Back to School

Japanese Bento Boxes
Lunch

Bento: The Original Boxed Lunch

Many of us wish we brought our lunch to work more often, and while leftovers and sandwiches are delicious options, sometimes we're looking for out-of-the-box ideas.
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Many of us wish we brought our lunch to work more often, and while leftovers and sandwiches are delicious options, sometimes we're looking for out-of-the-box ideas. Might I suggest you start searching in the box with a bento lunch? This Japanese boxed lunch has a long history, but these days it's a delicious, healthy, and convenient lunch option. Consider it perfect for munching at your desk or, even better, at all the picnics you'll be enjoying in July for National Picnic Month. Ready to learn more about bentos? Just keep reading.

Best Things About High School
nostalgia

100 Things We Loved About High School

High school grads are tossing their caps in the air this time of year, and it's getting us nostalgic about our own high school days.
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High school grads are tossing their caps in the air this time of year, and it's getting us nostalgic about our own high school days. Those four years were either your most awkward or the best time of your lives (maybe a little of both). Either way, there was plenty to love about those days. Graduation season has us reminiscing about our favorite high school memories, like passing notes, pep rallies, all-nighters, and prom. For us, high school fell in the late '90s and early '00s: we listened to Discmans on the bus, recorded Dawson's Creek on VHS tapes, and covered our walls with posters of *NSYNC. Check out the 100 things we loved most about our teen years, then share what you loved most about high school in the comments!

Playing Games on Our Nokia Phones Writing With Gel Pens Planning Halloween Costumes With a Group Decorating Our Planners Arguing Over Who's the Hottest Heartthrob Typing on Old-School Macs Making Mix CDs For Our Friends
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High School GPA
career

What Kind of Student Were You?

I get a little nostalgic for high school when the Summer comes — for carefree teenage nights, new Summer jobs, and stocking up on new school supplies at the drugstore.
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I get a little nostalgic for high school when the Summer comes — for carefree teenage nights, new Summer jobs, and stocking up on new school supplies at the drugstore. I am proud to admit I was always an A-student, but I have lot of friends who are successful and crazy smart adults who snoozed through school and got mostly Bs and Cs. While good grades can open doors, we all know by now that they by no means make or break an adult in the working world. What kind of grades did you typically get in high school?

Source: Flickr User Wimena Kane
Celebrities Who Graduated College
Graduation

Classy Ladies: Actresses Who Are College Grads

Eva Longoria has gone to the top of the class!
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Eva Longoria has gone to the top of the class! Yesterday, Eva kicked up her heels after accepting her master's degree in Chicano studies from California State University, Northridge. She adds the degree to her bachelor of science in kinesiology, which she received while at Texas A&M University-Kingsville before heading to Hollywood. Eva reportedly started the advanced program while working on ABC's Desperate Housewives, even completing some schoolwork while on set. To celebrate her accomplishments, check out other actresses who have impressive degrees, including self-described "super academic" Rebel Wilson and supermom Jennifer Garner.

Eva Longoria Tina Fey Jennifer Garner Amy Poehler Jenna Fischer Natalie Portman Mira Sorvino
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10 Student-Teacher Romances in Movies
Sex

Student-Teacher Relationships That Cross the Line

When you think of Teacher Appreciation Day, which is today, these aren't the types of relationships that come to mind.
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When you think of Teacher Appreciation Day, which is today, these aren't the types of relationships that come to mind. At what point does it become acceptable for a student to date a teacher? It's obviously a no-no if the student is underage, but some colleges have banned student-teacher sex completely, even between consenting adults. For years, the topic has fascinated filmmakers far beyond the made-for-TV movie about Mary Kay Letourneau. Here are student-teacher liaisons that cross the line from cute to questionable.

The Power Struggle The Blackmail-Worthy Affair The Unrequited Crush The Multigenerational Love Triangle The Second Chance The Presumed Peers The Roommate Situation
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Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Options For Kids
Back to School

It's National PB&J Day! 5 New Ways to Enjoy the Kiddie Classic

Peek into any 10 lunchboxes, and you'll find more than a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
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Peek into any 10 lunchboxes, and you'll find more than a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. When it comes to edible classics, the PB&J is a staple in most children's diets. Though the flavors vary, parents usually lather the nut paste on one slice of bread, spread a sweet fruit jam on another, and then slice the sandwich in half for their kiddos to take to school.

To mix things up a bit, we asked chef Catherine McCord, founder of Weelicious and mother of two, to reinvent the sandwich classic five different, kid-friendly ways. Check out her delicious options, which are bound to become household favorites!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Pancake Sandwiches Peanut Butter and Jelly Panini Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal Thumbprint Cookies Peanut Butter and Jelly Swirled Yogurt Peanut Butter and Jelly Pinwheels
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Tips For Organizing School Mornings
Back to School

Organize Your Life: 10 Tips For Making School Mornings Run Smoothly

From the moment the alarm goes off each morning (if you're lucky enough to wake up to an alarm rather than an early riser!), the rush is on!
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From the moment the alarm goes off each morning (if you're lucky enough to wake up to an alarm rather than an early riser!), the rush is on! Getting everyone washed, dressed, fed, and packed can seem like a sprint as you race against the clock to make it to school on time. Add to that some school permission forms that must be signed, a note for the teacher, and that sinking suspicion that there's nothing in the fridge for dinner that night, and the morning can be lost in a black hole.

Never fear, organized moms are here! We've scoured the web to find mamas who've got it under control, and they're sharing their tips (and products) to make your mornings run more smoothly. Keep reading for the best of what they've got to offer!

Child's Message Center ($35) School Money Labels (Free) Notes to the Teacher ($10) Robbygurl's Creations Menu Board ($3) Weekly Menu Board School Paperwork Storage (Free) Lunch Planning Calendar (Free)
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Girls Not Allowed to Curse at School but Boys Are
Back to School

WTF? Girls Aren't Allowed to Curse at This NJ School, but Boys Are?

We're happy to present this article from our partner site Yahoo!
by Yahoo Shine

We're happy to present this article from our partner site Yahoo! Shine:

A New Jersey Catholic school wanted to make kids quit cursing, so they asked girls to take a vocabulary purity pledge, vowing not to use foul language for the month of February. But the boys? They were told not to swear, but they didn't have to make any promises.

Related: Is Chivalry Sexist?

"We want ladies to act like ladies," Lori Flynn, the teacher who administered the pledge at Queen of Peace High School, told The Record newspaper in Woodland Park, N.J.

Read on to find out more about this New Jersey school double standard.

Tips For Beginner Bakers
Cooking Basics

Baking Basics: 10 Tips For Beginner Bakers

Every baker must begin somewhere, yet the calculated science behind baking is not always simple and intuitive for some, especially cooks who prefer to improvise in the kitchen instead of following a recipe verbatim.
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Every baker must begin somewhere, yet the calculated science behind baking is not always simple and intuitive for some, especially cooks who prefer to improvise in the kitchen instead of following a recipe verbatim. If you're new to baking or have had rough (aka messy or burnt) experience in the past, here are 10 tips every beginner baker should know going into a recipe.

Read the Recipe in Its Entirety Pull Out All the Ingredients and Tools Needed Bring the Ingredients to Room Temperature Properly Prepare Cookie Sheets or Cake Pans  Preheat the Oven Use Liquid and Dry Measuring Cups Sift Dry Ingredients
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Free Ways to Learn
budget tips

15 Free Ways to Learn Something New

We all love to learn, but sometimes classes can get expensive.
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We all love to learn, but sometimes classes can get expensive. Wise Bread shares a few ways we can continue our education for free.

If you're still paying off your student loans (or soon will be), learning might feel like more of a chore than fun. The good news is that learning can be fun and free. Below is a list of 15 ways to learn something new at no cost. So take a look, go forth, and expand your mind!

Twenty Great Frugal Skills — and How to Get Them

1. Lowe’s and Home Depot Classes

Both home improvement headquarters offer free classes. Past classes at Home Depot have included lawn maintenance and bathroom workshops, and Lowe’s has partnered with Habitat For Humanity for Women Build — clinics dedicated to teaching women home improvement tips and tricks. Lowe’s also has a Build and Grow clinic geared toward kids. Check out your local store to see what they have coming up.

2. Grocery and Kitchen Store Classes

If you’re anywhere near a Williams-Sonoma, you’ll have the most options. They offer complimentary technique classes for everything from knife skills to braising. Of course, they’re trying to sell you a product, but you’re still going to learn something. Oh, and you’ll get a 10 percent discount in-store the day of the class. As for other grocery and kitchen stores, ask the manager if they have any events coming up or check out their website. Most of Publix’s classes are at a cost, but they might have a few for free!

3. YouTube

YouTube is probably the easiest (but at times, the worst) place to learn on the Internet: people are really into YouTube tutorials nowadays. You can learn to play the ukulele, apply makeup, or sing like Lady Gaga, all in one convenient place. Of course, YouTube has its downsides (like if the person trying to teach you doesn't really know what they're talking about), but anything has to be better than Phoebe’s method of guitar lessons. And if you can't find something that strikes your fancy, just stay on the TEDTalks YouTube channel and let the ideas roll.

Read on for more free ways to learn something new.