• We tried four brands of eggnog to see which one we like the best.
• The brands we sampled were Farmland Fresh Dairies, Hood, 365 Everyday Value, and Trader Joes.
• Farmland Fresh Dairies was our favorite because of its creaminess, consistency, and sweetness.
• If you like your eggnog on the sweeter side, Hood is a good option.

It's that time of year when you might have to endure a conversation with a family member who has had a little too much eggnog.

To make such a conversation more bearable, it's a good idea to indulge in some eggnog yourself, which is why we decided to find out which brand makes the best version.

We sampled four different brands of the holiday drink that are commonly found in grocery stores across the country. We've done plenty of other taste tests in the past — from sugar cookie dough to hot chocolate and gravy.

The brands we sampled were:

• Farmland Fresh Dairies
• Hood
• 365 Everyday Value
• Trader Joe's

Keep scrolling to read our thoughts.

We purchased all four eggnogs at New York City grocery stores, spending anywhere from $2.99 to $3.99.

In order to keep things as fair and unbiased as possible, we performed the taste test blind.

The tasters didn't find out which brand was which until after the testing was over.

We judged each brand primarily on taste.

While taste was our primary concern, consistency was also a factor.

• Salvage burnt cookies by scraping off the black parts with a grater and softening them with frosting or ice cream.
• You can easily patch a pie crust with dough scraps, egg whites, and sugar.
• Run lumpy gravy through a food processor.

The holidays are a time when you might be inspired to get in the kitchen and try making a festive dish from scratch, even if you normally order takeout every night. But even if you're a seasoned cook, there's a chance you'll run into some problems while preparing a roast or baking a pie.

Not to worry! Many common holiday cooking mistakes have easy solutions.

Here are 10 things that could go wrong as you're whipping up a holiday meal — and how to fix them if disaster strikes.

Problem: Your cake is stuck in the pan and won't budge.

Solution: If you have some time before your guests arrive, try gently lifting it out with a spatula, prying it out with a knife, letting it sit upside down for a few hours, or banging on the bottom of the pan and jiggling it out at a 45 degree angle.

If you're short on time, just frost and serve it in the pan like a sheet cake. It'll taste the same.

Problem: When you finally got the cake out of the pan, it broke in pieces.

Solution: Use frosting as glue to put it back together, then cover the entire cake in one smooth layer so that no one can tell anything is amiss. 

Problem: Your gravy is lumpy.

Solution: Give it a whirl in the food processor or with an immersion blender.

Like a lot of Asian kids, I grew up with rice as a household staple. I learned to cook it old-school pretty early in life in a medium-sized saucepan, using the knuckle method. (I’d never even heard of converted rice until well into my teen years and was decidedly unimpressed the first time I tasted it.)  

I successfully cooked rice this way for more than half my life.

And then I got a rice cooker, and perfect rice of any variety became even easier. If modern-day me could send a message to past-me, I’d say that the timer function alone is worth the counter space.

But not everyone is so adept at making rice, and it could come out like a soupy (or burnt) mess. Here are the most common mistakes people make when cooking rice — and how to fix them.

Not measuring your rice and cooking liquid

Use a dry measuring cup for your rice, and save the Pyrex for the water, broth, or other cooking liquid you’re using for this particular batch. It’s a game of ratios, so don’t skip this step unless you want a bowl full of disappointment.

If you're not using the knuckle method, the general rule is about twice as much water as you used rice, but as you'll find out in a second, all rice is not created equal and this should be taken with a pinch of salt.

Treating all types of rice the same

I'm not here to tell you that you’re doing it wrong if you’ve been cooking one type of rice a certain way and loving it all your life. By all means, keep doing it!

However, the mistake a lot of people make is in thinking that since we know one type of rice so well, we know ALL rice like that. That’s just not true.

For example, brown rices require longer cook times (and a little more cooking liquid) than white rices, because you have the bran part of the rice grain to cook through as well. Think about the difference between cooking a frozen thin-crust pizza and a frozen deep-dish pizza for an easy mental image.

With aromatic rices like basmati and jasmine, a good pre-soak is even more important than with other types of rice. You’ve probably noticed the delicate aromas of both those varieties. Cooking destroys those aromas, but pre-soaking helps to lower cooking times and preserve those enticing scents.

Not rinsing and/or soaking your rice

Rinse your rice a few times under cold running water before cooking. How long should you do this? Many people suggest that three is the magic number, but just rinsing until the water is no longer cloudy with excess starch is fine. You’ll get more distinct grains when it’s cooked, and your finished rice will be less clumpy.

Note one important rinsing exception: Don’t do this for risotto rice (some risotto varieties include arborio, carnaroli, vialone nano, baldo, calriso, and maratelli). Most recipes for risotto depend on that excess starch to make your dish nice and creamy.

Soaking rice is absolutely instrumental in making basmati, but it can help other rice varieties as well. Want a shorter cooking time in general? Soak your rice.

One notable soaking exception? Sushi rice. (Remember what I said about not treating all rices the same?)

"Instead of soaking the rice after its fourth rinsing, drain it, and let it rest in a colander for an hour before cooking. This produces firmly cooked rice, which is perfect for tossing later with vinegar dressing," according to Japanese culinary expert and instructor Hiroko Shimbo in her book "The Japanese Kitchen."

The path to greatness starts with a critical look in the mirror. These accomplished entrepreneurs share their best, most practical (and actionable) tips to maximize your potential.

SEE ALSO: Ashton Kutcher reveals a simple email strategy that helps him be more successful throughout the day

1. Quit caring and take ownership.

Gary Vaynerchuk, founder and CEO of VaynerMedia, New York Times best-selling author and mentor on Planet of the Apps:

First off, unbelievable happiness comes from a self-belief that's not swayed by people's opinions of you. So many people don't do what they love because of what others say or think. They hedge and settle in life.

I don't give a crap what people think of me. It's incredibly important what my inner circle thinks of me, but it's stunning how much I'll push back if someone tries to impose their will without knowing me. Not caring takes intestinal fortitude. By 91, you'll be stunned by how little you care.

Second, be authentic. I don't make a good first impression with most people because I curse and have an ego. What they don't know is I equally have humility. I'm not a snake oil salesman; I'm a good dude.

I'm not as big as I could be — in terms of followers, book sales, impact on the world — because of the way I come out of the gate with energy, bravado and a love of competition. Yet I don't change because authenticity will always win.

Finally, the biggest obstacle to your success is a lack of optimism. So many things can prevent your success. It's hard being an entrepreneur. That's why 99 percent of businesses fail. Everyone thinks it's so easy. Every day is hard. You've just got to persevere, no matter what.

Start creating layers upon layers of skin to survive. If you don't have the stomach to weather the storm, you won't be successful. Everything I don't achieve is my fault. That's the way it should be — no excuses.

2. Invest in personal growth.

Craig Handley, co-founder and CEO of ListenTrust; read more about Handley: Why He Trains His Employees to Quit:

Albert Einstein once said, "Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death." Henry Ford said, "Anyone who stops learning is old. Anyone who keeps learning stays young." And my message is that you can't grow a business past your own personal growth.

Have mentors. Join masterminds. Search out your weaknesses through others, because we're usually blind to our liabilities. For example, when I first started making money, I remember buying a Rolex and thinking I was smarter than everyone. That mentality held me back.

Seek personal growth as an opportunity to fix what's broken within you. You don't have to lose confidence to work on areas in your life that hold you back.

3. Learn or retire.

Roberto Orci, Hollywood super-producer and screenwriter whose movies and TV shows have grossed more than $5 billion worldwide:

Many of us think that once we've graduated from school or college, we're done learning. Wrong. You must remain a student until the day you die. You must create your own syllabus for what you will learn next.

Have you ever had the feeling that you wish you could read every book in the library? Use that feeling to pick a new topic you know little about, or something you want to know more about, and be your own teacher. Do your homework, which sounds like a terrible word, but not when it's self-assigned. You can always be learning. If you're not, your instinct for curiosity has been damaged.

If you're no longer curious about the world or the things you don't know well, I hope you have the means to retire.

Over the past 12 months, we've shared with our readers insights from psychologists, couples therapists, time-management experts, and more. Each one had a slightly different take on what makes people happy, successful, and fulfilled.

As the year draws to a close, we're reflecting on some of the most useful tips we heard. Read on for the best life advice of 2017.

SEE ALSO: The best career advice of 2017

Remember there's no such thing as 'The One'

Couples therapist Esther Perel doesn't believe in the concept of soul mates, per se.

She previously told Business Insider that there are a lot of people you could potentially be happy with. Once you pick someone, you convince yourself they're "the one" for you — and craft your relationship into something special.

Here's Perel:

"There is never 'The One.' There is a one that you choose and with whom you decide that you want to build something. But in my opinion, there could also have been others — you just chose this one. And when you choose one, you renounce others. … Then you decide that because you've chosen that person, you turn that person into The One."

Raise kids who will ask for help when they need it

Researcher and bestselling author Brene Brown advises parents to accept that they'll inevitably make mistakes — and their kids will, too.

On an episode of Lewis Howes' podcast, "The School of Greatness," she said the best thing you can do as a parent is teach your kids that it's OK to ask for help. Ultimately, it's about encouraging your kids to let themselves be vulnerable — something Brown takes a lot of bravery.

Choose what to bomb

It's hard to accept, but it's harder not to: You won't be able to get everything done. Not at work, and not at home.

Which is why Jon Acuff, in his most recent book, "Finish," advises readers to pick the stuff that really matters — and let the rest more or less fall by the wayside. Or, as he puts it, "choose what to bomb."

Acuff writes, "The only way to accomplish a new goal is to feed it your most valuable resource: time. And what we never like to admit is that you don't just give time to something, you take it from something else. To be good at one thing you have be bad at something else."

The holidays are quickly approaching, which means time is winding down to find that perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Shopping for the beauty lover in your life can be one of the biggest challenges. Finding a gift that is budget-friendly yet still feels substantial can seem almost impossible, and a sometimes pricey store like Sephora can seem like the last place to find a good deal.

However, the sale section of Sephora is currently loaded with deals on some amazing brands — and several of them are up to 50% off. Plus, they'll arrive before December 24 with standard shipping if purchased by December 20. 

Here are some of the best deals at Sephora right now.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Galaxy Eyeshadow Palette

Cost: $39 (reduced from $59)

The first and highly anticipated eyeshadow palette from Rihanna's massively successful Fenty Beauty line is currently $20 off. It includes 14 bright shades with tons of glitter. 

Find out more about Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Galaxy Eyeshadow Palette here >

Urban Decay Heavy Metals Metallic Eyeshadow Palette

Cost: $39 (reduced from $55)

Another shimmering palette with 20 shades, this palette from Urban Decay is a great way to get ahead of the metallic eye trend that seems poised to take over 2018.

Find out more about Urban Decay Heavy Metals Metallic Eyeshadow Palette here >

Urban Decay Naked Skin Highlighting Fluid

Cost: $14 (reduced from $28)

This creamy liquid highlighter is a whopping 50% off and comes in five different shades.

Find out more about Urban Decay Naked Skin Highlighting Fluid here >

With a net worth of $88.3 billion, Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates is the richest man in America.

It shouldn't be too surprising that one of the wealthiest people in the world also has an insanely extravagant home.

It took Gates seven years and $63 million to build his Medina, Washington, estate, named "Xanadu 2.0" after the fictional home of Charles Foster Kane, the title character of "Citizen Kane."

At 66,000 square feet, the home is absolutely massive, and it's loaded to the brim with high-tech details.

We've rounded up some of Xanadu 2.0's most over-the-top features here.

SEE ALSO: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? What happened to the people in Microsoft's iconic 1978 company photo

It's worth at least $124 million today.

According to the King County public assessor's office, the property is worth $124.99 million as of this year. Gates purchased the lot for $2 million in 1988.

Per public filings, he paid $1,041,292.55 in property taxes in 2017.

Half a million board-feet of lumber was needed to complete the project.

The house was built with 500-year-old Douglas fir trees, and 300 construction workers labored on the home — 100 of whom were electricians.

A high-tech sensor system helps guests monitor a room's climate and lighting.

When guests arrive, they're given a pin that interacts with sensors located all over the house. Guests enter their temperature and lighting preferences so that the settings change as they move throughout the home. Speakers hidden behind wallpaper allow music to follow you from room to room.

US ambassador to the United Kingdom Robert "Woody" Johnson showed media around the new US embassy in London on Wednesday.

Slated to open January 16, the new 12-story glass embassy cost $1 billion — the most expensive embassy ever built.

It's been described as a crystalline "sugar cube" and a "modernist museum" that expresses openness and transparency — a far cry from the old fortresslike embassy that embodies a brutalist architectural design, according to the Washington Post.

But make no mistake — the new embassy is highly secure and, as CBS notes, has been described as an "urban fortress."

Take a look inside:

SEE ALSO: We took a rare tour of one of the US Navy's most dangerous warships — nicknamed the 'Sledgehammer of Freedom'

This is the US' new embassy in London. Seated on the banks of the River Thames, it cost $1 billion and will open January 16.

The old US embassy, seen below, opened in 1960 and embodies a brutalist architectural design.

But the new embassy is a 12-story glass cube without visible walls, which the designer, James Timberlake, said he wanted to exude "transparency, openness, equality."

Source: CBS, Washington Post

• Facebook came out on top of Glassdoor's list breaking down the best companies of 2018.

• If you want to work for the tech giant, you're going to have to make it through its intense interview process.

• When it comes to interviews, Glassdoor reviewers rate its difficulty a 3.2 out of 5.

Facebook was just recently named the best company in America on job site Glassdoor.

Reviewers rave about Facebook's tempting perks and popular CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

So it comes as no surprise that interviews at the competitive tech company aren't always a breeze. Candidates who have gone through the company's hiring process rate its level of difficulty a 3.2 out of 5 on Glassdoor.

Much of the interviewing process revolves around vetting applicants for technical expertise. But even some of the non-technical questions look like doozies.

We looked to Glassdoor reviews from the past year to find out what tough questions recruiters like to throw at applicants.

Some of the Glassdoor reviews have been edited for clarity.

SEE ALSO: From Facebook to Google, here's what you can expect in job interviews at the 25 best places to work in America

DON'T MISS: 7 reasons Facebook is the best place to work in America and no other company can compare

"Describe the personality of an executive that you wouldn't want to work for again."— anonymous interview candidate in Palo Alto

"Why are you researching opportunities outside your current employer?"— anonymous interview candidate in San Francisco

"How would you build Facebook for blind people?"— anonymous interview candidate in Menlo Park

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

The Insider Pick:

• If you’re looking to charm your cat or pamper your pooch with cool tech gadgets, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up the best pet tech you can buy to make playing, feeding, and watching your pet from afar easier.

Tech is rapidly becoming a part of nearly every industry you can think of — including pet products. Although a lot of pet tech gadgets are gimmicky, some of these inventions are incredibly useful and fun. We've done the research to find the best pet tech you can buy for your dog or cat.

For dogs, we’ve chosen the best automatic ball thrower and a smart collar. For cats, check out our favorite laser cat toy and an automatic, self-cleaning litter box. If you have both dogs and cats on your shopping list, consider a high-tech pet camera or an automatic drinking fountain. No matter which pets are in your home, you can find a fun gadget for them in our guide.

Our top picks for the best pet tech are the iFetch Automatic Ball Thrower, the PetSafe Frolicat Bolt Laser Toy, the PetChatz HD Pet Camera, the PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain, the Litter Robot III, and the Link AKC Smart Dog Collar.

The best high-tech dog toy

Why you'll love it: For large dogs as well as small, the iFetch is the ultimate automatic dog thrower and the perfect gift for any dog. 

If you’ve ever woken up with a sore arm after a day spent throwing ball after ball for your dog to fetch, an automatic ball thrower might not only be the perfect gift for your dog – It will be a gift for you as well.

An automatic ball thrower enables your dog to enjoy his favorite game for as long as he wants without tiring you out. These ball throwers don’t just throw the balls, but they also encourage your dog to return the ball himself. You don’t even have to be there for your dog to have a good time!

The iFetch Automatic Ball Thrower is the bets ball thrower, and it’s a great tech gift for any dog. Available in the classic iFetch and the larger iFetch Too, this ball thrower is perfect for dogs of all sizes. The iFetch is designed for small to medium dogs and it launches miniature tennis balls at distances of 10, 20, or 30 feet.

The iFetch Too is great for larger dogs and it can throw standard or iFetch tennis balls up to 40 feet. The unit comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 30 hours so your dog can play fetch for as long as he likes.

Woof Whiskers names the iFetch Too the best automatic ball launcher for big dogs and likes that it has a random setting to keep your dog guessing where the ball will end up. In its review, Doggie Fetch says that the iFetch is more affordable than other throwers and it has a sturdy, interesting design.

Pros: Two sizes for different dogs, large size works with standard tennis balls, different distances available, random option available, sturdy design, rechargeable or C batteries as well as plug-in option, runs for up to 30 hours on battery

Cons: Smaller model requires iFetch balls, iFetch tennis balls are not the best quality

Buy the iFetch Automatic Ball Thrower on Amazon for $114.99

The best high-tech toy for cats

Why you'll love it: The PetSafe Frolicat Bolt Laser Toy generates random patterns to keep your cat guessing and entertained for hours on end.

Cats love to chase things, and some would be content to play for hours on end. Unfortunately, you don’t always have the time to give your cat the playtime he craves. For those times when you want to give your cat a little extra exercise without wearing yourself out, consider an automatic laser toy. Our top pick is the PetSafe Frolicat Bolt Laser Toy.

With its lightweight and upright design, you can place the PetSafe Frolicat Bolt Laser Toy anywhere you have the space. Simply turn on the device and watch as a bright red laser comes to life, generating random patterns to keep your cat guessing.

If you’re interested in a more interactive experience, simply switch to manual mode. The PetSafe Frolicat Bolt Laser Toy features an automatic fifteen-minute shutoff and it is backed by a one-year warranty.  

Heavy offers a glowing review of the PetSafe Frolicat Bolt Laser Toy. They comment on the option to use it manually or automatically and mention the adjustable timer and 16 mode options. The Spruce calls this toy the best toy for busy pet owners, suggesting that you move the toy around every few days to keep your cat from getting bored with it.

The PetSafe Frolicat Bolt laser toy has more than 2,800 reviews on Amazon and many positive reviews. Buyers love the fact that it is easy to use and has an automatic mode built-in, though some comment that their cat was deterred by the sound of the motor.

Pros: Handheld or automatic operation, generates random patterns, provides extra exercise, automatic shutoff after 15 minutes

Cons: Some cats aren’t interested in lasers, motor makes a little noise

Buy the PetSafe Frolicat Bolt Laser Toy on Amazon for $17.95

The best pet camera

Why you'll love it: With two-way audio and video, a treat dispenser, and aromatherapy, the PetChatz HD Pet Camera is the next best thing to actually being at home with your pet.

As much as you might like to spend all day every day at home with your pets, it simply isn’t possible. Even though you can’t always be at home with your fur babies, you can still see them and communicate with them using a pet camera. Our top pick for the best pet camera for cats and dogs is the PetChatz HD Pet Camera.

The PetChatz HD Pet Camera is the ultimate pet camera that enables two-way audio and video communication. Not only can you see your pet with live-streaming video, but he can see you as well! This pet camera allows you to capture both video and photo, saving it directly to your smartphone, and it attaches securely to the wall.

The PetChatz HD Pet Camera also dispenses treats and releases calming aromatherapy scents on command. Simply put, it is the next best thing to actually being home with your pet. It even streams DogTV!

Though it may be more expensive than other pet cameras on the market, the PetChatz HD Pet Camera receives rave reviews from pet owners and reviewers alike. Top Dog Tips describes the PetChatz HD Pet Camera as “unbelievable” with unique features such as two-way video and audio sharing and an aromatherapy scent releaser. Faveable notes that the camera is very durable and easy to set up, plus the customer service is excellent.

The PetChatz HD Pet Camera has a 4.1-star rating on Amazon and buyers love its reliability and unique features, though there are some comments that it may not work as well with some internet providers and some dogs overuse the call feature.

Pros: Durable pet-safe design, two-way audio and video, attaches to the wall, record video and photos, dispenses treats, optional call button, releases calming scents

Cons: May have connectivity issues with some providers, some dogs overuse the call feature, may not work with all treats

Buy the PetChatz HD Pet Camera on Amazon for $329.99 (originally $379.99)

Using a loose formula, we ranked all 32 NFL starting quarterbacks.

Our formula is based on two advanced statistics: Football Outsiders' DYAR metric and ESPN's total QBR metric. Between those numbers and a few other factors, including job security, recent performances, and sustained success in the past, we can get a good sense of how the league's most important players stack up to each other.

This week, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, and Jimmy Garoppolo are up, while Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota are down. Below, find out where the rest of the starters stand.

32. Bryce Petty, New York Jets

Ranking after Week 12: N/A (replacing Josh McCown, No. 21)

Record as starter: N/A

DYAR rank: N/A

QBR rank: N/A

One thing to know: Most fans thought that Petty would eventually get a chance to start this season, but it took an injury to Josh McCown to make it really happen. The Baylor product came in near the end of last week's game, completing just two out of nine passes for a 39.6 rating. In four games last year, he threw a whopping seven interceptions.

31. T.J. Yates, Houston Texans

Ranking after Week 12: N/A (replacing Tom Savage, No. 31)

Record as starter: N/A

DYAR rank: N/A

QBR rank: N/A

One thing to know: The Texans can't be feeling good about their chances with Yates under center, but at least he isn't much of a downgrade from Tom Savage. The UNC product hit under 54% of his targets in Week 14, and despite throwing for two touchdowns and going interception-free, the result was a 26-16 loss. It would be highly optimistic to expect a better performance this week.

30. Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos

Ranking after Week 12: 28

Record as starter: 4-5

DYAR rank: 31

QBR rank: 31

One thing to know: Siemian didn't do much for Denver in the first half of the season, and it has been the same old story since his Week 12 return from a month-long stay on the bench. Broncos fans can't be happy with his performance, but after watching Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch start games, they're fully aware that he gives them the best chance of anyone in the quarterback room.

A diet that goes against convention wisdom on healthy eating is gaining traction among health nuts, including Hugh Jackman, "4-Hour Workweek" author Tim Ferriss, and tech workers in Silicon Valley. It's pretty simple, with no calorie-counting or intense exercise regimen involved.

How it works, in a nutshell: Don't eat during certain hours of the day.

When people practice intermittent fasting— the buzziest diet of 2017 — they go without food for anywhere from 14 hours to several days. Some techies say intermittent fasting helps them focus and be more productive, while others laud the diet as an easy weight-loss hack.

Here's what you need to know if you're thinking about trying a fast.

SEE ALSO: San Francisco biohackers are wearing implants made for diabetes in the pursuit of 'human enhancement'

Hugh Jackman did not wake up like this.

In 2013, the actor, who plays Wolverine, told Australia's "60 Minutes" in an interview that he fasts for 16 hours out of the day while training for the big screen.

Source: YouTube

"From about 10 in the morning till 6, for this, I eat way too much. And then nothing after that," said Jackman, who apparently got the idea from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

The most common intermittent fasts last between 14 and 36 hours. Giving up food and even the milk in your morning coffee can be difficult. But there's one major perk — simplicity.

Dan Zigmond, director of analytics at Facebook and a seasoned faster, told Business Insider in 2016 that he and his friends have tried and abandoned other extreme diets over the years.

"Lots of us are eating at work or on the run. It's kind of hard to control what you eat these days," Zigmond said. "But one thing that basically everyone can control is time."

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of the iPad.

Apple's popular tablet has come a long way over the past few years, but pairing it with a few accessories make it even more useful.

If you're buying an iPad for someone this holiday season, or know they're about to get one, these are the five accessories they'll need to make the most of it.

Having trouble finding all the best gifts for your loved ones? Check out all of our holiday gift guides for 2017 on Insider Picks.

SEE ALSO: 100 hot tech gifts under $100

A longer lightning cable

Everyone could use an extra charging cable, and I've relied on Anker's for years. The one I'm recommending is inexpensive, twice as long as the one Apple includes in the box, and comes with an 18-month warranty.

Anker PowerLine II Lightning Cable (6ft), $12.99, available at Amazon

A cable and adapter for fast charging

Both current models of the iPad Pro support fast charging, but Apple doesn't supply either of the accessories you need to take advantage of it. The first is a powerful wall adapter with a USB-C port, which you can get from Anker for a reasonable price. Unfortunately you'll also need Apple's Lightning to USB-C cable, which is pretty expensive. 

Having said that, the improvement in charging speed is great enough to warrant the investment.

Anker USB Type-C with Power Delivery 30W USB Wall Charger, $21.99, available at Amazon

Apple - 6.6' USB Type C-to-Lightning Charging Cable, $34.99, available at Best Buy

A protective sleeve

The iPad is expensive, and nobody wants to book a Genius Bar appointment over a cracked screen. I prefer using a sleeve with my iPad because it offers complete protection from spills and scratches without being physically attached to the tablet.

Moko and ProCase offer options for the 10.5" and 12.9" iPad Pro respectively, and each sleeve has an extra pocket for additional accessories.

MoKo Protective Felt Cover for iPad Pro 10.5, $11.99, available at Amazon

ProCase Protective Sleeve for Apple iPad Pro 12.9, $15.99, available at Amazon

• Celebrity chef Mario Batali has been accused by multiple women of groping and sexual misconduct. 
• Target and Eataly (which Batali invested in) have cut the chef's products. 
• However, Walmart, Kmart, Amazon, and other stores are still carrying the line. 

Companies including Target and Eataly have pulled Mario Batali's products after multiple allegations of groping and sexual misconduct were made against the celebrity chef. 

Target announced Wednesday it would pull Batali's pasta sauces and cookbooks from stores and online, Eater reported. Eataly, the 50,000-square-foot mecca of Italian food Batali helped bring to the US, pulled the chef's products from shelves on Tuesday.

On Monday, Eater reported that four women had shared stories of Batali touching them inappropriately, with reports of improper behavior spanning two decades. 

However, many other retailers are still stocking the chef's products. Here are the retailers that haven't caved to customers' protests— yet. 

SEE ALSO: Mario Batali's pastas, sauces, and cookbooks have been removed from Eataly, the massive Italian food store he helped bring to America

Walmart

Walmart is still selling the celebrity chef's products online, with offerings like sauces, pastas, and Batali's cookbooks. However, the company seems to have killed its "Mario Batali"landing page. 

Walmart did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment. 

Costco

Costco sells Mario Batali sauces and hasn't indicated it plans to stop. The retailer did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment. 

Kmart

Searching Kmart.com for "Mario Batali" yields no results, though if you go manually through the site, you can find Batali's balsamic vinegar. The retailer didn't reply to Business Insider's request for comment.

• Foods that you may think are healthy for you might actually be causing you to gain weight. 
• Carb-dense foods trigger inflammation in your guts.
• Processed meats are not only bad for your stomach but are linked to heart disease and stroke.

Carb-dense foods

This may change the way you look at “good carbs” and “bad carbs” forever. Carb-dense foods can alter the balance of our gut flora, triggering inflammation. Foods are considered carb-dense if they have a high ratio of carb grams relative to their weight. A small potato, which many consider a bad carb, weighs 170 grams, but it’s mostly water; only about 23 percent of it is carbohydrate. A plain rice cake, by contrast, weighs only nine grams, but almost 80 percent of it is carbohydrate!

Found in: Bagels, bread (including whole-grain breads), crackers, pasta, cereals, white rice, pretzels. Some carbs are bad for your belly, but make sure that you never cut these carbs from your diet.

Unhealthy fats

Three types of dietary fat are linked to inflammation and thus contribute to excess belly fat: trans fats, saturated fats, and omega-6 fats.

Found in: Packaged foods (trans fats), processed and high-fat cuts of meat, full-fat dairy, some candy (saturated fat), corn oil, grape-seed oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil (omega-6 fats). Watch out for these silent signs that you're eating too much bad fat.

Processed meat

Processed meats are very high in calories and saturated fats. It's not only bad for your stomach, but it can also lead to heart disease and stroke. "Processed meats are very difficult for many people to digest. They can sit in the intestines for longer because they are difficult to break down," says Julie Rothenberg, MS, RD, LDN. They don't contain any fiber so they aren't good for digestion.  

Found in: Cold cuts, hot dogs, ground meats. Watch out for these things that nutritionists never eat so you shouldn't either.

On December 12, 2012, 20-year-old Adam Lanza walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and shot 26 people, including 20 children, after also killing his mother in their home.

News of the massacre reverberated across the country, and elicited a tearful reaction from then-President Barack Obama, who described it as the worst day of his presidency.

Sen. Chris Murphy, who had previously been a representative for the district that included Newtown, was among those present when the families of the victims learned about the fates of their loved ones.

"Obviously, five years is a milestone, and I think it's important that there's some event in the community to remember what happened and to celebrate the lives we lost, but also the lives that have continued," he said on Wednesday ahead of an anniversary gathering with families of the fallen.

In the five years that have passed since that day, many of the parents and families launched foundations in their kid's names to help other children.

Here are all 27 people killed in the deadliest school shooting in US history:

SEE ALSO: 5 years after Sandy Hook, gun control advocates are fed up with the lack of action — so they're running for office themselves

DON'T MISS: Photo captures the exact moment Obama learned of the Sandy Hook shooting

Jessica Rekos, 6, told her mom, Krista Rekos, that morning before she got on the bus how excited she was to sell Girl Scout cookies that January. "She sat in the front seat, looked at me through the window, and smiled and waved as the bus pulled up the hill," Krista wrote. "That was the last time I saw Jessica alive."

Source: Jessica Rekos Foundation

Olivia Engel, 6, was an outgoing girl with "a great sense of humor." She also had a brother who was 3 years old at the time.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Avielle Richman, 6, "was rarely without a giant grin and often barefoot." Her family founded the Avielle Foundation "to fund research exploring the underpinnings of the brain that lead to violent behaviors."

Source: Avielle Foundation

• There may not be a cure for the common cold, but there are ways to prevent yourself from getting it.
• From switching out your hand towel to sipping on some green tea, these simple changes can help you avoid getting sick.

Why do some people seem immune to colds and flu? Follow these tips from real people and experts, and you can learn how to avoid them too.

They press elevator buttons with their elbow.

Everyday mistakes can raise your risk of catching a cold — and that includes touching surfaces that many, many other people have touched. A University of Arizona study found that a virus spreads to over 50 percent of surfaces and other employees within hours when a single person in an office is infected. Partha Nandi, MD, a leading physician and author of "Ask Dr. Nandi," advises avoiding touching common surfaces when possible. Even after you wash your hands, "use a paper towel to turn off the faucet," he says.

They drink enough water.

Great things happen to your body when you get enough water, one of which is flushing out germs that could make you sick. "Stay hydrated," advises Renee Miranda, MD, a family medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. How do you know how much to drink? "Take your weight in pounds, divide in half, and this is approximately how many ounces of water you need a day," she says. "For example, someone who is 150 pounds needs about 75 ounces of water a day." This is what happens when you get your full 8 glasses of water.

They don't skimp on sleep.

When you don't sleep enough, studies have shown your immune system suffers, and you're more prone to getting sick. "Sleep is one of the most important things we can do for the body," Dr. Miranda says. "When we sleep, the body gets a chance to recuperate, repair, and rejuvenate." She recommends getting at least six to eight hours of sleep nightly. This is what happens to your body when you don't get enough sleep.

From the bully on the playground to the big-wig in the corner office, power dynamics are everywhere in our lives.

A flood of allegations that powerful men in media, politics, and tech have been abusing their positions of power and preying on those below them have surfaced in recent months. High-profile figures including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Matt Lauer, Roy Moore, Senator Al Franken and President Donald Trump have been accused of various kinds of unwanted advances, including exposing themselves to coworkers and employees, groping, and rape. 

People are starting to wonder: Is there something about the rush of being in power that leads people to commit these despicable actions?

Science suggests that there are unusual things happening in the brains of power-holders. Decades of study have shown that the psychology and physiology of powerful people are notably different from those of average people — down to the architecture of the brain's prefrontal cortex, and the way the heart pumps blood. 

Here's what feeling powerful does to your body and your brain, according to science.

SEE ALSO: 36 powerful men accused of sexual misconduct after Harvey Weinstein

Being powerful can dampen your ability to empathize with others.

Dacher Keltner, a psychology professor at UC Berkeley, has been studying the way powerful brains work for decades. He even lent his expertise about emotions to Pixar’s "Inside Out".

Keltner's research has shown that being powerful can disengage your prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain that helps you understand how others are feeling. 

"Power makes it harder to empathize with other people, at the level of the brain," Keltner told Business Insider. 

Powerful people are less able to mirror people they observe or interact with.

Powerful people's "mirroring" systems are not as strong as those of others. That means they're less likely to mimic a person they're having a conversation with, and they'll do less laughing or shrugging along with their companion. 

A 2014 study looked at brains of “high-power” people and revealed that when observing others squeeze a ball, they had less resonance in certain brain areas that should typically light up, suggesting their brains had become less empathetic and able to ‘mirror’ others. The more power someone had, the less resonant they were.

Leaders can find it tough to muster up compassion.

The vagus nerve, which runs from the top of the spinal cord down to the abdomen, has been shown to promote compassion, gratitude and appreciation.

But Keltner's work has shown that this nerve bundle gets "de-activated" in powerful people. He says that could partially explain why "it's harder to know how people feel when you're feeling powerful."

• Amazon's wide assortment of items includes products from many well-known brands.
• There are a few holdouts, however.
• It's mostly clothing and luxury brands that are worried about brand perception and the Amazon third-party marketplace.

Figuring out which brands sell on Amazon — and which don't — is not always an easy task.

The website and its third-party marketplace mix everything together, so just because you can find a Chanel bag on Amazon.com doesn't mean it's Amazon selling it for the manufacturer's suggested retail price.

Amazon recently resumed selling the Google Chromecast and Apple TV — two streaming devices that compete with its own Fire TV platform. It's a move likely made to deescalate tension between Google and Amazon after the former blocked access for Youtube on Echo devices.

Most luxury brands don't sell their goods on Amazon, despite a push by the retailer to move further into the luxury space. It experienced success in this space when it entered agreements with Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, and Kate Spade, according to Fortune.

Some brands have resisted. Many goods sold on Amazon with luxury brand names are just licensed goods, like watches and fragrances. The CFO of luxury conglomerate LVMH, for example, said in 2016 there was "no way we can do business with them for the time being."

In an effort to court the brands, Amazon has stepped up the policing of its third-party marketplace through new agreements. Some brands enter into agreements to sell a portion of their product — say something small, like perfume or socks — in exchange for this policing. Other brands — particularly shoe and outerwear brands — have a relationship with Amazon's subsidiary, Zappos.com, but not with Amazon itself.

Here's a list of other brands you still can't find on Amazon. This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are likely many other big brands that don't offer their goods on Amazon. The list is based on a cursory search of Amazon.com, as well as announcements from brands that have stated publicly that they would not sell with the e-commerce giant.

Know of another big brand that doesn't sell directly on Amazon? Notice an error on this list? Please email the author at dgreen@businessinsider.com

SEE ALSO: Amazon dominated online shopping in 2017 — and it wasn't even close

Birkenstock

While Birkenstock used to sell on Amazon, the brand stopped at the end of 2016. The brand's US CEO, David Kaha, wrote in a letter to retail partners:

The Amazon marketplace, which operates as an 'open market,' creates an environment where we experience unacceptable business practices which we believe jeopardize our brand. Policing this activity internally and in partnership with Amazon.com has proven impossible.

LVMH brands

LVMH's steadfast refusal to sell on Amazon means it doesn't have any Louis Vuitton. 

Rolex

Rolex, like other high-end watch brands, does not offer its products for sale on Amazon. Luxury watchmakers dole out their product very carefully only to a select number of dealers worldwide.

Week 14 was one of our best weeks yet for finding values in your daily fantasy lineups.

Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 334 yards, good for third in the NFL on the week, though since he threw only one touchdown he was kept from the upper echelons of stud quarterbacks for the moment. Giovani Bernard was a top-15 play thanks to a balance of both rushing and receiving yards, and both Cooper Kupp and Marquise Goodwin went off for 100 yards receiving.

This week, we're back at it, trying to identify the best, affordable players for your DraftKings lineup. Below we've picked some of our best value plays for daily fantasy. Consider them when trying to find a few extra dollars to upgrade elsewhere in your lineup.

QB: Nick Foles, $5,500

The loss of starting quarterback and MVP candidate Carson Wentz certainly sets the Eagles' offense back a few steps. But Foles is one of the best backups in the league, and he looked fine enough in his limited action helping Philadelphia come back against the Rams last week. Las Vegas still likes the Birds to have a bit of offensive spark, making them a -7.5 road favorite against a division rival despite being on their second QB. Foles is 2-0 in his career against the Giants, and he has the trust of the Eagles' coaching staff to get the job done again. At only $5,500, he is cheaper than a lot of quarterbacks on the daily-fantasy market.

RB: Jay Ajayi, $5,000

All that said about Nick Foles, it's not hard to imagine Philadelphia focusing a bit more on establishing its running game in the absence of Wentz, and Ajayi stands to benefit. I'm betting that the Eagles' offense is able to stay pretty active this week, especially against the Giants' middling defense.

RB: Jonathan Stewart, $4,100

Stewart had a monster day last Sunday, rushing for 103 yards and three touchdowns against the Vikings' normally stout defense. While it's never the best idea to take a guy coming off of his best fantasy game of the season, at just $4,100, Stewart is too good a deal to pass up.