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How parental obesity can affect developmental outcomes in children

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Children of obese parents may be at risk for developmental delays according to a new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics.

The study’s lead author, Dr. Edwina Yeung, Ph.D., noted in particular that the previous U.S. studies in this area have only focused on the mother's pre- and post-pregnancy weight, so they decided to go a step further.

More: Study reveals new facts about childhood obesity

“Our study is one of the few that also includes information about fathers, and our results suggest that dad’s weight also has significant influence on child development,” she said.

Researchers used data collected from the Upstate KIDS study, which included 5,000-plus women who enrolled in the study roughly four months after giving birth in New York state between 2008 and 2010.

Children in the study were tested at 4 months of age and retested six more times through age 3. Upon entering the study, mothers provided information on their health and weight, before and after pregnancy, as well as the weight of their partners.

More: Childhood obesity: How big of a problem is it?

The scientists at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that compared to children of normal-weight mothers, children of obese mothers were nearly 70 percent more likely to have failed the test indicator on fine motor skills by age 3. Children of obese fathers were 75 percent more likely to fail the test's personal-social domain — an indicator of how well they were able to relate to and interact with others by age 3. Children with two obese parents were nearly three times more likely to fail the test's problem-solving section by age 3.

Researchers don’t know for sure why parents who are obese might have children who are at risk for developmental delays. They do note that animal studies indicate that obesity during pregnancy may promote inflammation, which could affect the fetal brain. The authors also added that some studies have indicated that obesity could affect the expression of genes in sperm.

More: 5 food additives scientifically linked to obesity

Yeung has said that their study wasn’t designed to prove cause and effect.

“At this point, we have correlations between parents’ BMI and children’s scores on a screening questionnaire,” she explained.

The researchers at the NICHD further said that if the link between parental obesity and developmental delays is confirmed, physicians may need to take parental weight into account when screening young children for delays and early intervention services.


Top Chef's Silvia Barban & Sylva Senat apparently had beef on the show

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Ugh, Silvia. Girl. We can't believe it, either.

Of course Top Chef's latest eliminee fell victim to the "birthday curse." You know, as Silvia Barban said during Episode 5, whenever a cheftestant has a birthday coming up, they get the axe. Remember when it happened to Leah Cohen in Season 5? Or how about Stacy Cogswell in Season 12?

PLL GIF
Image: ABC Family

More: Top Chef's BJ Smith reveals how challenging it was being on the show

So, was Barban surprised to get eliminated? And who is she rooting for to win? Let's take a look at what she had to say in our exclusive interview.

SheKnows: Were you surprised by your elimination?

Silvia Barban: I was really surprised to get eliminated.

SK: What was it like working with all the judges on the show? Who's the most intimidating?

SB: Working with the judges was great but also intense. I admire Tom Colicchio so much. His knowledge of food and the many chefs that he has worked with along his journey made me very intimidated. But in Last Chance Kitchen, it became a challenge to make him proud of me.

SK: Which contestant do you think deserves to win? Or who are you rooting for?

SB: I am rooting for Casey [Thompson]... she deserves to win. She was my roommate and mentor on the show and helped me stay calm. I'm also rooting for Brooke [Williamson].

More: Top Chef's Annie Pettry is definitely rooting for the rookies this season

SK: Who did you consider your biggest competition?

SB: [Williamson] since the challenge of the radish, but I'm happy I had to lose to someone like her making the best desserts of all Top Chef than to lose to some other chef that I don't think deserves to still be on the show.

SK: Was there anyone on the show you really clashed with? Who was it and why?

SB: I clashed with Sylva [Senat] since day one. I didn't have a good feeling with him. In the BBQ challenge, I had some problems working with him.

SK: What's one thing that happened behind the scenes viewers didn't get to see on the show?

SB: Padma [Lakshmi] sometimes spoke to me in Italian. I knew she could speak Italian, but still, it was surprising!

SK: Who do you think deserved to go home on last night’s episode?

SB: Sylva.

SK: What was the best experience you had on the show?

SB: One of the best experiences beside cooking with the greatest chefs?? Well, that night on the BBQ challenge, besides what happened, it was really magical to spend the night there, try to control the fire, to have my first s'more from Casey and Jim, and to have a nice talk and selfie with Sheldon and Emily.

SK: What was the biggest challenge for you on the show?

SB: My biggest challenge was to let the judges understand my food. I never had the chance to cook or have Southern food, so it was very difficult for me to cook in that way.

SK: Who's your favorite Top Chef contestant of all time and why?

SB: It is hard to say because all my favorite Top Chefs now are my friends and contestants.

More: Top Chef's Gerald S. says exactly what everyone thought about those truffles

Think Sylva Senat should have been eliminated over Silvia Barban on Top Chef? Let us know in the comments.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Top Chef where are they now slideshow
Image: Joe Kohen/Getty Images

Imma need Tom Hardy to read me bedtime stories for the rest of my life now

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Even the bad guys have their sweet sides.

More: Is Tom Hardy really done with romantic comedies?

Tom Hardy doesn't exactly tend to play warm and fuzzy characters in his movies. He's known for roles like Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, Max in Mad Max: Fury Road and John Fitzgerald in The Revenant — none of which are exactly characters you'd want your kid to curl up with for a bedtime story.

Apparently, Hardy is working on rehabbing his image a little, because he's asking for just that. He appeared on BBC's children's network CBeebies to read a bedtime story to viewers, and it's actually surprisingly sweet. We didn't know Hardy had this side to him, but more of it, please.

More: Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley’s red carpet appearance reveals big surprise

In the video, Hardy is wearing a hat — appropriate, considering his choice of book to read — and accompanied by a sleepy dog, who is also adorably wearing a top hat as the video begins. Hardy removes the dog's hat and then starts in on his story, Simon Philip and Kate Hindley's You Must Bring A Hat.

The silly children's book is about a boy who is invited to a party where headwear is required. Realizing he doesn't own a hat, the boy sets out on an adventure to find one, enlisting the help of a friendly badger and some other nice animals along the way, so he can attend the party. Hardy gets pretty into his dramatic rendition of the story, and honestly, I'd let him read a bedtime story to my kids if I had any.

Anyway, it's a little bizarre, a lot cute and a side of Hardy we've never seen before. Definitely check the video out for yourself.

Tom Hardy reads a bedtime story on BBC

Tom Hardy reads a bedtime story on BBC

More: Tom Hardy shuts down reporter for asking about his sexuality (VIDEO)

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

celebrity couples slideshow'
Image: WENN

Can Nick Viall finally find love on The Bachelor?

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Nick Viall is the new Bachelor and has been a repeat contestant on both The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise where he has not succeed in finding long term love. In this week's show, he began by talking about how he has had his heart broken numerous times on TV. Yet for some reason he feels like this is the right route for him to find love, even with several failures on shows like this before. I'm not sure if he realizes the mistake in repeating something that is not working will not necessarily turn out with a different result. But I guess he is hopeful it is different this time.

More: What to consider before you start dating after divorce

The show continues with four other previous Bachelor stars bragging about how great Nick is, and then Nick shows up to get advice from them. Though Sean Lowe is the only one in that group that married the woman he chose on the TV show. Ben Higgins tells Nick to be himself and tells the camera that Nick is coming in with baggage since he has had so many failed relationships on TV. First of all, let’s move away from that term baggage. Most people have had failed romances and it’s not really fair to paint Nick as this guy who could not find love on a TV show. A lot of people have failed relationships before they find a healthy one.

We are then introduced to the group of women contestants, all of whom fawn and gush over a man that they have never met before. The two age appropriate contestants for Nick are Rachel who is the oldest on the show at 31, and 30 year old Danielle – both seem like great matches for him. The rest of the group are all a lot younger than he is. Remember he is 36 and there are women on the show that are 23 and 24. That’s a thirteen year age difference. I think in order for him to succeed at love that he needs to account for age and he might need someone closer to 36 than in their twenties.

More: Focusing on looks could leave them single on Married by Mom and Dad

The parade of women continues out of the limos with introductions of Nick to all these women vying for his attention. He compliments most of the women on their appearances and pretty uneventful chitchat occurs. One women gets out of the limo and tells him that her friends don’t like him, which is probably not very fair since they don’t know him. But inside the mansion most of the women discuss how Nick has been on the show numerous times and they wonder if he is like the villain he has seen as on previous season. For the flair factor, one woman dresses up in a shark costume and the other women automatically label her as the crazy one. I think these women need to lighten up a bit for being judgmental.

The big scandal of the night was that Nick had previously met one of the contestants at a wedding, Liz. The show highlights this as scandalous and the camera zooms in on Nick’s facial expression as he ponders who she is, as apparently he did not recognize her when she was introduced. I find this an odd story line to put so much focus on here, and Liz seems to feel like this will give her some kind of advantage, but turns out Nick wondered why she never called him in the nine months since they met.

Nick tells the contestants that he is not running away from his past and he wants everyone to feel as empowered as possible, and to leave with no regrets. One women actually said she felt empowered after his toast. While it was a pretty fair statement that he made, I would like to assume that everyone in that room understands that a relationship is based off equality and hopefully these women feel confident and empowered before they ever enter the mansion, and not because of Nick. Confidence is a lot prettier than a sequin dress anyways.

More: 6 dating rules I keep accidentally breaking

9 things to know about Sam Asghari, Britney Spears' rumored new BF

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If you've been in a holiday-induced social media hibernation, you might have missed out on the news that Britney Spears probably has a disgustingly hot new boyfriend — you know, just one of the models from her super-sexy "Slumber Party" video.

More: Britney Spears gets a huge surprise while performing at Jingle Ball

Britney Spears

Britney Spears

All through December, the gossip mill was churning out reports that Spears and Sam Asghari were getting to know each other — possibly in the biblical sense. The rumors actually date back to late November, when Asghari took to Instagram to share a photo of himself and Spears enjoying a meal at a restaurant. For one reason or another, Asghari deleted the post not long after it went up, but not before fans had a chance to screen-grab it and spark relationship rumors.

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari

So, who is this guy that could be more than friends with Spears?

1. They are pretty much confirmed at this point

Britney Spears and her new BF

Britney Spears and her new BF

While neither Asghari nor Spears have come out and straight-up said that they are an exclusive couple, they spent Christmas and New Year's together — both confirmed on social media. If that doesn't scream "we're getting serious," we don't know what does.

Britney Spears BF instagram 2

Britney Spears BF instagram 2

Asghari also recently posted a photo of two cuddling lions with the caption "It's not complicated," which obviously points to him being in a happy relationship. Oh, did we mention that his fans report in the comment section of the pic that he is a Leo? Not very subtle.

2. Good looks run in his family

Britney Spears BF instagram

Britney Spears BF instagram

Not only is Asghari smoking hot, but his sister, Farzaneh Asghari, ain't so hard on the eyes either. Farzaneh is also a registered nurse and microbiologist according to her Instagram bio.

3. He's the new face of Under Armour

sam asghari insta 2

sam asghari insta 2

Asghari announced in the final moments of 2016 that he's representing the super-popular athletic apparel line for their winter campaign.

4. Spears' music video is not his first

Sam Asghari is insanely good-looking, so it's not surprising that he has been the star of more than one music video. Aside from "Slumber Party," he's also been in Fifth Harmony's "Work From Home."

Sam Asghari in "Work From Home"
Image: Giphy

5. He's a personal trainer

sam asghari insta 1

sam asghari insta 1

This may seem obvious, but Asghari is also a personal trainer who reportedly works as a BMG personal trainer at Royal Personal Training.

6. He wanted to be a police officer

sam asghari insta 4

sam asghari insta 4

Before Asghari became a model, he wanted to be a police officer. Speaking during an interview with MSI College, he revealed that he changed his life goal to work in law enforcement. He told the publication, "I understood that my passion was elsewhere. I was way more passionate about fitness modeling and acting."

More: Britney Spears and Ariana Grande started a huge, verbally violent Twitter war

7. He was super-shy

sam asghari insta 3

sam asghari insta 3

He may be able to walk around topless now, but Asghari was once a really shy guy. As he told the publication, "I was a very shy person growing up, even all through high school. After being in the [modeling] industry for such a short amount of time, I've gained massive confidence."

Another thing that inspired his confidence? Asghari went through a major lifestyle change that led him on the path to better health, as evidenced in the photo above.

8. He likes guns

And we're not even talking about the gun show his arms can do — a glance at Asghari's Instagram account seems to suggest he likes real guns.

Sam Asghari Instagram

Sam Asghari Instagram

Sam Asghari Instagram 2

Sam Asghari Instagram 2

More: Britney Spears threatening to sue over bombshell report about her behavior

9. He's a kitten lover

Not that you needed another reason to think that Asghari is basically the perfect human, but he also happens to like kittens.

Sam Asghari Instagram

Sam Asghari Instagram

Do you think Britney Spears and Sam Asghari would make a good couple? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Britney Spears slideshow'
Image: Buena Vista Pictures

Originally published November 2016. Updated January 2017.

Brad Pitt just had the ‘worst holiday season’ ever, according to reports

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Whether this is a piece of fan fiction or a matter of fact is up for debate, but a new report claims that Brad Pitt’s last couple of weeks were anything but merry and jolly. "This has been the worst holiday season of my life,” he reportedly said according to “one of his closest friends” via the Daily Mail.

The friend didn’t stop there. “Brad’s anguish is palpable right now,” the pal continued. “He desperately misses having his kids with him at Christmas and New Year. These supervised visits are sheer hell on him. He’s broken down in tears so many times — he’s not ashamed to cry anymore.”

More: Brad Pitt admits guilt to half of Angelina Jolie's abuse accusation

As the Daily Mail reports, Pitt had to say goodbye to his six children and turn them over to a court-appointed supervisor just before Christmas at the end of his third paternal visit since he and Angelina Jolie broke up in September. Pitt gave his children their Christmas presents while under supervision, and the short visitation “seemed to be over in minutes,” the publication said.

To make matters worse, Pitt is apparently wishing things were still the way they once were. “Brad is like a broken man,” the source added. “He feels betrayed by a woman whom he says he still loves. He misses her despite everything that has happened between them.”

More: Brad Pitt's divorce "mistake" was actually carefully planned

That said, Pitt is supposedly still holding out hope for a reconciliation. “He was blindsided by their divorce — he still believes Angelina made an impulsive decision and can’t figure out how to reverse it and save face,” the insider said. “He vacillates between being furious with her and longing for her. He thumbs through scrapbooks of photos of better times and wonders how it all went wrong. He calls her but she doesn’t return the calls. He sends gifts as peace offerings but she sends them back.”

There’s no chance that Pitt will stumble upon this article, as he has even gone offline, hunkering down in analog lest he catch sight of news about him on the internet. “He’s learned to stay away from the internet rather than risk reading about his situation,” the source said.

More: Brad Pitt reportedly has secret damaging tapes of Angelina Jolie

10 things about Pharrell's wife, Helen Lasichanh, you never knew

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By now you probably know that Pharrell Williams is a happily married man. But being that his gorgeous wife Helen Lasichanh is conspicuously missing from social media, there's not too much info about her out there for public consumption.

So who is this woman who stole the heart of one of music's (former) most eligible bachelors?

1. She cares about giving back

Helen Lasichanh pic 7

Helen Lasichanh pic 7

For the past two years in a row, Lasichanh and Pharrell have been spotted serving food to the less fortunate at the Los Angeles Mission Christmas Celebration.

2. She's a model and designer

Helen Lasichanh pic 4

Helen Lasichanh pic 4

In fact, Lasichanh regularly makes Huffington Post best-dressed lists and has garnered some serious love from them along with other news outlets.

More: Miley Cyrus’s VMAs hair draws unexpected hate for cultural appropriation

3. Pharrell had to be super patient to win her over

Helen Lasichanh pic 5

Helen Lasichanh pic 5

When Williams and Lasichanh met, she had a boyfriend and wouldn't look twice at the handsome musician. He had to settle with just being friends with her for two and a half years, until she became single again, and even then he had to work hard. According to an interview with Oprah, she played hard to get, not even responding to half his texts! Looks like her ploy worked, though, because Pharrell doubled down on his determination until she fell for him.

4. She was his longtime girlfriend before they got hitched

Once they started dating, neither Williams nor Lasichanh were that eager to walk down the aisle until they were good and ready. The couple dated for years before confirming their engagement in July 2013 and were married just a few months later in October.

5. She wore plaid at her wedding

Helen Lasichanh pic 1

Helen Lasichanh pic 1

What else would you expect from an avant-garde fashionista at her wedding? On their big day, the trendsetting bride and groom reportedly wore plaid from head-to-toe, and many other guests dressed in tartans.

6. They look amazing together

Pharrell and wife
Image: C Flanigan/Getty Images

Pharrell has always kept his fashion — and his music — out-of-the-box, and for that reason, we believe he chose the perfect mate. At awards shows, like the Grammys, and at Fashion Week, Lasichanh and her beau are known for showing up in complementary, cutting-edge styles, dressed to the nines.

Next Up: She and Pharrell made the most adorable mini-Pharrell

Originally published August 2015. Updated January 2017.

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7. She and Pharrell made the most adorable mini-Pharrell

Lasichanh and Williams have a son named Rocket Ayer, who will probably be the most fashionable young man in his kindergarten class. Seriously, look at that face!

Rocket Williams

Rocket Williams

Williams wrote a song for Rocket that you can hear on the soundtrack to Despicable Me. It's called "Rocket’s Theme" and is all about how happy Rocket makes his parents.

More: Rebel Wilson draws backlash for police brutality jokes at MTV VMAs

8. She was a volleyball player

Lasichanh was a star volleyball player at St. Thomas University in Miami. Can't you just imagine her model face fiercely staring down opponents on the courts? Talk about intimidating!

More: Kanye West wins best quotes at the VMAs thanks to his confusing speech (VIDEO)

9. She and Pharrell are besties

Williams has said that everyone should marry their best friend, and he told Today that "every night is like a sleepover" when it comes to his marriage to Lasichanh.

10. She's expecting baby No. 2!

Helen Lasichanh pic 2

Helen Lasichanh pic 2

Lasichanh and Williams confirmed in September that they are expecting their second child. The couple were spotted out and about over the holidays, with Lasichanh's cute baby bump on full display.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

long celeb couples slideshow
Image: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com

Not even $20 million could keep Megyn Kelly at Fox

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It's official: Megyn Kelly is leaving Fox.

More: Megyn Kelly left "insulted" after her heated on-air argument with D. L. Hughley

Reports say Kelly turned down a $20 million-a-year offer from Fox in order to take a gig at NBC, where she'll have a Sunday night show, a daily news program and a place in the network's political coverage.

Kelly will stay at Fox through this week, continuing to host her show, The Kelly File. Her last day at Fox will be Friday, although she won't start at NBC until July because of her ongoing contract.

Fox CEO and Chairman Rupert Murdoch released a statement after news broke of Kelly's move, writing, "We hope she enjoys tremendous success in her career and wish her and her family all the best."

More: Megyn Kelly's wisdom on how we move on from the election is right on

Kelly also released a statement of her own on Facebook, thanking her soon-to-be former employer for the opportunities it gave her.

"While I will greatly miss my colleagues at Fox, I am delighted to be joining the NBC News family and taking on a new challenge," she wrote. "I remain deeply grateful to Fox News, to Rupert, Lachlan and James Murdoch, and especially to all of the FNC viewers, who have taught me so much about what really matters."

Kelly was at Fox for 12 years. It hasn't been released how much she'll be paid at NBC after she turned down the $20 million offer from Fox, where The Kelly File is the second highest-rated cable news show in total viewers. ABC and CNN were reportedly also chasing Kelly, but the Daily Mail reports that they couldn't compete with the offer from Fox, putting them out of the running.

More: Did Megyn Kelly hint in her memoir that she was poisoned by Trump?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

celebs against trump slideshow
Image: FayesVision/WENN.com

Hatchimals can talk, sing, walk... and curse, apparently

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2016 will be remembered as the year we lost some of the biggest cultural icons of all time. It will also be remembered as the year Donald Trump, in some alternative universe-type situation, was elected president of the United States. And for millions of parents, it will be remembered as the year they nearly lost their minds (plus time, energy and money they'll never get back) trying to get their hands on the must-have (and sold-out) Christmas toy: the Hatchimal.

More: Why I kiss my kids on the lips and I'm not planning to stop

Such a fuss was made about this thing, you'd think it possessed magical powers. Alas, no. It's a small battery-operated bird-like creature with slightly creepy eyes in a plastic shell. It uses its spring-loaded beak to "hatch" out of its shell (if you're lucky; see below) and thereafter, it is the lucky child's responsibility to rear it through three stages of life: baby, toddler and child. Hatchimals can be taught how to talk, sing and walk. Hours of fun, apparently.

One Hatchimal is currently experiencing its 15 minutes of fame after a Canadian dad told CTV Vancouver that his 6-year-old son's toy doesn't just talk — it uses rather colorful language. The outbursts occur during the night, when all well-trained Hatchimals should really be sleeping soundly. But this one, according to George Galego, says "fuck me" in its sleep.

More: Kid uses sleeping mom's thumbprint for online shopping spree

Galego shared a video of the cussing creature on YouTube, but we have to say, it's not entirely clear what it's saying. Which is just as well — Galego's wife Sarah says their son can't distinguish between the cursing and the general Hatchimal gibberish, so they won't be returning the toy.

Cusring Hatchimal

Cusring Hatchimal

This is just the latest controversy facing the Christmas toy of 2016. Seemingly, hundreds of children across the world are beyond devastated that their Hatchimals won't hatch. There was even a Facebook group set up for disgruntled parents to share their own personal tales of how Hatchimal ruined Christmas. "Dead Hatchimal Owners United" appears to have now been deactivated, however — perhaps unable to cope with the level of activity.

The toy's Canadian manufacturer, Spin Master, did release a statement on Christmas Day acknowledging the complaints that had flooded in from customers, and there's also a tips and tricks section on their website to help coax those stubborn Hatchimals out of their plastic shells.

We should know by now that trend toys rarely live up to the hype. But if you're one of the parents who paid hundreds of dollars to ensure their kid had a smile on their face on Christmas morning, you may be echoing the words of one particular Hatchimal. Fuck me, indeed.

More: I'm using baby dolls to teach my daughter about racial bias

The real reasons Jack in the Box tacos are so insanely popular

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Sit down, my friends, for I am about to lay on you the first big shocking news story of 2017: Americans Eat 554 Million Jack in the Box Tacos a Year, and No One Knows Why.

The Wall Street Journal begins its expose with a chilling fact. "More than 1,000 times a minute, someone bites into what has been described as a wet envelope of cat food — and keeps eating." Why? And since when has Jack in the Box made tacos? (Since at least the 1980s, apparently.)

More: 10 reasons you might want to reconsider your fast-food habit

jack in the box tacos twitter

jack in the box tacos twitter

"Man I love Jack in the Box tacos!" an unnamed editor told me. I asked her why. "Only time I ate them was in college. I was very intoxicated at the time. So I guess it's the alcohol plus the hot sauce they give you." Oh, so it's the sauce.

But there has to be more, right? What's in them? Shells, "taco meat," cheese, lettuce, sauce ... ??? Jack in the Box doesn't list the ingredients online, but one former employee described how they're made via Reddit.

jack in the box tacos reddit

jack in the box tacos reddit

In case you don't feel like clicking through, basically they deep-fry the taco whole, then open it back up and add shredded lettuce and a slice of American cheese and wait a minute...
jack in the box tacos twitter

jack in the box tacos twitter

So, that's weird. But this is starting to make sense...

jack in the box tacos twitter

jack in the box tacos twitter

Excuse me, but that is still absurdly cheap. Guess what — another clue...

jack in the box tacos twitter

jack in the box tacos twitter

Apparently, you can get them any time of the day or night.

More: Can we talk about why Taco Bell is the best?

You know what? This is actually not that hard to figure out.

  1. They are fried whole with the meat inside.
  2. They contain a slice of American cheese, which people claim to hate but secretly love.
  3. They are frequently eaten when one is impaired.
  4. They are cheap.
  5. They are available 24 hours a day.

So, there you go. Mystery solved. I hear they're especially good with the ranch dressing Jack in the Box gives out for free.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

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

I threw away my New Year's resolutions for a dreams and schemes list

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My me-first attitude took a long time to develop. I once tried to make a list of all the recommendations I'd read about how to do everything – maintain a car, start a 401(k), nurture a relationship, pick a preschool – so that I could be sure not to muck up my life. Fifteen minutes into the list making exercise it was clear I wouldn't be able to maintain a job if I followed every piece of advice I'd read or heard on living life the right way.

More: We may be happier now, but our kids still grieve over our divorce

I tried anyway. My life mucked up anyway. After building a picture perfect life, my husband and I divorced. The worst had happened – I'd failed at the thing most important to me, despite trying my hardest for my whole life up to that point.

Failure set me free. Having done "the right thing" and gotten the wrong result, I was free to try the thing I thought was best for me and mine. This didn't mean that I set out on a "Purge"-style looting spree, or put myself first at the expense of all others. I simply started to look at our choices by giving my personal perspective the same weight as a faceless stranger's expectations. Imagine that.

Nowhere is this more evident than in my New Year's resolutions. Before the divorce, my New Year's resolutions were serious business. I wrote them down and tracked our progress (remember, I spent years as a corporate project jockey). I focused on where we were supposed to be and what our gaps were. Our goals were things like reduce credit card spending, explore long-term care insurance, exercise at a high intensity three times a week, and eat more raw foods. Dull to write down, and even duller to execute.

After the divorce, having been set free by my failure, I decided to make resolutions that I might actually enjoy. But before I made the list, I had to change the name. Resolutions had baggage. Enter the Dreams and Schemes List.

More: After my first marriage ended, I learned to love my second choice

My first full year as a single mama was filled with hard work. I refinanced the house and re-budgeted my retirement. I wrote a new will and established a household budget. None of that was on the Dreams and Schemes List.

The D&S List included the following critical items:

  • Connect with my girlfriends regularly
  • Create
  • Stop spending time with my negative, draining friends
  • Throw out all underwear. Replace with pretty, matching sets
  • Move more. Remember you feel better after physical activity
  • Do fun things
  • Travel with the kids

Notice the lack of measurement – no frequency required, no regular patterns needed, no starting weight listed. Not a single goal was lifted from a self-help book or January magazine issue. If I wanted to do it, it went on the list.

I accomplished every item on the list.

I took ballroom dancing lessons, and quit when they got boring. I spent money on bras and panties that made me feel secretly pretty all day long. I took a trip to the beach with my college girlfriends and spent hours sitting in the hot tub sipping cocktails. We ordered every dessert on the menu more than once. I started sewing again. I took the kids to California to see my grandparents' ranch where I'd grown up. I ran and swam and Zumba'd.

Accomplishing my Dreams and Schemes made me a better mother to the little people in my life. I was having fun, and they could see it. My fuel tank was full – I could meet their emotional and physical needs because I was healthy myself.

The Dreams and Schemes List both raised and lowered my expectations. It raised the need to focus on my mental health, made me feel happy and important, and ignored the idea that "should" mattered. It was perfect.

The Dreams and Schemes List lives on my phone and is updated in late December every year. Some years it is longer than others. Items come and go. While the contents of the list vary, the guiding principles do not. The Dreams and Schemes List is about me first – what I want and need to feel happy and fulfilled, what sounds fun, and what feels right. It exists to bring me back to myself, to force me to think about what I want and need, and focus on making my own happiness.

More: We almost didn't survive our first year as a stepfamily

Kate Chapman is a mom and stepmom to six children, ages 7-15. She writes about her modern-day Brady Bunch adventures at ThisLifeInProgress.com. Follow Kate on Facebook, TwitterInstagram and Pinterest.

Janet Jackson chose a fitting name for the son she always dreamed of having

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What a way to start the new year!

More: The craziest rumors of Janet Jackson's pregnancy are flying around right now

Janet Jackson and her husband Wissam Al Mana had their first child together and it’s a boy, according to People magazine.

Eissa Al Mana was born on Tuesday, Jan. 3 and everyone in the family is safe and sound.

“Janet Jackson and husband Wissam Al Mana are thrilled to welcome their new son Eissa Al Mana into the world,” a spokesperson for the star told the magazine. “Janet had a stress-free healthy delivery and is resting comfortably.”

More: Take a drink every time Jermaine Jackson says 'baby' in his Janet Jackson interview

Jackson, who stayed out of the public eye during her pregnancy, has long talked about wanting to be a mother. Her mysterious April 6, 2016 announcement and tour cancellation had fans in a frenzy.

She was seen in London in September with her growing baby bump. Jackson also gave one brief update in November because she was on doctor-prescribed bed rest due a higher-risk pregnancy at the age of 50.

Janet Jackson pregnancy tweet

Janet Jackson pregnancy tweet

With the celebration of her new bundle of joy, it’s fascinating to look at the origins of her son’s name. Eissa is a Hebrew name that means salvation. It is considered a rare name for a boy and doesn't even fall into the top 1000 names.

More: 48 celebrities whose baby names we want to steal

Jackson’s desire to have a family has been one of great importance to her. She comes from a large family and the love bestowed upon her by her mother, Katherine Jackson, was something she wanted to pass along to her own child.

If we take a deeper look into her son’s name, it clearly demonstrates how significant his birth means to her. He delivered her the ultimate gift — motherhood. Eissa gave her redemption to a dream she might have doubted at some point in her life. He saved her.

It’s a precious way to start a new year. Jackson seems to be at peace with her life since her marriage to Al Mana almost four years ago, so it’s only fitting that their family grows out of that sweet place of love.

Why being a new mom is the hardest job ever — and how to cope

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All the books, classes and “brace yourself” lectures in the world can’t truly prepare you for the realities of life with a newborn. From the foggy early days of navigating feedings while operating on a torturously small amount of sleep to adjusting to your new role as a parent while still trying to make time for your partner and yourself — the first year of parenthood is an initiation unlike anything else, complete with what can occasionally feel like baby-led hazing.

Balancing it all out are the moments of joy: when the baby smiles or giggles, learns a new skill or simply sleeps so peacefully you can’t tear yourself away from watching. And then there is the pride, not just in your growing little one, but in the realization that you are capable of more than you could have imagined.

Here, eight moms share how they coped with unexpected challenges during the first year of parenthood — and what they learned about themselves along the way.

More: Mom sums up new motherhood in one raw, honest photo

Morgan G.

"Being a mother is hands down the hardest thing I have ever done. I was scared to leave my house, constantly thinking of all the terrible things that could happen out in the world. And then there was breastfeeding. I wanted to breastfeed so, so badly, but my daughter did not. So I pumped for nine and a half months, every two to three hours for almost half an hour. It consumed me.

"As you can imagine my relationship with my husband, like many new moms, took a spot on the back-burner. My body taking on a whole new shape and purpose made me feel very unattractive and for lack of a better term, not sexy. I'm still struggling with all of these things, 16 months later. I'm trying to love my body and not make my marriage and the relationship with my husband a 'chore.' I'm still working at trying to be better every day. But aren't we all?

Ashley H.

"The biggest challenge I faced in the first year of motherhood was sleep deprivation. I coped by reminding myself each stage of sleep regression was only temporary. My husband and I also made a plan from the very beginning that he would change the diapers during the night and hand the baby to me to feed. When the baby transitioned to formula, husband and I started taking on the nights in shifts."

More: Motherhood in five words or less

Erin H.

"The hardest part of the first year of parenting was how quickly our lives changed in such a way huge way after bringing our son home. The first six months were the hardest, as my husband and I went through sleep deprivation, the stress of a colicky newborn and my postpartum depression. Finding our new normal took many months, and as we approach our son's first birthday, we're still adjusting. Taking time for myself has probably been the most important thing I've done this year. I wasn't prepared for how much motherhood would change my identity, both positively and negatively, and finding the time to write or run or do yoga and remember who I was before becoming a mom has been crucial."

Lauren F.

"My dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer about two months before my daughter was born. Between recovering from the birth, getting the hang of the new mom thing, and all the doctor’s visits, we weren't able to travel to see him as soon as I would have liked. I felt like by being a good mother I wasn’t being a good daughter. In the end, there was enough time to be both.

"My dad managed to hang on for the first four months of my daughter’s life. He was there for her Christening and for her first Christmas. He got to squeeze her little feet when he was in the hospital — and asked if she was old enough for a pedicure. While it makes me sad that she’ll have no memory of her JJ, it brings me such peace knowing her face was one of the last images in his mind."

Next page: "I spent a lot of time judging myself"

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Brigid P.

"One of the biggest challenges my husband and I faced as new parents was adapting to our new baby-centered lifestyle. Before baby, our favorite pastimes were trying new restaurants for dates, visiting our favorite breweries and going on spur of the moment runs or hikes. Now, we continue to do the things we love, but put more effort into planning. We are pros at packing a diaper bag and planning our activities around our daughter’s daily rhythm. But, most importantly, we’ve tried to remain flexible. Sometimes that means nap time happens in a baby carrier out on the trails or we skip out of a dinner out because our baby isn’t feeling it."

Pam A.

"Breastfeeding did not come naturally to my daughter or me. I made the mistake of thinking she would be a textbook eater because that’s what my sister’s kids were like and they were the only newborns I had ever met.

"We finally got the hang of breastfeeding, but it was very painful in the beginning and the feeling I was tied to a baby or the breast pump was difficult. Every aspect of my day depended on when I needed to feed the baby or pump. I always envied my husband, who could just go to work while I couldn’t 'just' do anything — from what I wore to where I went and how long I was gone. I didn’t feel like I was my own person. In the end you just get used to it. I started supplementing with formula when it just got to be too much and it gave me peace of mind. My baby was being fed and I wasn't going crazy trying to be a perfect breastfeeding machine."

Lacey B.

"I was mostly prepared for the physical toll the first year of parenthood took on my body, but I had no idea of the mental and emotional exhaustion raising a newborn would entail. Frequent breakdowns, anxiety, worry, frustration, loss of confidence, memory loss — I suffered from all of it.

"I would have full on breakdowns over my son not sleeping, or not nursing as much or getting a cold. I felt like I was barely hanging on most of the time. I now know that many, many moms’ experiences are similar in the first year. New moms want to be perfect, and that just isn’t possible. I have learned that laundry will wait until tomorrow and that we don’t have to have a homemade meal every night. I have learned to communicate better with my husband, make my health a priority and I’m still learning to ask for help when I can."

Emily D.

"When our son was born, everything changed for me. I felt that I had lost a lot of my identity by leaving an established career. With all the changes came a lot of unanticipated anxiety and I struggled with coping for much of the first year. While motherhood was amazing and I loved my new family, I spent a lot of time judging myself for making the decision to stay home.

"I worried that people would label me as dependent or that my husband would find me boring. I worried that I would be seen as 'less than' next to the working moms who seem to juggle it all. These worries were really a reflection of my own insecurities and I had created them to be much scarier than they actually were. Ultimately, I decided to start an at-home business. I need the confidence that working brings to make me feel whole. I also started on therapy and medication to get on top of my postpartum anxiety. Motherhood is crazy amazing, but it’s also crazy hard. That’s just the truth."

More: 5 very real lessons motherhood taught me this year

A timeline of Donald Trump & Rosie O'Donnell's 10 years of hatred

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One of the many astonishing moments of the first 2016 presidential debates was Donald Trump reigniting his feud with Rosie O'Donnell out of nowhere. Why is there so much hatred between these two that it has bled into his candidacy?

2006

It all goes back to 2006, during O'Donnell's first stint on The View. Trump had just allowed Miss America Tara Conner to keep her crown after her drug use and underage drinking were revealed. O'Donnell told the panel she wholeheartedly disagreed with Trump's decision and recited a list of reasons why she doesn't like him, briefly mentioning the fact that he filed for bankruptcy. This video of those decade-old comments was tweeted the morning after the debate.

Rosie O'Donnell insults Trump on The View

Rosie O'Donnell insults Trump on The View

Trump hit back with a scathing rebuke in People magazine, hitting far below the belt.

"Rosie will rue the words she said," Trump told the mag in December 2006. "I'll most likely sue her for making those false statements — and it'll be fun. Rosie's a loser. A real loser. I look forward to taking lots of money from my nice fat little Rosie."

More: Hollywood exposed Donald Trump's lies in the presidential debate all. night. long.

2007

During an interview with Larry King, Trump described a conversation he had with Meredith Vieira calling O'Donnell a pig, then he added, "She's just a bad person. I know her very well and she's just a bad person. And somebody has to hit bad people back.

"I was never a friend. She came to my wedding. She ate like a pig… look, I know her well. She's not a very bright person."

2011

Fast-forward to 2011. Trump had discovered Twitter. When O'Donnell announced her engagement to Michelle Rounds, he took the opportunity to insult the couple rather than extend his congratulations.

Trump on Rosie's engagement

Trump on Rosie's engagement

O'Donnell immediately fired back, including a link to a Time magazine article detailing his 10 biggest business failures.

Rosie Trump tweet 1

Rosie Trump tweet 1

Trump then tweeted a video in which he called her show on OWN "a complete and total disaster."

"It's really amazing. When I don't like somebody their shows do really badly," he said.

Trump Rosie tweet 1

Trump Rosie tweet 1

More: Donald Trump gloats over Rosie O'Donnell's failure

2012

During the last election cycle in 2012, Trump managed to sneak another O'Donnell insult into a rant against a totally different celebrity.

Trump Rosie tweet 2

Trump Rosie tweet 2

But later that year, there seemed to be a truce. After O'Donnell suffered a heart attack, Trump actually seemed genuinely concerned for her well-being.

Trump Rosie tweet 3

Trump Rosie tweet 3

No one was more shocked than O'Donnell — and even she suspected that it might be a trap.

Rosie Trump tweet 2

Rosie Trump tweet 2

2014

The feud moved to the back burner while O'Donnell recovered and underwent weight-loss surgery, but when O'Donnell began speaking out about her health, Trump couldn't let the moment pass without comment.

Trump Rosie tweet 4

Trump Rosie tweet 4

Later that year, ABC announced O'Donnell would reclaim her place on The View. Trump definitely had an opinion about that.

Trump Rosie tweet 5 & 6

Trump Rosie tweet 5 & 6

O'Donnell later discussed Trump's comments about her weight with People. "Probably the Trump stuff was the most bullying I ever experienced in my life, including as a child," she said. "It was national, and it was sanctioned societally. Whether I deserved it is up to your own interpretation."

Trump's response was familiar to anyone who ever sparred with mean children: "You started it!"

Trump Rosie tweet 7

Trump Rosie tweet 7

2015

Following O'Donnell's announcement that she was leaving The View and experiencing family troubles — which turned out to be the end of her marriage to Rounds — Trump rubbed salt in her wounds by once again calling her a "loser."

"Well, it's very sad what's happened to The View and I predicted that with Rosie O'Donnell it would fail," he told E! News. "I guess the prediction is correct, but, I mean she's a total train wreck, so let's see what happens and I hope it works out well.... I like the show a lot, but let's face it, Rosie is a loser."

Later that year, during Trump's first debate as a potential Republican presidential nominee, moderator Megyn Kelly questioned Trump about his misogyny. "You've called women you don't like 'fat pigs,' 'dogs,' 'slobs' and 'disgusting animals,'" she began.

"Only Rosie O'Donnell," he quipped.

2016

Trump was pretty busy through much of 2016 securing the Republican nomination, an event that left O'Donnell in disbelief.

Rosie Trump tweet 3 & 4

Rosie Trump tweet 3 & 4

In May, O'Donnell dedicated a fiery stand-up set to her nemesis, telling him, "Eat me."

And finally, at the first 2016 presidential debate, Trump brought O'Donnell into the mix again. When called out by Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for his history of misogyny, Trump strangely tried to defend himself by saying O'Donnell deserved his wrath.

"Rosie O'Donnell, I said very tough things to her, and I think everybody would agree that she deserves it and nobody feels sorry for her," he said.

O'Donnell did not let that slide.

Rosie Trump tweet 5 & 6

Rosie Trump tweet 5 & 6

2017

O'Donnell rang in the new year by firing off a tweet claiming Trump is mentally unstable.

rosie o'donnell tweet about donald trump

rosie o'donnell tweet about donald trump

Her tweet included a link to an article from CNN, which asserts Harry Hurt III, who wrote a book critical of Donald Trump in 1993, was kicked off a Trump-owned Florida golf course Friday when Hurt attempted to greet the president-elect, who was also playing a round.

Hurt told CNN of Trump's time in office, "Donald will continue to exhibit the erratic behavior he has exhibited his entire life."

As for O'Donnell, she concluded her tweet by rallying Americans to stop him in the three weeks before his inauguration as president, which is scheduled to take place on January 20, 2017.

With roots so deep, this is one feud — or non-feud, as O'Donnell says — that may never be resolved.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

celebs against trump slideshow
Image: FayesVision/WENN.com

There's already a documentary about Debbie Reynolds & Carrie Fisher's lives

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Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher may have just died a week ago, but HBO already has a trailer out for a documentary it's releasing about the mother/daughter duo's relationship.

In all fairness, HBO has reportedly been preparing the documentary for years, starting in 2014. The filming was planned leading up to Reynolds preparation to receive her Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2015, which Fisher presented to her.

More: What you need to know about women and heart attacks after Carrie Fisher's death

But the timing of the release can't be all coincidence.

The documentary, officially titled Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds is described as a "story of the family’s complicated love," and offers "an intimate portrait of Hollywood royalty in all its eccentricity."

The trailer does not disappoint.

bright lights documentary trailer 1

bright lights documentary trailer 1

"At the one end of the family compound in Beverly Hills lived Debbie Reynolds, star of Singin’ in the Rain, with Dorothy’s red slippers from The Wizard of Oz on the mantelpiece," directors Alexis Bloom and Fisher Stevens told People. "Adjacent was Princess Leia, in a house where Bette Davis once lived. You don’t get more Hollywood royalty than that. Storytelling magic lived around them… They had what Carrie called 'rampant empathy' for each other."

More: Twitter remembers Carrie Fisher's contributions to fighting mental illness stigma

Stevens and Bloom added, "We started out making a film about Hollywood royalty. And we ended up making a film about love."

Not gonna lie, the trailer alone was enough to make me tear up. I'm going to be an absolute mess watching this documentary and these iconic ladies as they truly were.

Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds premieres Jan. 7 on HBO.

More: Debbie Reynolds lived a life of heartbreak but didn't let it destroy her

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Carrie Fisher slideshow
Image: WENN

Luann de Lesseps apparently had a strange, last-minute wedding gift request

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Luann de Lesseps and Tom D'Agostino's was said to be a classy and sophisticated event over the New Year's Eve weekend, except one request.

According to PageSix, guests were thrown when D'Agostino and de Lesseps changed their wedding gift request last minute.

More: Expect Luann de Lesseps to wear not one, not two, but three wedding dresses

Initially, the couple had asked that instead of wedding gifts, guests donate to one of two charities the couple had picked out. Then, just two days before the wedding, the two changed their minds and instead send out a GoFundMe link to an account they set up asking for money to help with the medical bills of an unnamed relative who suffered from an unidentified ailment.

While it still seems like the intention was honorable, the outlet reports that guests were unimpressed, especially since de Lesseps and D'Agostino have enough money to afford a lavish wedding and help a sick relative.

"You’re going to spend a half-million-plus on a wedding, and then ask your friends to cough up for your relative’s Band-Aids?" A clearly unhappy source told PageSix. “LuAnn and Tom are both very rich — [they should] write a check to their relative and not hustle their wedding guests for cash.”

Ouch.

More: Maybe it's none of our business, but Luann de Lesseps should dump her fiancé

Despite the last minute change in gift requests, it seems like the overall wedding was an absolute hit. D'Agostino and de Lesseps documented the festivities on social media.

luann de lesseps wedding pic 1

luann de lesseps wedding pic 1

luann de lesseps wedding pic 2

luann de lesseps wedding pic 2

"The wedding was such a blast! Everyone had a wonderful time," an unnamed guest told Entertainment Tonight. "Luann and Tom looked so happy. They really got to have fun with all their guests. It was a New Years Eve to remember! You can really tell how much they love each other. Their friends couldn't be happier for them!"

luann de lesseps wedding pic 3

luann de lesseps wedding pic 3

Congrats to the newlyweds!

More: Ramona Singer has surprising news about LuAnn de Lesseps' fiancé

Do you think it was tacky for de Lesseps and D'Agostino to request money for a family member just two days before the wedding?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Real Housewives slideshow
Image: Bravo

5 girl bosses who have taken the pet industry by storm

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Considering more than $62 billion is being spent each year by pet parents across the USA, there’s no denying that pets have become big business (not just adorable, loving additions to our families). And, the rise of the girl boss has certainly hit the pet industry too, just as it’s been affecting business culture throughout a variety of industries across the country. Here are five pet industry girl boss success stories to inspire you today.

More: 13 fun gifts for your pooch that you'll love too

Stephanie Boone – Wondercide

Image: Wondercide

After Stephanie Boone’s dog, Luna, suffered life-changing side effects from a veterinarian-prescribed flea and tick treatment, Boone set out on her own to find a safe formula and healthy solution for Luna. After multiple vets told her it was time to put Luna down, Boone wouldn’t budge – there was a solution and she was going to find it. Having left her career, Boone founded Wondercide and hasn’t looked back since. Today, Wondercide is the leader in natural, safe and effective flea and tick protection and offers an extensive line of products 100 percent free of harsh chemicals, made with only top-grade ingredients to help make pets their healthiest selves. Earlier this year, the company was featured on the ABC hit show, Shark Tank and the brand was named one of the “11 Best Products Ever Seen on Shark Tank” by Forbes.

Alisa Johnson – Dogs on Deployment

Image: Dogs on Deployment

Husband and wife Shawn and Alisa, both members of the U.S. military, found themselves in a tough situation when Alisa received orders to relocate to Quantico, Virginia for six months, and Shawn had orders to be deployed at the same time. With their pup JD, needing a home while they were both relocated, they struggled to find a stable home for JD until the family was able to come to the rescue. That's why in 2011, Dogs on Deployment was born. While they were lucky enough to have family nearby, they quickly realized a need for many military families across the U.S. who often find themselves in the same or similar situations. Today, Dogs on Deployment is a thriving non-profit making a difference in both military lives and pet’s lives across the U.S..

More: 9 fall treats your dog will love even more than playing in leaves

Joanna Rein – Soggy Doggy Doormat

Image: Soggy Doggy LLC

As a busy mom of four kids and one tireless dog, Buddy, Joanna needed the ultimate cleaning solution to suit her busy, on-the-go lifestyle. After endless trials of every doormat or towel already on the market, Rein set out to create her own solution: the Soggy Doggy Doormat. Made of microfiber chenille shag, the “noodle” fibers make the Soggy Doggy Doormat products five times more absorbent than your average towel and have become an essential life (and time) saver in homes across America. Since the launch of Soggy Doggy, Rein has extended her business to a multitude of life and timesaving essentials: Soggy Doggy Doormat, Soggy Doggy Super Shammy, Soggy Doggy Crate Mate, Super Snoozers, Slopmats and the Slobber Swabber! Her products have received countless industry awards, and national recognition. The microfiber noodles lock in excess dirt and mud, perfect for messy paws year round!

Jennifer Graham – Cuddle Clones

Image: Cuddle Clones

In 2005, Jennifer and her Great Dane, Rufus, were just having a normal day at the park, until Jennifer realized how fun and adorable it would be to have a stuffed animal of Rufus – and not just any stuffed animal – an identical Rufus twin! After several years of not letting go of her idea and the passing of Rufus, Jennifer knew this was her time to honor his memory and Cuddle Clones was born. After six years in the pet industry, Jennifer has poured her heart, time and effort into creating a brand to create “happy pets and happy people” through one-of-a-kind plush replicas of furry family members across the USA!

Rashi Narang – Heads Up for Tails

Image: Heads Up for Tails

After growing up with many dogs in her life, Rashi, originally from India, knew from just a young age that she wanted to do something creative and fun surrounding the pet industry where she could always be “surrounded by wagging tails and happy barks!” After a job in the corporate banking industry, Rashi realized that she was not living her dream and went on to pursue her passion for pets. After her dog Sara came into her life, Rashi set out to design a line of premium products that offer fun and endless love for owners to shower their pets with. Over a glass of wine with her good friend, Dhara, and discussing the sad news of Dhara’s move to the USA, Heads Up for Tails, USA was born and the business plan was on a roll. With extensive designs and products available now in the USA, Rashi and her team are innovating new products every dog and pet parent loves!

More: 13 reasons all animal owners should get pet insurance

The Apprentice turned into a presidential campaign when no one was watching

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From real estate mogul to reality star to president, Donald Trump's career has seen many ups and downs over the years. As he basks in the glow of his recent campaign victory, it's easy for the public to forget that, before he was the most unexpected political success story, he was viewed as little more than a punchline.

More: 11 things feminists should brace themselves for now that Donald Trump has won

During tonight's episode of Frontline, Trump's unlikely rise from joke of the 90s to political powerhouse was explored in detail. According to the PBS documentary, the big turning point for Trump occurred when he took on the role Arnold Schwarzenegger now enjoys on The Apprentice. Prior to this reality TV gig, he was thought of as a manifestation of 1980s excesses — and a joke of a businessman. Remember, this is the guy who promised McDonalds' Grimace that "together, we could own this town."

Donald Trump Grimace video

Donald Trump Grimace video

Those interviewed for the Frontline special claim that public perception is everything to Trump, who desperately wants to be viewed as a winner. He could not tolerate the poor reputation he earned during the 1990s, so he worked hard to turn it around. For all his flaws, it's impossible to deny how savvy he is with the media — with his carefully constructed image on The Apprentice, he went from a laughingstock to a figure of admiration. He began to realize that this rise did not have to end with reality television.

More: Donald Trump's ex-wife Ivana has her eyes on a political prize

According to Frontline, Trump eventually began to view fans of The Apprentice as more than mere viewers — he regarded them as potential voters. He even asked his contestants whether they'd consider voting for him if he ran for office. Viewers thought he was joking, but if Frontline's theory is correct, he already had a plan in motion by this point.

Donald Trump Frontline video

Donald Trump Frontline video

More: Donald Trump would really love to take away Alec Baldwin's First Amendment rights

What's the takeaway of all this? Well, those reality shows we all love to hate are way more powerful than anybody ever expected. Trump's story is a clear warning: do not discount the power of reality TV. Could Arnold Schwarzenegger be the next to snag the White House? Unlikely, given his birthplace...but then again, Trump's victory was widely regarded as not just unlikely, but impossible.

Do you think The Apprentice made Donald Trump's presidency possible? Comment and share your opinion below.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

melania trump quotes slideshow
Image: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Janet Jackson's baby conspiracy theory is even crazier than Beyoncé's

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In the world of celebrity conspiracy theories, Beyoncé's so-called fake pregnancy ranks up there as one of the most hotly debated. But leave it to an OG like Janet Jackson to one-up her.

Settle in kids, because this yarn might take a hot minute. And it's a doozy.

So as the whole world knows by now, Janet Jackson "gave birth" to her "first" child this week at 50 years old, a baby boy she and husband Wissam Al Mana named Eissa. Why are those words in quotes? That's where the conspiracy comes in — and this one goes way, way back.

More: The craziest rumors about Janet Jackson's pregnancy are flying around right now

Last May we told you about a longstanding rumor, seemingly confirmed by her ex-husband El DeBarge, that a 16-year-old Janet secretly gave birth to a baby girl who she gave up for adoption. There are various theories on who this secret baby may be, but one contender is her "niece" Brandi, who happened to be adopted by Janet's brother Jackie in 1982 — when Janet was 16.

Dun dun DUN.

Fast forward a few decades. Last spring Janet announced her pregnancy at the unlikely age of 49 years old. While some pointed to the probably use of donor eggs as the cause, another theory sprang to light: that Janet wasn't actually pregnant at all. Instead, the idea goes, she had her secret daughter impregnated to carry the baby for her, with the intent of raising the baby as her own. Sort of a reversal of fortune, if you will. And that she did it to excuse canceling her failing world tour.

No, I'm not kidding, this is a real conspiracy theory being bandied about on the internet. For example:

Janet Jackson baby conspiracy theory tweets

Janet Jackson baby conspiracy theory tweets

Another fun addition to the theory is that she did it to excuse canceling her failing world tour.

Y'all, this is way more compelling than Bey's magically folding stomach.

So what does Janet have to say about this? Nothing, because we're lucky we even know about little Eissa in the first place. Janet is notoriously private, to the point that she was married to René Elizondo for nine years and no one knew about it until they divorced. So if, in fact, this little bundle of joy is actually her biological grandchild, it will probably be yet another secret she will take to the grave.

Kim Kardashian West is just trying to fool you with that sneaky social media gag

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We always expected Kim Kardashian West's return to social media to cause a bit of a frenzy, but we thought it would be because she'd made an epic comeback (after laying low following her terrifying robbery in Paris, France), not because she altered her last name.

More: Kanye West's squashing the Kim Kardashian West divorce rumors with one photo

But that's exactly what happened on Tuesday, Jan. 3, when Kardashian West dropped the "West" from her surname on both her Twitter and Instagram handles. Fans reacted with great concern to the move, especially since Kardashian West and her husband Kanye West have been plagued by divorce rumors in recent weeks, and her move seemed to suggest that there was indeed cause for concern.

But not so fast.

Just as quickly as Kardashian West altered her surname, she changed it back again, cementing the fact that she and Kanye are still a happy family. Breaking her social media silence, she posted a photo of her, Kanye, and their two children, North and Saint West.

Kim Kardashian Instagram

Kim Kardashian Instagram

More: Watch Kim Kardashian West's sexy Love advent video

The photo shows the entire family wearing white, and Kardashian West chose to caption it with only one word: "family." Of course, fans ultimately breathed a sigh of relief, and expressed their excitement to see Kardashian West not only back on Instagram, but also with her family.

Comments on the picture include one from light7whitetiger who wrote, "Beautiful! Prayers of strength 4 You & Your Family!"

Brendamoonwalker echoed these thoughts, writing, "You're back!!!! Miss you! Such a cute family!!" While steff_mariaa commented with "Perfect family."

More: Kim Kardashian West is back on social media with a new profile

So to conclude, Kim and Kanye are still very much together, and her sneaky name change was nothing to worry about.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

kim and kanye slideshow
Image: Noel Velazquez/Getty Images
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