Quantcast
Channel: What's New
Viewing all 33701 articles
Browse latest View live

Kim Zolciak proves she's a smart business woman with recent Bravo critique

0
0

Kim Zolciak isn’t interested in a stalled career. She knows her fans love keeping up with her life and she wants Bravo to catch up. Zolciak took to Twitter to air her frustration with her network and ask them to model themselves after Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Or at least her show.

Kim Zolciak tweet

Kim Zolciak tweet

In the tweet, Zolciak said, “I love how quick KUWTK turns their episodes around, they film it then it airs within weeks! Wish we did” and ended with an eye rolling emoji.

More: Kim Zolciak blasts Wendy Williams for her 'disgusting' comments (PHOTO)

She’s totally right. The turnaround time for an episode of Real Housewives is six months at the very least. Right now Real Housewives of New Jersey are talking about Teresa Giudice’s release from prison that happened back on January 3, 2016. Meanwhile, the Kardashian’s are showing footage of a trip to Cuba that they took back in May. It’s definitely a huge gap that makes some of the topics and drama on the shows irrelevant by the time it airs.

In Bravo’s defense, they’ve got Housewives franchises in six different cities that they have to shoot, edit and schedule. Plus every other reality show they have on their network, including Zolciak’s popular, Don’t Be Tardy.

E! really only has KUWTK to schedule around, as it is far and away the most popular show on the network. Basically Kris Jenner and her daughters get to call the shots, where Zolciak is one of many celebrities working for Bravo.

More: Kim Zolciak bashed for flaunting pregnancy weight loss in underwear (PHOTO)

Her observation is important though. If Bravo wants to stay relevant in an era where fans can follow all their favorite stars on any social media app they want, the network is going to have to turn things out quicker. They don’t have the exclusive content anymore, especially with people like Zolciak who loves to engage with her fans on Snapchat and Instagram.

Kim Zolciak Instagram

Kim Zolciak Instagram

Zolciak is a smart business woman and she’ll find a way to make sure she stays connected with her fans. Or maybe she’ll jump ship to E! — she’s already posting pictures on Instagram with Khloé Kardashian saying “I guess I should just move here.”

We’re sure she was joking, but it’s very interesting timing.

More: Kim Zolciak remembers what's most important to her with sweet throwback pic

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Kim Zolciak slideshow

Image: WENN

10 small dog breeds that are great with children

0
0

Choosing a pup for your family can be tricky business. There's so many dog breed options and so many factors to consider — where does one even start?! Well, good news, mama, we've done the hard work for you. Here are 10 parent-approved pups that are known to get along well with children.

1. Pug

Pug
Image: erin_akehurst via Instagram

This pint-sized pup has an irresistible face and prominently curved tail that any child will find intriguing. The Pug does especially well in a moderate climate but is just as comfortable hanging out indoors to keep your kiddos entertained.

More: 17 Things only pug owners know

Next Up: Yorkshire Terrier

{pageBreak}

2. Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier
Image: paulasmithfitness via Instagram

Though a tiny canine, the Yorkie has a big adventurous personality that makes it an engaging dog. This affectionate pint-sized pup is an ideal pet if your family loves travel — it will keep your kids affectionately entertained in the back seat while you're en route.

Next Up: Miniature Schnauzer

{pageBreak}

3. Miniature Schnauzer

Miniature Schnauzer
Image: howwo via Instagram

The most popular of the three Schnauzer breeds (which include the giant and standard sizes), the Mini Schnauzer is an intelligent and cheerful canine that is as happy hanging out in the house with the family as it is romping outdoors with the kids in the yard or at the park.

Next Up: Beagle

{pageBreak}

4. Beagle

Beagle
Image: mummyhuzza via Instagram

One of our favorite small dogs, the Beagle is naturally communal and friendly with humans and other animals. This curious, energetic pup will keep the kids on their toes as it needs love and exercise to keep itself out of trouble.

More: 22 Photos of beagle puppies that will make your heart stop with cuteness

Next Up: Havanese

{pageBreak}

5. Havanese

Havanese
Image: frick275 via Instagram

This toy-sized silky-coated canine is in high demand as a family pet because of its affectionate temperament, easy trainability and hypoallergenic non-shedding coat. The Havanese is as eager to be a loved-on lap dog as it is to playfully chase the kids around.

Next Up: Shetland Sheepdog

{pageBreak}

6. Shetland Sheepdog

Shetland Sheepdog
Image: dirtydalton via Instagram

If you've got a big yard or live on a farm, the Sheltie will keep your kids well-exercised. One of the best obedience breeds, this long-haired, energetic beauty thrives on physical and mental activity.

Next Up: Boston Terrier

{pageBreak}

7. Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier
Image: mhorne99 via Instagram

The Boston Terrier is a diminutive dapper-looking dog that has a gentle disposition and enjoys being close by its family's side.

Next Up: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

{pageBreak}

8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Image: mnewson86 via Instagram

Naturally gentle and friendly, the Cavalier is easy to train and a trustworthy companion for children. This soft, silky-coated canine is content being a lap dog or playing with the kids.

Next Up: Pembroke Welsh Corgi

{pageBreak}

9. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Image: mortythecorgi via Instagram

Bold and friendly, the Corgi thrives on having work to do. Considered a herding dog, this strong, sturdy pup is ideal if your family lives on a farm but, if given adequate mental and physical stimulation, can adapt easily to any living situation.

More: This is how Corgis do selfies

Next Up: Miniature Poodle

{pageBreak}

10. Miniature Poodle

Miniature Poodle
Image: littlecandystyle via Instagram

The pint-sized Miniature Poodle is a top pet choice for kids with allergies. Highly intelligent, this cuddly fluff ball easily entertains its family with smile-evoking antics and heartwarming cuddles.

Important note: In general, the small dog breeds on our list are good with kids. However, keep in mind that any dog, regardless of breed, can be a danger to children. Be sure to properly train and supervise your pup around your kids as well as teach your children how to properly handle their pets.

Originally published Jan. 2014. Updated Aug. 2016.

Your hatred for Donald Trump doesn't even come close to Rose McGowan's

0
0

Rose McGowan is done playing nice with anyone who talks about Donald Trump. She is so sick of dealing with Trump and his campaign that she’s feeling actual physical effects from his hate speeches. She’s demanding everyone who can do something, stop the spread of his words.

In an open letter to every major media man and Trump himself, McGowan wrote, “WE ARE BEING POISONED. We, the public, are being sickened by an ever expanding assault on our right to live a healthy and free life. Donald & you ratings driven colluders, are holding us the public hostage and exposing us to disease. A massive DISease.”

More: Rhonda Rousey doesn't like Donald Trump as much as he hoped (VIDEO)

She even gave symptoms of what this disease feels like, and it’s not pretty. She wrote, “Our symptoms are knots in our shoulders, sick feelings in the pit of our vaginas, stomach tightness, shortness of breath, wildly elevated stress levels- we are now chronically experiencing a true mass illness.”

And, she added, it’s all, “Caused by you. You all had a hand in this. You must take ownership of this situation.”

More: Donald Trump, Rosie O'Donnell has one message for you: 'Eat me'

McGowan is calling for an end of the spread of Trump. For people to take him off our televisions and our websites so that we can be at peace. And she has a point. The more coverage he gets, the more ridiculous his words get. He knows he’s in a cycle that seems to be working for him. One where he’s the top of every nightly news story.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton has to fight to get a story out there that isn’t directly tied to Trump. It is a little crazy.

But McGowan thinks it’s more than making us sick — it’s threatening our lives. She wrote, “Stop poisoning humanity. Go rogue, reverse course, be BRAVE. He is a murderer in the making. Do NOT AID AND ABET A CRIME.”

More: Donald Trump tricked into serial killer retweet

I want trump gone as much as the next woman interested in keeping all her human rights, but I don’t know if we should be calling Trump a murderer in the making. Let’s just call him nothing and pretend he doesn’t exist.

That’s how you get a toddler to stop throwing a fit, right?

If you want to read McGowan’s letter in its entirety, you can find it below.

From Rose McGowan

AN OPEN LETTER TO CNN FOX CBS ABC NBC VIACOM THE MURDOCHS AND DONALD J. TRUMP

RE: STATE OF EPIDEMIC/ZIKA2

Dear Enablers and Donald,

After the Republican National Convention I wrote an open letter to a rabid Trump supporter. I realize now the letter was for you, Donald and media men. It’s you I’ve been wanting to talk to. You who have been stressing me and most of the nation out to the point of a diagnosable sickness. WE ARE BEING POISONED. We, the public, are being sickened by an ever expanding assault on our right to live a healthy and free life. Donald & you ratings driven colluders, are holding us the public hostage and exposing us to disease. A massive DISease.

Our symptoms are knots in our shoulders, sick feelings in the pit of our vaginas, stomach tightness, shortness of breath, wildly elevated stress levels- we are now chronically experiencing a true mass illness.

Caused by you. You all had a hand in this. You must take ownership of this situation.

You are causing a worldwide sickness. You are POISONING us as sure as Flint is poisoning its citizens. You are poisoning your very own family and us, your brothers and sisters.

This is real. We are sick. Living with your daily reign of terror cancer, and it is terror cancer, is something we are unwilling to do for another minute. I do not want to live my life this way. I am a proud AMERICAN & GLOBAL CITIZEN who's head is bowed to her knees in because she is sickened every day. Because of you. It is NOT most of America who should be ashamed, it is YOU for propagating this propaganda.

We, the public, need for you to look for your humanity. We, the public, need you to think differently and to do better. Think different. Do better. It’s that easy to be a better person and to do the right thing no matter the cost. The time is now.

Stop poisoning humanity. Go rogue, reverse course, be BRAVE. He is a murderer in the making. Do NOT AID AND ABET A CRIME.

UNPLUG THE MICROPHONES
STOP COVERING HIM
TURN THE LIGHTS OUT
STOP THE CANCER

It is time to RISE and say NO MORE

#ROSEARMY#ANARMYOFTHOUGHT

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

celebs against trump slideshow
Image: FayesVision/WENN.com

Medical cannabis helps my son lead a more normal life

0
0

Like many of you, I’m a busy mom with a fast-paced, high-stress job — and that’s outside of the home. My first job is being a mom to my two wonderful children, and with that comes all of the worry and pressure we feel every day as we try to do right by our children and guide them to become strong, independent, caring and successful adults.

Here’s what makes my story unique: My 7-year-old son, Ben, has severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy and is a medical cannabis patient. Ben has suffered thousands of seizures in his short life, and approved anti-seizure drugs alone did not reduce his seizure burden. I first learned about medical cannabis from another parent of a child with epilepsy. Recent studies have confirmed research from the 1970s and '80s that one particular component of medical cannabis, Cannabidiol (CBD), can work as an anticonvulsant in some types of epilepsy. Not only can CBD be an effective anticonvulsant and potent anti-inflammatory agent but it also lacks the psychoactive effects commonly associated with recreational cannabis consumption. Today, my son finally experiences some relief from a treatment regimen that includes CBD.

Discovering that CBD was an undeveloped potential anticonvulsant that might help thousands of children changed the course of my career. I’m now the clinical research director for Tilray, a medical cannabis company that provides patients with access to safe, reliable and consistent products to treat a wide variety of ailments. Medical cannabis has been a hot topic in the news and is now more widely available than ever before. Some form of medical cannabis is legal for patients in 25 American states and in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Italy, the Netherlands and Canada, where Tilray’s production facility is located. Plans to establish federal medical cannabis programs are currently underway in Germany and Australia, and voters in five more American states will decide whether to legalize medical cannabis in the November election. These reforms will aid in providing much-needed access to medical cannabis treatment options for patients desperately in need of an alternative to currently available treatments for some serious diseases.

For Ben, and for thousands of children like him, medical cannabis is not "pot for tots," as it’s sometimes been called by the media, or an illicit drug that parents provide their children irreverently. Rather, it can be a critical part of the child’s treatment regimen that dramatically improves quality of life. I only wish my son could have accessed it sooner because it may have prevented some of the catastrophic developmental delays caused by the thousands of seizures that he has experienced throughout his life.

The reality is that medical cannabis products are not a panacea but can, in some cases, significantly improve disease-related symptoms and, potentially, the outcome of disease. To understand the full benefits of medical cannabis, we need to do more studies. Physicians and researchers need to carefully document cases of medical cannabis use to identify whom these products benefit and whom they do not. It’s only by gathering methodologically sound data on all patients that we’ll be able to destigmatize medical cannabis and know how best to incorporate its use into treatment regimens. Medical cannabis is not something to be taken lightly. To use it effectively requires careful oversight by a physician, and for serious cases like my son’s, it is often part of a larger treatment regimen.

There is no single type of medical cannabis patient. Patients of all backgrounds use medical cannabis to relieve symptoms from a wide array of medical conditions, including epilepsy, arthritic pain and nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. In most cases, very little data exists to guide appropriate treatment, which puts patients and physicians in the difficult position of using cannabis products through trial and error. I’m a staunch advocate of gathering the data physicians and patients require to make informed treatment decisions. The more data we can amass, the better we can treat patients.

The potential therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis products should no longer be denied by mainstream physicians. The potential benefits are too significant to dismiss outright. The medical community has a responsibility, at the very least, to document medical cannabis use in patients suffering from severe diseases and disease-related symptoms.

My goal as a clinical researcher is to expand on current research in order to continue to help thousands of children and adults around the world find relief and treatment for their specific conditions. My goal as a mother is to continue to provide all the support my children need to thrive during their childhood and grow up to be caring, independent, productive and happy citizens of the world. A critical piece of this support is advocating for the most beneficial treatment options for my son’s disease. The two jobs, and their goals, go hand in hand.

Catherine Jacobson holds a PhD in neuroscience, and is the director of clinical research at Tilray, a global leader in the medical cannabis industry, focused on cultivation, production, research and patient services, and serves thousands of patients in Canada, Australia and Europe.

Cops were called to Jules Wainstein's home, but the story gets worse

0
0

Jules Wainstein's divorce is only getting uglier.

More: In an unexpected turn of events, people think Jules Wainstein's divorce is fake

The Daily Mail reports that police were called to The Real Housewives of New York star's apartment on Wednesday following an "angry argument" with her estranged husband, Michael Wainstein. The site says Michael was gone by the time police arrived, and no arrests were made.

"Officers received a call at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday morning of a disturbance," the NYPD said in a statement. "When officers showed up they spoke to both parties and advised for each, if they felt threatened by the other, to file a restraining order." Exact details of the "disturbance" that led to the call to law enforcement haven't been released.

Both Jules and Michael have accused the other of physical abuse during their divorce proceedings.

More: Andy Cohen grilled Jules Wainstein about her divorce, and it was so uncomfortable

Later that day, E! News reports, Jules appeared in family court and was granted a temporary restraining order against Michael.

"She is a great mom who is just focused on her kids right now," a source close to Jules told the site, adding that as the divorce gets messier, Jules is "trying to take the high road."

Michael and Jules were married for eight years before she discovered he was having an affair and he filed for divorce. As documented on RHONY, they met when Jules was only 24 years old outside a French bistro in New York City. The drama surrounding their split unfolded for viewers to see on RHONY, as Michael denied the cheating accusations, but continued to be seen publicly with his alleged mistress. Jules is requesting spousal support from Michael in her divorce proceedings. The couple has two children together.

More: So, is Bethenny Frankel engaged or what? Because it sure looks like it to us

Are you surprised by how Jules Wainstein's divorce is playing out?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

real housewives legal trouble slideshow
Image: Joel Ginsburg/WENN.com

Julianne Hough admits her 'bangin' body' wasn't worth being miserable

0
0

Julianne Hough looks pretty freaking perfect. It's easy to get lost in her idyllic life on Instagram — making a living as a dancer, hanging with famous friends and oh, she just launched an athleisure line. But she wants fans to know things are not always as ideal as they seem. In a new interview with Shape, she opened up about her body issues and how hard she works to maintain her active lifestyle.

More: There's a reason Julianne Hough's wedding hasn't happened yet

"When I look at pictures of myself when I was 19, my body was bangin', but I was killing myself," she told the mag. "I was working out two and a half hours a day and eating the bare minimum to survive. I was so miserable. I wasn't healthy. To be honest, I looked like a kid. Now I'm embracing the fact that I'm a woman with curves."

She encourages flexibility in her diet and swears it's not all vegetables all the time. "E! News recently posted a picture of me coming out of the gym, and there were all these comments about the photo, like, 'We could have abs like this, but we love pizza too much.' I started laughing because pizza is my favorite food. I eat it a lot! I want everyone to know that I'm not Miss Perfect. You can cheat every once in a while, and that's OK. You can still have a fit body as long as you work out regularly and eat relatively healthfully throughout your life."

julianne hough

julianne hough

More: Julianne Hough's huge engagement ring spawns hateful, negative response

So abs and pizza can coexist. You heard it here. But Hough admits she still works out pretty hard. "I exercise three to six times a week, but usually I do five days of hard-core training," she says. She breaks it down — would you be willing to work this hard?

"On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I do Tracy Anderson or Body by Simone or I work out with my trainer, Astrid Swan," she says. "Tuesdays and Thursdays, I do CorePower Yoga, which I love. If I'm doing something special, like shooting the Shape cover, or when I want to tone up quickly, I'll also take a SoulCycle class. Saturdays, I go on a really long hike with my friends or take another yoga class, depending on how I feel. Sunday is my reboot day. I try to eat healthy and do something outside, like walk my dogs. I relax, enjoy the day, and get mentally and spiritually prepared for the week. It gets me excited for what's ahead."

I was the mom who depended on parents buying 'extra' school supplies

0
0

I used to be poor. OK, I'm still poor, just not the same kind of poor. I used to be the kind of poor that wasn't just living check-to-check but living way beyond my means just to get my family's basic needs met. I didn't have cable or a cellphone or new clothes. There was no place I could cut my spending to make ends meet. Nor was there a single luxury I could forgo to afford those extra expenses that pop up when you have kids... like school supplies and field trips.

So when the long list of school supplies would arrive in the mail a few weeks before the start of the school year or when a permission slip for a costly field trip would come home during the year, I'd cry. I wanted so badly to be able to afford these things for my child. I felt like I'd failed her.

More: Letting kids play in the rain is fun... until your neighbor calls CPS

Some people say I should not have had a child if I couldn't afford to buy everything she needed. They shake their fists at requests from their kids' teachers for extra supplies, mumbling obscenities between assertions that they work hard for their money. They believe that all it takes is hard work and that even those born into the most impoverished conditions can climb their way out.

They are the same parents who write their child's name boldly on every box of crayons they buy because they spent a whole dollar of hard-earned money on them (I'm actually surprised they don't carve their child's name into every individual crayon) and then get angry when they discover that many teachers just throw all the supplies into a community pile at the beginning of the year.

These are the parents who thought that my child didn't deserve supplies at all if I couldn't afford it. And I wonder, what exactly did they want? For me to go to the money tree and grab a few leaves for a box of crayons? For my child to just show up without pencils and paper? To just sit there? Because as long as she is seated in a desk every day, she technically has the opportunity to learn, right? Who cares if she actually has the supplies necessary to do all the work?

More: 14 things (most) kids should be able to do by age 5

To these people, a child's right to an education in this country goes only as far as there being a building called "school" that they can sit in every day. Everything else — supplies, field trips, band, etc. — is extra and should be provided by the parents. If the parents can't provide it, they should have never had kids.

But then there are others — the parents who buy extra supplies and contribute extra field trip funds without complaint. They do this often without even receiving a thank-you.

But I would like to thank them.

Because of them, my daughter never got bad marks on her report card simply because she didn't have the supplies to finish a project. Because of them, her economic class never meant she didn't get to do science projects, learn to write or make art.

And it's because of them that all of our children actually got to do some pretty neat things in school, because many teachers won't put a project on the curriculum if there will be supply issues.

And they don't complain that their kids won't get special supplies to lose on the bus or day care or an after-school activity. They happily buy multiple sets of basic supplies to be thrown into the class pile. They understand that the crayons, calculators, markers and paper are tools for learning and that kids will learn whether the crayons are Crayola or RoseArt and whether or not they have a crayon case with their name on it.

More: 18 freebies little kids can earn just for going to school

The truth is that we, as a society, don't put enough money into our education system. All of this really should be paid for by our taxes. The United States is supposed to be the land of equal opportunity. But it isn't. If it were, parents wouldn't need to buy any school supplies at all. Maybe someday we'll be the country we always claim to be. Until then, I hope there are always people stepping up and pitching in for the things taxes don't cover. And if you're one of them, I thank you.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

apps kids use
Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

There's no defending the stranger who walked off with a mom's baby

0
0

Every parent's worst nightmare is to lose their child. So imagine how new mom Lory Snyder felt when she woke up in her hospital room to discover her 4-month-old daughter Lorelai was missing from her crib.

More: Video of baby born in amniotic sac is totally rare and totally cool

In a lengthy Facebook post, Snyder said her baby girl had been "abducted" by another patient at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Woman takes mom's baby in hospital

Woman takes mom's baby in hospital

According to Latesha Harris, she entered Synder's room after hearing little Lorelai cry. She said she picked her up, managed to stop her crying and put her back in her crib. But when the baby started crying again, she picked her up and took her, together with her IV stand, back to her own room to try to calm her down. Harris insists that she did the right thing because no nurses were attending to the infant's needs. She added that a nurse saw her take the baby into her room, and indeed Synder said that when she found her daughter in Harris' room, they were surrounded by several laughing nurses.

More: OMG! How does Michael Phelps do it all with a baby?

Police have investigated and confirmed that they won't be bringing charges against Harris, but clearly, Snyder won't be forgetting the incident, which she describes as the "most terrifying thing."

Regardless of Harris' intentions — and she may genuinely have been concerned for the baby and simply wanted to help — there's no way she should have done what she did. Offering advice and being helpful to a parent is one thing — taking a mom's baby away from her while she is sleeping is something else entirely. When Snyder woke up and discovered her child was missing, she must have experienced the biggest panic of her life. That's not something any parent should have to go through and it doesn't matter that she soon found her daughter safe.

Harris was wrong to take the baby — and the hospital staff has to take some blame as well. No hospital should, under any circumstances, condone a patient entering another patient's room and removing her child.

More: Yes, this mom does deserve $16 million for her traumatic birth

Thank goodness little Lorelai was safe and well. Some babies aren't so lucky, and all hospitals should learn from this story and make sure nothing like this is allowed to happen again.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

breastfeeding in public
Image: Photos by Lei

Your water may be contaminated with PFAS — so what the heck is that?

0
0

What helps you lose weight, lowers blood pressure, cures headaches, makes you look younger, has no side effects and is practically free? Such a miraculous thing does exist, and it's in your kitchen right now: H2O.

Water is the ultimate health food (not to mention that whole "necessary for life" thing), so keeping a safe, abundant supply should be government priority No. 1. Unfortunately, as has been seen with the lead crisis in Flint, Michigan, and in other places, the government may be falling down on this duty. And now we have a new contaminant in our water supply to worry about. The water supply for at least 6 million Americans was found to be tainted with dangerous levels of perfluoroalkyl substances, according to an alarming new study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology Letters.

contaminated water
Image: Environmental Science and Technology Letters

PFAS are commercial chemicals commonly used in everything from household items like plastic food wrappers and clothing to military-grade fire-extinguishing foam. So it's safe to say that we're all exposed to these chemicals on a regular basis, but the question is, just how harmful are they to our health? Coming into contact with them on a small scale (by wearing clothing treated with the chemical, for instance) hasn't shown to be detrimental, but drinking it certainly has. And thanks to large-scale uses of PFAS, especially in areas around military bases and airports that use the foam as a fire retardant, a significant amount of groundwater has been contaminated, the researchers found.

More: Here's your summer reminder to keep your water bottle out of the sun

The EPA has set limits for how much PFAS can be in drinking water, but like lead, any amount is harmful, according to study co-author Dr. Philippe Grandjean of the Harvard School of Public Health. "The EPA advisory limit ... is much too high to protect us against toxic effects on the immune system," he said. "And the available water data only reveals the tip of the iceberg of contaminated drinking water."

The study looked at public sources of drinking water only and not private wells or smaller systems, which means that the number of people with contaminated water could be closer to 50 million, or 1 in every 6 Americans, the report said.

What the effects of the polluted water are aren't entirely clear yet, but a second study has found that high levels of PFAS weaken the immune system and stunt growth in children. Moreover, women showed particularly high concentrations of the chemical, and the researchers found that it can be passed through breast milk.

So what do we now? It's not like we can just give up water.

Bottled water may be your first impulse, but there's the risk that it's drawn from a contaminated water supply, and many types of bottled water are simply tap water. We can and should be advocates in our communities and lobby for testing done in our local water supplies. In addition, environmental activists have asked companies to phase out use of the chemical, and some, like DuPont, have started the process. But in the meantime, the best defense may be a good offense, says Shawn Talbott, Ph.D., a nutritional biochemist at Harvard (who is not affiliated with this study).

More: Your plastic water bottle may actually be making you gain weight

"Whenever we’re exposed to toxins in the environment, like this chemical in the water, our bodies ramp up various defenses that I collectively refer to as cellular defense responses. These CDRs are cellular pathways inside of every cell in the body to protect cells from damage by toxins and repair any residual damage in its earliest stages," he explains.

The best way to activate your own toxin-defense system, he says, is to make sure you're eating a wide array of brightly colored fruits and vegetables and spices and drinking green tea. Add in exercise, and you've got a powerful system for protecting your health in many areas.

Johnny Depp's ex Vanessa Paradis continues to get involved in his divorce drama

0
0

Vanessa Paradis isn't backing down in her defense of Johnny Depp. Despite the domestic abuse allegations by Amber Heard that Depp is facing, Paradis has been public about her support for him. Now she's gotten embroiled in their legal battle as well.

More: Amber Heard calls the cops on Johnny Depp, but he's not even in the country

Documents obtained by Daily Mail show that Depp's team is planning to call Paradis as a witness for a trial set for early next week. She'll be asked to testify "for approximately 15 minutes regarding their relationship," which includes decades of partnership and children Lily-Rose Depp, 17, and John, 14. The two never married.

More: Oh boy, Johnny Depp's friend claims Depp was 'manipulated' by Amber Heard

Other witnesses include Hilda Vargas, the former couple's housekeeper at the time of the alleged abuse; Heard's publicist, Jodi Gottlieb; former friends and neighbors; and Heard's friend iO Tillet Wright, who called the police on Depp. Heard herself is slated to testify, with Depp's lawyers allotting an excruciating four hours for her on the witness stand. E! News points out that Heard lists seven witnesses to Depp's 23. There is also expected to be evidence of injuries and audio showing the couple's relationship.

Here's a simpler way to put it: It's going to get messy. There's probably not much that Depp's attorney, Laura Wasser, nicknamed "Hollywood's complete divorce solution," hasn't thought of. The trial is set for Aug. 14 and 15. For all the women out there who are looking to this as an example, let's hope they find some resolution.

More: Johnny Depp isn't letting Amber Heard's domestic abuse accusations go so easily

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Johnny Depp relationships & rumors slideshow
Image: Barry King/WireImage

Married at First Sight: All the couples have chemistry... will it be enough?

0
0

On last night's episode on Married at First Sight on A&E, the couples do what newly married couples do. They each had a family brunch after the wedding and went on their honeymoons. The couples all seem positive and optimistic — important qualities for any relationship. The attraction in these couples appears to be seen more than in the past season, so this is already a better start for the couples to make it together. Chemistry is a foundation for the three couples embarking on the journey to learning more about each other, but it is just a start. The honeymoon allows the couples to go somewhere exotic and enjoy getting to know each other and hopefully grow in other ways as they learn about the important qualities in the other.

More: I don't want to hear marriage advice from celebrities

One of the couples, Derek and Heather, went to Puerto Rico for their honeymoon. They both share an excitement for their vacation and appear connected. Humor is a quality that Heather continually points out about Derek and how nice he is. They appear to share a genuine interest in learning about each other after the wedding, and I really like what she said about focusing on the good parts instead of being picky. Keeping an open mind is useful in relationships. However, toward the end of the show, we find Heather questioning some negatives that she discovered. Can she overcome these issues later?

More: The Bachelorette offers fairy-tale romances — not real-life partnerships

Tom said sparks are happening with his new wife, Lillian. This couple had an instant chemistry. The expert commented on their physical attraction to each other and was glad that she matched them in hopes that attraction would occur. But the question is, will more develop? Tom said he sees Lillian as loving and passionate, which are important qualities in a partner. A good start for sure.

The third couple, Sonia and Nick, told the expert (Rachel DeAlto) that they seem to have both an attraction and emotional connection. Definitely a win-win situation in my book because the creation of the emotional connection can be one of the most important elements in a strong relationship. Sonia appeared really open and honest in sharing her feelings and thoughts even though later in the episode she commented that she needed to do this more. Nick seemed to be quiet but listened to her discuss her feelings. I wonder if he will be able to open up to her in the same way.

More: Married at First Sight and Love at First Kiss are banking on instant chemistry to find love

If these couples can build upon chemistry and find an emotional connection, this would help build really successful relationships in the future. I noticed in the episode that the couples were looking for really great qualities to want in a love interest: humor, kindness, loving, friendship, openness, positive and passionate. Can the couples remain focused on the positives? Only time will tell.

Bar Refaeli gave her baby a beautiful... nickname?

0
0

Sweet news for supermodel Bar Refaeli! She and husband Adi Ezra welcomed a 6.5-pound baby girl. Refaeli, who gave birth in Tel Aviv, is said to be doing great, and since delivering her daughter she has thanked the hospital where she gave birth for the support and care she received during her stay.

So what's the baby's name? It's short and sweet, just like Mom's: Liv Ezra.

More: OMG! How does Michael Phelps do it all with a baby?

While more and more people are opting for unique baby names, Refaeli gave her daughter a name that is usually considered a nickname. Though it's not all that common, it isn't unheard of either. Liv Tyler, daughter of Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, is the most widely recognized Liv of today. Most often, however, the name Liv is a nickname for girls named Olivia.

Though Refaeli is from Israel, it should be noted that she decided to not go with a Hebrew name. Liv is of Scandanavian origin and means "live." Simple yet beautiful. Unique yet classic. Liv is a perfectly beautiful name for a baby who is sure to inherit some of her supermodel mother's perfectly beautiful genes.

More: There's no defending the stranger who walked off with a mom's baby

Though many celebrities have nicknames for their children, like Mariah Carey's Roc and Roe (short for Moroccan Scott and Monroe), it's not as often you find a child whose entire name is most typically a nickname. It's different, but not too different. It's unique, but not one of those weird celebrity baby names that makes you scratch your head.

In a time when more and more unusual baby names are emerging — both good and questionable — a name like Liv is a breath of fresh air. Congratulations to Bar Refaeli on her new arrival, and two very enthusiastic and swooning thumbs-up on her choice of her baby's name!

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

Pregnancy emojis
Image: Emoji Mom

No, Hugh Jackman isn't on the verge of death, so let's just chill on that

0
0

Hugh Jackman scared a lot of his fans today with a picture he posted to his Instagram. Jackman went on a fishing trip recently on which he caught a huge pile of fish. He wanted to share how proud he was of the fish he caught, but instead of saying congratulations, most fans asked him what was wrong.

Hugh Jackman Instagram

Hugh Jackman Instagram

It’s definitely not the best picture of Jackman we’ve ever seen, that’s for sure. But he certainly doesn’t look like he’s on the brink of death either. Jackman does look exhausted but the sun’s not even up in the picture so it’s either the early morning or late at night. Most of us would look exhausted during those times.

More: Hugh Jackman diagnosed with skin cancer

Jackman is also currently preparing for a role in the new Wolverine movie. That role requires a lot from him physically. He could be going through a cycle of bulking up or cutting down weight so he looks the best he can for that role. Wolverine is a superhero. Jackman has to look like a superhuman.

Of course, none of this matters to some people. They’re speculating that Jackman’s skin cancer is back and worse than ever. Or as one person put it, he’s just getting old.

One comment on his Instagram said, “What happened to you x men I was shocked when I saw this photo are u good you look so tired the time had changed you i am so sorry.”

More: Hugh Jackman's #FeelingNuts campaign: The big question

And there are over 2,700 comments just like that one.

We talk a lot about how unfair it is for people to expect perfection from female celebrities. That they constantly have to wear makeup and dress perfectly or face ridicule, but it’s obviously not just a problem for women. Most of the comments Jackman receives could be swapped out for a Kardashian photo or Kim Zolciak’s Instagram feed and it would look the same.

And all the man was trying to do was share his fishing trip with his fans. This is why we can’t have nice things.

More: Hugh Jackman wants Wolverine to join The Avengers

Guys, Scandal just released a deleted scene and it crushes our Olitz dreams

0
0

I absolutely hate the fact that the end of last season made the Olitz relationship on Scandal seem dirty.

More: Scandal characters who could take over Fitz's presidency

We got our hands on a deleted scene from last season that doesn't do anything to stave off the Olitz hate. In fact, in the scene Jake is just ragging on Olivia (Kerry Washington) and Fitz's relationship, saying Olivia got duped by the president.

"You walked away from him over and over, time after time because you knew in your gut, you knew if you said 'yes,' he'd own you," Jake tells Olivia. "He'd consume you. He'd be no different than your father. But, over time, Fitz manipulated you. He made you feel like you owed him. It's what he does best. You knew that more than anyone, and you still fell for it. Man, that has to turn your world upside down — to go from being the smartest person in the room to the biggest fool. To realize you're just another textbook example of daddy issues played out on a national stage."

Um, ouch.

More: Scandal's Scott Foley spills on Jake and Olivia's future together

Personally, I think Jake is just mad that Liv has been digging into Vanessa, and he's clearly just trying to hurt her. Still, it breaks my heart.

Scandal's Olitz
Image: ABC

Thanks to the Season 5 finale, we know there is definitely no hope of Vermont left for Fitz and Olivia, and I'm coming to terms with it. I get it. They were toxic together. Her time at the White House was like hell. I know. Unfortunately, the drama is never ending. Now that Jake is maybe the good guy and Liv is maybe the new command, aka. bad, Season 6 is definitely going to get sticky.

What does this all mean for Fitz and the end of his presidency? I have no idea.

More: 12 ways the Scandal presidential candidates are better than the real ones

If there is no Olitz and there is no Fitz at the White House then it seems like his time on Scandal may be coming to a close. But a Scandal with Fitz just seems all sorts of wrong, which has me holding out hope that some juicy twist is coming our way.

Check out the full deleted clip above.

Do you think Fitz and Olivia are done for good or is there more drama between them to come?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

scandal quotes slideshow
Image: ABC

RHOBH's Lisa Rinna is reminding us a lot of Yolanda Hadid these days

0
0

Is it any wonder the daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin is about to be famous? The 18-year-old Delilah Belle Hamlin just signed a contract with Elite Model Management, and her mom couldn't be prouder.

More: Yolanda Foster believes Lisa Rinna is still 'stuck in the darkness'

Both Delilah and her mom shared a photo from Elite's Instagram account announcing her new representation.

delilah insta

delilah insta

Delilah stopped there, while her mom — like any excited parent — won't stop posting about her daughter's new gig.

lisa insta

lisa insta

lila insta 2

lila insta 2

While some fans, like one asking her to stop "pimping out" her daughter, were irritated, most are celebrating a mother just showing her family spirit. "Your girls are beautiful...like their parents. Thanks for sharing your life with your fans," writes lmanning62 on a photo of Delilah.

More: 7 things about Lisa Rinna you probably didn't know

And Delilah's no typical embarrassed teen. She chatted with Teen Vogue about how her celebrity parents have given her advice through the years, not to mention how The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills helped jumpstart her career. “I feel as though some of the experiences I've had wouldn't have been possible without the show’s exposure," she said. "I was able to have a long meeting with an amazing fashion magazine. This was probably one of the coolest moments I've had on the show, because I got to meet so many iconic and smart people."

She also discussed her goals, one of which is to achieve one of the highest career opportunities for a model — the cover of Vogue. Do we see a new Gigi Hadid in our midst?

More: Kyle Richards reacts to Lisa Rinna's "unbelievable" accusations on RHOBH

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Lisa Rinna slideshow
Image: Nicky Nelson/WENN.com

5 tips to avoid tourist scams on your Thailand vacation

0
0

Thailand is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited in my life. The authentic food, friendly locals, bumping nightlife and gorgeous beaches will seduce you, and rightfully so. But Thailand, like many countries with tourism-fed economies, can also be a merciless tourist-trap.

I speak from experience. I was coerced into looking at gemstone jewelry by Tuk Tuk drivers, taxied three hours into the middle of nowhere to the not-so-real “real-life floating markets,” and missed out on seeing The Grand Palace because it was “closed.” While most of my experiences were completely harmless inconveniences, I probably would have enjoyed my trip much more had I done my research and known the most popular scams before traveling to the Land of Smiles.

Here are five tips for avoiding the most common tourist traps and scams in Thailand.

1. Always agree on the price and destination before taking a Tuk Tuk

Some travel experts advise travelers to avoid Tuk Tuks entirely, as they are one of the easiest ways to get scammed in Thailand. I disagree. One of my favorite things about Thailand was whizzing down the crowded streets in a Tuk Tuk with the wind in my hair. It’s an experience you shouldn’t miss! Just be careful.

Tuk Tuk rates vary depending on time of day, distance traveled and whether you are in a large mainland city like Bangkok or in a smaller island like Phuket. In my experience, Tuk Tuk rides are more expensive the more secluded the area and the later the hour.

To avoid getting swindled, always establish exactly where you are going on a map and the price you are willing to pay before you sit down in a Tuk Tuk — once you are sitting, you are at the driver's mercy. Tuk Tuk drivers often have arrangements with shops that sell overpriced jewelry, silk and other commodities, and the Tuk Tuk may take you on a shopping tour instead of to temples or The Grand Palace, as you requested.

It’s also important to establish the price of your ride beforehand, as drivers tend to quote tourists inflated rates. A good rule of thumb is to cut whatever they quote you in half and go from there. You’ll likely always pay over what you should, but it’s more about the journey than the destination.

More: I paid off $15,000 of student debt in under two years (without feeling poor)

2. Only ride in metered taxis and understand Thai currency before you go

While taking a taxi can be cheaper, faster and more comfortable than riding in a Tuk Tuk or via public transportation, you can also get expertly hustled by taxi drivers.

First things first — always demand that the driver use the meter. If they refuse, find another cab. Sometimes even if you agree on a max fare before you start your trip, the taxi driver will increase it by the time you arrive.

Make sure to educate yourself about Thai currency before you get to Thailand, especially if you are using larger bills. A popular scam for taxis picking up new arrivals from the airport is to shortchange tourists who don’t yet know enough about baht to notice they were given incorrect change. If you’re confused, ask airport information what a typical fare should be for your jouney.

More: Skip the travel buddy and book a solo trip to these gorgeous destinations

3. Book excursions through your hotel and know where you want to go

I made the mistake of trying to book excursions myself, and it was a complete disaster. DO NOT book excursions through street vendors, Tuk Tuk drivers or directly with tour companies on the beach. Best case scenario, you’ll get ripped off and pay double or triple what you should. Worst case, you’ll pay double for transportation to a tourist trap in the middle of nowhere that in no way resembles the attraction you wanted to go to and will have to pay even more to get back to civilization.

My advice is to buy before you go through a reputable travel agent or a tour company that has favorable reviews. Plan an excursion every other day of your trip, with a rest day between for lounging on the beach, shopping or smaller sight-seeing adventures. This way, you can experience all of the most iconic things to do in Thailand, like seeing The Grand Palace and Floating Markets, but still have room for spontaneous trips as well.

4. Steer clear of the red-light district (or enter at your own risk)

This is pretty obvious, folks. Thailand is well-known for its risqué nightlife — one does not have to travel far to experience a go-go bar, ping pong sex show or downright prostitution. While travelers may be curious, the red-light district can be very dangerous, both to your wallet and to your physical person.

If you simply must go to a sex show or a go-go bar during your visit, make sure you go in a large group and pay a reasonable price. Safer establishments will have fixed-price menus and are generally located on street level. Bars above street level are often disreputable. Street-side hustlers who offer you free drinks and tell you that you don’t have to pay anything if you don’t like the show are LYING. They will lure you away from the crowds and into a secluded bar where you will be given a “free” drink that actually ends up costing 1000 baht or more. If you can’t pay, you might be threatened by gang members or physically assaulted.

More: 3 ways to travel and give back to charity at the same time

5. Be cautious when renting a motorcycle, jet ski or car

If you plan on renting any type of vehicle, be very cautious. Take detailed pictures before you leave with the vehicle and upon return, and never surrender your passport as collateral for a rental.

Though Thailand has recently cracked down majorly on jet ski and vehicle scams, rental companies have notoriously scammed tourists by claiming that they damaged the vehicle, charging outrageous repair fees and holding passports until fees are paid. If you must rent, try asking your hotel for a trusted rental company.

While there are plenty of hustlers in Thailand who will try to take clueless tourists for all they’re worth, most scams are predictable and easy enough to avoid if you educate yourself before departing. If you successfully dodge these five common tourist traps, you’ll be well on your way to a relaxing and enlightening adventure in the Land of Smiles.

11 theories about American Horror Story Season 6 based on the teasers

0
0

Guys, we have been duped. The theme for Season 6 of American Horror Story will not be revealed until the season begins.

This has never happened before and it's stressing me out. FX CEO John Landgraf told the press at the Television Critics Association press tour that although the theme won't be announced, we have already been given the clue for what it is. Well, you know those short trailers we all gobbled up? Only one of those is the real deal. Landgraf said that the marketing team, “went out and created many more trailers than you’ve actually seen for hypothetical seasons of American Horror Story, in different genres, different places. One of them is accurate, and the others are all misdirects.”

Yeah, that's right. All of those trailers are fake, except for one. Cue the sighs.

You may remember a couple of weeks ago that we were given the vaguest hint when all official American Horror Story social media pages changed their photos to a red six, with what appeared to be a question mark embedded into the design. It was against a black background and literally gave fans nothing to work with. I gotta tell you, the natives were getting restless when a few weeks went by and no theme was hinted at or revealed. Unfortunately, we now know that we have to wait until the season begins on Sep.14 to get the real answers, so hang tight natives, hang tight.

What does this mean? Well, it means that we can take a look at the promos we do have and try and guess the theme because they did say that one of them is correct. There is also the frustrating possibility that the AHS creators are merely throwing us completely in another direction because they like to see us cry.

Since we are being led on a wild goose chase, let's take a look at what clues we do have so far and try to put something together for what could be the theme for season 6.

There is a winner in there somewhere... hopefully.

1. The Lost Colony

AHS Lost Colony

AHS Lost Colony

With the news of set photos (one of which has "Croatoan" carved into a tree) being leaked by TMZ, I am thinking we are going to be focusing solely on some kind of old timey, colonial inspired horror. If you remember the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke in history class, the set photos may jog your memory. Basically, when settler John White returned back here from England to the colony he had settled, it was completely abandoned/looted and he found the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree/post. There was possible evidence of cannibalism, which fits nicely into the AHS aesthetic and it's a generally creepy mystery in American history. This "Lost Colony" idea could be the theme or it could be a flashback.

More: American Horror Story: How creepy kids could play a role in the new season

"What's Cooking?"

What's Cooking?

What's Cooking?

2. We have a farmhouse

Image: FX

The opening shot of the promo titled "What's Cooking?" is of a house in the middle of a field, with black smoke billowing out of the chimney. The smoke forms itself into that number six with the question mark from the earlier clue photos that the social media pages teased out weeks ago. That's weird and all, but then we hear the revving of a chainsaw and a woman scream. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, anyone? This opens up some possibilities involving incestuous, murderous families. Horrifying.

"Descent"

Descent

Descent

3. Zombie/Hill-people hands, possibly trapped underground

Image: FX

We slide right into a clip of a woman running for her life down a set of metal stairs in the promo titled, "Descent". Hands pop up each and every way to grab at her feet (nightmare material) and they appear to be bloody and/or rotting. Are these zombie hands? I kind of hope not, because I am very over the zombie cliché happening lately. These are possibly hands of people trapped or living under stairs/underground. This looks like it is a hill-people season. That means we could see some really messed up stuff, and some truly messed-up family dynamics, in particular. These could be hill-children hands.

More: Theories about what American Horror Story Season 6 is about

4. Scratch marks

Image: FX

Another shot from "Descent" resembling that number six with a question mark. This looks like it's referring to someone trying to get out. They look like scratches. Those hands have got to be people trapped or raised in darkness of some sort. Backwoods fun, friends.

"Lullaby"

Lullaby

Lullaby

5. That's probably not safe

Image: FX

In "Lullaby," we're introduced to what looks to be a pretty unconventional mobile. I mean, who am I to judge though, right? There is clearly a baby's bassinet with a mobile hanging over it. The mobile appears to be made from crude farming tools, like wheat reapers and sickles. That's disconcerting, to say the least.

6. What an adorable baby...

Image: FX

That's 100 percent a hill child. That's The Hills Have Eyes kind of child right there. The "Lullaby" teaser has a child's cooing noises, but then that mutated hand reaches up to grab the butcher's knife hanging from its mobile. I have a feeling that the way children will be integrated into this season will be horrifying on a level previously not considered. We are going to see some backwoods realness.

7. Farm equipment

Image: FX

This is obviously an homage to a sickle or another scary-ass piece of farm equipment that will no doubt be used to harm someone greatly.

"Sunset Stroll"

Sunset Stroll

Sunset Stroll

8. What an adorable family

Image: FX

So, in "Sunset Stroll" we now have a cute little family sauntering towards the camera in a completely non-threatening way that somehow also feels intensely aggressive. Maybe it's their old timey prairie clothes and their glowing eyes? Maybe. That may be it. This fits in really nicely with the whole Hills Have Eyes vibe that they seem to be hinting strongly at. The glowing eyes seem rather demon-ish. Also, there's a child, which Ryan Murphy mentioned would be part of his theme this season.

More: 100 bucks says AHS is about little devil children

"Post Op"

Post Op

Post Op

9. I feel like that's not super sanitary

Image: FX

In "Post Op" we have a really gnarly looking man who is lying on the ground with what I can only assume is a sadistic doctor's staples on his head in the shape of that question mark and the six. He then says, "Try to keep it dry," and I am glad he took the time to administer after-care instructions. The man on the floor looks dirty and deformed with long nails. Again, it fits perfectly into the whole Hills Have Eyes/ Texas Chainsaw Massacre idea. Now, the voice sounds like Wes Bentley, to be honest. I may just be hearing things but I swear it is him.

"Milli Crossing"

Milli Crossing

Milli Crossing

10. This is not a drill

Image: FX

Is that Gaga in "Milli Crossing"?! We know she is coming back, but it's real now. I am almost positive that is Gaga. Who else looks that fierce with a millipede scuttling down their face? No one. That's who. This one is very American Horror Story. It's very similar to things they did in promos for Hotel. I mean, if it's a dirty, backwoods farm/woods theme, then bugs would be everywhere, right? But she seems pretty cool with that thing, so is she one of the bad guys? I hope so, because she wears villain really well.

11. Stray observations

So, there is a very creepy song that plays in many of the promos. It's almost like an old, country tune. It's a woman humming, and it's only serving to terrify my soul and to reaffirm my notion that some backwoods/colonial shenanigans are coming our way. I am truly hoping for some classic horror like the movies I have mentioned above.

My only question is what Lady Gaga is possibly going to be doing out in the backwoods of who knows where or in colonial times. I am so curious. We know there is a definite homage to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Hills Have Eyes and things of that nature. This season will be disturbing, guys. Get your big-kid pants on and plug in the night light.

American Horror Story Teaser

American Horror Story Teaser

This article was originally published on Aug. 1 and updated on Aug. 11.

Do you think American Horror Story is going to focus on colonial times or do you think it will be something else altogether this upcoming season?

Food Fantasy League: Ranch dressing creations we made so you don't have to

0
0

If I had to name the single greatest culinary invention of the 20th century, it would have to be ranch dressing. If I were able to name two, it would be ranch dressing and Chicken McNuggets. If you need proof of their gastronomic superiority, think of what happens when you put the two of them together. Culinary supernova. It’s Magic Johnson and Larry Bird doing trick shots while simultaneously duetting on "Islands in the Stream." They’re also wearing hot pink-sequined tuxedos, because this is my analogy, and I think they’d look awesome in that.

More: Lay's global flavors: Everything you need to know about these potato chips

Ranch dressing does not have the exquisite pedigree of a piquant béarnaise sauce or an indulgent crème anglaise. It was invented in the early 1950s by a plumber who was working in the Alaskan bush, which is quite literally the polar opposite of pedigree. Classic French herb vinaigrettes are Rudolph Valentino. Ranch dressing is Scott Baio in a hot pink-sequined tuxedo.

Alaska plumber eventually made his way to warmer climates and opened a dude ranch — one of those schlocky tourist traps where people would play cowboy — and named it Hidden Valley Ranch. The dressing became so popular with guests that they began to bottle it for them to take home, then began selling it at stores, growing bigger and bigger until 1972, when they were purchased by… Clorox. Clorox still owns it too! I checked out the company's brand portfolio, and it consists of tons of bleach, various cat litters, the greatest salad dressing of all time and Liquid-Plumr. So this story came full circle in a way. God bless our plumbers for keeping our pipes clean so that we can cover everything we eat in ranch dressing and not fear the consequences.

More: Junk food confessions: The most magnificent Oreo flavors of all time

Here are some incredibly awesome ideas I have for recipes that use ranch dressing. I haven’t actually made all of these, but I don’t need to, because you know they’d be totally badass based on the descriptions. Think of it as Hidden Valley Fantasy League.

Ranch huevos rancheros nachos

Make egg salad, but replace the mayo with ranch dressing and some hot sauce. Spread refried beans onto individual tortilla chips, top with some egg salad, chopped fresh jalepeños (jarred are for wusses), shredded cheese and more hot sauce. If you use baked tortilla chips, this is actually a health food recipe.

ranch huevos rancheros nachos
Image: Tiffany Hagler-Geard/SheKnows

Ranch dressing funnel cake salad

Think of it as a taco bowl but not made by Latino employees at Trump Tower. Take a plain funnel cake, and top it with pot roast that’s been slow-cooked with ranch dressing powder. Sprinkle with sautéed onions and red peppers, raw scallions, corn and more ranch dressing. This doesn’t even actually exist in the universe, but I’m ready for nap time just from visualizing this.

Ranch dressing 7-layer dip

First you put down a bed of lettuce, then top with tomatoes, McNuggets, ranch dressing, sliced avocados (for health), french fries and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. I have absolutely no idea how you would eat this. Ladle?

Editor's note: Bare hands.

ranch 7-layer dip
Image: Tiffany Hagler-Geard/SheKnows

Ranch arancini

Whip cream cheese with ranch powder, and roll into small balls. Make risotto with white wine and ranch dressing, wrap around the cream cheese balls, bread, and deep-fry. If this were at the state fair, it would be gluttony, but because it’s Italian, it’s elegant. If people aren’t convinced, sprinkle the arancini with chopped parsley. That’ll fool 'em.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below:

21 crazy fast-food mashups that went way too far
Image: Inti St Claire/Getty images

Lisa Marie Presley's divorce was so messy, it reportedly drove her to rehab

0
0

Lisa Marie Presley may be going through an even more difficult time than meets the eye. According to reports, she's checked into a rehab facility. Insiders report the cause is her recent split from Michael Lockwood, her husband of 10 years.

More: Lisa Marie Presley's divorce could expose scary details from her marriage

She's reportedly checked into a Los Angeles rehab facility to seek treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. Her wellness plan allegedly includes a $400,000 personal detox team.

Of her decision to check into a facility, a source said "Lisa Marie just fell off the wagon over the past couple of years and needed serious help in getting her life back on track again." Rumors have swirled surrounding her divorce from Lockwood, who has been accused of being abusive and money-grubbing. Since the split in June, Presley has also reportedly requested full custody of their 7-year-old twin daughters, calling their father "unsafe." We may never know the real story, but it's easy to see how these could be triggering situations for a former addict.

More: Lisa Marie Presley sings with Elvis in new video

Presley has gotten past her addiction in the past, once by checking herself into the Scientology Celebrity Centre's rehab facility, where she proceeded to meet her first husband Danny Keough. Then, she discussed her addiction candidly with the press. She told Rolling Stone in 2003, "I did everything but mushrooms and heroin. Those were two things I didn't take. Thank God. Or crack. That wasn't really happening then."

Presley's representative has yet to confirm that she's entered rehab or comment on the story.

More: Dennis Quaid's back-and-forth marriage has got to be confusing his kids

Being happy and in love looks amazing on Paris Jackson

0
0

Paris Jackson doesn’t want to hear any more of the rumors that she’s unhappy or her family fears for her life. To prove that she’s totally happy and in love, Jackson is posting from a photo shoot she did with her boyfriend and some friends.

Paris Jackson Instagram

Paris Jackson Instagram

Jackson wore a bright-red dress under a black, studded leather jacket and a pair of black leather boots during the shoot. Her boyfriend, Michael Snoddy, wore black, ripped skinny jeans and a big, red fur coat to match Jackson. It was adorable in a rocker couple way.

More: Paris Jackson hospitalized for possible suicide attempt

Jackson updated all her social media profiles from the set throughout the day and she was always laughing and swooning all over her boyfriend. It’s definitely a far cry from the rumors that she’s facing a downward spiral that no one can stop.

On one of the Snapchat photos she posted, Jackson said, “Dressed like a hooker and fattening myself up with a burger and he still wants to kiss me (at risk of getting black lipstick everywhere), how did I get so lucky.”

It sounds like Snoddy is exactly who she needed in her life. He’s someone that won’t bring extra, unwanted attention to her or their relationship, and he makes her feel loved. What teenager doesn’t want that kind of relationship?

More: 4 years after Michael Jackson's death: How are his children?

Obviously, what’s posted on Instagram or Snapchat isn’t the entire story, and it’s completely possible that Jackson is still struggling with a lot — she did lose her dad at a very young age. No one is going to recover from that quickly or easily.

But we’ve seen plenty of celebrities spiral out of control online. If she really were out of control, we would see signs of it online. It’s time we take her word for it and believe that she’s doing fine and isn’t in need of an intervention.

Plus, isn’t it always more fun to celebrate people in love than to wait for someone fall into depression?

More: Paris Jackson is completely and utterly livid over those intervention rumors

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Paris Jackson slideshow
Image: Paris Jackson/Instagram
Viewing all 33701 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images