Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato is no stranger to hair color experimentations, and it almost makes sense that she dyed her hair neon pink for her Neon Lights Tour. Lovato took this look to a whole new level by firing up the electric razor and trimming one side of her head. And guess what? If you don't like it, her Twitter post informs us that, "IDGAF." Well, then.

10 Celebs who have been fat-shamed and how they got revenge >>

#NEONLIGHTSTOUR pic.twitter.com/GCmEIa7bU4

— demetria lovato (@ddlovato) March 4, 2014

Nicole Richie

Since her infamous days with Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie has really transformed into a respectable celebrity. That said, just as we were mentally begging Kelly Osbourne to please, puh-lease get rid of the washed out purple hair, Richie follows suit. Purple can be a fun way to pull yourself out of a hair rut, just not this shade. It looks like it belongs on an aging witch from a Disney movie. We have to hand it to her though — as much as we hope this look is short-lived — Richie wears it well.

Nicole Richie on motherhood and former BFF Paris Hilton >>

Kate Bosworth

Naturally blond Kate Bosworth is no stranger to hair color and felt so strongly about being a redhead for her new movie Still Alice that she actively lobbied for it. She told Cinema Blaze of her part in the new movie, "I wanted to be a redhead and I was hellbent on that." Looks like Bosworth got her way as she is a "ginger," for now.

Photo credit: Alberto Reyes/WENN

Liza Minnelli

Liza Minnelli, subject of the controversial Ellen DeGeneres cross-dressing Oscar joke, shows us that hair with attitude does not have an expiration date. The 67-year-old icon rocked a shock of blue hair for the 2014 Oscars.

The Ellen DeGeneres zingers that saved Oscar night >>

Photo credit: Adriana Barraza/WENN

Nursing a baby, and a drink

Alcohol and breastfeeding are a no-no, right? Well, maybe not. Here's why.

As a new mom, you may wonder if drinking alcohol is prohibited while you are breastfeeding. A commonly-cited rule of thumb regarding breastfeeding and drinking alcohol is: if you’re sober enough to drive, you’re sober enough to nurse your baby — but how does that translate to the real world?

Research has shown that small amounts of alcohol are considered to not be harmful to your nursing babe, but the key here is “small amounts,” as well as the time frame from drinking to nursing again. We spoke to experts and moms alike on how they handle the occasional glass of wine or beer while they have a nursing baby.

What do experts say?

The American Academy of Pediatrics states that alcohol is not a contraindication to breastfeeding. In their policy statement on breastfeeding, they say, “... ingestion of alcoholic beverages should be minimized and limited to an occasional intake but no more than 0.5 g alcohol per kg body weight, which for a 60 kg [around 132 pounds] mother is approximately 2 oz liquor, 8 oz wine, or 2 beers. Nursing should take place 2 hours or longer after the alcohol intake to minimize its concentration in the ingested milk.”

Dr. Thomas Hale is a clinical pharmacologist and a professor at Texas Tech University School of Medicine. He is also the author of Medications and Mothers' Milk and considered a leading expert on human lactation and the use of medication, and he was on hand to explain this in simpler terms. “I always generally recommend two hours before nursing a baby per drink of alcohol, so if you have two beers or two shots of whiskey, wait three to four hours before nursing again,” he tells us.

Moderation is key

Many moms we spoke with also feel that a drink or two is totally fine. “I have read a ton of research on this topic, and I have no problem having a drink while nursing,” explains a mom of two from Canada. “If I am feeling intoxicated, I would not nurse my baby. If I am having one beer while out for dinner I do not see any problem. The whole 'pump and dump' is not necessary.”

Dr. Hale agrees. In his research, he has found that alcohol exits mama’s milk just like it exits her blood and is not stored within the milk compartment. He told us that very little of the alcohol goes into mom’s milk in the first place (around 16 percent of her dose) and that as humans metabolize alcohol quickly, the passage of time is the most important component women need to worry about. “As mom metabolises it, it goes right out, and pumping and dumping is not necessary for small amounts,” he says. “If a mother drinks excessively, she should wait until the next day to nurse again. She should pump, not to get rid of the alcohol in her milk — but to keep her supply up over that time period.”

Alcohol and supply

Some moms have heard that drinking a beer can actually have a beneficial effect on a mother’s milk supply, but Dr. Hale says that is not the case at all. “Alcohol reduces the release of oxytocin, which means it can inhibit letdown, which in turn means while you have alcohol on board, you will make less milk,” he reports. “There is an old wives’ tale that having a drink can increase your milk supply, but it’s actually the opposite. If you have a milk production supply issue, or you have a premature baby, I recommend that you don’t use alcohol at all.”

Bottoms up!

The lowdown on drinking while breastfeeding is that moderation is definitely crucial, but watching the clock is even more important. If you go out to dinner and have a glass of wine, you’re probably fine to nurse your baby when you get home.

More on breastfeeding

Real moms with low milk supply
How can Dad support the breastfeeding mom?
Why you should breastfeed your toddler

Photo credits: Image Source/Stockbyte/Getty Images and Markus Guhl/Photodisc/Getty Images

Scarlett Johansson

Surprise! Scarlett Johansson is pregnant with her first child with her fiancé, French journalist Romain Dauriac — and she is already around five months pregnant!

The 29-year-old actress made an appearance last Friday with Dauriac at the 39th Cesar Awards in Paris wearing black pants and a blue blazer to try to disguise her midsection, however we think we spot a little baby bump.

Johansson, who was previously married to Ryan Reynolds for three years, said recently that she is in no hurry to get married.

"I'm not doing any wedding planning,” she told Good Morning America in January.

So was this baby a surprise? Possibly — however she just told the Daily Mail that she thinks you should plan out the right time.

"I would like to have my own family, that would be nice," she said. "They say it's never the right time and I am sure that's true, but I think you have to plan it like anything else. At some point it is something I look forward to. I am fortunate in that I have had a long career — 20 years — that has been very diverse. So, you know, picking a time to plan a family feels like something that I could do and not feel as though I was missing out."

Next up: Pregnant Kerry Washington chows down on pizza in her Oscar gown

 {pageBreak}

<iframe src="//instagram.com/p/lESoiVgBvq/embed/" width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe>

Kerry Washington

How scandalous! Pregnant actress Kerry Washington shared this photo on Instagram as she munched on pizza during the Oscars in the green room, after host Ellen DeGeneres passed out pizza during the live show to stars including Jennifer Lawrence and Brad Pitt.

“Yes! @TheEllenShow There IS gluten-free pizza!!!!#OSCARS #greenroom,” Washington captioned the photo.

Washington looked gorgeous wearing a purple Jason Wu gown strapless gown paired with Christian Louboutin heels.

The Scandal star, who plays Olivia Pope in the hit show, is expecting her first child with her husband, former NFL player Nnamdi Asomugha.

Next up: Kristin Cavallari shows off her baby bump at the Oscars after-party

{pageBreak}

Kristin Cavallari

Former Laguna Beach star Kristin Cavallari showed off her baby bump in a cute Balmain frock at the Elton John Oscars after-party.

Cavallari, who is expecting her second child with her husband, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, was on the red carpet at the Oscars as she provided fashion commentary with E! News alongside Giuliana Rancic and Kelly Osbourne. She wore a white Alexander McQueen on the red carpet, before changing into this short lace gown for the after party.

In addition to shoe designer, Cavallari will add another job to her resume as she will also host a new half-hour show on E! called The Fabulist.

“We will discuss the top trends in fashion, beauty and lifestyle,” she said, explaining the concept of the show.

Cavallari will welcome another baby boy this spring. Her son Camden is 18 months old.

Next up: The Office star Jenna Fischer debuts her baby bump!

{pageBreak}

Jenna Fischer

The Office star Jenna Fischer is pregnant with her second child! The 39-year-old actress debuted her baby bump in a sparkly tunic paired with black leggings at the 5th Annual QVC Red Carpet Style event on Feb. 28.

This is the second child for Fischer and her husband, writer and director Lee Kirk. Their son Weston Lee is 2 1/2 years old.

It sounds like Fischer is already stocking up on maternity clothes! “Awww...thank you @ingridandisabel for the maternity wear care package! Especially loving the floral maxi dress :) #happymomma,” she tweeted.

And as far as those pregnancy cravings? “I ordered a salad and a donut for lunch,” the actress wrote. Hey, at least she is getting her greens!

Her on-screen husband from The Office, John Krasinski welcomed his first child, a girl named Hazel, with actress Emily Blunt last month.

Next up: Actress Olivia Wilde (who is 7 months pregnant!) looks gorgeous at the Oscars

{pageBreak}

Olivia Wilde

Bumpin’ in black! Olivia Wilde showed off her baby bump in a black Valentino dress as she posed with her fiancé, Saturday Night Live alum Jason Sudeikis, at the Academy Awards on Sunday.

The Her actress had some serious pregnancy cravings after the Oscars, as she tweeted a picture going through a fast food drive-through, writing, “Post Oscars fancy feast. This man is our hero.”

Wilde is 7 months pregnant and is expecting her first child on May 4 or "May the fourth be with you" as she affectionately calls it, referring to the Star Wars holiday.

Wilde and Sudeikis are expecting a baby boy and she cleared up the rumor that they were naming him a Star Wars-inspired name. “No we aren't naming this kid Luke after Skywalker. Stupid bullsh** tabloids. I would never do that to little Simba,” she wrote.

From Kelly Clarkson to Lil' Kim and JWoww, check out more celebrity bumps here >>

Photo credit: WENN

Image courtesy of ABC

There was a little scene in this episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. that really made me stop and think — and I'm betting it's probably not one that anyone would guess would have that effect. It was the point where Simmons admitted to Trip that she had only known Skye for a few months and that they had absolutely nothing in common. And yet, Trip understood immediately that she couldn't imagine her life without the sassy computer genius.

• ICYMI last week...
• The team tracked Quinn to a train and was after a large purchase he'd made.
• Soon, everyone was split up, some still on the train and some tossed out onto the dirt, to find their way back to the bus.
• Skye and Fitz continued the search for Quinn and followed him inside a mansion. Once inside, Skye was caught by Quinn.
• Skye discovered that Mike was still alive and being controlled by the Clairvoyant. After she had seen enough, Quinn shot her twice in the stomach and left her to die.
• Mike got a new cyber leg and started killing the men who were working with Quinn, and then he left on orders of the Clairvoyant.
• The team found Skye and was able to keep her alive in a hyperbaric chamber, but she was in very critical condition.
• Mike's new identity was revealed. He is Deathlok.

PHOTOS: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. team fights to save Skye >>

Maybe it's the fact that their lives revolve around such complicated jobs. When you're saving the world pretty much on a daily basis, it's bound to make you bond with your teammates. Coulson also voiced that sentiment when the doctor told him to call Skye's family and he told her that they are Skye's family.

That's been a growing theme throughout this fledgling series, and this episode proved that also goes for extended family as well. I was afraid that Garrett and Trip were going to come on board and act like jerks with a holier-than-thou sense of mission, but instead, they joined Coulson and his crew in their fight to keep Skye alive.

How did Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Coulson survive death? >>

That's where things got very interesting and more than a little frightening. In my review of the last episode, I talked about how I thought Skye would probably survive her wounds, but there might be other repercussions to the mission that got her shot in the first place. As it turned out, it wasn't so much the previous mission that was important. It was the lengths the team went through to save her.

Considering the horror that Coulson went through when he died and was brought back, he must really care for Skye a lot to think about doing the same thing to keep her alive. I wasn't sure what the team would find as they followed the clues through his miraculous recovery, but I was completely unprepared for where they ended up.

When Coulson came stumbling down that long hallway looking like he'd seen a ghost, I had a feeling it was bad. Just the mere fact that — after all they had been through to find it — he would scream that they shouldn't give the GH-325 to Skye meant he must have seen something pretty awful.

Should Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Ward be with Skye or May? >>

But as I laid eyes on that alien body and watched as the liquid was being pumped from it, I knew that the implications of Skye getting shot had just taken on a whole new meaning. Not only that, but Coulson's recovery did as well. Both of them have the blood, or whatever it was, flowing in their system, and I just can't believe there won't be effects from that. Whether those effects are good (superpowers, maybe?) or bad... well, that remains to be seen.

My favorite bits:

"We're her family."

"What you're describing is medically impossible."
"Except for the fact that I'm standing here."

"People like us, we need people like him."

Ward admitting that he liked seeing May go after Quinn. He wasn't the only one.

"How did Coulson swing such a sweet ride?"
"He died."
"That's tight."

Garrett grabbing Quinn's tongue. Now, there's an interrogation technique I'd never seen before.

Fitz-Simmons following the virtual paper trail to Director Fury and the location of the Guest House. Those effects were amazing.

"What if they won't help us?"
"I'll say 'pretty please.'"

Garrett telling Fitz he was too serious.

Can you get us inside? To certain horrible death? Absolutely." — Loved that Fitz got the chance to be a part of that team.

Garrett informing Quinn that the good news was that he still had his tongue.

What did you think of this episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.? Do you have any theories on what the effects of the GH-325 will be?

Photo credit: STS/WENN.com

Shakira is one of the most beautiful songstresses the world has ever seen, and we can't lie, she looked incredible while pregnant, but it is a little surprising to learn that she wants a lot more kids — eight or nine to be exact!

Rihanna and Shakira's salacious new music video >>

The Colombian-born star has really blossomed since giving birth to her 13-month-old son Milan, whom she shares with soccer player boyfriend Gerard Piqué, and she has gushed about motherhood on more than one occasion. Let's hope that Piqué wants a brood as big as his "Hips Don't Lie" hit maker does — otherwise, he is in for quite a surprise.

According to Us Weekly, Shakira revealed her dreams about having a big family in the April 2014 issue of Latina, saying, "If it weren't because of my music projects, I would be pregnant already."

"I would love to have eight or nine kids with Gerard — my own fútbol team."

Although, the singer will have to start adding to her brood pretty soon if she wants to have so many children before her biological clock starts ticking. However, although Shakira's career is flourishing — she is about to release her 10th studio album on March 25 and is a judge on The Voice — her son is her No. 1 priority.

"I used to go in circles around an idea, but since he arrived I don't have much time — I have to rush back home — so he has helped me learn how to focus."

Beyoncé vs. P!nk: How to do a music video if you're a mom >>

The "Can't Remember to Forget You" hit maker went on to praise her fans' attitude about her having children. She said, "When you have a baby, when you feel his love, you feel so at peace with the world. You just want to share the good news and share how happy you feel. I have so many people out there that celebrate with me when they know that I'm happy. "

"And they hate it when they know that I'm suffering because someone has hurt me. In a way I feel supported and, in a very strange way, accompanied through life. They express so much love for Milan, so much affection. I can only hope that as he grows up he learns how to give that love back to all of those people that give him so much every day."

And things appear to be going very well in Shakira's personal life, too. She is loving every minute of her time with Milan, and she is filled with love and praise for her FC Barcelona beau.

She said, "He's with me because he wants to be with Shakira the person, not the celebrity. There's real love, there's no ulterior motives. And I'm with him because he's the most amazing man I've ever met. We want the same things, we like the same things, we hate the same things. I have never been with someone so passionate in my life."

Advice from the experts

You can't believe your little angel not only dropped the f-bomb (or another just-as-unsightly curse word), but she used it correctly. You blame your husband, he blames you — but, finger pointing aside, how should you react when this happens?

From potty mouth
to polite mouth

Oh cr@p! Sooner or later, it will probably happen. Your child will curse — and, as luck would have, it will usually happen around a group of people, as it did to Jen Hancock, author of The Bully Vaccine.

“My son was into Beverly Hills Chihuahua and he was playing with friends and called one of the girls a b*tch. He was playing dog. It's the correct term for a female dog. He just had no idea it wasn't OK to call a human girl a dog girl even during pretend play and when he was told he stopped,” says Hancock. “Fortunately, my mom friends thought it was funny and weren't offended either. I'm just glad I haven't had to explain the f-word to him yet!”

Lorraine Hamby recalls the time her daughter, who was 6 at the time, said a curse word while flipping through a book catalog. “She’s trying to figure out which ones she could afford with the money from her piggy bank. She sees one she likes. It’s too expensive. And she says, 'Damn it!' She looked up at me and burst into tears,” recalls Hamby.

Potty mouth pointers

So, your child drops the f-bomb, you stifle a giggle — and then what? Most parenting experts agree you shouldn’t overreact the first time it happens (or wash their mouth out with soap).

Parenting coach Torsten Klaus recommends you take the "Listen-Empathise-Speak" approach.

First of all, listen to your child. “Don't judge or jump to conclusions,” he shares. Next, he says to empathise or think about what your child may have been feeling — if she was angry or upset and perhaps she heard that word from you.

Lastly is speak, he says, giving an example of a conversation you may have.

“Hey Grace, I just heard you say a word. I'm not quite sure, if I heard right. Did you say fu*@?" Wait for your child's response. "OK, I just wanted to check. Well, I really don't like that word. I feel sad when I hear that word and I know it can hurt people. And I don't want people to get hurt. Not you or me or anyone else. Please tell me too, when I use a word you don't like, OK? Would you like a hug, before you go outside again? “

What if they continue to cuss?

What if you have a conversation about appropriate language and your child cusses — again?  “Try not to laugh,” says parenting expert and co-founder of Kinsights.com Jennifer Chung. “If your toddler curses, don’t laugh, even though hearing such words from your wee tot may sound comical or shocking. Don’t repeat the story to other adults in front of the toddler, as this will teach your child to repeat the word or phrase to get a laugh,” she suggests.

For older kids, you can always use the tried-and-true method of the swear jar (put a certain amount of money in a jar if you swear) or you can create a list of chores that must be completed for each swear word used, says Chung.

Doctor of psychology Dr. Nancy B. Irwin says you should also look at the context of their swearing. “It depends on the situation and the energy behind their swearing,” says Irwin. “If they do so with anger, or name-calling/labeling/racial slurs it is a problem. It indicates something is going on and the child needs to be heard in a safe (probably therapeutic) environment.

“If you use these words yourself, yet tell your kids never to do so, you are sending them confusing messages. Walk your talk,” she says. "If they do so because it is "cool" and common in their social circles (and depending upon their age of course) you may want to let them know what the boundaries are — no swearing at home, around grandma, at church, in school, etc."

What about older kids and teens?

Wanda Anglin, owner of SEO Buzz Internet Marketing says, speaking from experience with her own teens, many are repeat offenders with using curse words. “I have even gone so far as to tell my kid that if they want to lose opportunities by having others form opinions of them, that is their choice," she says. "Their friends' parents may not let them hang together, they may lose a job opportunity, etc. But in my presence, it is not allowed because I expect to be shown respect by choosing non-shocking language.

"I find that this acknowledges that they are their own person and have choices, reinforces that using shocking language has its price and sets boundaries for what I want to hear," says Anglin.

Other families may decide that, once their child reaches a certain age, the occasional curse word is not that big of a deal.

“If you and your mate use colorful language in a fun, expressive way (again, not out of anger), then you may choose to allow your kids to do so in the safety of home,” says Irwin. “Of course if your kids are very young, you may not want to model inappropriate language until they are old enough to know the meaning of the words and to discriminately use them. That usually occurs around puberty.”

More parenting tips

Yep, I let my kids curse!
Are you pushing your kids too hard — or not hard enough?
Is the tooth fairy actually good for kids?

Your family will love this twist to chicken breasts! Stuffing them with a cheesy spinach and olive mixture packs a flavorful punch.

Tip: Facts Up Front has created a label to make sure you're getting nutritional bang for your calorie buck. You can find it on the front of most packaged foods, outlining per-serving calories, fat, salt, and more.

Start by mixing cream cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and spinach in a large bowl.

Spread the cheese and spinach mixture onto chicken breasts that have been pounded to about a 1/4-inch thickness. Top with sliced black olives.

Roll the chicken breasts up and secure with a toothpick or a wooden skewer that has been shortened. The chicken will then be dipped into a cracker crumb mixture and baked.

Creamy spinach and olive stuffed chicken recipe

Serves 6

Adapted from KraftRecipes.com

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 (4 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
• 6 small boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to about 1/4-inch thick
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup crushed buttery (Ritz) crackers

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, place cream cheese, spinach, mozzarella cheese, garlic powder and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Stir with a large spoon to combine.
3. Spread cheese mixture over chicken breasts. Top each breast evenly with black olives.
4. Roll up breasts tightly and secure with a toothpick.
5. In a small bowl, mix remaining Parmesan cheese and cracker crumbs.
6. Dip each rolled chicken breast into beaten egg, then roll in crumb and cheese mixture to coat.
7. Place in a greased casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes, or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
8. Remove toothpicks and serve.

More stuffed chicken recipes

Stuffed chicken with pesto and goat cheese
Mushroom stuffed chicken
Light and healthy stuffed chicken breasts

Shrimp in spicy lemongrass soup recipe

Ingredients:

• 8-10 ounces dry flat Thai rice noodles
• 6 cups no-sodium chicken stock
• 12 medium raw shrimp, shells removed
• Kamaboko fish cake (optional)
• 1 stalk minced lemongrass
• 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon galangal or 1-1/2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
• 1-2 dried tsien tsien chilies
• Handful fresh mushrooms such as oyster or shiitake, sliced thinly
• Handful baby bok choy
• 7 ounces coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Juice 1 lime
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• Sriracha sauce (optional)

Note: Facts Up Front has created a label to make sure you're getting nutritional bang for your calorie buck. You can find it on the front of most packaged foods, outlining per-serving calories, fat, salt, and more.

Directions:

Cook noodles according to package directions and set aside. Pour stock into a deep soup pot. Add lime zest. Over medium heat, allow to come to a boil as you prepare your lemongrass. Use your fingers to pry away the outer layers of the lemongrass stalk. Begin to cut the stalk into thinly sliced rounds. Put rounds and outer stalks into broth. You will not eat the larger stalks, but they will help to flavor the soup.

Add galangal, garlic, tsien tsien chilies and mushrooms. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the mushrooms have softened. Meanwhile, slice the kamaboko fish cake if using. Add the shrimp, kamaboko fish cake, or other seafoods you may be using, along with the baby bok choy to the broth. Allow to simmer for 3-4 minutes until the shrimp has turned pink and any other seafood you may have added has cooked properly.

Add the coconut milk, fish sauce, soy sauce and lime juice. Stir well to incorporate the coconut milk. Add noodles. Serve in bowls with cilantro sprinkled over the top and a healthy amount of Sriracha (if desired).

• Most grocery stores will have an Asian foods section that will carry most ingredients in this recipe. If they don't, a trip to an Asian grocer is well worth the time and effort.
• When buying lemongrass, look for stalks that feel firm, smell fragrant and are fresh without discoloration. You are looking for stalks that are pale at the bottom and bright green at the top.
• Garlic can be bought minced to help save you time.
• Do not used salted chicken broth. This recipe calls for soy sauce, which can skew the saltiness of the soup. It is best to season with additional salt at the end of the recipe than have to water down the soup because the salted broth made the soup briny.
• Galangal is not the easiest spice to find. If you do go to an Asian supermarket you won't have a problem. Shopping online or at a specialty spice store such as Penzeys will work, too. If you don't have the time to do either, you can replace the 1 teaspoon of galangal with 1-1/2 teaspoons of fresh grated ginger.
• The bright pink fish cake shown above is optional and a matter of preference. Consider replacing with a handful of fresh mussels or scallops.
• Tsien tsien peppers pack a punch and can also be found at specialty spice stores. They also can be replaced by the chilies of your choice, but for authenticity, go spicy!

More Asian-inspired recipes

Spicy mushroom and cabbage Stir-fry
Asian green beans with sesame and garlic
Quick Asian noodles with shrimp

Spicy cabbage and mushroom stir-fry recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon chives. chopped
• 1 teaspoon garlic, chopped
• 1 pound button mushrooms, whole with largest mushrooms cut in half
• 4 cups cabbage, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha or other chili sauce
• 2 teaspoons chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 cups sushi rice
• 1 cup quinoa
• 4 tablespoons sushi seasoning (vinegar)

Note: Facts Up Front has created a label to make sure you're getting nutritional bang for your calorie buck. You can find it on the front of most packaged foods, outlining per-serving calories, fat, salt, and more.

Directions:

Combine sushi rice and quinoa. Rinse well with water until water runs clear. Use the amounts of water specified on the package. This can be cooked in a rice cooker on the white rice setting or on the stovetop. For the stovetop, combine rice, quinoa and water. Heat to a boil; cover tightly. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand without lifting the lid for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, begin your stir-fry.

Chop the cabbage, mushrooms, chives, and ginger. Stir-fry cooks incredibly quickly, so it is best to have all your ingredients chopped before you begin.

Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add in the peanut oil, ginger, chives and garlic. Stir-fry for about 20 seconds. Pay close attention as they will scorch easily. Add in the mushrooms. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Pay close attention as they will scorch easily. Stir constantly. Quickly add in the cabbage, chili sauce, chicken stock and soy sauce.

Continue to stir-fry for another 5 minutes or so until the mushrooms are fully cooked. Remove from heat.

Just before you serve, drizzle with sesame oil and give the mixture a quick stir. At this point your rice and quinoa should be finished cooking. Sprinkle sushi seasoning over the warm rice and quinoa and stir. Fill plates with quinoa rice mixture. Scoop stir-fry on top to serve.

• Peanut oil is used for flavor as well as its high smoke point. It can cook at higher temperatures without scorching. If someone has a peanut allergy. try using sesame oil.
• Mixing quinoa in with sushi rice allows you to sneak in some extra protein and fiber. The taste and consistency are so similar nobody will ever know the difference. You can mix both together and cook at the same time.
• Sushi seasoning vinegar can be found in most Asian foods sections of the grocery store. If they do not have sushi seasoning specifically, they will have rice vinegar which makes a good substitution. Mix together 1/2 cup of rice vinegar with 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 teaspoons of salt as a replacement.

Additional recipes

Shrimp in spicy lemongrass soup
Wild mushroom soup
Asian green beans with sesame and garlic

Whenever I hear someone talk about portion size I automatically excuse myself from being one who eats too much, but the facts don't lie. As a nation we are eating 31 percent more calories than we were 40 years ago. This is disturbing. We need to find balance. The old adage energy in vs. energy out is essential to fixing this dilemma.

The good news: Due to an ingenious program by the Grocery Manufacturers Association called Facts Up Front, we can easily see how many calories are in a food right on the front of the package and the size of the portion necessary to stick to that calorie count. For this busy mom, that makes a world of difference. I can now look at the product on the shelf and know how much I should serve in one meal without picking it up, finding my glasses and reading the information on the back.

Did you know the average American eats 132 pounds of sugar in a year? That amounts to an extra 500 calories a day! The sweet stuff has been linked to serious health issues like obesity and depression as well as problems like acne. Sugar can be a sneaky additive to our food, so paying close attention is key.

The good news: We have a goal! The American Heart Association recommends eating no more than 6 teaspoons a day for women and 9 for men. Let's start paying attention to the grams of sugar on our labels. When thinking about daily limits, 1 teaspoon equals roughly 4 grams of sugar.

Whole grains are a necessary part of a healthy diet. Unfortunately, upwards of 40 percent of Americans don't touch them at all. I have to admit, I wasn't totally sure what constituted a whole grain, but a quick trip to the Whole Grains Council let me know that we need to be looking for products that contain the entire grain —  with the bran, germ and endosperm intact.

The good news: The grains can be processed and still keep their nutritional value, so if you see the terms cracked, crushed, rolled, extruded or cooked you can still benefit from the product. Some key health benefits to look for on a label containing whole grains are B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, iron and fiber.

We have been hearing this for years, and yet many of us are still struggling to eat the ideal amount of saturated fats. When checking your food label, be sure that the amount of saturated fats you consume is limited to less than 7 percent of total daily calories.

The good news: Many labels not only show the saturated fat of foods in grams but also show you the percentage of your daily intake! Super easy right?

Ninety percent of us consume too much salt. Salt is sneaky and can be found in places you would never suspect.

The good news: You can be a salt-sleuth! Pay attention to the sodium content in your food (and drinks). The Mayo Clinic recommends keep your intake to less than 2,300 milligrams per day (less if you are 51 or older). This one simple change will drastically reduce your risk for high blood pressure.

As a mom this is probably the number one reason I want to do a better job of knowing what I am feeding my family. Twenty-three percent of teens test positive for prediabetes today (that is up 300 percent in 10 years). I cannot bear to think about my kids being sick, let alone chronically ill. While they are still young, I am responsible to keep them healthy. Armed with new information and resources, this mom is going to do a better job starting today.

The good news: You can start improving the health of your kids today by making healthy choices for yourself and for them.

Although we think the nutrition labeling system is great, we were paid to mention Facts Up Front in this article.

More on healthy eating

10 Secrets to healthier cooking
8 Superfoods to add to your smoothie
5 Easy ways to use chia seeds

Photo credit: Fuse/Getty Images

Keeping your health simple

We all have a million things on our proverbial plate these days. Unfortunately, being busy can have a negative impact on what we put on our actual plates. Here are five easy ways to make your health a priority while also simplifying the shopping process.

Knowing what you are putting in your body is fundamental to being healthy. Often the fine print and complicated verbiage on food labels can frustrate even the most diligent among us. But, many of your favorite products are adopting a super-simple and effective labeling system from the Grocery Manufacturers Association called Facts Up Front that makes knowing what is in your food a cinch. The new system puts key nutritional information on the front of the package, so a quick glance during a busy shopping trip provides the information you need! It's like CliffsNotes for food — genius!

More easy ways to stay healthy

3 Mouthwatering heart-healthy recipes
6 Reasons you should start reading food labels
10 Secrets to healthier cooking

Photo credit: John E. Kelly/Photodisc/Getty Images

Chicken recipes can get mundane... this recipe incorporates ingredients you wouldn't normally think to add to chicken such as cinnamon, yogurt and ground cloves. The combination of herbs and spices in the marinade gives the chicken a unique and robust flavor. Serve with a spring fruit salad for the ultimate healthy dinner!

There are several different ways to prepare chicken shawarma. It is typically grilled slowly on a spit for up to a day. This recipe is my simpler adaptation of traditional chicken shawarma.

Tip: Facts Up Front has created a label to make sure you're getting nutritional bang for your calorie buck. You can find it on the front of most packaged foods, outlining per-serving calories, fat, salt, and more.

Chicken shawarma is typically served with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and a yogurt sauce wrapped in flat bread or pita bread. I added shredded mozzarella cheese for extra flavor.

Do yourself a favor and experience the powerful flavors of this unique chicken dish!

Chicken shawarma and spring fruit salad recipe

Serves 4

Adapted from BudgetBytes.com

Ingredients:

For the chicken and marinade

• 2 large chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

For the yogurt sauce topping

• 7 ounces plain yogurt
• 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon dill

For the sandwich

• 4 slices flat bread or pita bread
• 2 cups lettuce
• 1 large cucumber, sliced
• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

For the spring fruit salad

• 3 cups baby arugula
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup fresh sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup peeled and diced mango

For the spring fruit salad dressing

• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons honey

Directions:

For the chicken shawarma

1. Place ingredients for marinade in a small bowl and combine. Add chicken and coat with marinade. Cover and allow to marinate 4 to 24 hours, refrigerated.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and sauté for 6-8 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink, turning twice. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Prepare yogurt sauce by combining yogurt sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
4. Assemble by placing chicken strips on top of flat bread (or pita bread) slices. Layer evenly with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and shredded cheese. Top with yogurt sauce and roll the sandwich closed. Secure with a toothpick or wrap in aluminum foil to hold the sandwich together.

For the spring fruit salad

1. In a small bowl, combine dressing ingredients by whisking until incorporated.
2. In a large bowl, toss arugula, blueberries, strawberries and mango. Drizzle with dressing.

More chicken recipes

Quinoa-crusted chicken
Parmesan garlic baked chicken wings
Spicy Southwest cheesy chicken bake

Arugula is the perfect accompaniment to pasta... when combined with chicken, garlic and cherry tomatoes it turns into a stellar dish your whole family will love!

Tip: Facts Up Front has created a label to make sure you're getting nutritional bang for your calorie buck. You can find it on the front of most packaged foods, outlining per-serving calories, fat, salt, and more.

Start by boiling your choice of pasta, according to package directions (I used penne pasta). Drain and set aside.

Sauté chicken and onions in a skillet over medium-high heat until chicken is cooked, about 6-8 minutes.

Add minced garlic, cherry tomatoes and arugula. Cook until arugula is barely wilted, about 1 minute. Serve over pasta.

Garlic chicken pasta with arugula recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces pasta, cooked according to package directions
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups cubed chicken breast
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 heaping teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 cups baby arugula
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and onions. Sauté until chicken is cooked, about 6-8 minutes.
2. Add garlic, cherry tomatoes, arugula, salt and pepper. Continue to cook until arugula is barely wilted, about 1 minute.
3. Serve over cooked pasta.

More chicken pasta recipes

One-pot chicken enchilada pasta
Pasta with arugula pesto and grilled chicken
Leftover shredded chicken pesto pasta

This broccoli salad has all the ingredients to satisfy your hunger:  meat, cheese and veggies drizzled in a tangy sweet dressing.

Tip: Facts Up Front has created a label to make sure you're getting nutritional bang for your calorie buck. You can find it on the front of most packaged foods, outlining per-serving calories, fat, salt, and more.

The dressing is prepared by simply whisking together white vinegar, sugar and light mayonnaise.

Here are the other ingredients for this hearty broccoli salad:  broccoli florets, ham, cubed cheddar cheese, sliced red onions and cherry tomatoes.

Toss the salad ingredients in a large bowl and drizzle with the tangy dressing. Toss again to coat evenly.

Hearty broccoli chopped salad recipe

Serves 4-6

Adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

For the dressing

• 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
• 1-1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/8 cup white vinegar

For the salad

• 3 cups chopped broccoli florets, stems removed
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1 cup chopped deli ham
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cubed sharp cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients until well combined. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, gently toss salad ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss again to coat evenly.

More broccoli recipes

Skinny broccoli salad
Broccoli, tomato and chickpea salad
Broccoli and mushroom salad

Get the look

celeb Hair trends & tips

He's styled some of the prettiest heads in Hollywood, and now Dove Hair and celeb stylist Mark Townsend is dishing on award season beauty trends, styling tricks and the perfect ponytail.

SheKnows: First, we have to ask: What were the big hair trends you saw on the red carpet this awards season?

Mark Townsend: There were two big trends this season. The first trend is all about getting the volume and the second is all about having beautiful, silky hair.

SK: What has been your favorite red carpet hairstyle you’ve created yourself?

MT: [There are three]: 2007 Golden Globes with Reese Witherspoon; 2013 Academy Awards with Jennifer Lawrence; 2009 Golden Globes with January Jones.

Photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Photo credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Photo credit: George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images

SK: You've styled a lot of celebs for the red carpet. What's your go-to hairstyle when you really want to give them that wow factor?

MT: There is really no go-to hairstyle. It's all about the individual and what they are wearing!

SK: Any amazing styling tips or tricks you have in your arsenal?

MT: I like to spray [hairspray] on a natural bristle toothbrush to tame any flyaway hairs along the hairline. Another great tip is to hold the dryer two to three inches from the hair to avoid creating unnecessary heat damage.

SK: What is the biggest hair styling mistake that most women make?

MT: Using too much heat. Some blow dryers and irons get too hot for the consumers. Also, take smaller sections of hair before using a flat iron. If you run a flat iron over too large of a section, only the top and bottom layers are getting the heat so you have to run the iron over the hair too many times.

SK: Now let's chat special event hair. Before a big event, are there any ways women can make their hair look extra amazing?

MT: I always recommend my clients use a moisturizing treatment the week before a big event. You can leave it in your hair while in the bath or while shaving your legs in the shower. Those extra few minutes on the hair make all the difference!

SK: What are your tips for making a hairstyle last through the night for a special event?

MT: Long-lasting hairstyles are really about the prep. I love the Dove Oxygen Moisture Leave-In Foam because it has a flexible hold without weighing the hair down so the style will really last.

Creating the perfect ponytail is an art. Lucky for us, Mark has had plenty of practice. In honor of last weekend's Oscars, Mark created a sleek, sexy ponytail and was nice enough to share his tips for scoring the style at home.

1. Before styling hair, prep for maximum silkiness and shine using Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Shampoo and Conditioner.
2. While your hair is still damp, warm three to four pumps of Dove Pure Care Dry Oil Nourishing Hair Treatment with African Macadamia Oil in your hands and apply it to locks from mid-length to the tips.
3. Now it's time to blow dry! Use a flat brush to get the desired sleek look.
4. Next, brush the hair straight back and gather it into a tight ponytail. Secure it away with an elastic.
5. Taking a small piece of hair from inside your ponytail, wrap it around the elastic and secure with a bobby pin on the underside of your ponytail.
6. For added smoothness, run a flat iron over the ponytail in small sections.
7. Complete the look by spraying Dove Style+Care Extra Hold Hairspray all over for long-lasting hold.

More Oscars beauty

2014 Oscars beauty report: The best looks of the night
The best Oscars beauty moments of all time
Get the look: Cate Blanchett's Oscars makeup

Photo credit: Mark Townsend

Everything in Paris is inherently more chic (it's just the laws of fashion), so when Chanel decided to host their Paris Fashion Week show in a supermarket, we found the decision nothing short of genius. Chanel is known for their magical fashion shows, but this one took things to a new level of creativity.

If you're going to stage a fashion show in a supermarket, you'd better commit, and commit is just what Karl Lagerfeld and his crew did. Karl even made an appearance in the grand finale as he walked arm in arm with a model who danced alongside him. Every detail, down to the Chanel Shopping Center shopping cart and the models play-shopping around, screamed brilliant and fresh. And really, would we expect anything else from Chanel?

Fashion's elite and Hollywood darlings like Rihanna and Keira Knightley made appearances at the unique show and witnessed the swanky collection's unveiling. So what can we expect from Chanel's fall/winter line? Lots of metallics, tweeds, uber chic outerwear and flashy sneakers in all colors of the rainbow! Make sure you check out our fave piece of the collection: a simply perfect sparkly vest (fast forward to 1:17 to get a peek).

What a delicious collection, no?

More fashion week

10 Things I learned at Fashion Week
Top colors dominating spring/summer 2014
How high fashion trends become ready to wear

Dominic Chan/WENN.com

Third time's a charm for Thandie Newton! The actress has added baby No. 3 to her growing brood — this time, a bouncing boy.

The For Colored Girls star announced her new addition on Twitter, sharing that she had a natural home birth and named her new addition Booker Jombe.

Our baby boy is finally here! Booker Jombe Parker. Born joyously at home yesterday

— Thandie Newton (@thandienewton) March 4, 2014

My 3rd home birth with brilliant independent midwife Caroline Flint - and Carole Goddard @PhoenixMidwives. Keep independent midwifery alive!

— Thandie Newton (@thandienewton) March 5, 2014

Newton wed British writer, director and producer Ol Parker in 1998. The couple already have two daughters together: Ripley, born in 2000, who was named after Sigourney Weaver's character in the Alien movies, and Nico, born in 2004, named after the German singer.

Thandie Newton confesses to a teenage affair with a much-older director >>

Parker also tweeted his pride of becoming a father for the third time and thanked fans for their well-wishes.

We had a baby, that's a beautiful thing. He's called Booker, and while he doesn't do much yet, I suspect him to be awesome.

— Ol Parker (@olparker1) March 4, 2014

Many thanks for all the new baby wishes I haven’t replied to personally. For taking the time, and sending the love; both much appreciated.

— Ol Parker (@olparker1) March 5, 2014

Newton can currently be seen in the DirecTV series Rogue.

Photo credit: WENN

It's been a hard road for the family of Kile Glover since the pre-teen was killed in 2012. But today the family got some closure as the man who was convicted of killing the boy was sentenced to four years in prison, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Brooke Mueller fights losing custody battle from rehab >>

Jeffrey Simon Hubbard was sentenced today by Superior Court Judge Bonnie Oliver for his part in the Lake Lanier boating crash that took place in July of 2012. In addition to the four-year prison term, Hubbard will also spend 15 years on probation for his convictions of serious injury by vessel, reckless operation, unlawful operation of a personal watercraft and boat traffic violation.

"I'm disappointed that you have not accepted more responsibility for what occurred," said Oliver.

Glover was the son of Tameka Foster, who is the ex-wife of pop singer Usher Raymond. The young boy was unresponsive when he was pulled from the water following the accident and never regained consciousness. He succumbed to his injuries about two weeks later.

While Raymond was not Glover's biological father, according to sources close to the family, the two were very close. "Tameka and Usher don't get along, but in this circumstance Usher is coming to her side," a friend told Us Weekly at the time. "Usher practically raised Kyle as his own. He's known him for seven years. It is so sad what happened."

Foster and Raymond have been at odds since the accident as well. In August of 2013, tragedy very nearly struck the family again, when then-5-year-old Usher Raymond V nearly drowned while under the care of Raymond's aunt. Foster blamed Raymond for the accident and sought to regain custody of her sons, but her emergency bid was shut down by a judge.

Let's hope that the conviction will give the family closure and lead them on a healing path.

Photo credit: WENN

Who would have ever thought it? The notoriously harsh X Factor judge has taken to fatherhood very quickly. In his first interview since his Valentine's Day baby was born, Simon Cowell opened up to Extra about his feelings about being a papa.

Sinead O'Connor blames Simon Cowell for killing rock 'n' roll >>

"I was born to be a dad," Cowell told Extra, via E! News. "I wouldn't rule out (more children). Well, I got Squiddly and Diddly, and I couldn't imagine just Squiddly or just Diddly... I had a brother when I was younger, so I kind of think it's cool to have two or three..."

Cowell, who spends a lot of time in London for Britain's Got Talent, also spoke about his dramatic arrival to his son's birth. He says he barely made it before Eric, whom he co-parents with girlfriend Lauren Silverman, arrived. "Phone rings at half past five in the morning, 'I'm about to give birth (said Lauren),' so we had to find a flight, which we did, and I got there with two hours to spare," admits Cowell.

We already knew Cowell was a proud father based on the touching photos he released just two days after Eric's birth. Cowell also revealed his soft side when he divulged that his new addition was in fact named after his own father. "I hope that I can have the same relationship I had with my dad," the tough-as-nails talent judge said previously. "He wasn't someone who was a great disciplinarian. We had a fun relationship. He gave me really constructive advice in my life, which I still carry today and pass on to other people. So if I can have the same relationship with my son as I had with my dad, then I think he'll be very happy and I'll be very happy."

Cowell also said little Eric has a fan in London who can't wait to meet him: Cowell's mother. "I think she told the whole village, she's really excited," said Cowell.

So what's the hold-up, Simon? The world can't wait to see more of your softer side!