The Seafood Lover's Guide To Healthy + Sustainable Dinners

Theresa Gonzalez
Feb 09, 2022
salmon lox avocado toast

We all know that seafood has special superpowers when it comes to our health, especially our heart health, but finding seafood that is also healthy for the planet is a little trickier. Good news: The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a mission-driven, nonprofit organization, makes it so easy to choose seafood that is good for you *and* our oceans. Just look for the MSC blue fish label, a bright blue label you can find on wild-caught seafood in popular grocery stores and online retailers like Aldi, Amazon Fresh, Costco, and Whole Foods. Catch the label on fresh, frozen, or canned seafood and you know you're making a more sustainable choice. Even your fur babies can enjoy MSC-certified sustainable pet food!

We chatted with Carrie Walder, MS, RD, a notable registered dietitian, to learn how seafood can impact our brain and mental health as well as our immune systems. Walder also shared how sustainable seafood can fit within any budget and the best ways to serve it for the most nutritional punch. Cod, salmon, halibut, mackerel, squid, oysters…anyone else hungry? We’ve got you. Scroll down for three delicious recipes from the new MSC cookbook, The Ocean Cookbook 2022, perfect for a heart-healthy *and* ocean-friendly Valentine's night in!

David Loftus, courtesy of the Marine Stewardship Council

What are the health benefits of eating seafood?

Many know that seafood is a heart-healthy food, but it's also a really important brain food. Seafood is a source of healthy unsaturated fats, like omega-3s, especially one called DHA, which is very present in the membranes of our brain tissues, required for normal, healthy brain functioning. Seafood is not only a quality protein source, it's also a source of a ton of different micronutrients, like selenium, iron, and vitamin D, plus it has lots of B vitamins.

Is there a limit to how much we can eat each week?

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (a bit of a mouthful!) recommends eating at least eight ounces of seafood a week. It’s not always clear what eight ounces really means, so I like to say that if you eat two standard salmon filets or have a combination of a salmon filet and a serving of canned tuna, you’ll hit the right amount.

How can we be more responsible seafood eaters?

By always trying to make sure that we purchase seafood that's both good for us and for the ocean as well. One of the easiest ways to do this is to look for that MSC blue fish label on seafood products so that you know that you're really choosing seafood that is environmentally sustainable. And we're really lucky that it's actually really easy to identify that label. It's a bright blue label. It's on different kinds of seafood at the fresh counter, in the freezer section, the canned aisle in the grocery store as well as lots of different grocery stores, including Lidl, Sam’s Club, Stop & Shop, Target, Walmart, and more.

Top of mind right now, how can seafood impact our immune system?

The food that we eat can provide all the nutrients that our immune system needs to function properly. Protein, for instance, helps us to create those antibodies that help to fight off foreign invaders, like bacteria and viruses. It also plays that really essential role in recovery and healing. Different vitamins like vitamin B12, C, D, A, as well as minerals like zinc, iron, and selenium work in so many different ways to support our immune function. They help build those immune cells. They can help protect our immune cells from oxidative damage because a lot of them have antioxidant functions as well. And the great thing about seafood is that it happens to have so many of these nutrients. It’s really the complete package.

What about the impact seafood can have on our mental health?

There are so many factors that play a role in our mental health. Some of them are very much not in our control, but food and nutrition does appear to play a role. It is still a developing area of research, but there is some evidence to point toward a more Mediterranean-style diet. Fish is a big part of a Mediterranean diet and while the mechanisms are not super well understood yet, a lot of the research is looking at the omega-3 content in fish and seeing if there is a link between a regular intake of omega-3s and managing certain mental health disorders, like depression. Some studies have shown that eating about two to three servings of fish per week, or those omega-3 supplements, really can help to reduce depression.

What are healthy ways to cook fish?

I love avocado oil. It's got those monounsaturated, fatty acids in it. It's very healthy and it has a very neutral flavor. I love preparing seafood by either baking it in an oven or poaching it. I recently prepared this squid puttanesca in MSC's The Ocean Cookbook 2022. I really liked serving it over quinoa, but you can do it over another whole grain, like farro or a whole wheat pasta, to really compliment the protein and healthy fat in the dish.

Food pairings, in fact, can enhance the nutrition factor. What sides do you recommend to get the most out of the nutritional benefits of seafood?

Some studies have found that animal proteins, like sustainably caught seafood, can help increase the absorption of zinc from plant-based foods, like whole grains, legumes, and seeds. The vitamin D that's present in seafood can help increase the absorption of magnesium. The healthy fats that are in seafood can also help us absorb fat-soluble vitamins that are present in the rest of the meal; for example, putting nuts and seeds on a halibut salad or having a shrimp stir-fry with full grains, or I like to add a seed or nut crust on a baked fish. There are so many opportunities.

What if you're on a budget? How can you enjoy more seafood?

It's totally possible. Frozen seafood is a really great affordable option that also provides the same health benefits as fresh fish. And because you can keep it in the freezer, there's less chance of food waste. Canned seafood is another really great budget-friendly option. There are so many different varieties of fish that you can get canned. I personally really love canned mackerel to switch things up from canned tuna. And then I suggest regularly checking your grocery store to see what's on sale. It's important to remember that frozen and canned seafood are just as nutritious as fresh. The nutrients are very much preserved during the immediate freezing and processing of the seafood.

That’s really good to know! Speaking of food waste, what are some ways to reuse your leftover fish?

This is one of my favorite topics, because sometimes we have leftover fish, say salmon, and then we reheat it in the microwave, but it's not as good as it was when it was fresh. One way to address this is to chop up those leftover filets of fish and repurpose them in different dishes. It really takes away from those changes in texture and gives you a completely different meal, which can really combat that leftover fatigue. Some of my favorite ways to do this are to use it cold and add it to salads, grain bowls, or tacos. I like to mash up leftover fish with avocados, some lemon, some chopped parsley and dill, and then add it to whole grain toast or an open-face sourdough toast. You can add leftover fish to warm dishes like pastas, stir-fry's, or quesadillas, even a seafood chowder. Eggs are a really great way to use leftover seafood. Put it in a frittata or scrambled eggs. And I really like that when you’re repurposing your leftover fish, you're helping to reduce food waste. That kind of goes hand in hand with protecting the planet. And if we're choosing the MSC-certified sustainable wild-caught seafood, it really takes that one step further.

Thanks so much Carrie! What great information, and we’ll be sure to look out for the MSC blue fish label. Now we’re hungry. Check out these easy and delicious (and totally sustainable) recipes from MSC's The Ocean Cookbook 2022.

Squid Puttanesca

David Loftus, courtesy of the Marine Stewardship Council

Recipe by Chef Gregory Gourdet,
“Top Chef” All Star and MSC US Ambassador”

Serves 4 to 6

INGREDIENTS

  • 1lb squid rings and tentacles, thawed and blotted dry on towels
  • ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon plus 1 pinch of kosher salt
  • 10 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • ¾ cup drained oil-packed roasted or sun-dried tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup pitted mixed olives, large ones halved
  • 3 tablespoons drained capers
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • Large handful basil leaves, torn
  • Small handful small parsley sprigs
  • 1 juicy lemon, whole

DIRECTIONS

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers.
  2. Add the garlic and a pinch of salt and cook until the garlic is golden, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add the tomatoes, olives, capers, and chile flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, just until it’s all warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Season the squid with the remaining salt.
  5. Add the squid to the pan and cook all, mixing occasionally until the squid is firm but still tender to the bite, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Add the basil and parsley, use a Microplane to grate in the lemon zest, then halve the lemon and squeeze in half the juice.
  7. Stir really well and transfer to a platter to serve. Serve warm or room temperature.

Roasted and Flaked Wild Halibut Salad with Crunch Seed Topper

David Loftus, courtesy of the Marine Stewardship Council

Recipe by MSC Chef Ambassador Charlotte Langley,
Chief Culinary Officer of Scout Canning, Canada

PREP TIME: 30 minutes
COOK TIME: 15-30 minutes

Serves: 4 for lunch or a light supper

INGREDIENTS

  • 225 g (½ lb) fillet of MSC certified halibut
  • 200 g (1 c) cucumber, sliced in thick rounds
  • 180 g (1 c) tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • 1 shallot, thinly sliced • 400 g (1 can, approx. 14 oz) canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 110 g (½ c) fresh goat feta cheese, crumbled
DRESSING:
  • 120 ml (½ c) olive oil
  • 30 g (2 tbsp) grainy mustard
  • 30 g (2 tbsp) honey, runny
  • 60 ml (¼ c) lemon juice
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

CRUNCHY SEED TOPPER :
  • 20 g (4 tbsp) toasted pumpkin seeds
  • 25 g (2 tbsp) white sesame seeds
  • 12 g (1 tbsp) flax meal or seeds
  • 20 g (4 tbsp) nutritional yeast or grated parmesan

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 190 ºC / 375°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment and place your halibut on the sheet pan. Season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the halibut has reached an internal temperature of 48 ºC / 120°F or is no longer opaque in the center.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients and set aside in the fridge.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine all the vegetables and chickpeas and dress with half of the dressing. Season and let it sit in the fridge or at room temperature for at least 15 minutes.
  4. Remove the halibut from the oven, pour the rest of the dressing over it, and let it rest for a few minutes. While the fish rests, combine the ingredients for the crunchy seed topper and set aside.
  5. To serve: Tear the halibut into large flakes. In a large family-style serving platter or individual bowls, plate the salad, the halibut flakes, and sprinkle with the goat feta and the crunchy seed topper. Serve at your leisure.

Grilled Parmesan Garlic Oysters

Red Element Studios, courtesy of the Marine Stewardship Council

Recipe by Chef Joe Cervantez at Prestige Oysters, MSC-certified oyster fishery

PREP TIME: 10 minutes
COOK TIME: 15 minutes

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

  • 12 Oysters, on the half shell
  • 3 oz Shallots, minced
  • 3 oz Garlic, minced
  • 3 oz Parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra for topping
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 1 lb unsalted butter
DIRECTIONS
  1. Blend all ingredients together, except for the oysters, to create a flavored butter.
  2. Top each oyster with the butter. Grill oyster (over open fire, on a gas burner, or any outdoor grill) for 15 minutes. You will see the oysters bubble.
  3. Remove from heat, finish with extra parmesan cheese, and serve.

Red Element Studios, Courtesy of the Marine Stewardship Council

What are you cooking this Valentine's Day? Share with us @BritandCo!

In partnership with The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Main image: Anthony J Rayburn, courtesy of the Marine Stewardship Council

Get Into The Spirit Of The Season With These Paleo Christmas Cookies

Christmas cookie decorating is holiday tradition for us here at B+C, so we were so stoked to find this recipe for paleo cookies that adds a healthy twist to this classic holiday dessert. These sweet treats will shine among the rest of your Christmastime tablescape, and they are super easy to make. Plus, they'll pair well with just about any Christmas dessert. Just combine your paleo-friendly ingredients to prep the dough, let it sit overnight, then bake for ten minutes! The best part about this recipe is of course, all of the fun holiday-time shapes you can cut. Consider this recipe your go-to for healthy cookies, though, since you can make them year-round in any shape you like. Let's get to decorating!

Ingredients for Paleo Christmas Cookies

Brit + Co

For the cookies:

  • 1/2 cup grass-fed salted butter, softened
  • 6 tablespoons raw honey
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

For the frosting:

  • 6 tablespoons coconut butter or coconut manna
  • 1/4 cup cacao butter
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey
  • Plant-based food coloring
  • Vegetable-dyed sprinkles, for topping*
* Look for vegetable and fruit-dyed food coloring and sprinkles in natural grocery stores or online, and avoid artificial colors to keep these cookies Paleo friendly!

How to Make Paleo Christmas Cookies

Brit + Co

  1. Add the softened butter and honey to a large mixing bowl. Cream the mixture together using a handheld mixer until it is smooth. Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract and whisk until they are well combined. Pour in the almond flour, coconut flour, and baking soda, and continue mixing until the batter has come together smoothly.
  2. Separate the dough into two, and place each one on top of a piece of plastic wrap. Roll each dough into a ball, then flatten to a thick disk, cover completely with the plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to firm up for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove one of the dough discs from the refrigerator, unwrap the plastic and place the dough on top of a piece of parchment paper, then top it with another piece of parchment paper. Use a roller to flatten out the dough to about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch thick. Work quickly with your favorite Christmas cookie cutters, and use a thin spatula to lift the cut cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  4. Bake the cookies in the oven for 10 minutes. Let them cool for a few minutes, then place on a wire rack for further cooling. Gather the leftover scraps back into a ball in the plastic wrap or parchment paper and place it back in the refrigerator, while working with the other piece of dough. Do this in batches to keep the dough from getting too warm and so you don’t overcrowd the baking sheet.
  5. While the batches of cookies are baking, use a small saucepan to lightly melt the coconut butter and cacao butter together over low heat on the stovetop. Remove the pan from the heat when the ingredients have just melted together. Stir in the desired amount of honey, then set aside to cool and thicken up slightly. If you are using food coloring, add in the desired amount into the frosting mixture (1-2 teaspoons of green or red should do the trick). If you plan on only using white frosting, only use a small amount of honey, as it can make the frosting an off-white or light brown color.
  6. After the cookies have completely cooled, decorate them with the frosting and sprinkles as desired. If you don’t have any professional piping tools, an easy fix is to place the frosting in a plastic sandwich bag and remove all the air when sealing the top. Cut a tiny tip off one corner of the plastic bag, then gently squeeze and pipe over the cookies. Use one plastic bag or piping bag for each color of frosting. Top with corresponding sprinkles and enjoy!

Is your mouth watering yet? Check out our newsletter for more delicious holiday recipe ideas!

Recipe development and photography by Sarah Anderson.

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17 Celebrity Cameos On ‘Gossip Girl’ You Probably Forgot About

New York City is a home and a hub for celebrities across all industries, and the glitzy appeal of Gossip Girl’s NYC is made all the more glamorous by its numerous celebrity cameos. Given that Blair and Serena run in the upper echelon of the city’s It girls, it actually makes total sense for them to be rubbing shoulders with Alexa Chung and Lady Gaga. You never know who you’re going to run into on the Upper East Side — and in Gossip Girl’s case, you may not even remember half the celebs you meet.

Over the course of six wonderfully melodramatic seasons, Gossip Girl racked up quite a stacked cast list on IMDB. From stars with recurring roles to those who pop in to play themselves for one scene, here are 17 celebrities who appeared on Gossip Girl that you probably forgot about.

Scroll down to see all the celebrity Gossip Girlcameos we're totally obsessed with!

1. William Baldwin

Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Serena van der Woodsen’s got some serious daddy issues. One of Gossip Girl’s longest subplots is Serena’s search for her father, who essentially walked out on her when she was a kid. He finally appears for the first time in Season 3 Episode 19 (“Dr. Estrangeloved), where he’s played by a member of one of NYC’s royal families, William Baldwin. (In case you’re wondering, he’s Hailey Bieber’s uncle.)

2. Lady Gaga

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

You probably blocked out the time Blair and Dan put on a jukebox version of Snow White at NYU given that the whole ordeal was painfully cringe. That means you probably also blocked out the fact that real-life NYU alum Lady Gaga gives a dead-eyed performance of “Bad Romance” at the end of the episode (Season 3 Episode 10, “The Last Days of Discostick”).

3. Hilary Duff

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Also included in the Season 3 NYU timeline is Hilary Duff as Olivia Burke. Olivia’s a famous actress who balances attending NYU, starring in the vampire romance franchise Endless Knights, and dating Dan. She’s basically the Gossip Girl universe’s hybrid of Kristen Stewart and Emma Watson.

4. Sebastian Stan

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Okay, there’s absolutely no way you forgot this one. Before Sebastian Stan was the MCU’s BB, he was Gossip Girl’s lesser-known CB — Carter Baizen. Stan played St. Jude’s sleaziest graduate and one of Serena’s most questionable exes from Seasons 1 through 3.

5. Karlie Kloss

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Karlie Kloss will always attend a NYFW party — even if that party only exists within Gossip Girl’s Season 4 premiere (“Belles du Jour”).

6. Armie Hammer

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Serena’s dating history includes one man whose bite may be worse than his bark. In Season 2, she starts dating a con man named Gabriel Edwards, played by Armie Hammer.

7. Cyndi Lauper

Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Paramount+

Girls just wanna have Cyndi Lauper do a surprise performance at their eighteenth birthday party — at least, Blair Waldorf does. Lauper makes a cameo in Season 2 Episode 10 (“Bonfire of the Vanity”).

8. Tyra Banks

Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Discovery

Tyra Banks plays Ursula, a famous actress who Serena keeps from crashing out at a movie premiere, in Season 3 Episode 4 (“Dan de Fleurette”).

9. Clémence Poésy

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When Chuck goes to France in Season 4 and attempts to restart his life as Henry Prince, he takes Fleur Delacour — err, I mean, Clémence Poésy — along for the ride.

10. Mädchen Amick

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Sorry, Archiekins — Alice Cooper’s got her eye on a different Archibald. Riverdale star Mädchen Amick appears in Season 2 as Nate’s first foray into MILF territory.

11. Elizabeth Hurley

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Mädchen Amick walked so Elizabeth Hurley could run … Nate’s life into the ground. Hurley plays shady media mogul Diana Payne throughout Season 5.

12. Aaron Tveit

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This guest star lives rent-free in Broadway fans’ minds. Aaron Tveit, the patron saint of tenors, appears in Seasons 2 through 5 as Nate’s cousin, politician Tripp van der Bilt.

13. Alexa Chung

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

In Season 6 Episode 3 (“Dirty Rotten Scandals”), Alexa Chung, the minimalist darling of the 2010s fashion blogging scene, refuses to walk the runway at Blair Waldorf’s debut fashion show.

14. Rachel Bilson & Kristen Bell

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for SCAD & Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Rachel Bilson and Kristen Bell show up in the series finale as two actresses auditioning for a role in Inside Out, the movie adaptation of Dan’s bestselling book, Inside. Bell’s voice should ring a bell — she’s the voice ofGossip Girl.

15. Tim Gunn

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Project Runway’s iconic mentor, Tim Gunn gives Jenny a little mentorship in Season 4 Episode 6 (“Easy J”).

16. Rachel Zoe

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tom Ford

Rachel Zoe: celebrity stylist, fashion designer, and extremely good sport. In her GG cameo in Season 4 Episode 7 (“War at the Roses”), Zoe takes a tumble and spills chocolate sauce all over her head before delivering her iconic catchphrase, “I die.” We die, too.

17. Florence Welch

Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Gucci

Welch’s performance of “Cosmic Love” in Season 4 Episode 14 (“Panic Roommate”) was reportedly due to her real-life friendship with Blake Lively. The actress suggested to the producers that they should use Florence’s music in the show. The producers went one step further, and we’re all the better for it.

Wonder what other celebs have appeared in your favorite TV shows? Check out these 24 Sex and the City cameos and 11 Gilmore Girls cameos you may have missed!

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18 Christmas Cocktail Recipes To Get You Into The Holiday Spirit

Nothing rings in the season better than Christmas cocktails. While some folks pine for next-level hot chocolate recipes, others are longing for sweet and spiced cider cocktails for a plethora of reasons. Perhaps it’s to get through an awkwardwork mixer, or maybe it’s the only way you can tolerate a certain in-law. Regardless of your situation, these 18 festive Christmas cocktail recipes are guaranteed to make you feel warm, fuzzy and in high spirits.

Brit + Co Christmas Cocktail Recipes

Brit + Co

Chocolate Martini

Did someone order a boozy chocolate drink? If so, your best bet is to serve them this scrumptious chocolate martini. This mix of chocolate liqueur, vodka, and more will make them feel so toasty. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail

Santa may want an alternative to milk and cookies when he comes to visit. To give him a proper send-off, leave this Christmas cocktail beside the peppermint bark you baked earlier in the evening. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Christmas Margarita

This Christmas cocktail recipe just sent a shiver down our spines! It's a tasteful blend of Grand Marnier, cranberry juice, tequila, and a splash of tequila. It's perfect for anyone who's taking a non-traditional approach to Christmas! (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Peppermint White Russian

Peppermint cocktail recipes are mandatory if you're wiped out by the Elf On The Shelf festivities. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Peppermint White Christmas

This Christmas cocktail has the perfect blend of peppermint and vanilla, but get this — your guests' taste buds won't see this flavor coming! It makes for a pleasant surprise that'll have them asking for more. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Winter Aperol Spritz

A light and refreshing Aperol spritz is just the thing you need after spending time cooking a cozy Christmas eve dinner. (via Brit + Co)

Other Christmas Cocktail Recipes

The Sweetest Occasion

Hula on Ice

This is *the* cocktail you need this holiday season. With bright notes of pineapple and coconut meddling with spiced rum, chai and a tea-based syrup, this drink is easy to make and perfect for any gathering — big or small. (via The Sweetest Occasion)

Highwalls

Rum-Soaked Cherry Soothers

Fresh cherries and rum. That’s it — and that’s all you’ll ever want after you sip on one of these beauty shooters. This sweet and spiced drink is a fantastic boozy dessert or nightcap for the holiday season. (via Highwalls)

Garlic and Zest

Ruby Thyme Spritzer

We love brunch and we love cocktails — who doesn’t? But there’s more to choose from than the usual mimosas, Bellinis and Bloody Marys. This spritzer combines your morning fruit juice with fresh thyme to create a herbaceous cocktail that will pair wonderfully with your waffles or eggs benny. (via Garlic and Zest)

Boulder Locavore

Candy Cane Cocktail With Homemade Candy Cane Infused Vodka

\We’re used to seeing the candy cane incorporated into desserts and hot cocoas, but cocktails? Sign us up! This ruby-hued drink is as festive as it gets. (via Boulder Locavore)

Bijoux and Bits

Gingerbread White Russian

This rich and creamy classic gets a nice kick with the addition of ginger beer. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, gingersnaps get an invitation to the party too. Milk and cookies, please take a back seat. (via Bijoux and Bits)

Pizzazzerie

Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

If your heart lies with fall flavors — even around the winter holidays — these apple cider sangrias are a fab way to indulge. They’re crisp, refreshing and won’t weigh you down. (via Pizzazzerie)

Cafe Delites

Berry Limoncello Sangria

Nothing can brighten up a drink more than the tang and sweetness from limoncello. This fruity and flavorful sangria brings berries to the equation for a full flavor that can’t be denied. This just *might* end up being your go-to sangria from now on. (via Cafe Delites)

The Blond Cook

Jack Frost Cocktail

This icy blue drink is totally as delish as it looks! Though we’ll admit, the blue Curacao, pineapple juice and coconut cream will tease you with a hint of summer. (via The Blond Cook)

Kate la Vie

Salted Caramel White Russians

If your love for cocktails knows no bounds and adventure is your middle name, these sweet and herbaceous drinks will be a slurp-worthy dream come true. Traditional White Russians get dolled up with amaretto, a drizzle of salted caramel sauce and some chocolate and rosemary for extra WOW factor. (via Kate la Vie)

The Adventures of Bob and Shan

Eggnog Cocktail

It’s not really the holidays until you break out that ‘nog. This spiced, rich and creamy delicacy is yearned for all year long, so celebrating its arrival makes sense — and adding it to a cocktail is *clearly* the only way to celebrate. (via The Adventures of Bob and Shan)

I'm Bored Let's Go

Christmas Cookie Martini

A cookie-inspired martini is apparently a thing, and we are losing our collective minds. If you’re not into baking but most definitely into drinking, let this be your dessert. (via I’m Bored Let’s Go)

Vanilla and Bean

Bourbon Apple Cider Shrub Cocktails

A shrub takes some planning and some patience, but boy-oh-boy is it ever worth the wait. Apples and bourbon become buddies in this elixir, and it’s kind of the best thing ever. (via Vanilla and Bean)

Follow us on Pinterest for more exciting cocktail inspo!

Lead image via Brit + Co

This post has been updated.

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Blake Lively's 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' Co-Stars Slam Justin Baldoni For "Forceful Retaliation"

This weekend, news dropped that Blake Lively filed a bombshell lawsuit against It Ends With Usco-star Justin Baldoni, and everyone is rushing to her support — including her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsco-stars!

One day we need to have a conversation about how easy it is to assign the 'mean girl' role to women like Anne Hathaway, Hailey Bieber, Meghan Markle, and now, Blake Lively. Since that's a separate article, let's focus on the situation at hand. According to Deadline, Lively's suing Baldoni for "sexually harassing her and subsequently enacting 'a coordinated effort to destroy her reputation.'" After the news dropped, The New York Times subsequently published article that details the winding allegations against Baldoni, producer Jamie Heath, and more players in the supposed targeted attack against her.

While a lot of public opinion turned against Lively during the It Ends With Us rollout, it's clear those closest to her showed unyielding support. Now, fellow celebrities are showing up in droves to stand with Lively amid the allegations. One bold show of support that we're totally here for? Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, and Amber Tamblyn taking their "sisterhood" to new heights. Here's what they — and everyone else — has said in support of Blake Lively so far.

Scroll down to see everyone who's supported Blake Lively amid the Justin Baldoni lawsuit so far!

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Blake Lively's The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Co-Stars

Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, and America Ferrera made it clear that they're firmly in support of their friend Blake Lively. They released a message on Instagram that left no room for assumption about their beliefs following Blake's lawsuit against Baldoni.
The statement reads:
As Blake's friends and sisters for over twenty years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation. Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.

Most upsetting is the unabashed exploitation of domestic violence survivors' stories to silence a woman who asked for safety. The hypocrisy is astounding.

We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can still face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe work environment. We are inspired by our sister's courage to stand up for herself and others.

For anyone seeking more information or engaging in this important conversation online, please read the full legal complaint in the investigative reporting by Megan Twohey, Mike McIntire, and Julie Tate for the New York Times.

We love the lasting, strong friendship between these four!

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Colleen Hoover, Author of It Ends With Us

According to Entertainment Weekly, Colleen Hoover also spoke up in light of the damage Baldoni inflicted. She tagged Blake via Instagram Stories and wrote, "You have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. Never change. Never wilt." A picture of the author and star hugging followed Hoover's words, adding to the depth of the moment.

Paul Feig, Director of A Simple Favor

Director Paul Feig also shared his thoughts about what it's like to work with Blake on X. He said, "I’ve now made two movies with Blake and all I can say is she’s one of the most professional, creative, collaborative, talented and kind people I’ve ever worked with. She truly did not deserve any of this smear campaign against her. I think it’s awful she was put through this."

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Robyn Lively, Blake Lively's Sister

The sisterly energy is real and we're so glad Blake is surrounded by it. Robyn, Blake's big sister, shared her full thoughts in a lengthy Instagram caption just 10 hours!

While encouraging people to do research for themselves by reading The New York Times article that details the devious plot to publicly destroy Blake, she had other things to say. "We live in an age where we have access to people’s personal lives like never before — especially actors. It makes us feel like we know them. We see them on social media, watch clips of them, and make snap decisions about their character," she wrote. This reminds me of the parasocial relationships author Amanda Montell detailed in The Age of Magical Overthinking — definitely something for us all to keep in mind.

She also called out how easy it is for the media to warp the public's perception of the truth. "The 'truth' in the tabloids is hardly ever what you think," she added before eventually expressing how "proud" she is that her sister "didn't allow herself to be silenced in the face of adversity and lies."

Bart Johnson, Blake Lively's Brother-in-law

According to Page Six, Blake's brother-in-law Bart Johnson didn't hesitate to share his thoughts about the behavior of Baldoni and his team. He reportedly wrote, "Her complaints were filed during the filming. On record. Long before the public conflict. The cast unfollowed him [Baldoni] for a reason." in the comment section of the NYT Instagram post about the lengthy deep dive into what happened.

He continued by writing, "His PR team was stellar. Gross and disgusting but highly effective. Read the article, their text message exchanges and his PR campaign strategy to bury her by any means necessary. No one is with out [sic] faults. But the public got played."

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Nicole Kidman Spills On Spending "A Lot Of Time In Bed" With Harris Dickinson During 'Babygirl' — Exclusive

The most important detail about any romantic movie is chemistry between its leads. Even the worst movie can be rescued by two characters you believe actually love each other. But that's not a problem for A24's Babygirl (in theaters December 25) because Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson have chemistry in spades. The new A24 movie follows CEO Romy (Kidman), who begins a torrid affair with a young intern named Samuel (Dickinson). And AMC queen Nicole says she knew Harris was different the moment he walked in the room.

Here's what Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson had to say about their chemistry in our exclusive Babygirl featurette.

Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson connected the moment they met.

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"As soon as he walked in, I was like, 'Oh good, here's somebody who's gonna play with me," Nicole Kidman says in our exclusive Babygirl featurette. "We spent a lot of time in bed. Hours would go by, and it was like you would step out of there and you would say, 'What just happened?'"

"From the moment [Samuel] sees her, he's attracted to her. He realizes there's someone at the height of their power," Harris says. "There was an element of mystique that needed to be there for the exploration of the relationship."

Harris continues that "perhaps there's something unfulfilled going on," perhaps referencing Romy's fizzled-out marriage with Jacob, while Nicole adds that "she's searching for something else" as the movie examines "desires, wants, [and] needs."

"Drink it in and be transported," she says.

​And their chemistry in 'Babygirl' was so intense, Nicole Kidman had to take breaks from filming.

In addition to spending "hours" in bed (which, honestly sounds like a pretty good work day to me), Nicole told The Sun in October that filming those scenes with Harris Dickinson became so intense, she would need breaks. “There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm any more,'” she said. “Don’t come near me. I hate doing this. I don’t care if I am never touched again in my life!”

But having a woman at the helm of the film (writer-director-producer Halina Reijn) both made Nicole feel more comfortable, and empowered her to tell this story. "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," she 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," Halina says, "but now I'm going to do it completely through female eyes. What does that mean and what does that look like?” See Babygirl in theaters December 25 to find out.

Here are the 10 New December Movies You Need To Add To Your Calendar ASAP.

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