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At least two different types of COVID-19 pills, or oral treatments for COVID-19, are on the horizon, and doctors say they could be a significant game-changer in allowing us to get back to some semblance of “normal” life during a pandemic that, for many of us, feels like it may never end. Here’s what’s going on: The pharmaceutical companies Merck and Pfizer both have COVID-19 pills in development that are moving quickly through the process of seeking emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration....

If you’ve ever tried making a healthy change to your eating habits, whether it was eating a few more vegetables, a little less dessert or trying to cut back on the late-night snacking, there’s a good chance you faced a few cravings. This hankering for certain foods—typically of the sweet, salty or fatty variety—can range from a passing thought to a constant, extreme desire. Cravings can have a powerful hold over your body and brain, and they can easily set you back on your health and fitness goals....

Moore, 38, is getting ready to welcome her second child with husband Taylor Goldsmith, with whom she already shares 1-year-old son August—and she has her best girlfriends surrounding her to help her celebrate. Duff, 34, was among those in tow for Moore’s poolside baby shower last week, and she shared a series of sweet photos to remember the day by. “Sweet Mandy!” the How I Met Your Father star began the caption in her Instagram post on Wednesday, Sept....

So, while many people may think there’s a simple and quick explanation for the history of Christmas, the real story is much more complex. Fortunately, we’re here to unpack (or, unwrap, we should say!) how this popular celebration originated. What are the origins of Christmas? The usual “go-to” answer is that the first Christmas took place on Jesus Christ’s birthday. And while it’s true we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas (note the word combination of “Christ” and “Mass”), this specific celebration did not begin until the fourth century—before that, Easter was the main celebration for Christians....

No matter what “home” means to you, this list of quotes is sure to resonate and evoke those feelings of being at peace and secure in your sacred space. Want a fun quote for an Instagram caption showing off your clan snuggled up on the couch? We’ve got that covered. Are you away from home traveling and missing the loved ones left behind? We’ve got quotes about that, too. Maybe you need a sweet message about “home” to write in a housewarming card for a friend?...

But first things, first: Yes, you need to wash the watermelon before you cut into it lest your knife transfer pathogens from the rind to the flesh, according to a spokesperson from Watermelon.org, an Orlando, Florida-based non-profit that represents U.S.-based watermelon growers, shippers and importers. You’ll also want to pat it dry to stop it from slipping when you make your first cut. Speaking of slipping, it’s no use trying to stabilize a slick, round melon, which can pose safety hazards when a sharp tool is involved....

For people who have tight hips, frog pose is one such pose. Perhaps ironically, both runners and people who live a sedentary lifestyle can experience tight hips. Frog pose can be helpful to counteract this, whether it’s done on its own or as part of a yoga flow. But if you’ve never tried it before, you may want to make sure you’re doing it safely. Here, yoga instructors explain exactly how to do it, also offering variations....

What exactly is cystic acne, then, and can it be treated? Here’s everything you need to know about cystic acne (including why you should never try to imitate those popular videos to try to pop it yourself). What is cystic acne? Cystic acne is a type of acne that forms deep under the skin, never coming to a head. Rashmi Unwala, MD, a dermatologist with the Cleveland Clinic, notes that it is often also referred to as nodular acne, and that it most commonly appears on the jaw line, chest and upper back....

True, Westerfield is a horticulturalist and vegetable specialist with the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, so he knows a little something about growing herbs—among many other kinds of plants. But you can grow your own herbs, too. You don’t have to be an expert. Herbs are very forgiving as a general rule, says Westerfield. “Herbs are much more tolerant of mistakes or ‘garden abuse,’ if you will, than vegetables,” he says....

According to a March 2021 poll by the American Psychological Association, 61% of U.S. adults experienced undesired weight changes—either weight gain or loss—during the pandemic. The poll also found that 42% of adults gained more weight than they intended. Participants reported that they gained an average of 29 pounds (the median amount gained was 15 pounds) and 10% said they gained more than 50 pounds. “As a Registered Dietitian, I feel like many people gained the ‘Quarantine 15’ or even more during the pandemic not just because gyms were closed, but truly because their eating habits changed,” says Lauren Hubert, MS, RD, registered dietitian and founder of The Sorority Nutritionist....

Luckily, you don’t have to completely adulterate the fine food in your doggy bag, says Conservatory West Hollywood executive chef Victor Munoz. The key is understanding food science, he says, is that when we add heat to raw steak during its first cook, the protein coagulates and excretes moisture, making the meat firmer. The higher the temperature, the tighter and firmer it will become, for all you grill masters out there....

Emily Blackwell, a senior lecturer in animal behavior and welfare at the University of Bristol, highlighted the key ways that cats show their owners that they love them in a new article, and it’s all based on science. The first and possibly most obvious way cats show that they see you as family is through scent marking. Both domestic cats and their big cat ancestors use scent marking, generally by rubbing their faces and ears on something to mark it as theirs....

“I came to singing late. When I was doing Beauty and the Beast and in my contract they made me have a singing lesson every week,” he explained. “What happened was I was learning on the job … and I kind of developed a voice that was not fully mine. Liz really made me fall in love with singing," he elaborated. “I find it really difficult to listen to myself sing....

“What makes me feel the most encouraged are little things like the sound of my son reading a book out loud,” the Frozen and Uncut Gems star tells Parade.com in a new interview about her 11-year-old, Walker. “When he confides in me and asks my advice… those moments really encourage me as a parent, and I feel like he feels comfortable enough with me and I must be doing something right....

The official synopsis for the new book, titled The Ink Black Heart, reads, “When frantic, disheveled Edie Ledwell appears in the office begging to speak to her, private detective Robin Ellacott doesn’t know quite what to make of the situation. The cocreator of a popular cartoon, The Ink Black Heart, Edie is being persecuted by a mysterious online figure who goes by the pseudonym of Anomie. Edie is desperate to uncover Anomie’s true identity....

“Your fibroids have grown and your iron is low.” I stared at my gynecologist trying to understand what she was saying to me. This couldn’t be right, I had a myomectomy in 2013 for 10 fibroids, and had low iron after the surgery. But my iron was normal now, wasn’t it? How could I possibly have low iron? I wasn’t tired, at least I didn’t think I was, and I didn’t have the same symptoms as before....

The Gilded Age’s sumptuous premiere episode was a visual feast of set design and costuming; it also put forth several storylines we can’t wait to follow. But how much of that plot is historically accurate and can we expect to see any real-life historical figures—not to mention a Season 2? Get answers to all your questions about HBO’s new series, The Gilded Age. (Warning: spoilers for the first episode ahead!...

And since it was a star-studded event, naturally, there were plenty of familiar faces in the photos. The first image included the Morbius actor with Italian fashion designer Alessandro Michele as he kissed the actor’s cheek. Leto kept it playful by sticking his tongue out at the camera. The next photo featured the always-stunning Dakota Johnson as she stood under a lavish golden canopy, looking back and smiling towards Leto, who presumably snapped the shot....

Metcalfe’s character, Trace Riley, will make his exit early in season 5. The show is about to begin filming the fifth season in Vancouver with a likely summer premiere on the network. The show, based on novels by Sheryl Woods follows the O’Brien family and focuses on Abby O’Brien (Meghan Ory), a divorced mother of two who returns home and falls back in love with her high school sweetheart, musician Trace Riley....

Comedian Jim Gaffigan has never been afraid to poke fun at his personal life as a husband and father (to five kids!) in his stand-up material. And the same goes for his latest offering, the Netflix special Comedy Monster (which premieres Tuesday, Dec. 21 on the platform), in which—as the quote above attests—Gaffigan really toes the line by hinting that real-life wife Jeannie Gaffigan is, shall we say, the less rational of the two....