Our thoughts don't appear out of thin air. It may be from our past or a current situation. Sometimes, our thoughts linger from things that we need to get done or unresolved issues that we ran away from.

This will not happen overnight. It is up to you to do the work and take full responsibility of your future and what that outcome will be. It starts with you. I’m counting on you, so let’s begin your new transition today. Your first step is attending a meditation class or researching a few online for just 10 minutes.

You can do it!

More: 5 Simple tips for becoming a meditation teacher


How to clean a mattress in 6 simple steps

0
0

I mean, this is a new level of responsibility and adultness. It's also a really important thing to do that probably not enough of us are prioritizing right now. I'm here to tell you it's really easy, really fast, and it'll cost you next to nothing.

How to clean your mattress

Materials:

  • 1-1/2 cups baking soda
  • Essential oils (peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender) 
  • Vacuum
  • Metal strainer

Directions:

Step 1: Mix baking soda into a Mason jar with about 8 drops of each essential oil. Eucalyptus is great for promoting clear breathing so it's a great oil to use in this. Peppermint has similar qualities and the lavender smells amazing — plus it's lovely for calming you down, which you want when going to bed, right? Shake everything up so the oils mix into the baking soda.

Step 2: Remove everything (including your mattress protector) from your bed and if you haven't already done this recently, flip or rotate your mattress.

how to clean a mattress
Image: Thalita Murray/SheKnows

Step 3: Wash your mattress protector and sheets in very hot water to kill all bacteria and dust mites. You can also use vinegar for an extra cleaning boost — plus it'll make your sheets super soft.

Step 4: Sprinkle the baking soda mixture onto the mattress as evenly as possible. You can do this right out of the jar and spread everything out more evenly using your hands.

how to clean a mattress
Image: Thalita Murray/SheKnows

You can also use a metal strainer to help you get the mixture onto your mattress more evenly and quickly.

how to clean a mattress
Image: Thalita Murray/SheKnows

Step 5: Let the baking soda sit for at least an hour so it can soak up any smells and the oils can work their magic. If you can, leave it for two hours. It's a great opportunity to get the rest of the house clean, or take a nap (on the couch).

how to clean a mattress
Image: Thalita Murray/SheKnows

Step 6: Vacuum your mattress thoroughly. This is where the dust mites get sucked up along with the baking soda. Vacuuming your mattress should be done fairly regularly and this is a great reason to really get into all of the nooks and crannies and vacuum it well.

how to clean a mattress
Image: Thalita Murray/SheKnows

And just like that, you've eliminated allergy-aggravating dust mites from your mattress, cleaned it and made it smell so fresh and clean. Not counting the one- to two-hour waiting period, this takes about 20 minutes to do, including the actual making of the mixture. If you let the oils sit in the baking soda overnight, you'll find that the smells will be even stronger as the baking soda will soak them up.

Grab your mattress protector and sheets, which are now fully clean of allergens, put them back on your bed and voilà! Now all you have to do is enjoy a restful night's sleep in your wonderful-smelling bed.

More for your home

The dos and don'ts of organizing your pantry
How to store linens when you don't have a linen closet
Making your own cleaning products is easier than you think

10 Easiest diets to follow and what they do for you

0
0

So, why not make it easy? Not all diets are difficult to follow. Some are so easy, in fact, that they don't seem like "diets" at all, but more of just a way of life.

U.S. News and World Report looked into 38 of the most popular diets and rated them according to how easy they are to follow. The top 10 that made the list were noted as "flexible, tasty and allowing plenty of eating throughout the day." (I love that last part.)

If you've got anything like "get in shape," "eat healthier" or "tell my cravings who's boss" on your 2016 resolutions list, then you might want to try one of these diets. After all, the easier the diet, the longer you'll probably stick to it. (Goodbye, resolutions-failing-after-one-month.)

1. The Fertility Diet

The Fertility Diet was created to boost ovulation and increase women's chances of getting pregnant. That said, the diet is universal. It focuses on eating good fats, whole grains (yes, bread!) and plant proteins. And read this: "They also suggest that full-fat dairy products are good for fertility compared with skim milk and sugar sodas," U.S. News explains. All I heard was that cream in my coffee is OK!

More: Trying to conceive? This is the ultimate diet for fertility

2. MIND Diet

The MIND Diet is a mix between the Mediterranean and DASH diets — or Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay. Based on a study funded by the National Institute on Aging, the diet was found to lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 35 percent for moderate followers and 53 percent for rigorous followers. It emphasizes eating from the "10 brain-health food groups" and avoiding foods from the five unhealthy ones (red meat, butter, cheese, pastries/sweets, fast/fried food).

3. Weight Watchers Diet

The Weight Watchers Diet is aimed for losing weight and keeping it off. It uses a point system, allowing you to eat any food you choose, as long as you don't exceed your personalized point allowance. You can also go to designated centers each week and "weigh in," encouraging a support system to keep you motivated.

4. Jenny Craig Diet

There's no denying how easy this diet is. Upon signing up, you will receive a personalized 1,200 to 2,300-calorie meal plan and weekly one-on-one counseling. The program will send you prepackaged meals that fit your plan, so you don't have to think about dieting at all. You just eat what they send, and follow your workout schedule. This diet will have you dropping about 2 pounds each week.

5. The Flexitarian Diet

Following the Flexitarian Diet will having you eating a balanced diet for better health overall. U.S. News reports, "Flexitarians weigh 15 percent less than their more carnivorous counterparts; have a lower rate of heart disease, diabetes and cancer; and live an average of 3.6 years longer." And with this diet, you don't have to give up meat — you just don't eat it as often. Instead, you'll be focusing on eating tofu, beans, nuts, seeds and eggs for protein.

More: 6 Steps to eat like a vegan without quitting meat

6. Mediterranean Diet

A very healthy diet (ranked 4.6 out of 5), the Mediterranean Diet is modeled after the diets of people living in countries around the Mediterranean Sea — who live longer and suffer less from cancer than most Americans do. The diet focuses on eating fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish and seafood, as well as olive oil, herbs and spices (and wine).

7. Slim-Fast Diet

Slim-Fast can get you to lose 1 to 2 pounds each week by restricting calories and portion sizes. This sounds awful, but is actually easier done than said. Slim-Fast offers products (meals, shakes, etc.) that you consume in place of your meals. The products have specific calorie counts and nutrients that will keep you on track — and have you looking forward to the one 500-calorie meal you can prepare each day (in addition to the replacement meals).

8. Volumetrics Diet

If you love to eat, then this one is for you! The Volumetrics Diet's theory is that more voluminous foods (like popcorn) will keep you feeling full longer and will restrain you from mindless snacking. The catch is that the voluminous foods you choose must be low in calories. This includes foods that have a high water content, like soup, fruits and vegetables, yogurt and — pasta!

More: High water content food: Does it replace water?

9. DASH Diet

The DASH diet aims at getting you back to better health — specifically lowering high blood pressure. This is probably the most traditional of all diets — you know, the one your doctor always advises. Yes to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy. No to red meat, sweets, pastries, cookies, candies and everything else your mother always said you couldn't have.

10. Mayo Clinic Diet

This diet is all about weight loss. It'll have you dropping 6 to 10 pounds in the first two weeks (part one) and 1 to 2 pounds for each week after (part two). It even has its own Healthy Weight Pyramid tool to help you visualize how much of what you should be eating. And something more awesome? It's free. There's no membership fee, but if you're dying to spend money, there is a book you can purchase for $26.

11 Ways to get motivated to run in the cold weather

0
0

Make exercising a priority. If you want to do it, you will find a way. Do you want to get up at 5:00 a.m. to run when your warm bed is more inviting? Not really, but you’ll find the hardest part is getting up. Once you are dressed and out on the quiet streets, you will be happy. It is a great way to start the day! Plus, when you get off of work, you can play with your kids, take the dog for a walk, do errands and just be happy knowing that you are done with your workout and can relax. Don’t use daylight as an excuse — there are ways to safely run in the dark.

More: 9 Safety tips for running at night

Schedule workouts in advance. Look at what workouts you need to do for the week and put them on your calendar, just like an appointment. Schedule your workouts around your other activities. For instance, don’t schedule a long run the morning after a late-night party. Be flexible, but it’s always good to set an initial time frame for the week.

Keep track of your workouts. Use a training log. After you’ve completed each workout, check it off on your training log and write down any useful information about that day’s run — how did it feel, what were the conditions outside, how long did you go and what was your time. This instant feedback helps you feel accomplished and can help keep you accountable. This also allows you to look back over time and see the progress you have made. If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, pull out old training logs and remind yourself of how far you have come since you began. This can help motivate you to keep going and not quit.

Change your attitude. Stop focusing on the negatives, like “I should not eat those fries” or “I better not drink that soda.” Start from the inside by saying affirmations when you start each day like, “I am someone who takes care of my body,” “I am someone who will accomplish my goals.” The difference is that the second set of statements focuses on who you are and what you expect in your life, not just the change you want to make. The affirmations call for action and foster your success. Your attitude will likely decide your success at staying committed.

Remember why you run. It’s not selfish. It is good for you. When you are happy, the people around you are happy, too. You will be a better parent, spouse, friend and employee.

More: 8 Surprising benefits of running

Keep your gear nearby. Keep a spare pair of running shoes and some clothes in a drawer at work so that if you have an urge to run at lunch, you can. You can also keep stuff in the trunk of your car. The cool thing about running is that you can do it almost anywhere, anytime. When you are doing an early morning run or race, lay your stuff out the night before so that you don’t have to think — just get dressed and go.

Find a friend. Find a running partner to run with. You can’t get lazy when you are accountable to someone else. Plus, it’s fun and a great way to catch up with friends. You will be surprised at how fast the time goes when you are chatting with a friend.

Get enough sleep. It is well documented that if you don’t get enough sleep, you will not be as productive and your mood is likely to be affected. Set a goal for a steady seven to eight hours each night. If you don’t sleep enough, your muscles won’t recover from your workouts properly, and you may suffer chronic soreness. Your immune system won’t protect you as well from illnesses that are going around if you don’t let your body re-charge. If you’re getting sick several times a year, that will set back your progress with your workouts and diet and ultimately set back your overall weight loss or wellness progress.

Keep a routine. It is so easy to fall out of routine, especially when our lives are disrupted with life changes like moving or taking a new job or during the holidays. Often times, this is unavoidable; but if you can, keep as much of a routine as possible. Running can play a huge role here. If you can keep your running routine day-by-day or week-by-week, not only will you feel better physically and mentally, but it will give you a sense of regularity and routine, even if the rest of your day is complete chaos.

Run your stress away. If you’re feeling stressed, depressed, overwhelmed or run-down from life changes happening in your life, take a break and go for a short run or walk outside. Ten or 20 minutes of exercise can help get your endorphins moving, lower your stress hormones, and help lift your mood.

Reward Yourself. Set small goals and reward yourself for meeting those goals. For example, if you complete all of the week’s scheduled workouts, treat yourself to a pedicure or that new color of nail polish that you always wanted. For each workout you complete, give yourself $1. Once you have enough saved up, treat yourself to that new outfit or Garmin you’ve been wanting. Stay away from using food as a reward, however. Rewards should be services like a manicure or massage; goods like workout clothes or running gear; or free things like a bubble bath.

More: I thought qualifying for the Boston Marathon was impossible — until I did it

Potterheads leave touching tribute to Alan Rickman on Platform 9 and 3/4

0
0

More: 10 Moments we'll always love Alan Rickman for (WATCH)

What better way to remember the actor who played their beloved Snape than to pay tribute to him at a very special place for all Potterheads — Platform 9 and 3/4 at London’s King's Cross station.

Only hours after the news of Rickman's death broke, fans began leaving flowers at the trolley jammed in the wall.

Alan Rickman Harry Potter tribute 2

Alan Rickman Harry Potter tribute 2

A collection of flowers also appeared on the platform itself.

Alan Rickman Harry Potter tribute

Alan Rickman Harry Potter tribute

And it kept growing.

Alan Rickman Harry Potter tribute 4

Alan Rickman Harry Potter tribute 4

More: Sexist trolls trash Emma Watson for her Alan Rickman memorial tweet

At the Wizarding World theme park in Orlando, flowers were laid outside the Potions classroom, where Snape taught many young wizards and witches how to brew glory.

Alan Rickman Harry Potter tribute 3

Alan Rickman Harry Potter tribute 3

Rickman's Harry Potter co-stars have also been paying tribute to the actor. Daniel Craig wrote on his Google+ page: "Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with. He is also, one of the loyalest and most supportive people I've ever met in the film industry." (sic)

Emma Watson posted on Facebook: "I'm very sad to hear about Alan today. I feel so lucky to have worked and spent time with such a special man and actor. I'll really miss our conversations. RIP Alan. We love you."

More: Alan Rickman's movie roles through the years

Why you shouldn't take Ted Cruz's parenting advice about spanking

0
0

More: How to give parenting advice without overstepping boundaries

What are the ramifications of such an atrocious statement made to the public? First of all, spanking is not an effective parenting tool, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. A study entitled "Spanking Linked to Mental Illness," originally in the Journal of Pediatrics, explores the correlation between mental illness and physical punishment and discusses the harm of the practice of spanking.

There is no reason to use spanking, as there are many effective parenting techniques that apply reason and logic in helping redirect children to make positive choices and to appropriately use negative consequences when behavior needs management. Negative consequences are not spanking — they are taking away privileges, such as playtime or electronics time.

In this case, the parenting technique of spanking is not only harmful, but also inappropriate for a public figure to blatantly give the public such information in a tongue-in-cheek manner, as well as also alluding to spanking a woman. Even metaphorically, violence and aggression to women isn't even OK to joke about. What a harmful comment to be said by a public figure!

More: Are your kids emotionally prepared for the school year?

Let’s discuss some better parenting techniques to help teach children learn appropriate behaviors. Remember that children learn from their parents. If a parent is spanking — the message sent to the child teaches aggression and fails to offer appropriate role modeling.

Better parenting techniques for teaching right and wrong:

  • Use a take-away and reward system. If a child follows directions and shows positive behavior, then reward with verbal praise or extra playtime. If the child acts out, respond by taking away playtime or have the child take a break to engage in coping tools to make a better choice.
  • Talk with your kids and teach them to share feelings and thoughts.
  • Have a behavioral management system for your child, depending on their age, and teach them positive behaviors and choices instead of such a strong influence on disciplining.
  • Think like a teacher and use a chart and stickers.
  • If parents are not able to parent effectively in a healthy way, there are numerous parenting classes. Parents can seek out a family therapist and learn better ways to parent.

There is no reason in 2016 that parents can’t find appropriate tools to help raise their children without spanking. Choose better for your children.

More: How I'm teaching my kids privileges are earned

Viewing all 33701 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images