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INTERVIEW: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. cast on the perks of working in Marvel universe

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ClarkGreggblackjacket
Photo credit: Nikki Nelson/WENN.com

The cast of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. knows they are pretty fortunate as actors to be on a successful show with such a strong franchise. With movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier doing crossover episodes timed with their theatrical release, it's a pretty big deal to be employed by Marvel Studios.

At PaleyFest on Sunday, SheKnows was able to talk with the cast about what working with superheroes, big budgets and loyal fans has meant to them in their first season of the ABC series.

Marvel Universe: How the world was formed >>

Chloe Bennet, who plays Skye, shared, "I have six brothers and I always grew up thinking that my dream was not to be a princess. It was to kick ass and be part of a team and I've always loved Marvel movies and X-Men. It's so much fun to a part of something so big and become a part of this universe."

For Clark Gregg, who originated the role of Agent Coulson in 2008's Iron Man, he doesn't take one minute for granted.

He said, "As a nerd and a comic book fan since I was 11, I can't even talk about it too much, I might die. It's really fun. It's amazing to me. It went from this smallish role in Iron Man to this show. This is crazy."

Beautiful Ming-Na Wen, who plays Melinda May on the series, knows that her street cred has gone up significantly in her household with her kids.

Marvel finally fesses up about Avengers 2 casting >>

Wen laughed, "Yeah, I think so. Mulan was cool for a while, but the fact they actually see my face and it's not my voice. I get a lot of brownie points with the kids."

While some actors are cooler at home, it's the fans that amaze Elizabeth Henstridge.

BrettDaltonleatherjacket
Photo credit: Nikki Nelson/WENN.com

"I think just the warm fans. It's such a well-established world with the movies. We just didn't want to mess it up," she said. "The reaction has been so welcoming and warm and supportive. That's something I've never experienced doing a project. It's really special."

Brett Dalton also felt the same love recently when he attended the Captain America premiere in Hollywood.

Dalton explained, "The loyalty and the enthusiasm of the fans. It's really a spectacular thing to see. I remember at the Captain America 2 premiere… the fans just love this thing. To be on the receiving end of that kind of love is really something special."

However, Iain De Caestecker was the one who was most impressed, not by the fans, but by the massive universe that Marvel has created.

He summed up, "I suppose the scale of it at all times. It's very cool to go into the studio and see some of the sets they've got and the special effects. They really try to push the boundaries all of the time especially for a TV show."

That's exactly what has fans coming back each time to Marvel's incredible universe.


Did Lady Gaga's G.U.Y. make you say W.H.Y.? Read this

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Let us save you 7 minutes and 43 seconds.

"G.U.Y." opens up with businessmen and businesswomen scrambling for money that is falling from the sky.

GUY Lady Gaga
~

Next, we see Lady Gaga as a wounded bird crawling
out of a grave.

Um, OK.

PHOTO: Lady Gaga goes topless for Versace >>

GUY Lady Gaga

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Still, with the wounded bird.

(There are a couple of agonizing minutes with a "wounded bird.")

GUY Lady Gaga

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Here, Gaga spreads her wings and tries to act.

(Keep the drama to the hair and costumes, please. It's painful.)

GUY Lady Gaga

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Wounded bird collapses in front of a Greek palace.

(Garbage bag dudes pick her up.)

GUY Lady Gaga

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Wounded bird is covered in a ceremonial wreath...

GUY Lady Gaga

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... and buried in the backyard pool.

GUY Lady Gaga

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Meanwhile, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills do this.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills appear in Gaga's new video >>

GUY Lady Gaga

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If G.U.Y. is making you think W.H.Y. right about now, remember this is...

GUY Lady Gaga

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And she's back (as Venus, we think?)

GUY Lady Gaga

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Venus calls on the god of sexual desire.

GUY Lady Gaga

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Who is Andy Cohen?

GUY Lady Gaga

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Cue the synchronized swimmers...

GUY Lady Gaga

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...with a side of male objectification...

(Now we're listening.)

GUY Lady Gaga

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...and a teddy bear cutout.

(Shouldn't some bad dreams just be left in the therapist's office?)

GUY gaga

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Gaga wants to be the G.U.Y. (girl underneath you), then hops on top of this guy.

(We think this is supposed to be sexy, but it's just, well, you decide.)

GUY Lady Gaga

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This is as good a place as any for a random cameo of Jesus...

(who looks completely underwhelmed)

GUY Lady Gaga

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...and Lego lady.

GUY Lady Gaga

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By the time Gaga pulls a Miley Cyrus and writhes and touches herself on a bed, we're so bored and confused, we don't even care.

What do Miley Cyrus, Rihanna and Lady Gaga have in common? >>

GUY Lady Gaga

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Gaga shuts 'er down looking like a blond Kim Kardashian.

GUY Lady gaga

What to tell your kids when a grandparent dies

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Father speaking seriously with son | Sheknows.com

Helping your child grieve

Even if children sometimes seem like they're from another planet, they are fully human and experience all the same emotions as adults (sometimes with more honesty, too). Here is how you can speak age-appropriately with your kids when they hear the devastating news that a grandparent has passed away.

Nothing is quite as warm and nurturing as a healthy relationship between a child and grandparent. When a beloved grandparent passes away, many children are understandably devastated, but may not be able to express their anguish in ways that adults can understand. We spoke with developmental psychologist Dr. Nancy Buck to hear her take on childhood grief and bereavement and how parents can help kids cope with the painful loss of a grandparent.

The basics of childhood grief and loss

"Understanding that children experience grief and loss is the first important step for parents."

Sometimes, parents are surprised that even young children have a full range of emotions when dealing with loss, because they often process emotions differently than adults. "Understanding that children experience grief and loss is the first important step for parents," said Dr. Buck. Once you realize that your child is grieving — even if it manifests differently than adult grief — you'll be better prepared to appropriately manage your child's feelings and questions.

According to Dr. Buck, it's equally important for parents to realize that children process their emotions through play. "Children will spend a great deal of time playing and engaging in their usual activities following a loss," said Dr. Buck. "This doesn't mean that the child's feelings of loss are less. Children process these feelings differently, often incorporating facts and feelings into make-believe play." Play should never be discouraged during times of bereavement; instead, watch your children for any feelings that arise out of play so that you can provide appropriate comfort.

From infancy to adolescence

Of course, the loss of a grandparent is felt very differently between a toddler and a teenager. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you engage with your bereaved child:

  • Toddlers: The grief experienced by a toddler is contingent on the type of relationship he or she had with the grandparent. "The younger the child, the more the mysterious disappearance of a loved one can cause confusion. If the child didn't spend a lot of time with the grandparent, he or she may feel very little grief or loss," said Dr. Buck. Very young children may only react to their own parents' feelings of loss or may feel stricken upon realizing that their parents will someday pass away, too.
  • School-aged children: Many older children continue to process their feelings through play, but may also ask questions and talk about their feelings. It's helpful to answer questions factually with school-aged kids, while also sharing mutual memories.
  • Teenagers: Adolescents also experience grief and loss, but they have the added stress of trying to figure out an appropriate social response to their feelings. "The struggle for a teen is understanding what is expected of her, how to act, how others are acting and whether it's disrespectful to feel 'normal' after a loss." It's important to both care for your teen's grief and to establish a role model for her behaviors and feelings, so she knows she is responding appropriately.

How to help your bereaved children

Dr. Buck was clear that there are several parenting techniques to keep in mind following the death of a grandparent, regardless of your child's age:

  • Use books for help: If you're not sure what to say, find a children's book about the loss of a grandparent or loved one. Simply reading the book to your child will allow her to let her emotions out safely.
  • Explain the cycle of life: Even before the death of a loved one, talk with your child about the cycle of life. You can use the seasons of the year as an illustration. If your child has an understanding of life and death before the loss of a grandparent, it will be easier for him to incorporate his feelings into what he already knows.
  • Answer factually: Don't sugarcoat the facts with euphemisms like, "Grandmom went on vacation," or "Granddad had to go away for a little while, but he'll be back someday." This will only confuse your child.
  • Don't avoid: If you avoid your child's emotions, you'll only make it harder for him to go through the stages of grief. Make sure your child understands that any emotions he experiences following a loss are OK.

More parenting advice

My sibling with disabilities embarrasses me
Has Facebook changed parenting?
When parents have different styles

Photo credit: Purestock/Getty Images

3 Hefty and hearty fish burgers (with a homemade bun recipe)

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It's time to rethink the standard, boring burger, my dolls, and try something with a little less saturated fat and a few more omega fatty-3s. These hefty and hearty fish burgers have the same grab and "mouthfeel," as my friend Andrew Zimmern would say, but with way less of the fat. Plus, how beautiful are the homemade buns?

Homemade fluffy hamburger buns

Homemade fluffy hamburger buns

Recipe slightly adapted from King Arthur Flour

Yields about 8

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
  • 1 package active dry yeast
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter, divided
  • 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons sugar

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Once preheated, turn off. Grease a glass bowl with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the yeast and water. Let sit for about 10 minutes, or until foamy. Fit the mixer with a dough hook and add in egg, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, sugar and salt. Turn the mixer on. Add the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until dough is soft and pulls away from the bowl. Move to a lightly floured surface and knead for a few more minutes, or until soft and elastic.
  3. Roll the dough into a ball and place in the greased bowl. Cover with greased plastic wrap and let rise for about 1-1/2 hours, or until doubled in size.
  4. Remove from oven and break the dough into 8 equal-size pieces. Carefully roll with your hands until you have thick bun shapes. Place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Place in the oven and let rise another 1-1/2 hours.
  5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the buns with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Bake for about 18 minutes, or until golden brown. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or enjoy!
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Avocado shrimp burgers

Avocado shrimp burgers

Serves about 4

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 pounds shrimp, cooked and chopped into fine pieces
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 avocado, smashed
  • 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 4 slices provolone cheese
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish
  • Salt and pepper. to taste
  • 4 homemade hamburger buns

Directions:

  1. In the bowl of a food processor, place the shrimp and pulse until minced. Add in the Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, green onions, salt, pepper, Mexican oregano and breadcrumbs. Pulse until mixture is combined (and thick).
  2. Form the mixture into 4 patties and place on a plate. Chill for about 30 minutes (so they set).
  3. Once chilled, heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the patties, 2 at a time, and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 6-7 minutes total.
  4. To assemble, stack the buns with a slice of cheese, 1/4 of the smashed avocado, fresh cilantro and a dash of cracked pepper.
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Jumbo crab & basil burgers

Jumbo crab & basil burgers

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans (12 ounces) fresh lump crabmeat
  • 1 cup soft breadcrumbs
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1 small white onion, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • Fresh basil for garnish
  • Mayonnaise for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, mix everything together (except the buns, basil and mayonnaise for garnish). Mix with your hands to combine. Make 4 patties with the mix and place on a dinner plate. Chill for about 30 minutes.
  2. Once chilled, drizzle the oil into an 8 x 8-inch glass baking dish. Place the burgers in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
  3. Immediately layer with mayo, fresh basil and salt and pepper on the homemade buns.
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Spicy mustard and cod burgers

Spicy mustard and cod burgers

Serves about 4

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 pounds cod fillets
  • 3/4 cup finely pulsed breadcrumbs (or biscuits)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon spicy mustard
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 1/4 cup mustard & mayo sauce
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 1 large green pepper, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Fresh dill for garnish

Directions:

  1. Using 2 forks, gently flake the cod into small pieces and place into a mixing bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, garlic, spicy mustard, salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix until it comes together. Carefully form the mixture into 4 patties.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet. Add the patties, 2 at a time, and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. Using the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the onions and peppers. Cook until soft and onions are caramelized, about 6 minutes.
  4. To make the burgers, stack a cod patty and a spoonful of veggie mixture onto the bottom bun. Slather the top bun with 1 tablespoon of mustard and mayo sauce.
  5. Garnish each burger with fresh dill.

More fish recipes

12 Versatile fish and seafood recipes
3 No-cook fish recipes
Fish tacos with avocado cream sauce

Red Hot Book of the Week: Kristan Higgins' Waiting on You

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A matchmaker seeks her match.
Photo credit: IndieBound

Colleen O'Rourke lives in Manningsport, New York, with her twin brother Connor. Together, they run the townie bar where chatter runs rampant and Colleen is no innocent in running the gossip mill.

For instance, she is the famed town matchmaker. She's been a bridesmaid a dozen times because of her love savvy — so why is she still single? She's still hung up on her high school love, Lucas Campbell, whom she hasn't seen in 10 years since he broke her heart.

Lucas lives in Chicago, but surprise! He's just arrived back in Manningsport because his Uncle Joe is ill. Lucas isn't an easy guy to overlook. He's like a hot Puerto Rican pirate or a "thuggish angel," and even though Colleen outwardly hates the guy, he still makes her stomach do handsprings.

Lounging around with Kristan Higgins >>

But Colleen has other things on her mind. She's taken on her most difficult matchmaking assignment yet: trying to set up butch chick Paulie with town hottie Bryce (who just happens to be Lucas' cousin). To keep herself distracted from Lucas, Colleen is willing to make this unlikely duo a perfect pair.

So why can't she stop thinking about Lucas? Maybe because his kisses set her on fire, and he still occasionally calls her "mia" (mine). Here's the thing, though: Lucas lives in Chicago and Colleen isn't leaving Manningsport. Plus, he hurt her before; what will stop him from hurting her again?

10 Best romance novels to date >>

Waiting on You is a light, humorous flight of fancy filled with funny internal monologue and girly inside jokes. Colleen is a tough cookie. She knows what she could get herself into with Lucas — again — and she fights her feelings, tooth and nail.

Author Kristan Higgins gives good voice to Colleen and Lucas as we hear from both of their perspectives. The conflict is clear and hard to fix. Sometimes the past really does steal the magic of the present. But as Paulie tells Colleen, "You have this beautiful pirate of a man who looks at you like you're naked and covered in Krispy Kremes!" Maybe so, but will love last, or are Colleen and Lucas doomed to repeat themselves?

More Red Hot reads

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Someone Else's Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson
W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton

This successful mom turned a blog into a brand

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Marian Parsons | Sheknows.com

Meet the mom behind Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint

DIY fans adore Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint. What they might not know is that this mom of two started her blog on a whim and never knew it would jump-start a successful line of paint and the foundation of a booming furniture and design business.

Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint has become a cult favorite in the DIY scene. Meet the enterprising mom behind it. We talked to Marian Parsons, known as Miss Mustard Seed, to learn more about her love of antiques, her popular blog and her advice to would-be designers.

A love of patina and pieces with soul

Miss Mustard seed family room | Sheknows.com

Interior designer Marian Parsons grew up in Germany. "I think that influenced my look and love of old things," she says. "We stayed in a lot of quaint gausthauses and toured castles and I fell in love with patina and pieces with soul." Parsons' love of decorating bloomed as she found inspiration on her travels. "When I was a newlywed, I strayed into an antique mall one day and realized I could buy cool antique pieces for a lot less than new pressboard pieces from a discount store and I’ve never looked back!"

Find the best photography blogs for moms >>

She started without a plan

Parsons has no formal education in interior design. "I watched a lot of decorating shows on TV and have been a shelter book and magazine junkie for years," she says. "I took it all in and then went for what I liked in my own home." A friend told her that she should start a blog and sent her links to DIY and home decor blogs. Parsons realized she could do the same thing and started her blog on a whim. "I didn’t have a plan or expectations or a fancy blog design. I just started," she says.

Read about women who are changing the world >>

Milk paint isn't a new idea

Miss mustard seed half bath | Sheknows.com

In 2012, Parsons leveraged her popular blog and brand to create her own line of milk paint in 18 colors. Homestead House Paint Company manufactures Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint, which has become a popular paint for antique finishes. "Milk paint has been around for thousands of years and it’s 100 percent natural," says Parsons. "It comes in powder form, so it has to be mixed with water to use it as paint. You can achieve beautiful, authentically-aged finishes with milk paint and it’s the very best paint for raw wood."

She took that first step

Parsons' two sons have grown up with her work. They like to try to help her paint, move furniture or work with fabric. "In recent years, they’ve started to ask why people read my blog and know who I am and want me to sign their book," says Parsons, who published Inspired You in 2012. When asked what advice she has for women who want to get started in design, Parsons says, "It’s just paint, fabric, scooting furniture around and hanging stuff on a wall and there really isn’t a right or wrong way to do it. So, take that first step and go for it!"

More mom stories

Mom story: I went from bartender to HGTV host
Mom story: I'm a tattoo enthusiast
Mom story: I'm fighting for both my sons to live

Photo credit: Miss Mustard Seed

Outrageously delicious sausage and cheese stuffed pretzel puffs

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Sausage and cheese stuffed pretzel puffs

Growing up, I always had a serious weakness for bread. Warm homemade bread slathered with butter gets me every single time. Pretzels always will hold a special place in my heart or should I say stomach. A nice soft center with a slightly tougher outside and do not get me started about a cheesy dip to go with it. This recipe satisfies my craving for pretzels, cheese and my lunch. Not to mention a quick leftover meal for the next day.

Sausage and cheese stuffed pretzel puffs

Sausage and cheese stuffed pretzel puffs recipe

Serves 6

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/4 cups warm water
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 quarts water
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 pound pork sausage
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 2 cups fresh chopped spinach
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, add water, sugar and yeast. Lightly stir the mixture and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  2. Attach dough hook and slowly add flour and salt. Mix until dough is coming off the bowl edges and it forms a ball shape.
  3. Remove the dough and place in a large bowl. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour.
  4. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  5. Add pork sausage to a large sauté pan. Cook until brown.
  6. Add garlic and spinach to the pan and cook for an additional 6 minutes.
  7. Remove sauté pan from heat and set aside.
  8. Pinch off about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dough and flatten it out into a circular shape.
  9. Add 1/4 cup of the meat mixture and 1/4 cup cheese and then fold all the edges in creating a sealed pouch.
  10. Repeat until all dough has been used.
  11. Bring a large pot of water and baking soda to a boil.
  12. Drop in 2 pouches at a time, allowing them to cook for 30 seconds. Remove and place on nonstick baking sheet.
  13. Brush the tops of the pretzels with melted butter and place in the oven.
  14. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

More pretzel recipes

Jalapeño popper-stuffed soft pretzels
Ranch party pretzels
Pick-and-roll pretzel rolls

Families protest Malaysian handling of MH370

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MH370 protest
Photo credit: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Authorities searching for the missing flight MH370 have determined the jet took a southern route and all lives have been lost.

Based on radar and mathematical calculations by Immarsat and the U.K.'s Air Accidents Investigation Branch, officials were able to determine if the plane was flying towards or away from a satellite location.

"If you sit at a train station and you listen to the train whistle, the pitch of the whistle changes as it moves past. That's exactly what we have," explained CNN Meteorologist Chad Myers. "It's the Doppler effect that they're using on this ping or handshake back from the airplane. They know by nanoseconds whether that signal was compressed a little — or expanded — by whether the plane was moving closer or away from 64.5 degrees — which is the latitude of the orbiting satellite."

Courtney Love thinks she found the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 >>

Using this information, officials determined that the plane went south towards the southern Indian Ocean and ended in the area where debris has been spotted. However, nothing belonging to the plane or its passengers has been found.

Malaysia Airlines has offered the families of the missing passengers an initial $5000 in compensation and travel to Australia, closer to where the search is being conducted. Additional compensation is being prepared, they said.

But the families are angry with the way the investigation is being handled and want proof that the plane actually went down. A crowd demonstrated outside the Malaysian embassy in China yesterday in direct conflict with the country's ban on protests, demanding the truth.

Boston Marathon bombing: Celebs react >>

A representative for the families issued a statement this morning calling for more information from Malaysian officials who "have concealed, delayed and hid the truth from the relatives and peoples of the world. This despicable act, aimed to fool the relatives of the 154 Chinese passengers, [has] devastated us physically and mentally.

"If the 154 of our loved ones lose their lives, then Malaysia Airlines, the government of Malaysia and the military are really the executioners of our loved ones," the statement read.

There were 239 people total on board the ill-fated plane.

Whatever answers are out there, they won't come today — Australian officials called off the search for the day due to harsh weather conditions.


Ashton Kutcher's baby news is closure for Demi Moore

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Demi Moore
Photo credit: Apega/WENN.com

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have delighted tons of fans with the news they are expecting a baby. But the actor's ex-wife, Demi Moore, is seeing the announcement more as final closure to their divorce.

What Kutcher's happy news may mean to Moore is that their marriage is now solidly over. Even more than his engagement to Kunis, it means that her relationship with him is definitely done, Hollywood Life claims.

Demi Moore to Ashton Kutcher: Gimme $10M! >>

While Moore is not taking the news in a bad way, she is probably not jumping for joy either, the site added. A source in the know said that "she is taking it as well as one would take a situation like this." The Ghost star is probably not thrilled, but it gives her more reason to move on with her life.

"She actually considers this moment to be closure," the source added. "She never really expected to get back with Ashton but this is pretty much seals the deal that the moment of her life with him is now officially completed."

While Kutcher's new life may have stung Moore a bit, it did not stop her from moving on with her own romantic life. The 51-year-old beauty is rumored to be having a relationship with another young hunk again. According to MoviePilot, Moore has been seeing Alex Pettyfer, who is 23, and witnesses are claiming to have seen the pair "flirting up a storm" recently.

Ashton Kutcher denounces his own manwhoring >>

"It was like they were long-lost lovers," an eyewitness at the Fairfax Club told Popsugar. "Alex actually picked Demi up off the ground and swung her around, and then he kept both arms wrapped around her waist as they caught up."

While Kutcher's baby news may not sound great to Demi, she is seemingly keeping quite busy. If the rumors are true, she has plenty to keep her mind off her ex's happiness with her new good-looking boy toy.

Pharrell endorses Hillary Clinton — will she actually run?

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Pharrell Williams
Photo credit: Jakob Kaliszewski/WENN.com

Hillary Clinton in 2016? If the former first lady and Secretary of State ever officially decides to take another stab at running for president, she has at least one powerful celeb behind her: Pharrell and his fabulous hat.

"Let me tell you why Hillary's going to win," the "Happy" singer told GQ. "Everywhere you go in this country, you have red and blue. You got the Democrats; you got the Republicans. You got the Bloods; you got the Crips. Everything is red and blue in this country. You know what else is red and blue? Blood. Blood is blue in your body until air hits it, and then it turns red. That means there's unity. There's gonna be unity. So when you think about a night where there's late-night talk-show hosts and it's mostly women, that's a different world. Right? A world where 75 percent of the prime ministers and the presidents were women: that's a different world. That's gonna happen, and it's gonna happen when Hillary wins.

VIDEO: Pharrell talks to SheKnows about working on the music for the Academy Awards >>

"No matter how staunch of a supporter you are of no-abortion, whatever you are: You're a woman, and there's no way in the world you're going to vote for somebody that's going to try to tell you what to do with your body," Pharrell said. "When we are a country and we are a species that has had a Martian rover traveling up and down the crevices of this planet looking for water and ice, OK, and we've had a space station that's been orbiting our planet for 16 years — but we still got legislation trying to tell women what to do with their bodies? Hillary's gonna win. Listen, I'm reaching out to her right now. She's gonna win."

While Clinton is deciding whether or not to run, Pharrell is keeping busy promoting his new album Girl. See him next on Saturday Night Live April 5.

Kid-friendly recipes for National Nutrition Month

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While you'd like for your kids to reach for good-for-you foods on their own, the best way to get them to gobble up any healthy recipes for kids is to lead by example. "Healthy eating is a way of life that is passed down from generation to generation," explains Valarie J. Taveras, director of The New York Foundling and Office of Child and Family Services', Healthy Families Program, "so watching your relationship with food is necessary in preventing childhood obesity with your children and the next generation."

Here are a few kid-friendly recipes to get your kids eating healthy for National Nutrition Month — and all year long.

Healthy peanut butter and jelly sandwich

Healthy peanut butter and jelly sandwich | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: pickyeatersblog.com

You don't have to hesitate to serve your kiddos a go-to PB&J with a few simple healthy tweaks by pickyeatersblog.com. Go visit her post for even more suggestions on how to up the healthy factor on this lunchtime staple.

Ingredients:

  • 2 slices double fiber bread (140 calories)
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter (100 calories)
  • 1-2 tablespoons jam (50-100 calories)

Directions:

  1. Use 2 slices of double fiber bread. You can use an even higher fiber bread to increase the fiber to 10 to 12 grams per sandwich.
  2. Next, use organic, fresh peanut butter. The key to only using 1 tablespoon of peanut butter but having it still taste great is to toast the bread lightly so the peanut butter spreads easier across the bread (and you can get a thinner layer of peanut butter without sacrificing any flavor!).
  3. Finally, use blueberry jam or fresh strawberry preserves for minimal sugar and more of a fruit-packed punch and serve.

Teaching kids about healthy eating: USDA free curriculum nutrition education >> 

Veggie pizza snack

Veggie Pizza | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: KirbusEdvard/iStock/360/Getty Images

Whether you serve these good-for-you pizzas as a snack or as a meal, it's guaranteed that your youngsters will be asking for this kid-friendly recipe from The Foundling time and time again.

Ingredients:

  • 2 whole wheat tortillas
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 green pepper, sliced
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Pierce tortillas with a fork and bake on a baking sheet until crisp.
  3. Remove tortillas from oven and spread evenly with tomato paste.
  4. Sprinkle with dried oregano.
  5. Add a layer of sliced green peppers.
  6. Add a layer of chopped tomatoes.
  7. Top with shredded cheese and bake until melted.
  8. Cut each pizza in half and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

*Recipe adapted from Sesame Street

Tagliatelle with chicken

Tagliatelle with Chicken | Sheknows.com

With a light sauce combined with crunchy pine nuts, both you and your kids will slurp up every last bit of this kid-friendly recipe from inthesesmallmoments.com.

Ingredients:

  • 1 (3-1/2 pound) chicken (we use a large, store-bought rotisserie chicken)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Leaves from 3 fresh rosemary sprigs, minced
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1 pound tagliatelle (linguine works fine, too, and is easier to find)
  • 2-3 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves

Directions:

  1. Remove the chicken meat from the bone, leaving all of the skin on, then cut into chunks.
  2. Mince the rosemary sprigs.
  3. In a large saucepan, toast pine nuts over medium heat until they are golden. You'll need to watch these closely, as they burn easily. Transfer the pine nuts to a bowl.
  4. To make the sauce, add chicken broth and a bit of olive oil as a replacement for pan juices for store-bought rotisserie chickens.
  5. Add the rosemary, pine nuts and chicken to the saucepan. Begin to simmer the sauce when you are ready to cook the pasta.
  6. Cook and drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce, then top with parsley and serve in a large warmed bowl.

Rainbow fruit salad

Rainbow fruit salad | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: Moncherie/iStock/360/Getty Images

The colorful fruit will be oh-so-inviting to your kiddos, but it's the orange juice that gives this rainbow-hued side dish from The Foundling a unique twist.

Ingredients:

  • 1 mango, cut
  • 1 cup red grapes
  • 1 cup melon, cubed
  • 1 banana, peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup orange juice

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine all the fruit.
  2. Pour orange juice over the fruit and stir well.
  3. Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Makes 4 servings.

*Recipe adapted from Sesame Street

Three ways raise healthy kids by getting youngsters to eat right >>

Homemade chicken nuggets

Homemade chicken nuggets | Sheknows.com

Photo credit: SixSistersStuff.com

You won't have to say 'no' to chicken nuggets ever again when you serve up this healthy recipe for kids from SixSistersStuff.com.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups corn flakes
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • pinch of pepper
  • 1 pound boneless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten

Directions:

  1. Cut chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease cookie sheet.
  3. Put flakes in large plastic bag and crush to fine texture. Pour into medium-sized bowl. Now add Parmesan cheese, salt, onion powder, garlic powder and pepper to corn flakes.
  4. Place eggs in a small bowl.
  5. Place flour in separate small bowl.
  6. To bread chicken, coat chicken piece in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in the egg, then coat in corn flake mixture.
  7. Arrange chicken on prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown (about 12 to 15 minutes).

More on healthy kids

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Gardening for picky eaters

A new home test can detect colorectal cancer

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Senior Research Associate Tanya Quint loads one of the instruments used to run Exact Sciences' Cologuard test at the company's headquarters in Madison, Wis.
Senior Research Associate Tanya Quint loads one of the instruments used to run Exact Sciences' Cologuard test at the company's headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin (Photo credit: Business Wire)

At-home stool testing for colon cancer is nothing new, but a new at-home test called Exact Sciences’ Cologuard test shows promise as an initial colon cancer screening tool. Unless the result is positive, physicians likely would not recommend an invasive colonoscopy.

According to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the new at-home test can detect both occult blood and abnormal DNA shed by polyps and cancers. After testing about 10,000 people who took the Cologuard test and the traditional fecal immunochemical test (FIT), Cologuard detected 92 percent of colorectal cancer in patients, while FIT only spotted 74 percent of cancers. The test also found 42 percent of advanced pre-cancerous lesions in patients, while FIT only found 24 percent.

Steven Itzkowitz, M.D., a study author and professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said that Cologuard boosts the ability to detect lesions, adding that the Cologuard isn’t a genetic test in a traditional sense.

Cologuard, while not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, could be used as an initial screening tool, and also used as an in-between monitoring tool for high-risk patients between their regular colonoscopies.

Dr. Madappa Kundranda, a colorectal cancer expert and medical oncologist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America, said the test as it is does not replace colonoscopies.

"Colonoscopy is still the gold standard," he said. Patients could still have a positive stool test with Cologuard and have a negative colonoscopy. "This type of test is still in its infancy, and we need to iron the kinks out."

Don’t expect to find Cologuard in the drugstores just yet.

"This is a very expensive test and until the above technical issue is resolved, this may not be ready for primetime," Kundranda said.

There is significant potential to increase the sensitivity and specificity of these tests, as new techniques are developed, Kundranda said.

"Someday, this may replace colonoscopies, but we are not there yet," he added.

Colonoscopies have helped to cut the rate of colon cancers by 30 percent over the past decade in people over age 50, he noted. Colon cancer death rates are down about 3 percent a year in the last decade. Work still needs to be done in order to get that number as close to zero as possible, Kundranda said.

"I certainly hope that convenient at-home testing can help do that," he said. "It has the opportunity to target the at-risk population that cannot or will not get colonoscopies."

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MUSIC REVIEW: Miguel just wants the "Simplethings"

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Miguel
Photo credit: FayesVision/WENN.com

Miguel tones down the sex and turns up the heartfelt emotions for "Simplethings."

Featured on the HBO Girls soundtrack, "Simplethings" embodies the crises the quirky characters all endure on the show. What crises? Their notorious and tumultuous pursuits of love and the fact our once-unattainable standards in our early 20s melt down into just wanting a partner who understands you. If you didn't find Miguel swoon-worthy already, he took the time to actually pen this track for the hit show.

You've seen Lena Dunham naked so many times, who can really top that count? >>

The song gives a new face for Miguel to wear (one that isn't tensed up in a heated, sexual grimace). Instead it showcases a softer, gentler and emotional side to the singer. But the Internet isn't talking about Miguel as much as they are about his guitarist, Dru Decaro, who feasts on the strings as he delivers an empowering accompaniment. It's gritty, sexually charged, but ascends to a different level of convincing because of how touching it is. It's like Miguel is singing a Bryan Adams song with backup instrumentals from Marcy Playground.

Lena Dunham is DONE after Girls >>

It wanes more on the rock side than the R&B side, but it's still Miguel, showing fans he's got something more north of his nether regions. I think fans will be more than thrilled to add this to their favorite playlist.

Sit back, relax, and let us update you on all things music >>

Don't cut me for that jab I made, all you Miguel fans. You know better than I do that he's known for his bedroom playlists more than anything. In the meantime, slip into his smooth voice, drown in his desire and reawaken energized and hopeful that you find someone like Miguel.

Because, ladies, trust me when I say this is the song that makes you want to marry someone. Looks and money can and do disappear, but that right someone makes it all worth it. We all just want the simple things, don't we?

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6 Small towns you'd actually want to move to

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1

Berkeley Heights, New Jersey

Voted one of the best places to live by CNN Money and NJ Monthly, the town of Berkeley Heights has a population of 13,345. Self-proclaimed as "a great place to live," the town has an excellent school system, and over 40 percent of households have children under the age of 18. Thriving economically, the median family income is $150,105, according to the 2010 census. Offering a variety of recreational programs, Berkeley Heights has three swimming clubs and holds many special events at the beautiful Memorial Park. A very close-knit community, this pretty town even has a beautification committee.

For more information on this town, visit the Berkeley Heights website >>

2

Sharon, Massachusetts

The Sharon, Massachusetts, welcome sign states that it is "a nice place to live because it's naturally beautiful," and this could not be any truer of a statement. Looking as if it were cut straight from a magazine, this gorgeous small town is lined with trees and beaches. Among this family-friendly community's population of nearly 18,000, 30 percent are children under 19, and nearly 50 percent of households have children living in them. It also has an impressive school system — 96 percent of Sharon's high school graduates go on to higher-learning institutions. An economically strong and busy commuter town 22 miles south of Boston, Sharon has an average household income of $139,019. Sharon has numerous outdoor trails and special events for the entire community to enjoy.

For more information on this town, visit Sharon's website >>

3

Bristol, Rhode Island

Famous for the longest running Fourth of July celebration in the U.S., Bristol is a great town to not only live in, but to visit as well. Located on a peninsula, this town has activities to suit a resident by land or sea. With a population of nearly 23,000, more than half of Bristol's residents are made up of families. There are more than enough activities to participate in outdoors, on the water or off, and this strong-knit community thrives on family-friendly events, including plays, parades and more. The median household income is $58,214, and this town thrives because of its history and its future, as well.

Visit Explore Bristol for more information >>

4

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Lovingly referred to as "the Cape Cod of the Midwest," Sturgeon Bay is located in the lovely Door County. Both a tourist hot spot and an amazing place to live, this town has a population of nearly 28,000 and is busy year round.


With a wide range of sports and music and an elaborate selection of dining establishments, living in this town is truly like being on vacation all year long. Right off of the water, this town is busiest in the summer and famous for its cherries. With a median family income of $44,000 and only 26 percent of households including children under 19, this seems to be a town where younger people go to work hard and play even harder.

For more information, visit Door County's website >>

5

Mason, Ohio

Although known as a city, Mason has a total population of 30,712 people, and a little less than half are families with children under 19. The median household income is $103,459 for families, and the economically thriving Mason is in close proximity to large companies and employers. A part of Warren County, which is referred to as "Ohio's largest playground," Mason offers a large amusement park, golf center, museum, community center and more. Great for families, this city has many interactive and family-bonding events and festivals.

Learn more about this small city by heading over to Imagine Mason >>

6

Florence, Oregon

The smallest town on our list, Florence is a cohesive community where everybody knows your name. This very small town of 8,466 has good weather and is only an hour away from the excitement of Portland. Offering something for everyone, Florence is surrounded by beaches, tree-filled forests, lakes and rivers. A beautiful place to live or visit, this thriving little place has an amazing culture with an abundance of outdoor recreation activities, love of the arts and more. With a median income of $30,505, this town's citizens support each other in every aspect.

Find out more about this lovely town on their website >>

More small towns we love

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5 Switched at Birth finale questions to ponder until summer

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Switched at Birth Season 3 spring finale
Photo credit: ABC Family

There was a lot of happiness and a little bit of sorrow to be found at the end of the Switched at Birth Season 3 spring finale, "Love Seduces Innocence, Pleasure Entraps, and Remorse Follows." The title is pretty much a synopsis of the episode as Bay was definitely seduced by love, pleasure nearly entrapped Toby in a directionless marriage and remorse followed Regina after she was tricked by her boss.

Now that the finale is over, there are a number of questions fans will be asking themselves until the show returns this summer.

Miss the last episode of Switched at Birth before the spring finale? Here's our review >>

What about Tank?

At the end of the spring finale, Bay and Emmett rekindled their romance after she comforted him following his torment. Making love under the moonlight is incredibly romantic and surely all the "Bemmett" fans rejoiced, but there's one other person to consider in all this: Tank. The big guy may have had some faults but he's done nothing but treat Bay with the utmost respect. How will he handle it when he finds out that she cheated on him? And how will Bay deal with the fact that she herself is now a cheater, too?

Why Iceland?

Toby was devastated after he realized that he and his wife Nikki no longer had the same goals. They had no choice but to break off their marriage and though it was a difficult decision, it was also the right one. After a fleeting moment of self-doubt where Toby thought he might want to follow his wife to Peru, he ultimately decided on another destination instead. Why did Toby pick Iceland? Has it been a lifelong dream of his to go there or was it simply a decision made on the fly? What will he find once he gets there and will he decide to stay forever?

INTERVIEW: Switched at Birth's Lucas Grabeel on Toby's dance solo, drama ahead >>

Will Regina earn back trust?

Regina thought she found the perfect job and the perfect boss when she began working for Wes, but soon the truth came out and he demonstrated what kind of guy he really was. Regina was naive enough to be fooled by him, but it was much worse when she found out that she had also led her friends astray. She stood up for herself in the end, but it appeared to be too late when a rock came flying through her window with a threatening note on it. Can Regina gain back the trust of those she cares about in her old neighborhood?

Will Daphne actually become a doctor?

Daphne is still young so it's no surprise that she has tried out a few vocations in the past couple years. She once had dreams of being a chef, but an accident at the clinic led her to believe that medicine was her true calling. But when she had to deal with a patient she feared, it looked like she might let that dream go as well. In the end, she fought her fears and kept moving forward toward her desire to be a doctor. Will she keep that dream or is she destined to find another path in life?

Switched at Birth: Should Daphne pick Campbell or Jorge? >>

Will Kathryn's book become a hit?

Kathryn found herself lost at the beginning of this season and even had thoughts of divorcing her husband so that she could carve out a new life for herself. Happily, she was able to find her joy without losing her husband when she found a new purpose. Her book has been a challenge for her, but will it also end up a triumph?

What questions will you be pondering while waiting for Switched at Birth Season 3 to return this summer?


5 Effective ways to help employers find your résumé

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Woman at job interview
Photo credit: Brand X Pictures/Stockbyte/Getty Images

1

Tailor your job experience

Oftentimes, résumés are overloaded with work experience that’s not relevant to the job being applied for. Make sure to trim down your résumé to include only relevant work experience that pertains to the available position. And try to keep it to one page to make it easier for hiring managers to read and scan.

2

Research prospective employers

You can’t stand out in a crowd of applicants if you aren’t familiar with the company, its history and any specific hiring practices it has. By researching a prospective employer beforehand, you’ll be able to tailor your cover letter, résumé and any additional material to match the tone and address specific aspects of the company and the position.

3

Follow directions

Many hiring managers put very specific directions into job postings to quickly and easily weed out people who don’t pay attention to detail. These instructions could range from putting a specific phrase in the subject line of your e-mail to attaching work samples in PDF format. Make sure to double and triple check what, if any, directions are required and follow them to a tee.

4

Reach out to alumni networks

Alumni networks are great resources for finding positions that are about to become available but haven’t been publicly posted yet. Reach out to the head of your university’s alumni network to submit your résumé, and find out what positions may be opening up soon. Your alumni network is also a great place to continually stay in touch with your peers. Attend networking events, and connect with people who work in the companies that you’re interested in.

5

Post your résumé to job sites

Unless you’re spending 10 hours a day scanning job sites, it’s inevitable that you’ll miss some job postings. To try and mitigate that risk, upload your résumé to general job-search sites, like Indeed.com, as well as other more niche sites that cater to a specific industry or type of work, like Idealist.org.

More resume help

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Top 10 most-fashionable dogs

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1

Papillon

Described by Vetstreet.com as a “supermodel with a Ph.D. in nuclear physics," the Papillon is a pint-sized beauty that gets attention wherever it goes.

2

Borzoi

Long, leggy and graceful, the Borzoi looks more like a prized art form than a canine.

3

Maltese

With its long silky coat, the Maltese is effortlessly graceful as this sweet pup “floats” across the floor and right into your heart.

4

Poodle

Every canine diva needs her beauty sleep! No list of fashionable dogs would be complete without the easy-to-primp Poodle.

5

Siberian Husky

The envy of every makeup artist, the smoky-eyed Siberian Husky is one of those dogs that is hard to resist.

6

Collie

Though not every Collie will be a movie star akin to Lassie, this gorgeous canine is a head turner wherever it goes.

7

American Eskimo Dog

Whether bounding through the snow or sitting proudly on the lodge porch, the Eskie’s precious face and soft white coat are a paparazzi magnet.

8

Irish Setter

With its luxe chestnut-red fur and eager-to-engage personality, the Irish Setter begs to be the center of attention and rarely disappoints the camera.

9

Pomeranian

When you see a Pomeranian, you can’t help but want to coo over the cutesy canine, especially if it’s donning a hat or other fashionable attire.

10

Afghan Hound

Who wouldn’t want to frame a photo of this stunning dog? The Afghan Hound is paws down the supermodel of the American Kennel Club.

More dogs we love

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VIDEO: Miranda Lambert's nostalgic new "Automatic"

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Earlier this year Miranda Lambert announced an upcoming new album, Platinum, and unveiled her first single. Now we finally have a music video for the nostalgic first release, "Automatic."

5 Reasons (other than weight) to talk about Miranda Lambert >>

For fans that fell in love with Lambert via fiery tunes like "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" and "Kerosene," the sweet tameness of "Automatic" may take time to win them over. For those who found Lambert during her "Me and Charlie Talking" phase or who may have become weepy during "The House that Built Me," this new track will immediately seem like a thing of beauty.

"Automatic" follows Country canon fairly well as it reminisces about days past. Similar to Tim McGraw's "Back When" and Rascal Flatts' "Mayberry," the song is all about yearning for a simpler time. Lambert spends time waxing poetic about everything from using maps instead of GPS to using a cassette tape to record songs off the radio. It's all summed up nicely with the slightly cliché but 100 percent lovable (because it's Lambert) chorus:

Hey, whatever happened to waitin' your turn
Doing it all by hand,
'Cause when everything is handed to you
It's only worth as much as the time put in
It all just seemed so good the way we had it
Back before everything became automatic

Miranda Lambert makes the list of bad-girl CMT Award winners >>

The video is just as full of the warmth of yesterday as the song itself. Starting in a dusty room, we watch as Lambert goes through a trunk of old things, pulling out a pocket watch and cassette player and taking time to consider each one. While the beginning sequence feels a little trite, the rest of the video is flawless. It gets better when Lambert goes for a drive through a town time seems to have left untouched. Country girls across the globe will surely yelp, "Hey! That looks like where I'm from," as Miranda steers an ancient Chevy over hills and down back roads.

It's hard to place, but there's something about "Automatic" that reminds us of the Miranda who waltzed into our worlds nearly a decade ago. "Automatic" is warm and sweet, exactly what we need for spring.

Want more music news and reviews? Sign up for our newsletter >>

Virginia legalizes discrimination against unwed moms

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Pregnant woman with ultrasound | Sheknows.com
Photo credit: Monkey Business Images/Monkey Business/360/Getty Images

If you're a single mom in Virginia, you may be legally turned away by a genetic counselor — and you can't sue for discrimination. Yes, it's still 2014. What gives?

Withholding test results now OK

Virginia has snuck in legislation that allows genetic counselors to refuse service to those who are in conflict with their religious beliefs — such as unwed moms. Also, test results can be withheld if a medical professional suspects the pregnant woman will seek abortion based on the results. And guess what? It passed. It's now a law.

Legalized discrimination

Both Kansas and Arizona have recently been in the national spotlight, and not in a positive way. In both states, legislation was passed which allowed businesses to refuse to serve people based on their religious preferences — essentially, they would have been able to discriminate against the LGBT population, or anyone else who didn't live their lives according to their religion.

"The law also shields genetic counselors from discrimination lawsuits."

Fortunately, in both cases, the governors in those states vetoed the bill, but Virginia has managed to get a new law that legalizes discrimination signed by their democratic governor, Terry McAuliffe.

Now, if you're a single mom or a member of the LGBT community in Virginia (or of any other population that can be objected to on religious grounds), then they can say, "No thanks," and point you in a different direction. And just as scary, if they suspect you might choose to end a pregnancy based on test results, they can keep that information from you (although they are not allowed to lie if directly asked). How is this OK?

Frightening legislation

While the nation was focused on Kansas and Arizona and the sweeping laws they tried to pass, Virginia legislators sponsored two bills that saw little debate and quietly became law. Where was the outcry over this? How could something that goes against human decency be passed with so little debate?

Genetic counselors are medical professionals who guide hopeful parents through pregnancy planning, helping them determine the chances of genetic disorders and ordering prenatal tests to check for fetal abnormalities. As medical professionals, they have a position in our community to uphold their training and use it to help people — and they should not be allowed to pick and choose not only who they help, but what information they share.

To add to your mind-boggle, the law also shields genetic counselors from discrimination lawsuits, even in cases where physical harm results from their actions.

A nation going backwards

So, if your prenatal test results indicate your fetus has a fatal abnormality, the genetic counselor can elect to not share that information to let you make the choice yourself. It can just be a big surprise on delivery day. Doesn't that sound grand? And if you're a single woman or in a lesbian relationship, this medical professional can decide to not work with you at all. A transgendered man? Same deal.

This law's passage indicates that instead of going forward as a nation and treating everyone as an equal adult, we are sliding backwards. Although the bills in Kansas and Arizona lost steam, that doesn't mean that similar bills aren't waiting to be introduced there, or in other states. The last time I looked, the U.S. was not a theocracy. Those who serve the public should not be allowed to use their religion to decide who they will deal with or what information they choose to share — end of story.

More parenting in the news

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Nachos go Greek

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Game day Greek nachos

March Madness has a way of bringing friends and food together over brackets, so why not head to the Final Four with more than just chips and dip? Instead of the standard snack, try this version of game day Greek nachos.

Game day Greek nachos

You’ll still find cheese and veggies tucked into the layers of this snack, but these nachos are in an elite league. I made the chips using pita bread (super easy to do) and included a tangy and refreshing tzatziki sauce to drizzle over the mound of goodies. My advice? Bake up a few extra pita chips to scoop up any leftover tzatziki sauce.

Game day Greek nachos

Game day Greek nachos recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

For the tzatziki sauce

  • 1/2 small cucumber, peeled and seeds removed, cut into slices
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 large garlic clove, sliced
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon fresh dill
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

For the nachos

  • 6 pita bread rounds, split in half and cut into triangles (to resemble tortilla chips)
  • 3/4 red pepper, seeds and membrane removed, cut into thin strips
  • 1/3 cup Greek black olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1 small cucumber, seeds removed, diced
  • 3 green onions, green and white parts, diced
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

For the tzatziki sauce

  1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
  2. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
  3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

For the nachos

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the pita triangles on a baking sheet and lightly spray them with the nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Sprinkle with the salt and black pepper, and bake for about 10 minutes or until they turn golden.
  3. When cool to the touch, arrange the pita chips on a plate or platter.
  4. Begin to layer the vegetables over the chips, drizzle with some of the tzatziki sauce and feta, and continue layering with all the ingredients until they are gone.
  5. Serve immediately.

Dig into these game day Greek nachos.

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