Movie roundup

Thankful
for flicks

Halloween and Christmas hog most of the seasonal movie fun, but we managed to come up with a list of films perfectly suited for the Thanksgiving spirit!

Roberto Benigni commands this brilliant 1997 classic. In regard to the holiday season, it is important we stop to recognize our blessings and our health throughout these chaotic times. Life is Beautiful showcases a Jewish-Italian family caught in the middle of the Nazi Holocaust, reminding us all of the fragility of human life and the strength of familial ties. Benigni must make light of the horrible circumstances he and his family faces, utilizing relentless comedic relief and inspiring his son to keep hope throughout the pain.

Although often associated with the Christmas spirit, It's a Wonderful Life is a great film to throw in around Thanksgiving. James Stewart stars as George Bailey, whose guardian angel, Clarence, intervenes on his suicidal contemplations to show him what value his existence truly carries. By illustrating a world without George's interaction, Clarence illuminates the positive impact and the relationships fostered around George, inspiring a new perspective and change of heart committed to his family and his community. It's a Wonderful Life is a great catalyst for reflection, gratitude and service.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen star in this comedic — yet appropriate — perspective on cancer. The two are co-workers and best friends, but when Gordon-Levitt is diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his spine and normality soon shifts to chemotherapy, their relationship evolves into an entirely new realm. Take the time to appreciate your support system and your irreplaceable friendships this Thanksgiving.

An often-overlooked Johnny Depp classic, Benny and Joon examines love, friendship and family in some of life's unexpected places. It's lighthearted and fun on the outside: Depp plays an eccentric Buster Keaton fan who falls, quite literally, head over heels for the "ill" sister, Joon of the man, Benny , who took him under his roof. The film also highlights sensitive issues of identity, acceptance, sacrifice and healing. Although it never explicitly defines Joon's condition, I've always been reminded of the spunk and quirkiness exhibited by my younger sister, who has Autism, and personally, this film has always inspired me to remain thankful for the beautiful challenges and curveballs we all face in life. Sometimes the best answers are unconventional — like cooking grilled cheese with an iron!

This season is all about tradition. For many, although the holidays are chaotic, they symbolize a certain routine and functionality carefully disguised by all the last-minute shopping and cooking to pull it off. But what happens when the routine of life as a whole gets out of whack? What happens when your ex-husband brings a newer, younger mother figure into the picture who steps on your toes left and right? In addition, you've just been diagnosed with a fatal disease, and you're left with quite the conundrum. Susan Sarandon, Ed Harris and Julia Roberts star in this tale of purpose, promise and poise and the passing of the torch as our days go by and tradition is rattled. The film serves as a reminder that change is scary, and asking for help can be equally intimidating, but the persistence and grace of others around us can truly come to our rescue. Stepmom teaches us the importance of trust and acceptance, and the underlying element of mortality demands we appreciate every special moment we have in life.

More on Thanksgiving

TV roundup: Thanksgiving comedy
Solutions for nightmare Thanksgiving scenarios with his family
Thanksgiving traditions to start now

When it comes to kids with Sensory Processing Disorder and meltdowns, prevention goes a long way. Learn how to put together a bag of tricks to help your child navigate everything from loud music to stressful car rides.

Prepare to avoid meltdowns

Sensory Processing Disorder meltdowns aren’t bad behavior. They may resemble tantrums, but they’re the result of a child struggling to deal with sensations and stimulation that are experienced as distress and discomfort. Create a sensory tool kit to help your child cope and avoid reaching the point of melting down.

When it’s noisy and distracting

Pay attention to how your child reacts to noises. Typically, very loud noises or music are distressing, but various background sounds and conversations can also interfere with a child’s focus and mood. Riding in the car with the radio on, going to the movie theater or attending a sporting event can cause stress for a child with SPD. To help your child cope, try tools such as noise-muffling ear covers, soft earplugs or child-safe headphones and an MP3 player with her favorite music. Teach your child to signal you if she needs to find a quiet, safe place to get away from noises.

Pull it all together

Whether your child is 2 or 12, you should keep your sensory tool kit around for help with Sensory Processing Disorder therapies when you’re out and about. The kit may be a diaper bag stuffed with toys and snacks, or it may be an older child’s backpack full of headphones, favorite books, chewing gum and fidget objects. Consider talking to your child’s teacher about allowing your child to bring SPD therapy tools to the classroom. Special pencils, weights and headphones are just some of the tools that may help kids with SPD succeed at school.

More on Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder: Every family has a story
Learn to recognize Sensory Processing Disorder symptoms
4 Must-have Sensory Processing Disorder books

Kelly Preston is opening up about the tragic death of her son Jett for the first time in a bid to help other parents avoid the same fate. The actress said she believes her son's health issues were caused by environmental factors, and that eliminating them could have helped him.

"Jett was autistic," Preston says on an upcoming episode of The Doctors. "He had seizures when he was very young; he had Kawasaki syndrome. I strongly believe as a mother, as does my husband, that there are certain contributing factors that lead to autism and some of it is very much the chemicals in our environment and in our food."

John Travolta admits son's autism>>

Preston also pointed to her "hard and fast" labor and use of antibiotics while breastfeeding, which caused Jett to contract a case of thrush, as possible causes. The yeast infection has been tied to autism by some researchers, although a direct causation has not been proven.

Now parents to baby Benjamin , the couple try to eliminate any environmental factors that could cause the same issues in the tot. Preston told The Doctors she and Travolta are trying to raise their kids in a clean, healthier environment.

John Travolta & Kelly Preston make first statement about son Jett's death>>

Sixteen-year-old Jett died in 2009 after hitting his head on a bathtub while suffering a seizure. Speaking out about autism goes directly against the couple's Scientologist beliefs, which according to insiders do not recognize autism as a disorder and opposes psychiatry and medication such as Depakote used to treat seizures.

However, Scientology representative Tommy Davis told MSNBC, "The Church of Scientology has no position on autism. As with any medical condition, the Church believes that these matters are best diagnosed and treated by a medical doctor. Scientologists can and do then also seek spiritual assistance."

See the complete interview with Kelly Preston on The Doctors, Nov. 21. Check local listings for channel and times.

Image courtesy WENN.com

Kim Kardashian

KK has much to be grateful for this year. Topping her list is the popularity of reality TV, because 10 years ago she would have remained anonymous. You can argue whether or not this is a good thing, but voyeuristic television has made Kim fame-a**. She’s also grateful for her Twitter account, because if she’s having a slow week in the attention whoring getting department, she can drum up some of her own headlines with a bikini shot or piss people off with tweets about the conflict in the Middle East.

Image courtesy Lia Toy/WENN.com

Courtney Stodden

This will be the best Thanksgiving Courtney has had in years. This blessed holiday season, she is grateful for Fredricks of Hollywood and Hookers-Are-Us, for giving her that fresh-off-the-night-shift look that has made her so popular. She’s also thankful she had the presence of mind to marry Doug Hutchison, 52, landing them a secure spot on VH1’s Couple’s Therapy. Now she can dress like a lady-of-the-evening and display her train-wreck marriage for all the world to see. It will be a Happy Thanksgiving in the Stodden/Hutchison home indeed.

Image courtesy Josaih True/WENN.com

Madonna

Though it may enrage Madge fans everywhere, we have to stick our necks out and ask the question: Is the once famous Madonna teetering on becoming infamous? If one is making headlines for her antics rather than for her talent, isn’t that the definition of infamous? While on her MDNA tour, Madame M made headlines for her nightly striptease, tribute tattoos on her back, for incorporating Nazi imagery, encouraging people to vote for the “black Muslim” in the White House and for doing the Gangnam dance . So this Turkey Day, Madonna is grateful for the stage, and that millions of people are willing to turn out for her concerts so they can see what cart-and-pony show she will roll out for them.

Image courtesy WENN.com

Korean rapper Psy

Much like the pilgrims of yore, Psy has found opportunity in the U.S. of A. This Thanksgiving, Psy is grateful that Americans are suckers for cheesy line dances and that he was able to scratch that itch with a Korean version of “Who let the dogs out.” He has Madonna to thank for perpetrating this latest dance craze. Psy’s gratitude journal includes an entry for YouTube where his Gangnam Style has garnered 700 million views.

Image courtesy Adriana Barraza/WENN.com

*In case you haven't figured it out, I have to specify for legal purposes that this entire narrative is completely speculative. We have not talked to the aforementioned celebrities, and these are only our best guesses as to what they are grateful for.

More gift guides

Holiday swag fit for a superhero
Gifts and gear to get you through a zombie apocalypse
Merry Katniss: Holiday gifts fierce enough for Hunger Games

More holiday gifts

Holiday gifts for toddlers
Educational holiday gifts for kids
Editor's favorites: Holiday gifts for kids

Elmo voice Kevin Clash is in hot water for the second time in as many weeks, and he's resigned from Sesame Street amidst the controversy.

The latest fracas has arisen over accusations from a second young man who accuses Clash of having sex with him when he was 15 years old and Clash was 32.

Cecil Singleton, now 24 years old, has filed a lawsuit in New York City's federal court for more than $5 million, TMZ reports. The lawsuit alleges that Clash "trolled gay telephone chat lines to meet and have sex with underage boys."

Elmo puppeteer embroiled in underage sex scandal>>

Apparently, Clash and Singleton met on such a gay phone chat line in 2003, and began a relationship, TMZ reports.

The suit alleges that Clash "groomed [Singleton] to gain his trust by, among other things, taking him to nice dinners and giving him money."

Singleton also claims in his suit that the reason he's waited almost 10 years to accuse Clash is that he "did not become aware that he had suffered adverse psychological and emotional effects from Kevin Clash's sexual acts and conduct until 2012."

This is only the latest in Clash's troubles. Last week, another 24-year-old accused Clash of having an affair with him when he was a minor.

That man recanted his accusations… after Clash agreed to pay $125,000. However, TMZ reported that "he continues to insist Clash had sex with him when he was a minor and was pressured into signing the settlement."

Man who claimed underage sex with Elmo puppeteer recants>>

Seems kinda stinky, and even more so with these new accusations.

Clash resigned from Sesame Street this morning. A statement released by Sesame Workshop says: "Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding Kevin’s personal life has become a distraction that none of us want, and he has concluded that he can no longer be effective in his job and has resigned from Sesame Street. This is a sad day for Sesame Street."

And for gay chat phone lines, too.

Image courtesy Josiah True/ WENN.com

Read on for more Sesame Street

Sesame Street is the latest weapon in the war on terror
Moms pushing to bring breastfeeding back to Sesame Street
Sesame Street's new Muppet struggles with poverty, hunger

Not sure how to use up leftover mashed potatoes? Don't worry. We have you covered! Creamy mashed potatoes are mixed with sharp aged cheddar and crispy bacon, then shaped into patties. We then rolled each croquette in panko and gave it a quick fry on the stovetop. This crispy-on-the-outside, full-of-flavor-on-the-inside croquette is something that will keep you coming back for more! Plus, we made a quick Sriracha yogurt dipping sauce that will be sure to knock your socks off!

Cheesy bacon potato croquette recipe

Yields 16-24 croquettes

Ingredients:

• 4 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
• 6 strips bacon
• Fresh cracked pepper
• Kosher salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Directions:

1. Warm cold mashed potatoes and mix in cheese, bacon, fresh cracked pepper, and a pinch of kosher salt.
2. Roll into oblong patties and set aside. If the mixture will not hold a shape just add a little milk to help hold together the mixture.
3. Whisk eggs together, dip potato patty and roll in panko.
4. Heat olive oil over medium heat and cook patties until crispy and brown on both sides.
5. Serve warm with or without dipping sauce.

Note: To keep patties warm just put them onto a cookie sheet and keep warm in a 250 degree F oven.

Yogurt Sriracha dipping sauce recipe

Yields 1 cup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2-4 tablespoons Sriracha sauce

Directions:

1. In a small bowl add both ingredients and mix until combined. Keep cold and serve with potato croquettes.

More croquette recipes

Tuna boat croquette recipe
Salmon croquette recipe
Chicken croquette recipe

First things first...

Before you launch into the world of science with your kids, do some prep to make sure that they not only have fun,  but possibly learn a little along the way too! Pick up some of those classic black and white covered composition books that make the perfect "lab books" for your kids to predict what will happen, draw pictures of each step of the experiment and record their observations.

Don't forget about safety! Even the simplest of experiments can quickly turn dangerous when kids are involved! Be extra cautious if you're doing experiments that involve heat and remind them that, no matter how excited they get, only Mom or Dad are allowed to touch and move hot items safely. Goggles would also be a great idea and your kids are probably still young enough to think they're pretty cool.

Lastly, prep your house for your experiments before you even get your kids involved. Put away anything breakable, lay down plastic or newspaper on surfaces that could get wet or ruined and make sure you've done all the dishes so that you can easily dump things in the kitchen sink afterwards. And, if all else fails, move the experiment into the garage or backyard where messes hardly matter!

Grow a little something

The simplest of science experiments for kids can come straight from your refrigerator or pantry and although the results aren't immediate, it is a fun way to introduce your kids to science. Start with whatever seeds you may have in your house — from the pit of an avocado to a few leftover lima beans to the seeds from the apple that you just cut up for lunch. It's most fun if you get a few types of seeds going at the same time, so that your kids can compare the ways that they grow with each other. For avocado pits, place toothpicks in the fat part of the pit so that you can suspend it in a jar, glass or vase of water, with the water coming about half way up the pit. Put it on your windowsill and let it be, checking it each day to make sure there is enough water. Eventually, your kids will be rewarded with stems that start to shoot out the bottom of the pit, into the water!

For other seeds, the classic method of wrapping the seeds in a paper towel soaked with warm water and putting them in a sealed plastic bag will always be the quickest and easiest way to get them growing. Leave them for a solid 24 hours before you start checking them, or leave the paper towel underneath the seeds, so that you can easily see them grow through the bag.

Did your kids love this experiment? Try taking it to the next level with how to grow seeds indoors>>

Where science meets pretty

The next time you're picking up some blooms to brighten up your home, grab a bunch of white carnations while you're at it! We have no idea if carnations are the hottest new trend in home floral decor, but we do know that they can go a long way for some simple science fun. Grab a bunch of glasses and fill them with water — one for each bloom in your bunch, giving them a fresh cut at the bottom of the stem first. Then, start experimenting with some colors, using food coloring. Do the basics that you have in your food coloring pack — straight into the glasses of water — and also use it as a chance to mix some secondary colors . Once every glass of water has a color, sit back and watch. It won't be long before the stems of the flowers start to suck up the colored water, turning each bloom a new, colorful hue! And, don't forget to pull out those lab books — this is the perfect chance to draw some pretty observation pictures!

Like oil and water

We all know the old water and oil experiment, right? Fill a plastic water bottle with cooking oil and water — a half-and-half ratio works great — leaving room at the top of the bottle. Your kids will notice right away that the two liquids separate from each other . Then, take it to the next level by adding some food coloring and seeing what happens . And, shake it all up for a few minutes — make sure the lid is on tight first — and watch it all settle back again. Lastly, once the oil and water have fully separated again, put the entire bottle in the freezer for a few hours and see what changes have occurred. Your kids will be shocked to see that the water, now frozen, is at the top of the bottle and the oil at the bottom!

More on kid activities

9 At-home activities for sick kids
10 Outdoor winter activities for kids
How to help your kid hone an extracurricular activity

Oh, Rihanna. Shoulda just had a press conference.

A publicity-snatching plan to have a cadre of journalists accompany the singer on a grueling "seven countries in seven days" tour has backfired as the reporters have descended into furious cray-cray.

Reports began surfacing this week that planes and buses were delayed by many hours, and Rihanna herself was a no-show at parties, press events and on the #RihannaPlane on which the journalists were traveling.

Rihanna drops "Diamonds" video, still loves Chris Brown?>>

Apparently things got really crazy Sunday, with journalists streaking, drinking like fish and screaming for Rihanna to come out of her "panic room on the plane" tweeted itsthereal .

"Crowd chanted 'Just one quote!,' 'I need a headline!' and 'Occupy 777' while Aussie journo stripped naked and ran around the plane," tweeted Fuse's Jason Newman.

Maud Deitch, a reporter with MTV, wrote Sunday that "it now smells like a movie theater concession stand on the Rihanna plane and the people next to us just rolled up to their seats with tumblers filled with whiskey and then one of them promptly spilled it into his seat back pocket."

Sounds like a pretty fun party! Nah, says Deitch, who says she didn't join up with the 777 flight expecting palsy-walsy access with Rihanna, but got fed up after sitting on planes and buses for untold hours, days on end.

"It wasn't until fatigue really started to take hold and passengers started to do the math and put together that reports on gossip sites that had Rihanna been shopping for lingerie in Paris coincided perfectly with one of the many times we were sitting for hours waiting for our plane to take off," she writes on MTV.com.

Suppose Rihanna is enjoying the publicity she's getting now? Not only are the journalists ticked over their treatment, they're insulting the performances themselves.

Rihanna announces "777" tour, $250 album>>

A journalist who wished to remain nameless told Gawker "The shows are hilariously rote. 'What the f--- is up, Mexico City?' 'What the f--- is up, Toronto?' 'What the f--- is up, Paris?' 'What the f--- is up, [Insert Epcot Center City Here]?' followed by a tight sixty minutes of lip synching and lethargic thigh-slapping…The parts we love the best are when she 'ad libs,' gives a 'special fan' an HTC phone , or pretends like she 'just heard' someone request 'What's My Name?,' which she somehow sings while holding the mic at her crotch, air-chewing invisible Big League Chew and staring into the wings."

Oh, man. That same journalist told Gawker that the most frequently heard complaint on the trip was "Some variation of 'I want a glass of water so badly, but I guess I should be glad I don't, because then I'd have to pee.' It is hard to pee when you are trapped on a bus with no bathrooms for hours and hours because you don't know when you can board your plane."

Wow, now that is some careless treatment of people who can write horrible things about you!

Image courtesy WENN.com

Read more about Rihanna

Battle for Queen B: Minaj & Rihanna tied for most AMA Nominations
Rihanna keeps her marijuana close to her heart... literally
Rihanna and Chris Brown duet

Warner Bros just released the latest trailer to Jack the Giant Slayer and it does not disappoint.

Folklore meets reality when Jack , "just a simple farm boy," reignites an ancient war with some larger-than-life foes.

It seems the beanstalk we've all heard of offers the gateway the giants have been waiting for to finally reclaim their place on earth.

To make matters worse, Jack has not only unleashed danger on his fellow countrymen, but Princess Isabelle , who he's grown quite fond of.

Can he make peace before they all get squashed?!

Director Bryan Singer has taken this childhood classic to new heights, combining the timeless elements of legend with the cinematic enterprise of a 3D experience.

Adding to the equation, Ewan McGregor has a staple role in the film, as Elmont, who appears to mentor Jack along his path.

Jack the Giant Slayer seems to remind us all that no matter how small we may feel, willpower conquers the biggest of challenges.

Climb the beanstalk on March 1, 2013!

Video Courtesy of Warner Bros.

More holiday gifts

Holiday gifts for toddlers
Holiday gifts for tweens
Educational holiday gifts for kids

The only way to break down this week's Parenthood is to take it family by family and focus on what happened in each household.

First, let's start with Sid because, man, is she's a spoiled brat. Even before Vincent came around, her attitude sucked. That tantrum in the restaurant was ridiculous, as was the scene where she decided to "runaway." Of course, her tantrums worked on Joel.

"Maybe she's acting out because she's getting the short end of the stick," Joel said questioningly.

Yes, Sid may have recently gotten the "short end" of the parent-time stick. But, she's an only child and had the entire stick for most of her life. Meanwhile, Vincent came from an awful situation. They need to do a better job explaining that they took Vincent out of a really rough life and that now he needs love and attention. She still doesn't get it.

Next, Ryan tried to cancel his date with Amber because he needed to go to Bakersfield for a funeral of a fellow soldier, Evan. Amber invited herself along and the two spent the day on the road. When she asked about Evan, Ryan said he was killed in an accident. Did anyone believe him?

The truth about Evan's death came out in the hotel parking lot while a small gang of soldiers and their girlfriends shared a few beers. When one of his fellow soldiers started talking crap about how Evan took his own life and that he didn't deserve full honors, Ryan gave the kid's face a well-deserved pounding.

The next morning, when Ryan apologized for last night's anger, Amber comforted him by telling him she's not leaving. Those two are even more adorable when, on the way home, they decide to stop off at the beach for just a little bit of fun on their otherwise depressing road trip.

Ryan's fist throwing wasn't even the only fight on the show.

Crosby and Jasmine had a spat because Crosby said they should invite over some parents from Jabbar's school. Except, when it was time to prepare for the party, Cros didn't want to help. Between Jasmine's hard work and Crosby's fun-loving attitude, though, the party was still a success.

Sarah and Mark also went at it when Mark caught Drew and Amy having sex and promised not to tell Sarah. He, of course, turned around and told her, which was exactly the right thing to do. But his promise to Drew made things worse than they needed to be, as did Sarah's agreement to let him handle it... only to turn around and try to talk to Drew.

She was right in talking to him, but it should have been handled differently. Between Drew's attitude and Mark's way of handling it, it's becoming even more obvious that the two moved way too fast with moving in together .

The best part of the show was definitely the weed that Adam scored off Crosby to give to his suffering wife. Kristina leaned back with the joint while Adam asked off-camera, "Is it helping?" The look on Kristina's face was priceless. It'd help a lot more if Adam would chill out, too.

Another week in the lives of all the Bravermans has come and gone with touching success. Parenthood continues to be the show many fans wish would never end, not even for summer. Luckily, summer is still far away and we've got a whole new episode next week.

Images courtesy of NBC

More on Parenthood

Parenthood preview: More tears ahead
Parenthood recap: Together
New Parenthood preview: Puff, puff, pass?

Don't deprive yourself

You'd be hard-pressed to find a person who doesn't look forward to the feast associated with Thanksgiving each year. While we don't advocate tossing down a dozen hot dogs in the blink of an eye as Kobayashi could, it's also not a good idea to deny yourself a culinary treat or two on Thanksgiving. Kunis— who has been quoted saying "I'm a huge foodie; I love food!"— enjoys what she eats and then balances it out with Pilates several days a week.

And, while you might think Kobayashi starves himself leading up to eating competitions to create an ample appetite, quite the opposite is true. He never skips meals before a competition!

The same principle should apply to the average Thanksgiving eater — if you avoid eating beforehand, you are much more likely to overindulge and feel miserable afterward.

Pick your poison

If you're as serious about this holiday's mealtime as Joey from Friends — remember his "Thanksgiving" pants? — at least aim to get the most bang for your proverbial caloric buck. Try to have single servings of the unhealthier foods; go back for seconds of lighter fare. The good news is that your meal's main attraction is a pretty good place to start: Turkey is rich in protein and low in fat.

Earn even more health points by using low-sodium broth instead of butter and salt during preparation of your poultry. Opt for sweet potatoes over regular baking potatoes; not only are they lower in fat and carbs than regular baking potatoes, but they are also rich in fiber and chock-full of vitamins and minerals. If you partake of pie, pick fruit or pumpkin, as these pies typically have fewer calories than chocolate or nut varieties.

Just try to remember everything is better in moderation... nobody wants to see you in the kitchen doing the "Kobayashi shake" .

Make tasty substitutions

Don't feel bad if you just have to make your grandma's mashed potatoes and gravy — you certainly won't be the only one indulging in favorite family recipes. But if you could do without the side of guilt, consider swapping out a few ingredients here or there to shave calories and fat. Instead of using butter in your mashed potatoes, pack them with flavor courtesy of low-sodium broth, herbs or roasted garlic. Cut the oil in your classic green bean casserole by topping it with toasted almonds instead of fried onions. In dips, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. And, although it sounds like sacrilege and we're pretty sure even Mila Kunis would roll her eyes at this advice, you can save major calories by removing the skin from your turkey.

Walk it out

She may love food, but Mila Kunis most likely didn't land at the top of Esquire's Sexiest Woman Alive list by eating without abandon. Rather, the 5-foot-3-inch Ukrainian stunner strikes a balance between getting her nosh on and getting her workout on. Celebrity trainer Brian Abercrombie, who trained hottie with the body Gerard Butler for 300, put Kunis through "P.A.S.E" training prior to filming Friends with Benefits. During this time, he increased her regular workouts from three to five days per week.

While you may not be ready for such a rigorous regimen immediately following your Turkey Day meal, health and fitness experts assert that even a simple walk will do your body good after a day of indulgence.

More on Thanksgiving

Kim Kardashian: What the infamous are really thankful for this Thanksgiving
Sheen still has a job? Celebs who should give extra thanks
Channing Tatum and Hugh Jackman: Hunks we're thankful for

Image courtesy of Patrick Hoffman/WENN.com

Who wouldn't love to devour this giant cookie? It's deep dish and perfect when served warm. It has two layers of homemade peanut butter cookie and melted chocolate chips in the middle. This is the stuff your sugar dreams are made of! Dive in, cut a piece or just eat the whole pie with a fork. We won't judge. We promise.

Chocolate chip cookie pie recipe

Yields 9-inch pie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• Optional: ice cream or whipped cream for topping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick spray and set aside until ready to fill.
3. In a bowl of an electric mixer add peanut butter and sugars. Blend until combined. Add in eggs and mix until completely incorporated.
4. Mix in baking soda, salt and vanilla extract.
5. Press three-quarters of the dough into the bottom of the pie plate. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and drop rest of the dough, in clumps, onto of the chips. Press clumps to flatten.
6. Bake for about 35 minutes until completely set but still a little gooey in the middle.

More cookie recipes

Sugarplum fruit butter thumbprint cookie recipe
Spiked peppermint mocha whoopie pie recipe
Brightly colored leaf sugar cookie recipe

How to enjoy Black Friday

Black Friday can be hectic and stressful, but a little planning and know-how can improve your Black Friday experience.

Be the man with the plan

Don't just show up at Wal-Mart with your credit card and expect everything to go smoothly; have a Black Friday plan:

• Decide which stores you're going to hit first.
• Compare prices and decide which items you'll buy in which store.
• Get in line as early as you can if you are shopping for toys and electronics; these hot items are available at deep discounts, but quantities are extremely limited.
• Make a shopping list that includes gift recipients, items you want and what you're willing to spend.
• Bring the Black Friday Ads along with you so you never forget which sales are happening where.

Don't give in to temptation

Black Friday deals, doorbusters and other specials are designed to get you into the store. Once you're there, your plans can go awry if you start giving in to on-the-spot temptations. Remember your list and, more importantly, your budget. You don't want to end up in a financial crisis once Black Friday and the weekend is over.

More Black Friday shopping tips>>

Get dropped off

Parking at the mall can be a nightmare. Think about transportation and traffic. Have someone drop you off and pick you up, or consider taking a taxi or even public transportation in bigger cities; just remember to add any extra transportation costs into your budget. If you don't want to haul all your purchases home at once, ask about layaway or delivery options.

Go with a buddy

Consider hitting the mall with a friend. You might even split lists, with one of you tackling electronics and furnishings, and the other taking on toys and apparel. Go out to breakfast beforehand and fill up on fiber for energy. If you plan to camp out to wait for the doors to open on Black Friday, dress in layers and bring some snacks, drinks and a good book.

Make it an event

After a busy day of waiting in line and searching for bargains on Black Friday, throw a post-shopping party and kick back with friends. Plan to meet up at your home, a restaurant or other location to have a few drinks, unwind and share stories about your best Black Friday finds.

Plan an after-shopping party with your pals>>

More about Black Friday

Amazon Black Friday deals all week
H&M Black Friday deals
Black Friday opening hours for major retailers

Pinterest is awesome for allowing my craft and cooking-challenged self to spend hours pouring over yummy treats and fantastic decoration ideas as I envision my home in some sort of Martha Stewart fantasy land. However, I am acutely aware that there are actually talented individuals who use Pinterest as a source of real inspiration. I suppose if that's you, then Pinterest is very useful this time of year with its brigade of holidays: ahem a Pinterest Thanksgiving anyone?

6 Pinterest-inspired Thanksgiving centerpieces and kids' crafts >>

Pinterest understands such loyal followers and has heard their cries for something more. Thus, Pinterest launches its genius 30 Days of Pinspiration, starting Nov. 20, 2012. Pinterest's 30 Days of Pinspiration is a virtual Advent calendar but instead of weird, stale chocolate behind those flaps of paper Pinterest fans get awesome holiday-themed boards from major celebrities.  

5 fun ways Pinterest can inspire your life>>

As Pinterest explains their holiday rollout, "It's a calendar gradually revealing a series of holiday boards from people, businesses, nonprofit organizations, celebrities and more. From what to cook and how to decorate to ways to give back and health tips for the new year, there's a little something for everyone."

Pinterest's 30 Days of Pinspiration will unveil boards from major figures such as Nina Garcia, the NBA, Second Harvest, Paula Deen and the U.S. Marine Corps.

Top 5 companies to follow on Pinterest >>

Pinterest kicks off its 30 Days of Pinspriation with a very Katie Couric Thanksgiving including her own Thanksgiving recipes and traditions. Katie was happy to put together her Pinterest board: "I'm always looking for ideas on Pinterest — whether it's great recipes for my daughter who is a vegetarian, shoes, or good quotes to punch up a speech I'm working on. So this will be helpful for those of us looking for inspiration during one of the busiest times of the year! And I am sort of a social media addict, so it's an exciting time for us to be kicking off 30 Days of Pinspiration on our show!"

I am absolutely in love with Pinterest's 30 Days of Pinspiration, and it's a wonderful way to kick-start the holiday season.

More holiday inspiration

5 Best blogs for holiday decorating
Make your home pop with purple holiday accents
Hot holiday home decor trends

Photo credit: Pinterest.com

More holiday gift ideas

Holiday gifts for toddlers
Holiday gifts for tweens
Educational holiday gifts for kids

I don't know about you but after Thanksgiving dinner there are usually so many leftover dishes I practically have to beg others to take some home with them. If you end up having any leftover casserole, this is the perfect way to not only use it up but also change the whole recipe so you don't feel like you are eating the same meal for days on end. This version uses green bean casserole but other ideas that would work great would be broccoli and cheese casserole, leftover ham and veggies, or just create your own using what you have from your holiday feast.

Leftover mini green bean casserole frittatas recipe

Yields 12 mini frittatas

Ingredients:

• 1 cup leftover green bean casserole
• 6 whole eggs and 6 egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese or grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine the green bean casserole, eggs, garlic powder and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture into each muffin tin, top each frittata with cheese and bake for 20 minutes or until the tops of the frittatas are golden brown.

More recipes using leftovers

The best Thanksgiving leftover recipes
Delicious leftover turkey recipes
Creative uses for Thanksgiving leftovers

The pits at NASCAR events could turn into a singles bar scene soon: Danica Patrick is now a single woman. The 30-year-old racing star filed for divorce from her husband of seven years, Paul Hospenthal.

Danica Patrick, GoDaddy hire new firm to tone down sexy ads >>

"I am sad to inform my fans that after 7 years, Paul and I have decided to amicably end our marriage," she wrote on Facebook Tuesday afternoon. "This isn't easy for either of us, but mutually it has come to this. He has been an important person and friend in my life and that's how we will remain moving forward."

The pair married in 2005 after Hospenthal, a Phoenix-area physical therapist, treated the pretty brunette for a racing injury.

Danica Patrick is leading the drive to cure COPD >>

Patrick has faced quite a few challenges in 2012, including her switch to full-time NASCAR racing after several years in IndyCar racing. She finished the racing season in 10th place points-wise, but she remains one of the most popular figures in the sport. Patrick recently said she's learned to embrace her status as a girl in a male-dominated industry.

"I’m a girl, and to say that I can’t use being a girl doesn’t make any sense," she said earlier this year. "In this world, there is so much competition out there and you have to use of everything that you have to make sponsors happy, to attract them and to be unique and be different."

Girl power! Maria Sharapova & Danica Patrick highest-paid female athletes >>

However, it seems like she's looking ahead with a positive attitude.

"It’s been a good year," she told Fox News Sports earlier this fall. "I’ve learned a lot. I feel much more prepared for next year. I feel more comfortable with the cars, I feel more comfortable with the weekends and the schedules."

Now, the race is on to find her a new guy. We're sure she's not going to lack for male attention any time soon, though.

Image courtesy DJDM/WENN.com