Happy Friday! August is here and the heat has officially broken us. Your oven tapped out at 97 degrees, your kids are staging dinner protests, and Gen Z's dead-eyed customer service stare is somehow both infuriating and inspiring.

But here's what's actually happening: Teens are bonding with AI companions (and parents are clueless), that Amazon refund text is 100% trying to rob you, and we found the one strength move that actually works for menopause weight gain.

TL;DR: Heat wave cooking hacks that require zero willpower, the friendship math that'll save your sanity, and why Jamie Lee Curtis is body-swapping again. Plus all the internet drama you missed while hiding in your car. ⬇️

AROUND THE WEB

📺 Emmy nominees 2025 dropped and your favorite show either made the list or is crying into its cancellation notice.

🚨 That Amazon refund text flooding your phone is a scam, and clicking it is like handing your wallet to a stranger.

🔄 Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are reuniting for another Freaky Friday, because apparently we all need more body-swapping chaos in our lives.

🏊 Public pools are germier than you think, and that chlorine smell? It's not actually chlorine doing the heavy lifting.

🚿 The morning vs night shower debate finally has an answer, and it might flip everything you thought you knew about hygiene.

💪 There's one strength move that tackles menopause weight gain better than anything else, and trainers are spilling the secret.

👶 A pregnant mom and daughter due 10 weeks apart recreated Father of the Bride, and the video will destroy you emotionally.

FRIENDSHIP

The science of mom friends.

Turns out your carefully curated mom-friend roster isn't just social strategy... it's survival science. Research shows we need 3–5 close friends for optimal life satisfaction, and honestly, that feels both achievable and utterly impossible when you're juggling school pickup schedules.

But here's where it gets interesting: you don't need five best friends. You need five types of friends, and chances are you already have them without realizing it.

Your friendship audit starts here: 

• There's your ride-or-die close friend (the one who remembers your coffee order and your existential crises). 

• Your lifelong friend who knew you before you became "someone's mom" and still calls you by your maiden name. 

• The convenience friend from dance class who makes small talk bearable and always has snack recommendations. 

• Your work friend who gets why you're stress-eating crackers during your lunch break Zoom call. 

• And that same-chapter-of-life friend currently surviving the exact same parenting phase as you.

The plot twist? These friendships can overlap, evolve, or even fade, and that's totally normal. Some friends are for a reason, some for a season, and some for life (as the saying goes). The key is recognizing what each relationship brings to your life and not expecting your workout buddy to also be your 2am crisis hotline.

The friendship reality check: If you're doing all the planning, feeling drained after hangouts, or getting more drama than support, it might be time to Marie Kondo some relationships. Good friends check in, give you grace, and make you feel energized, not exhausted.

Want the full breakdown of these five friendship types and how to celebrate them? We've got 20 creative ways to show appreciation that go way beyond the standard "let's grab coffee" (though ice cream works too).

FOOD

Beat the heat.

Listen, we get it. It's 95 degrees outside, your AC is working overtime, and the last thing you want to do is crank up the oven and turn your kitchen into a sauna. Good news: you don't have to choose between feeding your family and keeping your cool.

The secret weapon sitting on your counter? That air fryer you impulse-bought during the pandemic. Toss some chicken in there for sandwiches or salads, and boom... dinner is served without turning your house into a furnace. Frozen falafel, breaded chicken, meatballs, it all works, and your electric bill will thank you.

But here's the real game-changer: embrace the "snack dinner" revolution. Grab a big cutting board, raid your fridge, and create what we like to call a "kid-cuterie" board. Hummus, crackers, cheese, deli meat, whatever fruit you've got lying around... arrange it all on a platter and call it dinner. Your kids will think it's the coolest thing ever, and you'll feel like a genius for making cleanup this easy.

Don't sleep on your slow cooker either. Want a foolproof recipe that'll blow your mind? Try this simple salsa chicken trick that uses just two ingredients and creates the most versatile protein ever. Throw some chicken thighs and salsa in there before work, set it to low, and come home to perfectly shredded meat ready for tacos, rice bowls, or sandwiches.

Looking for something more adventurous? This Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad with Strawberry Dressing is about to become your new summer obsession. Seriously, the combination sounds weird but tastes incredible.

The bottom line? Summer cooking doesn't have to be complicated or hot. Between air fryers, slow cookers, and the magic of rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, you can serve up satisfying meals without breaking a sweat. Your family stays fed, your house stays cool, and you stay sane.

AUGUST

🧁 August 2 – National Ice Cream Sandwich Day Skip the basic store-bought route. These 39 genius DIY recipes will make you the neighborhood's dessert legend.

🎉 August 3 – National Friendship Day Find out which types of friends every mom needs (and the best ways to celebrate them… keep on scrolling ⬇️).

🧘‍♀️ August 15 – National Relaxation Day Practical relaxation tips for real life—no spa retreat required.

🧒 August 17 – National Nonprofit DayThis free toolkit shows families exactly how to serve together (no guesswork involved).

TRENDING

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