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(Image credit: Courtesy of Jill Smokler)

Why are Mondays so hard? And do they really have to be? We asked five successful women — an actress, an author, a chemist, a philanthropist, and a budding surgeon — to share their secrets on how they make the first day of the week just a little bit easier.

Ever try to reason with a kid about food, screen time, or even wearing pants? You’re not alone.

Long before Bad Moms, there was Scary Mommy, a website that let us know that when it comes to parenthood, it’s okay to laugh, cry, and hide out in the basement with a laptop and a beer. Jill Smokler is the original Scary Mommy, first creating the site to deliver an honest and hilarious portrait of her adventures as a stay-at-home mom.

Since then, Jill has become a New York Times bestselling author, and Scary Mommy is a movement. It’s a place where 30 million imperfect parents stop by each month to read heart-wrenching and often hysterical tales about parenthood.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/how-author-jill-smokler-masters-her-mondays-234790′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>

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(Image credit: @coffeeinacone)

Are you ready to trade in your Thermos or paper cup for a waffle cone? The Grind Coffee Company, a coffee shop based in South Africa, has engineered a waffle cone that is made to hold coffee. The resulting product is called #coffeeinacone and it’s taking over Instagram.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/would-you-drink-coffee-out-of-an-ice-cream-cone-236856′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>

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If you search for “cast iron” on eBay, you will see about 15,000 cookware items for sale. There are also about 20 cast iron cookbooks presently on the market, not to mention numerous blogs dedicated to cast iron collecting and cooking. And there is, of course, a Facebook group, of which I am now a member, dedicated to celebrating all things cast iron.

The 11,000-plus Cast Iron Enthusiasts share their hot cast iron finds, restoration and seasoning tips, and ubiquitous photos of the food cooked in cast iron pans. Some of it is the usual stuff — stews, cornbread, steaks — and some of it is not so usual. (Fried squirrel, anyone? Ah … no, thanks.)

The point is: Cast iron pans are having a moment — a really big moment.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/how-did-the-cast-iron-skillet-take-over-the-world-235287′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>

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Twelve years ago, when I was young, single, and living in Nashville, Tennessee, I began hosting a weekly Tuesday night dinner party. My friends knew they had a standing invite to come over around 7 p.m. for dinner. They brought the wine; I made the food. To help cover the cost of ingredients, everyone generously threw in a few dollars.

It was nothing fancy — the mere fact that it was on a weeknight meant that I had minimal time to prep the food and set the table — but it was a chance for our friends to gather around my yellow table for a simple, homemade meal and good conversation. Sometimes five friends showed up, other times there were 15. When it was a larger group, we’d set up a folding card table and chairs to provide extra seating.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/did-instagram-ruin-the-dinner-party-236425′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>

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Mulled Cranberry Apple Cider

(Image credit: Emily Han)

There’s something about having a big bottle of fresh apple cider in your fridge all fall that feels oddly reassuring. Maybe it’s the fact that a taste of the season is always just a glass away, or that it always feels like a treat because it’s only during these few short months that cider makes a regular appearance in your kitchen.

But after a few glasses of sweet, pure cider, it’s fun to play around a little with the bottle. You can heat it with a mix of spices for a classic mulled version, but think simpler — all you really need is just one ingredient to make your glass of cider a little more unique. Here are seven great ideas.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/7-one-ingredient-upgrades-for-apple-cider-235292′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>

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We love Trader Joe’s for their snacks and pantry staples, but what’s really special is the freezer section. Amongst the frozen veggies and appetizers, there’s a selection of frozen shortcuts that help ease our dinner woes on harried weeknights. Here are five of our favorites.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/5-freezer-shortcuts-only-trader-joes-makes-possible-235248′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>

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When you have a can of beans in your pantry, a delicious, inexpensive meal is just a thought away. You can turn beans into a vegan dip, substitute ’em for eggs, make vegetable patties, or just create a really good chili. Need more inspiration?Here are 17 recipes from our archives that will inspire you to cook with beans tonight.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/17-budget-friendly-recipes-you-can-make-with-a-can-of-beans-236850′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>

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Turning a humble cabbage into a delicious side dish is as easy as a hot oven and a tangy six-ingredient vinaigrette. The result is a versatile, inexpensive side dish that you can serve with your favorite sausage or roasted meat for a nice change from potatoes or other starches.

<p><a href=’http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-roasted-cabbage-with-mustard-vinaigrette-234441′><strong>READ MORE »</strong></a></p>