All posts by Megan Grant

Megan Grant is a professional writer, editor, and social media manager living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She's an avid bookworm and aspiring novelist.

This Homeless Man Used His Last $20 to Help a Stranded Woman

Johnny Bobbitt Jr. You’ll never forget this name. One night, a young woman named Kate McClure ran out of gas at night on Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania. Bobbitt, a 34-year-old homeless man, saw her and approached her car – but he had no intention of asking her for money. He told her to stay in her car with the doors locked, and he left. When he returned a few minutes later, he had a gas can with him. Johnny Bobbitt Jr. had spent his last $20 to help McClure fill her tank and safely get home.

McClure did her best to pay him back, even though he never asked for a dime. She kept stopping by the place his sits with money, gift cards, water, and warm clothes. But she wanted to do more. So McClure created a GoFundMe page, with the goal of raising $10,000 for Bobbitt. At the time of this article, the campaign has raised nearly $350,000.

McClure says on the GoFundMe page that she wants to raise money for an apartment, car, and expenses for Bobbitt. “He is very interested in finding a job, and I believe that with a place to be able to clean up every night and get a good night’s rest, his life can get back to being normal.” With the money she raised, he’ll be able to afford a lot more than that.

It’s a beautiful story for the holiday season, and a reminder to give back when you can. One man was willing to give up the little bit of money he had to help someone else. His generosity has inspired countless people all around the nation.

 

Main image: Kate McClure/GoFundMe

5 Holiday Movies on Netflix to Get You in the Spirit

December is here, and we’re ready to get in the spirit of the season; but sometimes, life’s many responsibilities stop you from feeling the Christmas cheer. Thankfully, Netflix is here to save the day. Crack open a bottle of wine, grab your favorite Christmas snack, and cozy up in your ugly Christmas sweater for some quality TV time. Here are some of the holiday movies on Netflix that you won’t want to miss.

1. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Does this movie ever get old? No. The correct answer is no. Jim Carrey gives a memorable performance in a flick that will touch your heart and make you laugh until you cry — whether you’re a wee one or a grown adult.

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2. Bad Santa

Starring Billy Bob Thornton (who surprised me with how hilarious he is), this one’s about a conman and his partner who plot to rob department stores on the eve of Christmas. As you can probably guess, things don’t go according to plans. Don’t let this movie fool you: it’s intended for a mature audience.

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3. Happy Christmas

If cuffing season has you feeling down, you need to see this comedy-drama about a gal named Jenny (played by Anna Kendrick) who, after a break-up, moves in with her brother and his family — and shakes up their home life as a result.

4. A Christmas Prince

A reporter goes undercover for a story on a wild prince, and ends up in a messy situation when she falls in love. Scandal! Betrayal! Lies! Nah, just a really good Christmas movie.

5. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Alright, alright. We know this is largely a Halloween movie; but it’s still about Christmas! And honestly, who’s gotten sick of watching Jack Skellington try to bring Christmas to his home? Not this gal here.

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Main image: Motion Picture Corporation of America

The Best Black Friday Deals

Are you going to layer on your warmest winter clothes and brave the Black Friday crowds? I applaud you. I’ll be shopping from the safety of my home office, drinking coffee and generally avoiding everybody. Either way, if you want to get your hands on some of the best Black Friday deals, snaps for you for being a savvy budget-shopper. Do you know where to find the best discounts? Because we’ve got ’em.

Even the toughest Black Friday shopper shouldn’t hit the stores or scan the interwebs without a plan in place. Instead of aimlessly wandering from door to door or web page to web page, know ahead of time where you’ll find the best holiday discounts. According to Forbes, these are some of the retailers offering the best Black Friday deals, and the markdowns they’re offering.

  1. Kohl’s — 66.3%
  2. JCPenney — 66.3%
  3. Belk — 62.8%
  4. Stage — 60.8%
  5. Shopko — 55.9%
  6. Bealls Florida — 52.8%
  7. Sears — 50.1%
  8. Macy’s — 45.6%
  9. Fred Meyer — 43.9%
  10. AAFES — 37.3%
  11. All retailers — 37.1%

WalletHub listed many of the same, and also included several more of their own.

  1. Fred Meyer — 43.9%
  2. Amazon — 36.8%
  3. Target — 36.2%
  4. Kmart — 35.8%
  5. Walmart — 34.2%
  6. Best Buy — 30%

See their full list here — there’s plenty to choose from. Whether you’re looking for electronics, toys, office supplies, or something else entirely, odds are there’s a retailer somewhere offering serious discounts, which means you save major cash.

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Last year, shoppers spent a whopping $682 billion on Black Friday. Expect long lines out the door; and if you’re one of those people who camps outside the night before, well, bring snacks. This day is not for the faint of heart. If you plan on visiting stores in person, please shop responsibly, don’t push any grandmas, and always say “please” and “thank you.” Enjoy the markdowns, friends. Happy Black Friday!

best black friday deals

What Happens When Women Ask Men Out?

Ladies, how many of you have waited around for your crush to ask you out on a date? (I know I have!) It could take days, weeks, months — heck, he might never ask you out because it’s such an intimidating question. Our culture has long discouraged women from doing the asking, lest they appear desperate or aggressive; but one gal was determined to change that. Oloni, an award-winning sex and relationships blogger, challenged her female Twitter followers to ask a dude out and share a screenshot of the response. So, what happens when women ask men out on a date?

What’s wrong with women taking charge? Absolutely nothing. And in many cases, it paid off. Could it be that guys like when women take the reins and ask for that first date?

It wasn’t always a happy ending, though. Men stand the risk of getting rejected when they ask a woman out; and the situation is no different when the tables are turned. Some ladies were met with a brutal NO.

Well, ladies, we give you credit for your bravery. He just wasn’t the one for you (but that’s OK). Don’t let this discourage you, because when asked about the possibility of women asking them out, men seem to be all for it. Take this Reddit thread, for instance. When asked about the idea of the woman making the first move, here’s what some of the fellas said.

women ask men out

 

 

 

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You hear that, ladies? Not only are they OK with it, but they like it. Would you ever ask your crush out on a date? Have you already tried it? Let us know in the comments!

Twitter’s “What Your Dog isThankful For” Hashtag Will Steal Your Heart

Does a certain furry, four-legged pal make your life a whole lot better? You’re not alone. As of this year, around 89.7 million dogs live in homes across America. The benefits of welcoming a canine into your home are endless. Dogs teach us things about people, they teach us to give more, and they’re good for your physical and mental health. It’s no wonder we want to welcome dogs into our homes and travel the country to visit the best doggie destinations in the nation. Even though it’s always a good time to celebrate the dogs in our lives, Twitter wanted to give them a special shout-out — with the hashtag #WhatYourDogIsThankfulFor.

As you can probably imagine, some of the tweets are pretty amazing. Some will make you laugh until your face hurts from smiling too much. Others might bring a tear to your eye. One thing is for certain, though: they’ll all remind you why you love your dog to the end of the world and back.


https://twitter.com/Sb_spark/status/931206677302358016

What is your dog thankful for?

whatyourdogisthankfulfor

This Girl Can Fit Two Years of Trash in a Jar

Did you know that the average person produces 4.6 pounds of trash every single day? Our carbon footprint is the stuff nightmares are made of, and it’s a growing problem. One girl decided to do something about it, and vowed to switch to a zero-waste life. Now, she hardly produces any trash at all. In fact, she can fit two years of trash in a jar!

While studying environmental studies at NYU, Lauren Singer realized that she wanted to practice what she believed in. So after taking a step back and analyzing her entire lifestyle, she found all sorts of brilliant ways to either reduce or eliminate completely the trash she was producing. By switching to items like compostable toothbrushes and homemade deodorant, she got to a place where should could fit all of her trash from the last two years in one mason jar. Check it out!

There are so many tiny changes we can all make to produce less trash. Simply switching from paper napkins to cloth ones or ditching plastic toothbrushes in favor of something more eco-friendly already has a positive impact. Despite what many people think, you don’t have to change your life completely and give up the things you love. You can start small, take baby steps, and slowly develop new habits. After awhile, you won’t be able to imagine your life any other way.

Did this video inspire you to go green and treat planet earth with a little more respect? Right here, right now, we challenge you to make one change today to produce less waste. Let us know what change you decide on, and how it goes!

 

Main image: Stories/YouTube

Halo Top’s Seasonal Ice Cream Flavor is a Total Win

We love Halo Top ice cream. We always wanted an excuse to eat an entire pint of ice cream by ourselves, and the universe answered our prayers. The low-calorie, high-protein ice cream is the healthiest version of the classic dessert that we’ve ever seen, meaning it’s acceptable to eat twice as much. Just in time for the holidays, Halo Top has released a seasonal flavor that has our tastebuds crying tears of joy: gingerbread house.

Can you believe it? Now you get to enjoy your Christmastime gingerbread house without actually having to lift a finger to make one. The deliciously creamy dessert packs pieces of ginger cookies and a swirl of frosting. True to the brand’s philosophy, the pint contains 360 calories and a whopping 20 grams of protein. If you’re thinking you should replace your post-workout protein shake with this, yes, yes you should.

Halo Top has been making headlines quite a bit lately. It was recently announced that tomorrow, they will open their very first brick-and-mortar store, which you can find in the Westfield Topanga Mall in Canoga Park, California. (Expect long lines, friends.) We also learned that being the best-selling pint of ice cream in grocery stores isn’t enough: now, Halo Top is setting out to rule the world of soft serve. What’s next — low-calorie, high-protein cake? Cookies? Brownies? Just a few suggestions, guys…

To all the other ice cream shops out there… sleep with one eye open. There’s a new dessert in town.

Main image: Halo Top Creamery/Facebook

5 Sports You Never Thought to Try

If you’re anything like me, variety is the spice of life, and something that isn’t challenging or engaging will quickly fail in holding your interest. This is especially tricky in finding a physical activity you love that keeps you healthy. It was five minutes after I took up running when I said, “Meh. No.” I feel your pain, and that’s why I share with you this brief list of sports you never thought to try. They’re mentally and physically tough, and they’ll keep you coming back for more.

olympic weightlifting and crossfit

Krav Maga

Krav Maga includes techniques from aikido, judo, boxing, wrestling, and more, making it an all-encompassing, constantly varied sport. It teaches you excellent self-defense while simultaneously keeping you in great shape. Anyone can find pleasure in mastering the basic movements of Krav Maga. It’s challenging and fulfilling, and you may very well find yourself hooked to it. (And if you’re a Crossfire series fan, you know that Eva Tramell took Krav Maga lessons – which means that it’s definitely cool.)

Indoor Rock Climbing

Another physically demanding workout is indoor rock climbing. With an added measure of safety and surveillance, you can really focus on your technique and progress. It takes incredible control, stamina, and efficient use of your own body strength. You make think you need to be lifting weights to get buff, but indoor rock climbing proves you have options. But, if you do prefer to pump iron, this next sport is for you.

Olympic Weightlifting


Ah, yes. My personal favorite. I started Olympic lifting more than three years ago, and I’m still in love. Progress is slow, and you really have to fight for it; but that’s what makes it so addictive — the constant fight. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you need cardio to stay lean. Olympic lifting will get you in the best shape of your life, and you’ll feel better than ever. A win win! Plus, you’ll feel like a total badass throwing a ton of weight overhead.

Barre

Barre has been picking up steam lately, and there’s a reason why. Based in dance (although this is not dance), practicing bar promises to help you build long, lean muscles, like a ballerina. Many people have claimed to notice a difference in their tone within the first week. Barre targets hard-to-reach muscles, and anyone can do it, regardless of age, weight, or experience. Much of barre consists of bodyweight exercises, but sometimes you’ll find light hand weights and resistance bands.

Dance


These girls can’t hide how much fun they’re having. If you need variety, then dance lessons could very well float your boat. Jazz, ballet, contemporary, tap, hip hop (like in the vid above) — there’s something for everyone. Learn to express yourself through the art of motion, and feel more confident in your own skin. I promise that you can have two left feet and still enjoy the benefits of dance. This former dancer of 12 years can attest to that. (Note: If you’re feeling extra spicy, look up pole dancing classes near you. Oo la la!)

What’s Cardio? Celebrities Who Lift Weights to Stay in Shape

Dear cardio, your days are numbered. While it doesn’t hurt to throw in a quick run or a warm-up on the elliptical here and there, people are finally catching on to the magic of lifting weights to stay lean, strong, and healthy. It’s simple, really: muscle burns more calories than fat, and it also takes up less space than fat. Therefore, the goal should be to have more muscle. And how do we do that?

All together now: lifting weights!

Even some of your favorite Hollywood celebrities have jumped on the gains train and started picking up some heavier weights in the gym. Yes, they have resources that most of us don’t — chefs, nutrition coaches, meal prep companies, and things of that nature. But they’re still just like you and me, and there’s a reason they’ve swapped a five-mile run on the treadmill for heavy back squats.

If you need a little more inspiration to go heavy at the gym, here are just a few badass celebrities who lift weights.

1. Kate Upton

Who said lifting weights makes you bulky?! Kate Upton is known for her feminine, curvaceous figure; and do you know how she stays in such fantastic shape? I’ll give you one hint: it doesn’t involve the stationary bike. Strong women are beautiful.

@kateupton supersets heavy landmine reverse lunges with some equally impressive dance moves. Strong! 💪💃

A post shared by Ben Bruno (@benbrunotraining) on

2. Demi Lovato

Lovato has certainly become a voice for women. After battling substance abuse and body images issues, she’s now on the right track and has been very vocal about her desire to lead a healthy, positive life. She often shares her adventures at the gym on Instagram, like these heavy squats in the rack. We must say, Lovato is looking smokin’ hot!

Friday 💪🏼 follow me on snap: theddlovato

A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on

3. Khloe Kardashian

People weren’t always very nice to little miss Khloe Kardashian. For many years, she was known as the fat sister, although she never was. Regardless, she turned a negative into a positive, and found a great love in fitness. She’s said before that it’s her therapy, and let’s be honest: it ain’t bad for her figure, either. While Kardashian was always beautiful, we can’t deny that in all her strong and curvy awesomeness, she’s major #bodygoals.

A post shared by Khloé (@khloekardashian) on

4. Chelsea Handler

She’s sharp, witty, and makes us laugh until our stomaches hurt; but that’s not all Handler is about. She’s also a beast in the gym. These hip thrusts are no laughing matter — super tough, but the perfect workout for a bigger booty. Handler doesn’t mess around with the weights, either. Go big or go home!

ChelseaDoes@benbrunotraining. He’s a monkey

A post shared by Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) on

5. Victoria’s Secret Angels

The secret is out. If you think that all of the angels are just naturally thin, well… some of them might be. But there are definitely others who have to work for it. These ladies break a sweat in the weight room so they can look flawless on the catwalk. Never dismiss the hard work that goes into modeling!

Abu Dhabi: The Middle East Destination of Your Dreams

There are certain international travel destinations that are on everyone’s to-do list. Finland is gorgeous. Ireland is stunning. Borneo can’t be missed. But there’s one region that doesn’t get nearly as much of the spotlight as it should: the Middle East. While it’s true that every region has areas you might not want to visit, it would be unfair to say that all of the Middle East isn’t worthy of your time. In particular, Abu Dhabi is deserving of your attention, as it’s one of the most popular destinations in the Middle East.

Traveling Back in Time in Abu Dhabi

The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi has it all: culture, history, food, architecture, luxury — you name it. If you want to dive deep into Abu Dhabi’s heritage, head to Heritage Village. A fishing village once stood there, and Heritage Village has kept the representation of it alive and well. Walk past Bedouin tents and wooden huts, experience weaving and metal-working demonstrations, and pick up locally made crafts and spices.

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If you want to explore nature, make your way to the Al Ain Oasis — a nearly 3,000-acre park best known for being home to almost 150,000 date palms. The oasis ecosystem includes a complex shared water supply made of wells and the UAE’s irrigation system, called “aflaj.” Al Ain Oasis is not to be missed, and it’s the UAE’s first curated UNESCO World Heritage site.

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It doesn’t end there. Pencil time in to visit Jebel Hafeet — the tallest mountain in the emirate and second tallest in the country. Not only is it the site of many important fossil discoveries, but it offers one of the most gorgeous road trips you’ll ever take.

Must-See Stops

It wouldn’t be a vacation without dining out and shopping, and that’s where the Corniche comes into play. See the city’s most popular hotels, grab a delicious lunch, and shop to your heart’s content. And don’t forget that Corniche also gives you access to the city’s best beaches.

A trip to Abu Dhabi wouldn’t be complete without stopping at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque — arguably the capital’s most popular destination. It was built between 1996 and 2007, requested by the founder and first president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. With 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, and shining with white and gold, it’s one of the largest mosques on the planet. It’s home to the world’s largest hand-woven rug, and one of the world’s biggest chandeliers. If you’re worried about being allowed inside, fear not: this is one of two mosques in the UAE that is open to tourists who aren’t Muslim.

abu dhabi

abu dhabi

Next, let’s talk about something that’s probably on everyone’s mind: safety. Yes, Abu Dhabi is safe to travel to! The UAE is in general. In fact, some argue there’s nowhere safer. It’s a true melting pot, drawing visitors from all across the globe.

With so much to offer (and neighboring Dubai just a car trip away), we can hear Abu Dhabi calling our name.