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The Totally Weird Trick That Could Get Your Toddler to Like Veggies

Oh, how many moms and dads have struggled over the years to their children to eat their vegetables. It’s so important that you don’t give up because of how much easier it is (surprisingly, I know) to develop a palate for nutritious food when you’re young. Starting kids off eating healthy is key to them living a longer life but we know just how hard it can get at times. It seems like all they like is boxed mac and cheese and cookies. You must stay strong! For there is light at the end of the tunnel because I have a trick that just might save the day.

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Bare with me, because it might sound a little strange at first, but wind chimes may actually help your baby eat more veggies. According to Charles Spence, a professor of experimental psychology at the University of Oxford, says that it’s the high pitched sounds that the windchimes create that help stimulate the brain and it actually makes food taste sweeter. The sweeter the food, the more likely your baby or toddler is going to like it. He even suggests that picky or fussy eaters should be encouraged to play with their food to make it a more positive experience while the windchimes are making sweet noise in the background.

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He’s basically describing that music literally has a sweet note,“The idea with chirpy music such as wind chimes is that it contains the high-pitched musical notes that have been shown to bring out the sweetness in a food that contains a sweet note”. While you use the music technique it’s also important to keep offering your children healthy foods, because it can take way longer than you might think for them to catch on, “parents shouldn’t pressure a child when introducing vegetables. Instead, she suggests that you continue to offer these foods without saying a word—up to 20 times—before deciding that your child doesn’t like it” according to Dr. Gemma Witcomb.

An evolutionary trait we all have in the early stages of life is to be wary of new foods because it used to protect us from being harmed from potentially dangerous things, so be patient with your little one. When they’re old enough, keep the music technique going but also incorporate some hands-on learning because children really do like to help and it’s an opportunity to teach them what veggies pair well with what.

But most importantly, Dr. Witcomb suggests that parents each what they expect their children to eat, “They will quickly work out you aren’t eating that cabbage that you’re forcing them to try”, according to her Child Feeding Guide.

Serena Williams Welcomes Baby Girl

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The brilliantly talented Serena Williams and fiance Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian just welcomed a beautiful and healthy baby girl on Friday, September 1st. Major congratulations are in order as it is the couple’s first child and reports say they couldn’t be happier. Serena gave birth in West Palm Beach Florida and her little bundle of joy weighed in at 6 pounds 13 ounces.

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Her twin sister Venus Williams was about to step into a tennis match when she received the news, gushing to reporters about how excited she was,”Words can’t describe”, at the US open later that day. The news of mom and baby spread like wildfire, and many of her celebrity friends congratulated her, including Queen Bey herself.

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The couple named the lovely child Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr, perfectly inspired by both parents. Baby Alexis is already breaking barriers with her name, as usually such formalities are reserved for boys, and we’re loving every minute of it. Serena is already eager to get back on the court and has announced plans to do so in January.

The athlete accidentally announced her pregnancy earlier this year when she sent out a Snapchat of her baby bump that was meant for a loved one, captioned “20 weeks”. Serena shared pictures of baby Alexis on her Instagram and proud papa and fiance shared them on his Snapchat quickly after birth. We can’t wait to see all the adorable pictures to come!

George Clooney Revealed the Inspiration Behind His Twins' Totally Normal Names

I’m all for a unique name, but sometimes I’ll admit, when I hear the names celebrity’s choose for their children, I’m slightly shocked. Not because it’s a name I’ve never heard, but because they choose names of other things, like Apple or Rocket. It’s almost as if they just look around the room and when they find the first thing they see, that’s the name they choose. But let’s get real; You can name your kid whatever you want, who cares what other people think, right?

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Well, that’s not George and Amal Clooney’s stance on things. The famous couple just recently welcomed twins and George just opened up about the inspiration behind the names they chose. They named the children Alexander and Ella, which are somewhat simple names for Hollywood’s most elite. While at the Venice Film Festival he told Entertainment Tonight that,”We figured these kids are going to be looked at a lot and watched and [have their] every move sort of judged … So we looked for some sort of normal names” and even though we don’t love his use of “normal” in this context, to many it makes sense.

He further explained that giving them “normal” names was the inspiration for the final decision, and not much more went into it, “We didn’t have any great inspiration. It wasn’t Alexander the Great and Ella Fitzgerald”. He stressed that most importantly they didn’t want to give the children “really dumb names”. Although it’s unclear what George thinks is a “dumb name” we have a few guesses.

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George did go on to share with Entertainment Tonight reporters that he’s loving family life and getting to know his kid’s personalities,”They start out with a personality right off the bat. [Alexander] is a thug already … He’s a moose! Literally, he just sits and he eats” and he gushed about his daughter, “She’s very elegant, and all eyes. She looks like Amal, thank god”.  A French magazine happened to snatch a photo of the newborns, although it is a bit invasive they sure look cute.

He ended the interview by saying life has definitely changed for them, as their household doubled overnight, “None of it is real until all of a sudden they’re standing there covered in slime and crying. You’re like, wait a minute, what is that? We were just two and now we’re four… Everything changes pretty quickly”. We can’t wait to see these darling bundles of joy and watch the family grow.

Buck Was Submerged In 6 Feet Of Water, So Rescuers Grabed His Antlers To Bring Him To Dry Land

We’ve been bringing you non-stop coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, and we’ve been glad to see everyone coming together to help each other out in such desperate times. The nation has watched in horror as Hurricane Harvey has devastated thousands of people by destroying their homes and hurting their loved ones. We don’t always think about all the animals in need right away, because of how many people are displaced, but the truth it, they need our help too. Luckily, we’re here to show you some more evidence that there is still faith in humanity and that we are a nation united and NOT divided–we’re even showing allyship to animals in need.

Many animals have also lost their homes during this hurricane season, whether its a domesticated home or natural habitat, many are left literally homeless. Not only are many animals without a place of refuge, many have even been killed or put into harm’s way due to flooding and environmental damage. Rescuers have been working around the clock since the devastation began, saving creatures off all kinds. The internet has been filled with images of poor abused dogs and cats that have been abandoned by their owners, and it’s heartbreaking.

The heart-wrenching situation continues to unfold as the nation works together to send aid where it is needed, and we thought that sharing a positive story of savor and survival might bring hope during this gloomy time. Below is a video of rescuers calmly attempting to help save a wild buck who is struggling to keep its head above the rising flood waters. Luckily, the rescuers were able to save the terrified animal, and you get to see a happy ending after all. It’s more important than ever that we all reach out and give a helping hand to those in need as we attempt to pick up the pieces of our communities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku0cbvIZB_E

Even The Worst Artist Can Make Beautiful, Fired Ink Art With These 3 Easy Steps

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Creative expression can do wonders for the soul, but some of us aren’t as naturally gifted at creating visually appealing art, which is why this is the best way to create your own masterpiece! The use of alcohol-based ink and a little-learned technique can magically transform a blank canvas into something you’re truly proud of in a matter of minutes. You can create beautiful abstract art that is inspired by how you’re feeling by choosing the colors that suit your mood.

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This technique is called fired ink art, which involves alcohol ink, alcohol, and a little fire. Not only does this technique create something that deserves to be hung in a museum, it’s as easy as 1,2,3. First, you’re going to need some materials to get your Picasso on. Materials needed: A picture frame with glass, alcohol ink in the colors of your choosing, rubbing alcohol, and a match or lighter.

Instructions:

Remove glass from picture frame

pour the alcohol over the paint

drop blobs of paint onto the glass in all the colors your heart desires

Light with mixture with a lighter

When the flame goes out you can put the glass back in the frame and marvel at your creation.

Here’s a video of how to do it, which I recommend watching before attempting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9fRplhJmyg

This Guy Found An Abandoned World War II Site And It's Super Creepy

For some reason, when something is abandoned and nature starts taking it back, it starts to get a creepy vibe that makes your skin crawl. When I was a child I filled my head with so many ghost stories and mysteries that every time I would go to my grandmother’s farm and go see the rusted abandoned Chevy out in the field, I would automatically assume it was about to be the set of a horror film starring yours truly. My grandma’s farm is nothing compared to the abandoned WWII site this guy and his wife found.

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He’s only known by the name of CanadaSpeedoMan, the guy who uploaded the photos from one terribly scary war site. He said they got the chance to visit the countryside and backpack throughout South East Greenland and after days of doing so, they came across this old airstrip. The site was called “Bluie East Two” and gave them some serious chills as they realized how remote the location was. The site was initially used to refuel warplanes traveling from the USA to Europe and was only accessible by boat for much of the year. During the winter months, the sea ice prevented boats from accessing the area, making it one of the most remote places used for war.

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The evidence was all left behind, including thousands of rusting barrels, some still filled with fuel. There were trucks left as is, almost as if everyone had simply just vanished. Some of what was left behind had been picked through for any reusable materials by the local Inuit people, which gives the site an even creepier sensation because everything looks to be decomposing in its own way. All the wood found was brought in by boat or drifted in from Siberia, as there are no trees in South East Greenland.

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There was tons of machinery left behind, much of which was used to level out the land. Some of the trucks even had snow chains on them, literally frozen in time. When comparing the photos from when the airstrip was in its prime to the rusted and busted remains that are photographed today, the difference is shocking. There were broken Coke bottles everywhere, a clear indication of American soldiers. There was so much stuff left behind, he said he could have stayed a week and still not had the chance to explore everything the site had to offer.

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And of course, he shared a darling photo of the fluffy dog who accompanied them named Nanuq, which translates to Polar Bear.

How Come People Are Building Entire Cities On The Ocean?

It may seem a bit far-fetched that an entire city can be built on the ocean, but in reality, it’s already been done. The story starts with one man, Roy Bates. The year was 1967 when Bates decided to take refuge on an abandoned British naval base off the coast of British territory. Bates declared that his new found home was actually an independent state sovereign from the old country because it fulfilled all the requirements by definition. The micro-city was in international waters, it had a government, territory, a permanent population, and the ability to communicate with other nations.

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Although Bates never officially applied to have the city recognized, he named it Sealand and lived there peacefully until 1987 when Britain “extended” their borders and claimed it.  Roys son Michael doesn’t think this is even an issue and Sealand met the requirements stated in the Montevideo Convention, a long time ago,“We’ve had the German ambassador visit at one point to discuss something: that was de facto recognition. We’ve had communication with the president of France many years ago, but we have never asked for recognition and we don’t feel we need it”.

Now, technically Bates didn’t build the city but rather reclaimed abandoned infrastructure, some people are pondering the idea of creating a new Sealand, from start to finish. The idea of having massing floating cities isn’t too far advanced for the near future, but it’s going to take some serious funding and hundreds, if not thousands, of people’s support. The more people that endorse the idea, the less likely large nations will be able to silence the budding idea–which brings me to my next point.

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The Venus Project, according to their website, is “an organization that proposes a feasible plan of action for social change; a holistic global socio-economic system called a Resource Based Economy that works toward a peaceful and sustainable global civilization. It outlines an alternative to strive toward where human rights are not only paper proclamations, but also a way of life”. The organization has plans for the water cities, which include essentially becoming self-producing islands, that benefit the environment around it, and we can’t help but think their plans sound like Utopia, “Many of these ocean cities may serve as oceanographic universities that maintain the ecological balance of marine systems. Others will maintain sea farms that will cultivate many forms of marine life. They could also be used as a new resource for mining the relatively untapped resources of the oceans without disturbing its ecology”.

Although the plans sound like the solution to world hunger and the increasing damage to our environment, there is no direct information on HOW these cities are going to be built. We can only hope, that sometime soon technology and social interest will turn the plans into reality.

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Another organization that is interested in building floating cities, is The Seasteading Institute. On their website, they state that unlike the Venus Project, they have a more realistic grasp on what actually needs to be done and how to do it,“Seasteading is an audacious vision that will take decades to fully realize. We strongly believe in incrementalism — breaking this huge vision down into manageable, practical steps. Our current strategy centers around the Floating City Project, through which we are crafting practical plans for the world’s first seastead, designed around the needs of actual potential residents, and located within a “host” nation’s protected, territorial waters”. The Floating City Project they speak of is actually already underway.

French Polynesia is going to be the first nation to build a floating city, as they plan on starting as soon as Spring 2018. The project will only be completed if the following three criteria are met:

A study of the economic impact the endeavor would have on French Polynesians.

Preparation of an environmental framework report and integration plan to require that the floating islands are a positive contribution to the environment.

A legal framework for the Seazone, a legal regime incorporating the best practices of over 4000 Special Economic Zones around the world.

It is still unsure what daily life would be like on these floating cities, but it’s assumed that whichever country they are located in, will dictate the laws. There is still much to be done before we see any structure actually being built, but the hope for the future is bright.

Why These Gyros Will Change Your Life

I make homemade falafel gyros all the time once I discovered how easy they were to make and how well they stored. I used to only get to eat gyros whenever I found a good spot but my wallet never seemed to keep up with how frequently I wanted a gyro, take-out does add up after all. So in desperation, I discovered that making falafel without a deep fryer is possible and it tastes absolutely delicious. They’re a little healthier than take-out too because you only lightly fry them in your choice of oil.

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They’re moist, flavorful and can be utilized in much more than just one dinner. I usually double the batch and freeze half so I can just easily warm them up throughout the week. I even like to fry a couple of them up just to heat them through and throw them on a Mediterranean salad for a healthier option. Depending on how much time you have or how much in advance you realized you wanted a gyro will determine if you use dried or canned chickpeas. Another versatile recipe that will be one of your favorites in no time.

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Ingredients:

1 cup dried  or canned chickpeas

1/2 large red onion, roughly chopped (about 1 cup)

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

1 teaspoon salt

1/2-1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper

4 cloves of garlic

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon baking powder

4-6 tablespoons flour

vegetable oil for frying

Chopped tomato for garnish

Diced onion for garnish

Tahini sauce

Pita bread

First, grab a food processor or blender and set it up. If you’re using dried chickpeas you will want to place them in a pot, cover them with water, and let them soak overnight. For both options, you will need to drain the excess water either from the can or from the soak. Combine all of the dry ingredients into the food processor and combine until everything is evenly mixed but not pureed, there still needs to be some texture to the falafel. Cover with plastic wrap and let it sit in the refrigerator for a couple hours.

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After the mixture has chilled for a couple hours form small balls and flatten them into round pucks. Heat the oil in a medium pan until it reaches a consistent 375 degrees F. Drop one falafel in as a tester, if it falls apart easily you’ll need to add more flower. Fry each piece until golden brown. I recommend only frying 6 balls at a time. If you’re freezing some, keep them in an airtight container.

While your falafel is frying, heat your oven to 350 and toast your pita bread for around 4-5 minutes, just enough time to give it a light crisp. Pile on the tahini sauce and layer on the falafel. Top with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, and enjoy!

The Best Bread You'll Ever Eat

The reason this recipe gets the title of Best Bread is that it not only tastes delicious, but it’s also quite nutritious! Not to mention, chances that you’ve had it when you’ve been out to eat where they serve complimentary bread, like The Cheesecake Factory or Outback Steak House, are high. Honey brown bread is savory, oaty, and has just the right amount of sweetness from the golden honey. It has way more nutrition than your average white bread because it’s made with whole wheat flour, which contains the germ, endosperm, and bran of the seed. When you’re thinking about nutrition and flavor, this is the recipe to follow because it has copious amounts of both.

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This bread is organic and made fresh so it can store for about two days sealed in an airtight container or you can pop it in the freezer, just make sure to take precautions to prevent freezer burn. This bread is so versatile is works with everything from soups, salads, pasta, to breakfast and even dessert when paired with something like a chocolate-hazelnut spread–yum! This hardy bread is perfect for the fall weather that is approaching on us.

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Although it takes a little bit of time to make, it’s worth it because of how delicious the end product is; there is nothing that compares to freshly baked bread–especially when it’s this simple. The key is to have patients and measure everything correctly. If you follow those instructions, you’ll do just fine.

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Ingredients:

1½ cups warm water

1 tbsp sugar

2¼ tsp instant dry yeast (1 package)

2 cups bread flour

1¾ cups whole wheat flour

1 tbsp cocoa powder

2 tsp espresso powder (or coffee)

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp butter or vegan butter, softened

¼ cup honey

2 tbsp molasses

oats, for dusting the top of the shaped loafs

The first thing you need to do is activate the yeast by combining it with the warm water. Set it aside for 5 MINUTES or until it has doubled in size. In a large bowl or in a standing mixer combine all the dry ingredients, except for the oats of course. When all the dry ingredients are evenly combined add the yeast, butter, honey, and molasses and mix everything together. When the dough is thick and tacky you know it’s ready and it’s time to stop mixing it. If you’re using a mixer, attach the dough hook and knead it on MEDIUM for roughly 8-10 minutes, and if you’re doing it by hand it may need a minute longer or two to get it smooth and no longer sticking to any surface.

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Place your kneaded dough into a large oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot for 2 hours (I like to use my oven). After 2 hours the dough will double in size and it will be time to separate it into 6 pieces. You’ll want to form the pieces into logs about 2 inches wide and 6 inches long. Lightly brush the tops of the loaves with melted butter or water and sprinkle with some oats. Once again you’ll cover the loaves in plastic wrap and set in a warm place for another 60-90 minutes, when they double in size you know they’re ready.

Remove the plastic wrap and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the loaves on a lined baking sheet for about 35 minutes, or until the inside temperature reaches 190 degrees F. Let cool before slicing and serve with warm honey butter or regular butter.

Team Of 19 Build A World Record Sandcastle In Germany

Most people who grew up near a beach have at least one fond memory of attempting to construct a majestic sandcastle. A beach is a wonderful place; full of sand you can spread your toes in and an abundance of warm salty air that ever so gently flows across your face.  At any given summer moment there are children at play, hustling to grab all the buckets they can to stuff with sand in hopes of building the best sandcastle on the beach.

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Not to say yours wasn’t spectacular, but a team of 19 recently impressed some of the worlds most talented artists with their world record breaking castle. For some, building sandcastles isn’t just for fun, but it’s a lifestyle. The world of sand sculpting is highly competitive and every year new artists have jaws dropping with their insanely detailed, yet massive sculptures. This year, a team from all over the world (10 nations to be exact) joined forces in Duisburg, Germany to design and create one of the most intense sandcastles of all time.

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Coming together to create a concept, the team decided it would be a marvelous idea to center the sculpture around the theme of tourism. However, they didn’t just want to create an awesome sandcastle–they wanted to build the biggest one, EVER! It wasn’t going to be an easy task by any means, the record holder they had to beat built a castle that was 48.8 feet tall! This wasn’t their first attempt either, last year they got so close, yet failed to finish.

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This year, they weren’t taking any chances! They decided to use a finer quartz sand for a better hold in hopes to have a secure final product, unlike last year. One of the team members, Ukrainian sculptor Eugenia Kolot told Reuters gave her reasoning to why the sculpture was better this year, “It did not collapse because the quality of the sand was better than previous attempts, the weather was good and very good planning.”

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The 360 sculpture features landmarks from all over the world, incorporating figures from many different cultures, which give it a unified feeling. The famous landmarks include Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, the Great Sphinx of Giza Rialto Bridge, Venice’s Rialto Bridge, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and even the gravesite of Elvis Presley.

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The sculpture in its totality took around three weeks to come together, nearly disintegrating in the process. Before they were able to finish, a portion of the sculpture collapsed but fortunately, they were able to complete it and earned their spot in the Guniess Book of World Records with a finished sculpture standing at 54.72 feet tall!

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The sculpture is great for the town too, as it brought nearly 180,000 tourists and locals who wanted to view this spectacular event. The impressive sandcastle will be open to public viewing until late September 2017.

Watch 600 Police Vehicles Escorting This Fallen Officer To His Funeral.

In America, tensions have been high between police and citizens due to what many feel is a surge of unjust police brutality and violence against innocent victims. As many people feel nothing has been done in the name of Justice for these victims, violence against police is now rising.

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Recently, there have been multiple police officer shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge, and as of July 28th, San Diego has been added to the list of cities effected by this violence. Unfortunately, Officer Jonathan “J.D.” DeGuzman of the San Diego Police department was fatally shot while on a pedestrian stop during the late evening hours.

DeGuzman had previously received a purple heart for surviving a stabbing while on duty in 2003, and served his community for over 16 years at the time of his murder. A civil servant who lost his life for simply doing his duty.

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The murder was not only violent, but completely unnecessary as the assailant shot him multiple times from point blank range, ensuring fatality. DeGuzman’s partner Wade Irwin apparently stopped the man walking just seconds before the murderous attack on the two officers, but luckily, survived his wounds. Although both officers were seasoned and wearing bullet proof vests, there was nothing they could do.

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No words can express the loss his family and two daughters feel as they try and grieve the loss of their fallen soldier, but on August 5th, something amazing happened. Nearly 2,000 police officers showed up to participate in the ceremony, proving that he will be sorely missed by many.

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Local stations that covered the ceremony stated that there were over 600 police cars and 200 motorcycles leading the procession, while some passersby even got out of their vehicles to salute and pay respects to fallen hero. The officers that participated in the funeral were not just from the local community, or even just California; they came from all over the nation.

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The support didn’t just stop at police officer’s–firefighters, paramedics, highway and state troopers from all over the nation joined in to honor and remember DeGuzman and support his family in this time of need. Unfortunately, DeGuzman now holds a new title as the 33rd police officer from San Diego to be killed in the line of duty since the beginning of the 20th century.

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Even the local schools knew officer DeGuzman as he would often visit in uniform and help answer any police related questions the students had. Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman told the world he was a loving family man and husband who always talked about his family to coworkers at a news conference shortly after his death. She also stated that “He came to work every single day just wanting to make a positive difference in his community”.

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52 year old Jesse Michael Gomez was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with this shooting. He is pictured here laying bandaged due to being shot by Irwin as he fled the scene but is expected to fully recover. Gomez has a lengthy record which includes gun and drug charges resulting in multiple prison sentences.

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The unity and humanity shown at DeGuzman’s funeral gives the country hopes for a peaceful future among police officer’s and citizens, realizing it’s going to take extreme efforts on both sides. However, I think we can all agree that the violence must stop in order to avoid any heartbreaking situations like this in the future.

Twitter Users Are Sharing Their Adorably Awkward School Photos To Combat Bullying

Bullying has always been an issue with kids and in schools, but it seems like it has increased significantly over the last decade. The internet has exposed the true effect of bullying, as many teens have committed suicide, some have even taped it via Facebook live.

Social media has affected the way people interact with each other, and in some cases, it can be used for bullying. But when social media platforms like Twitter, are used to do good–that’s exactly what they do. Recently, many users have been sharing their awkward teen photos to combat bullying and connect with those who’ve been negatively affected.

Bullying doesn’t just stop at childhood, the psychological effects can impact someone forever. Luckily, there are some organizations that are doing their best to prevent bullying from going any further. It’s going to be a long hard battle, but they’re committed to seeing a kinder future.

https://youtu.be/qi8Zveh6PVA

The organization Anti-Bullying Pro is a UK based non-profit organization that has recently launched a campaign asking people around the world to share advice/experiences on bullying. The organization asks that participants post an awkward school picture with the hashtag #back2school in hopes that kids all around the world won’t feel alone this school year. Participants can be of any age, the only goal is to show solidarity to all the kids dealing with bullying, which will hopefully spark new discussion leading to a decline in worldwide #bullying.

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Cathy Newman, British Journalist, and Anchor of Channel 4 News kicked off the campaign by sharing her old school photos and some seriously bad experiences with not only bullying but sexual harassment in school. She urges kids to report bullying and any inappropriate situations because it’s NEVER okay and everyone deserves to learn in a comfortable, safe environment.

She posted the photos and support on Twitter, challenging others to do the same with, “I’ve shown you mine-now show me your school pic?” Many followed in her footsteps, flooding the platform with support.

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Sarah Burton decided to share her photo, and we have to say, she was ahead of the fashion trend of her time–this photo is so 2017! It was nice to see the Internet community band together to end bullying.

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This guy Barnsey did his part and let everyone know the most important thing is to be yourself and never let anyone stop you in your journey to self-acceptance.

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We love Maureen Meadows message because it may not always feel like you belong somewhere, but one of the wonderful parts of life is all the magnificent people you get to meet along the way. Your tribe may be closer than you think. Remember: Friends are the family that you choose.

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Alex Cooper definitely knows how it goes after school, letting everyone know it’s important to be the best version of yourself and to treat others kindly.

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This Is The Summer Camp For Kids Who Are Allergic To The Sun

15. Summer

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Summer is a full of vibrant memories of the sun, time at the beach, and adventures outside–for most of us. For those who suffer from xeroderma pigmentosum, summer isn’t as enjoyable. Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a photo-sensitivity disorder that prevents people from being able to go outside when the sun is out.

14. The Disorder

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XP is sometimes confused with an allergy, because of the skin’s reaction when exposed to the sun. In reality, XP is a genetic disorder that prevents the skin from repairing itself from damage due to UV rays. Due to such sensitivity of the skin, skin cancer and other serious skin ailments are seen at abnormally young ages in XP patients. The severity of the disorder ranges, some just having to wear protective clothing, while others are unable to go out in the daytime at all.

13. Symptoms

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XP has very obvious symptoms which present themselves at the beginning of life. Some of the main symptoms are developing many freckles at a very young age, severe sunburns to even the smallest amount of UV exposure, skin growths and lesions, extremely sensitive eyes, and irregular skin coloring and texture.

12. What It’s Like

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XP is an excruciatingly painful disease, many patients describe it as, “dipping their hand in boiling water, or being stabbed by 100 knives”, according to Dr. Manisha Balwani a genetic expert at Mount Sanai Hospital. We can’t imagine experiencing this type of pain every time you wanted to go outside. This genetic disorder can prevent some exceptional children from partaking in activities such as summer camp.

11. One Special Camp

helpxps.org

Luckily, there is one summer camp committed to making sure kids with XP can experience all the fun and excitement that comes along with camp activities. Camp Sun Down is located in Craryville, New York and they want to make sure that no kid with XP feels isolated this summer because they can’t go outside to play soccer or basketball during times other children are out. Camp Sun Down truly provides a unique experience.

10. Daniel and Caren Mahar

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Daniel and Caren Mahar are the camp founders and their daughter was their inspiration for such a wonderful camp. In 1996 when their daughter Katie was diagnosed with photosensitivity they knew they had to do something to help her feel like she’s unable to experience life to its fullest just because she’s a little different. Ever since the camp opened in 2003, more and more people attend each year, helping spread awareness about diseases like XP.

9. XP Society

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The XP society is an organization that runs programs to help fund research, education, and outreach to help people affected by XP. On their website, they state that camp sundown is their most important projects as it positively impacts the most children and their families. Each year the camp hosts a family retreat which is also a medical conference, giving parents and loved ones the latest research and medical advice that’s out there.

8. The Camp

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The camp experience is not like that of a “regular” summer camp, as all outside activities happen during the night time. They also have building equipt with tinted windows and special lighting to prevent anyone from being exposed to UV rays. As far as activities go, they do everything all kids like to do–play sports, play board games, sing songs, go swimming, horseback riding, eat delicious food, and much more.

7. A Sanctuary

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For kids and families who suffer from XP, camp sundown is much like a sanctuary because they can be amongst people like them, ending any feeling of isolation that is so commonly felt by XP patients. The best part is, scientists from around the world also like to come visit to share everything they know about the disease, and strong friendships and bonds are built that last a lifetime. This camp is truly a safe haven that many people revisit every year.

6. The Documentary

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Director Liza Mandelup created a short documentary about the special camp in 2016 called “Sun Down”. The nine-minute documentary shows the world not only what it’s like for children who live with XP, but just how precious this camp really is to them and their families. The documentary is, even more, proof of how much good the camp does for those who have always felt alone in the dark.

5. Empowerment

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One of the camps main objectives is to empower people who suffer from XP and to instill the confidence that every child needs and deserves to have.  People started to notice their efforts and organizations from all around started donating and helping out camp sundown. In 2009 some of the kids attending the camp even got to visit the Yankees at the famous Yankee Stadium.

4. Camp Sessions All year

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During the month of July, the camp always hosts an annual gathering in which all new campers are welcome to stay and get to know the campgrounds, staff, and regular campers. Summer isn’t the only time they have camp sessions, however, they even host a Harvest Moon Camp in October where kids get to harvest and carve pumpkins. They have also had chocolate festivals in the past, usually during the month of November. The events they choose to host change yearly so it’s always wise to keep up with their website for the latest and most relevant camp information.

3. Fundraising

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Fundraising is vital to the survival of the camp, as the entire staff is unpaid volunteers. All of the proceeds go to updating the campgrounds and providing food and entertainment for the children and their families. Fundraising ensures that these kids have somewhere to unite and play for years to come.

2. The Challenge

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The camp launched the Camp Sundown CoverUp Challenge which they challenge average individuals to show their allyship to people who suffer from XP. The way they want you to participate is to spend one day covered up like these children have to be every day. That means sunglasses at all times, hats, gloves, and long sleeves and pants to ensure no skin is exposed to the sun. Once you participate, take a photo and send it to [email protected] and they’ll share your photo on their facebook page. They encourage everyone to challenge all their loved ones and spread the word through all social media outlets to raise awareness about XP and other photosensitivity disorders.

1. A Permanent Solution

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A permanent solution to the never-ending fundraising that has to happen in order to keep the camp running, is their XP 1500 Club. They wish to find 1500 sponsors who will donate $1000 each which will then be invested in US treasury bonds. The interest earned on the bonds will then be used to support the camp each month, ensuring the long-term success of the camp. Each year the camp faces at least $60,000 dollars in expenses.

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