5 Sustainable Ways to Put Together an Epic Earth Day Picnic

I hope you’ll believe me when I say Earth Day is my third favorite holiday. For me, it goes Christmas, Thanksgiving and then Earth Day. You might think it’s a little unusual, and maybe it is, but I am passionate about sustainability and caring for the environment. I love that we have a day to celebrate our planet!

It’s surprisingly easy to incorporate eco-friendly habits into your life. I try to treat every day like Earth Day (which is probably why it’s my third favorite holiday and not my first) by making conscious efforts to reduce waste. Whether it’s composting my food scraps or unplugging gadgets when they’re not in use, every little bit counts. Today, we’re showing you how to celebrate Earth Day in the best way possible: with a sustainable and healthy picnic. Read on to see five essentials for the best Earth Day picnic!

1.Locally Grown Produce: Have you guys heard of the great company Imperfect Produce? They’re the best! 20 percent of produce grown in the US doesn’t make it to grocery stores because they’re too small or misshapen. Imperfect Produce takes those “ugly” fruits and veggies and delivers them right to your door. They totally hooked us up with beautiful seasonal and locally grown produce to bring our picnic to the next level.

If you aren’t able to sign up with Imperfect Produce because you’re outside of their current region, head to a farmers’ market! Buying seasonal and locally grown produce is a great way to get the freshest fruits and veggies while also being kind to the environment. It takes less fuel to transport produce in state rather than across countries.

2.DIY Denim Picnic Blanket: Okay, how cute is this picnic blanket?! Trust me when I say that it’s also super comfy and easy to make, AND you’re doing Earth a kindness by upcycling old clothes. Cut or rip patches from old jeans from the bottom of your dresser, from friends’ closets, or from a thrift store. Make your patches different sizes, but know that the smaller your patches, the more sewing you’ll have to do if you want to make your blanket large enough.

Sew your cut and ripped patches together to make a larger patch, then sew the larger patches together to form a blanket. We recommend arranging the patches on the floor to map out exactly how you’d like your pattern to look. Trim loose threads but keep a raw edge around the blanket.

To make a blanket that comfortably sits two adults and a huge picnic spread, it took about a day. The steps themselves aren’t hard; it just takes time. Spread the work out over a few days and your blanket will be done in no time. :)

3.The Perfect Picnic Sandwich: The perfect picnic sandwich changes depending on the time of year and the produce that season. For a springtime Earth Day picnic, we stuffed our sammies with cucumbers, radishes, and spinach and held it all together with organic cream cheese. If you need a little more protein, slide in a few slices of turkey. Wrap your sandwiches in paper that you can later recycle or compost, and enjoy!

4.Fruit-Infused Water in Reusable Glass Bottles: Never say water is boring again by infusing it with seasonal fruits. Springtime citruses are amazing in water. Fill up a reusable bottle, like these Swig Savvy Glass Bottles ($20), with sliced lemons, limes, and oranges, and chill in a cooler before breaking them out. Healthy, sustainable, and delicious!

5.Packed Food in Reusable Tins: Speaking of using reusable glass bottles, eliminate waste by buying tins for your food. We love this Mannice Insulated Bentos Stainless Steel Stacking Lunch Box ($33) and the Bare Ware Stainless Steel Lunch Box Set ($25) from Amazon. They’re both lightweight, compact, and can be used again and again.

Cheers to sustainability!

“Pass me a radish, please.”

Produce galore!

How much watermelon is too much watermelon? Four? Five?

Life is good, guys :)

How are you celebrating Earth Day?Share your photos on Instagram using #britstagram.

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DIY Production + Styling: Anita Yung and Irene Lee
Photography: Kurt Andre

We all pine for soup season, despite the bone-chilling weather that comes with it. Curling up with a steamy bowl of feel-good makes trudging through the snow seem worth it. (Almost.) Sadly, such weather can also result in the sniffles, aches and that dreaded tickle in the throat. Hot and boozy drinks are a surefire way to warm your insides at night, but you need to nourish that bod too. Though some swear that chicken noodle soup is meant to heal the soul, we’ve got 30 broth-y concoctions that will warm you up in the chill and make you feel better when you're under the weather.

Lemony Garlic Chicken and Orzo Soup

Caramelized garlic, fresh herbs, lemon, kale, and chicken broth all make up this tasty, warming soup. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Minestrone Soup

This plant-based soup is loaded with nutritious and colorful vegetables, beans, pasta, and seasonings. (via The Real Food Dietitians)

Miso Cabbage Soup

This miso soup with cabbage is a flavorful and nourishing Japanese-inspired dish. (via The Edgy Veg)

White Bean Soup

This Blue Zone-inspired soup is loaded with antioxidant-rich beans. (via Clean Cuisine)

Oyster Mushroom Soup

This super flavorful soup is made with vegetables, herbs and pasta. (via Give Recipe)

Old Fashioned Beef Stew

The beef in this stew is fall-apart tender, making this hearty soup perfect for lunch or dinner. (via Averie Cooks)

Potato Leek Soup with Italian Sausage

Warm up your week with a satisfying potato leek soup with Italian sausage. (via Completely Delicious)

Ribollita Soup with Greens & Butter Beans

This Tuscan-inspired soup made with a rich tomato broth, lots of veggies and greens, butter beans for protein, and cozy cheese is perfect with a side of toasty bread. (via The Original Dish)

Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

Busy week? Brown some beef and pop all of the ingredients for this delicious soup in the slow cooker! (via Kathryn's Kitchen)

Chicken and Dumpling Soup

This southern-inspired is the perfect recipe for those cozy, chilly days! (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Soup du Jour

This soup recipe teaches you how to make any satisfying soup with the ingredients you have on hand. (via Live Eat Learn)

Brothy Beans

This comforting and delicious soup is so easy to make with creamy white beans braised with garlic, onions, fresh herbs, and a parmesan rind, yum! (via Cozy Cravings)

Easy 10-Minute Wonton Soup

This easy 10-minute Wonton soup uses cilantro chicken wontons from Trader Joe’s! (via RachL Mansfield)

Spicy Mushroom Noodle Soup

This miso soup and ramen hybrid takes spicy miso broth, adds edamame, tofu, ginger, and garlic, and pours it over tasty soba noodles. (via Munching With Mariyah)

Kielbasa Soup

Comfort food at its finest: sausage, vegetables, and potatoes! (via Salt & Lavender)

French Onion Soup

This easy French Onion Soup is perfect for the Francophile in you. (via Culinary Hill)

Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice Soup

If you’re staying true to your grandmother’s convictions about chicken soup when feeling under the weather, we got you. This hearty bowl provides you with the essence of chicken soup, but amps it up with salsa verde, chili powder and cumin. (via One Lovely Life)

Spiralized Zucchini Chicken Noodle Soup Jars

This is the perfect low-carb meal prep idea - just add boiling water, microwave and enjoy! (via The Girl on Bloor)

Quick and Easy Pasta e Fagiole Soup

The words “quick” and “easy” sound pretty good when you’re on the down and out. This no-fuss bowl of wholesome goodies will fill you up and warm your belly, leaving you feeling nourished and satisfied. (via The Healthy Foodie)

Winter Vegetable and Oat Soup

When you think of finding comfort in food throughout the chilly months, two things come to mind: hot soups and hearty bowls of oatmeal. Imagine the two together! This is exactly what you get with this big serving of contentment. (via Coffee and Crayons)

Vegetable Miso Soup With Soba Noodles

With a cook time of only 30 minutes, this smooth umami-filled miso soup sure beats trekking out in the cold to get take-out. It’s a cinch to make and it stores well, so be sure to make extra for future indulgence. (via 8th and Lake)

Dill Pickle Soup

This soup is a total *dream* for dill pickle lovers everywhere. Naturally GF and vegan, this bowl of briny goodness can be made in just 20 minutes; no slaving over a stove required. (via Pure Ella)

Whole Grain Chicken Noodle Soup

Sometimes you can’t help but crave a classic. Though this chicken noodle soup brings us back to the basics, it’s anything but standard. Tender chunks of chicken and whole wheat noodles create a bowl that is both delicious and satisfying. (via Simply Sissom)

Vegan Barley and Lentil Soup

This simple and delish bowl of soup is full of healthful ingredients and might just become a winter staple in your home — and you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy it. It only calls for a few ingredients, most of which are probably in your pantry right now. (via Vibrant Plate)

Healthy Turkey Wild Rice Soup

One of the best ways to use up leftover turkey is to throw it into a robust soup. This meal will have you glowing with its abundance of tender shredded turkey, nutritious beans and substantial rice. (via Creme de la Crumb)

Italian Wedding Soup

This simple and quick American-Italian classic is always guaranteed to satisfy. Filled with leafy spinach, orzo and tender meatballs, this soup will cozy you up after a single spoonful. (via Jo Cooks)

Slow Cooker Curried Lentil Soup

This glorious flavor-packed jumble lets you set it and forget it — no effort required. Just place all of your ingredients into the slow cooker and let it take care of the rest. Your home will be filled with the comforting aroma of curry and veggies until you can finally dig in. (via Gimme Some Oven)

Stuffed Pepper Soup

With fresh herbs and spices, this deconstructed stuffed pepper soup can be tangy and invigorating and comforting. (via Vikalinka)

Red Curry Noodle Soup

This Thai soup is rich and fragrant and comes together in just 15 minutes! (via Feel Good Foodie)

Butternut Squash, Kale and White Bean Soup

This adaptable vegetarian soup can easily be made vegan by omitting the cheese. It’s replenishing, herbaceous and loaded with nutrients. It’s the perfect cure for those wintry chills. (via A Nerd Cooks)

Follow us on Pinterest for more cozy + comforting soup ideas.

No matter what kind of day you're having, Marissa Cooper's having a worse one. Mischa Barton's The O.C. character went through the ringer during the first three seasons of the teen drama (remember how she overdosed in Tijuana...and also saw her parents post-hookup after their divorce?).

And during her time on The O.C., Mischa Barton struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. She was arrested for a DUI in 2007 and eventually received involuntary psychiatric hospitalization in 2009 after allegedly threatening to end her own life. And in a new interview, Peter Gallagher (who played Sandy Cohen on the show) says he's "just so grateful" for "the fact that she’s still alive."

  • Mischa Barton starred alongside Peter Gallagher in The O.C. from 2003-2006.
  • The actress has revealed the "trauma" of being a star at that point in her life.
  • Peter recently opened up about how he's thankful "she’s still alive."


Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for FLC/John Lamparski/Getty Images

The O.C. follows Ryan Atwood, who moves in with the Cohens after getting kicked out of his mom's house, and starts a relationship with Marissa shortly after. While Peter Gallagher played Adam Brody's TV dad instead of Mischa's, Sandy was a definitely father figure for Marissa, and it seems like Peter felt that same responsibility off camera.

"I’ve always felt very protective of her," Peter told The Independent. "First fame is toxic. First fame can kill you. She was 16 years old when she started working with us, so just the fact that she’s still alive, I’m just so grateful."

“You can go to therapy every day for the rest of your life,” Mischa said in a 2023 interview with The Sunday Times. “There’s just a certain amount of trauma [from] all that I went through, particularly in my early twenties, that just doesn’t go away overnight.”

Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage revealed that season 1 overdose not only served as a cliffhanger, but gave “network executives an escape hatch on a performer they had been wary about” (via People). But Mischa Barton got her big break, becoming "how people knew the show," and (thankfully) Marissa recovered — only to die after a car crash in season 3.

As hard as that season 3 ending is to watch, Mischa did have the opportunity to watch it with Rachel Bilson and Melinda Clarke for the first time on their rewatch podcast. "It needed to be a thing, after everything she's been through, but if it's here I'll watch it with you," Mischa says.

"I couldn't do it, Mischa, I couldn't do it," Rachel adds. "But I'm going to do it if you're going to do it."

Mischa says even though being written off the show "was a little bit of a bummer," it wasn't necessarily a surprise. "The character was just doing too much," she told Vanity Fairin 2023. "And I think they ran out of places for her to go. It was not the best thing in the world, [but] there wasn’t much you could do at that point. It was whether she could sail off into the sunset, or die. At that point, I guess it’s better to have the more dramatic ending.”
What did you think of The O.C. season 3 finale? Let us know on Facebook!
Matzo (also spelled matzah or matza) is an unleavened flatbread made with just flour and water and can be used in everything from matzo ball soup to kugels, casseroles, and even desserts. It's an excellent swap for pizza dough, crackers, or as a binding agent in recipes. Whether you’re using matzo to avoid leavened bread or just because, these 20 matzo recipes definitely prove that the ingredient is equally scrumptious in and out of the soup bowl, whether we’re talking cakes, breakfast sammies or even fried chicken. Enjoy cooking your way through this collection of classic and refreshed culinary delights for your next feast.

Roasted Red Pepper and Arugula Matzo Pizza

These flatbead pizzas are elegant enough to add to your holiday menu, but easy enough to throw together for a quick meal on busy nights. (via Joy of Kosher)

Savory and Tender Matzo Meatballs

These meatballs feature a decidedly un-Kosher combo of meat and cheese, but it’s a delicious one if your dietary restrictions allow it. Roasted in the oven until golden brown on the outside, they’re practically hassle-free. (via Bake and Baste)

Matzo Farfel Stuffing

Dates add an unexpected sweetness to this comforting tray of matzo pieces, mushrooms, and aromatic veggies. (via Jamie Geller)

Northern Fried Chicken

A dip in honey is the perfect way to cut through the spiciness of this matzo-crusted fried chicken. (via Leite’s Culinaria)

Deep Fried Matzo Balls With Wasabi Cream Sauce

Turn up your next batch of matzo balls with a little fryer action in lieu of broth. Served with a spicy wasabi-based sauce instead of the expected horseradish, this combo is anything but bland. (via What Jew Wanna Eat)

Boomwelloh Breakfast Sammie

Using mini boomwellohs (AKA matzo brei) in place of bread is a genius way to serve up these breakfast sandwiches filled with eggs, garlicky kale and cheese. (via I Will Not Eat Oysters)

Matzo Brei

A cross between French toast and pancakes, it’s no wonder matzo brei is such a comfort food classic. (via Kosher Camembert)

5-Ingredient Matzo Chocolate Bars

Have the kids in the family make these crunchy-chewy chocolate bars. The recipe is a simple matter of layering, sprinkling, and drizzling, so it can't go too awry. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Mamouras (Matzo Lasagna)

Swap your lasagna pasta for matzo with onions, tomatoes and your favorite vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or eggplant. (via Manischewitz/Kosher.com)

Matzo Apple Tea Cakes

Enjoy these petite cakes with your morning cup of coffee or as an afternoon snack. (via Food Network)

Matzo Chocolate-Mint Ice Cream Cake

Mint and chocolate are a solid flavor duo for this ganache and matzo no-bake cake, but feel free to swap in a couple of your favorites instead. (via Martha Stewart)

Matzah Kugel

This traditional dish is similar to a casserole, but uses matzah instead of noodles or potatoes as the base. Make it savory with potatoes or sweet with apples like shown here. (via B+C Guides)

Matzo Toffee With Fleur de Sel

Salted chocolate plus toffee makes this crunchy bark a total delight. Just add a (Kosher) ‘mallow to transform them into irresistible s’mores. (via Whisks and Whimsy)

Apple Matzo Cake

You’ll love the light texture that matzo meal gives this fabulous fruit cake. Don’t be surprised if there are fights over the final slice. (via Martha Stewart)

Dark Chocolate Coconut Banana Matzo Brei

Wanna know a secret? The matzo is soaked in wine before it’s mixed with mashed bananas, coconut oil, cinnamon and vanilla. A final drizzle of melted chocolate after cooking takes things to a whole ‘nother indulgent level. (via What Jew Wanna Eat)

Matzo Almond Fruit Crumble

You don’t need to wait for summer berries or fall apples to make this crumble. It puts frozen fruit to good use, so it’s delicious all year long. (via The Little Ferraro Kitchen)

Peanut Butter and Jelly Matzo Bark

If you are looking for something delicious to make for Passover, you’ll love this homemade matzo bark. It has a peanut butter and jelly twist to it with a delicious chocolate topping. And it is incredibly hard to resist. (via RachL Mansfield)

Easy No-Bake Chocolate Matzo Cake

It really doesn’t get any easier than this three-ingredient, no-bake cake. (via Tori Avey)

Passover Chocolate Pecan Thumbprint Cookies

Trust us; the gem of chocolate in the center isn’t the only good thing these nutty shortbread cookies have going for them. (via The Nerdy Chef)

Matzo Ball Potato Chowder

While we love matzo ball soup, this creamy, cheesy vegetarian chowder is comforting on a cold day. Every slurp is sure to take the chill out of your bones and put a smile on your face at the same time. (via What Jew Wanna Eat)

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Former Disney Channel star Dylan Sprouse and model Barbara Palvin are certainly living the sweet life after tying the knot in Palvin's native Hungary. The couple, who have been together for nearly five years, have always been pretty low-key — except for the occasional and undeniably adorable Instagram post (and a stunning wedding!). We are simply ~obsessed~ with this celebrity couple, especially after they pulled out all the stops for their couple's Halloween costume. Keep scrolling to see some of their best moments :').

See Dylan Sprouse & Barbara Palvin's Halloween Couple's Costume!

For Halloween Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin stunned as the Phantom and Christine from Phantom of the Opera. Dylan wore a mask and a black cape, while Barbara wore a beautiful white dress. While the costume is obviously a nod to the musical, it also totally reminds us of their day as bride and groom.

"In Sleep He Sang to Me," Barbara said in a post, quoting the musical's titular number. "@dylansprouse my forever Phantom."

Who did Dylan Sprouse marry?

www.instagram.com

On the couple's wedding day (July 15, 2023), Barbara wore a Vivienne Westwood wedding gown to celebrate her Hungarian nuptials, bringing together their nearest and dearest for an intimate(-ish) celebration. Barbara and Dylan tied the knot on her parent's property, which conveniently doubles as an event venue, with plans to host an larger wedding in California in the fall.

"This past weekend was supposed to be an intimate event, but we ended up having 115 guests in the end because there are a lot of people we care about, and we wanted them all to be there," Barbara told Vogue.

When did Dylan Sprouse and Barbara Palvin get engaged?

www.instagram.com

Barbara Palvin on Instagram: "♥️"

After months of speculation surrounding the couple's engagement, Dylan and Barbara confirmed their engagement in conversation with Sprouse's twin brother, actor Cole Sprouse, for V Magazine in June, sharing that they got engaged last September.

"We didn't necessarily feel the need to be fully transparent with the public about that aspect of our engagement," Dylan said. "What we wanted to do with Stephen [Gan, V editor-in-chief] and the V team is make something that was kind of tongue-in-cheek about the nature of private versus public. We're playing with the idea of perception."

Barbara noted that the lovebirds wanted to announce the news "on our time," adding, "When some people leaked the information that we got engaged, our PR team was like, 'Hey, so you guys should do maybe a post about it or talk to this magazine or talk to that magazine…' That really annoyed me because I knew we were building this story up. So, I'm very happy that we ended up doing it our way."

When did Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse start dating?

Sean Zanni / Stringer / Getty Images Entertainment

See Dylan Sprouse & Barbara Palvin's Dreamy Halloween Costume: "My Forever"

According to People, the couple met back in 2017 after a party when the Suite Life On Deck star slid into the model’s DMs (and as they say, the rest is history). The duo made their relationship Instagram official back in 2018 with Barbara’s sweet birthday tribute for Dylan’s 26th birthday.

Let’s be real here for a second though, we all knew they were endgame the minute Dylan went above and beyond to support Barbara at the Victoria Secret Fashion Show that same year (remember this viral video?). Three days after the fashion show, the Hungarian model told Vogue Australia that she hadn’t had a boyfriend in six years, but had now found “the perfect guy” in Dylan (we aren’t crying, you are).

How old are Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse?

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Barbara Palvin was born on October 8, 1993, making her 31 years old. Dylan Sprouse was born on August 4, 1992, meaning he's 32 years old. So there's only a one-year age gap between them!

Stay up to date with all of Brit + Co's favorite celebrity relationships. Let us know your thoughts on Twitter!

This post has been updated.

2017's The Beguiled gave us one of the best groups of people of all time: Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Sofia Coppola, and Kirsten Dunst just to name a few. And we're finally getting an Elle and Nicole reunion thanks to Apple TV+! "THRILLED to bring @rufithorpe genius hysterical heart-wrenching heartwarming book to your TV screens alongside a dream group of people!" Elle says on Instagram. Rather than having to test the success of its pilot, the series has already been ordered — even though the book it's based on isn't even out yet! Here's everything you need to know about the series.

  • Dakota and Elle Fanning will produce the upcoming Apple TV+ show Margo's Got Money Troubles.
  • The series follows Margo, who signs up for OnlyFans after learning she's pregnant.
  • The cast includes Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Nick Offerman.

Who's in the Margo's Got Money Troubles cast?

Amy Sussman/Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Margo's Got Money Troubles Cast

We couldn't contain our excitement when we learned Margo's Got Money Troubles will star Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning, but knowing Michelle Pfeiffer is also joining the cast is too much to bear! This is the first time the actress will collaborate with her husband, TV creator David E. Kelley, so we can't wait to see the magic they'll create (via Deadline).

Nick Offerman from The Last of Us and Parks and Rec will also star.

When is Margo's Got Money Troubles coming out?

Ron Lach/Pexels

Margo's Got Money Troubles Release Date

We don't have an official release date for Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's TV show yet. I'm thinking if the TV show is in the early stages of planning, we could see it in 2025! Check out all of this year's best New TV Shows to hold you over until then.

What is Margo's Got Money Troubles about?

Amazon

Margo's Got Money Troubles Plot

Margo Millet is the daughter of a Hooter's waitress named Shyanne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and an ex-wrestler (via Deadline). She's always had to make it on her own, even though she's not sure how. When she enrolls in her local junior college, she's totally unprepared to get swept up into a torrid love affair with her English professor — or to get pregnant.

Now at 20 years old, Margo needs an income and fast. She decides to experiment with OnlyFans and ends up taking some of her estranged father's advice from the world of wrestling to create a character users will fall in love with. You can order the book now!

What is Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's new TV show?

Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels

Margo's Got Money Troubles is coming soon to Apple TV+ thanks to a bunch of different producers. A24 is backing the film, as well as Elle and Dakota Fanning’s production company Lewellen Pictures and Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films, to name a few.

What else has Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman starred in?

Focus Features

Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman starred in 2017's The Beguiled. The movie follows John McBurney, an injured Union soldier, who winds up at a female Southern boarding school after deserting the Civil War. But soon, as the women help him, tensions turn to rivalries and friends turn to enemies.

Are you excited for Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman's TV reunion? Let us know what other New TV Shows you're watching in the comments.

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This post has been updated.