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Pretty in Pink initially had a completely different ending, but Molly Ringwald isn’t mad about the final switch up.

The ’80s romcom, written by John Hughes and directed by Howard Deutch, originally concluded with Ringwald’s Andie Walsh choosing her best friend Philip F. “Duckie” Dale (Jon Cryer) over rich popular suitor Blane McDonnagh (Andrew McCarthy). The final sequence was fully shot but test screening audiences strongly opposed it, leading to the studio scrapping it for what viewers now see today: Blane apologizes to Andie at the prom and Duckie, who initially attended the dance with her, gave them his blessing.

Now, while speaking about her new partnership with Pfizer for its timely ‘Living Through It All’ campaign, Ringwald tells Parade: “I always thought she should have ended up with Blane.”

Bonnie Schiffman Photography / Getty Images

“It was set up as a Cinderella story. It was kind of a bummer that she didn’t [initially] end up with a guy that she wanted to be with,” the actress, 58, explains. “But when I look back on it now, you know, obviously, to me, Duckie is obviously gay.”

Although it’s now been 40 years since Andie got her Cinderella ending, Ringwald also has thoughts on where her former character currently stands with both Duckie and Blane. “I could say with almost 100% certainty there’s no way that she’s with Blane, but she’s still really good friends with Duckie,” she adds.

Ringwald starred in several popular Brat Pack-era films in the ’80s, from The Breakfast Club to Sixteen Candles. With so many popular teen ’80s films reaching milestone 40-year anniversary status in 2026, it has led the actress—who will soon appear in the fourth and final season of Yellowjackets—to thinking about the challenges that come with aging.

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“We’re all over 50 and some of the people that were in those films are over 60. We’re Gen-Xers, and it is incredible how those films have aged, and they still have resonance for people that are younger,” she says. “I think it’s hard to imagine that we are at that age where we’re six times more likely to get pneumococcal pneumonia over the age of 50.”

That’s why Ringwald’s partnership with Pfizer for its ‘Living Through It All’ campaign resonates so deeply with her, as a busy actress and mother who cares immensely about her health. She hopes to encourage others to be proactive regarding their health by raising awareness to the infection/disease of pneumococcal pneumonia, which is a common but potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can surface at any point. It has lead to more than 1.2 million hospitalizations in the U.S. annually.

“It’s something that’s been around for a while, but I think what really hit home for me was my idol was Diane Keaton and she died from pneumonia. That really hit me hard,” she explains. “I’m a mother and a working actor and writer, and I’m always traveling. I really try to keep myself as healthy as possible for, for me and for my kids.”

“I really, really do want to encourage everybody who’s over 50 to go to [the] Vax Assist [website] just to see if they’re eligible for the vaccine, because it really can help prevent a serious illness,” she concludes.

To check your eligibility regarding vaccines for respiratory viruses like pneumococcal pneumonia, head to VaxAssist.org.

Macaulay Culkin took an awards show stage earlier this year to remember the late, great Catherine O’Hara, tenderly calling her “Mom.”

A clear reference to the pair of beloved Home Alone movies, fans still rewatch the actors’ on-screen dynamic every year during the holidays.

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York took viewers across the Big Apple, including inside the Plaza Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

It’s there that young Kevin McCallister (Culkin) got directions from the real-life Donald Trump, thus turning the businessman into an actor for the memorable cameo. Of course, Trump, 80, would go on to become a TV personality and then our current president.

Speaking of current events, the famed Plaza Hotel just announced it’s now closing for four years for a bit of a face-lift, as The New York Times puts it.

“For more than 119 years, The Plaza Hotel has been an enduring part of New York City’s architectural and cultural heritage,” the hotel’s operators, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, said in a news release this week. “Since opening its doors in 1907, the hotel has maintained a distinctive place in the city’s history, recognized for its architectural character, exceptional craftsmanship, and enduring presence.”

In effect, the hotel is now advancing plans for repair and restoration works to its landmark-protected façade.

“The scope and complexity of the façade works require detailed planning and coordination with relevant stakeholders, alongside adherence to applicable historic preservation requirements, Fairmont added in its Wednesday, October 14 announcement.

Home Alone 2 Featured Plenty of Other Big Names

Tim Curry tragically died this past August, a renowned actor who also stole scenes in the Home Alone sequel.

Last year, Curry opened up about some of the unusual encounters he had with Trump — who owned the Plaza Hotel at the time — and his then-wife, Ivana Trump. Find out more here.

It’s been 10 years since Chick-fil-A added a new sauce to its lineup, but the wait is finally over. The chain just announced a spicy new condiment that’s putting a fiery twist on one of its most popular flavors.

Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce takes everything fans love about the original, from its smoky tang to its subtle sweetness, and adds a kick of heat.

Chick-fil-A usually tests new menu items before rolling them out nationwide, which is why fans are still waiting for Spicy Chick-n-Strips to hit restaurants across the country. Luckily, they won’t have to wait long for the new sauce. 

Beginning November 16, fans can order Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce at locations nationwide, where it’ll have a permanent spot on the menu. 

It’s a big moment for the chain’s condiments. Although Chick-fil-A Sauce is now a favorite for dipping nuggets and chicken strips, it wasn’t introduced until 2006, after Honey Mustard, Barbecue and Polynesian sauces. 

Since then, Chick-fil-A has built its lineup to include seven sauces. The most recent addition was Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Sauce, which debuted in 2016. Now, a decade later, the chain is finally adding another flavor.

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According to Allison Duncan, Chick-fil-A’s director of menu and packaging, the goal was to give guests a new way to enjoy one of their favorite flavors. 

“We know our guests love bold, spicy flavors, and in our year of ‘newstalgia’, we’re turning up the heat on a classic,” Duncan said, adding that it “delivers an exciting kick to the signature flavor our guests know and love.” 

Customers can order the new sauce in dipping cups alongside any Chick-fil-A entrée or fries. The condiment will also be available in eight-ounce bottles for drive-thru and catering orders. 

However, there’s one downside for fans who want to keep some on hand at home. Chick-fil-A told Allrecipes that it doesn’t currently plan to sell Spicy Chick-fil-A Sauce in grocery stores, as it does with some of its other sauces. 

For now, you’ll have to pick it up directly from a restaurant.

Related: There’s a New Hershey’s Treat, and the Recipe Is Over 100 Years Old

For half a century, one voice has powered some of rock’s most enduring songs, from the snarl of “Barracuda” to the ache of “Alone.” Now, after a cancer fight that forced her band off the road, that voice is back and ready to drop a new album.

Ann Wilson, 76, said that Heart’s next album is finished. She said she had taken a vow to keep quiet about the record, then added, “But I can say that it’s done, and it’ll be out next year.” It would be the band’s first album of new material since 2016’s Beautiful Broken.

Her sister and bandmate, Nancy Wilson, said in August that recording was complete and that the album was largely cut live in Nashville with the musicians from their most recent tour. “It really feels like a Heart record,” Nancy said, adding that a world tour, a Heart documentary and a long-planned biopic are also in the works.

The news follows one of the hardest stretches of Ann Wilson’s life. In July 2024, Heart postponed the rest of its Royal Flush Tour after she revealed that surgery had removed something cancerous and that she would undergo preventive chemotherapy. Early in 2025, days before the band was due back on the road, she fell and injured her elbow, which had to be pinned with screws, and she performed seated rather than cancel.

Related: Ex-Van Halen Singer Turns 79 Onstage as Longtime Bandmate Skips His Birthday Bash for a Sweet Reason

She turned part of that ordeal into music. Consecrated Ground, her new album with her band Tripsitter, released Oct. 9, includes a song called “Bone Pain,” inspired by the constant aching she experienced as a side effect of treatment. Speaking to a concert crowd in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 2, she said the treatment felt worse than the illness itself, but that she is getting her strength back and feels good.

The record grew out of the same partnership that powered Heart’s return. Members of Tripsitter backed Ann and Nancy on the road, and that lineup played more than 100 concerts together between 2024 and 2026. Wilson called the years in which she wrote the album’s lyrics both exciting and “terrifying.”

She has also been telling her story on screen. Her documentary, Ann Wilson: In My Voice, played screenings in 10 cities earlier this year and gets a wider release Nov. 25. Wilson has said she wanted the film to let fans know her apart from Heart.

Heart released its debut album, Dreamboat Annie, in 1975, and the Wilson sisters were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Fifty-one years after that debut, the band behind “Magic Man” and “Crazy on You” is preparing to add to that catalog.

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President Donald Trump has decided against livestreaming the upcoming execution of former Army Major Nidal Hasan, who was convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting in Texas.

In a social media post on Thursday, October 15, Trump said Hasan would still be executed by firing squad as scheduled on December 3, but the event would not be broadcast live. The decision reverses a plan announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week to make the execution available for the public to watch.

“I think streaming the execution for all to see might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM like Hasan,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “But, many very good and well meaning people would rather not watch him die, through streaming, or through any other visual device.”

The announcement comes after the proposed broadcast drew criticism from lawmakers, including Republicans, as well as religious leaders and other observers. Some raised concerns about turning a military execution into a public spectacle, while others questioned whether broadcasting the event could create propaganda for extremist groups.

Trump had previously said he would make the final decision on whether the execution would be livestreamed. On Oct. 10, he told reporters that there were arguments for and against broadcasting it, suggesting that a public showing might deter future attacks.

Vice President JD Vance also expressed reservations about the proposal, saying he would not watch the execution if it were broadcast. House Speaker Mike Johnson similarly acknowledged concerns among Republicans, including the possibility that footage could become a recruiting tool for terrorists.

“We’ve got to think through the policy implications of all that,” Johnson told CBS News. “I wouldn’t be watching it if it was aired.”

Hasan was convicted of carrying out the Nov. 5, 2009, shooting at Fort Hood, now known as Fort Cavazos, in Texas. He opened fire at a military medical facility, killing 13 people and injuring 32 others.

Hasan, an Army psychiatrist who held the rank of major, was sentenced to death in 2013. His execution is scheduled for Dec. 3 at Fort Hood, where the attack took place, and is set to be carried out by firing squad.

If it proceeds as scheduled, the execution would mark the first time the U.S. military has carried out a death sentence since 1961. .

Al Pacino is set to receive a major career tribute as he will be honored with SAG-AFTRA’s Life Achievement Award at the Actor Awards. This top tribute will be given to him on Feb. 28, 2027 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

This award is given to an actor who highlights “the finest ideals of the acting profession,” according to the union.

“Across film, television, and the stage, Pacino has captivated audiences with transformative performances, creating some of the most memorable characters in entertainment history and has profoundly influenced generations of actors and culture itself,” SAG-AFTRA said in a statement, per Variety.

Pacino’s legendary career has earned him numerous honors, including an Oscar for best actor for “Scent of a Woman,” as well as winning two Tony Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Actor Awards. He’s also received the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Golden Globes’ Cecil B. DeMille Award, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a Venice Career Golden Lion.

In a statement, Pacino called this new recognition an “honor.”

“I wondered and wandered most of my life but have always felt at home with a script and my fellow actors. It’s the work and the actors along the way that have been among the greatest joys of my life. It’s an honor to be recognized by SAG-AFTRA in celebrating the journey,” he said.

Along with his acting accomplishments, which include performances in The Godfather (1972), Serpico (1973), The Godfather Part II (1974), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), And Justice for All (1979), Scarface (1983), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), The Insider (1999), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), and The Irishman (2019), Pacino is also known for his humanitarian work.

Past recipients of SAG-AFTRA’s Life Achievement Award include Bob Hope, Robert Redford, Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley Temple, Julie Andrews, James Earl Jones, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore, Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Reynolds, Carol Burnett, Morgan Freeman, Alan Alda, Robert De Niro, Helen Mirren, Sally Field, Barbra Streisand, Jane Fonda, Harrison Ford, and many others.

John McEnroe, the 1980s tennis legend and his wife, singer Patty Smyth, are bidding goodbye to their ultra-exclusive Paradise Cove enclave in Malibu after listing their estate for $35 million.

The 6,500-square-foot residence was acquired by the couple in 2015 for $21 million.

Dubbed “Billionaires’ Bluff” by local real estate agents because of its exceptional privacy and posh surroundings, the estate was originally built in the mid-1990s and designed by acclaimed architect Steven Ehrlich.

The retired tennis pro and the Scandal band frontwoman’s property sits on a prime 0.3-acre parcel overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

The four-bedroom, six-bathroom property features a contemporary vibe that reflects the area’s upscale coastal aesthetic.

John McEnroe of the United States at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship on July 8.

Trevor Jones/Allsport//Getty Images)

McEnroe’s house boasts floor-to-ceiling windows that maximize the coastline views, an intimate library, a two-story fireplace in the main living space, an elevator and an outdoor area designed for relaxation.

Moreover, the Malibu beach house features an expansive oceanfront deck with a private Jacuzzi, private beach access and a tiki hut-style covered pavilion that McEnroe and Smyth used for workouts, along with a hot tub overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Despite listing the estate with Chris Cortazzo of Compass, the Hollywood couple isn’t leaving Malibu entirely. 

They plan to keep their ranch-style home in Paradise Cove, which they purchased in 2013 for $3.35 million, according to Robb Report.

The Grand Slam champion and his wife have built an impressive real estate portfolio since they married in 1997, demonstrating a keen eye for luxury properties.

In 2013, they sold their one-bedroom unit in Manhattan’s Upper West Side neighborhood of New York City for $3.1 million.

John McEnroe and Patty Smyth’s Marriage

Before marrying Smyth, McEnroe was married to Academy Award-winning actress Tatum O’Neal, with whom he shares three children: two sons and a daughter.

McEnroe met Smyth, the lead singer of Scandal, in 1993 while he was still married to O’Neal. 

Tennis star John McEnroe and his wife Patty Smyth arrive at the sixty-seventh Academy Awards March 27, 1995.

Barry King/Liaison

Their divorce was finalized in 1994 and McEnroe married Smyth in 1997. 

Smyth initially had reservations about love and marriage.

“I did not believe in love or marriage,” she told AARP The Magazine, adding, “I wasn’t interested. I had a great life. I thought I might adopt a child because I only had Ruby and she kept telling me one wasn’t enough. There were no guys I liked. I was like, forget it, it’s not going to happen, and I was all right with that.”

McEnroe and Smyth welcomed their daughters, Anna and Ava, in 1995 and 1999, respectively, before marrying in 1997.

Together, they have a blended family of six children.

Related: In 1947, Frank Sinatra built a 4,500-square-foot Palm Springs house with a piano-shaped pool for $150,000; the estate is now listed on the National Register and rented out by the night

Jon Gosselin‘s wife, Stephanie Lebo is supporting her husband’s son, Collin, following the release of his memoir, where he made bombshell claims of abuse and manipulation from his mom, Kate.

“I’ve always known a lot, but reading it in such heartbreaking detail from a child’s perspective is incredibly difficult,” Lebo posted on her Instagram Story on Wednesday, along with a photo of Collin’s Us Weekly cover, referencing the Jon & Kate Plus 8 star’s allegations.

Lebo, who married Jon in 2025, continued, “It also makes so much more sense now. No child should ever have to endure that kind of pain or feel so alone, unwanted, and unloved. No child. Ever.”

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Lebo’s comments come as Collin has been promoting his tell-all book, In the Shadow of 8, which details his growing up in front of TLC cameras that followed the chaotic life of his family, complete with his two older siblings, a set of twins Mady and Cara, born in 2000, and a set of sextuplets, which, along with Collin, included Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Leah, and Joel, born in 2004.

Collin’s book also consists of allegations of Kate’s abuse, according to the 22-year-old, which included her tying zip ties around his wrists and ankles and locking him in their basement.

The show aired from 2007-2009 and then from 2010-2017 as Kate Plus 8 following his parents’ divorce. Collin says he was a “danger” while cameras were up because he resisted filming.

“I was the only one out of my siblings who pushed back against filming, and that whole facade that my mom spent years building,” he told GMA in an interview this week. “I was a danger because I could have so easily dismantled that facade.”

Related: Collin Gosselin Says ‘My Whole Life Was a Lie’ While Telling ‘GMA’ About ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8’

Throughout this time, Kate has denied her son’s accusations, claiming he suffered from mental health disorders. After his book was announced over the summer, his mom said that his claims were “ridiculous,” per E! News.

This isn’t the first time Lebo has supported Collin, who has been vocal about the alleged mistreatment during his childhood for a few years now. Per People, she also supported Collin on social media over the summer by reposting a photo of him, writing, “Love seeing you live the life you always deserved.”

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Week 6 of Dancing with the Stars is the most personal yet as the 10 remaining contestants will not only dance, but the dance will be a heartfelt performance honoring the influential people and places that have shaped their lives. Last year, the celebs were joined by family and friends on the dance floor for the first time, and that is the plan for this year as well.

Once again, the competition series will be co-hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, with Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough resuming their seats at the judges’ desk as the couples continue the battle for the Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy. Special guest judge Kym Johnson returns to offer her expert insights. 

The evening will also feature a dance to “CATastrophe” by Hilary Duff from The Cat in the Hat, plus a dedication performance to Dolly Parton set to “Here You Come Again” by Dolly Parton and Willa Amai.

Additional pro and troupe routines will be performed to “Fever Dream” by Alex Warren and “Stay (If You Wanna Dance)” by Myles Smith.

See below for the specific songs and dance styles, and dedications.

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Voting will be open when the dancing begins and close shortly after the final performance of the night. Live viewer votes from each night will be combined with the judges’ scores to determine who is in jeopardy of elimination.

Related: How to Vote on Dancing With the Stars Season 35: Live Windows, Limits & 2026 Rules

Dancing with the Stars 2026 Premiere Week Songs and Dances (Week 6)

• Tatyana Ali with partner Jan Ravnik will perform a Viennese waltz routine to “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson. Her dedication is to James Avery, who played Uncle Phil. “Everything I believe about being an artist, was learned at his feet,” she posted on Facebook.
• Tyler Cameron with partner Sharna Burgess will perform a contemporary to “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran. Cameron will dedicate his dance to mothers everywhere.
• Jenna Dewan with partner Val Chmerkovskiy will perform a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers. The Rookie actress is dedicating her dance to her mom Nancy.
• Ezra Frech with partner Daniella Karagach will perform a Contemporary to “Bloodline” by Mon Rovia. The Paralympic gold medalist will dedicate the performance to his mother Bahar.
• Amber Glenn with partner Pasha Pashkov will perform a Contemporary to “Breathe Me” by Sia. She will dedicate the performance to her sister Brooke.
• Maura Higgins with partner Mark Ballas will perform a paso doble to “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys.  The performance is dedicated to Ireland.
• Jackson Olson with partner Emma Slater will perform a Quickstep to “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole. The Savannah Bananas baseball player will dedicate his dance to his mom Laura.
• Harry Shum Jr. with partner Jenna Johnson will perform a Foxtrot to Stop This Train” by John Mayer and dedicate it to the Grey’s Anatomy star’s wife Shelby.
• Julia Stiles with partner Ezra Sosa will perform a Contemporary to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli. She is dedicating her dance to the late Heath Ledger, who co-starred with her in 10 Things I Hate About You.
• Connor Wood with partner Rylee Arnold will perform a Viennese waltz to to “Piano Man” by Billy Joel with the dedication to dad Pete. 

Dancing with the Stars is simulcast on ABC and Disney+ Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Streams the next day on Hulu.

Next, Dancing with the Stars Themes for Season 35 Revealed

“Working in the Coal Mine” was a 1966 soul hit released by Lee Dorsey. The song rose all the way to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. Even though the lyrics were about the difficulties of working in a coal mine, the singer had never been in one. Neither had Allen Toussaint, who had written and produced the song.

When The Quiet Us asked for confirmation about whether they had been in a coal mine, Toussaint said, “Never. We didn’t know anything about a coal mine.”

Toussaint went on to speak about working with the legendary singer. “Lee Dorsey was a wonderful, high-spirited, fun guy who always carried a smile,” he said. “He carried a smile in his talk, on his face and in his heart. He had a wonderful time in his life. He was very good to work with. Very inspiring because he had such a happiness about him. He loved what he was doing when he was singing. He was a body and fender man when he wasn’t singing and even at his peak, when he would come off the road at the end of a successful tour, he would go and get into his grease clothes, his dirty work gear and go and work on cars. Straightening out fenders and painting bodywork. But really, it was his finest hour when he was singing. He was a very good person for me to work with, and he totally trusted me every step of the way.”

Related: 1958 No. 1 Hit Written by a 17-Year-Old, Inspired by His Dad’s Tombstone, Launched the Career of a Future Killer

The song was featured in many different films and television shows like Married… with Children, The Wonder Years, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Casino, Muppets Most Wanted, and The Simpsons.

Dorsey had a few more hits throughout his career, including “Ya Ya,” which sold over a million copies, and “Ride Your Pony”. Most of his work was completed along with Toussaint.

Dorsey died in 1986 at the age of 61. Toussaint died in 2015 at the age of 77.

Legendary “Piano Man” Billy Joel is offering fans a reassuring look into his health following a serious medical journey.

Speaking candidly about his diagnosis of hydrocephalus, a condition involving excess fluid buildup in the brain, the 77-year-old classic rock icon opened up about his recovery after undergoing brain surgery to implant a shunt. Reassuring his fans that he is doing well, Joel shared an encouraging update with The Hollywood Reporter.

He said, “My health is good. I have this thing called hydrocephalus. It used to be called water on the brain, so it affects your balance, it affects your memory, it affects your vision, your hearing.”

Joel continued, “But I’m OK. They call it a brain disorder, but it’s not that serious. It’s just something that affects your balance mostly.”

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When asked if he would ever be able to perform again, the rock icon responded, “I don’t know.”

“I have to take a series of tests before I know, but I can’t drive right now. I’m not allowed to drive. And I can’t do performances because what the neurologist told me, every time you do a show, it’s like you’re getting a concussion,” he elaborated.

Joel concluded, “The volume. Rock and roll is loud, man. Rock and roll made me deaf already. So it’s the lighting, the sound, the stress of the show, the audience, the energy of the performance.”

“There’s a lot going on when you’re onstage. And they said, “Well, you really shouldn’t be doing that right now.” So they have to test me further to see if I can go back and do performing again, which I would like to be able to do.”

He told listeners of his SiriusXM channel in September 2026, “You know, I don’t want to lose my marbles. It’s hard to tell what’s age and what’s a condition, so I agreed to do the shunt, and I had surgery, and they implanted a shunt in my brain, and it actually improved things.”

Billy Joel was diagnosed in May 2025 with normal pressure hydrocephalus, which is a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up inside the skull and presses on the brain, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Related: 1991 Passionate Garth Brooks Cover Became His Seventh No. 1 Hit and Ranks Among His All-Time Best Songs

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Holiday serveware has a special way of making the season feel a little more magical. Sure, the cookies, appetizers and festive cocktails deserve their moment in the spotlight, but the dishes you serve them on can make your holiday spread feel even more cheerful. From Christmas-themed platters to nostalgic dessert plates, a few seasonal touches can turn an ordinary gathering into something worth celebrating. If you want to add a little extra charm to your entertaining lineup without spending a fortune, Target has a new find worth a closer look.

The Hearth & Hand with Magnolia collection has a set of four Christmas Holly Appetizer Plates for just $16.99, and they’re almost too cute to save for special occasions. The stoneware plates feature a classic holiday design that feels perfectly festive, making them an adorable addition to everything from weekend brunch to casual family get-togethers to a full-blown Christmas party.

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Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Ceramic Christmas Holly Appetizer Plates, $16.99 at Target

Target

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Each plate features a holly motif in the center, bringing a timeless seasonal look to your table. The design pairs a rustic red stripe around the edge, adding a pop of Christmas color while keeping the overall aesthetic understated. The plates also have a warm, slightly beige finish rather than bright white, giving them a cozy, vintage feel. Their individual shapes add to the handmade look, making them feel a little more special than your everyday dishes.

And don’t let the word “appetizer” limit your imagination. These little plates would be lovely for serving cheese and crackers, bite-sized holiday treats, cookies or even a slice of your favorite Christmas dessert. You could also mix them with simple white dinnerware, red linens or greenery for a festive tablescape that feels pulled together and thoughtful.

Related: Aldi’s Sweet Holiday Accent Rugs Add Instant Holiday Cheer for Just $8

Shoppers Are Calling the Holly Plates ‘Very Well Made’ and ‘Adorable’

Target shoppers are already appreciating the details. One reviewer shared, “These appetizer plates are perfect…They are more beige than white. The holly in the middle is etched and then painted. They each have a unique stoneware shape like they are handmade. Very well made, can’t wait to use them!”

Another shopper highlighted the charming finish, noting, “The holly is etched into the plate and there’s a rustic red stripe across the edge…adorable.”

The little details make these plates stand out. The etched design and rustic accents give them character, while the neutral background makes them easy to pair with other holiday decorations and serveware.

At less than $17 for a set of four, they’re also a relatively budget-friendly way to refresh your holiday hosting essentials. Whether you’re building a festive tablescape or simply want something cute for passing around Christmas cookies, these holly plates deliver a generous helping of seasonal charm.

Related: Target’s New $15 Leaf Table Runner Is the Ultimate Thanksgiving Centerpiece

No matter how long their day is, children always seem to find a little more energy when it’s time to go to sleep. This bedtime resistance can be incredibly frustrating for parents and caregivers—which can often lead to them making parenting mistakes that only make bedtime more of a challenge.

To learn more about these sleepy-time errors, we spoke with two psychologists who specialize in working with children: Dr. Sharon Adusei, a licensed child psychologist at Modern Health, and Dr. Jennifer Daffon, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and the Clinical Director at Emotesy.

Dr. Adusei recommends “framing these not as mistakes—as parents have enough to feel guilty about these days—but rather as some options to examine in their own bedtime routines to see how it’s working or not working for them in that stage of development.”

Overall, she advises that parents “think of these less as ‘mistakes’ that need perfecting and more as patterns that could be working against sleep when they start happening consistently.”

Keep reading for more of Dr. Adusei and Dr. Daffon’s insights on the five “mistakes” that make the end of the night tricky with kids—and for some tips to make tucking in go more smoothly.

Related: Parents Often Rush This Part of Bedtime—but Child Psychologists Say It’s the Most Important

Why a Good Bedtime Routine Is Important for Kids

“The key to a successful bedtime routine is consistency,” Dr. Daffon tells Parade. “When children can anticipate what happens next, there is less room for power struggles, which leads to a calmer night for everyone. The ability to anticipate what happens next creates a sense of safety; there is no second-guessing what the next step is.”

Additionally, she notes that a good bedtime routine can support positive relationships between child and caregiver.

“A mutual understanding of expectations means there can be fewer power struggles and more time for positive one-on-one time before bed; think more time for reading a story together or having a quick check-in about their day,” she shares.

Dr. Adusei agrees, especially when it comes to young kids.

“In younger children, consistent routines are linked to earlier bedtimes, falling asleep more quickly, fewer wakings overnight and longer overall sleep,” she says. “A calming sequence like bath, pajamas, story, lights out can help build that bedtime routine and sleep association night after night.”

However, as kids get older, having a specific bedtime routine becomes less important.

“Contrary to popular belief, a bedtime routine isn’t equally effective at every age,” Dr. Adusei explains. “For teens, routine matters less as ritual itself and more as protecting sleep, and it only helps if it actually supports an earlier, more regular bedtime, since their delayed body clocks limit what ritual alone can do.”

All that being said, there are still certain mistakes that can negatively impact children’s sleep no matter their age.

Related: The Simple Bedtime Tradition Many Families Have Forgotten (And Why It’s Worth Bringing Back), Child Psychologist Explains

These 5 Bedtime Mistakes Can Make It Hard for Kids To Fall Asleep, Psychologists Say

You may want to revisit your end-of-day routines and make some adjustments based on these insights.

1. Screen time before bed

Organic Media / Getty Images

“There’s robust research now to show that the blue light from our screens and devices delays our body’s readiness for sleep by suppressing melatonin,” Dr. Adusei tells Parade.

“Not only does the light from the screen trick our brains into thinking it’s daytime, but the power struggles that ensue can cause tantrums and anger outbursts,” adds Dr. Daffon.

What to do instead:

Both psychologists recommend cutting off kids’ screen time (including phones, tablets, TVs and more) an hour before bedtime.

“If discontinuing screen time is a challenge for your child, try giving them a concrete marker that signals the end of their time,” Dr. Daffon suggests. For instance, try telling them screen time will be over “when the next commercial comes on” or “when you’ve finished this text.”

“Most kids can experience time blindness, where they are unaware of the passage of time due to hyper-focusing on an activity,” she adds.

To end screen time for the night, Dr. Adusei advises “swapping screens for something quieter like reading or talking.”

“This can be challenging for parents who may use a night-time meditation or song on a device, so gradually trying to shift those habits to an audio device, like a recorder, can help,” she explains. “The evidence is so clear here that I recommend parents lock devices away if that’s what it takes!”

2. Inconsistency

“Inconsistency is a big problem when it comes to unsuccessful bedtime routines,” says Dr. Daffon.

“If the routine changes every night, children don’t have a template to reference, and they will fill in the gaps themselves,” she continues. “It’s difficult for children to understand why they were allowed to play before bath time yesterday, but they’re not allowed to today. They often will reference today’s routine based on what they did last time.”

What to do instead:

Dr. Daffon recommends that parents “create a bedtime routine that is easy for everyone to stick to, especially for the adults who have to support the kiddos going to bed.”

“If you know the routine will be different, let your child know in the morning and again around dinner time,” she adds. “You can also give your child an age-appropriate explanation for why there is a change that night. This reinforces that this is not (and will not be) the norm and why.”

Related: Child Psychologists Are Begging Parents and Grandparents To Stop Asking Kids This Question (and What To Ask Instead)

3. Doing the bedtime routine too late

golubovy / Getty Images

“When bedtime starts too late, kids may feel overtired, which tends to make the routine rushed, increasing resistance and conflict, and ultimately leaves your child with less time for actual sleep,” says Dr. Adusei.

She adds that this often becomes more of an issue as children enter the teen years, “because they often experience a biologically driven shift toward sleeping later during puberty.”

What to do instead:

“An early school schedule makes it difficult to align that later bedtime shift with the time [teenagers] need to actually wake up for school,” Dr. Adusei explains.

For teens who aren’t getting enough sleep, she advises “gradually moving bedtime earlier and practicing positive sleep hygiene habits,” as this “can lead to an earlier sleep time and total sleep.”

“For teens specifically, sometimes there’s a negotiation of reducing evening commitments while recognizing that an early bedtime may feel biologically challenging rather than reflecting defiance or poor motivation from teens,” she adds.

4. Forgetting to meet your child’s sensory needs

“Sometimes children struggle to settle down for bed because they haven’t met their sensory threshold yet,” says Dr. Daffon.

Many children enjoy the feeling of being physically compressed or weighed down, whether that’s by a caregiver hugging them or via a weighted item. According to Dr. Daffon, forgetting to meet these “sensory needs” for your child “can make bedtime difficult, especially if your child is a sensory seeker.”

“A sensory seeker needs more sensory input than the average child to get the same amount of feedback,” she further explains. “If you notice your child seems to ‘catch a second wind’ before bed, it may be because they haven’t met their sensory threshold for the day, and they are becoming dysregulated because of it.”

What to do instead:

If you think your child might need some sensory regulation, she recommends that you “provide your child with some deep pressure stimulation” before bed. This might include giving them a cuddle, having them wear a weighted vest or putting a weighted stuffy or weighted blanket on their lap.

“Many kids will enjoy the compression they feel when they roll themselves tightly in a blanket on the floor,” she notes. “Experiment with different kinds and levels of pressure that feel soothing to your child.”

Related: If Your Child Says ‘I Can’t Do It,’ Big Little Feelings Says To Remember This—‘People Are Not Going To Want To Hear This’

5. Rushing through the bedtime routine

Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images

When parents are exhausted at the end of the day, it makes sense that they’d rush through the bedtime routine—but this tense approach can backfire, as kids can sense when parents are tense or stressed, says Dr. Adusei.

“Children’s emotion regulation systems are still maturing in order to shift from a state of high energy or play into a calm one on their own, which means that they rely on that co-regulation from the parent,” she shares.

What to do instead:

“Recently, I’ve caught myself doing this one the most, treating bedtime as a task to just get done rather than a moment to be present with my child,” Dr. Adusei admits. Coming from a place of personal experience, she acknowledges that sometimes parents don’t have the emotional capacity for a “slow and calm” bedtime—and that’s okay.

“It is helpful to check in with yourself before you start: are you walking in for a battle or ready to wind down together?” she says. “Having a moment to yourself to check in and take a breath before moving through the bedtime routine checklist can matter much more than getting every step in the exact right order.”

Related: 3 Psychologists Agree This Is the Most ‘Underrated’ Positive Parenting Habit

3 Child Psychologist-Approved Tips for Helping Kids Fall Asleep

These actionable recommendations can help kids (and parents!) during your nighttime routines.

1. Have consistent bedtimes and wake times

“It’s natural to let kids sleep in later and go to bed later on the weekends, but large weekend shifts can create a form of ‘jet lag,’ making it harder to readjust when Monday rolls around,” explains Dr. Adusei. “You don’t have to nail minute-by-minute precision, but generally stable bedtime and wake times can help support children’s sleep.”

2. Create a positive bedtime connection ritual

Ridofranz / Getty Images

“This should be a little ritual to end the night that focuses on your relationship,” says Dr. Daffon, adding that this particular ritual should “show affection” and only be done at bedtime.

“Ending the night with connection can help strengthen your bond,” she states.

Your ritual might involve coming up with a nighttime catchphrase that you can say together, giving them butterfly kisses or giving them a boop on the nose, she also suggests.

3. Be patient yet firm when kids resist bedtime

“Delaying and resisting bedtime is a common struggle that many parents, including myself, deal with,” says Dr. Adusei. “Try to meet resistance with a basic boundary and sequence that offers limited choices.”

For example, try saying something like, “You’re not ready to stop playing; bedtime is still happening and you can choose reading or quiet music.”

Up Next:

Related: The Parenting Advice Grandparents Swear by That Big Little Feelings Says Is Outdated

Sources:

• Dr. Sharon Adusei is a licensed child psychologist at Modern Health.
• Dr. Jennifer Daffon, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and the Clinical Director at Emotesy.

John Goodman has his fair share of box-office hits in his career, but admits that there were two films that were so fun to make that they ended up being failures.

The Monsters, Inc. star has been a professional actor for over 50 years and looked back at his career with the SAG-AFTRA Foundation earlier this month. When speaking about unsuccessful box office films, Goodman brought up a 2014 war thriller directed and starring George Clooney.

The Monuments Men has an A-list cast of actors including Clooney, Goodman, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Bob Balaban, and Cate Blanchett. Set during World War II, the film follows a group of scholars, historians, and architects racing against time to save countless works of art from Hitler’s regime.

“George loves movies and he loves stories and he’s such a great storyteller himself, and I think he’s a great director,” said Goodman about making the film. “I had fun with him. Monuments Men. We were over in Germany for six months. And England.”

The movie was nowhere near a box-office success despite its cast, having only received a 30% score from Rotten Tomatoes and mixed reviews from critics. It made over $158 million at the box office despite its $70 million budget. For Goodman, The Monuments Men was a film he had fun creating, but wasn’t a project he should have done, alongside a 2000 sequel film.

“It was one of those movies, like Blues Brothers 2000, I probably shouldn’t have done,” he said. “But I had more fun doing it working with these great musicians. Wilson Pickett, Eddie ‘Knock on Wood’ Floyd, Sam Moore from Sam and Dave, all these great cats. It didn’t do well. George’s movie, I had one of the best times I’ve ever had on a film — nothin’.”

Blues Brothers 2000 was the 1998 sequel to the coveted cult classic from 1980 starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Goodman took on the role of Mack “Mighty Mack” McTeer as Aykroyd’s original character, Ellwood Blues, tries to get the band back together after prison and his brother’s death.

The film was a box office bomb that made $32 million against its $30 million budget. Goodman joked that sometimes a successful movie “should never be fun” to make. He does recall one of his earliest roles, Raising Arizona, having been one of his most delightful productions since it had no budget.

Related: Sylvester Stallone Calls Himself an ‘Idiot’ After Years Performing His Own Stunts and Countless Surgeries

Swedish candy fans have another place to shop for their favorite treats.

BonBon Swedish Candy Co. has expanded its retail presence to more than 1,900 Target stores nationwide, making its BonBon Originals line available to shoppers across the country.

The expansion, announced in September, marks a major milestone for the candy company, which started as a small Swedish candy shop on Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 2017. The brand has since grown alongside the popularity of Swedish candy in the U.S., with its products now available through its own stores, online, and at retail partners nationwide.

The Target selection includes two varieties created in collaboration with Moomin, the beloved Finnish character franchise. Both products are made by Finnish confectioner Fazer and retail for $4.99 per 4.1-ounce bag.

BonBon Sour Candy Gummies features character-shaped gummies in lemon, raspberry, cola, and melon flavors. The vegan candies have a sour sugar coating and use natural colors.

Shoppers looking for something sweeter can also find BonBon Strawberry & Blueberry Candy Clouds. The candies have a light, airy texture, with strawberry and blueberry flavors and a light dusting of sugar.

Both varieties are available at Target stores and online at Target.com.

Founded by three Swedish friends, BonBon opened its first shop in New York City in 2017 to introduce American shoppers to Swedish candy traditions, including lördagsgodis, which translates to “Saturday candy.” The tradition centers on enjoying sweets as a weekend treat.

The brand’s expansion into Target reflects the growing availability of Scandinavian sweets in mainstream American retail, giving shoppers another way to try Swedish candy without visiting a specialty shop.

“Nine years ago, we opened BonBon because we wanted Americans to experience Swedish candy the way we grew up with it,” Leo Schaltz, co-founder and CEO of BonBon Swedish Candy Co., said in a release shared with PARADE. “What began as three Swedish friends sharing a piece of home has become one of America’s most beloved candy categories. To now see BonBon Originals on shelves in thousands of Target stores nationwide is an incredible full-circle moment for us.”

Everyone seems to have an opinion on the drama that’s unfolded between Kelly Clarkson and Art of Play, the Brooklyn, New York store she visited for five minutes on October 10, 2026. After inquiring about Molly, a singing and dancing bird automaton hanging on the wall that was reportedly valued at $15,000, The Voice coach tweeted that she left the store empty-handed, upset about being treated like she couldn’t afford it.

What’s eroded into a surprisingly public back-and-forth between the former talk show host and retailer has Molly McPherson, one of the nation’s top crisis communications experts, convinced Clarkson was telling the truth about her experience.

In a video posted on October 14 after appearing on the Today show, the public relations expert and best-selling author said she was not surprised to see video surveillance of Clarkson on her phone right after leaving the store, likely firing off her tweet in a flurry of frustration.

“A crisis manager always knows,” McPherson said. “I have sided (with) her from the beginning. Here’s the reason why: no one misreads a side eye. No one. Contempt is what causes people to react and that’s why she reacted that way.”

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Calling Clarkson’s reputation a “pretty pristine one, considering everything that she’s been through,” McPherson wrote that something must have deeply bothered Clarkson at the shop. “A lot of people root for her, so for her to go on Twitter (with this complaint), that’s why I believe it.”

The store bit back the day after Clarkson’s tweet, claiming that the bird art was never for sale in the first place and that, in response to the headlines about their squabble, the store had been suddenly “attacked by 8 million people who have never visited our store.”

Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale. That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with 👍 so the whole conversation we had when I asked you if it was for sale whilst pointing to the price tag hanging on the wall with the title Singing Bird didn’t happen as you elevator eyed me… pic.twitter.com/9PEhUWnIOt

— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) October 11, 2026

But Clarkson doubled down, posting a photo of the price tag and sarcastically tweeting, “Cool, cool. Sure, it wasn’t for sale. That’s the narrative Art of Play is gonna go with — so the whole conversation we had when I asked you if it was for sale whilst pointing to the price tag hanging on the wall with the title Singing Bird didn’t happen as you elevator eyed me saying in a condescending tone, ‘Yes, it’s for sale but it costs $15,000, so if you’d like me to find something comparable for you I can.’ That all never happened and now it’s not for sale.”

The store responded again, saying they’d tried to reach out to Clarkson to “clear the air,” but the story took another turn on October 13, when Art of Play co-owner Adam Rubin told New York magazine the whole ordeal was “an insane misunderstanding,” and that they’d “raised the price due to popular demand,” changing the price from $15,000 to $15 million.

McPherson said the store’s owners, with a “whole small business angle that they were pushing in the beginning,” have leveraged the situation and are “using Kelly Clarkson for more publicity.”

The store’s security camera footage from the five-minute interaction was also leaked, which only further convinced McPherson that Clarkson was telling the truth about her experience.

“Personally, I believe her after watching the video,” McPherson said, adding that Clarkson “absolutely believes that she was treated with contempt.” But the PR expert noted there are “usually truths on both sides of the story,” acknowledging that the surveillance video “also shows a very busy shop on a holiday weekend” and that the shop manager may have been tired of people asking about Molly Bird, not expecting anyone would ever actually want to buy her.

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If you’ve been looking for an easy way to make your living room or bedroom feel cozier this fall, Walmart has a floor lamp that’s both gorgeous and practical marked way down. The Vesteel Rattan Floor Lamp is on sale for just $37 instead of $63, and its slim black frame paired with natural woven detailing makes it look way pricier.

The lamp measures 61.2 inches tall and features a metal frame with a weighted round base designed to help keep it stable. It comes with two interchangeable shades, including a handwoven rattan option and a softer fabric one, so you can change up the style whenever you want. Its adjustable head rotates up to 270 degrees horizontally and 120 degrees vertically. Meanwhile, the included bulb offers warm, natural, and cool color temperatures that you can switch between using the foot pedal.

Vesteel Rattan Floor Lamp, $37 (was $63) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

You could angle the lamp toward a chair for reading, place it beside your couch for movie nights, or set it in a bedroom if you don’t have room for a nightstand. The woven shade adds some pretty earthy texture to your decor, while the black frame makes it easy to pair with furniture you probably already own. Plus, it comes with everything you need to get started, so you don’t need to buy a bulb separately.

One shopper called the lamp “very cute,” while another said the combination of the natural rope and black stand looked “very calming” in their space. Someone else praised the setup, calling it “very easy to put together” and a “great value and product.”

Fall is the perfect time to rethink your lighting, especially now that the sun is setting earlier and you’re likely spending more time at home. And while many floor lamps cost $50 or more, this one comes in well below that price without sacrificing style. It’s an affordable way to refresh your home before the colder months arrive.

Related: Walmart’s $65 Freestanding Bathroom Cabinet Turns Vertical Space Into ‘Practical’ Storage

The Vesteel Rattan Floor Lamp is a great pick for anyone who wants to add a little more personality to their home without spending much. Its mix of black metal and woven rattan gives it a boho-meets-farmhouse look that can work with plenty of decor styles. Don’t miss your chance to grab it while it’s still 41% off.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales twice a week.

“To Know Him Is To Love Him” is a 1958 song from The Teddy Bears. The song rose all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, where it remained for three weeks. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris. Their version made it to the top of the US Hot Country Songs chart.

The original version, which was written by Phil Spector, was inspired by his father’s tombstone. It read, “To have known him was to have loved him.” When speaking about the song, which many assumed was a love song, the BBC reports that he said, “Nobody knew it was about my father and nobody knew it was about death and it was a love song to somebody up beyond.”

Spector went on to become a producer and worked on The Beatles’ final album. “I went in there with a very clear attitude,” he said. “I wanted this to be a great farewell album. I knew they were breaking up. I knew they were never going to come back together again. I knew there was going to be no reunion. The public didn’t, and I was there to make a commercial album, because I wanted to sell 12 million albums, and the public ended up buying it, and I was Mr Commerciality.”

Spector also produced songs like “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes, “Then He Kissed Me” by The Crystals, “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers, and “River Deep – Mountain High” by Ike and Tina Turner. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.

Related: 1967 Grammy-Winning Song, Based on a Real Love Affair With the Songwriter’s High School Sweetheart, Became a Hit 59 Years Ago

In 2009, Spector was convicted of the murder of Lana Clarkson and sentenced to 19 years in prison. He died there in 2021. When speaking about the trial, he said, “Forty-five per cent of them wrote down they believed I was guilty, and 20% of them wrote down I was insane. Based upon their pre-trial publicity over the last four years.”

The dreaded afternoon slump. It happens to the best of us. You power through the morning, diligently working through your to-do list, but then you hit a wall. At a certain point in the day, even replying to an email can be overwhelming and exhausting.

While part of the downward turn in your productivity may have to do with the fact that the caffeine kick from your coffee has worn off, there’s also a good chance it has something to do with what you had for lunch. Lunches that spike blood sugar will inevitably lead to a stark drop, which in turn can negatively impact energy and mood.

Related: This Is the #1 Best Habit for Blood Sugar Balance, According to an Endocrinologist

Want to make sure your lunch doesn’t spike your blood sugar? Dr. Omodamola Aje, MD, an endocrinologist with Berkshire Medical Center, an affiliate of UMass Medical School, says that some of her favorite lunches for stable blood sugar are hard-boiled eggs with avocado and vegetables, plain Greek yogurt with some nuts and berries or leftover chicken or salmon with a prewashed salad kit. “The goal is to prioritize fats and proteins while minimizing refined carbs,” she explains.

Sometimes, it’s not what you’re eating for lunch that’s causing your blood sugar to spike; it’s what you’re drinking. There’s one popular lunchtime drink in particular that could be raising your blood sugar.

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The Popular Lunchtime Drink That Could Be Raising Your Blood Sugar

If you’re in the habit of having a protein shake for lunch, you could be spiking your blood sugar without even realizing it. According to Dr. Erin Scholten, MD, an endocrinologist with Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, protein shakes can contain ingredients that contribute to a big rise in blood glucose. 

“This includes protein shakes with a significant amount of added sugar, fruit juice, syrups, honey or other concentrated sources of carbohydrates,” Dr. Scholten says. She adds that protein shakes made primarily from fruit can also raise blood glucose, particularly when they contain larger portions of higher-carbohydrate fruits or when fruit is combined with juice or other sweeteners. 

Related: This Fall Drink Could Be Spiking Your Blood Sugar More Than You Think, Endocrinologists Warn

Dr. Aje also says that fruit-forward protein shakes can spike blood sugar. “Fruit-heavy shakes rich in bananas, strawberries and mangoes are notorious for causing a post-meal spike, especially if there isn’t enough protein and fats to offset it,” she tells Parade.

Sometimes, it’s not the fruit that’s the culprit. Dr. Aje says that a lot of flavored protein powders contain added sugars, which can cause blood sugar to spike after consumption.

How To Make a Protein Shake That Won’t Spike Your Blood Sugar

Not all protein shakes will cause your blood sugar to skyrocket. To avoid this, Dr. Aje suggests aiming to consume 20 to 30 grams of protein at lunch, which can either be included in your protein shake or from food you pair with it.

Additionally, Dr. Aje says to avoid making sweet fruit (like strawberries, banana and mango) the primary ingredients in your shake. “Focus on a small portion of low-glycemic index fruits, like berries,” she explains.

When it comes to the liquid you’re adding to the blender, she suggests you use water, unsweetened alternative milk or milk. Many alternative milks are sweetened with sugar, which is what you want to avoid. Certainly, using fruit juice to make your protein shake will lead to a blood sugar spike, so that’s another ingredient to avoid, Dr. Scholten says.

Both endocrinologists say that pairing your protein shake with foods high in protein and fats can help blunt its effect on blood sugar.

Related: What To Know About the Optimal Range Your Glucose Should Be In—and How To Get It Checked

Are Protein Shakes a Good Meal Replacement for Diabetics?

In general, both Dr. Aje and Dr. Scholten warn against relying on protein shakes as a meal replacement, whether someone is diabetic or not. Instead, Dr. Scholten recommends creating meals made from whole foods because of their intact structure and fiber content. She says that the process of chewing and digestion can slow the delivery and absorption of carbohydrates, resulting in a more gradual rise in blood glucose after a meal. 

“When fruits and vegetables are blended, the physical structure of the food is altered, which can make carbohydrates more readily available for digestion and absorption, leading to higher post-meal glucose readings,” Dr. Scholten tells Parade.

When you do want to have a protein shake, both endocrinologists say to make sure it prioritizes both protein and unsaturated fats. “Fats and proteins slow down gastric emptying and also prevent spiking of blood sugars after meals. Unfortunately, the majority of commercial protein shakes are heavy in fruits, juices and added sugars, which can cause [post-meal blood sugar spikes],” Dr. Aje says.

Not all protein shakes are created equal. If you want one that’s truly going to keep you energized throughout the afternoon, pay attention to the ingredients. If it’s made with unsweetened protein powder and minimal fruit, it’s likely a great option. If it’s mostly fruit or contains sugary sweeteners, be prepared for a crash.

Up Next:

Related: Here’s Exactly What Happens to Your Blood Sugar When You Eat Peanut Butter

Sources

• Dr. Omodamola Aje, MD, endocrinologist with Berkshire Medical Center, an affiliate of UMass Medical School.
• Dr. Erin Scholten, MD, endocrinologist with Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health.

Survivor 51 is here! Every week, Parade.com’s Mike Bloom will bring you interviews with the castaway most recently voted off the island.

Jenna Doore faced a problem on Survivor that she often does during her day-to-day as a wedding photographer: Too much exposure. Being self-admittedly closed off in the beginning of the game set her up to get cropped out first, but she put in the work to make an eleventh-hour push to switch targets. Just when it felt like she was able to make up for a bad first impression, however, the tribe swap put her promptly back in focus. While Jenna was in a majority on her new beach, it was alongside the two people who voted for her at the first Tribal Council, Devin Way and Angelica “Jelly” Loblack. And so, while she initially felt safe, Jenna’s former tribemates decided to try again, shuttering her chances of continuing.

Jenna’s perspective going into the game was an enigmatic one. Her recent divorce had her trying to figure out a new sense of identity, something not easy to do when you’re also playing a million-dollar game with 20 strangers. And so she admittedly “turtled” in the first couple of days in the game, not coming out of her shell to the people around her. That was enough for Devin to already start pushing her name as an easy first vote, even speculating she was lying about her career.

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Perhaps showing how in her head she was, Jenna had no idea how on the chopping block she was until hours before Tribal Council, when Patt Cannaday tipped her off. In a flash, she went into survival mode. Trying to refocus the Toka lens, she told Brady Booker that Aaliyah Puglia called him “too intense” in challenges. Fittingly, it sent the pro wrestler into an intense scramble session of his own, spending the afternoon pivoting the votes. One live Tribal Council and two Shots in the Dark later, Jenna had successfully avoided her fate as the first boot of the season, as everyone except Devin and Jelly cooked Aaliyah’s game.

Despite being safe, Jenna would admit the strategic picture of Toka was blurry. As the days went on, a new alliance of five was forming, including both friend and foe alike. But Jenna was part of the group to get the jump on them, voting out the person that arguably helped save her in Patt. The vote left half the tribe blindsided, the power players now bottom-feeders. And so, it was the perfect time to switch things up. While Jenna was part of the outmanned new Savu tribe, she was happy to have changed camps alongside Devin and Jelly. What she didn’t realize, however, was the Day 1 alliance the two had formed with Ori Jean-Charles. With most of the “helicopter alliance” reunited, it was their choice of who to give the chop: Jenna or Alexis Levine. And, in this case, they felt the devil you don’t know is better than the one you do. They say a picture says a thousand words. And Jenna had many more going through her head as she sat there post-blindside, face in her hands, her final Survivor snapshot.

Now out of the game, Jenna talks with Parade about whether she clocked the helicopter alliance at all, how she was able to save herself at the first Tribal Council, and how she reconciled her divorce through playing Survivor

Related: ‘Survivor 51’ Cast Revealed: Meet the 21 New Contestants — Including Who’s Been Voted Out

We have to start with one of the final snapshots of your game: Sitting at Tribal Council, your face in your hands. Talk to me about what was going through your head at that time, and how blindsided you truly felt by what Devin and Jelly did.
I was blindsided! Listen, it’s crazy watching it back. I had a watch party last night. Of course, nobody knows what happens. But everyone in this place was like, “Oh no, this is really bad.” But I’ll tell you what. As a player going out there, I was like, “This is precarious. However, what have we been doing this whole time? We’ve been in precarious situation after precarious situation, and we’ve been surviving. So I feel like we have options. I see the options in front of me. I can go with Alexis and Ori. I can try to repair with Dev and Jelly. I’m gonna see what I can do.” Obviously, in hindsight, I don’t feel like I actually have that many options as I thought I did.

But the reason I was so blindsided is because, of course, I’m trying to figure out all day what’s the truth. Can I trust Dev and Jelly? Is this the best play? Do I pivot to Alexis and Ori? What happened is I’m talking to Alexis and Ori. Alexis is obviously desperate, wanting to work with me, yada yada yada. And she’s saying, “Dev and Jelly are coming for you, yada yada yada.” I’m like, “Can I believe you?” I go to Ori to corroborate this information. Ori does not corroborate this information. He’s just like, “No, tell me if we have any hope. What are we gonna do, Jenna?”

So the conclusion I came to at the time was “Alexis is lying to me. And Alexis and Ori are desperate, which means Dev and Jelly are with me.” Simultaneously, of course, I’m working on Dev and Jelly, and I really think we’re together. So it’s funny the way it was edited, and I loved how suspenseful they made it. But when they read the first vote me, that is when I did hands in the head. It was an instant, “Oh no, I got it all wrong.”

Did you pick up at all that Devin, Jelly, and Ori were working together?
I mean, no! I didn’t clock that. I literally did not clock that. That was not a thought in my brain. Of course, you see Ori and Jelly sort of like flirting or doing whatever. But I did not clock that whatsoever.

Well, let’s rewind to the beginning of the game. You’re self-admittedly withdrawn, which makes you an early consensus for first boot. So what was your reaction when Patt tells you you’re on the chopping block?
To be honest, when Patt tells me my name’s on the chopping block, horrible realization. Also, the best I felt in all three days! I’m not kidding. Because you obviously saw me struggling so much emotionally, and I’m happy to get into any of it. But when I heard my name for sure, it was like every single puzzle piece was connecting in my brain, which is a bad metaphor. [Laughs.] But it’s all connecting because, of course, you can feel the vibes. You just don’t know exactly what the truth is. When she told me that, it was like, “Got it. I know who is with me, who is against me, and it’s time to freaking work.” It was the thing I needed to push past my emotions and just go for it.

So then what was the work you put in that afternoon to make sure that you survived over Aaliyah?
You know what’s so funny? Patt has this conversation with me. I am energized. I’m like, “Let’s go!” Aaliyah and Jelly come into the water right after that, and I did not want to be there. I was like, “I need to go. We have things to do!” And at that point, I knew Aaliyah was who I wanted to target. I’d already heard a tiny bit of whispers about that; Patt had honestly been kind of whispering about that. And so that was the only other name I had heard. So I’m sitting with Aaliyah. I’m like, “This is not the girl I need to be sitting with right now. I need to go be talking to everybody else.” But then it was like, “One little piece of information, thank you! I have what I need, and I am going on to go do my thing.” And that’s all love to Aaliyah. What an incredible person. What a cruel setup of Survivor that the only way that you can survive is to crush other people’s dreams, but that’s the game.

So anyway, I went throughout the beach. I mean, obviously saw a little bit of the conversation with Brady and Kilby. It was like that. But I went to Dev and I was like, “I heard you’re like voting for me.” We have this just straight up. He’s like, “I’m absolutely voting for you.” I go to everyone, and I’m like, “I hear this rumor I’m not a wedding photographer.” I’m literally talking to everyone. And I’m doing the whole “ISO, aperture, shutter speed,” [thing]; I’m doing it to everyone on the beach. So it was just constant conversation all day long.

Did anyone ever tell you what they thought your job was instead of a wedding photographer?
No! I guess I guess I was just giving sus vibes, and they’re like, “She’s hiding behind the facade of being a cute little wedding photographer.” Which was my plan. I mean, I was like, “How convenient. My career is not very threatening.” And I am so proud of the career I built. I don’t feel this sense of like “I’m just a wedding photographer.” I don’t feel that way at all. I was like, “I know I’m a threat, and I feel like my career path has prepared me in so many ways. I don’t want them to know that piece”. So it’s, of course, ironic that I get targeted for not being a wedding photographer! [Laughs.] But yeah, nobody said anything else.

So you do end up not only saving yourself that night, but keeping yourself off the proverbial shot list at Toka’s second Tribal Council. But you do end up voting out Patt, who was the one to tip you off that you were a target in the first vote. Talk to me about what led you to go against that alliance of five.
So I’ll tell you what happened, and it’s a bummer because Patt was like my soul girl. We bonded over similar life experiences. Obviously, she let me in a major way to the first vote. I feel indebted to her. I want to work with her. The next day, Day 4, I have this long conversation with Patt on the beach, and the vibes are so off. We’re both kind of laying out, “These are where we see the groups. These are where we see the lines.” I’m telling Patt, “I bet you there’s a tribe swap coming soon. How do we find the middle of this so that you and I survive? I see us on opposite lines, but I want to work with you.”

I think, in part, she felt slightly betrayed because she gave me this wedding photographer information, which I didn’t realize to her was more private, but I thought it was more public. And then it came back on her, like, “Who told Jenna that?” And she had to be like, “No, not me.” And then also, I think Dev and Jelly were so staunchly against me that she prioritized with working with them and knew that she was going to have to put distance between us if that was the case.

The vibes were weird. She straight up told me, if we go to Tribal Council — and I appreciate this. She said, “If we go to Tribal Council, I’m going to have to vote for you.” I knew I wanted to work with her if we could; I didn’t hold that against her. But we were not game-aligned. Ironically, I have a conversation with Kilby that same day. Complete opposite, which surprised me. Kilby was in the middle of the first vote. He didn’t vote for me, but I didn’t know how I felt about Kilby. Kilby comes to me and he’s like, “I want a superfan to win this show. Let’s work together. You’re in my group!” And the vote becomes Patt and Kilby. I’m not gonna switch to Kilby after all of that transpired.

We’ve heard so much about how that group of five were the “cool kids,” and last night we even heard Kilby and Lewis use terms like “undermining” and “bullying” to describe how they were treating the rest of you. Was that really the case?
So I will say, there’s so much intermingling. Pattt and I had a really tight bond within that. Of course, many people had conversations. But honestly, it felt that way. It felt like “I see the lines.” Here’s the thing: People are giving them a lot of like hate for being like, “You formed a five-person alliance in an 11-person tribe!” Well, we didn’t have 11 people. Aaliyah goes home; we get Lewis. If you’re Lewis, why would you go with this other group so it’s 5-5? You would join the bigger group. The only reason it kind of switched is because we got Lewis and we got Carter. And so all that to say, they knew they had the power. And when they knew they had the power, we kind of found out. And then it swapped, and we were like, “Okay, that’s how I see it.”

After putting yourself in that good position on Toka, it does seem on paper you got monumentally unlucky, given the fact that you happened to swap onto a tribe with the only two people who had voted against you, who were also in a Day 1 alliance with someone else. How “swap screwed” do you feel you truly were?
You know what? I feel less screwed over when I get to play the “Premerge Baddies” season of Survivor. That is when I will have some vindication! I mean, it sucks. It sucks to go out this way. But I’m never going to be someone who says that you get “swap screwed”, even if that’s somewhat true. As a player of the game, you do everything you can. You have to deal with bad hands. Sometimes you can’t get out of it, but you have to deal with bad hands. Even now, of course, it’s a bad hand. But I’m like, “I should have been on that mutiny. I should have given myself some leverage. I should have made an idol. I should have done something.” And so I don’t know.

You said in the premiere that one of the reasons you were so emotionally withdrawn early on was because you had been going through a lot in terms of your recent divorce, and you didn’t want to tell anyone about that. Talk to me about your headspace going into the game. And how did that change by the time you had left?
Okay, can I tell you a quick story? This is one of the most meaningful things that happened to me, and that I will leave with for the rest of my life. So we’re on Savu beach, and we’re no longer talking. We’re about to go into Tribal Council, and I’m like, “Can I go down to the beach? It’s the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever seen.” And I go down the beach. I think everyone’s gonna follow me; nobody does. And so it’s just me sitting on the most gorgeous part of the beach where those the waves come together. And it is the first and only time in the game I have the active thought, “Oh my gosh, it’s beautiful here.” And it is the first and only time in the game that I think about my family because I was too busy otherwise. And I was sitting out, and I was looking in the sunset. I was thinking of my mom. I knew she was thinking of me. This was my family’s dream too.

And I closed my eyes, and I had the tangible thought: “This is all a gift.” And I was not thinking of the game. I was thinking of all the years and every single thing that went into me chasing this dream and all of the experiences I got to have because of that. Like flying to Arizona and surprising my mom when I found out that I was on the show, things like that. And I open my eyes because I’m crying on this beach. And there’s a camera in my face. [Laughs.] And I’m like, “Guys, I’m giving I’m dead right now. But I’m totally fine. I’m just crying because I’m happy. It’s fine.”

And we go to Tribal. I get voted out. I’m literally the most heartbroken I’ve ever been in my life. One of the things I processed at Ponderosa was also this tangible phrase of “this is all you get.” This cruel reality. “You wanted it all. You wanted so much more. You would have given anything to go another day. Sorry for you. This is all you get.”

And for whatever reason, the visual for me as I kind of kept processing this became imagining that final beach. Imagining the phrase “this is all you get” like a wall on that beach that I am desperately trying to push through and scrape at and get past, but I can’t. And so then it sort of forces me to go back and sit in that final spot I was sitting, looking at the sunset, turning over every shell. And then the phrase stays the same: This is all you get. But the meaning changes completely. It’s “this is all you get. This is all a gift.” And I feel like that is my Survivor experience in a nutshell. It is letting myself be absolutely heartbroken. Maybe some people think it’s ridiculous, but I was absolutely heartbroken and absolutely so immensely grateful at the same time.

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