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If Bobby Flay can play favorites on FNS, Giada De Laurentiis can too

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By this time next week, we'll know the winner of Food Network Star Season 12. Either Jernard, Tregaye or Damiano will be the one anointed to film their own show for the network, and tonight's episode made it seem like Damiano might be the lucky one.

More: Thank goodness for Rev. Run because Food Network Star's been a snooze-fest

Jernard, Tregaye and Damiano all had, of course, pros and cons to their food and presentations, and Wells and Damiano definitely came out in front. Finalist Yaku Moton-Spruill was also welcomed back after winning Star Salvation and then sent home. While comments on Twitter were heavy on racism in regard to Damiano's accent, the judges agreed that his food was excellent, even the best he'd given them all season. Guest judge Aarti Sequeira called Damiano "charming," and Giada said his food had depth and showed technique.

More: Is Bobby Flay interested in more than Ana Quincoces' cooking skills?

Speaking of Giada, the allegations that Damiano is her favorite have been flying all season, and things got sexist really quickly. At this point, though, with Damiano in the top three, it's hard to argue that he isn't good enough to be the winner — especially since his idea for a show about pastry and wine is unique. So, does it really matter whether Giada's playing favorites if her favorite is really good at what he's there to do? And isn't the point of this show to have a favorite? Shouldn't the judges know what they like?

Season 11 marked the end of viewers voting on the winner of Food Network Star, but let's not pretend that viewers were entirely determining the winner. And it is the judges who keep people in the competition who are theoretically the best. Remember Ana? (Of course you do.) She was rumored to be Bobby Flay's favorite for reasons that had nothing to do with food, and the judges finally voted her off the show last week. My point is that it doesn't matter if Giada is into Damiano because he likes Italian food or because he's really hot. He's made it this far because he's done well, and it looks like Giada isn't the only one who thinks so.

I'm left with a really bad taste in my mouth (see what I did there?) about the whole "Giada totally hearts Damiano" situation, and I think it's because of all the gross things people say about Giada in regard to her clothes, her body, her voice and so on. It's one thing after another, and it's not going to stop because she's a woman on television who's decided she doesn't want to wear a turtleneck and a chastity belt. In other words, her professional decisions can't be seen as professional because apparently women are innately incapable of making professional decisions, especially when men are involved.

More: Giada De Laurentiis on why she'd never hook up with Bobby Flay (VIDEO)

Who should be the winner of Food Network Star Season 12? Tell us in the comments.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Bobby Flay cat slideshow
Image: nachoflay/Instagram

Bridgette Dunning needs to learn to stand up for herself on Big Brother

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Bridgette Dunning is the most frustrating player in the Big Brother house at the moment — not because she’s conniving or offensive or an airhead but because she won’t think for herself. She has won multiple competitions and proven she’s a huge force in the house, yet she won’t make a single decision without Frank Eudy.

On tonight’s episode, the frustration she causes reached an all-time high. Bridgette was one of the last three players in competition for HoH. They had been competing for over six hours, and the only way anyone was going to get to quit is if they all struck a deal.

More: Bridgette Dunning is way too naïve to be in the Big Brother house

It came down to Da’Vonne Rogers and Bridgette agreeing to quit at the same time in order to give James Huling HoH. Da'Vonne had no problem speaking directly to Bridgette to strike up a deal, but Bridgette would look over to Frank for confirmation and instructions after every sentence.

Bridgette was oblivious to the fact that she was one of the final three competitors, not Frank. She was winning. Frank had no actual power, except that she gave all hers to him.

Obviously, making friends and alliances in the house is critical to any player’s success. The other part is talent and winning competitions. Bridgette has both of those. She has won HoH, she has her own alliances with other girls in the house, but now she’s up for eviction because she didn’t believe in herself.

More: Frank's Big Brother actions toward Da'Vonne should get him evicted

She won’t do anything on her own. She has no opinion that Frank hasn’t fed her, and it’s awful watching her not believe in her own power and strength. Not only has she kept herself as a pawn in the house, but she’s also aligned herself with someone who the entire house hates.

This game could have gone so much differently. Bridgette could have been in complete power without any enemies if she’d just stood up for herself and recognized that she’s actually a badass.

The best outcome for this next week is Frank getting evicted, forcing Bridgette to stand on her own and realize she can win this entire competition all on her own. In fact, it’s probably going to be easier for her without Frank weighing her down and stifling her shine.

More: I have high hopes for Big Brother's Fatal Five women

Before you leave, check out our slideshow below.

BB18 BBAD slideshow
Image: CBS

Bet you never knew you could learn so much from Jack and Ozzy Osbourne

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Ozzy and Jack Osbourne are back on reality TV, but this time they're actually teaching us something. Specifically, they're teaching us something about American history with their new show Ozzy and Jack's World Detour. Weird, I know, given that they're of English descent, but trust me, it works.

More: Sharon Osbourne's subtle dig at Ozzy on The View basically means he cheated

Jack really takes the reigns on this show, narrating it and generally driving the direction, which makes sense since it's hard to understand Ozzy half the time. Heck, the show doesn't even hide the fact that the guy mumbles his words. They provide you with some helpful subtitles along the way.

Despite the Ozzy-specific language barrier, I found the premiere to be surprisingly enjoyable. Prior to watching I really didn't have an opinion on the Osbournes one way or the other. I didn't watch The Osbournes back in the day, so I had an open mind when heading into this series.

More: Sharon Osbourne, was all this affair drama a publicity stunt?

At first, I thought there was no way it was going to work. Not only is Ozzy difficult to understand, but he has this way of carrying himself like he's drunk all the time. Despite this, the more I watched, the more he grew on me. He's like Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. The more he slurs and mumbles, the more lovable he becomes.

Apparently, Ozzy is also actually fantastically knowledgeable about history as well. Jack introduces him, after all, as the Prince of Darkness and history buff. We didn't really get to delve into his knowledge in the premiere, however. It was Jack who really seemed to know his stuff, but I'm willing to wait for Ozzy to shine in future episodes. As long as he will actually shine in the near future.

More: Ozzy Osbourne's mistress scandal is turning into one strange love triangle

Did you think Jack & Ozzy's World Detour was worth the watch?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Ozzy & Sharon marriage slideshow
Image: WENN

Republicans are confusing feelings with facts — and it's dangerous

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Last week's Republican National Convention was like jumping into a time machine, landing in one of Timothy Leary's psychedelic mushroom experiments, and finding out the cast of Merry Pranksters — speakers like Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Antonio Sabato Jr. and Scott Baio — were planning on spending the next eight hours yelling in your face, instead of braiding your hair with soft hands. The one theme that seemed to emerge in the chaos and confusion of the RNC was, John Oliver pointed out on Last Week Tonight, feelings were king, and viewers experienced a "four-day exercise in exercising feelings over facts."

Anyone who has ever kissed a married man or woman because of a strong "feeling" can tell you this: feelings are, at best, fifth in line to the throne — sultry, like a bearded Prince Harry. But they're no Queen Elizabeth demanding Prince William stand the hell up during an RAF air display.

Donald Trump's speech, which brought the house down after an awkward few days in which speakers honed in on his business acumen, and a slithering Ted Cruz refused to endorse him, will best be remembered for his promise to put America first. As for globalism, well, never again, maybe, who really knows for sure... His speech was filled with "facts" that were meant to prove how much more danger American citizens encounter now, mainly through the rise of violent crime and illegal immigration, and how we were better off before President Obama, Oliver pointed out.

More: Antonio Sabato Jr. upsets fans who don't share the same love for Donald Trump

Many of Trump's facts were true, and bravo for that. But it's misleading to deliver some of this information without context in an effort to play with people's feelings and heighten their fear to the point where they cling to that fact — and to any leader with a loud-enough voice to make them feel safe. For example, while there was an increase in murder in some cities, violent crime in major cities like New York is down since Obama took office. When Trump refers to how places like Libya, Egypt and Syria were under control before Hillary Clinton became Secretary of State, he leaves out the part where Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire in Tunisia in 2010, which became the catalyst for the Arab Spring. Maybe he feels Clinton was behind the Arab Spring.

And about feelings: Trump — and Rudy Giuliani, Paul Ryan, Mike Pence and Scott Baio — threw the word around like a beach ball to describe how the economy "feels stuck" (Ryan's words) or how the nation and its people don't feel safe and secure.

It was as if Trump's greater message was this one, Oliver said: "The world is dangerous and only I can make you safe." By building a wall. By making it so you never have to deal with another threatening face or hijab or accent that makes you want to crawl back into the womb, and ensure humankind never has to evolve past the fetus stage.

One of the most egregious examples of how feelings were turned into facts at the RNC came about when Newt Gingrich was interviewed about why he won't admit violent crime across the country is actually down. Oliver showed the clip, and Gingrich's answer was infuriating. "No, that's your view," he said plainly, as if that should have ended the conversation. You take a view on whether the Ghostbusters reboot is worth your $10 or if Vermeer was the most influential Dutch painter of all time. Numbers and stats don't require your view.

Trump's campaign chairman Paul Manafort then went on record as saying the FBI's statistics on crime can't be taken as fact because the agency recommended Clinton not be charged for her private email embarrassment. What does he think should be taken as fact? Feelings, those fickly biochemical energies that change from the time you have breakfast to the time you have your midday snack. "People don't feel safe in their neighborhoods," Manafort told CNN. "I'm not sure what statistics you're talking about."

More: Women's biggest fears if Donald Trump becomes president

No one wants to knock feelings. Feelings are great. Our feelings add a lot to what we know about the world and ourselves through rational thinking. And no one can imagine how bland and blank a great romance or the love of a child would be if we didn't experience both through strong feelings and emotions. Does that mean we should vote for our next president because we feel he might do a great job because we feel that our country is stuck in the mire based on our feelings of fear? Feelings are only going to carry us so far before we have to start making up lies to justify those feelings. Choose the ugly/beautiful Picasso-like, tear-open-your-eyes-and-set-you-free truth. Always.

Finally! The pics from Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard's $142 wedding are out

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Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's marriage can definitely be described as #RelationshipGoals. From that time, Shepard surprised Bell with her favorite animal, a sloth, to their "Africa" music video. This couple always seems like they're having way more fun than everybody else.

More: Kristen Bell wants Frozen out of politics, thank you very much

Bell is finally sharing photos from the couple's intimate wedding in a new interview with CBS Sunday Morning. The couple wed in a private ceremony at the courthouse with very few guests, back in October 2013. The wedding only cost them $142.

While Shepard once jokingly described the cheap ceremony as "the world's worst wedding" during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, these photos make it clear that neither Shepard nor Bell felt that way on their special day. Bell is seen tearing up in the couple's wedding photos, wearing a simple black dress with a bold statement necklace. Shepard is pictured beaming, wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie.

kristen bell cbs sunday morning interview video youtube

kristen bell cbs sunday morning interview video youtube

More: Looks like Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell will not be having any more kids

"We got married in a tiny room in the Beverly Hills courthouse," Bell shared. "It was still one of the best days of my life."

Bell also spoke about Shepard's relationship with the couple's two daughters, as well the actor's past struggles with addiction.

"He's a wonderful father," Bell said, getting emotional. "He knows the value of things. He was an addict for many, many years and he pulled himself out of it, and he's been sober for 11 or 12 years now, I think almost 12, and he knows how many times he's messed up and how many time's he's been really close to losing everything."

More: Kristen Bell isn't afraid to put herself first for the sake of her kids

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

celebrity couples slideshow'
Image: WENN

The best educational websites for kids who won't stop stealing Mom's tablet

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Babies may be born with a cellphone in hand these days, but there's a big advantage to the fact that most kids are comfortable with technology by the time they can crawl. It's certainly important to protect kids from the dangers of the Internet, but at the same time, a significant portion of our children's education takes place online.

More: I refuse to apologize for ignoring my kid

Half of America's kids under 8 have access to a mobile device like a smartphone, an iPod, iPad or other tablet. And before you start railing about kids and screen time, it's not all bad. Computers augment learning in the classroom and at home. Here are some of our favorite educational sites for kids: 

1. Hooda Math

Hooda Math is a free online math game site that includes over 700 free math games. Founded by a middle school math teacher, Hooda Math has math games for all ages, K through high school.

2. Spatulatta

Spatulatta is a culinary site for kids that offers easy, kid-friendly recipes and basic kitchen info, such as metric conversion tables and the correct way to slice an onion.

3. Mommy Maleta

Maleta is the Spanish word for suitcase. If you’re looking for an outside-of-the-box, kid-friendly look at the big world we live in, Mommy Maleta is a great site to check out.

More: 34 apology notes from kids who are totally sorry, not sorry

4. PBS Kids

PBS Kids probably needs no introduction. It’s a great website chock-full of fun and learning. Also check out PBS Parents for great tips and activities.

5. Fun Brain

A variety of math, reading and just-for-fun games. Most of Fun Brain's games are in an arcade-style format. Kids can also read excerpts from popular chapter books, such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

6. Brain Pop

Count yourself lucky if your school district or library system gives you login access to Brain Pop. Family plans are available for purchase, starting at around $9 a month. Brain Pop is divided into subject areas (e.g., math, science, social studies) and includes a special module for ESL students. Brain Pop Jr. is available for kids in grades K-3.

More: 18 Disney movie scenes that no parent can watch without crying

7. National Geographic Kids

National Geographic Kids has all kinds of cool facts and games. The section on animal sounds is amazing and the site has loads of videos.

8. ABC Mouse

ABC Mouse is full of online early-learning curriculum for ages 2-7. The subscription prices start at $8 a month, but they offer a free trial month.

9. Farfaria

Farfaria is an interactive reading app. Kids can explore a world of stories through an interactive map. Farfaria is Common Core-aligned and takes the guesswork out of finding the right reading level for your young reader.

10. Sesame Street

Geared toward younger children, Sesame Street’s website has video clips and games that teach letters, rhyming, animal sounds, colors and more.

11. Kidz Page

Kidz Page has more than 5,000 pages of learning games and activities. Online coloring pages, jigsaw puzzles and word games are just a few sections of this massive site. Each holiday also has its own section of activities and games.

12. How Stuff Works

Kids ask questions. How Stuff Works has answers. This site is organized by subject area: autos, culture, entertainment, science, money, technology and more. How Stuff Works also has games, quizzes and videos.

Next Up: TIME for Kids

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13. TIME for Kids

If your child has questions about news or current events, TIME for Kids is a great resource. While not as interactive as some of the other sites on this list, it’s a great source for kids to learn about what’s going on in the world in a forum that’s geared toward children.

More40 kid spelling errors that will make you L-O-L

14. Google Earth

Google Earth can help teach geography and astronomy through satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3-D buildings, allowing kids to explore any point of interest on the planet and in outer space. The site also has some cool videos. Google Earth is free to use but requires downloading a plugin to start exploring.

15. Scratch

Scratch is a free online tool designed by MIT to help kids learn programming. Kids design their own computer games, art and apps and share them within an online community. Users get feedback from other users about what they build. Most kids start by playing other people’s games and then looking at how the programming is built.

16. ABCYa!

ABCYa! is designed for grades K-5. It’s free, but you can upgrade to an ad-free version. This site is chock-full of numbers, letters, strategy games and more. They have a ton of word problems and practical math drills and a special section with holiday activities.

17. Starfall

Starfall is a publicly supported website that offers phonics exercises for all ages. There’s also a paid subscription add-on that offers more phonics and reading as well as math exercises.

18. The Disney Channel

Although more of an entertainment website than an educational one, the Disney Channel does have a lot to offer in the way of learning. There is a great section on books and reading as well as some reading about behind-the-scenes and animation on the blog’s tab. Time on this website might be a great reward for hitting homework milestones or to entice a reluctant reader.

19. Kids.gov

Kids.gov is the official kids' portal for the U.S. government. This site connects kids, parents and teachers to information and services on the web from government agencies, schools and educational organizations, all geared to the learning level and interest of kids. There's also a state-specific map kids can click on for more information about their state.

20. Coolmath4Kids

Just like it sounds, Coolmath-Games provides cool math games on the Internet, free of charge. Coolmath4Kids is their kid-friendly site for boys and girls, designed to make math fun, with math flashcards, brain benders, fraction and long division games, time tables and more.

21. Coolmath4Parents

Coolmath4Parents is a great resource for parents that contains information on how to handle homework as well as tips on how to get your child ready for school and how to set up reward charts. There are also links to some great online math games for kids of all ages, but for a parent who might be feeling a little intimidated by their child’s math homework, this site is gold.

22. Tynker

Considered one of the more popular coding sites for kids, Tynker offers free intro courses with paid classes as a child advances. For the Minecraft-obsessed, Tynker is perfect -- kids can learn to program and build games, apps and even Minecraft mods.

23. Pinterest

While not technically a traditional educational site, Pinterest is a wealth of resources when it comes to fun ideas for crafts, science experiments and other DIY projects to try at home. In fact, for a summer or Christmas break where a child may have a little too much time on their hands, educational Pinterest projects can keep them engaged and out of your hair.

Online is a great place to learn with your child and have fun at the same time. With the level of tech savvy of today's kids, don't be too surprised if you find your kids teaching you a thing or two.

Educational sites for kids
Image: Gabriela Arellano/SheKnows;Image via Getty Images

Originally published Dec. 2015. Updated July 2016.

Lindsay Lohan claims her fiancé Egor Tarabasov strangled her

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We thought Lindsay Lohan was finally in a good place and had found the love of her life in Egor Tarabasov, but it looks as though there may be trouble in paradise; at least, that's what Lohan's recent social media posts have suggested.

More: Lindsay Lohan's 'sleeping' photo with her fiancé is getting people riled up

In a series of since-deleted Instagram posts Lohan hinted that she and Tarabasov had a fight, and even alluded to him cheating on her. According to E! News, Lohan made a Snapchat video on Friday, in which she told followers, "My fiancé's being really angry at me, but I'm drinking water to get him to come home. Honey, come home, please."

The following day she reportedly took to Instagram to share a snapshot of herself and Tarabasov, except she decided to scribble out his face. She captioned the photo with, "He wore black and I wore white. I guess #art is whatever you make of it."

Lindsay Lohan Instagram

Lindsay Lohan Instagram

And this was just the beginning of a series of emotional posts, because Lohan reportedly also posted another photo of herself and Tarabasov, with a pretty telling caption. Alluding to their seven year age gap, she wrote, "I guess I was the same at 23… Shitty time-it changes at 26/27 @e2505t thanks for not coming home tonight. Fame changes people."

More: Believe it or not, Lindsay Lohan has zero regrets about her past

According to Us Weekly, Lohan also shared a photo of her fiancé partying, and seemed to hint that he'd cheated on her. She captioned the photo with, Wow thanks #fiance with Russian hooker @dasha_pa5h." (She was referring to stylist Dasha Pashevkina). Followed by a video of Tarabasov partying, which she accompanied with, "Home? First time in my life-bare with he/ he cheated on me with hooker #meangirls #meanboysu b."

But that wasn't the end of it. According to Daily Mail, at 5 a.m. on Saturday morning, Lohan could be heard screaming from her London home that Tarabasov tried to kill her.

A video of the altercation was taken by a neighbor and obtained by The Sun, in which Lohan can be heard shouting out her name and address.

"Please, please, please. He just strangled me. He almost killed me. Everybody will know. Get out of my house," she screams. Later adding, "Do it. I dare you again. You're f**king crazy. You sick f***. You need help. It's my house, get out."

Police were called by neighbors who had heard Lohan's frantic calls for help, and the door of Lohan's west London home was reportedly smashed in. However, the couple had reportedly already left and no arrests were made. A police spokesperson told MailOnline that police had been called to the address following "a report of a woman in distress."

"Officers attended and following concerns for the welfare of the occupants inside they forced entry into the address," the spokesperson said, adding, " There was no one inside but enquiries were made and the occupants were traced and found to be safe and well. No offences. No arrests."

We are not sure where the couple stand as of now, but Lohan's posts really don't make her future with Tarabasov look too good and according to E! News she has unfollowed him on Instagram — basically the way all celebrities reveal that their relationship is on rocky grounds. But according to the publication, Lohan's rep had no immediate comment.

More: Lindsay Lohan officially brings her billionaire fiancé into her world

What do you think? Are you surprised Lindsay Lohan decided to air her dirty laundry on social media? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Iggy Azalea and Khloé Kardashian have something in common: a man

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Iggy Azalea has had an exceptionally unpleasant few months after a video emerged of her then-fiancé Nick Young admitting to cheating on her. And things only got worse from there, with Azalea finally deciding to throw the towel in on the relationship, which is why it makes us happy to see her mingling with other famous men. Well, one man in particular: French Montana.

More: Bombshell infidelity reports have Iggy Azalea questioning who Nick Young is

According to E! News, Azalea and Montana were spotted getting cozy in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night and early on Sunday morning, when the pair attended Jennifer Lopez's All I Have residency show at Caesar's Palace. And the party didn't stop there, because the pair reportedly then headed over to Jewel nightclub at the Aria Resort & Casino.

So, what did Azalea and Montana get up to while at the club?

According to the publication, they were spotted dancing and ended up leaving together at around 2:30 a.m. The publication also claims that the pair were chatting and drinking together, and reportedly displayed "great chemistry."

More: Why Iggy Azalea deserves some girl support in Nick Young cheating scandal

It was a big night for Azalea, and a way to let loose as she was scheduled to perform a 1 a.m. set at the club, something which she was excited to do.

Speaking to E! News of her performance, Azalea said, "There's like never anything new for me to do in life, so it's fun when there's something that comes up that you haven't done yet, or gone to yet," she said. "I'm really excited to get in there. A lot of my friends have been coming to Jewel the last couple weeks and telling me good things, so [I'm] excited to check it out."

More: Amber Rose gives Iggy Azalea some slightly raunchy breakup advice

So, could this be the latest Hollywood couple? We think it's probably a bit early to be making assumptions, but French Montana and Iggy Azalea do have a lot in common, and they could be pretty great together.

What do you think? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.


5 things I never understood about menopause – until they happened to me

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Menopause is upon me and I have recently stopped having periods. While it does mean no more worries about that monthly friend surprising me when I don't have pads, I didn’t realize this new phase of my life would take me on such a roller coaster. Everyone told me to what to expect, but somehow these symptoms snuck up on me anyway.

1. Hot flashes

I heard discussion of hot flashes. I thought, OK, so I’ll get a little warm. No big deal. Now, I really know about hot flashes… like it is 30 degrees outside, and I feel like wearing shorts and a tank top and putting my face into the freezer. In the middle of the summer, I strip and stand in the cold shower for an hour.

2. Fatigue and memory loss

My mom used to forget stuff when she went through menopause, but I forget everything. If I didn't have a calendar that dinged for important appointments, my life would be chaos. I even forget to enter some appointments and had to call and apologize: "Hi, I forgot. So sorry, I am going through menopause." I can sleep standing up at the grocery store. I will look at a person and fade them out as I take a minute nap.

3. Weight fluctuation

I hate the weight gain and loss. One day I am up 20 pounds because of water retention. The next few days, after sweating and constant visits to the bathroom, I lose all the weight. Then the vicious cycle starts all over again.

4. Dry skin

Somewhere in the back of my brain, I know all these changes have to do with hormones and lack of estrogen, but when I am slathering the lotion on five times a day because my skin is cracking, I don't care why. Just give me some relief.

5. Vaginal dryness

The worst part of all these changes that I only read and heard about is the dryness in my womanly areas. Sex is something I think little of these days. It seems to be absent because, well, it can hurt sometimes and I am so moody. My poor husband gets to hear me whine and cry. "You don't find me attractive anymore because I am fat, ugly and dried up." So when I learned about a new product that may help with this issue, I did a little menopausal happy dance with my face stuck in the freezer.

Vagisil has great products that I have used at various points in my life. Now, they have a new product: Vagisil ProHydrate, a vaginal moisturizer meant to feel like your own moisture. I have experienced similar dryness at other points in my life — like when I was pregnant or on my period. The emotional benefit of Vagisil ProHydrate is that women can feel like themselves again during any stage of life.

You can learn more about this great new product by visiting Vagisil’s ProHydrate page.

Share your own personal stories about perimenopause or menopause in the comments below. We can be a community and support one another.

This post is sponsored by Vagisil.

Teresa Giudice dropped a major bombshell about Joe during RHONJ

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One glance at Teresa Giudice's Instagram and you'll know she dotes on her daughters. In fact, it may even be fair to say that they are her whole life. So, being away from them when she served time in prison for fraud must have been particularly difficult. But it wasn't just being behind bars that took a toll on her parenting — as Sunday's episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey clearly showed us.

Teresa Giudice Instagram

Teresa Giudice Instagram

More: Prison visits have become the norm for Teresa Giudice's daughters

On the show, Giudice speaks about her prison sentence and her probationary prison release, which meant that even though she was home she wasn't able to parent the way she wanted to. "You always need to get permission to leave the house when you're on home confinement," Giudice said on the show, People reports.

"I can't walk the girls to the school bus," she said. "I'm still being monitored, and I'm still wearing an ankle bracelet. It's hard to be monitored all the time."

Giudice also gave viewers a glimpse into her post-prison life and feelings, as she explained she was "tired" and that everything had been a "whirlwind" as she once again took on the role of being a parent — cooking meals, doing homework, helping her daughters get ready for school — and while Joe tried when she was away (for 15 months) Giudice admits that "he's not me."

More: Teresa Giudice & Melissa Gorga may have actually put the past behind them

But perhaps the most significant change since returning from prison is Giudice's approach to her marriage, and her marital responsibilities (which will now include handling the family bills).

"Joe and I have a very old school marriage," she explained. "Once I married Joe, he took care of everything — all finances. I really didn't pay attention to anything. But I did get in a little trouble for that …." Actually, as she later clarified, Giudice got into a "lot of trouble" and this was something that she clearly resented Joe for at the time.

"After my sentencing, I was angry," she admitted. "I think any other woman probably would have left him. Now I'm standing on top of anything that has my name on it." Later adding, "Before my John Hancock goes on anything else ever again, it's going to be right or I'm not doing it."

More: How Joe Giudice is keeping things hot & heavy with Teresa while he's behind bars

Good for you, Teresa Giudice. We're glad to see that you're taking control of your finances and getting your priorities in order. Are you impressed with the way Giudice's approach has changed? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Scrubs fans are going to love Sarah Chalke's baby name

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Former Scrubs star Sarah Chalke and her fiancé, lawyer Jamie Afifi, announced that they joined the growing number of celebrity couples who have welcomed their little ones on the sly. Chalke gave birth to her new addition, a daughter, two months ago and gave her a cute little name that's equally cute and chic: Frankie.

More: Hayden Panettiere, Carrie Underwood, Jessa Duggar and more celeb mom photos

Chalke, who has acted recently on shows Angie Tribeca and Rick and Morty, is now a mother of two, and Frankie has an older brother named Charlie, who is 6, to welcome her to the world as well.

As a girl's name, Frankie has been under the radar in recent years and just barely squeaks onto the list of the country's top 1,000 baby names at spot number 992. That could be a little deceiving, though, because while gender-swapped names have been on the rise for a while now, when it comes to names like Frankie, most parents will still give their little girls a girlie formal name and then use the rough-and-tumble diminutive instead.

More: 50 edgy boys names that are not at all cliché

The classic Latin girl's name Frances easily becomes Frankie, and it's been on the rise, popularity-wise, ever since 2011, shooting upward more than 200 spots in just five years to reach spot number 514. There's a similar trend with the ever popular Charlotte, which transforms into Charlie without any trouble.

We love the trend of names that aren't constrained by ideas about what is or isn't appropriate for a boy or a girl, and so, apparently, do celebrities. Scrubs fans will recall that Chalke herself played a character with a traditionally male name — Dr. Elliot Reid. So perhaps that inspired her choice?

We say bring on all the Jameses, Charlies and Frankies! Chalke's little girl is definitely in good company; Drew Barrymore, Amanda Peet and Nikki Sixx each have daughters that go by the moniker, and we're bound to see many more Frankies among the general population soon if the celebrity trend keeps up.

More: Dear Duggar family: Please stop taking pictures of your kids in cars

We wish Chalke and her growing family all the best, and we can't wait to see who will get on board the gender-swapping name train next!

10 napa cabbage recipes that are all about that cool, leafy crunch

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While it looks a lot like your regular green cabbage, napa cabbage is anything but. Napa cabbage is a crispy and crunchy Asian vegetable with a long, oval shape compared to the round, green cabbage found on produce shelves.

If you've tried your hand at Asian cuisine before, then you've probably seen napa cabbage mentioned at least once. With its distinct taste, it's considered a staple in many Asian recipes, with a texture similar to celery and bok choy. By a "slim" margin, napa cabbage is also healthier than ordinary cabbage, with more protein and fewer calories overall.

From Asian recipes to quick topping ideas, here are 10 things to do with napa cabbage.

1. Napa cabbage soup

Cabbage soup
Image: MelindaChan/Getty Images

Warm up with a hearty bowl of napa cabbage soup. Add a few cups of chopped napa cabbage to your favorite vegetable, chicken or beef soup; it will give your soup a lot of body and for fewer calories than most other ingredients.

More: Asian pasta salad

2. Napa cabbage rolls

Napa cabbage rolls
Image: Chien-Ju Shen/Getty Images

Instead of using green cabbage, try some of the larger, outer leaves of napa cabbage. Cut them in half, steam or boil them until they just turn soft, and then fill with a mixture of cooked white rice and browned mild sausage or hamburger. Top with tomato sauce, and bake until bubbly.

3. Napa cabbage taco topping

Cabbage tacos
Image: wideonet/Getty Images

Traditionally tacos are topped with a healthy handful of lettuce. A better choice is napa cabbage, which is more flavorful and totes a crisper texture, which contrasts nicely with the taco fillings.

More: Taco Tuesday: 15 Asian-inspired recipes that get you out of your taco rut

4. Quick kimchee

Kimchi
Image: whitewish/Getty Images

Kimchee is a spicy Korean side dish, sort of like the hottest coleslaw you've ever eaten. Traditional kimchee can take several days to make. However, for a quick at-home version, combine a few cups of chopped napa cabbage, a tablespoon of sambal oelek (an Eastern hot sauce), 3 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar, 4 sliced garlic cloves and a healthy pinch of salt. Stir well, chill overnight, and then eat right out of the bowl!

5. Braised napa cabbage

Braised cabbage
Image: Kateryna Kyslyak/EyeEm/Getty Images

For a quick and easy side dish, add the cut-up white stems of the napa cabbage to a skillet, and cover them halfway with vegetable broth, ground ginger, garlic powder and a few teaspoons of soy sauce. Cook over medium heat for 8 – 10 minutes or until the napa cabbage becomes soft.

Next up: Napa cabbage stir-fry

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6. Napa cabbage stir-fry

Napa cabbage stir-fry
Image: Amandaliza/Getty Images

If you have eaten a Chinese dish with vegetables, you have probably eaten napa cabbage. Typically they are white squares that look like they should be onions but have not turned clear. To do your own napa cabbage stir-fry, peel off 20 – 25 leaves, and cut off the leafy green sections until all you have are the firmer white stems. Cut the white stems into 2-inch pieces. Heat some peanut oil in a wok, cook the napa cabbage for 3 – 4 minutes, until it starts to soften, and then add your favorite stir-fry sauce. Cook until the sauce starts to bubble. Serve hot over rice.

7. Napa cabbage spring rolls

spring rolls
Image: Prasit photo/Getty Images

Napa cabbage has a great crunch that's perfect for spring rolls. Simply slice napa cabbage into thin strips, and roll with cooked shrimp, rice noodles and fresh basil in a spring roll wrapper. Serve with a dipping sauce of soy sauce, chilies and fish sauce.

More: 10 reasons to shop at your local Asian grocer

8. Napa cabbage slaw

Napa cabbage slaw
Image: haoliang/Getty Images

Got a favorite coleslaw recipe? Try it with shredded napa cabbage. Napa cabbage slaw has a subtly different flavor and texture than classic coleslaw and is particularly tasty if you add fruit. For your next slaw, combine 2 cups of diced mango, a finely diced jalapeño, 1 cup of mayonnaise, 2 cups of shredded napa cabbage and 4 tablespoons of rice or red wine vinegar. Refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight, and serve.

9. Napa cabbage salad

Napa cabbage salad
Image: Cate Alexandra/SheKnows

Spicy Vietnamese chicken, Thai chilies and a touch of cilantro make this napa cabbage dish extra delicious. The spicy chicken and cabbage salad, also called goi ga, can be made in a large batch for a party or halved to serve as a family meal at home. This is also the perfect dish to refrigerate and enjoy as a quickie lunch throughout the week.

10. Napa cabbage fried rice

Cabbage fried rice
Image: Nancy Foster/SheKnows

Cool and crunchy, napa cabbage can help balance out the flavors of any fried rice. While this fried rice recipe calls for green cabbage, we prefer using napa instead. You can also swap brown rice for white to make an even healthier main dish.

Originally published July 2009. Updated July 2016.

Tara Reid should have handled her awkward interview with Jenny McCarthy better

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Actress Tara Reid recently made headlines for walking out on a cringeworthy radio interview with fellow '90s relic Jenny McCarthy. Reid was on McCarthy's SiriusXM radio show to talk about her upcoming fourth installment of Sharknado, but things took a decidedly awkward turn when McCarthy first asked her about her recent appearance on Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars.

If you missed it, here's how it went down:

McCarthy was trying to pay Reid a compliment, saying she "fucking loved" Reid on it, and Reid was not into talking about it. When McCarthy pressed her for more details, Reid made it clear that she would not be talking about her most recent stint on reality TV: "Babe, I asked you, please let’s not talk about the show. We’re all here to talk about Sharknado."

McCarthy then asked if Reid had to get into shape for her role in the shark parody film, and Reid replied, "It's not like you really need to get into shape. It's Sharknado. They're fake sharks. They're rubber."

More: Tara Reid posts racy Instagram picture

McCarthy then segued into talking about Reid's infamous plastic surgeries, which she has been open about in the past, and complimented her for discussing them. Then things started to get really uncomfortable.

"You look great now. So, you're good and done, not moving forward with plastic surgery?" McCarthy pressed.

Reid snapped, "I think I've made that clear about 100 times. Maybe you only read the bad things, but I've made that really clear for so many years. Read what you want to read."

More: Tara Reid was bashed for this bikini selfie

McCarthy apologized, but Reid was obviously done. She said, "It was really nice talking to you, and really good luck with your show."

McCarthy replied, "Good luck to you, too, and I'm so excited about Sharknado and I hope you stay married. I hope your knees get a little wobblier than they already are."

Reid snapped, "I hope you stay married too. I'm sure he's a nice guy. I hope your tits get even nicer, because they're amazing. The same guy who did mine, right? I'll always use your advice. You're the best. Bye."

McCarthy got in one last jab, saying, "Love you, Tara. Good luck with Sharknado 18."
Jenny McCarthy/Tara Reid

Jenny McCarthy/Tara Reid

More: Tara Reid's vacation pictures raised eyebrows

Of course, this turned into an awkward trainwreck incredibly quickly. I don't think that McCarthy should have insulted Reid as she was trying to end the interview, but Reid was definitely in the wrong at first. Reid has been famous since 1998, and she's likely done dozens of interviews and promotional junkets for various film and TV projects, so she's well aware of how these things go. She knows that interviewers may want to discuss multiple projects, especially since Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars is currently on the air. It's not as if McCarthy is bringing up old news.

It's entirely possible that Reid let McCarthy know in advance she didn't want to discuss Marriage Boot Camp, and in that case, she should have simply thanked McCarthy for loving the show and said she was happy to move on and promote Sharknado.

As for the comments about her fitness routine, McCarthy was being nothing but complimentary, saying that Reid is always "in awesome shape," so Reid could have spun the conversation in a way she felt more comfortable with.

When McCarthy started to discuss Reid's surgeries, Reid could have politely said that unless McCarthy was going to discuss Sharknado, she'd like to move on. It was obvious at that point that McCarthy was trying to get a rise out of her, but Reid isn't a newbie to these kinds of celebrity interviews. She should have handled it more graciously at the beginning.

That said, it was certainly wrong for McCarthy to blatantly insult Reid at all. A radio host should be kind to their guests and appreciative of their time, even if the guests are difficult (which Reid initially was!), so neither party ends up looking completely innocent in this war of words.

Both of these women handled this in the wrong way, which is pretty sad given that they are in their 40s and definitely know better; but Reid should have started off handling the situation better. She knows what it's like to be interviewed by now, and she should be thankful that she has projects to promote and radio shows that want to have her on as a guest.

This story continues to make headlines, and comedian Amy Schumer weighed in during her very own SiriusXM radio interview on Opie Radio. Schumer said she felt that McCarthy "bullied" Reid, but not before admitting she knows "nothing about their relationship," adding that she's never met Reid or McCarthy.

Schumer also admitted that McCarthy was "rude" to her best friend, fellow comedian Rachel Feinstein, and told the backstory behind Feinstein's relationship with McCarthy, which is clearly why she felt the need to weigh in on this story. She even said, "Rachel would be very annoyed that I was telling this story, because she doesn't want to make a big deal out of it."

So then, why are you, exactly? It's probably better to leave this shark in the water for good.

What do you think about this interview? Was Tara Reid in the wrong or was Jenny McCarthy? Sound off in the comments.

Woman's rant about a blender is the perfect commentary on breakups

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It's not uncommon to unload gifts you received from an ex — either on the front lawn or through online classifieds like Craigslist. One New York woman opted to do the latter when she listed a certified reconditioned 5200 series Vitamix blender on the website.

More: 68 sex positions to try before you die

But that wasn't all she listed.

The anonymous woman gave her d-bag ex a big f*** you — complete with a photo flipping off the camera — along with a story of the epic rise and fall of their relationship.

Image: Craigslist

"Never date a corporate lawyer," she wrote. "Here's how it goes. You match him on Tinder and give him a chance even though he ghosted you after one date." He apologizes and "claims to hate True Detective, and laughs at all your jokes.

"Things were good for a bit because he's the good type of corporate lawyer. He wants to leave Wappen & Kladden! He has values! He's sensitive! You've never been happier."

But then things went downhill.

More: Woman has the perfect date with herself after being stood up

"The guy who committed to 80-hour work weeks for nebulous reasons is scared of commitment," she wrote. "The guy who asked to meet your family after you said it would be okay to wait, because commitment can be scary, is now scared of commitment.

"He clearly wants to break up, but makes you do it. It's the day after your birthday," she continued, "A few days later, this Vitamix arrives at your door. Who buys someone they're dumping a Vitamix?"

Fair question.

"He wants me to remember him fondly. I can't abide it," she continued. "I'm not gonna ruin a perfectly good blender. Yet, sitting on my microwave, it looks exactly like the Wappen & Kladden building."

So, her loss is someone else's gain, because $400 is a pretty awesome price for a Vitamix. No word if it's sold yet, but she's also available for dates if you're not interested in making smoothies.

More: You'll score in more ways than one if you have sex before playing sports

Kelly Dodd is a way better RHOC villain than Brooks Ayers

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Move over, Brooks Ayers — there's a new Real Housewives of Orange County villain in town, and she means business!

More: Kelly Dodd's friendships are none of the Housewives' business

Kelly Dodd actually seemed like something of a sympathetic character when she joined the show. After all, she gave Vicki Gunvalson a chance earlier this season, when she was the ultimate outcast. Sure, Gunvalson brought it on herself, but it was still nice to see somebody show a little empathy.

Kelly Dodd
Image: Bravo

Dodd's tune has changed considerably since she joined the show, and now, her mission doesn't seem to be befriending the friendless, but rather, doing whatever she can to irritate and anger the other Housewives.

More: The RHOC ladies gave us some pretty candid spoilers for Season 11

My image of Dodd first began to crack last week during her long, unnecessary tirade about the problem with millennials. She came across as holier than thou during this diatribe, but even then, I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. That all changed this evening, when Dodd did her best to stir up drama at Shannon Beador's '70s party.

Shannon Beador
Image: Bravo

As much as I find Dodd annoying, there is an element of "love to hate" about her. She's obnoxious at times, but in a slightly endearing way. With Brooks Ayers out of the way, somebody needs to take on the role of villain, and it might as well be Dodd. I have to say, given the choice between Ayers and Dodd, I'll take Dodd in a heartbeat. She may be irritating, but at least she's interesting! Or, at least, she is when she's downing the drinks with Gunvalson like there's no tomorrow.

More: Vicki Gunvalson should learn to live alone

To be fair, Dodd is not alone in her drama instigating. Beador's friends Nina and Jaci also seemed eager to rile everybody up. However, Dodd was quick to sink to their level, even going so far as to give a very insulting assessment of their appearance. The worst, however, was when Dodd yelled, "No wonder you cheated on your wife!" at David Beador.

RHOC has been a bit stale thus far this season, but I think Kelly Dodd is about to change that. So, while I find her very irritating, I'm willing to put up with her, all for the sake of juicy Housewives drama.

Do you think Kelly Dodd is RHOC's new villain? Comment and share your opinion below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

RHOC scandals slideshow
Image: Bravo

Margot Robbie should not be this cool about her sexist profile piece

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Margot Robbie has finally spoken out about the incredibly sexist profile that Vanity Fair ran on her. We were expecting that her outrage would match the reaction that everyone else had, but hers was a much more depressing outlook. She basically said, she's used to that sort of thing.

More: Don't call Margot Robbie unrecognizable because she's makeup-free (PHOTOS)

In a recent interview with Australia’s The Project, Robbie agreed that she could tell the story was going to be “really weird” from the beginning. She said, “I remember thinking, 'That was a really odd interview. I don’t know how that’s going to come out.' And then when I read it I was like, 'Yeah, the tone of this is really weird. I don’t really know what he’s trying to get at or play at.'”

She continued with the more heartbreaking part of her reaction when she said, “I didn’t expect there was going to be an uproar about it at all. But I’ve read far more offensive, far more sexist, insulting, derogatory, disgusting things on a daily basis. I don’t know, maybe I’m desensitized to it now.”

More: Margot Robbie's alleged weight loss expectations are insane

In 2016, it shouldn’t be the norm for actresses to expect that they should be reduced to their body and their beauty. We shouldn’t have actresses who don’t expect people to stick up for them because they’ve definitely read much worse about other people.

The way we treat not only women, but everyone, should be getting better, not worse. While I’m glad that Robbie doesn’t let one man’s shallow profile of her affect her in any way, it’s still disheartening that she claims to be desensitized to that kind of treatment.

The backlash that Vanity Fair and the writer received will hopefully be enough for the magazine and everyone else to do better next time, so that no one will have to be desensitized to sexism in the future.

More: Margot Robbie on awkward sex scenes with Leo DiCaprio

Sorry, Cara Delevingne, but what is that we see on your ring finger?

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Cara Delevingne and musician Annie Clark (better known as her stage name St. Vincent) appear to be very happy together, but could they have secretly taken a major step in their relationship and gotten engaged?

More: Cara Delevingne's tweet about depression made a difference for millions

Well, that's what Delevingne made fans think after she took to Instagram to post a photo of herself on a private jet, sporting a massive diamond sparkler on her ring finger. She gave no clues about a possible engagement in the caption of the post, simply writing, "#regram @jaredleto" (Jared Leto first shared the photo of his Suicide Squad co-star on his Instagram).

However, fans are convinced that this picture must mean Delevingne is engaged, and the comment section is filled with questions about the ring.

Cara Delevingne Instagram

Cara Delevingne Instagram

"Is that a engagement ring??!!!" sav_22_ asked.

nelly__bg was also curious about the ring, writing: "Is she wearing a ring?"

Other comments include: "ummm...ring babe...," "I see that ring" and "WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THE RING."

Oh honey, we are.

More: Fans are freaking out over Clark's surprise second career

According to People magazine, the ring appears to be the same vintage-inspired design (a blue sapphire stone surrounded by tiny diamonds) that Delevingne has been sporting for the last few months. We'd also like to point out that this is not the first time Delevingne's choice of accessory has created engagement speculation either. It all started when she attended Chanel's spring 2016 show last October adorned with some major finger bling.

Are Delevingne and Clark really engaged? It's hard to tell, because the couple isn't too forthcoming with their relationship status, but as one fan put it, it "certainly does look suspiciously like an engagement ready pear shaped diamond on her finger."

More: Taylor Swift, Gigi Hadid and Cara Delevingne have something awful in common

What do you think? Is this the proof we need to confirm that Delevingne is engaged? Or is everyone jumping the gun? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Don't cross Rob Kardashian & Blac Chyna off your relationship goals list just yet

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Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna are meant to be celebrating a very happy time in their lives: They're planning their wedding together, they have a baby son on the way, and they also have a reality TV show in the works. However, several reports have suggested there's trouble in paradise.

More: The bun in Blac Chyna's oven is helping to win over the Kardashian clan

On Monday, Kardashian fueled reports that he and Chyna had broken up, as he took to Instagram to delete every trace of her as well as un-follow her on the social sharing site. This led to reports that the couple had fallen out of love just as quickly as they'd fallen in love.

But that may not be the case.

According to People magazine, it's not the end for Kardashian and Chyna — it's just a bump in the road. "They're not broken up," a Chyna source told the publication.

But what went so horribly wrong? Apparently the couple had a disagreement during the filming of their show.

"They filmed over the weekend and had an argument," another source told the publication, adding, "It's hard to see Rob and Chyna actually splitting. Rob is looking forward to becoming a dad. It would take a lot for him to break up with her."

We're glad to hear it, because we've really started to root for Kardashian and Chyna, and there's absolutely no denying that they make each other happy.

More: You don't have to watch Rob Kardashian's & Blac Chyna's show, but you do have to stop whining

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

keeping up with the kardashians then and now slideshow
Image: Rachel Worth/WENN

I don't have to love Hillary to love a woman president

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As I watched Hillary Clinton officially become the presidential nominee for the Democratic party, I couldn't help but to get a bit teary-eyed. I'm a registered Republican, and though I am not personally a fan of Clinton, her nomination still means something to me. It should mean something to all women.

The year 1920 seems like such a long time ago, but when you think about it, some of our own grandparents were born before a time when women were allowed to vote. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers struggled for decades before they were finally allowed this basic right, and though voting seems like such an innate part of our lives now, back then it was a huge deal.

More: Michelle Obama just played the mom card at the DNC, and she nailed it

For so long, our society catered solely to men. They were born into opportunity, and whether they were worthy of their freedoms and their pedestals or not, they were still afforded them without question. During this time in history, women's issues and women's rights were hardly even a second thought of the men leading this country, so to see a woman standing at a podium, just an arm's length away from being the potential leader of the free world, is such a symbolic moment of how far we've come.

I didn't vote for Hillary in the primaries, and I'm still not positive that I would feel great about voting for her in the general election, but I don't take having the opportunity to do so lightly. I was born and raised in the South, where a substantial part of the population is both conservative and religious. I've spent a lifetime of Sundays sitting in a pew, and I graduated from a Christian high school. And while I believe in God and Jesus, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't grow up with some serious resentment for the way the Bible laid things out for women. When I would read verses about how women were to respect and serve men, that they were to follow and obey their husbands because they were the leaders of the house, I would always wonder why.

More: Who is Tim Kaine's wife, Anne Holton, anyway?

I was raised by a man who told me I could do anything. From an early age, my dad instilled within me the values of confidence, hard work and respect for not just others, but myself as well. He taught me to stand tall and to stand up for myself and all that I believed in. He taught me that I could do anything that the boys could... and I believed him. So when my teachers would highlight where a woman's place was (based specifically on the Bible), that she was to serve men, I would scratch my head and think, "But can't I do anything? Can't I be anything that I want to be?

Unfortunately, at the time I saw few examples of women to look to in order to prove my point that, yes, I could do anything and be any person that I chose to be. It makes my heart beam to know that little girls today won't have to feel that way.

They won't have to make believe that they can be leaders because they've got one standing right in front of them, telling them that their dreams can become a reality, telling them that they are important, that they can be whatever it is that they want to be when they grow up.

More: What women need to know about Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton's new running mate

Hillary Clinton may not be my first choice of women who I would pick to lead the free world, but right now that doesn't matter. At one point in our nation's history, the thought of a woman standing in her shoes, clinching a presidential party nomination, was laughable to say the least. Her nomination is a monumental moment for all women — all the women who paved the way for her to stand on that platform, all the women fighting every day for their rights and liberties and all the women of the future who will be afforded more opportunities, who will be seen as equals and who will be given the chance to pursue their dreams because of the moment that Hillary Clinton was chosen by her peers to lead the Democratic party in the presidential race.

Yes, even a Republican conservative like me.

Hillary Clinton running for president is a big deal for every woman and special to every woman because we've worked so hard to get here. You don't have to vote for her to appreciate the magnitude of what just happened. Republican or Democrat, this is a big deal for all women. This isn't a political victory — it's a universal one — and it's proof to me and every little girl like me that dreams she can be whatever and whoever she wants to be that, yes, she can.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

hillary clinton quotes
Image: Wenn.com

Panuchos: The Mexican street food that turns the taco outside in

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Panuchos are my new favorite Monday or Tuesday night meal. They let me use up a lot of the leftovers from my cooking marathons over the weekend, and just like a pizza, they're so customizable there are no complaints at the dinner table about tomatoes being slimy or that avocados are too mushy (etc., etc., etc.). And just like with pizza, no side dishes are required.

Panuchos are essentially tostadas on steroids. And by steroids, I mean the corn tortilla is fried and stuffed with refried black beans as if by magic. And by magic, I mean the science of corn tortillas submerged in oil. Then they're fried again. And it is glorious!

More: Boozy chamoy snow cones: Fire, ice and pucker

Then you just top them with whatever you want. IMTO (that is, in my Texan opinion, which isn't always so humble), though, the pickled onions served by many panucharias are the thing that really elevate a panucho and keep it from being just a tostada with the beans on the inside. Also IMTO, if it's good fried once, it's surely better fried twice.

How to top a panucho

panuchos being topped
Image: Heather Barnett/SheKnows

As I noted, panuchos are completely customizable. You can make your own from-scratch corn tortillas or just buy them. You can make your own refried black beans or buy canned. You'll probably have to make your own pickled onion, but the Mason jar and fridge do most of that work. You want chicken? Buy a rotisserie chicken from the store. Have leftover brisket? That's fine too. Make it vegan. Make it spicy. Make it kid friendly. Are you starting to see why I love this meal? Here are some ideas for inspiration, though.

More: Marinades that will transform your flank steak into a flavor phenom

  • Sliced or shredded chicken, pork or beef
  • Fried fish chunks
  • Lettuce or cabbage
  • Pretty much any kind of cheese
  • Tomatoes
  • Avocados
  • Sliced olives
  • Jalapeños (pickled or fresh)
  • Sour cream
  • Guacamole
  • Pico de gallo
  • And I guess if you want, salsa or taco sauce

Mexican panuchos recipe

finished panuchos
Image: Heather Barnett/SheKnows


If you forgot to make your pickled onions the day before but want them to have the deep tanginess and sweetness of a longer pickling time, pour the onions and pickling solution into a nonreactive, heavy-bottomed saucepan, and cook over low to medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until the onions are al dente.

Yields 8 – 10

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 45 minutes | Inactive time: 1-plus hour | Total time: 2-plus hours (depending on method chosen)

Ingredients:

For the pickled onion

  • 1 red onion, julienned
  • 1 habanero, stems and seeds removed, finely chopped (optional) 
  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 – 3 small limes)
  • 1/3 cup orange juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 star anise (optional)

For the panuchos

  • Corn oil (for frying)
  • 10 – 12 white corn tortillas
  • 1 (15.5-ounce) can refried black beans
  • Toppings as desired (see the list above for ideas)

Directions:

For the pickled onion

  1. In a nonreactive bowl, place the julienned onions, and pour boiling water over them. Gently mix the onions in the water for about 10 seconds, and strain.
  2. In a nonreactive, airtight container (a Mason jar is perfect), combine the blanched onions with the chopped habanero, lime juice, orange juice, sugar, salt and star anise. Seal the container, and shake vigorously. Let the onions pickle for at least an hour for a milder, fresher flavor, or refrigerate overnight for a sharper, more complex flavor.

For the panuchos

  1. In a large, cast-iron skillet over medium to high heat, heat enough corn oil for very shallow frying (about 3 – 4 tablespoons). Adding the tortillas 1 or 2 at a time to the pan, and cook them until they start to puff up, about 30 seconds on each side. Transfer the tortillas to a paper towel-lined plate to let cool for about 1 minute.
  2. When the tortillas are comfortable to touch but still very warm, use a sharp knife to make a slit large enough for a spoon to enter between the flat sides in the air pocket created by the air bubble. Gently insert a heaping spoonful of black beans into the pocket, being careful to not tear the tortilla.
  3. Once the black beans are inside the tortilla, press your finger against the outside of the tortilla to hold the beans in place as you slide your spoon out. Gently pat down the beans, pressing the entry slit closed. The air pockets can be unpredictable, so don't hesitate to make another slit in another location if you need to do so to get in more beans. Move the completed panucho to a paper towel-lined plate, and repeat for the remaining tortillas.
  4. Add each panucho back into the oil, and fry for 1 – 2 minutes per side until they are crispy and golden brown. Move them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease. Use a tortilla warmer or an oven set to 200 degrees F to keep the panuchos warm. Top the panuchos as desired, and serve immediately.

More: How to roll tamales

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