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Jill Duggar's baby bump is so big she almost can't hug her hubby (PHOTOS)

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Jill Duggar recently posted an update on her baby bump at 38 weeks and five days, and it looks like things will get real really soon. She has been posting the photos during her entire pregnancy, and this update was captioned very appropriately, "We are getting so close!!!"

Jill Duggar prego belly update

Jill Duggar prego belly update

Jill's baby bump is growing so much that she almost can't get her arms around her husband's tall neck.

Jill Duggar prego update

Jill Duggar prego update

Jill told People magazine last month that husband Derick has been putting in the time and waiting on her during these latter pregnancy days.

The couple also posted a photo from the family's recent vacation to Texas and fans have been quick to point out they think Baby Dilly is dropping and that the reality TV star should get ready for the big day any day.

Jill Duggar fishing photo

Jill Duggar fishing photo

The couple is, naturally, planning a home birth for their first baby.

More on the Duggars

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My Five Wives' Nonie and Brady reveal 25th child's baby girl name

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Brady Williams is the star of the recently cancelled TLC show, My Five Wives, and he and one of his wives, Nonie Williams, welcomed a baby girl and shared her baby name and first photos on their Facebook page. This is Nonie’s sixth child with Brady; however, this makes baby number 25 total with all five of his wives.

Brady Williams baby

Brady Williams baby

"For those who haven't heard. Our precious sweet blessing, Addisen Jai Williams," the caption said on the "Brady and Wives" official Facebook page, which revealed she was born on March 11 and weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces.

Brady’s children far outnumber Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar, who have 19 kids and are also on TLC with their show, 19 Kids and Counting.

Ready to hear about his other kids with all five wives? You might want to sit down for this one...

  • Nonie: Daughters Rachel, Marissa, Tailee and Addisen; Sons Paul and Aaeyden
  • Paulie: Daughters Karlie, Madeline, September, Maura and Camry; Son Joshua
  • Robyn: Daughters Hannah and Lauren; Sons Dane, Thomas and Trey
  • Rosemary: Daughters Kimberly and Taylor: Sons James and Brandon
  • Rhonda: Daughters Eden and Arwen; Sons Lake and Nikolas

Wowza.

They shared several photos of their daughter, including this picture of Brady holding his newborn daughter Addisen.

Brady Williams 2

Brady Williams 2

Another snapshot showed Nonie with Addisen shortly after she was born.

Brady Williams 3

Brady Williams 3

Addisen (or its alternate spelling of Addison) is an English name which means "son of Adam," while Jai is a Sanskrit name which means "victorious." The name Addison has been in the top 20 on the Social Security Administration's list of top baby names since 2007; however, the alternate spelling of Addisen is not in the top lists.

The family also posted a video on their YouTube channel showing baby Addisen and revealing her baby name:

My Five Wives

My Five Wives

Tell us: Do you like the name Addisen Jai? Are you surprised that he hasn't run out of baby names? Weigh in below.

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My Five Wives star Brady Williams gives the Duggars a run for their money with baby no. 25

How I finally purged my boyfriend's apartment of his ex's stuff

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That’s exactly what happened to my current boyfriend, whom we’ll refer to as Boyfriend from here on out.

We’ve been dating for nearly a year, so I spend a considerable amount of time at his apartment. And as I started to nest in this new space, I began to run into mysterious ex-girlfriend possessions.

I wanted to say the relationship shrapnel didn’t bother me, but with each new thing, a new irrational emotional reaction would bubble up inside of me and I just wanted it to stop. I shrugged the things off at first—we’re both adults with past relationships, it’s not that big a deal.

But as our relationship continued to grow and we got more serious, I’d feel that reaction get stronger every time I’d see something that belonged to an ex. I’m not sure what it was, really. I’ve never been a crazy possessive type, and we had a confident, amazing relationship, but something about these items bothered me.

They felt like small reminders of the fact that there had been people he loved before me, which—as silly as it sounds—stings. I ignored these things for months but once I’d started to treat his place like mine, I decided there was only one thing that could be done: We needed to clean up shop.

The hair conditioner

We were sharing a morning shower and as I ran conditioner through my hair I suddenly paused and wondered: wait, why does he have conditioner? I turned to him and asked about it, and in the haze of the half-awake, pre-coffee hour he stood speechless as he immediately realized what I did: It belonged to his ex. I threw a squirt of it at him, squeezed the rest down the drain, and then dove my head under the shower trying to get it off of my head as fast as I could.

Not the classiest move, but effective. I would have rather spent the day taming frizzy, dry hair than to know that traces of his ex girlfriend were literally hanging on my head.

The letters

It began when I was looking for a pen. I was rummaging through a drawer and saw the peek of a photo. Because I’m exceptionally nosy, I dug up handfuls of photos, holiday cards, and hand written letters on notebook paper. Questions immediately flooded my mind: Are these love letters? Why did she have wide ruled notebook paper? Was he dating a student? Was she a hotter, 19-year-old version of me? Oh God. Make it stop.

I decided I needed to handle this maturely and tuned into my inner-Beyoncé, even though I wanted to act like Solange. I ended up organizing his desk drawers and made a baggie of sentiments he could keep hidden far away from me. That’s when I stumbled upon the jewelry.

The jewelry

During what he referred to as Drawer-gate (and what I referred to as Extreme Drawer Makeover), I found a few pieces of jewelry, none of which were mine. A tangled chain necklace (cheap), a pink hair tie (cheesy), a power bead bracelet (huh?), and a set of rhinestone costume earrings from J. Crew. The necklace, hair tie, and bracelet immediately went into the garbage and as I was about to toss the earrings, I took a closer look. They were actually pretty cute. Would that be totally weird if I kept them? They sort of matched my outfit, and whoever the previous owner was clearly wasn’t looking for them.

I belong to the church of Jenna Lyons, so the blasphemy of tossing a piece of her empire seemed wrong. But by the look on his face, I could tell that Boyfriend knew what I was thinking/thought I was insane, so I said a little prayer to the fashion gods and into the trash bin they went. I still sort of regret that one.

The painting

Boyfriend had a painting leaning on a wall that a friend had made for his birthday. The picture was mostly of a grassy field in Central Park, and he was to the left catching a frisbee. Over to the right corner, there was the back of a girl with long brown hair, sitting in the corner of the field watching. The mystery girl was the ex girlfriend (of four years, I might add). I didn’t notice her in it for weeks, but once I did it was the only thing I could think about.

His reasoning for keeping it out: A friend took the time to paint it for him, and it has nothing to do with his ex or lingering feelings. My reason for wanting it gone: I didn’t want this creepy ghost of a girlfriend sitting right in front of me every day. This one took a lot of coaxing, but eventually the painting ended up getting stored in the back of the closet. My advice to you: Don’t throw a territorial tantrum about something like this. Instead, appeal to his emotions and you understand it was a thoughtful gift from a friend, but you’re the one who has to spend time in the bedroom, not said friend. That was when he conceded and moved it to the closet, though I still hate that painting.

The bed

Now that we had started to mentally sage the joint, there was one part of his apartment left: the bed. I started to notice all these little things about his mattress that had never previously bothered me. Every lumpy little hole from a former spoon session felt like a crater and every poking spring from never-to-be-discussed sexual activities felt like a prodding spike.

I needed this thing gone, and I needed it gone now. But considering that mattresses are heavy, large, and expensive, I knew this was going to be trickier than throwing things in the garbage or washing them down the drain. I needed something affordable, something that wasn’t going to need hired help to set up, and preferably something that felt like an upgrade that I could claim as the real reason his bed needed replacing.

I got online and googled “awesome new mattress,” clicked on the first thing that popped up and discovered a trending new startup called Casper.

Their mattresses were made of a fancy new latex foam and memory foam combo that supposedly resulted in the perfect mix of temperature control and support. Innovation excuse, check. But what really hooked me was that these mattresses can compress and roll up, and therefore get shipped to you in a box that can fit in the trunk of a car, no movers required. Sold.

I ordered one immediately. When it arrived a few days later in a happy striped box, it was actually really fun to open up and roll out together. Our new bed was ready in under 5 minutes and I’m actually even using the giant box as a standing desk while typing this story. Whoever runs the ship at Casper, you guys totally saved me.

Conclusions

All in all, I had negotiated the ins and outs of ex-girlfriend collateral for a few weeks and the peaceful results made it worth every awkward moment. Our relationship feng-shui was balanced. We were refreshed, happy, in love and his newly made over place felt new, clean, and like it was more ours. And, although this might be the memory foam talking, I even sleep better knowing that if we made it through this, we have a pretty solid future in front of us.

This article originally appeared on StyleCaster.

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9 Filthy things you're probably not cleaning right

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1. Mattress. Ugh! Just think about the things that collect on a mattress — dust mites, mold, dead skin cells! If you're just turning it over once or twice a year, it's not enough. Here's what you should do: Strip the bed and sprinkle your bare mattress with baking soda. Let it sit while the bedclothes are washing. Before replacing the mattress pad and sheets, vacuum the baking soda with the upholstery tool. Fresh and mite-free!

Image: YouTube/essortment

 2. Cutting board. Wiping down your wooden cutting board with dish soap won't get rid of sketchy food particles and nasty smells. To clean and preserve, wipe the board with a damp cloth and sprinkle with baking soda. Squeeze the juice of a lemon over the baking soda and use the lemon to scrub, scrub, scrub. Wipe clean with another damp cloth, then shine it up with some mineral oil. Your cutting board will last for years!

Image: YouTube/Dani Spies

3. Cookie sheets. Dish washing detergent won't remove baked-on gunk from your cookie sheets. (And don't believe those seasoned cooks who tell you that the build-up makes your pans work better. It's a lie!) Restore the shine with a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Use a bit of elbow grease to rub the mixture onto your pans, let sit overnight and rinse with warm water.

4. Cheese grater. Ew. The last thing you want on your freshly grated cheese is leftover grated cheese. But scrubbing the grater is tough on your kitchen sponge (and your fingertips). The solution? Just remove cheese dingleberries with a toothbrush! (A clean, unused toothbrush, of course.)

Image: YouTube/VentunoKitchenTips

5. Paintings. Don't let your works of art become dust collectors. Keep them looking their best with a few simple steps and one surprising tool: 1) Remove from wall, 2) dust with clean soft-bristle brush, 3) pat gently with a bagel or doughy bread (seriously!), 4) give it another wipe with the brush and 5) re-hang!

Image: YouTube/Howcast

6. Blender. That blade at the bottom of your blender? It's ridiculously sharp! Don't risk losing your digits by taking the blender apart to clean it. Instead, you can rinse out the pitcher, fill it with hot water, add a few drops of dish soap and blend! Remove the pitcher for a final rinse, and you're done.

7. Coffee maker. When your coffee maker is slow — or your coffee starts to taste funky — it's time for maintenance. Just fill the water chamber with half water, half vinegar. Run a brew cycle (without the coffee grounds, of course). Empty and repeat with just water to remove any remaining vinegar.

Image: YouTube/ProjectBolony

8. Microwave. Ugh. Who heated up a bowl of chili without covering it? Don't spend hours scraping the gunk off the inside of the microwave. Instead, add 1/2 cup vinegar to 1 cup of water in a glass bowl. Microwave on high for five minutes and wipe clean. (This easy, chemical-free cleaner even removes that persistent burnt popcorn smell!)

Image: YouTube/FrontPorchLivingDay2Day

9. Toys. After your child's playmate with the snotty nose finally goes home, all you want to do is spray the house with Lysol. Calm down. To remove germs and sticky stuff from plastic playthings, you don't have to wipe down each and every toy. Instead, load them into the top rack of the dishwasher and run them through. The toys will come out clean and sanitized!

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A sweet lover's dream job is up for grabs at Swizzels

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The lucky sweet taster will join the Swizzels product development team tasting new creations before they go on sale. The job comes will full training, including learning how to use taste buds to work out which flavour combinations are best. The successful applicant will get the opportunity to go behind the scenes to learn all the tricks of the trade and even play a part in designing new packaging.

More: Lucky Charms pancakes are the sweetest St. Patrick's Day treat

Swizzels marketing manager Sarah-Louise Heslop said: “We know that adults love our products just as much as children so we’re looking for our biggest fan to join us at our factory and help us develop new additions to our range. It takes months to develop new flavours and the successful applicant will be shown the whole process, learning the secrets of how we make our fabulous sweets. It’s an important role and they'll be helping develop new products that could be sold across the country. No experience is necessary — just a love of sweets.”

More: The perfect fudgy brownie recipe for chocolate lovers (VIDEO)

The successful applicant will be consulted on new products in development at Swizzels over the next 12 months, which will involve regular visits to the sweet maker's Derbyshire headquarters.

And the salary? A year's supply of sweets, of course.

Think you're the right person to become a dedicated sweet taster? Apply here.

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Scott Disick tries iboga therapy to cure his addiction

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Why Rythmia? The Central America-based rehabilitation facility specializes in alternative therapies, including iboga therapy.

Iboga therapy is based off the use of ibogaine, a psychoactive alkaloid that occurs naturally in the iboga shrub native to West Africa. Taken in large doses, it induces a psychedelic state and has been used in healing ceremonies for believers in the Bwiti religion, according to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. Because of its psychedelic properties, addicts report it helps to reduce opiate withdrawal symptoms and eliminates cravings. According to Rythmia, the iboga detox process works by "resurfacing cellular receptor sites in your entire body and brain."

It's also believed that iboga helps "reset your mind on the deepest of levels, often showing you the subconscious patterns that you’ve had in your DNA and in the first few months of your life and drastically increasing neuro-plasticity (the ease and ability to rewire your mind) where you have several days to truly transform yourself and stop making choices through the programs, and much more with your spirit," according to Rythmia.

A quick search on Google brings up plenty of anecdotal evidence on whether or not iboga therapy works.

"I am an alcoholic. It absolutely did not work," reads one story on a website called The Ibogaine Dossier. "As for addicts, I was treated along with about 10 heroin addicts who also felt that it probably did not work for them. We were not allowed to visit much with either other so I have no idea how to reach those people once they got home. Addiction is addiction."

"Two years after that one dose of ibogaine, I abstain from all drugs," an anonymous author wrote in a 2013 New Scientist article. "Given the chance of relief from the physical and psychological dependence, I am free to make conscious choices again. We don't yet know how effective this treatment would be in others, but the change in my life is startling."

The main problem with iboga therapy — and with many alternative therapies — is the lack of controlled, double-blind scientific studies that truly measure effectiveness.

"Radical options are needed," David Nutt, head of the UK's Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs, told BBC in 2012, adding that he's still skeptical about "so-called wonder cures."

"The history of medicine is littered with people doing interesting, challenging things, but when you do proper control tests they reveal a massive placebo effect," he said.

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20 Photos that prove celebs love fast food, just like us!

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1. Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn

Cara Delevingne & Jourdan Dunn Eat McDonald's

Cara Delevingne & Jourdan Dunn Eat McDonald's

Apparently even supermodels love Mickey D's.

2. Colton Haynes

colton haynes doughnuts

colton haynes doughnuts

It is disturbingly easy to find pictures of Colton Haynes eating doughnuts or drinking Starbucks.

3. Emma Roberts

emma robers eating in-n-out

emma robers eating in-n-out

In-N-Out burgers apparently make a great snack before the Golden Globes.

4. Patrick Stewart

patrick stewart pizza

patrick stewart pizza

Patrick Stewart is boldly going where millions of Americans go at least once a week — for a slice!

5. Drew Barrymore

drew barrymore pizza

drew barrymore pizza

Sometimes celebs enjoy fast food after awards shows.

6. Shailene Woodley

shailene woodley pizza

shailene woodley pizza

Pizza seems to be popular. Divergent star Shailene Woodley doesn't even bother with slices.

7. Heidi Klum

heidi klum burger

heidi klum burger

Heidi Klum isn't just gorgeous. She's also generous.

8. Candice Swanepoel

candice swanepoel pizza

candice swanepoel pizza

Yeah. I know what you mean, Candice. My shoot wraps at 1 a.m. once a week.

9. Barack Obama

obama fast food

obama fast food

I guess the White House chef had the day off.

10. Padma Lakshmi

padma lakshmi fries

padma lakshmi fries

Padma Lakshmi posted a pic of this delicious-looking pile o' fries from Paris. Yum.

11. Rihanna

rihanna nuggets

rihanna nuggets

What does Rihanna nom while in her native Barbados? Crispy chicken nuggets, of course!

12. Julianne Hough

julianne hough pizza

julianne hough pizza

Nothing like a little cold pizza before calling it a day.

13. Corinne Foxx, Jamie Foxx, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum

oscars pizza

oscars pizza

Remember that time Ellen ordered pizza for everyone at the Oscars? Anyone else wonder if Corinne Fox got any sauce on that beautiful (white) dress?

14. Jessie J

jessie j burger

jessie j burger

We suspect this is an In-N-Out burger, since Jessie J has commented in the past that she loves them.

15. Vanessa Hudgens

vanessa hudgens pizza

vanessa hudgens pizza

Vanessa Hudgens is yet another celebrity pizza fan.

16. Justin Timberlake

justin timberlake taco bell

justin timberlake taco bell

Apparently when you're Justin Timberlake, they invite you behind the counter to make your own Taco Bell.

17. Beyoncé

beyonce burger

beyonce burger

In-N-Out is quickly becoming the No. 2 pick for celebs, and with good reason. Is it us or is Queen Bey drinking Champagne with hers?

18. Katy Perry

katy perry hot dog

katy perry hot dog

One of Katy Perry's fans on Twitter couldn't help but notice she has a bit of a weakness for hot dogs. Looks like mustard is a must for this California beauty.

19. Justin Bieber

justin bieber burger

justin bieber burger

Rumor has it the Biebs enjoyed a strawberry shake with his meal from Fatburger.

20. Selena Gomez

selena gomez tacos

selena gomez tacos

Selena Gomez loves tacos from Jack in the Box so much, her pals made her "cake" a platter of tacos for her b-day. We don't blame her. Jack in the Box tacos are boss.

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Midwife who told teen to keep her legs closed during childbirth was so wrong

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The New Zealand Human Rights Review Tribunal has heard a case against a community nurse, Natasha Thomson, who refused care to a teenage mother who gave birth at home in January of 2012.

Despite receiving five phone calls in one hour, the nurse refused assistance to the woman who described herself as being in "excruciating pain."

Thomson went on to dismiss the calls, saying, "Teenage mothers sometimes panic when labour starts."

Arriving after the actual birth of the child, Thomson discovered what she called a "tiny" tear, advising the young mother to be "ladylike" and keep her legs shut, failing to give the woman any clear instruction about how to care for the wound to avoid infection.

It is absolutely unfortunate to hear that a women wouldn't receive the care and support from a health-care officer or nurse during her pregnancy and that the care she did receive was so dismissive and disrespectful.

It's important for women, at any age or stage of life, to understand their legal rights before their birth and pregnancy. According to Homebirth Australia's bill of rights, a pregnant woman has "the right to choose how she gives birth and to be treated with dignity and consideration at all times so that she feels free to follow her instinctive reactions during birth." The health and well-being consumer guidelines also lay down the law about what health-care consumers or pregnant women have the right to receive:

  • A satisfactory service
  • Dignity and privacy
  • Adequate information
  • Due skill
  • Treatment in a professional manner
  • The right to redress if these measures aren't met

If you believe any of the above have been compromised, contact the health and well-being ombudsman in your state or territory.

Share your thoughts and opinions about dignity during childbirth in the comments section below.

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Rihanna disses her music, even though it launched her career

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

Those who think the "FourFiveSeconds" singer's first hits don't have any staying power: Rihanna agrees. She admitted in a recent interview with MTV that even she isn't a fan of those first chart-toppers.

"I've made a lot of songs that are just really, really big songs," the Grammy-winning singer said. "From the jump, they just blow up. And I wanted to kind of just get back to... not that they weren't real music, but I just wanted to focus on things that felt real, that felt soulful, that felt forever."

RiRi continued, "I wanted songs that I could perform in 15 years. I wanted an album that I could perform in 15 years — not any songs that were burnt out. I find that when I get on stage now, I don't want to perform a lot of my songs because they don't feel like me. So I want to make songs that are timeless."

But though she may not like them, she's still performing them. Rihanna toured with Eminem last summer, and during her performances, she played all the hits that made her famous, including 2007's "Umbrella," 2008's "Live Your Life," 2009's "Run This Town" and 2010's "Rude Boy," according to Us magazine, presumably the same songs she's saying aren't her most real.

Rihanna's remarks come on the same day Sinead O'Connor took major flak for saying she's discontinuing performances of her biggest hit, "Nothing Compares 2 U," because she no longer has any emotional attachment to the song, she said.

"The first principle of the manner in which I'm trained as a singer (Bel Canto) is we never sing a song we don't emotionally identify with," O'Connor wrote in a Facebook post to fans. "After twenty-five years of singing it, nine months or so ago I finally ran out of anything I could use in order to bring some emotion to it.

Rihanna's realizations about her past hits give us high hopes, at least, for her upcoming album. Though R8 doesn't have a release date yet, it will reportedly be led by RiRi's Kanye West and Paul McCartney collaboration, "FourFiveSeconds."

More: Rihanna nabs spot as Dior's first black spokeswoman

Do you agree with Rihanna's take on her past hits? Or do you love 'em, even if they aren't exactly deep and soulful? Sound off down in the comments!

Underboob selfies and 10 other shots that can land you in jail

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Not any old seflie, though, the underboob selfie, which the military regime says is prohibited under the country's computer crimes legislation. Because boobs can be dangerous, guys.

The ban falls under the Computer Crimes Act, which bans content that might result in "damage to the country's security or causes public panic", as well as "any obscene computer data which is accessible to the public".

"When people take these 'underboob selfies' no one can see their faces," government spokesman, Anandha Chouchoti, said. "So it's like, we don't know who these belong to, and it encourages others to do the same."

But if that sounds a bit far-fetched, wait until you get a load of the other selfies that have also been banned around the world. Better watch yourself taking selfies both at home and abroad, especially if you don't want to find yourself in hot water.

What a croc

Selfies against the law 1

Selfies against the law 1

Crocodile selfies have been banned in the Northern Territory after tourists began sharing photos of themselves appearing dangerously close to crocodiles at Darwin's Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve.

Tiger selfies

Selfies against the law 2

Selfies against the law 2

In a similar vein, the state of New York has banned selfies taken with dangerous animals at zoos, circuses and carnivals. The new law was passed after Tinder app users, mostly men, were uploading pictures of themselves with tigers.

Running with the bulls

Selfies against the law 3

Selfies against the law 3

One man was fined more than $4,000 for taking a selfie while running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. Selfies have been banned from the iconic event to protect people from distraction and injury.

No Mecca selfies

Selfies against the law 4

Selfies against the law 4

Muslims making their way to Mecca have been warned not to take selfies of their hajj pilgrimages, with religious leaders saying it takes the sanctity out of the journey.

Australian Open

Selfies against the law 5

Selfies against the law 5

Selfies are even under threat from our very own Australian Open. While they haven't been banned altogether, organisers have warned spectators to be mindful about their selfies and selfie sticks, because it could become a nuisance for others trying to watch the game.

No Iranian soccer selfies

Selfies against the law 6

Selfies against the law 6

Iranian soccer players have been asked by the national government not to take selfies with female Iranian fans overseas. Women are traditionally not allowed at soccer matches and generally do not adhere to the country's strict dress codes abroad.

A brag-free zone

Selfies against the law 7

Selfies against the law 7

The pristine beach of Garoupe in France has banned beachgoers from taking selfies and bragging to their friends about their getaway. Authorities have created no brag zones so people can enjoy the scenery rather than busying themselves with their smartphones.

Driving selfies

Selfies against the law 8

Selfies against the law 8

With more than 4 million posts under the hashtag #driving on Instagram, the New South Wales government has attempted to crack down on the dangerous selfie craze. Insurance company, AAMI, said there was even a disturbing trend on the rise of young drivers who take videos of themselves driving and post them to Vine and Instagram.

Purling Brook Falls selfies

Selfies against the law 9

Selfies against the law 9

Gold Coast authorities have warned tourists about the dangers of snapping a selfie on Purling Brook Falls, with some seen putting their lives in danger just to get the perfect snap.

Bear with me

Selfies against the law 10

Selfies against the law 10

If the crocodile and the tiger selfies weren't dangerous enough, some people have even been snapping selfies with bears in Sierra Nevada in the United States. Officials have since called for the dangerous craze to stop, saying tourists are putting their lives at risk.

Have you heard about any other illegal selfie crazes? Share them with us in the comments section below.

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EastEnders wishes Neighbours a happy 30th birthday

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EastEnders released a video this week to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Neighbours, with Jason Donovan, who shot to fame as Scott Robinson in the Aussie soap, as the guest of honour.

"Ramsay Square" features the Neighbours theme tune in the background as several Albert Square residents are seen drinking, smoking, getting into arguments and trying to cover up crimes. Donovan even receives a friendly East End welcome to the Square: he is tied up in the Queen Vic while Aunt Babe makes a trifle.

More: 30 Years of Neighbours: A look back at the craziest plotlines

"We couldn't let the Neighbours 30th anniversary pass without celebrating, especially after the great tribute they did for us last month. Everyone at EastEnders absolutely loved it. So from all of us in Albert Square to everyone in Ramsay Street, have a very happy birthday," said Adam Woodyatt, who plays EastEnders' longest running character Ian Beale.

1985 was a good year for soaps indeed.

EastEnders Neighbours

EastEnders Neighbours

Video credit: BBC/YouTube

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The Great Tea Debate: Do you brew for long enough?

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Recent research by the British Science Association, released to mark British Science Week, reveals that 80 percent of U.K. tea drinkers aren't preparing it correctly.

Apparently the perfect brewing time for a cup of tea is up to five minutes. But only 16 percent of the 1,000 U.K. adults who took part in the survey leave their tea bag in the cup for between two and five minutes, which scientists say is the optimum brewing time to get the very best flavour from the tea.

Are we in such a rush that we don't have time to stop and stew the tea?

More: Tea101: Types of tea and their health benefits

And while we're on the subject, what about the controversial milk-adding stage? Does milk go into the cup before or after the water? It's a topic that's been much debated and we don't seem any closer to a definitive answer.

Earlier this year the British Standards Institution stated that milk should go in the cup before the tea bag, which goes against the grain for millions of tea drinkers, such as George Orwell, who said: "The milk-first school can bring forward some fairly strong arguments, but I maintain that my own argument is unanswerable. This is that, by putting the tea in first and stirring as one pours, one can exactly regulate the amount of milk whereas one is liable to put in too much milk if one does it the other way round."

If you fancy carrying out your own tea experiment, follow these tips from the British Science Association. And remember — your #PerfectCuppa may be very different to someone else's…

How to make a perfect cup of tea

British Science Week 2015 runs from March 13 to March 22.

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7 Stages of lying wide awake in bed when all you want to do is sleep

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Nope, it's always the night before the biggest day of your entire life. As someone who's experienced this way too many times, I know how it goes.

You always end up going through the same seven stages.

Stage 1: You try to fall asleep

Image: Giphy

This is the innocent stage. The stage before you know what lies ahead. The stage when you still think eight solid hours of sleep is possible. Sure, you're still awake, but you could fall asleep any second. In fact, maybe you're asleep right now. OK, no, but again, any second you'll be in dreamland.

Stage 2: You try to talk yourself into it

Image: Giphy

This is the stage where you try to sweet talk your brain to shutting itself off. "C'mon," you say to it, "you know you're tired! You worked out today! And you skipped that second cup of coffee, so just go to sleep. Don't think about it, just do it." But, alas, your body turned into a rebellious teenager the second you laid down and it's just rolling its eyes at you. Sleep, as if!

Stage 3: You take a time-out on trying to sleep

Image: Giphy

This is the stage when you try to pretend like you don't even need sleep. If your brain isn't ready to shut down for the night, maybe it's a sign that you're not that tired. You pick up your phone, you look through Facebook, you even answer an email. What is sleep, but something you used to need up until tonight?

Stage 4: You start to panic about how late it is

Image: Giphy

This is the stage where you make the mistake of checking the time. Maybe it's only been a few minutes, you tell yourself as you sneak a glance. Nope! It's 2 a.m. You've never wanted to fall asleep more in your entire life. Yet, the realization that it's 2 a.m. has your heart racing faster than ever. In fact, you might even have a heart attack. Honestly though, a heart attack might be preferable to spending any more time staring at the ceiling.

Stage 5: You start to confuse yourself with a mathematician

Image: Giphy

This is the stage where you start doing rapid calculations. If you fall asleep right now, you can still get three hours. And three hours is good! OK, but you're not asleep yet. If you fall asleep in the next 20 minutes, you'll get two and a half hours and that's decent. People can function on that, right? Suddenly, you're working coffee into the equation. If you get two hours of sleep and then drink two cups of coffee every hour at work, you'll be fine. Nay, you'll be better than fine, you'll be flying.

Stage 6: You accept that you're never going to fall asleep

Image: Giphy

This is the stage when you just give up and give in to the facts: You're not getting any sleep tonight. In fact, you might never get sleep again. You will be awake for the rest of your life. You will never be allowed to operate heavy machinery because you will always be drowsy. Maybe that's not the worst thing. Heavy machinery sounds dangerous anyways.

Stage 7: You wake up to the sound of an alarm

Image: Giphy

This is the stage when you realize that at some point you fell asleep. But when? Recently, because you feel horrible. Possibly as recently as five minutes ago. You feel like a boulder hit you and that getting out of bed will surely kill you. Has anyone ever died from getting out of bed? You don't know, but you take the risk and start moving. Just kidding. You press snooze over and over and over.

More on sleep issues

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15 Retro '40s cocktails that you're going to love

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1. French 75

french 75

Image: MixThatDrink

Once the toast of celebrities and aristocrats at the legendary Stork Club, the French 75 is a Champagne cocktail named after the French 75 mm field gun and its powerful kick.

2. Ward 8

ward 8

Image: ReeseCLloyd/Flickr

A light and lively take on the classic sour, the Ward 8 appears to have been named in honor of the election of staunch Prohibitionist Martin B. Lomasney to Massachusetts' 8th Congressional District in Boston.

3. Sidecar

Sidecar

Image: MixThatDrink

Like many drinks, the precise origin of the sidecar is lost to history, but this simple yet tasty cognac drink is said to have been invented at the Ritz hotel in Paris after the growing popularity of the motorcycle sidecar.

4. Ramos fizz

Ramos fizz

Image: ReeseCLloyd/Flickr

At one point, Henry C. Ramos had 32 people on staff on the floor of his popular Imperial Cabinet saloon just to shake this famous New Orleans fizz, which took 12 minutes to mix and "cook" the egg whites in gin.

5. Millionaire cocktail

Millionaire cocktail

Image: Dave Drinks

The "millionaire cocktail" is really a group of Prohibition-era drinks with ingredients that vary dramatically from bar to bar, but the original millionaire cocktail No. 1 involves sloe gin, apricot brandy and Jamaican rum.

6. Green dragon

Green dragon

Image: Swizzzlestick

Like bright colors in the natural world, this bright green cocktail should serve as a warning for the uninitiated. Combining crème de menthe with the herbal liqueur kümmel, the juniper flavors of gin and orange bitters can make for an intimidating first sip when it comes to the green dragon.

7. Punch Romaine (Roman punch)

Punch Romaine (Roman punch)

Image: HappyHealthyLife.com

Now mixed as a more traditional punch, this favorite of popes and presidents was more of a sorbet or shaved ice. Sadly, this drink is also noted for its small part in a greater tragedy. Punch Romaine was the sixth of 10 courses for first-class passengers of the Titanic.

8. Gin rickey

Gin Ricky

Image: The King's Lettuce

The gin rickey is the only cocktail mentioned in The Great Gatsby and was reportedly F. Scott Fitzgerald's favorite drink.

9. Between the Sheets

Between the Sheets

Image White on Rice Couple

Also called a Maiden's Prayer, the Between the Sheets cocktail is another Prohibition-era drink made from brandy and rum that eventually led to modern shooters such as Slippery Nipples and Screaming Orgasms.

10. Grasshopper

Grasshopper

Image: MixThatDrink

Unsurprisingly, more than a few drinks have been created in New Orleans, and the grasshopper is no exception. Tujague's finally found crème de menthe a home in this creamy mint and chocolate dream.

11. Pimm's Cup

pimm's cup

Image: MixThatDrink

The traditional drink of Wimbledon was a fruity, spiced gin liqueur created by James Pimm in his English oyster bar. The exact recipe is a secret to all but six people even to this day. It's available as a gin, whiskey, brandy, rum, rye whiskey and vodka — denoted by their numbers (Pimm's No. 1 is gin). A Pimm's Cup is an even fruitier drink made of that liqueur.

12. Southside

Southside cocktail

Image: Inspired Taste

Despite an entertaining Tommy-gun-toting gangster history, this refreshing gin and mint drink was probably just a natural evolution of the South Side Sportsman's Club's famous mint juleps in Long Island, New York.

13. Dubonnet cocktail

Dubonnet Cocktail

Image: add1sun/Flickr

The winner of a government-sponsored contest to make malaria-fighting quinine more palatable for French legionnaires, the Dubonnet cocktail is made from gin and a French fortified wine aperitif. The legionnaires didn't have to drink alone, however; the queen mother and her daughter held the drink in high regard.

14. Aviation cocktail

Aviation cocktail

Image: Jelly Toast

Many versions of the nearly forgotten gin drink, the aviation cocktail, incorrectly omit the obscure violet liqueur crème de violette, made from the Queen Charlotte and March violets found in the Austrian Alps, which impart an inimitable fragrance and taste.

15. Vesper

vesper cocktail

Image: Jelly Toast

Before his martinis were shaken — not stirred — James Bond ordered an unnamed martini of his own creation made with Lillet and lemon in Casino Royale. One chapter later, the Vesper found its name when Bond met the beautiful femme fatale, Vesper Lynd.

More creative cocktails

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Our top 10 cocktails of 2013

Pretty Little Liars: 12 Reasons Hanna makes sense as 'A'

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1. She looks like Ali

The show has always played up how much Hanna emulated Ali while playing up A's connection to Ali, too. So if Hanna looks like Ali, and A looks like Ali... then it's a simple A+B = C equation to get to Hanna equals Big A.

More: PLL's I. Marlene King reveals bombshell A spoiler (VIDEO)

2. She became the new "it" girl

Once Ali disappeared, Hanna took her place. The girls say it a lot, especially in Season 1, but Detective Wilden even mentions it.

3. She and Mona were best friends

Back to the simple math here: If Hanna was the "it" girl, Mona (Janel Parrish) was her right hand in the crowd. Then if Mona is Minor A (which we know to be true), then it only makes sense that Hanna is Big A. The connection they share is irrefutable.

Caveat to this: I don't think Hanna actually killed Mona. I do think Mona was getting cold feet about everything though and wanted out of the inner A circle. I actually think Mona faked her death to get away from Hanna once and for all.

4. She used to be the one who was picked on most

Hanna has the most motive to hate Ali and the other liars because they just stood by as she was getting picked on for being overweight.

5. Hanna is secretly smart

Sometimes her dumb act is too overdone, and I don't think this is the result of overacting. I think it's an intentional ploy. Plus, we know she's smart. Remember, Caleb found Hanna's SAT scores and she did crazy well.

More: Shay Mitchell's 6 inspiring quotes about gay characters and body positivity

6. Jail time

If Hanna is A, then we have to find a way to explain her jail time right now, right? I do that through my theory that Mona isn't actually dead, and she's setting Hanna up to try to make it safe for her to come out of hiding.

Either that or Hanna intentionally got herself incarcerated to get information from Ali that would keep her behind bars and exonerate herself.

7. All of the girls look at Hanna in the intro

Did you ever notice that in the intro, all the girls look at Hanna, who just stares "innocently" off into the distance?

Pretty Little Liars intro gazes
Image: Rosewood-clues.tumblr.com

Why would they do that unless Hanna's the one with the Big A secret?

8. Hanna didn't shoot when she had the chance

In Season 4 Episode 24, Hanna had the prime opportunity to shoot the black-hooded figure everyone assumed was A in disguise. But what if it was Hanna's accomplice, and she didn't shoot because she didn't want s/he discovered?

9. The Twin Theory

I. Marlene King said in a new interview with Hollywood Life not to rule out The Twin Theory just yet. In the books, Ali has a twin sister named Courtney. The show has said they aren't going that route, but King said just because Courtney won't show up doesn't mean there isn't still some twin stuff going on. So what if Hanna is the one with the twin secret? We really don't know a ton about her past other than that she didn't come from money. So what if her mom couldn't take care of two girls and gave one of them up for adoption? What if that secret twin is Ali and Hanna somehow knows the truth?

More: Pretty Little Liars' Janel Parrish teases Mona's return (VIDEO)

10. I. Marlene King said some fan theories are correct

In the same interview, Hollywood Life said King suggested, "Many people have already guessed who A is, but they haven't correctly stated why." She added that A may even be someone's twin (going back to No. 9).

11. Ashley Benson knows Big A's identity

Benson, who plays Hanna in the show, knows who Big A is as she revealed during the Halloween special. Troian Bellisario (who plays Spencer) is also in on the dirt, but the other liars have no idea. Why would Benson and Bellisario know unless it was somehow extremely pertinent to their characters? My favorite theory to explain this is that Hanna is Big A and Spencer will be the one who ultimately catches her.

12. She's under contract

Big A has to be someone who is under contract for the next two seasons since they can't risk they main villain booking another job and leaving the show. Those contracts were offered only to the main actors, which means A must be among them.

If my theory is correct, then Caleb is in on it...

Caleb has to know. The way they were talking during tonight's episode at the prison makes me think Hanna wasn't telling him to escape from Rosewood; she was telling him to escape from the A way of life, which enforces the theory that Mona is alive and setting Hanna up.

I also don't think the show is going to deliver on Big A next week since they have to keep the show going through Season 7. I think that it's going to be revealed that Mona is alive and back at the A game, turning the tables on Hanna.

Obviously, if Mona is actually alive, then all the accomplice charges against the girls will be dropped and they'll all be released from prison next episode.

Do you think Hanna makes the most sense as 'A'?


New feminist app makes your phone buzz where women made history

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Women on the map

Women on the map

This ingenious app is based on the premise that historically awesome women aren't getting enough recognition. To explain their new project, SPARK Movement, a grassroots pushback against the sexualization of young girls, cited a few disturbing statistics from Equal Visibility Everywhere: There are no U.S. holidays named after women; there are no women on paper U.S. currency; fewer than 25 percent of public figure U.S. postage stamps depict women.

SPARK Movement explains, "Last year, we saw the same thing happen when we looked at Google's Doodles: between 2010 and 2013, only 17 percent of Google Doodles around the world honored women. When we talked to them about it, not only had they already started fixing the problem, but they also invited us to join their Field Trip app. Google knows, as we do, that it's not that women don't make history — it's that we don't honor them for it."

So the women aren't the problem. It's the fact that they don't have an equal share in the historical spotlight. This is precisely the goal of the new SPARK Movement Women on the Map app, hosted by the Google Field Trip mapping app.

SPARK researched more than 100 women worldwide with remarkable achievements. With the help of the Field Trip mapping app, all of these great historical endeavors have been pinpointed to a real place on a map. All you have to do is download the Field Trip app, turn on Women on the Map and wait for your phone to buzz at a specific location to see where badass women have made history.

Depending on where you travel, you may feel the buzz from inspiring ladies like Mary Ellen Pleasant of San Francisco, California, activist and abolitionist known for dressing like a jockey to help slaves escape; Mary Anning of Lyme, England, who made the breakthrough scientific discovery of Plesiosaurus fossils; or The Arpilleristas of Santiago, Chile, women who wove colorful tapestries to raise awareness of the violence under Pinochet's regime. SPARK is also accepting applications for their database of accomplished women to contribute to the app.

Where is the gender balance in our nation's, and especially the world's, history? Once you download this free app, you'll see that it's hardly been a man's world all along. Women have been pushing the limits and making radical changes for centuries — and they're finally getting credit for it.

More on feminism

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Insurgent is a movie for misfits trying to find their place in the world

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Insurgent

Shailene Woodley is back as Tris in Insurgent, the second of four movies based on the Divergent book trilogy (like The Hunger Games, the filmmakers are planning to split the third book, Allegiant, into two films).

With all the setup of Divergent's futuristic world explained in the first film, Insurgent allows us to really explore the inner depths of Tris' character and understand her fears, making her one of the most multidimensional characters on screen this year.

More: 15 Strongest, most jaw-dropping and fearless female performances of 2014.

As a whole, the Divergent story stands as a high-stakes metaphor for anyone who doesn't quite fit into society, particularly speaking to teenagers who are at the age where they're struggling to find themselves and are desperately seeking approval from their peers. Most of us can remember not being allowed into certain cliques in school and some of us still feel like misfits. That's what makes Insurgent so powerful: We can all relate to being on the outside.

In the world of post-apocalyptic Chicago, however, being a misfit is deadly, as Tris found out in the first movie. Jeanine Matthews (Kate Winslet), leader of the Erudite faction is hunting Tris down, ramping up the tension.

Insurgent

While Tris fights like a ninja and is brave in the face of mortal danger, she's able to reveal her softer, more vulnerable side in this film. Woodley gives a stunning performance, emoting Tris' pain and grief in the slower, deeper moments of the film.

More: The Fault in Our Stars book vs. the movie: 7 Tweaks

When Jeanine puts Tris into the faction simulator, referred to as "the sim" to test her Candor abilities, Tris retreats into the depths of her imagination where she is haunted by her mother, Natalie (Ashley Judd), and is tasked with trying to save her life.

When Tris finally makes it into her mother's arms, she confesses her true fears to the woman for whose death she feels responsible. Here's what Tris says:

"I'm not brave, Mom. I pretend that I am. I want people to think that I am but I'm not. I'm really, really scared. I may be what's actually wrong in this world: Divergents. I never wanted any of this. You and Dad, and Caleb, and then Four. I can't help but think if I was normal, we would all still be together. Mom, I don't want to be Divergent any more. I just want to feel safe again."

How many of us can relate to just wanting to feel "normal"? Woodley's tearful, soulful performance of this monologue is incredibly moving, making us love the actress even more than we already did.

We hope misfits from all walks of life can unite and celebrate their uniqueness by seeing this film.

Insurgent opens in theaters Friday, March 20.

More: How American Horror Story empowers women and the LGBTQ community

Images: Lionsgate

Insurgent Trailer

Insurgent Trailer


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

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More: Taraji P. Henson's explanation of Empire's success is completely on point

In honor of tonight's Season 1 finale of Empire, the show that is smashing records and leaving them in its wake, we're paying tribute to the show's breakout character — and our shade-throwing idol. Here are 23 times Cookie took the verbal burn and made it a veritable art form.

1. That time she had a pretty spot-on nickname for Anika

Cookie 20

Image: Giphy

Of all the things Cookie has called Boo Boo Kitty, this might be our fave.

2. That time she used some descriptors straight to Anika's face

Cookie 18

Image: PopSugar

Cookie: 782,491. Anika: Big fat zero.

3. That time Cookie outlined the separation of church and state

Cookie 1

Image: Tumblr

Cookie is the state, you guys. And her constitution is one that will see a generation of children actually pay attention in history class.

4. When she gave us the inside scoop on how infrastructure works

Cookie 2

Image: Tumblr

And she pretty much made the streets seem like the more desirable option.

5. When she had no time for pleasantries

Cookie 4

Image: Tumblr

Cookie got straight onto that basketball court and blitzed through Vernon's defense. NBA teams are looking to draft her.

More: Why Jamal Lyon's story line is heartbreaking

6. When Lucious was legit lucky

Cookie 5

Image: Tumblr

But we kinda wanted her to feel like a scene, because we know she would have shut it down and we like watching her do that.

More: Empire isn't for white America — it's for us

7. When she contributed wisdom to a business meeting

Cookie 6

Image: Tumblr

Well, that settles that, then.

8. When she had a conversation with the lord

Cookie 7

Image: Giphy

And she selflessly asked for things for others and not just for herself.

9. When she had that showdown with Naomi Campbell

Cookie 8

Image: Tumblr

And for the first time in the history of people fighting with Naomi, our money wasn't on Naomi.

10. That time she didn't even say anything

Cookie 9

Image: Tumblr

And Anika still had to get the burn cream.

11. The first time in history anyone has grabbed and slapped their own ass and we thought it was a legitimate move

Cookie 10

Image: Tumblr

Can't argue with the woman — that is, indeed, an ass.

12. When she expressed a preference

Cookie 10

Image: Giphy

But that preference was laced with the kind of shade that could save the whole planet from unprecedented levels of sun exposure due to global warming. Basically, Cookie has the ability to provide a significant worldwide service.

13. When she made stuttering a language we wanted to learn

Cookie 11

Image: MovieTVTechGeeks

No GIF will ever do the delivery of this line justice.

14. When she was courteous enough to provide a reminder

Cookie 12

Image: Tumblr

But it seemed insane that anyone would forget to do something we've been doing since the moment Cookie graced our screens.

15. When she explained to Lucious how things were going to go

Cookie 13

Image: Tumblr

Cookie's rhyming abilities are unparalleled. Dr. Seuss has conceded the crown.

16. When she dished out a whopping helping of the truth

Cookie 15

Image: Tumblr

That sound you hear? Oh, that's just the sound of kindling from Cookie's ultimate burn.

17. When she rolled her eyes and it was E.P.I.C. Cookie 16

Image: PopSugar

BRB, just filling out an enrollment form for Cookie's School of Eye-Rolling.

18. That time Camilla told Cookie she wasn't one of her "jailbird mates"

Cookie 17

Image: PopSugar

And we kinda wanted the two of them to end up in jail together so Cookie could show Camilla who's boss. Cookie Is the New Orange Is the New Black, anyone?

19. That time we entertained the idea of Cookie being in charge of who goes up and who goes down

Cookie 19

Image: PopSugar

To be honest with you, if St. Peter turns out to be St. Cookie, it won't at all surprise us. In fact, it would seem like a pretty logical job for Cookie.

20. When she pointed out Lucious' growth

Cookie 19

Image: BuzzFeed

Well, it's not at all surprising that a man would grow a vagina, given we know that Cookie was able to grow the largest balls ever seen on television.

21. When she pointed out the obvious

Cookie 21

Image: Giphy

And we were all like, "Um, yeah, dude, what do you mean by 'you people'?"

22. The only time we ever thought it was right and just for someone to say this

Cookie 22

Image: Tumblr

Because, like, he should totally know who Cookie is. Everybody should.

23. That time she said "Bye, Felicia" with the shade of a thousand trees

Cookie end

Image: Fox

All hail.

Empire's two-hour season finale airs tonight on Fox.

One-Pot Wonder: Creamy sun-dried tomato chicken perfect for your cast-iron

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Chicken breast is lightly browned in a cast-iron skillet, then combined with rice and a rich and creamy homemade sun-dried tomato sauce for a rustic meal. The result is this easy, baked, one-pot, casserole-style dinner that is not only filling but wonderful for busy families. I chose to use instant, precooked rice just to save extra time in the kitchen. You can certainly make a batch of fresh rice or even quinoa if desired.

Rustic cast-iron sun-dried tomato chicken and rice recipe

This chicken is baked in a skillet along with rice in a delicious cream-based sauce laced with sun-dried tomatoes, herbs and Parmesan cheese.

Serves 4

Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

For the chicken

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 large chicken breast, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cups instant or precooked rice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the sun-dried tomato sauce

  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Asiago or Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasonings
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small handful fresh basil, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Extra basil and Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Heat the cast-iron skillet over medium heat, and add the olive oil.
  3. To the skillet, add the diced chicken and diced onions, and cook until the chicken is browned, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the instant or precooked rice and the seasonings, and mix well.
  4. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sun-dried tomato sauce, and whisk until the ingredients are well incorporated.
  5. Gently pour the sauce on top of the chicken-and-rice mixture, and place the skillet into the oven.
  6. Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese, and bake for 25 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked. Remove from the oven.
  7. Garnish the skillet with extra Parmesan cheese and basil, and spoon onto serving plates. Best served warm.

For tons of great recipes, like our I <3 Comfort Food page on Facebook.

More recipes using sun-dried tomatoes

Spicy ham, olive and sun-dried tomato pasta
Sun-dried tomato and feta-stuffed artichokes
Avocado, mozzarella and sun-dried tomato panini

Total solar eclipse: everything you need to know before Friday

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What exactly is a solar eclipse?

To quote the much smarter Space.com:

"A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between Earth and the sun, and the moon casts a shadow over Earth. A solar eclipse can only take place at the phase of new moon, when the moon passes directly between the sun and Earth and its shadows fall upon Earth’s surface."

Okay, I follow. Why is this one a total solar eclipse?

Because the moon completely covers the sun. AKA total darkness.

Can you rephrase it in a way that I can repeat to my kids?

Oh yes, sorry. A total solar eclipse is when the sun hides behind the moon and everything goes dark.

When is this happening?

This Friday, March 20th. The magic starts at approximately 4 AM EST.

Will I be able to see it?

You'll only be able to see the total eclipse if you live in Northern Europe. However all of Europe, parts of Western Asia and parts of Northern Africa will be able to see a partial eclipse.

Ugh, what's an eclipse-loving American supposed to do?

Stay calm and get on social media. It will be all over there. Specifically, I'd suggest following Mashable, they're actually sending their travel editor to capture the eclipse in the Faroe Islands. (Don't Google, the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark, located between Norway and Iceland.)

I don't want to wait. Where can I see one right now?

Solar Eclipse

Solar Eclipse

You're welcome, Veruca Salt.

Can looking at one really make me go blind?

Yes. You should never look directly at a solar eclipse. Just a few seconds can cause permanent damage, and that damage does include blindness. Check out more on how to view it safely right here.

When's the next one happening?

The next total solar eclipse will be in March 2016...but still not visible from the United States. The next one that you'll be able to see in North America will be in August 2017.

Is there anything else happening that I should know about?

Yes, so glad you asked! It's actually a big day for Earth. In addition to it being the Spring Equinox, there will also be a supermoon.

I'd like to sound smart in front of my friends! Can you give me a good fact to share?

Because so much of Europe depends on solar energy, the continent's been preparing for this eclipse for awhile now. So while there may be power outages, they're ready.

Are there any other kinds of total eclipses I should know about?

I'll pass this question off to Bonnie Tyler.

Total Eclipse

Total Eclipse

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