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 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.
Grilling season is upon us, and that means that BBQs are in our distant future. As it turns out, there are tons of ways to incorporate veggies, seafood, sauces and seasonings into your grilling routine so you'll be known for the best BBQ on the block. Fire up your grill (or your oven in some cases) and try a tasty summer recipe. Here are 14 mouth-watering BBQ recipes that are sure to rock your tastebuds.
Image via Half Baked Harvest
Southwest BBQ Pork Sliders
Skip the pork ribs and pork chops in favor of this slow-cooker, easy-to-make BBQ pork recipe. This is a great BBQ food idea to make for a crowd, and we're pretty sure you only need to make it once for it to become a fan favorite. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Image via B+C
BBQ Ground Chicken Tacos
Give your Taco Tuesday an upgrade with this spin on the recipe. Paprika, garlic, and barbecue sauce make the chicken extra tasty, and the coleslaw is the perfect topping to satisfy your tastebuds! Serve with your favorite marg and dig in. (via Brit + Co)
Image via The Edgy Veg
Grilled Peaches & Pimento Pizza
Honor your vegan guests with this delicious flatbread. You can still get your fill of BBQ sauce with this pizza-meets-BBQ recipe. AKA, you won't have to make two entrees — vegans, pizza lovers and BBQ lovers alike will love this meal. (via The Edgy Veg)
Image via B+C
Lamb Burger
These Greek-inspired lamb burgers are perfectly charred on the outside, tender on the inside and stuffed with creamy feta cheese. Add this BBQ food to your cookout and everyone will be happy. If you're not quite ready to fire up the grill yet, we'll show you how to make them on a griddle too. Serve them on lightly toasted brioche with baby spinach and crunchy red onion, and top it all off with some homemade tzatziki. Just make sure you make enough, because if you serve this up at a BBQ party your guests will certainly be coming back for seconds and thirds. (via Brit + Co)
Image via Culinary Hill
Barbecue Chicken
Chicken wings have to be one of the best foods to barbecue. Eat it with a fork and knife or just go in with your hands — it's one of those fall-off-the-bone barbecue ideas that's always a good idea. (via Culinary Hill)
Image via Half Baked Harvest
BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad
Add this 30 minute side dish to your summer menu! And in addition to your typical BBQ food menu, you can easily cook up chicken and throw it with veggies to make an ah-mazing salad, too. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Image via The Edgy Veg
Vegan Brisket (BBQ Style)
Don't forget your vegan and vegetarian guests! This baked seitan recipe is hearty enough for herbivores and carnivores alike, which makes it a great BBQ food idea. Not a seitan fan? For some, it is bland, funky tasting, and the texture doesn't do much for others. Let this recipe change your mind (and stomach!) for good! (via The Edgy Veg)
Image via The Endless Meal
BBQ Crockpot Beef Ribs
You need to add this easy sweet and smoky BBQ recipe to your summer menu. We can't wait to dig in! (via The Endless Meal)
Image via The Endless Meal
Grilled Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with BBQ Hummus
If you've never had these at one of your cookouts, you're not alone. Score some points with your neighbors with this uncommon (but delicious) BBQ recipe. (via The Endless Meal)
Image via Cozy Cravings
Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts
Now brussels sprouts *may* not be a typical BBQ menu item, but you should definitely slot it in for your next cookout. The secret to these mouth-watering grilled veggies is the amazing honey-sriracha glaze, and TBH we can't wait to show these off this summer. (via Cozy Cravings)
Image via Half Baked Harvest
Peach and Bourbon Baked Beans
Let's be real, baked beans are a BBQ menu staple. Serve these up on their own or throw them in a salad for an amazing side dish. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Image via most hungry
Grilled Lamb Chops
Spice up your standard beef and chicken barbecue with some grilled lamb chops. You'll love the flavor, especially given how easy it is. When you get these ribs right, the thinner pieces of meat hanging off the small end of the rack will be smoky and firm (but not dry), while the meat inside will be milder and meltingly tender. (via most hungry)
Image via Amanda Wilens
Spicy Turkey Burger
This barbecue idea is great for fans of the grill and the skillet. Either way, these burgers make for delicious BBQ food. The slaw adds a nice flavor, texture, and temperature that complement the rest of the burger perfectly. (via Amanda Wilens)
Image via B+C
Campfire Cones
Top these BBQ ideas off with Brit + Co's Campfire Cones for a yummy treat. This campfire take on ice cream cones is one of our favorite desserts, like, ever. Barbecued desserts, however, can be a little tricky. Toasted marshmallows could melt through the grates, blackened baked bananas are just a little too hard to handle and s'mores… well, we've got nothing bad to say about s'mores. But we want something new and exciting AND easy. (via Brit + Co)
Follow us on Pinterest for more amazing BBQ recipes or explore our online cooking and baking classes!
This post has been updated.
Header Image Courtesy of Marek Mucha / Unsplash.
George and Amal Clooney are one of the celebrity couples I’d personally be upset over if they ever break up. Like...my heart just wouldn’t be able to handle it because their love story is one for the books — not to mention all the power couple fashion moments we'd miss out on!
I was introduced to George Clooney’s work via Quentin Tarantino’s movieFrom Dusk ‘Til Dawn (thanks, dad) and have always found him to be a force of nature, but I didn’t take him for the ‘settling down’ type. Imagine my surprise when the man who once claimed he’d never get married eventually found himself smitten with Amal Alamuddin, an intelligent Human Rights Lawyer.
Since their fateful first meeting at George’s home years ago, the two have gone on to get married, have children, and even established the Clooney Foundation for Justice together. If you can’t get enough of their relationship either, here’s a full timeline of their love story!
George and Amal Clooney's Full Relationship Timeline
Image via Andrew Goodman/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night
July 2013: George And Amal Clooney’s First Introduction
In 2018, George sat down with David Letterman on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction to recount various moments from his life, including when he first met Amal. He remembers being at home at Lake Como when one of his friends asked if they could bring a plus one with them.
To make things even wilder, his own agent let him know his bachelor days would soon be over. “I got a call from my agent who called and said, ‘I met this woman who’s coming to your house who you’re gonna marry,’” he said.
Once he met Amal and began talking to her, it was apparent they had chemistry that resulted in them exchanging emails. George told The Hollywood Reporter, “I thought she was beautiful, and I thought she was funny and obviously smart…Then she sent some pictures from when she was here, and we were writing each other, emailing, talking, mostly about what was going on in each other’s lives, and over a period of time it became clear we were more than just friends.”
I’m being dramatic, but I think this dispels the idea that it’s impossible to find love if you don’t leave home.
Image via Cindy Ord/Getty Images
October 2013: George and Amal Have Their First Date
George also told The Hollywood Reporter about how their first official date came to be. He was in London overseeing the music for Monuments Men and decided to invite Amal for a visit. “Then we went for dinner…and when we came out, there were 50 paparazzi there. But she handled it like a champ. And pretty quickly, things escalated once I was in London,” he said
While they dated and got to know each other, they told CBS that they wrote each other letters. While they described that courtship, Amal added that some of the letters George wrote to her came from...his dog? Talk about bringing someone into your inner world! TBH, I'm more than here for it — let your sweet, goofy flag fly, George!
Image via Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner
April 2014: George and Amal Get Engaged
I always say there’s no denying when you’ve fallen in love with someone, and that couldn’t be more true for George and Amal Clooney who got engaged after six months of dating. Seriously, the way George proposed is something out of a romantic fairytale because he planned it. Not only that, but he cooked for her and sent her on a short scavenger hunt — except she didn’t know she was supposed to be looking for a ring.
He revealed even more details about the moment during his interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I did all the stuff, got down on my knee and did all the things you’re supposed to do. I had a playlist with my Rosemary [Clooney] songs on it, and I was waiting for this song, ‘Why Shouldn’t I,’” he said.
Needless to say, Amal happily accepted his proposal! Ironically,I’m starting to realize there’s not always a set timeline for people to get engaged or married after dating. Some people only date for a few months while others date for years before deciding to get married. It’s all very personal.
Image via Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI
September 2014: George And Amal Clooney Get Married
It wouldn’t be right if the couple didn’t get married in Italy, the country where they first met. Of course they were free to get married wherever they wanted, but leave it to the Clooneys to keep the romance going.
People reported the lovely couple wed at the Aman Canal Grande resort and guests like Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and John Krasinski were in attendance.
Image via Jason Merritt/Getty Images
January 2015: George and Amal Grace the Red Carpet Together
For the first time ever, George and Amal Clooney made an appearance on the red carpet at the beginning of 2015. They attended the Golden Globes together where George received the famed lifetime achievement award.
Towards the end of his speech, George praised Amal in only a way that a man truly in love with his wife could. He said, "You make every single day — every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday — feel as special as tonight..."
Image via Duncan McGlynn/Getty Images
Late 2016: George and Amal Found the Clooney Foundation for Justice
By 2016, George and Amal Clooney decided to found the Clooney Foundation for Justice — an organization that aims to shed light around social injustices found across the globe. They've prioritized spending their own money to help those in need without a second thought and have even donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Image via Clemens Bilan/Getty Images
February 2017: PEOPLE confirms George and Amal are expecting twins
Almost three years after getting married, a source close to George and Amal Clooney revealed the two were expecting a baby together. They told People, "They’re all very happy," referring to the couple's family.
George later revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that he was shocked when he discovered the couple would actually become parents to twins. He recalled their experience in the ultrasound room. "He goes, 'Well, there's one.' And I said, 'Great.' And then he goes, 'And there's the second one.' And I was like, 'What?' We just sat there, staring at that piece of paper they give you, and I kept thinking there was a mistake," he said of the exchange between the doctor and the couple.
Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
June 2017: George and Amal Clooney Welcome Their Twins
People also reported the birth of George and Amal Clooney's twins — Alexander and Ella — during the summer of 2017. "This morning Amal and George welcomed Ella and Alexander Clooney into their lives. Ella, Alexander and Amal are all healthy, happy and doing fine. George is sedated and should recover in a few days," they revealed in lighthearted joint statement.
September 2017: George and Amal Clooney Make Their First Appearance After Becoming Parents
Later that year, George and Amal Clooney graced the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in support of George's film Suburbicon. George — an ever dapper gentleman — wore a classic black tuxedo while Amal wore a lilac Versace gown.
Image via Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty Images
May 2018: George and Amal attend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding
Things were quiet for the couple until the spring of 2018. They attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's highly publicized wedding. They were just a few of the celebrities that were seen in the crowd.
Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
February 2022: George and Amal accept the Catalyst Award together
A couple of years later, George and Amal Clooney were the proud recipients of the joint Catalyst Award from the Elevate Prize Foundation. The amazing work they'd been doing in connection with the Clooney Foundation for Justice hadn't gone unnoticed and they were praised for their amazing philanthropic work.
While accepting the award, George gave a moving speech about their foundation's purpose. "One of the Elevate Prize Foundation's core values is human safety and freedom...Our goal at the foundation is to free the innocent and punish the guilty. I think we're both inspired by the young people out there challenging injustice in their communities, a new generation that won't accept the status quo," he said.
Image via Joe Maher/Getty Images
September 2022: George and Amal attend London premiere of Ticket to Paradise
The couple then attended the London premiere of Ticket to Paradise where they looked refreshed and glowy. This is my attempt to be appropriate, but they truly looked smoking h-o-t!This time George wore a three-piece suit while Amal stunned in beautiful slip dress.Image via Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images
October 17, 2022: George and Amal attend Ticket to Paradise Los Angeles premiere
They then attended the L.A. premiere of Ticket to Paradise where George looked debonair in a grey suit. Amal wore a gorgeous Alexander McQueen number that was an appropriate nod to the film's paradise theme.
Image via Mike Coppola/Getty Images
December 3, 2022: George and Amal Attend The Kennedy Center Honors
George and Amal Clooney attended the Kennedy Center Honors where he, along with honorees, received a nod for lifetime achievements. They were a picture of perfection on the red carpet, especially Amal. She dazzled in a lovely Valentino gown that looked amazing on her frame.
Image via Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
August 31, 2023: The Couple Attend The DVF Awards in Venice
While attending the DVF Awards in Venice, Amal received the DVF Leadership Award. During her acceptance speech, Amal thanked George for being by her side. People reports she said, "Venice is the place where almost nine years ago we were married. I just wanted to say, you, my love, like this city, take my breath away, and you make our lives magical. It is sometimes hard to believe you exist, so thank you for being the brightest light in my life.”
September 28, 2023: George and Amal host The Albies
Before the end of 2023, People reported George and Amal Clooney hosted their foundation's second annual Albies at the New York Public Library to continue highlighting the importance of securing human rights for all.
Love celebrity relationships? Follow us on Facebook for all the news on your faves!
Header image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images
Salad cravings come and go, but they can definitely linger when you find the perfect mix of fresh, seasonal ingredients and an irresistibly delicious dressing! These hearty, tasty salads are all of those things, and stand on their own as a meal for one or a crowd.
The versatility of each salad recipe here is what makes them shine as our very best salad recipes, too. Top 'em with your favorite protein for a delicious dinner, proudly bring one along to a summer BBQ potluck, or pack a serving for a week's worth of healthylunches.
Whether you're craving a taco-style salad, an all-veggie mix, or a salad-y spin on your favorite cuisine like Thai, Mediterranean, or Southern, these are the best salads to add to your recipe box!
Spring Mix Salad with Lemon Baked Tofu
Pack protein like lemon tofu and edamame to this salad that's filled enough to be its own stand-alone dish. The tangy vinaigrette is so refreshing, too! (via Two Spoons for Brit + Co)
Fennel Salad
This light meal is made magical with some crispy chicken cutlets that you can either prepare yourself, or buy at the store to save you some weeknight time! The blood orange brightens things up a bit, while the fennel and toasted walnuts add some wondrous texture. (via Brit + Co)
Butternut Squash Salad
Rich in nutrients, this veggie salad packs a mouthful of sweet flavors from the roasted butternut, paired with perfectly with a homemade apple cider dressing. (via Brit + Co)
Space Salad
This NASA-inspired recipe, originally developed for deep space travelers, only requires seven ingredients: soybeans, poppy seeds, barley, kale, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and sweet potatoes are all tossed together to create an (ahem) out-of-this-world salad. (via Brit + Co)
Nicoise Salad
There's a little bit of everything in this tasty salad recipe: protein from fish and eggs, crunch from spinach and tomatoes, and tons of flavor from the homemade dressing. (via Brit + Co)
Strawberry Arugula Walnut Salad
Here's our favorite go-to spring salad recipe, chock full of fresh fruit + veg we love to savor all season long. (via Brit + Co)
Whole30 Chicken and Avocado Salad
We recreated one of Pinterest's most popular Whole30 recipes and learned exactly what all the fuss is about, so good! (via Brit + Co)
Winter Greens & Citrus Salad with Tahini-Ginger Dressing
The Japanese-style tahini-ginger dressing in this salad is so good that you'll want to drizzle it on all your veggies — sauteéd kale, steamed broccoli, and more. (via Season Cookbook x Brit + Co)
Spring Chicken Salad With Sauce Verte
Low-carb fans will love this bright spring salad with seasoned chicken and a mix of veggies like asparagus, English peas, and plenty of greens. (via Brit + Co)
Summer Watermelon Radish Salad
Watermelon radishes are nothing like your average watermelon. Earthy and packed with a spicy kick, these vegetables go best paired with a simple balsamic vinaigrette. (via Brit + Co)
Sweet Potato Salad
This hearty salad mixes together roasted sweet potato, fluffy quinoa, arugula, crumbled feta, and a quick + delicious hummus dressing. (viaLive Eat Learn)
Pesto Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad
Grilled Cajun chicken, orzo, romaine lettuce, and avocado and peppers tossed together with a creamy thousand island dressing is a meal we'll happily add to our weekly salad rotation ASAP. (via Half Baked Harvest)
Roasted Golden Beet Salad with Farro
Roasted beets, farro, goat cheese, and crunchy almonds is hearty enough to serve as a meal on its own but also a dish you'll totally want to share. (via Barley & Sage)
Peach Salad
Peach lovers, unite! This salad puts the juicy stone fruit front and center and finishes with a sweet and tangy olive oil dressing. (via Feel Good Foodie)
Curly Endive and Stone Fruit Salad
The best thing about salads is their versatility. Swap the endive here for radicchio, chicories, frisée or some other favorite and grill the stone fruit for added flavor. (via Most Hungry)
Easy Beef Taco Salad
Top this beef salad with your favorite taco toppings and an easy and delicious 2-ingredient dressing! (via Salt & Lavender)
Spring Orzo Salad
Loaded with asparagus, peas, and a delicious lemon vinaigrette dressing, this salad will satisfy you through summer and beyond. (via Munching With Mariyah)
Shaved Broccolini, Brussel Sprouts, and Kale Salad
This gluten-free and vegetarian salad features shaved broccolini, Brussels sprouts and kale (*all* the greens) and is so easy to make. (via Rachel Mansfield)
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Salad
Toss crispy romaine hearts, spicy buffalo chicken, and all your favorite veggies with a healthy and super tasty avocado ranch dressing for your next salad craving. (via The Endless Meal)
Apple Berry Walnut Salad
Berry season is a perfect time to make this salad, mixed with kale, red leaf lettuce, blackberries, blueberries, apples, and walnuts. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)
These Are The Best Salad Recipes To Mix Up This Summer
Snap Pea + Burrata Salad
Snap peas, cucumbers, radishes, and creamy burrata cheese is the healthy + totally satisfying mix we want in a salad. (via Cozy Cravings)
Santa Fe Chicken Salad
This Chili's copycat salad recipe is loaded with spicy chicken, yummy veggies, tortilla strips and a zesty Santa Fe sauce. (via The Girl on Bloor)
Panzanella Bread Salad
This salad made with grilled bread, heirloom tomatoes, capers and herbs can be served warm or cold depending on the season and mood. (via Veggie Society)
Authentic Fattoush Salad
Make the most of summer's best produce with a delicious dressing and crunchy homemade pita chips for the ultimate bread salad. (via Forks & Foliage)
Turmeric Rice Salad
Grains are a great way to turn a salad into a meal. This Mediterranean-inspired salad uses turmeric and rice to add a beautiful color, great texture and a lot of nutrition. (via Feel Good Foodie)
Vegan Grilled Club Salad
Inspired by the classic club sandwich, this salad uses similar ingredients grilled to perfection. (via The Edgy Veg)
Bright Winter Salad
This easy, 10-minute salad is packed with antioxidants and introduces dragonfruit to your salad go-to ingredients. (via No Eggs Or Ham)
Easy Fennel Arugula Salad
Mix in sundried tomatoes and artichoke hearts to create a simple and satisfying salad with huge flavor. (via Gastroplant)
Turkish Shepherd Salad
Tomato season is our favorite salad time. Add fresh summer tomatoes, cucumbers and onions, plus sumac, lemon juice and olive oil to make this tasty and refreshing salad in just 5 minutes! (via Give Recipe)
Thai Quinoa Salad
A simple Thai vinaigrette made of sesame oil, lime juice, fish sauce, ginger, and garlic turns your summer produce into a delightful feast! (viaA Spicy Perspective)
Bo Luc Lac
This peppery, sweet, and savory bo luc lac is delicious served on a bed of crisp watercress, red onions, and cherry tomatoes, so salad-esque. (via Takes Two Eggs)
Kale Salad
This colorful kale salad made with a fresh strawberry vinaigrette is an ode to California cuisine. (via Culinary Hill)
Cauliflower Citrus Salad
This winter salad is a great one to bookmark come the holidays or try anytime you're craving crunchy and sweet. (via Allo Simone)
Chickpea Shawarma Salad
This plant-based version of the Middle Eastern dish still has the same kick of spices but with hearty chickpeas and a dressing that’s tangy, sweet, and tart all at once. (via Chef Bai)
Strawberry Spinach Salad
This healthy summer salad is quick and easy, featuring toasted almonds, sliced cucumbers and in-season strawberries, plus an easy balsamic vinaigrette dressing. (via Two Spoons)
Watermelon Feta Basil Balsamic Salad
There are few things better than watermelon in season, and this salad takes advantage of all of it with complimentary flavors of feta, basil, and balsamic. (via Cilantro Parsley)
Black Eyed Pea + Cornbread Salad
This Southern-style salad had us at cornbread, plus plant-based toppings that are healthy and delicious and totally filling. (via This Wife Cooks)
Follow us on Pinterest for more summer dinners, and check out our online cooking classes for delicious ideas!
This post has been updated.
Nails breaking constantly? Wishing you didn't have to rely on tips at the salon? Desperate for that long nail look? You’re not alone. Despite it being used as an annoying and vapid phrase women would say in TV shows, breaking a nail is very painful and can ruin a (usually expensive) manicure. But don’t fret — we’ve rounded up five simple ways to get your nails to grow longer and stronger.
What causes weak fingernails?
Photo by cottonbro studio/PEXELS
But first, what causes unhealthy, brittle, breakable nails? A lot of factors that may not instantly come to mind. According to WebMD, these factors can contribute to weak nails:
- Aging: As we get older, our nails get thinner and can crack or peel.
- Harsh nail products: Both nail polish and nail polish remover can have strong chemicals that can damage and dry out your nails, leading them to break.
- Wet nails: Consistently have your hands in water, maybe doing the dishes or bathtime for the kids? This could be drying out your nails.
- Underlying health issues: Vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and many other health issues could be the cause of nails breaking.
How can I strengthen my nails?
Photo by Karolina Grabowska/PEXELS
Dealing with some of these factors? While we can’t help you with the underlying health issues (please see a doctor if you think you may be dealing with something!), there are many easy things you can do to improve your nails and encourage growth.
- Cuticle oil
- Biotin
- Diet
- Nail protection
- Avoid picking and peeling
Here's why each factor is important, plus how you can go about successfully achieving them.
Find a Cuticle Oil
You may only use cuticle oil when your manicurist applies it, but that doesn't have to be the case. Cuticle oils are an inexpensive and easy way to promote nail health and growth by keeping your nails hydrated. Cosmetically, cuticle oils encourage longer-lasting manis and leave your nails looking shiny and polished. But they do much more below the surface: cuticle oils create a healthier environment that allows strong growth for your nails.
Interested in adding cuticle oil to your beauty routine? Check our a few of my faves:
- Cuccio Naturale Revitalizing- Hydrating Oil
- Olive & June Cuticle Serum
- OPI ProSpa Nail and Cuticle Oil
Photo via Cora Pursley/Dupe
Explore Biotin
Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that helps our bodies turn food into energy. It’s also one of the top recommended supplements for hair and nail growth, and for good reason. Many scientists say a daily biotin supplement can improve nail strength in as little as a few weeks.
“Since it is water soluble, biotin (or vitamin B7) can’t be stored in the body and must be acquired from diet or through supplementation,” shared Rachel Kilroy, Director of Product Innovation at Solaray, the original pioneers in supplement health and wellness. Solaray has developed a new supplement that provides biotin in a unique way.
“Solaray’s Timed Release Biotin strategically supports nail health with a powerful 5,000 mcg of this important nutrient, delivering half of the biotin rapidly and the other half gradually over a period of up to 8 hours for sustained support,” Kilroy continued. “With consistent use, this vegan formula—lab verified for purity and potency—can provide comprehensive support for longer, stronger nails.”
Supplements not your thing? Biotin can be found naturally in many foods, like cooked eggs, whole grains, soy and other beans, nuts and nut butters, salmon, mushrooms, and cauliflower.
Photo via Daniella Cappellari/Dupe
Eat A Nail Friendly Diet
Nails require a balanced, healthy diet for proper growth and strength. According to Medical News Today, making small tweaks to your diet can make a big impact on your nails. Adding in nutrients like more iron or calcium in your diet will have your nails growing long and strong.
Dieticians recommend a colorful diet for nail growth consisting of colorful fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, eggs, lean meat, avocado, sweet potato, and whole grains.
Photo via Sash Gabriel/Dupe
Protect Your Nails While Wet
Constantly doing dishes, managing bath time, gardening, or swimming? The water may be the cause of your breakage.
Your nails are like sponges, constantly expanding and contracting when water goes in or out of the nail cells. This can strain your nails, causing them to weaken, peel, and then break.
When possible, grab a pair of rubber gloves to wear while cleaning to protect your nails from the water and make sure to fully dry your nails after they’re in water. Hand creams are also a win for your nails after water exposure.
Avoid Picking, Peeling or Biting
Bad habits that are addicting. While peeling off your gel manicure can be so satisfying, it’s one of the worst things you can do for your nails. Same with constantly picking or biting your nails. As someone who used to constantly bite her nails down, I can assure you my nails are much healthier and stronger after kicking that habit.
Want to quit that habit? Try a nail bite deterrent, like this one from ella+mia or this one from LONDONTOWN and watch your nails grow before your eyes.
Looking for more beauty tips and inspo? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter for more!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Header image via Laura Walt/Dupe
I've got a thing for Reese Witherspoon's book club which is why I couldn't wait to get my hands on Yulin Kuang's debut novel How to End a Love Story. Chosen as Reese's Book Club's May Pick, it features a romance that almost shouldn't make sense. I mean, when's the last time you realized you trauma bonded with someone? Except Helen Zhang and Grant Shepard's character arcs as well as the entire plot of How to End a Love Story doesn't even feel like that.
Instead, Yulin uncannily peels back the layers of what it means to be a layered human being who happens to be carrying trauma, talent, success, imposter syndrome, and burning desire in their hearts. Even that doesn't scratch the surface of who Helen and Grant are. Trying to capture their essence feels like I'm stumbling over my words which points to how great this novel is and that means Yulin's goal has been accomplished.
Though she loves perfectly executed rom-coms and is fortunate to be working on them in the filmmaking space, she doesn't consider How to End a Love Story as one. "...I was searching for something more aligned with the Brontë sensibility of romance in the writing of this book. Less warmth and charm, more id-level storytelling and unchecked carnal desire," she explains.
Yulin Kuang's Journey To "How To End A Love Story"
Image via Zach Wallnau
Some people seem to be born knowing they're destined to right, but some of us stumble into it and realize, "Hey, I'm pretty good at this." For Yulin, her journey to her debut novel How to End a Love Story takes the latter route. Her first dream, you make ask? To be an Olympic figure skater.
"...that didn't pan out so I turned to storytelling," Yulin admits. That pivot led her to set her sights on becoming an author as she began honing her creative writing skills via your classic marble composition notebooks. If you're still wondering if she kept some of them, the answer is yes!
The screenwriter and author then found herself drawn to other aspects of writing and film. She says, "I eventually fell in love with screenwriting and directing while in undergrad at Carnegie Mellon, and I spent my first decade post-grad concentrating on my filmmaking career."
Yulin Kuang's Approach To Filmmaking
It's a reason why her hard work and the stars aligned for her to adapt Emily Henry's Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation.
When I ask what helps her approach the book-to-film trajectory, she credits writing fan fiction. This feels similar to Christina Lauren's own experience, further proving that fan fiction deserves the utmost praise for helping some of the best literary and film minds who ultimately birth what I could only describe as masterpieces.
Yulin says, "Fan fiction is where I first learned you could play with characters originated by someone else to discover what you’d make them do in your own version." Although it would be easy for anyone to snap their fingers and have their first pitches accepted by everyone, she learned to lean on what writing fan fiction taught her.
"Early in my career, I would pitch on book-to-film adaptations and I’d be like, 'Change nothing, just shoot the book!' And I wouldn’t get those jobs, because I didn’t have a clear “take” and because you can’t actually just shoot a book – adaptation is an art form unto itself. So onceI started approaching adaptation with more of a fan fiction mindset – 'What is my take on these characters and this world?' – that helped me approach the book-to-screen trajectory more successfully," she proudly says.
However, this doesn't mean she never questioned if she could still find ways to create new ideas. "...in 2021, at a time when everything else I was working on was an adaptation, I found myself wondering if I had anything original left within me," she remembers.
It's natural for creatives to experience moments of doubt, but Yulin has been able to turn the tide and discover untapped ideas in her mind. Just don't expect her to set her own expectations about any adaptations she's working on.
She says, "Know that I am an avid reader of romance and a frequent consumer of this genre across mediums, and I will be bringing everything I know going into these adaptations. But more specifically to Beach Read, which I have more creative ownership over as the writer/director."
How Yulin Kuang Relates To Her Main Characters In "How To End A Love Story"
And since How to End a Love Story is truly Yulin's own creative body of work, it makes sense that main characters Helen and Grant have pieces of her personality as well as her characteristics.
"I gave Helen all my hopes and insecurities from high school and gave her the alternate universe path where I had pursued publishing instead of Hollywood. I examined what might have happened if I’d grown into certain qualities I’ve actively tried to grow away from," she says of Helen Zhang.
Right away, readers get the sense that Helen is a whip-smart and hardworking, but her penchant for being cautious about her success also peeks through. Though she's written highly successful YA (read: young adult) novels, Helen waits with bated breath for the moment people will call her bluff. She's relatable because many of us wonder if we're simply cosplaying as versions of ourselves who've reached any level of success.
On the other hand, there's Grant Shepard. He's seemingly this cool, calm, and collected screenwriter who has a complicated past with Helen. Yulin says, "I gave Grant a lot of the qualities I’m proud of and/or have coveted as a working screenwriter, and I certainly relate to many of his thoughts on screenwriting and the current state of our industry."
The more the reader learns about Helen and Grant, the more it becomes obvious that there's more to them than meets the eye. Sure, they are complicated...but who isn't?
"At their core, Helen and Grant are just two kids from Jersey trying to make it in Hollywood, and of course I relate deeply to that," she says.
Yulin Kuang's View Of Rom-Coms
Based on Yulin's genuine interest in romance novels and the fact she's well-versed in adapting them, she knows what it takes to make rom-coms flourish. Her first take? "Romantic tension is key to any romance – I always need to know why our couple can’t be together now. The second that tension is gone, so is audience interest," she points out.
This explains why we can't get enough of reading books about it, listening to albums dedicated to it, or watching films that depict all levels of romance. Still, there are some people who approach the genre with a side eye.
"There seems to be a natural human suspicion of things that make us feel too good – like, 'That can’t possibly be good for us, that’s just candy!' I wonder if it’s something evolutionary at work," she says before doubling down. "You can’t argue with the fact that people absolutely fucking love rom-coms, and I will die on the hill that a well-earned happily ever after is both harder to achieve and more narratively satisfying when it’s pulled off successfully."
She's the type of writer who really appreciates a big kiss that's handled correctly onscreen, but she's also not afraid to "groan every time it's fumbled." But, she knows everyone still won't see romance the way she and so many others view it, but she doesn't really care.
"Ultimately, I don’t concern myself too much with changing minds that don’t want to be changed.There are enough smart people who recognize the power and value of rom-coms, and I’d rather spend my precious time creating art to surprise and delight the people with good taste."
Need I say that this is yet another reason why How to End a Love Story works so well?
How Yulin Kuang Wishes The World Would Celebrate AAPI Month
As much as she's vocal about screenwriting and rom-coms, Yulin also has thoughts about the way society-at-large talks about BIPOC creative artists. "There’s a real, 'This is important, eat your vegetables,' vibe to things. And while that might be true, it’s not the most appealing way to market or discover art," she says.
She admits this could be due to how many diversity-in-film panels she's attended. As a Black woman, the conversations I see every year during Black History Month seem to have a certain "Let's check this box so everyone can be happy" vibe, so I can imagine attending panels about diversity and inclusion can start to sound repetitive after awhile.
Yulin doesn't hold back when she says, "I’m a little jaded when people ask me diversity questions at this point. I don’t want to attract the kind of readers who are only showing up to be supportive of my Asian-ness. It’s a bit like showing up to a date where someone says, 'I’m so excited that you’re Asian!!!'" This is an analogy I can so get behind because it makes a lot of sense!
It's one thing to have representation, but I like to think it's always obvious when people are approaching the conversation in a way that 'others' BIPOC people. We're literally not asking for a trophy, but more so an acknowledgement that we shouldn't be excluded from conversations, spaces, and careers or treated differently.
This sentiment is shared by Yulin who says, "That’s the thing about me that I didn’t do on purpose, and while I’m glad you’re excited, I hope there are things that I did do on purpose that you find exciting, too" and feels there is a way to be a genuine ally.
"...support AAPI creatives by all means, and perhaps begin by celebrating us as individual artists even after the designated month ends. And where applicable, talk about our work like it’s candy, not vegetables. I’d rather be irresistible than important," she states.
Take a page from Yulin Kuang's book and pick up a copy of How to End a Love Story today! You won't regret it!
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