#NoKidsPolicy: Scary celeb stories that prove it's overdue >>

"Sometimes I'll find myself watching her in class, and I'm like, 'Oh my God, you're so being a dance mom,'" Applegate told People. "I'm sitting [there] in my head going, 'Why isn't she pointing her foot that way? Someone needs to go in there and fix her foot!'"

Applegate has had a long career in Hollywood, but shared a secret passion for dancing while she was growing up. She spoke with the magazine at the 4th Annual Celebration of Dance Gala. Although the Anchorman actress is not able to dance anymore because of injuries, she does share her passion for dance by occasionally guest-judging on So You Think You Can Dance.

"It was my secret thing I did that nobody knew I did," Applegate explained. "I could go to classes and not have anyone bother me. And I did it for years up until I got pregnant with my daughter."

Anchorman's Ron Burgundy to write tell-all memoir >>

Applegate knew as soon as she became a mom that she wanted to share many things with her daughter, including her love of dance. She explained, "I now have to live vicariously through my daughter. I watch her and help her speak through her body — channel her emotions and her joy through her body. [I help her] get grounded, get all that stuff out."

A 38-year-old Scottish woman was complaining about weight loss, shaking, lethargy and mild incontinence. Upon going to the doctor, she discovered that a five-inch-long sex toy was stuck in her vagina and protruding into her bladder. She had to have it removed surgically. (Sounds like one of those cool episodes of Grey's Anatomy, right?)

What we're all wondering is, "How didn't you know about that?" Or, "Did you skip yearly pelvic exams?"

Well, she says she was drinking when she used the toy. The staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary were a little taken aback when the woman said that her drunken night of fun had been 10 years ago. She said she couldn't remember if she had removed it or not.

Obviously, she dropped the ball on that.

Good thing she found it in time — the effects of the left-behind gadget could have affected her life. The toy had caused a blockage in her bladder that directed urine back into her kidneys. It also caused a vesicovaginal fistula, which can cause urine to flow into the vagina. Eek.

Doctors say 10 years is nothing — they have a report about a woman who had an object lodged in her vagina for 35 years. Sometimes the practice is common in those with Münchausen syndrome, a psychiatric condition where the person feigns symptoms to get attention or sympathy.

Still wondering how she didn't notice it. Even if it was only for a decade.

More health news

How to be vegan without battling an eating disorder
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Get ready for The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives star Eileen Davidson and former DOOL cast member Lisa Rinna to add more flair to the Bravo TV show. They will be a part of the show that already includes veteran reality stars Kim and Kyle Richards, Brandi Glanville, Yolanda Foster and Lisa Vanderpump.

Yikes: Lisa Rinna's lips were getting hard >>

Rinna has already been filming for the show. According to Us Weekly, her birthday party was filmed at Vanderpump's new West Hollywood restaurant, Pump, on July 11. She is married to Mad Men star Harry Hamlin.

There were rumors going as far back as Season 4 that Rinna would be a cast member on the franchise show. She's denied ever having an interest in the past, but executives probably came up with an offer she couldn't refuse for Season 5. She's also familiar with the reality show terrain after starring in Season 2 of Dancing With the Stars as well as Season 2 of Celebrity Apprentice, and then returning for their All-Stars edition in Season 6.

INTERVIEW: Brandi Glanville talks Lisa Vanderpump, new housewives >>

Davidson just won a Daytime Emmy for her evil portrayal of Kristen DiMera on DOOL. Hopefully her acting chops will come in handy when she encounters some of the shenanigans concocted by Glanville and the gang.

Bravo TV has yet to comment publicly on the casting news, but it's bound to be a tumultuous season with lots of big personalities and women who are used to unpredictable story lines. Let the drinking games begin!

The partnership between The Girl Scouts and Barbie was practically inevitable when you really think about it. This is an organization that makes its mark by deploying their annual army of shiny-haired, doe-eyed girls to hawk overpriced cookies to the rest of us. They pose as an organization that empowers women, yet offer online activities for girls 10 to 12 years old that include a "sports style personality quiz" and "test your online etiquette." Not really a very inspiring way to challenge our girls to compete and achieve.

Even the Girl Scout Law is about being nice and respectful, certainly not about encouraging leadership or challenging oneself. It's a very antiquated view about what it is to be a "nice" girl. You know, like Barbie. Getting into business with Mattel couldn't really have seemed like much of a stretch. And neither Mattel nor the Girl Scouts seem to have predicted the backlash against the collaboration.

"This partnership will allow Girl Scouts to offer an engaging and interactive new leadership experience, one that leverages the appeal of Barbie in order to encourage girls to explore exciting new career possibilities," Anna Marie Chávez, Girl Scouts' CEO, said. "We are tying the fun girls have playing with Barbie to an opportunity to gain insight into the careers of today and tomorrow, with patches and discovery along the way. Like Girl Scouts, Barbie is an American icon; together, we are teaching girls that their futures are wide open with possibilities, and that they can accomplish anything they set their sights on in their careers."

The statement is so tone deaf, either she hadn't actually seen any of the Barbie program's collateral, or it portrays how out of step her organization is with the rest of American women.

Now girls can buy a Girl Scout Barbie, or head on over to a companion site for Barbie-branded activities. Brownies and Daisies can even earn a Barbie Patch. Yes, Barbie "Can Be Anything" she wants to be, which apparently only requires finding just the right accessories. There's the "I can be... " game where Barbie is dressed as sexed-up vague representations of various professionals, like the ballerina who needs her tiara or the rock star and her guitar. There's also a paleontologist who can't do her job without her hat. The message here is that you can be anything you want to be within a very narrow and outdated set of choices.

Look, the Girl Scouts are entitled to their retro perspective on womanhood and Barbie has been going strong and selling dolls for decades. But our girls could use a little more guidance for navigating the modern world than style tips. Here's just one example from Information Week about the gender pay gap in IT jobs. And according to Pew Research, 4 in 10 households with children have mothers who are either the sole or primary source of income. That number was 11 percent in 1960. All while bashing their heads against the slowly-but-surely-cracking glass ceiling.

Like it or not, the world is changing for our girls. It's our job to prepare them for the many, varied roles they are likely to take on as adults: leaders, earners, mothers. You don't even have to see this as a feminist thing, it's just a practical one. Our daughters are going to need more than good manners for their future, like math and science and the confidence to take on massive challenges. So why are we still feeding them this old-school diatribe?

More topics for women

Harvard's women's rugby team tackles body hate with kick-ass photo project
Dear women: It's OK to admit that you're pretty
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Johnson has been spotted enjoying her time with musician Matthew Hitt, sparking rumors that there could be a hot new celebrity couple taking form.

Listen up, Fifty Shades of Grey fans: The trailer is now live >>

The pair looked very happy in each other's company in New York City's East Village neighborhood on Wednesday. The duo even sweetly held hands as they strolled through the streets together, with the The Social Network actress sporting a massive grin, the Daily Mail reports.

There was no holding back on the public affection either, and the rumored couple even shared a steamy smooch later on in the day. So, could there be a romance brewing?

If there is, then the 27-year-old rocker and the 24-year-old beauty certainly make a strikingly good-looking pair and, according to Us Weekly, Hitt wanted to put his good looks to use when he moved to New York City in 2011 in the hopes of pursuing a modeling career.

Instead, he's in a super cool indie rock band called Drowners — they released their first album earlier this year.

Dakota Johnson's dad won't watch her in Fifty Shades of Grey >>

It has been a big week for Johnson, too; she not only appeared on The Today Show alongside co-star Jamie Dornan on Thursday, July 24, but Fifty Shades of Grey also premiered its official trailer today.

While we can't be certain that Johnson and Hitt are romantically linked, the last time that Johnson was linked to someone was back in October with Jordan Masterson (the brother of Chris Masterson, from Malcolm In The Middle, and Danny Masterson, who played Hyde on That '70s Show).

Listen up, Fifty Shades of Grey fans: The trailer is now live >>

Though we are loving the featured Beyoncé track, we still can't shake the gut-wrenching feeling that Charlie Hunnam should be playing the role of Christian Grey, and catching a glimpse of Jamie Dornan attempting to bring the character to life kinda took the wind out of our sails.

It's not that Dornan isn't good looking, it's just that in the trailer, he lacks the certain rugged quality of Hunnam's that would make watching him man-handle Dakota Johnson a little more believable. So, just for fun, we are going to live in a fantasy world for a bit and pretend that Charlie Hunnam will still be gracing the screen as Mr. Grey and heating up our winter in 2015.

First of all, we love Hunnam as the flannel-wearing biker dude, Jax Teller, in Sons of Anarchy, but just take a gander at how slick he looks in a well-tailored suit.

His beautifully-puckered pout and squinty stare gives us chills.

He can hold our head in the grasp of his strong man-arms any time.

Watch as Hunnam makes the smooth transition from motorcycle enthusiast to slick helicopter owner.

No shocker here... Hunnam looks superb as Christian Grey with his shirt off.

The most interesting man in the world is Charlie Hunnam as Christian Grey.

And one more shirtless shot, just for posterity.

If you're going to compare feline skills against the physical abilities of humans, the best cat for the competition is Didga, the World's Best Skateboarding Cat. As you can see, Didga is a natural at racing up trees, dominating all obstacles in her path, and even cunningly outrunning a pack of obnoxious canines. After watching Didga, it's no wonder that humans want to do the supernatural with their physiques.

In the following "Parkour" video, you will be amazed at the unbelievable physical feats these men (and a solo woman) perform — running up walls, vaulting from building to building, backflipping off of anything they can get their hands and feet on, and exhibiting boundless energy that makes even the most skilled Spider Man stunt double look lazy. What do you think? Do these superhuman feats beat the natural physical abilities of our extraordinarily agile felines?

More kitty love that will make you meow

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The 38-year-old actress was spotted wearing a new diamond ring on her left hand as she walked through the Los Angeles International Airport Wednesday, People magazine reported. The new piece of jewelry added to recent speculation that Theron and Penn are getting ready to tie the knot.

Sean Penn is a "loser," says White Sox manager >>

Theron had recently said in an interview with Vogue that she is not one to dwell on wedding wishes, saying she "never had the dream of the white dress." However, Penn, 53, may just have been the perfect man to change her mind.

"[Charlize] likes guys with more substance. She finds Sean very charming and he makes her laugh," a source told People. "She definitely has him wrapped around her finger."

While reps for both stars did not return comment, Theron and Penn have avoided answering questions about an engagement since they started dating back in January. The two have been pals for years, but made their first appearance as a couple at Penn's third annual Help Haiti Home gala.

Charlize Theron and Sean Penn pack on the PDA at gala >>

Theron and Penn went on to show off their romantic relationship during vacations in Hawaii and Mexico. Since then, friends of the couple have said that they would not "be surprised" if the two ended up getting married at some point.

Aside from hanging out together socially and romantically, Theron and Penn are also set to work together on the upcoming film, The Last Face. The project will be directed by Penn and features Theron as the lead, starring opposite Adele Exarchopoulos and Javier Bardem.

When 28-year-old David Beatty heard a loud thump, he waited anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to check on his toddler daughters. While he waited to check on them, the girls were unable to breathe, and 2-year-old Brooklyn died in the accident. Her 3-year-old sister, Ryeley, died two days later. A forensic pathologist told police that both girls would have survived if the caregiver had responded immediately and freed them from the weight of the 124-pound dresser.

What originally seemed like a tragic accident and a reminder to secure furniture carefully is now a criminal case. Beatty, who was home alone with the girls, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Why charges in this case and not others? Had Beatty been attentive to the toddlers, they would have survived despite the falling dresser.

Soiled diapers and feces on the floor

Photo credit: KDKA

The girls' mother, Jennifer Beatty, was charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. During the accident, first responders found the Beatty home in a state of unlivable filth. Used diapers littered the floor. Multiple items in the girls' bedroom were covered in human feces.

It appears that far more was at play than the sort of tragic human error that results in thousands of injuries each year from furniture and appliance tip-overs. No parent is expected to keep close watch on toddlers every single second of the day, but no toddler should be left unsupervised in dangerous and filthy living conditions. While Brooklyn and Ryeley's deaths still serve as a horrible reminder to secure heavy furniture to walls, it's clear that they were neglected — and that their deaths were preventable in more ways than one.

More child safety

Life-saving tips for baby furniture safety
12 Things in your living room that can kill your toddler
I left my toddler in a hot car

For a complete meal, these recipes for grilled cilantro-lime pork chops with Spanish cauliflower "rice" make a super-flavorful combo. For the cauliflower Spanish "rice" recipe, I swap out the rice and use cauliflower instead. With cauliflower having a texture similar to rice, this recipe will leave you with added veggies (and fewer carbs) for dinner.

The pork chops are marinated in lime juice, cilantro and a few other seasonings to give them a great citrusy flavor that pairs well with the cauliflower. These chops are perfect for the grill.

Spanish cauliflower "rice" recipe

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 head cauliflower, leaves and stem trimmed, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 green bell pepper, seeds and membrane removed, diced small
• 3 green onions, ends trimmed, cut into small pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 3 ounces tomato paste
• 3-4 ounces tomato sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Add the cauliflower florets to a food processor, and pulse until the cauliflower is about the size of rice.
2. To a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the green bell pepper, green onions and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the cauliflower to the skillet, and toss to combine with the other vegetables.
4. Add the vegetable broth, mix well, and reduce the heat to low.
5. Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, cumin, cayenne, salt and black pepper.
6. Mix, and cook over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
7. Remove from the heat, and serve warm with the pork chops.

Grilled cilantro-lime pork chops recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless pork chops, about 1 inch thick
• 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 medium limes)
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• Zest from 1 lime
• 3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Mix together the lime juice, zest, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, chili powder, salt and pepper. Place the pork chops into a baking dish, and pour the mixture over the tops.
2. Cover, and store in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes.
3. Lightly oil the grill before turning it on. Heat the grill to medium-high heat.
4. Remove the pork chops from the marinade (and discard it). When the grill is hot, place the pork chops on the grill, and close the lid. Cook for about 3 minutes, rotate the chops about 45 degrees (without flipping), and cook for about 2 more minutes.
5. Flip the chops, and cook the same as above. When finished cooking, the internal temperature of the chops should be 145 degrees F, as measured with a meat thermometer.
6. When done, remove the pork chops from the grill, and let them rest for 3 to 5 minutes.
7. Squeeze a bit of lime juice over the tops of the chops, and garnish with chopped cilantro.
8. Serve warm with the Spanish cauliflower "rice."

More grilling and vegetable recipes

Tropical shrimp kebabs with spicy fruit salsa
Grilled chipotle-orange chicken salad
Quinoa and veggie stir-fry

When you're flying solo, set your expectations low. At the very least, you want to arrive at your destination without wanting to immediately sell your kids on eBay. It's never easy to hit the road or take to the skies without another set of adult hands, but it doesn't have to be a nightmare. I asked experienced travelers to share how they survived traveling solo with babies and young kids. Now I'm ready to book my first single-mom trip. Maybe.

Put your kids to work

Giving your kids jobs serves several purposes. First of all, it makes them feel important and keeps them busy, which keeps them from fighting with you over whether or not they can buy $10 worth of candy at the convenience store. Perhaps more importantly, they can actually help you instead of functioning as large, stubborn carry-on items. "Figure out how far to the next stop, if you're traveling by car," says parenting adviser Magda Pecsenye. "Manage the luggage or figure out where you're going to eat in the airport, if you're going by plane."

Pack distractions wisely

Knowing that toys make kids happy, it can be tempting to pack entire bags full of stuff. Do not make this critical error. "I always found the more I had to keep them entertained, the more the kids couldn't figure out what to play with and led to breakdowns," says writer Dani Walker. 
"Stick with a few choices rather than lots to pick from." This will also save you room, whether you're making the most of your trunk space or you're struggling with your luggage. Whatever you do, remember the handheld devices full of kids' apps and Disney movies and the trusty headphones to go with them.

Check out old-school car games to play >>

Practice mobilizing

The last thing you want to do is realize that you simply cannot function at some point during your travels. Try a little practice run before you hit the road. Practice wearing your baby and rolling a car seat. Make sure you can drive with your cargo area filled to the brim. Ensure the snacks and other small goodies are within reach if you plan on trying to entertain your kids while driving without compromising your safety. Do time trials with your folding stroller. If you think I'm kidding with that last one, you've never missed a tram thanks to a stroller that wouldn't behave itself.

Accept pity

That lady on the plane who wants to hold your baby? She doesn't want to steal your kid. (Probably.) She just sees the way your eyes have started to glaze over with desperation. When you're traveling alone, it's okay to rely at least a little on the kindness of strangers. Let someone help you get to the restroom on the plane. Ask someone to hold the door open for you as you're pushing a stroller and rolling carry-on luggage at the same time. "I flew from Florida to Alaska (and back) with my then 6-month-old daughter and there's no way I would've made it to my connecting flights without help from compassionate fellow travelers!" says writer April Woods Cary.

Discover 12 awesome family travel blogs >>

Know your kids

This might be a no-brainer, but don't take advice that doesn't apply to your kids. What worked for your best friend's kids isn't a magic bullet. Some kids hate board books. Some kids hate snacks. (OK, no kids hate snacks.) But seriously, adapt to your own kids' needs. Trust your Mom instincts. And remember, your Mom instincts will resemble those of a rabid animal once you're actually en route, so try to develop a solid game plan way before you're struggling to make it through the security line 20 minutes before take-off.

More parenting tips

How to deal when your husband's always on the road
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Do you have a dog? Does your dog love treats? I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that question.

I'm Kelly Dixon from Smart School House and I'm here to share a super easy and quick recipe for DIY dog treats. They are so fun to make that my kids did all of the cookie cutting. So, get the family together and celebrate your dog with these fantastic homemade dog treats.

DIY dog treats

Ingredients:

• Dog bone cookie cutters
• Whole wheat flour
• Organic peanut butter
• Baking powder
• Skim milk
• Parchment paper
• Electric mixer

Directions:

In your mixing bowl add:

• 1 cup of peanut butter to 1 cup of milk.

In a separate bowl, combine

• 1 tablespoon of baking powder with 2 cups of wheat flour. Slowly add these powder ingredients to the peanut butter and milk mixture.

Combine all of the ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Using parchment paper, sprinkle a tiny bit of wheat flour on the surface and roll out the dough to reach your desired dog treat thickness. Using your dog bone cookie cutters, cut out dog treats and place them onto a greased cookie sheet.

• Bake at 375 degrees F for 15 -20 minutes.

Before making these dog treats, be sure you take your dog's dietary needs into consideration. Some dogs don't do well with peanut butter while some dogs love it. As always, put your dog's best interest first. However, I've never met a dog that doesn't like homemade treats. They make wonderful gifts tied in baker's twine or delivered in small jars.

The royal made a surprise visit during the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Scotland on Thursday, and that was not the only surprise that she made during her unscheduled visit.

VIDEO: Queen Elizabeth knows the Iron Throne is bad news >>

Her Majesty snuck into a selfie of two female hockey players, Jayde Taylor and Brooke Peris from Australia — the duo took the snap just before their opening match against Malaysia — and when the girls checked their snap, they were pleased with the result.

Taking to Twitter to share their epic snapshot, Jayde Taylor wrote, "Ahhh the Queen photo-bombed our selfie!! #royalty #sheevensmiled #amazing #Glasgow2014 @Hockeyroos @AusComGames"

According to TMZ, the ecstatic girls had always intended to get the queen in the background of their picture, but when Her Majesty realized what was going on she decided to be a good sport and flash them her massive grin.

VIDEOS: Will & Kate meet vets, unveil portrait of queen >>

And an awesome photobomb, which has now become a social media phenomenon, is not all that these lucky hockey players got. They also had a little chat with the queen.

"She asked us a bit about the pitch, how we were going and told us to enjoy our time here. She was lovely. Really, really lovely."

We're impressed with Her Majesty's awesome sense of humor.

Queen Elizabeth tells cops to keep their mitts off her nuts>>

Tell us what you think: Did the queen improve her self-image with this epic photobomb?

The wearable technology market, according to a June report from Visiongain will hit $5.26 billion in 2014. There's oodles of money to be made in selling consumers wearable technology, so the sooner tech companies can offer mobile devices people actually want to be seen out at the club in, the fatter their share of that particular multi-billion-dollar cake.

Their biggest hurdle? It's practically all dudes making wearable tech. According to a January report from the Washington Post, 89 percent of tech company startup teams have no women. Not one. And while women certainly aren't the exclusive gender with fashion sense (Tom Ford), how can a room full of men who have spent most of their lives writing code and building empires based on bits and bytes be expected to navigate the fickle, freaky world of fashion?

So, like the smart businessmen they are, they've started to recruit some high-powered style makers.

Apple iWatch and Kobe Bryant

Apple is rumored to be set to release the hotly anticipated Apple iWatch with a little help from one of the most famous men on the planet: Kobe Bryant. The iWatch, it's predicted, will have functions appealing to the more health-minded consumer like sweat, blood pressure and heart rate monitoring. After several reported sightings of Kobe Bryant on Apple's Cupertino, Calif. campus, the word is that Kobe is actively testing the iWatch and making recommendations. Hopefully Kobe, clearly a fashion-forward tastemaker in the public eye, can offer Apple some meaningful tips on what stylish consumers really want.

Google Glass DVF

Diane von Furstenberg designed her own signature Google Glasses and sent her glamazon beauties traipsing down the spring catwalks wearing them. Was the geek-to-chic makeover a triumph? Judge the result for yourself. But when runway models can't make Google Glasses look good, Houston, as they say, we have a problem. Google Glasses just fundamentally look… what's the word… dorky. That bar down the side makes you look like you can't see. Also, everyone out there right now wearing them is a tech dude. Google Glasses only became widely available to consumers at the end of June, so maybe there's still hope. All it takes is for Kim and Khloe Kardashian to bust out a pair while shopping on Melrose in Los Angeles and it's on. Heck, Birkenstocks are back in style. Anything is possible.

Moto 360: Smartwatch goes round

Smartwatches are only slightly less aesthetically hideous than a calculator watch from 1983. Smartwatches also, unfortunately, lack that hipster throwback irony so fashionable these days. Bless their little billionaire hearts, Smartwatch developers and manufacturers have given the world a device that only narrowly appeals to the Palo Alto bro set. Google is trying to boost the Smartwatch design options — and consumer base — with the latest release of its Android Wear platform that allows developers to design rounded watch screens, in addition to the rectangular, smartphone-lashed-to-your-wrist look that is currently the only choice available.

The Moto 360 was released in conjunction with Google I/O 2014 and the announcement of the round-face option. It's better. Right?

Brace yourself, there's a bevy of wearable technology options coming your way. They will either become so ubiquitous that you can't help but buy one — fashion sense be damned — or wearable tech manufacturers are going to have to figure out a way to keep up with the whiplash pace of consumer fashion taste. What kind of watch will you be wearing in two years? Will your glasses spy on the next table at the restaurant? Only time, and fashion, will tell.

More tech news

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A modern chemical soup

Until very recently — just 10 years ago — there was almost no research on how industrial pollution affected pregnant women. It had been assumed that the placenta shielded the cord blood and the developing fetus from most pollutants. The reality, however, is that the umbilical cord carries not only oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, but also industrial chemicals, pollutants and pesticides.

Two separate studies conducted in 2004 and 2008 by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that the umbilical cord blood taken from 10 newborn babies contained 200-plus environmental toxins — that’s before they’ve taken more than their first gasp of air or had their first sip of breast milk.

In the first EWG "Body Burden" study, researchers analyzed the umbilical cord blood (collected after it was cut) from 10 babies born in August and September 2004 in U.S. hospitals. They found, in total, 287 industrial chemicals in the blood — with an average of 200 per baby — including polyaromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, furans, pesticides, chemicals from flame retardants, industrial lubricants, plastics, consumer product ingredients and wastes from burning coal, gasoline and garbage.

In a second follow-up EWG study, five laboratories in the U.S., Canada and Europe identified up to 232 industrial compounds and pollutants in the umbilical cord blood collected from 10 minority infants born in 2007 and 2008. Chemicals detected in all 10 babies included lead, mercury, methylmercury, perfluorochemicals (PFCs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), to name but a few.

How this affects a baby’s long-term health

Many of these chemicals are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which interfere with hormonal communication between cells and disrupt our body’s natural hormonal balance. Because hormones affect so many biological processes, including organ development and function, mood, fertility and reproduction, exposure to EDCs can have adverse health affects.

EDCs have been linked to an increased risk of weight gain, obesity and diabetes, as well as, food allergies, infertility, reproductive abnormalities, reproductive system cancer, early puberty and neurological and behavioral disorders, like ADHD.

Unfortunately, our everyday exposure to EDCs includes:

• Phthalates. Used to make plastic soft. Found in everything from toys and electric cables to shower curtains and cosmetic products.
• Parabens. Preservatives. Used in cosmetic and personal care products as well as food items, such as turkey breast, yogurt and pancake syrup.
• Brominated flame retardants. Added to furniture and electronic goods.
• Diet. A major source of exposure to EDCs from pesticides sprayed on produce to substances used in processed food packaging materials and containers.
• Other. Cash receipts, paints, gasoline, preserved wood and breast implants, as well as dry cleaning and leather treatment.

"We now know that during pregnancy, exposure of the mother to some chemicals, pollutants and foods may impact a developing baby and have long-lasting effects on a child’s health even into adulthood," says Dr. Vik Sachar, a Los Angeles-based, high-risk pregnancy specialist, who adds: "The best defense is to minimize the mother's exposure to toxins during pregnancy."

After discovering that his 4-year-old daughter’s "toy" makeup and his wife’s makeup contained endocrine disrupting toxins, such as parabens, phenols and formaldehyde, he founded his own cosmetic company, V. Sachar MD — non-toxic safe cosmetics for pregnancy for the face, lips and eyes, as well as pregnancy creams.

Growing up, actress Jessica Alba struggled with asthma and allergies. During her first pregnancy, she read Healthy Child Healthy World by Christopher Gavigan to learn how to create a healthy home for her family. The revelation that everyday consumer and baby products — household cleaners, diapers, diaper creams, baby powder, shampoos, sunscreens — exposed infants to harmful toxins turned Alba into an entrepreneur. She partnered with Gavigan and launched the Honest Company, which offers non-toxic, natural and eco-friendly products for new moms. The Honest Company’s best-selling products include their Diaper & Wipes Bundle and Shampoo + Body Wash.

"We want more people to have access to natural options. We focus on sourcing affordable ingredients and giving parents bundling options to fit their budget when they buy from our website," says Alba.

Alba and Gavigan encourage mothers to read labels on products for babies and children — and to be on the look out for the following toxic ingredients that have been linked to asthma, ADHD, allergies, behavorial disorders and more.

• Phthalates
• Parabens
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): a surfactant, detergent and emulsifier used in shampoos, toothpastes, cosmetics and industrial cleaners.
• Fragrance: Often contains dozens, even hundreds of synthetic compounds — used in shampoos, deodorants and other personal care.
• Polyethylene glycols (PEGS): emollient and emulsifier used in skin care products.

Other steps to reduce your (or your baby’s) toxin exposure

• Eat fresh, whole, unprocessed foods
• Choose organic (versus conventional) produce
• Buy grass-fed meats and dairy products from pasture-raised animals
• Filter your tap water
• Swap out commercial brands of personal care products for those that use organic and natural ingredients
• Avoid wearing fragrance or using products with artificial fragrance (e.g., scented candles)
• Avoid or reduce your exposure to cigarette smoke
• Choose or make your own non-toxic household cleaners

More on pregnancy and health

Wi-Fi waves could be dangerous to your baby bump
Is drinking OK for baby?
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1. Lancôme Grandiôse Mascara

They've done it again. The mascara genies at Lancôme have broken beauty boundaries with Grandiôse, the first ever Swan-Neck mascara. Curved at a 25-degree angle, the Swan-Neck wand gives lashes lift, length and volume by mimicking the curves of your face and grabbing lashes at the base to fan them out and nix nasty smudging. Even better? The wand's three-dimensional curve mixes and keeps the formula fresh by sealing air into the bottle.

Availability: Grandiôse hits Lancome.com and Lancôme counters nationwide Aug. 6

Price: $32

2. Dial Acne Control Collection

The brand's first foray into the acne realm features a trio of body acne fighters. The Face Wash, Body Wash and Face & Body Bar work overtime to banish pesky body acne resulting from workouts, general sweat and more. Dial worked with dermatologists to create the exciting new line.

Availability: Available July 2014 at grocery, drug and mass retailers nationwide

Price: $5-7 for the collection

3. fantasy Britney Spears Stage Edition Eau de Parfum

Oops she did it again. Britney Spears adds to her line of successful scents with her newest fragrance called fantasy Britney Spears Stage Edition. Inspired by some of Brit's most memorable moments on stage, the fragrance itself is the ever popular fantasy scent and features a limited edition collectible bottle. The cool packaging pays homage to one of Britney's most talked about performances, "I'm a Slave 4 U" from the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards (aka the python performance), and the bottle features a snakeskin-patterned wrap embellished with jewel-toned accents.

Availability: Available exclusively at Kohl's and Sears

Price: $38 for 30 milliliters

4. Dolce & Gabbana Summer Glow Collection

Get ready to glow your way through the rest of summer with Dolce & Gabbana's new makeup releases. Vibrant hues and innovative formulas rule the collection, which features nail lacquers, eye makeup, lip colors and more. Our favorite? The Gloss Fusion Lipstick in Orchid.

Availability: Available now at Saks Fifth Avenue and select Macy's, Nordstrom and Sephora stores

Price: $25-66

5. Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Gold Couture

Summer is all about indulgence — the ice cream, the long, lazy days by the pool — and we've found a treat you don't have to feel guilty about. Juicy Couture's newest fragrance is a decadent blend of wild berry, golden amber, sandalwood and melted caramel notes and is housed in a sassy, high fashion bottle any stylish gal is sure to adore.

Availability: Available now at Macy's

Price: $92 for 3.4 ounces

6. Boots No7 Youthful Eye Serum

Say bye bye to the signs of aging we all dread with Boots No7 Serum Youthful Eye Serum. The new release (the first clinically-proven Boots No7 serum specifically for the delicate eye area) targets the five main signs of aging thanks to a powerful blend of vitamins C and A, hyaluronic acid, peptides and cassava. See ya later, crow's feet, dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles.

Availability: Coming soon to Target stores and Target.com this August

Price: $20

7. Covergirl #instaGLAM Collection

Inspired by generation NOW, Covergirl's new #instaGLAM Collection (newly released this month) is hoping to empower women to create "like-worthy" beauty looks so they can be ready in a snap. The colorful line features everything from a shiny lip gloss collection to beautiful XL nail gels and the typical foundations, concealers and mascaras.

Availability: Available this month at mass-market, drugstore and e-commerce retailers nationwide

Price: $7-9

8. Tula Skin Care Line

Skin care that features probiotic technology? We're intrigued. The Tula skin care collection features a face cleanser, eye cream, day and night cream and face serum created by gastroenterologist Dr. Roshini Raj. Filled with vitamins A, C and E, rice protein, omegas-3 and -6 fatty acids and fruit extracts, the collection is rich in antioxidants and helps prevent the signs of aging. The brand just launched a collection exclusively with QVC and we can't wait to get our hands on it.

Availability: Available exclusively on QVC.com

Price: $25-75

9. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face + Body Stick Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70

We've long been fans of Neutrogena's affordable and skin-friendly SPF formulas, so we were psyched to find out the brand was releasing this sunscreen stick. Easy to apply (hands and mess-free!), this SPF combines a weightless feel and non-shiny finish to provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection.

Availability: Drugstores nationwide and online

Price: $11

10. Nails Inc. Alexa Chung Fabric Collection

What would summer be without a sassy pedicure to show off your new sandals? Boring if you ask us. Fresh off their announcement of a kale nail polish, Nails Inc. releases a new fabric collection with the stylish Alexa Chung. Featuring six lacquers inspired by some of our favorite fabrics (think leather, lace, silk, sequins, camo and cashmere), the line gives a new meaning to textured manis.

Availability: Available this August at nailsinc.com and Sephora

Price: $15 each

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In a new video for NRA News he lays out his rationale for re-writing gun policy in America to acknowledge guns are an individual right that should be as supported and protected by the government as voting or public education.

"We don't have a U.S. gun policy," Johnson says. "We have a U.S. anti-gun policy."

He says current gun policy assumes guns are bad and dangerous. Instead, we should look at guns as necessary and something that improves American lives, he adds. Gun policy should written from the perspective that guns are a "need" and that starts, he says, with arming every school kid.

In fact, Johnson, dressed more like a Portland hipster than Duck Dynasty outdoor enthusiast in thick black glasses and black T-shirt, says we should make guns and gun education compulsory in schools because it's just as important as reading.

"It wouldn't matter if they didn't want to learn, we would make it mandatory to advance to the next grade," Johnson says. And if parents aren't willing or able to shoot guns with their kids, no sweat, just find them a gun mentor.

He goes on to explain that like other basic rights, the government should subsidize the exercise of the right to bear arms. Johnson imagines government gun ranges where you could shoot for free, and a yearly allotment of ammunition provided by the Feds.

Undoubtedly Johnson expects his ideas to draw some fire — if you'll excuse the pun — from gun control advocates. But, that's all in a day's work.

"I didn't make these videos so people would agree with me, Johnson says. "I made these videos because I want to get people to think about things in a different way. I think a world where we all agree on things we should be really concerned about.

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Numerous social media posts from party guests made their way online during the event as they helped Lopez celebrate her happy day, Us Weekly reported. One source told the publication that the sexy singer and Chmerkovskiy looked "super-cute" together at the party.

Ben Affleck still thinks highly of ex-fiancée JLo's butt >>

The Ukrainian dancer didn't show up until 1 a.m. because he had rehearsals for the upcoming Sway event, but he wanted to be there since Lopez personally invited him. The pair has been fueling romance rumors for some time, although both insist they are just pals.

Montana, who collaborated with Lopez on "I Luh Ya Papi," brought his girlfriend Khloé Kardashian and the pair hung out with Scott Disick all night. Montana also posted a couple of photos of himself with JLo as well as with Disick and rapper Fat Joe.

Kardashian also shared a photo of herself with the newly single pop star, captioned with, "She served it last night!!! Happy birthday @jlo."

Jennifer Lopez learned to love her body early on >>

Other celebrities at the bash included Leah Remini, who is Lopez's best friend and the one allegedly responsible for introducing her to Chmerkovskiy. Russell Simmons, Tracy Anderson, Kristin Chenoweth, Rachel Zoe and Brian Atwood were also there. Benny Medina, who is Lopez's manager, gave a sweet speech to the singer, saying, "It's not the years we live in life, but what we make of it."

The lucky guests all indulged in a huge cake that was made into a mold of Lopez leaning on top of a lion, which everyone enjoyed, along with the festivities that went on until 4 a.m.

The early days of my longest relationship were a match made in nerd heaven. I knew I'd found my man when we sat outside the university bookstore talking about classic X-Men arcs. It was only a matter of time before our relationship evolved into cosplaying together.

No, cosplay isn't a weird sexual position. Though, for "example," if you and your partner get drunk at a sci-fi convention and "forget" to remove your costumes before getting it on, it could be considered a weird sexual activity. With origins in Japanese fan culture, cosplay is actually a shortened form of the phrase "costume play." Typically taking place at anime, comic and sci-fi conventions, it essentially means dressing up as characters you love. Cons often host competitions to grade cosplayers on their skills and occasionally on skits and performances.

I've never owned a sewing machine, so my cosplay skills didn't win any awards. But I still managed to cobble together costumes using thrift store finds and approximately half of Jo-Ann's inventory. My then-boyfriend and I would sit in the living room of our townhouse, surrounded by sequins and fabric glue. We'd watch endless episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer while carefully constructing ninja costumes, pirate costumes and on one blissfully simple occasion, a "business man" costume.

Don't knock it 'til you try it

Remember how much fun it was to pick out the perfect Halloween costume as a child? (Or last year, if you partake in Halloween as an adult holiday.) Cosplaying is just like that. In fact, you can update your Rainbow Brite costume from 1986 and no one will bat an eye. Couples cosplay is especially fun because it gives you and your partner a project to work on together, and it puts a little spice into your relationship. Batman and Catwoman? Emma Swan and Captain Hook? Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask? Think about it.

Nerd culture is ripe for romance. A recent VGMarket poll showed that 57 percent of San Diego Comic-Con attendees know someone who met their partner or spouse at the con. There's a reason why Arya has become a popular baby name recently.

You don't need matchy-matchy costumes to have fun together. I often dressed up as a boy. I loved completely stepping outside of my own shy nerd-girl identity. Dressing up as a male character excited me. It didn't turn my boyfriend off — he appreciated the fact that I felt confident and sexy.

I miss the carefree self-confidence that had me parading around conference centers in various states of dress and undress. You can bet if I ever make the trek to San Diego Comic-Con I'll have a suitcase full of costumes. Life's too short to act like a boring grown up all the time.

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The British director brought a new trailer of the forthcoming sci-fi space adventure to Comic-Con during Paramount's Hall H presentation. Fans were thrilled to see the famed director and star of the film Matthew McConaughey at Comic-Con for the first time.

TRAILER: Watch Matthew McConaughey go Interstellar >>

"Thank you for having us," Nolan said, according to The Guardian. "This has been the backbone of all the extraordinary success we have had, so thank you.

"We thought it'd be a fun thing to come and see what all the fuss is about," said Nolan, who was greeted by a standing ovation.

Although he gave little away about the film's details, Nolan did tease fans with a brand-new trailer, one that he said general audiences won't be seeing for quite some time.

According to The Guardian, the trailer begins on Earth and shows how mankind is searching for salvation in space. It's then that the trailer gets really interesting, with the wormhole the astronauts travel through taking them to an ice planet that could potentially solve humanity's problems. Basically, the trailer does a good job of convincing fans that they want to see this film, badly.

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The star-studded cast includes Oscar winners Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway as the lead characters, as well as favorites Michael Caine, Casey Affleck, Jessica Chastain and Topher Grace.

Interstellar will be released on Nov. 7, so if you missed the trailer at Comic-Con you'll have to wait until then — unless you're lucky and the footage gets leaked.

Anne Hathaway goes sci-fi for her next film project, Interstellar >>