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What would Gordon Ramsay say about your food? (QUIZ)

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There's no real way to know what all their personal tastes are, but Gordon Ramsay is outspoken enough that we all know what his red flags are. Take this quiz to see how you might fare with chef Ramsay. Lest you fear all the foulmouthed chef can do is criticize, note that he has a lighter side too.

gordon ramsay getting batter poured over his head

Image: Giphy

gordon ramsay quiz

gordon ramsay quiz

Quiz images: GiphyGiphyGiphyGiphy

More fun food quizzes

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Chuck E. Cheese birthday brawl sends two employees to the hospital

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Chuck E. Cheese birthday brawl

Chuck E. Cheese birthday brawl

Sadly, this is not a joke. After the mother of the child at the birthday party complained to a Chuck E. Cheese employee about an out of order photo booth, things quickly went downhill from there. The mother was told by a manager that she had to wait. As Lt. Kevin Riley of the Parma Police Department told Huffington Post, the mother's boyfriend followed the manager into the kitchen, where he threatened his life and started a physical attack.

Chuck E. Cheese 2

Chuck E. Cheese 2

Loyal Chuck E. Cheese employees tried to jump in and help their manager as the unprecedented attack grew larger. Other adult partygoers joined in the assault, which police believe was completely one-sided. Police confirm that up to five men from the birthday party participated in the attack, with close to a dozen party guests cheering them on.

As a result of the mob attack, two managers sustained serious injuries and had to be rushed to the hospital, where they were later released. In total, six employees were injured by birthday party guests, including one young female employee under age 18 who was hit in the face by guests as she tried to call 911. Police believe that the "mob" was made up only of adults.

If you're wondering what is in the water at Chuck E. Cheese that caused people to go from zero to rabid in 60 seconds, you're not the only one. Sure, Chuck E. Cheese is a high-stress environment where you feel like you have to spend your life savings in quarters to keep your kids happy, but there is no logical explanation for violence when a grown adult doesn't get their way.

And let's not forget the fact that this barroom brawl happened in front of children at a kids' pizza place. These kids were watching their parents act like idiots — just because they were told to wait a few minutes. It's pretty clear why we see kids resort to physical violence at school when they don't know how to handle their problems. Look no further than these disgusting adults who attacked (and threatened to kill) Chuck E. Cheese employees because they were told to wait.

Chuck E. Cheese: Where a kid can be a kid, and where parents act worse than children.

More on parenting

Is social media the reason mums don't ask for help?
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What to expect when your kid gets her first period

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The first thing you should know is that the age of menarche (a fancy word for the first menstrual period) varies like crazy. The average age is around 12-and-a-half years in the U.S., but that's not the whole story — girls can start to menstruate anywhere from age 9 to 15 or so.

Before the big day happens, there are changes that you and she will likely notice. Puberty happens over five different stages, with the first stage meaning that nothing is really going on and the fifth indicating a fully mature adult. It's the in-between stages where all the action takes place.

Months, and even years, before your child begins her first period, she will start to develop breasts, body hair and new body odors. She also may begin to experience mood swings — something you may already be personally familiar with. The changes can be hard for both of you to deal with, but if you explain what she's going through, and why, it may help a smidgen.

For around six or so months before your daughter actually starts her period, she will begin to experience vaginal discharge. Make sure that she knows that this is normal, but to tell you if there is a strong odor or her vulva is irritated or itchy — this is not common, but it can indicate a problem.

And when her period begins, it's most likely not going to be like yours. A teen's first period may be nothing more than spotting, and for the first couple years, her periods may be pretty irregular and farther apart than they will be in a few years once her system regulates. She may even skip a month or so in the beginning, which is normal. She can and likely will experience a lot of the symptoms you know so well, such as cramping, moodiness and water retention.

While it's perfectly OK to do so, you don't have to leave the "puberty talk" to the schools. Many schools start puberty lessons in fourth grade health class, because girls can start going through changes that early, but there is no reason you have to wait. Periods are a normal and natural part of life, so being open and honest about the inner workings of the female body is a subject you can broach when she is very small. You can also use a website aimed at preteens and teens to help you explain the finer points of menstruation.

Periods are a concrete milestone, a point in life that shows you that your daughter is growing up and transforming into the woman she will be. While she may be unwilling to talk about her period with you, be sure that she knows you are there with supplies, understanding and love.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar raps as Cinderella in dis-filled Disney battle (VIDEO)

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More: If Disney princesses had jobs today, this is what they'd be doing

And she is doing just that in a seriously hilarious rap battle against YouTube actress Whitney Avalon as Belle.

Sarah Michelle Gellar Cinderella tweet

Sarah Michelle Gellar Cinderella tweet

Gellar clearly had a blast making the video and Avalon added, "These are silly, short little videos, but I think there is a message of standing up for yourself and being brave in a world where females are still fighting for equality and power and a voice," she told People. "And it makes me cry with happiness that people are excited abut that message."

More: Idina Menzel confirms Frozen sequel in the works

The rhymes definitely resonate and we've picked a few of our favorite clever lines from the respective princesses.

Cinderella

1. "Let's look at your mentality, Freud loves your abnormality/The Stockholm Syndrome story: Beauty and the Bestiality."

2. "Of course you're bitter, I'm the No. 1 star/Pumpkin carriage, perfect marriage, no one cares who you are."

3. "You followed in my footsteps, without me there's no you/Disney built an empire on these tiny glass shoes."

4. "I'm the American dream with a fairy-tale wedding/You've got teapots for friends and I think your man's shedding."

More: Lily James admits to a liquid diet for Cinderella, but it wasn't her choice

Belle

1. "Cindy's dreaming she's important, well, somebody should wake her/This gold-digging trophy wife's the royal baby-maker."

2. "Your tale as old as time sets us back 50 years/Do your chores, clean the floors 'til a man just appears?"

3. "You say you wanna party, next you run off down the halls/It's like you always choke once you make it to the balls."

4. "The moral of our quarrel and why I've got you beat/It's what's inside that matters, not the size of your feet."

Watch the full rap battle below.

Sarah Michelle Gellar Cinderella vs. Belle rap battle

Sarah Michelle Gellar Cinderella vs. Belle rap battle

Which princess do you think brought the house down with this rap battle: Cinderella or Belle? Sound off in the comments below.

Tina Knowles puts paparazzo in his place over Blue Ivy photos (VIDEO)

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And we have to give Beyoncé's mother some major props for this one because she didn't raise her voice. She just very pointedly explained why the photog's actions were completely inappropriate.

More: Beyoncé's even more beautiful in leaked, unPhotoshopped pictures

"Can you not take a picture of a child?" she asked the cameraman.

Instead of answering her question, he just responded, "Well, I mean, you're famous."

To which Knowles asked, "How would you like someone to take a picture of your baby? Would you like that?"

"If I was a famous, huge multimillionaire..." the photog started to say.

More: Beyoncé posts video revealing what life is like for black Americans (VIDEO)

"No, you would care," Knowles cuts him off. "That's a baby. That's a baby. Have some class about you. Have a little class."

Tina Knowles confronts paparazzi

Tina Knowles confronts paparazzi

Beyoncé is notorious for keeping her private life private. She and Jay Z are rarely photographed together and the music royalty couple tries their best to keep their daughter, Blue Ivy, out of the spotlight.

Of course, she does occasionally share photos of her little one on Instagram and social media.

Beyonce Instagram of Blue Ivy

Beyonce Instagram of Blue Ivy

Many celebrities have taken issue with paparazzi laws in the United States, which are very lax compared to other places in the world, especially when it comes to children. Singer Adele won a U.K. lawsuit this past summer against a photographer who took pictures of the singer, her husband and their young son, Angelo, without permission.

More: This Beck and Beyoncé mash-up is the best response to Kanye's outburst

Celebrities like Jennifer Garner, Halle Berry and Kristen Bell have all been vocal about creating paparazzi laws concerning children.

Do you think photographers should be allowed to take pictures of celebrity babies without a parent's permission?

How to dress like your favorite celebrity mom (on a non-celebrity budget)

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Ready to up your style game? Let your favorite celebrity mom be your muse to make this year your most stylish one yet.

Reese Witherspoon style

Image: WENN

Find your celebrity body type match

Clothes that look cute on Gwyneth Paltrow's tall and thin frame might not look the same if you have a shorter and curvier build. Look for a celebrity style muse that has your similar body type.

"There is a basic reason I would never choose Kate Hudson to be part of my personal style archetype: she is a wispy blond and I am a dark-haired curve-bot," says style expert and author of Practical Glamour Constance Dunn. "Flitting about bra-less in slip tops and swirled yoga pants is not my idea of a good time, and might even get me arrested. Angelina Jolie is closer to my physical type, and has a 'personal style brand' that contains the key attributes that I aspire to, namely sophistication and a steely femininity."

Angelina Jolie style

Image: WENN

Your cool mom uniform

Let's face it, most of us don't have all morning to put together a perfectly coordinated outfit. After all, we have kids to nag out of bed and lunches to make. This is where a mom uniform comes in. You throw it on and you know it looks great. Celebrity moms know this trick — and now you do, too.

"Pair these five pieces with your favorite pair of boyfriend jeans, jeggings, pencil skirt, flowy dress, or cargo pants already in your closet and you'll look like a star-studded celeb mom — think Reese Witherspoon, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson, or Angelina Jolie," says image consultant Annette Harris, who recommends these five budget-friendly, celebrity-mom-inspired pieces:

Jessica Biel style

Jessica Alba (above) is rocking the celebrity mom off-duty look perfectly.

Kristin Cavallari

Kristin Cavallari

Kristin Cavallari is another celebrity mom with enviable style — and we love her new shoe line at Nordstrom that is full of chic boots and sexy heels.

Shop trendy, yet budget-friendly retailers

Celebrity moms not only have padded bank accounts, but they also get tons of designer duds for free.  (Ironic, isn't it?) The trick to looking like a million bucks on a budget is to buy clothes in a similar style at a budget-friendly store, like Old Navy or Kohl's, and get them tailored to fit you.

Kerry Washington

Image: WENN

"Many of these celebrities are wearing custom tailored pieces that are literally made for them by the designers to fit their bodies to a T, which is why the look so good," says Emily Dell, CEO of The Runway. Dell says she also loves the budget-friendly and fashion-forward H&M.

Stores like Forever 21 and Express are perfect for finding cute sundresses and maxi dresses. A new line of Scandal-inspired clothes has actually launched at The Limited which means you can look like chic celeb mom Kerry Washington — or her alter ego Olivia Pope.

Another celeb mom trend? Leggings. "Right now leggings are a go-to look for celebrity moms. Everyday moms can make this look work incredibly cost-effectively by buying a pair of leggings from H&M and then pairing the pants with a basic tunic and a statement necklace."

Speaking of necklaces…

Gwyneth Paltrow

Image: WENN

Invest in accessories

Accessories can totally take your outfit from plain to paparazzi-worthy. Case in point: Gwyneth Paltrow (above) strolling through the airport in this gray tank top paired with jeans — however, her layered necklaces totally pull the whole thing together for that Hollywood mom off-duty look.

"Many celebrity moms are wearing accessories that could break the bank for the everyday woman, however, moms can find stylish pieces at half the cost online or on sale in retailers everywhere," says Dell. "Just look for accessories that are reminiscent of trends celebrity moms are wearing now and attempt to recreate the look for a fraction of the fortune they are spending on bags, bracelets and earrings."

Check out Baublebar for some celebrity-mom-inspired pieces at a fraction of the price.

What about workout wear as casual wear?

Kate Hudson 2

Kate Hudson 2

Let's face it, yoga pants have become a mom uniform (and also a strangely controversial topic). I know I'm guilty of wearing my Lululemon yoga pants long after I've left the gym, but they are just so darn cute and comfy.

As Dunn noted above, Kate Hudson is also a fan of wearing her active wear as casual wear.

"Yes, as much as I love fashion, activewear is really what I am wearing every day." Hudson told Vogue.

Of course, Hudson has her own line of workout clothes, called Fabletics.

"My ideal workout outfit is a sexy sports bra like our Vaasa sports bra, cropped leggings – our Salar and Lima capris are my staples – and a loose T-shirt or tank, like our Aventura tank. It's a look you can wear out of the gym and into your regular life, whether picking the kids up from school or meeting a girlfriend for lunch," she said.

Lululemon is the gold standard for cute active wear, however, it's expensive. Hudson's line is cute and affordable, and stores like Old Navy also have a great selection of budget-friendly yoga pants and tank tops.

Rachel Zoe

Rachel Zoe

Stay true to your style

Do you love Rachel Zoe's flowing maxi dresses, Jessica Alba's trendy clothes or Kerry Washington's tailored and feminine pieces?

"Cut out pictures of what the celebrity is wearing that you like and take it to a store that aligns with your budget. Every store will have something very similar within your price range," says designer Amy Olson.

Happy shopping, mamas.

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Stephen Collins' alleged victim reveals 3 disturbing details on his sexual abuse

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More: How not to react to Stephen Collins' child molestation confession

The famous 7th Heaven dad was accused last year of exposing himself to a number of children, and in a graphic new interview with the Daily Mail, one of his reported accusers reveals shocking details about the events she says transpired.

According to the site, April Price, now 44, was visiting her aunt, who lived in the same Los Angeles apartment complex as Collins, when she was 13. She says Collins first exposed himself when she was cooking breakfast in her aunt's kitchen and he walked past the window naked.

"At the time, I didn't think it was necessarily sinister really, but I thought it was odd," she said. "It was not like he tried to cover up. He knew I was there while he was naked. He could see me there."

More: 7th Heaven dad in deep trouble after shocking confession

The next time, she said, Collins volunteered to hook up a video game system for her in her aunt's living room.

"I don't know at what point he did it, but when he turned around, his pants were completely unfastened," she told the Daily Mail. "His penis was hanging out and I'm just shocked. He doesn't make any mention of it. He doesn't act any differently."

Price said she didn't know how to act, so she followed Collins' lead, acting as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

"Honestly, I was 13 and hadn't even kissed a boy yet," she said. "This was not something I was even remotely prepared for in my life and I shut down... I didn't want to be rude. He was doing something for me. He was fixing something for me. I didn't want him to think I wasn't appreciative of that."

The third and final time Collins exposed himself, Price claims, happened when he invited her to his home to look at memorabilia from his acting career. She says he went into his bedroom and emerged naked, with his "genitalia right at [her] eye level."

"I was panicked," Price explained. "I don't know if I was afraid for my life, but… I don't think he ever made me feel that he was capable of physical harm. But I was not prepared on any level to handle that at my age. I shouldn't have had to see that, at that point in my life."

Price claimed she left his apartment and didn't see Collins again until she was working on the set of 7th Heaven years later.

"He was very intense," she remembered. "He said, 'I want you to understand what I did. I know it was extremely wrong. I really apologize for it, if I ever made you uncomfortable.'"

More: Stephen Collins' victim slams the actor's belated apology

What's your take on these new details? Head down to the comments and tell us what you think.

Why Dr. Phil's interview with Nick Gordon left me with an unsettling feeling

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Meet Nick's real mom

The special begins with some backstory about the unfortunate events leading up to Bobbi Kristina's tragic state. Some of this exposition is provided through newsclips and some from sources such as the Daily Mail's Laura Collins, but the most intriguing perhaps came from Nick Gordon's mother, Michelle Gordon.

More: 5 Reasons Bobbi Kristina's family is unhappy with Nick Gordon talking to Dr. Phil

Apparently, Michelle reached out to Dr. Phil to help her save his son's life. Nick had agreed to an interview with Dr. Phil, but had no idea his mom was waiting in the wings.

Image: CBS Television Distribution

"Nicholas is at a breaking point," she tells Dr. Phil. "He still has not gotten over the fact that he was not able to revive Whitney or Krissi." Subsequently, she claims, he has been dealing with his depression by self-medicating with alcohol.

Already, I'm feeling uneasy.

For many, myself included, this is the first I've heard of Michelle Gordon. The narrative of Nick's life that I am accustomed to hearing centers around the fact that he was "adopted" by Whitney Houston and lived with the Houston family.

The fact that his mother, who admittedly kicked her son out (when he was 17 or 18), is only now entering the picture — and doing so in a very public way — makes my inner cynic immediately think publicity ploy.

This unsettling suspicion seems bolstered by the fact that she begins to reveal details of Whitney Houston's death that draw both her and Nick into the picture, saying that the night Whitney was found unresponsive in the tub, Nick administered CPR to no avail. At which point, Michelle claims, he called her while still holding Whitney's body, crying, "Mommy, why?"

I couldn't help but shudder over the admission.

Fast-forward to Jan. 31, when history sadly seemed to repeat itself. According to Michelle, Nick told her that he, Bobbi Kristina and their mutual friend, Max, had partied together late the night before. After getting into an argument the next morning, Nick retreated to one bedroom to sleep while Bobbi Kristina decided to draw a bath.

Later, when a cable service provider arrived at the house and (strangely) needed access to the bathroom, Max found Bobbi Kristina facedown in the tub. He got Nick, who performed CPR for 15 minutes until paramedics arrived.

More: Nick Gordon "desperately" wants to visit Bobbi Kristina, but will the family allow it?

At this point, I'm entirely alarmed at the notion he was present at the scene during both tragedies. This certainly seems to suggest there is more to the story than we know.

Michelle then tells Dr. Phil that Nick has told her many times he is going to kill himself and that he has tried, and they both agree it is time to bring Nick in for a full-on intervention.

From interview to intervention

And this is where everything goes off the rails.

When Dr. Phil arrives at Nick's hotel room door, Nick seems pretty composed. But as he notices the camera crew, his behavior becomes more erratic. As soon as he sees his mother, he reverts to an almost-childlike state.

“Mommy, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, Mommy, I’m so sorry for everything," he wails, hugging her before just as quickly becoming straight-faced and addressing Dr. Phil, "Alrighty, let's do this."

Then, in a moment that seriously gave me chills, he says, "Mommy, I would never hurt anyone. Like, I love people. I love everything."

Is he setting up some sort of defense for insanity here? Does he suspect a case is being built against him?

As I watch, my visceral reaction is that of discomfort. Nick's behavior is so bizarre — waffling from extreme emotion (albeit without tears) one moment to laughing and joking the next — and his relationship with his mother strikes me as strangely Oedipal.

Nick Gordon interview

Image: YouTube/Dr.PhilShow

They kiss on the lips. He clings to her, calling her Mommy and looking to her for reassurance. This is not the sort of behavior you might expect from a 24-year-old man.

His gaze ranges from vacant to piercing, although that may have much to do with his admission that he has been drinking heavily and downing Xanax.

But can being intoxicated really explain how utterly bizarre Nick's behavior is during the sit-down with Dr. Phil? And there are moments where he seems to have such clarity about his situation, I question how intoxicated he truly is.

At one point, he says his kidneys hurt. Dr. Phil asks why and Nick responds plainly, "Because I've been drinking." Would a person who has lost control of their capacities be so aware of that physiological connection?

He also seems acutely aware of, and enthralled by, the idea of celebrity. Of Whitney, he says, "Mom, I lost the most legendary singer ever." On Dr. Phil, he jokes, "Oh, my gosh, I made him more famous," and later, "You're famous like me."

More: Nick Gordon finally opens up about Bobbi Kristina

To me, those thoughts do not seem to align with the mentality of a person who is distraught and grieving over the loss of loved ones. They seem like the thoughts of an opportunist seeking status.

Nick Gordon Interview

Image: YouTube/Dr.PhilShow

Is it wrong of me to feel that way? To say it out loud? I don't consider myself a terribly jaded or cynical person, but my first inclination when watching this interview is to doubt the intentions of Nick and his mom.

Apparently, I'm not alone. A cursory scroll on Twitter reveals that many people watching the special just didn't buy the pair's behavior.

Nick Gordon Intervention - Tweet 1

Nick Gordon Intervention - Tweet 1

Nick Gordon Intervention - Tweet 2

Nick Gordon Intervention - Tweet 2

Nick Gordon Intervention - Tweet 3

Nick Gordon Intervention - Tweet 3

Nick Gordon Intervention - Tweet 4

Nick Gordon Intervention - Tweet 4

Nick Gordon Intervention - Tweet 5

Nick Gordon Intervention - Tweet 5

Why I'm still grappling with my reaction

Here's the thing, though. As someone who has a family history of mental illness, I know firsthand how deceptive the struggle can be. Sometimes, just before a breakdown, a person's behavior is, well, bizarre.

Nick Gordon interview

Image: YouTube/Dr.PhilShow

If this guy does have serious issues, maybe this is an authentic cry for help. I can't imagine the guilt I would feel if I gave him a hard time and tragedy befell him soon after.

Having said that — and because I do have loved ones with legitimate mental illness — I don't like people crying wolf where these sorts of things are concerned. It makes it that much harder for those who really need help to be taken seriously, and that's unacceptable.

Ultimately, he agrees to go to the inpatient rehab Dr. Phil suggests, so I suppose only time will tell how sincere Nick Gordon is about dealing with his demons.

Some part of me wants to feel bad for him and believe it when he says that his pain is horrible and his heart hurts. But, in the pit of my gut, I feel like something is off. His behavior was just so... affected.

What are your thoughts? Weigh in on the explosive interview with a comment below!


What is a 9-year-old doing receiving calls for sex?

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With the risk of this sounding like a "back in my day" whinge about kids today and how they've got no idea what life was like back in what my friends' kids call "the olden days", a story like this makes me wonder what a 9-year-old is doing with a mobile phone in the first place.

Back in my day (here we go), we didn't have mobile phones, we were making up dance routines under the shade of what we called the boobie tree, because it had bumps growing all over it that looked like boobs. We were talking gibberish about boys who were sitting just metres away from us but couldn't understand the indecipherable words rushing from our mouths.

The only form of technology we had were our pet Tamagotchis, which beeped when they were hungry, tired or needed a loo break. We, or rather, our parents, didn't have to worry about the unsolicited calls from men looking for sex because we'd been accidentally assigned the phone number of a brothel. We didn't have mobile phones in the first place.

"All these men kept calling and... I tell you what, I was livid," Western Australian grandma, Margaret, told Perth radio station, 6PR, about the phone calls her grandson received when he was allocated a number that used to be a brothel's.

"It was such a shock because he couldn't understand it and I couldn't understand it."

I completely get the fact that parents and guardians want to know that their kids are okay and that they are contactable when they need to be — a mobile is a great way to make sure communication is kept when kids are out and about — but aren't there rules about how children use their phones? Don't answer the phone if it's a number you don't recognise would surely be up there on the list of rules.

Even if the child wasn't given the brothel's phone number, there are a whole host of other situations that could arise from a 9-year-old having a phone. Perhaps he'd become open to handing out the number to other kids at school, which could lead to bullying, or even sharing the number with people in online chat rooms and social media sites. Surely a 9-year-old is still of an age when his or her whereabouts is able to be accounted for. Why, then, is a mobile necessary at all? What do you think? Does a 9-year-old need a mobile phone?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

More on children and parenting

Is social media the reason mums don't ask for help?
Adam Hills' #smelfie is the latest parenting trend for dads
Cyberbullying: Should we protect our kids or toughen them up?

Madonna reveals sad, horrible reason she never pressed charges for her rape

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More: Madonna's fall at the Brit Awards was more serious than everyone thought

It's an issue so many raped women face: To press charges or not?

For Madonna, the assault happened soon after she moved to New York City. She didn't have a support system, which made the decision even harder.

"First I was in shock, I didn't know a soul," the singer confessed during her candid interview on the Howard Stern Show. "I was saying hi to people on the streets like a dork. I was going to a dance class and the door was locked and I needed money for the pay phone… [a man] gave it to me… he was a very friendly guy. I trusted everybody."

She explained that the man convinced her to come to his apartment to use his phone.

"I was raped," she said. "The first year I lived in New York was crazy."

More: Madonna gets justice in Rebel Heart album hack

And then Madonna made a decision that many other women make: She decided not to go to police.

"You've already been violated," she explained. "It's just not worth it. It's too much humiliation."

According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, one in six women in the U.S. will be raped in her lifetime — a new sexual assault occurs every 107 seconds, the organization reports. Sixty-eight percent of sexual assaults are not reported to police and 98 percent of rapists will never spend a day in jail.

It's shocking how common it is for a woman to feel the way Madonna did. After the humiliating, traumatic experience of being raped, it's incredibly common for women to seek ways to feel in control of their bodies and their lives, say the findings in a study by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. One way for women to feel like they have more control over the situation is to decide not to report sexual assault.


More: Madonna says ageism is just as bad as racism


Madonna is just one example of a broken system — one that sees perpetrators walking free every day because the nature of the crime makes pressing charges so difficult. It's a heartbreaking reality of our system and one that doesn't have an easy solution.

What do you think should be done to make reporting rape easier for the victims? Tell us in the comments — we want to hear your ideas.

If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can get free, confidential help 24/7 by contacting the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE or going online at rainn.org.

Fox Sports' netball ad campaign completely misses the mark

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Anyone who has stepped on to a netball court, donned one of the brightly coloured bibs and grabbed and leaped their way to goal-shooting glory knows that netball is as fast-paced and difficult a sport as they come. It's taxing on the body, with all those quick stops and huge leaps, and it takes immense physical strength to keep up with the pace of the game.

It looked like Fox Sports' netball ad was really onto something with their latest ad campaign, with images of women leaping and running with the words "Like a Girl" splashed across the screen, reminding people that doing anything like a girl is fierce and powerful. Running like a girl is a compliment, not a cop out.

But the problem came in the last few frames of the video, when Diamonds star, Sharni Layton, looks straight into the camera with a black and bloodshot eye, along with the words, "Play Like a Girl."

Layton's battered game face wasn't for show, either; it was the result of a clash at training. Good on her for not wanting to cover up the battle scars from a training session, but how worrying is it to see a battered woman's face be one of the key components of an advertising campaign about a non-contact sport?

Netball ad criticised for violence

Netball ad criticised for violence

Video: Tiffany Field/Vimeo

Netball champion, Liz Ellis, says she's a fan of the ad, saying, "I'm going to show my hand early and say I love it. It's no secret that I relish watching a good contest for possession, and one of my favourite things about netball is the commitment of strong, tough and uncompromising athletes to get their hands to the ball first. Finally we have an ad campaign that matches that."

While it seems the strictly no-contact sport has evolved to a place where some contact is tolerated on the court by players and umpires alike, it seems like the ad promotes violence rather than athleticism. In women's sport, there always has to be a novelty to get the viewers engaged, whether that be a bikini, a good-looking performer or even a battered face and a black eye.

I think it's safe to say men who are battered and bruised aren't used in sport marketing campaigns. They look capable, tough, talented and strong. And so did the women in the ANZ Championship ad — until the last few frames highlighted Layton's bruised face over her talent.

What do you think about the ad campaign? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

More on women and sport

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My Five Wives' Brady Williams gives the Duggars a run for their money with baby No. 25

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More: 19 Kids and Counting's Michelle Duggar reveals her battle with bulimia (VIDEO)

Brady Williams, star of the TLC reality series, My Five Wives, announced on Facebook Wednesday the arrival of his 25th baby. Yes, you read that right. Baby No. 25.

Granted, Jim Bob Duggar had all 19 kids with just the one wife and Williams' 25 kids are split up among his five wives. But still. That's a really big gaggle of kids.

The new addition was announced on the social media site with a handful of photos, captioned, "And here she is. 8 lbs 15 oz. 20" long. Born at 1:16. Parents and baby are doing great and aren't releasing her name just yet."

Brady Williams 1

Brady Williams 1

More: Jim Bob Duggar's rap and dance in church upset fans (VIDEO)

She was born to Nonie, who already has five older children with hubby Williams. As of Sunday, she appeared antsy to get the baby out already (and who can blame her?), but said everything, including the baby's late arrival, was happening for a reason.

Brady Williams 2

Brady Williams 2

"I've just been made aware of information that brings peace to why my sweet baby hasn't been born yet," Nonie said, according to starcasm.net. "I admit it's been a trial to have her be my latest baby born, but I'm grateful God is watching over her, giving her and us the best chance at being able to enjoy the blessing of her life."

Despite her peace with the late arrival of the baby, Nonie was all smiles in a photo posted to Facebook just before her departure for the hospital to give birth.

Brady Williams 3

Brady Williams 3

Starcasm.net reports the delivery only took a few hours. But for those who were hoping to catch it on the family's reality show, bad news: The family announced last month that TLC opted to cancel the show. For looks into the family's life as it continues to grow, there's always social media, though; the Williamses are active on their Facebook page and they post regularly to their YouTube channel, where the latest video shows some behind-the-scenes looks at preparations for the arrival of baby No. 25.

Congratulations to the Williams family!

More: Lesbian couple returns to Duggar family home to kiss as newlyweds

Got any guesses as to what they named the new bundle of joy? Post your best baby name predictions down in the comments!

No immunisation, no child care: That could be the case if law goes ahead

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That's, at least, the case in Queensland, where health minister, Cameron Dick, is hoping to have a law passed by the end of the year. The law allows child-care centres to turn kids away who haven't been vaccinated, with Dick saying vaccination is a "critically important public health strategy for adults and children".

Child health and the continual control of contagious viruses is, of course, a global health issue. But will banning kids who haven't been immunised from day care actually prevent disease from spreading? Just this past week, a measles alert and a health warning were issued after a man visited several public venues, including an NRL match and several cafes and eateries, over a 10-day period.

"Measles is one of the most infectious of all communicable diseases and is spread by tiny droplets through coughing and sneezing," physician, Dr. Kari Jarvinen, told ABC News, urging anyone with symptoms to head along to their doctor.

"It can be a severe illness even in otherwise healthy adolescents and young adults."

The issue of anti-vaccination is a global one, and instead of the health ministry banning children who haven't been vaccinated from day care, perhaps we should be instead asking why parents don't feel comfortable immunising their children in the first place and looking at ways to alleviate parents' worries about vaccination outcomes. Parents really just want what's best for their child, no doubt.

"Contrary to what the medical establishment will have us believe, there is a frightening lack of controlled scientific studies on vaccination in general, but particularly to back up the claim that side effects are as rare as they say," one Brisbane mum told SheKnows. "The side effects have almost never been studied."

So, with parents worried about what immunisation means for their children, perhaps we can look at making vaccination studies more decipherable for the general public, so parents can make informed decisions, rather than decisions based on fear. Because banning children who haven't been vaccinated just seems to pander to fear, rather than educating to eradicate it.

What do you think? Should children who haven't been immunised be banned from day care? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

More on children and vaccination

Mother's furious Facebook post about measles-exposed baby targets anti-vaxxers
Genius pro-vaxxer sticker campaign advertises your kid's vaccination status
Parents share why they don't vaccinate

Ciara's 'I Bet' calls out her ex-fiancé Future on his cheating ways (VIDEO)

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More: Ciara kicks her cheating fiancé Future to the curb

In the the five-minute video, which was directed by Hannah Lux Davis, Ciara plays the most emotional ballerina you've ever seen. It's a fairly simple and effective visual for the entertainer, who offers the camera several glamour shots, as well as a killer dance routine. However, what's more interesting is what she's singing about in the mid-tempo R&B cut, and it's all directed at a former flame who has majorly crossed her. Cue the Future speculation. All it takes is one listen to the hook to hear how vulnerable and scorned Ciara can really be.

"I bet you start loving me/As soon as I start loving someone else/Somebody better than you/I bet you start needing me/As soon as you see me with someone else/Somebody other than you," she croons during the song's hook.

Ciara is also confidently intent on calling out "that bitch over there" with the ugly stare, silicone ass and Brazilian hair, in case you were wondering. Details of their relationship get juicier as Ciara claims that he took advantage of her and acted as if he somehow upgraded her to the next level. Think again, buddy.

Ciara GIF

More: Ciara graces cover of Brides mag, dishes the deets

It's not too big of a surprise that Ciara is using her music as an outlet to vent about Future. Just a day after the report of their split hit the blogosphere, SheKnows spoke with the new mom and she hinted that she was definitely set on including her new life ventures in her art, saying, "I can't help but to be inspired by where life takes you."

We hear you, sister. Sing on!

Ciara

Ciara

What do you think of Ciara's new video? Share your reviews in the comments section below.

Moms share their biggest cleaning fails


Fashion Week AW15 was all about extreme beauty: Will you be trying these trends?

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Jacquemus, Paris

The "Doublefaced" style used on the models on the Jacquemus catwalk is the work of Berlin-based artist Sebastien Bieniek.

Jacquemus PFW

Jacquemus PFW

Photo credit: sebastianbieniek/Instagram

Rick Owens, Paris

At first glimpse it might look like a mud mask — and you wouldn't be entirely wrong. For his AW15 show in Paris, Rick Owens' beauty team applied gel face masks to the models before painting gold leaf on top.

Rick Owens PFW

Rick Owens PFW

Photo credit: Jenni Chan/Instagram

Mary Katrantzou, London

Makeup for the Mary Katrantzou show in London was inspired by dolls' faces: small, square sections of eyelashes were ironed flat then applied under the lower lashline. It's certainly a pretty easy look to copy but be prepared for people to say, "You've smudged your eye liner…"

Mary Katranzou LFW

Mary Katranzou LFW

Photo credit: Mary Katrantzou/Instagram

Marc Jacobs, New York

For his New York Fashion Week show Marc Jacobs went with gothic-style makeup: washed out faces and thick, dark, sloping brows.

Marc Jacobs NYFW

Marc Jacobs NYFW

Photo credit: Marc Jacobs Beauty/Instagram

More: Makeup tutorials for women of all shades

House of Holland, London

House of Holland had a gothic vibe going on too. We reckon we could nail this makeup look. Or let some nursery kids loose on our faces with a black marker…

House of Holland LFW

House of Holland LFW

Photo credit: House of Holland/Instagram

Eudon Choi, London

With makeup this arty you really would want to walk around with your eyes closed. Note the big, bushy brows as well — a definite makeup trend running throughout all four Fashion Weeks.

Eudon Choi LFW

Eudon Choi LFW

Photo credit: Eudon Choi/Instagram

Simone Rocha, London

Where are those nursery kids? It was face painting meets high fashion at Simone Rocha's London show, where some of the embroidered flowers on the models' gowns appeared to have migrated onto their faces.

Simone Rocha LFW

Simone Rocha LFW

Photo credit: Simone Rocha/Instagram

More: Women are shaving their faces and claiming it's a beauty trend

Dora Abodi, Paris

Transylvanian designer Dora Abodi paired her quirky clothes with smudged eyes, embellishments and lip scars.

Dora Abodi PFW

Dora Abodi PFW

Photo credit: Dora Abodi/Instagram

Marko Mitanovski, London

A lick of black paint and you'll be ready to hit the town à la the models on the catwalk for Serbian designer Marko Mitanovski at London Fashion Week.

Marko Mitanovski LFW

Marko Mitanovski LFW

Photo credit: Marko Mitanovski/Instagram

Sophia Webster, London

Chalk-white faces were big at Sophia Webster, some covered in black dots, which certainly went with the show's "Freak Like Me" theme. Don't think this would be the easiest look to pull off doing your weekly supermarket shop.

Sophia Webster at London Fashion Week

Photo credit: Stuart C. Wilson/Entertainment/Getty Images

London Fashion Week: Sophia Webster makeup

Photo credit: Nicky J. Sims/Stringer/Getty Images

Giamba, Milan

One of our favourite extreme beauty looks came from Giamba's show at Milan Fashion Week. Barely-there makeup with only a few strategically placed tattoos. Go on — paint a tiny heart above your eyebrow and see if anyone thinks it's real. You rebel.

Giamba at Milan Fashion Week

Photo credit: Jacopo Raule/Entertainment/Getty Images

More fashion week

Transgender model Andreja Pejic makes history at London Fashion Week
What we've learned from London Fashion Week
The best of street style at New York Fashion Week

9 Red flags your guy is 'gaslighting' you and what to do

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So, what is gaslighting?

Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse in which the one doing it tries to get power over his victim by making her think she's crazy, out of sorts and "off." The gaslighter lies to, manipulates and questions the other person for control. And though it can happen with your boss, a parent or friends, it's perhaps most common in romantic relationships. In guy-girl couples, it's often the man in the abuser role and the woman as the victim, but it can work the other way around too.

"The more powerful gaslighter attempts to define the reality of a less powerful gaslightee — and the person in the one-down position allows that to happen," Dr. Robin Stern, a licensed psychotherapist and the author of The Gaslight Effect, says in her Psychology Today blog.

Red flags that your man is gaslighting you and how to handle it:

1. You're often left feeling confused and crazy

If your guy frequently tells you you're crazy and twists things around so that it seems like you're being irrational or unreasonable, that's a telltale red flag he's gaslighting you. And if you feel confused a lot and actually believe you're losing it, that's an ominous sign, too.

2. You keep doubting yourself

Gaslighting victims start believing their abuser's perception of reality instead of their own. "The gaslightee begins to second-guess herself because she has allowed another person to define her reality and erode her judgment," Stern says. So if your guy is constantly raising his eyebrows at you and spins things in such a way that you seriously doubt your own version of events, take a long, hard look at what's going on.

3. You wonder if you're too sensitive or emotional

A favorite tactic of the gaslighter is to accuse his significant other of acting overly emotional and sensitive. The victim ultimately winds up believing it's true since she's heard it so many times. If your guy keeps telling you those things and you start thinking he's right, it could be a case of gaslighting.

4. You've become completely insecure

This is a classic sign in every relationship marred by gaslighting. Both partners are deeply insecure, but the victim's lack of confidence goes beyond her abuser's lack of confidence. She literally loses herself and her identity and adopts the one her significant other is trying to feed her. "If you are insecure and don't have a strong sense of self, you will give the power to the other person as a way of being attached," says couples therapist Dr. Jeanette Raymond, author of Now You Want Me, Now You Don't!. "But you're giving away your mind!" The insecure gaslighter "attempts to feel secure by controlling his partner's perception of herself."

5. You find yourself saying you're sorry all the time

Do you walk on eggshells around your guy and wind up apologizing to him constantly because he makes you feel like you're always in the wrong? That could be another red flag that he's gaslighting you.

6. Your arguments with him go in circles

If your fights make your head spin because of the outlandish things he says you did or his way of distorting reality — and you honestly believe him when he says it's all your fault — watch out. It could be a sign that you're a gaslighting victim in your relationship.

7. You make excuses for him to friends and family

If you find yourself explaining away your man's crazy, erratic behavior on a regular basis to those closest to you and making all sorts of excuses for him, it might be a sign that there's a much deeper problem at play.

8. You start lying to avoid the accusations and twisted talks

After a while, you get so tired of your version of events being mixed up and your reality being warped by your man that you begin lying to him to avoid the confrontations.

9. You feel hopeless and depressed in the relationship

How did it happen? You were head over heels for this guy. And now, you're consumed by sadness and emptiness. Of course, if you're down but aren't seeing several other signs on the list, it might have nothing to do with your man or your relationship. But if you're depressed and notice other red flags, you're probably being gaslighted.

What to do if you think you're a victim of gaslighting

If you think you're in a relationship clouded by gaslighting, get professional help if you aren't making any progress on your own. Another good strategy: Don't engage with your gaslighting partner when he starts harping and pointing fingers.

"If he accuses you of something you know is ridiculous — being 20 minutes late when it's really only three minutes, for example — not saying anything is sometimes the best response," Stern tells Oprah magazine.

She says women (or men) being gaslighted should "opt out of the power struggles, avoid the right-wrong debates, use silence instead of commenting when someone is provoking you, and write down your verbal exchanges."

How can you tell the difference between gaslighting and normal spats where you and your guy aren't seeing eye-to-eye?

"Regular tiffs involve each partner defending their own perceptions of themselves, not giving away power or their minds in order to feel loved," says Raymond. "That's why they can't ever feel close."

You can save your relationship from gaslighting and get to a healthier place — sometimes. But it takes a lot of hard work and intensive therapy.

If the situation doesn't turn around, be prepared to leave him. The good news is, there is hope. This isn't a life sentence. But you have to untangle yourself from the cycle, with or without the man you fell in love with.

If you think that you might be the victim of gaslighting or any other form of emotional or physical abuse, seek professional help or call the National Domestic Violence Help Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

More on abuse

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How a seemingly healthy relationship turns abusive

26 Amazing lunch pastas to brighten up your workday

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The answer, my friends, is neither! It turns out pasta is the perfect work lunch. Sauce and cheese keep things moist, while add-ins like Gorgonzola, Meyer lemon and sausage make for a much more exciting meal than anything you could get at the local coffee shop. Best of all, pasta freezes beautifully, so you can make a batch of pasta on Sunday, freeze it into individual portions and keep enjoying it all week long.

Creamy pasta

1. 20-Minute creamy Meyer lemon pasta recipe

meyer lemon pasta

Creamy pasta doesn't have to taste heavy. Here, sunny Meyer lemon brightens things up.

2. Tortellini chili recipe

tortellini chili

Tired of the same old pasta with red sauce? Jazz things up with plump tortellini and hearty chili.

3. Pasta with sausage, spinach and creamy Gorgonzola recipe

pasta with sausage, spinach and gorgonzola

Full of flavor thanks to sausage and Gorgonzola, this pasta is a great midday pick-me-up.

4. Red pepper and butternut squash pasta recipe

red pepper and butternut squash pasta

This creamy pasta sauce is actually vegan — or vegetarian if you garnish with a sprinkle of cheese.

5. One-skillet spicy sausage pasta recipe

one skillet spicy sausage pasta

Make this quick meal the night before, and bring leftovers the next day. You'll get two satisfying meals without wasting a bunch of time in the kitchen.

6. Vegan "scallops" over pasta with creamy white wine sauce recipe

vegan scallop creamy pasta

Microwaving seafood for lunch at the office is kind of a no-no, but these succulent vegan "scallops," made from mushrooms, are just as satisfying.

7. One-skillet creamy pasta with garlic chicken recipe

creamy pasta with garlic and chicken

Delightfully creamy with a garlicky punch, this hearty pasta will keep you going all day long.

8. Pasta with pumpkin cream sauce and crispy sage recipe

pasta with pumpkin cream sauce with crispy sage

Enjoy a taste of fall all year-round with this luscious pumpkin and sage pasta.

9. Baked pasta with Sriracha cream sauce recipe

baked pasta with sriracha cream sauce

It's a little spicy and a lot delicious. Make this Sriracha pasta bake for dinner, and enjoy the leftovers at lunch all week long.

Hearty pasta

10. Cheesy pesto-chicken-stuffed shells recipe

cheesy pesto chicken stuffed shells

These pesto chicken shells are a dream when it comes to packing easy lunches. Freeze individual portions, then grab and go in the morning.

11. Pasta with collard greens and bacon recipe

pasta with collard greens and bacon

Hearty greens pack a nutritional wallop while smoky bacon keeps things fun in this tasty dish.

12. One-pot chicken enchilada pasta recipe

one pot chicken and enchilada pasta

Who said pasta has to be Italian? This warming pasta features the flavors of your favorite enchiladas.

13. One-skillet Italian sausage pasta with ricotta cheese recipe

sausage pasta with ricotta

Simple and classic, this one-skillet meal will fill your lunchbox all week long.

14. Chili spaghetti recipe

pasta

Repurpose some leftover chili, or create it from scratch in this unique spaghetti recipe.

Lighter pasta

15. Skinny roasted garlic tomato Alfredo recipe

skinny alfredo

Sometimes you don't want to get bogged down by a heavy lunch. That's when dishes like this skinny Alfredo come in handy.

16. Garlic kale pasta recipe

garlic kale pasta

Kale is full of vitamins and fiber to help keep you full longer without putting you into a food coma.

17. Springtime pasta with pea pesto recipe

springtime pasta with pea pesto

Fresh and light, this spring-y pesto pasta will brighten up your lunchtime.

18. Baked spaghetti squash casserole recipe

baked spaghetti squash pasta

Craving pasta but avoiding carbs? This easy spaghetti squash casserole is for you.

19. Garlic chicken pasta with arugula recipe

garlic chicken with arugula pasta

Peppery arugula and moist chicken kick this simple pasta dish up a notch.

20. Ziti with broccoli rabe, pine nuts and pancetta recipe

zucchini brocolli rabe pasta

Your lunch will be anything but boring with this pasta dish. I think we can all agree that bittersweet broccoli rabe, creamy pine nuts and salty pancetta are a cut above your standard cup-o-noodles.

21. Pasta and lentils with crispy bacon and zucchini recipe

lentils and bacon pasta

If you find yourself ravenous at lunch but are trying to be healthy, then this meal is perfect for you. Hearty protein- and fiber-rich lentils, zucchini and small pasta make for a hearty but healthy lunch.

Cold pasta

22. Cold pasta salad with asparagus, feta, blueberries and basil recipe

pasta salad with asparagus, blueberries and feta

We guarantee you won't find a meal like this in your office vending machine. This pasta salad with blueberries, asparagus and feta is straight-up gourmet.

23. Macaroni salad with bacon and cilantro recipe

macaroni salad with bacon and cilantro

Jazz up the classic macaroni salad with smoky, salty bacon and fresh cilantro. You'll be amazed at how two small ingredients can make such a big difference.

24. Asian pasta salad recipe

asian pasta salad

Full of crisp, colorful veggies, this pasta salad will give you the energy you need to finish your day strong.

25. Bruschetta pasta salad recipe

bruchetta pasta salad

Bruschetta and pasta salad are a match made in heaven, bringing you a dish that's perfect for summer — or when you want to pretend it's not still winter.

26. Pasta salad without the mayo recipe

pasta salad without mayo

Cool, fresh and light, pasta salad without mayo is the champion of lunchtime.

More lunch ideas

These 10 tricks make brown-bagging your lunch more exciting
Adults-only lunchbox: 4 Gourmet recipes for office lunches
Lunchbox trends: Not your mama's brown bag

Is a coughing bus shelter the key to raising lung cancer awareness?

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The Primesight shelters at Glasgow's Buchanan Street bus station and on The Sandgate in Ayr town centre were built specifically for this purpose. Anyone waiting for a bus or talking shelter from the rain (whether they are smoking or not) will hear a 30-second audio clip of a man coughing, then a female voice recommending a visit to a doctor if a cough has been persisting for more than three weeks.

The bus stops also feature an image of a man coughing with the strap line "Don't get scared, get checked."

More: Two-thirds of people want junk food advertising banned before 9 p.m.

The most recent statistics available from Cancer Research UK reveal that around 43,500 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2011 (around 120 people per day). It's the second most common cancer diagnosed in the U.K. after breast cancer. Rates of lung cancer in Scotland are among the highest in the world, which reflects the history of high smoking prevalence.

Scotland has the highest percentage of smokers in the U.K. according to an Office of National Statistics report published in November 2014. In Scotland 21.1 percent of the population smokes. In England the figure is 18 percent, Northern Ireland 18.7 percent and Wales 19.8 percent.

More: How to quit smoking by tracking your period

In a bid to further drive down smoking in the U.K. MPs have voted in favour of standardised cigarette packaging. If the House of Lords gives the move the green light, from 2016 every packet will be identical, apart from the make and brand name alongside health warnings and graphic photographs.

Over 600 youngsters aged 11 to 15 take up smoking every day in the U.K., which equates to more than 200,000 per year. It's believed that standardised packaging will help make cigarette packets less appealing while reinforcing important health warnings.

This year MPs also voted in favour of a ban on smoking in cars where children are present.

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7 Tricks to fall asleep when it seems impossible

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Most of the time, when I have a restless night, I have tons of energy, but don't exactly want to get out of bed, either. That's why I make my nightstand an activity center. It's packed with books, lavender oil, my charging smartphone and magazines. Once I get up, I know that it's going to take a while to get myself back to sleep.

Whatever the case, I asked a few people for their advice. Maybe some of it will work to lull you back to a peaceful rest.

1. Read, but not on your Kindle

"I'm terrible. I usually go on my Kindle Fire HD, but I should really open a book. It helps me fall asleep faster," said one person I asked. That's true — they say that viewing a screen is bad when you want to fall asleep.

In fact, a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people slept better when they read from books as opposed to e-readers and tablets. If you have a printed book around, perhaps thumbing through the pages and catching up on a chapter can help — just stay away from the screen.

"This light has serious consequences on our sleep and on our alertness, not only while we're using these electronic devices but the following morning as well, even after eight hours of sleep," said Anne-Marie Chang, an associate neuroscientist in the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Harvard's Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, who led the study, in a statement.

2. Think about cleaning

"I think about all the cleaning I could be doing," one person said. Trouble is, when she tries to talk herself into getting up and tackling tasks that need to be conquered, she winds up falling back asleep. Maybe the thought alone of folding laundry or doing dishes is enough to put anyone into a subconscious state. If you live alone and don't risk waking others, though, maybe it is a good time to pull out the vacuum and go to town.

3. Do muscle relaxing activity

Sometimes, the idea of "just relaxing" doesn't quite work. Duh. Easier said than done. A focused meditation may be able to help you unwind and nab that much-needed rest.

"I usually stay in bed, meditate and eventually sleep comes," said another reader.

I recommend progressive muscle relaxation, where you tighten different areas of your body and release them starting from your neck and shoulders and working down to your feet. Anything else could just make your thoughts wander if you're not a seasoned meditation guru. With the body working, you feel a little release... plus, you're already laying down, so it's the perfect position.

4. Snack on foods linked to better sleep

Can't get to sleep? May be a good time for a quick snack. Foods such as walnuts, almonds, cheese and crackers, pretzels and cherry juice are all said to inhibit Zs. As we know, coffee and booze don't help us sleep better, so wait for that latte or beer later on in the day.

5. Relocate

Dr. Harneet Walia, a sleep disorders specialist of Cleveland Clinic’s Sleep Disorders Center, said on the clinic's website that relocating is a good idea if you wake up and can't get back to sleep after 20 minutes.

“Don’t spend time in bed trying to fall asleep,” she said. “You probably will start worrying about falling asleep and then learn to associate the bedroom with not sleeping well.”

6. Change the sheets

When looking at techniques to help people get back to sleep, I found that changing the sheets was a good tactic many preferred.

"Whenever I can't sleep, I usually find that a quick change of the sheets is all I need. For some reason, you can't beat crisp sheets," she said.

She could be right — I always sleep awesome when I get into a fresh bed or when the bed has been made the morning before. . Of course, that may not be possible if you're sleeping with a partner.

7. Use the nature effect

One of the things that works for me is keeping lavender essential oil in my nightstand. It may sound a little odd, but the scent can definitely relax you into sleep. (Hint: Dab a couple of drops on your clean pillowcase for an even more peaceful respite.)

While we're on the natural kick, you may want to keep something like Bach's Rescue Remedy in your night table arsenal. It's got some natural herbs that are said to help people get back to bed, and they come in sprays and liquid melts with ingredients such as white chestnut, clematis, impatiens, and cherry plum.

Machines that feature nature sounds are also an option that may help. For more tech that can help, check out mobile apps such as Sleep Genius or Sleep Pillow.

Whatever you do, don't do this...

Remember, sometimes you may not want to sleep because you're rested. Other times, it's just because our minds are running a mile a minute. Whatever you do, studies say not to look at the clock.

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