Getting children to eat healthily isn’t an easy task, especially when you’re not around to make (read: bribe) them. All you can do is send them back to school with a bento box filled with tasty whole foods (and a healthy chocolate treat), and hope they don’t trade it for a bunch of junk food. When it comes to kids’ lunch ideas, Instagram is a huge source of inspiration. If your feed is lacking that, we found 12 Insta-moms that showcase major healthy lunch box goals, and you *need* to follow them all ASAP. Seriously, you’ll wish you were all of these ladies’ kids.
When you're planning the menu for your Thanksgiving or holiday party, appetizers can often fall by the wayside. Somewhere between the main course and dessert, you forgot about the little bites that really get the party started! Have no fear — here are 20 easy Thanksgiving appetizer recipes that are sure to impress your guests while you finish cooking up the main meal. Just remind everyone to save room for turkey and pie!
Wonky Wonderful
Sweet Potato Casserole Bites
Turn a favorite side dish into an appetizer with just sweet potatoes, marshmallows and pecans! Now you'll never worry about the potato-to-marshmallow ratio in your casserole ever again. (via Wonky Wonderful)
The View from Great Island
Baked Brie with Roasted Maple Cranberries
You can never go wrong with baked brie. Creamy, sweet and savory all at once, no one will believe it only took four ingredients. (via The View from Great Island)
Host the Toast
Easy Cranberry Chipotle Cocktail Meatballs
A seasonal take on the Pinterest-famous jelly meatballs, these have just the right amount of spice for those who can’t stomach too much heat, while still staying tart and sweet. (via Host the Toast)
The Kitchn
Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs
Customize some leftover mashed potatoes with your favorite flavors: curry, Italian seasonings, or even spinach and goat cheese! These bite-sized appetizers are warm and creamy inside and crispy on the outside. It doesn’t get any better than that! (via The Kitchn)
Crowded Kitchen
Vegan Jalapeño Poppers
Crunchy, spicy, and creamy all at the same time, these vegan jalapeño poppers are easy to prep with minimal ingredients. (via Crowded Kitchen)
Well Plated
Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Presenting the ultimate make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizer recipe: these bites can be assembled and frozen — either baked or unbaked — weeks before a party. Oh, and they’re delicious. (via Well Plated)
Half Baked Harvest
Cranberry, Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprouts, + Brie Skillet Nachos
One dish is all you need for these fancy nachos. Caramelize your veggies, add your spices to balance the sweetness, add cranberries (because fall) and then add the brie for the creamy, nacho-y goodness. Pretty simple, yet pretty awesome! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Averie Cooks
Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
For the brine lovers out there, this pickle-flavored cheese ball delivers all the best flavors. Serve with crackers for a total Thanksgiving snack win. (via Averie Cooks)
Half Baked Harvest
Spicy Fontina Spinach, Artichoke + Chorizo Stuffed Mushrooms
As the love child of Mexican food and spinach and artichoke dip, these mushrooms are very addictive. You can stuff the 'shrooms in advance and just bake them before serving, leaving you free to socialize with your guests and pour another glass of bubbly! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Whitney Bond
Roasted Cranberry Pancetta Sweet Potato Skins
The best appetizers are definitely sweet and salty. Reduce some food waste from your Thanksgiving dinner with this recipe by using the skins from your mashed sweet potatoes, and extra cranberries from your cranberry sauce! (via Whitney Bond)
Real House Moms
Onion, Cranberry + Pecan Cheese Ball
Skip the fancy appetizers — people always go for the simple and delicious ones. You can never go wrong with a cheeseball. The pecans and cranberries make this one a new holiday classic. (via Real House Moms)
Completely Delicious
Spicy Maple Baked Chicken Wings
Maple is a staple flavor when it comes to fall foods – combine it with some spice, and you've got something truly magical on your hands, and ultimately, in your belly. (via Completely Delicious)
Fit Foodie Finds
Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
Paleo, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free… this recipe is perfect for almost any dietary restrictions your guests may have (minus vegetarian or vegan). And bacon-wrapped anything is delicious, right?! (via Fit Foodie Finds)
Kitchen Konfidence
Rosemary Spiced Mixed Nuts
Nuts are always great to have on hand for an easy appetizer! Prepare them up to four days before your party and store at room temperature in an airtight container to keep every bite fresh. (via Kitchen Konfidence)
Lemon Tree Dwelling
Pumpkin Pecan Baked Brie
Wrap pumpkin butter, pecans, and brie in some puff pastry and bake it for out-of-this-world perfection. Serve this dish with crostini, crackers, or even apple and persimmon slices! (via Lemon Tree Dwelling)
Vanilla and Bean
Caramelized Onion & Fig Galette with Goat Cheese
Everything about this pull-apart appetizer is *chef's kiss.* (via Vanilla and Bean)
Half Baked Harvest
5-Ingredient Cranberry + Brie Cinnamon Sugar Puff Pastry Swirls
This recipe has five ingredients, and one is cinnamon sugar, which you’re sure to have in your pantry already. These also make a nice light dessert alongside some vanilla ice cream! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Let’s Get Together
Cranberry Salsa
Even if you’re not a fan of cranberry sauce, you’ll be a fan of cranberry salsa. Make a little extra for leftover turkey burritos. (via Let’s Get Together)
Sugar Apron
Salami + Cream Cheese Roll Ups
An upgrade on plain old cheese, crackers, and salami, no one can say 'no' to this salty, savory snack. (via Sugar Apron)
A Pumpkin and A Princess
Stuffed Mushrooms
Make a touch too much stuffing? Fill up some mushroom caps with the stuffing leftovers, sprinkle on a little cheese, and pop them in the oven for a quick savory bite that still has all the fall flavors you love. (via A Pumpkin and A Princess)
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This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.
Dax Shepard Asked Oscar Nominee Cynthia Erivo About Going To The Bathroom...For Some Reason
Nov 19, 2024
The Wicked moviepress tour has been a truly beautiful thing to witness. Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo have cried in almost every interview because of how much they love their characters and each other, and it seems like working on this project really did heal something in them. So, after the sincerity of their interviews, I was really taken aback when I learned Dax Shepard had Cynthia Erivo on his Armchair Expert podcast...and chose to ask her about going to the bathroom?
Keep reading for what Dax Shepard had to say and, like me, wonder why he asked it in the first place.
On an episode of his Armchair Expert podcast, Dax Shepard asked Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo if her famously long nails make it difficult to wipe when she goes to the bathroom. “I knew you would ask that,” Cynthia responds, saying “no one’s afraid” to ask such an intimate question.
“My answer is that nobody uses just their fingers to wipe their backside,” she says. “You use tissue, correct? And you wipe!”
When he asked if she was annoyed or offended by the question, Cynthia admits she's "annoyed by it."
“I'm, like, 'Come on, guys,' ” she says. “But I get it, but it's also, like, ‘I'm a functioning adult, and I've never walked around smelling like, you know…'"
Theo Wargo/Getty Images
The actress has proved she's nothing if not honest this fall, going viral for saying "thank goodness" the actresses who auditioned with her for Glinda didn't land the role and for vocalizinghow much a fan edit of the Wicked movie poster offended her (she later admitted she should have texted her friends instead of posting on social media).
Now, this question was very weird to me for a few reasons. Not only does it have nothing to do with the film, but Dax asking Cynthia about her bathroom habits gives me a similar feeling to the one I got watching that male interviewer ask Scarlett Johansson about her underwear during Avengers: Age of Ultron press. Just...what is the reason? Plus, the fact Cynthia has also been vocal about how much she values her nails as a part of Black culture only makes the question (and the fact the nails feel like, no pun intended, the butt of the joke) weirder.
"Here’s the thing," Cynthia tells Dax before switching topics. "There are people who do not have nails who need to check how they’re wiping." Get 'em girl!
What did you think about this Armchair Expert interview with Dax Shepard and Cynthia Erivo? Let us know in the comments and read up on The Latest Wicked: Part Two News!
All those fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds in a plant-based diet is no doubt good for your health, but even the most committed vegans out there crave comfort food classics once in a while, like gooey Mac and cheese or a juicy burger. So whether you're looking to warm up on a chilly day with a bowl of noodle soup or step up game night with sloppy joes made with a vegan twist, these plant-powered comfort food recipes are sure to satisfy.
Spiked Pumpkin Hot Chocolate
Brit + Co
Before we get into peppermint hot chocolate season, give this pumpkin hot cocoa a try. It features a dose of dark rum but if you want to leave that out, it will still taste amazing.
Lebanese Eggplant Moussaka
Brit + Co
Roasted eggplants get an extra dose of flavor with a tomato sauce featuring onion and garlic. Chickpeas also add another texture.
Avocado Fries
Birt + Co
These fries add some healthy fat into your diet while also keeping things gluten-free. Sounds good to us.
Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese
Brit + Co
Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food as far as we're concerned. Making it in the slow cooker makes it easier than ever.
Halloween Jalapeño Poppers
Brit + Co
This might be your average comfort food but it's got two of the most important elements: dough and cheese. The spice adds a nice flavor contrast as well.
Red Sauce Rigatoni
Brit + Co
Pasta dishes make for excellent weeknight dinners because they're easy, warm, and filling.
World Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies
Brit + Co
The next time you go to bake cookies, get a lesson from chocolatier Jacques Torres with this recipe. Our favorite part of the recipe? Adding a little bit of salt on top.
Baked Vegan Ziti
Brit + Co
There's no need to use the stove top for this streamlined baked ziti recipe that only requires a few ingredients, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight meal.
Pressure Cooker Split Pea Soup
Savory Tooth
This easy and soul-warming soup — perfect on a cold, rainy day — gets a flavor boost from smoked paprika.
1-Hour Vegan Pot Pies
Minimalist Baker
Don't be put off by the time and labor required to make this recipe: These savory, rich and creamy veggie-packed potpies topped with flaky vegan biscuits are totally worth it!
Best Vegan White Mac and Cheese
The Savory Vegan
When only creamy, decadent mac and cheese will satisfy your desire for classic comfort food, this recipe featuring vegan cream cheese and vegan parmesan hits the spot. Plus, it's ready in 20 minutes! Add your favorite veggies, like broccoli, peas or carrots, to get more "plants" into your dish.
Vegetarian Pho Noodle Soup
Omnivore's Cookbook
With a complex and flavorful broth spiked with ginger, cloves, star anise, white peppercorns and coriander seeds, this Vietnamese-inspired soup is pure comfort in a bowl.
Vegan French Onion Soup
Connoisseurus Veg
This vegan version of classic French onion soup evokes the rich, satisfying flavor of the original, thanks to the savory broth made with caramelized onions, red wine and soy sauce and croutons topped with gooey cashew cheese.
Veggie Burgers
Brit + Co
Loaded up with your favorite toppings and condiments, these easy kidney bean burgers will be your new game night go-to. Bonus points: The recipe requires only five ingredients!
Vegan Chickpea Curry
Brit + Co
Tuck into a bowl of creamy coconut milk-infused chickpea curry spiked with Indian spices—so yummy over basmati rice!
Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie
Pinch of Yum
This super satisfying one-pot meal features a layer of creamy mashed potatoes atop gravy-laden veggies that have been sautéed with red wine and fresh herbs. Make it vegan by using olive oil instead of the butter and a splash of nondairy milk in the potatoes.
Vegan Lentil Sloppy Joes
Gena Hamshaw Food52
An old-school favorite gets a new school update: Sweet, tangy spiced lentils take the place of ground beef in this hearty plant-based take on sloppy Joes. Try it with a side of vegan slaw—yum!
Double Chocolate Banana Pumpkin Bread
Brit + Co
Banana bread is already delicious, but add in chocolate *and* pumpkin and you have something that is unbeatable.
Let us know your favorite plant-based comfort food in the comments, and follow us on Pinterest for more recipe ideas!
This post has been updated.
I literally can't believe I'm writing this, but after a year of keeping up with all the biggest and best 2024 movies, I'm here with a final installment: December movies! This year has had some truly remarkable flicks (Challengers! Wicked! The Fall Guy!) and we're truly going out with a bang. While you're keeping up with all the best December TV shows coming out, here are the best December movies coming next month.
Keep reading for all the new December movies to add to your watchlist in 2024.
Y2K — In Theaters December 6, 2024
A24
Remember that Y2K crisis at the turn of the millennium? This December movie, which follows two high school juniors who crash a New Year's Eve party, reimagines it as a full-blown disaster — blood, guts, and all.
Y2K stars Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, Julian Dennison, The Kid Laroi, and Fred Durst.
Mary — On Netflix December 6, 2024
Netflix
Get a new look at one of the most famous women in the world when Mary drops on Netflix next month. This movie will give you a whole new look at the titular heroine's life — from being forced into hiding to running for her life, all to protect her baby son from a murderous king.
Mary stars Noa Cohen, Ido Tako, Stephanie Nur, Susan Brown, Ori Pfeffer, Eamon Farren, Hilla Vidor, Mili Avital, Gudmundur Thorvaldsson, Dudley O’Shaughnessy, Keren Tzur, Mehmet Kurtulus, Mila Harris, and Anthony Hopkins.
Nightb—ch — In Theaters December 6, 2024
Searchlight Pictures
Another December movie that will have you looking at motherhood differently is Nightb—ch, which follows Amy Adams character's life as she becomes a mother...and becomes convinced she's also turning into a dog.
Nightb—ch stars Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Arleigh Patrick Snowden, Emmett James Snowden, Zoë Chao, Mary Holland, Archana Rajan, Jessica Harper.
F Marry Kill — On Digital December 6, 2024
Lionsgate
We all know dating apps can be a really horrifying experience, but when true-crime lover Eva starts to believe one of her three dates could be the “Swipe Right Killer," she finds herself in a life-or-death situation.
F Marry Kill stars Lucy Hale, Samer Salem, Virginia Gardner, Jedidiah Goodacre, Brendan Morgan, Brooke Nevin, and Bethany Brown.
A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter — On Netflix December 6
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for iHeartRadio
If you're still singing "Nonsense" by Sabrina Carpenter, then this December movie (er, holiday special) is for you. Not only will the popstar perform tunes from her fruitcake EP, but she'll be joined by special guests as well!
A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter stars, you guessed it, Sabrina Carpenter.
Maria — On Netflix December 11, 2024
Pablo Larraín/Netflix
Angelina Jolie's newest film follows iconic performer Maria Callas. After a glamorous, albeit difficult, public life, Maria moves to Paris for some quiet — and must confront her identity, her past, and her future in the process.
Maria stars Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Valeria Golino, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Haluk Bilginer.
Kraven The Hunter — In Theaters December 13
Jay Maidment/Sony
Despite the fact it's coming out around the holidays, Aaron Taylor Johnson's new December movie is not for kids. The flick follows the titular Kraven as he morphs from the son of a gangster to the brutal and fearsome villain comic fans know so well.
Kraven the Hunter stars Aaron Taylor Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, and Russell Crowe.
Carry On — On Netflix December 13
Netflix
One TSA agent is in for a less-than-jolly holiday when he's blackmailed by a traveler hoping to bring a very dangerous package into the airport on Christmas Eve.
Carry On stars Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, and Sofia Carson.
Mufasa: The Lion King — In Theaters December 20
Walt Disney Pictures
Not only is this Lion King sequel giving us a brand new look at a classic story, but it also marks Blue Ivy Carter's acting debut! The movie tells the story of how Mufasa began his journey as an orphaned cub and how a run-in with royal heir Taka changed everything.
Mufasa: The Lion King stars Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Aaron Pierre, John Kani, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, and Blue Ivy Carter.
Babygirl — In Theaters December 25
A24
Nicole Kidman's new December movie will add some spice to your holiday, thanks to an affair with her character's much-younger employee. Is it getting hot in here?
Babygirl stars Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Sophie Wilde, and Antonio Banderas.
A Complete Unknown — In Theaters December 25
Macall Polay/Searchlight Pictures
If you're still laughing about the Timothée Chalamet lookalike contest, then you'll definitely want to show up to see this flick, which stars our favorite Timmy as Bob Dylan during his historical move from folk to rock'n'roll.
A Complete Unknown stars Timothée Chalamet Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning, Edward Norton, Boyd Holbrook, and Nick Offerman.
Let us know which December movie you're most excited for on Instagram!
Nicole Kidman is, as the kids say, mothering. She's giving fans plenty of movies and TV shows to pick from while we wait for the next seasons of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers — A Family Affair, Expats, The Perfect Couple (and the AMC intro, of course). Her newest movie Babygirl comes from A24, and the steamy drama is mixing work and pleasure. Pour yourself a glass of wine for this one, folks.
Scroll down to learn more about Babygirl — and to watch the HOT new trailer!
What is the plot of Babygirl?
A24
Babygirl Plot
In Babygirl, Nicole Kidman plays Romy, a powerful CEO struggling to hold her perfect persona together. Her marriage to Jacob has never provided with much pleasure, despite the fact he's caring and artistic. But when Romy meets a young intern named Samuel, and feels immediately drawn to him, the two begin a torrid affair.
And filming scenes with Harry Dickinson got so intense, Kidman said she literally had to take breaks. “There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm any more,'” she told the Sun. “Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life!”
But the fact the movie was made by women empowered Kidman — and gave her a sense of freedom. "Doing this subject matter in the hands of the woman that wrote the script, that's directing it and is a really great actress herself — we became one in a weird way, which I'd never had with a director before," Kidman says in a statement. "When you're working with a woman on this subject matter, you can share everything with each other.”
"I really decided in the beginning, I want to make a sexual film, just as sexual as all these films that I've always admired so much," adds writer-director-producer Halina Reijn, "but now I'm going to do it completely through female eyes. What does that mean and what does that look like?”
When is the Babygirl release date?
A24
Babygirl Release Date
Babygirl made its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, but you can watch the movie in theaters December 25, 2024.
Who's in the Babygirl cast?
A24
Babygirl Cast
The cast of Babygirl includes Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Sophie Wilde, and Antonio Banderas.
What has Nicole Kidman said about making Babygirl?
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Nicole Kidman revealed Babygirl is the most "exposing" film she's done because she's “made some films that are pretty exposing, but not like this.”
“It left me raggedm" Kidman says. "At some point I was like, I don’t want to be touched. I don’t want to do this anymore, but at the same time I was compelled to do it...This is something you do and hide in your home videos. It is not a thing that normally is going to be seen by the world.”
“I felt very exposed as an actor, as a woman, as a human being,” she continues. “I had to go in and go out like, I need to put my protection back on. What have I just done? Where did I go? What did I do?”
What does babygirl energy mean?
A24
"Babygirl" is a term of endearment that's usually applied to a man (you've probably heard it describe Pedro Pascal or Paul Mescal). When someone is giving babygirl energy, they're kind, cute, and disarming. And considering Babygirl plays with power dynamics, we could be guessing who the "babygirl" in question is up until the very end.
Watch The 'Babygirl' Trailer Here!
There were SO many moments that made our jaws drop here:
- The thumb in the mouth
- The pink skirt moment
- NICOLE CRAWLING ON ALL FOURS?!
Yeah, this is one you won't wanna watch with your parents, friends. 🥵
Are you looking forward to seeing Nicole Kidman onscreen again? We might have to wait until December to see Babygirl, but there are plenty of incredible Fall Movies coming our way.
This post has been updated.