This carrot "risotto" will definitely brighten things up at your table, both in color and flavor. Where's the rice, you might ask? Well, for this beautiful dish, I peeled, then pulsed carrots into small pieces (about the size of rice), and used it as the base.

Use veggies in place of rice as a great option for lower-carb, flavorful and healthy meals. It's also a great way to add more veggies to your life. This is an easy-to-make dish that doesn't include a long list of ingredients. Toss in crunchy toasted walnuts and sharp Gorgonzola cheese for a delightful dish.

Carrot "risotto" with Gorgonzola and toasted walnuts recipe

Recipe adapted from Inspiralized

In less than 30 minutes, you can have this amazing dish on the table. Its vibrant color is only part of what makes this so great. It's a healthy dish that can be served alongside a green salad or a serving of fish for a delightful meal.

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 15 minutes | Total time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 large carrots, skins peeled and ends trimmed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
• 3 tablespoons toasted walnuts, chopped
• 2 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Directions:

1. Peel the outer skins from the carrots, and trim the ends. Use a spiral slicer or julienne peeler to make strands from the carrot. Add them to a food processor, and pulse several times until small, like the size of rice. Transfer to a bowl.
2. To a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until it begins to soften. Add the garlic, and cook for about 30 seconds.
3. Add the carrot pieces to the skillet, increase the heat to medium-high, and add 1/2 cup of the vegetable broth. Season with the salt, pepper and thyme, and stir to combine. Stir occasionally.
4. When the broth has evaporated, add the remaining broth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the broth evaporates.
5. Add the walnuts to the mixture, and mix to combine.
6. Transfer to a serving bowl, and sprinkle with the Gorgonzola. Serve warm.

For tons of great recipes, like our I <3 Comfort Food page on Facebook.

More risotto recipes

Mushroom and walnut risotto
Vegan spinach mushroom risotto with toasted walnuts
Sweet potato risotto

Since the original Teen Mom series wrapped filming, she has been getting back to "normal."

And while she was living the regular life, she was also busy making huge strides to make her life better for herself and her family.

More: Farrah Abraham returns to Teen Mom, despite her costars' protest

Bookout appears to have transformed herself into the consummate Renaissance woman and the walking American Dream. She began as a pregnant teenager on a show with the message, "don't ruin your lives like these girls did," but became a full-time working mom, a student and a woman with another baby on the way.

She has been balancing her studies at Chattanooga State with her full-time career as a social media marketing specialist all while being a mother to 6-year-old Bentley and preparing to welcome baby No. 2, a daughter who she plans to name Jade Carter.

In an interview with People, Bookout said she was reluctant to get back into the reality TV game after so long. "I was definitely apprehensive. But I thought it was really cool and all of us are in such different places in our lives that it would be nice for the fans to see how much we have grown," she said.

More: Maci Bookout shares her baby's name and due date

And grown is right. She appears to have put on a level head about a lot of things, including her rocky past relationship with her son's father, Ryan Edwards, and marrying baby daddy No. 2, Taylor McKinney.

"We don't argue with each other. I guess we just learned it's just not worth the energy and we've grown up a little bit," she said.

In regards to her new beau, she said, "We definitely want to get married and we've talked about it a lot. But we aren't trying to cram it all in at one time. After the baby comes and we get settled in with parenting two children then that will definitely be our next step."

A huge congratulations to the star for showing women from all walks of life and who come from all different situations, including seemingly insurmountable sets of circumstances, that you can get it together, go to school, get a degree and have a career and a family — or just have whatever life you decide to go after.

Hard work pays off, and seriously, who doesn't think women can overcome anything and do it all now?

More: Maci Bookout worries that Farrah Abraham's return to Teen Mom will harm her son

1. Be More Pacific (Austin, Texas)

Image: Be More Pacific

This truck serves up Filipino-American fusion in the Austin, Texas, area, and we couldn't be more in love with this Pacific-Asian ode to a common way Americans mispronounce a common phrase.

2. Hook and Ladder (Denton, Texas)

What's the hook at Hook and Ladder Pizza Co.? They serve up oven-baked pizza and beer from a modified firetruck.

3. Serial Grillers (Tucson, Arizona)

At Serial Grillers, some of their specialty pizzas have clever names like Natural Born Killers, Copycat, The Bone Collector and more.

4. Grillenium Falcon (Fayetteville, Arkansas)

Image: seeannarun/Flickr

For a short time, Hammontree's Grilled Cheese made their gourmet grillers mobile via the Grillenium Falcon, where they'd smuggle some tasty, cheesy goodness to a street corner near you.

6. Maximus Minimus (Seattle, Washington)

Image: MichaelMonello/Flickr

At Maximus Minimus, get your pork or chicken sandwich one of two ways: MAXImus (hot and spicy) or miniMUS (sweet and tangy).

7. Patty Wagon (Los Angeles, Californa)

Image: ubrayj02/Flickr

Serving up 100 percent grass-fed mini-burgers, the Patty Wagon also uses sustainable, local ingredients as much as possible.

8. The Dump Truck (Portland, Oregon)

Image: caseorganic/Flickr

After meeting in Beijing, this happy couple started The Dump Truck, where they steam up a variety of Portland's best dumplings.

9. The S.W.A.T. Truck (Orlando, Florida)

Image: The S.W.A.T. Truck

The S.W.A.T. in The S.W.A.T. Truck stands for "skewers with a 'tude." And yes, it's served out of a decommissioned and repurposed SWAT team truck just like the ones you see on TV.

10. The Tamale Spaceship (Chicago, Illinois) 

Image: orijinal/Flicker

The Tamale Spaceship serves authentic Mexican cuisine inspired by lucha libre (Mexican wrestling).

11. Big Gay Ice Cream (New York, LA and Philadelphia)

Image: wallyg/Flickr

The Big Gay Ice Cream truck became so popular with quirky (and tasty) flavor names like Bea Arthur and Salty Pimp, they've expanded.

12. India Jones (Los Angeles, California)

Image: India Jones

Authentic Indian street food takes to the streets of LA in India Jones food truck.

13. The Angry Friar (Denton, Texas)

For those who aren't devotees of the Bard of Avon, this is likely a reference to Friar Laurence, who became angry with Romeo for wishing to commit suicide rather than be separated from Juliet. Ironically, the British owner of this fish and chips truck was a bit of an arse who frequently made fun of his customers on his website, which may be why it's closed. No word on whether he was a friar.

14. Sticks and Cones (Mint Hill, North Carolina)

Image: Tonya Russ Price/Sticks and Cones

Sticks and Cones won't break your bones, just give you a choice of whether to patronize their Sticks truck, specializing in nostalgic favorites on a stick, or their Cones truck, which gives you a variety of cones, sundaes and floats made with soft-serve ice cream.

15. The Greasy Wiener (Los Angeles, California)

Image: davecobb/Flickr

At The Greasy Wiener hot dog truck, they serve New Jersey-style dogs and a little bit of irreverence. Their tagline is "Loads of fun… in a bun!"

More on food trucks

The 16 hysterical and agonizing stages of eating at a food truck
Lighter twists on food truck favorites
Best healthy food trucks across the country

Sir Elton then called for a boycott of the fashion duo's brand saying, "I shall never wear Dolce and Gabbana ever again #BoycottDolceGabbana."

When the fashion brand finally got their act together, they said, "It was never our intention to judge other people's choices."

Well, that is exactly what they were doing.

More: D&G call IVF babies 'synthetic;' Elton John calls for boycott

And Saldana seems to fall on the side of D&G, strangely saying, "Obviously it caused some sensitivity, but then again if you continue to follow the news, you see they all kinda hugged it out, so why are we making a big deal about it?"

Regarding the boycott and changing her wardrobe choices, she said, "... that would be the stupidest thing if it affected my fashion choice. People are allowed to their own opinion, however, I wouldn't have chosen to be so public about something that's such a personal thing. I'm certainly not going to stop wearing Dolce, and I'm certainly not going to be refuting when they are adopting synthetic children, however they wanted to say it."

She tried to qualify her statements (and D&G's) by saying, "I do think things are lost in translation."

Well, thanks for that, Zoe.

More: Designers Dolce & Gabbana convicted of tax evasion

Here's the thing: Things didn't get lost in translation. The designers actually said those words, and while it is their right to those opinions, it isn't their right to make other people feel bad about their life choices or family makeup.

And that isn't only when thinking about those in same-sex relationships. There are countless heterosexual couples and even individuals who want to have children who are having trouble or are unable to get pregnant by themselves, and it is a very serious struggle for them. It can do terrible things to people who want desperately to have a baby and are going through these avenues and treatments.

So for her to belittle them by saying it is stupid for her to change her actions based on this incident is insensitive. And for her to go further by saying she thinks it caused some sensitivity is the equivalent of saying "bless your heart" and shows she is entirely out of touch.

Of course, she is entitled to her opinion, but to diminish the struggles of others by not having a problem with what the fashion brand said is just not cool. And to say they all hugged it out as if Elton John wasn't grossly offended is just ridiculous.

Read more of what Saldana said over at People.

More: Rob Kardashian posts strangest picture, message about sister Kim (PHOTO)

If you needed any further endorsement of breastfeeding in public, Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon on AMC's The Walking Dead, agreed to take a photo with a couple of nursing mamas recently. According to the Facebook page Momma Is A Hippie, whose owner is a friend of one of the cute moms in the photo, they noticed he was holding a fake boob as they approached. Breastfeeding was discussed, and he was all for taking a breastfeeding pic — and reportedly he said it was the best photo he's ever taken. I might have to agree.

It's awesome that Reedus is a proponent of breastfeeding, but it's not totally surprising, as his character showed a nurturing side when a baby was born on The Walking Dead, and he helped care for her.

Breastfeeding remains a polarizing topic, but having support from one of the most popular male stars on TV is a breath of fresh air. Thanks, Norman, for being awesome and showing that breastfeeding isn't something that needs to be hidden away. I expect your fan numbers have grown exponentially over the last day or two because of this badass photo.

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In the video, Diaz says:

I lost 270 pounds in the last six years. When I was 16 years old, I weighed about 495 pounds at my heaviest weight. I’m a big advocate for body positivity, but I’ve never shown what my excess skin really looks like ... I’ve never done this before ever, and I’m really, really scared.

What an amazing story. What a fearless warrior for self-love. See below:

Losing that amount of weight is no small thing. It takes discipline and so much hard work. But it is more than that, too. It takes a certain emotional mind frame. "I think it's important that we learn to love the bodies we're in, even if we don't necessarily like every little thing about them," Diaz says.

If a person wants to lose weight, it shouldn't be about the way that others look at them. It should be about the way they look at themselves and the way that they feel. We focus so much on the cosmetic aspects of weight loss that we often forget the very real emotional components — better health, better sleep and so many other factors. These help with self-love. But a person also needs to be able to look in the mirror and like what they see. No matter what.

Diaz may not look like our picture perfect idea of what a man should look like, but he's exposing himself and making himself vulnerable to the world to help others like him. Being thin is one thing. Doing this is something else. And it's a far more impressive, difficult thing. Kudos. May it help all those who are struggling.

More on weight loss

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What we should really say to a friend calling herself 'fat'
How to say ‘I love myself’ and really mean it

I didn't co-sleep (or more specifically, bed-share) with my first child. We shared a room, but he was in a crib by my bed. I got up every time he fussed and dutifully sat in a rocking chair, nursing him, every couple hours during the first few months. It worked out fine for us, but by the time my second kid came around I found myself sleeping with him more and more and the third kid was in my bed even more than the second. My fourth bed-shared from the get-go.

There are definite, major advantages to bed-sharing. If you're breastfeeding, you will usually rouse when your baby starts to stir, and you can ward off a screaming hunger cry well before it bursts forth. You become a comfortable pair, snoozing in tandem, and even though your baby wakes up often to nurse, you generally feel more rested in the morning. Parenting at night becomes instinctive and natural rather than scheduled or stressed.

Manda, mom of one, agrees with that assessment. "I love it because I'm able to tend to Leo right when he wakes up, which means it's easier for me to put him back to sleep because he doesn't stir himself completely awake," she shares. "He also sleeps for longer stretches of time (four to five hours compared to two in his crib)." Kelly, mom of two, reports a similar experience. "It's easy to feed at night and we both just go right back to sleep," she explains. "Nice, slow, gradual wake ups. I loved having him close. Still do."

However, that's not to say that it is without its occasional downfalls. Sometimes, we have to admit that co-sleeping isn't always the most comfortable thing ever. "I do often wake up with back pain because his tiny human self seems to sleep in crazy positions that take up most of the bed," explains Manda. Kristin, mother of one, also reported a few painful nights. "My back was not so fond of waking up half stuffed in her crib (we 'sidecar-ed') because she wouldn't sleep in our bed but still wanted skin to skin that night," she says.

And another downside is that, at least for a while, you might find yourself going to bed when your kid does, and this means you can fall asleep earlier than you normally would. "For the longest time I had to go to bed when she did so I had no time to myself," Cheryl, mom of one, tells me.

Still, despite these drawbacks, moms report that they wouldn't change their co-sleeping habits. "I love the easy access to nurse in the middle of the night, all the snuggles and waking up to a huge grin," Kristin says. "We both sleep better when we're together." Leah, mom of one, had a similar experience when her girl was small. "I slept better knowing that I could respond to her right away if she needed something without having to wake up," she explains.

As long as you co-sleep safely (that is, lay Baby to bed on a firm mattress, keep pillows, blankets and toys away from her face, keep her between you and the wall and don't use alcohol or drugs before you bed down for the night), the benefits outweigh the discomforts. Everyone has different experiences, of course, and what works for one mom might not work for another — also, some moms adore every second and others can't bear to co-sleep in the first place. But even if we can admit that co-sleeping isn't always completely awesome, most of us who do practice it say that it's the best thing ever.

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The Scandal star was the winner of the Vanguard Award at the 2015 GLAAD Awards, an award given to a person who has been a significant ally of the LGBT community.

The speech she delivered brought the house to its feet several times and for good reason. What she said was one of the most well-spoken, poignant and true speeches about equality and human rights I've personally ever heard.

She began by thanking Ellen DeGeneres, and then said, "I'm going to say some stuff, and I might be preaching to the choir, but I'm going to say it. Not just for us, but because on Monday morning people are going to click a link hear what that woman from Scandal said at that award show, and so I think some stuff needs to be said."

There are so many good quotes from this speech that I couldn't even begin to pick one or two out as the best. You'll just have to listen to the whole thing and be amazed for yourself.

More on LGBT equality

5 Excellent LGBT children's books any family can enjoy
Teri Polo on LGBT rights before The Fosters: "I was clueless"
Ellen Page and the karma of outing gay Hollywood

Prostitute. Hooker. High-priced call girl. Lady of the night. Escort. Whatever you want to call Pretty Woman's Vivian Ward, we all know what she did to pay the rent. That didn't stop us from watching, never judging and taking everything she said and did to heart.

More: Check out our most romantic movie moments

1) Rub their noses in their mistakes

Image: Giphy.com

OK. We admit that this probably isn't the nicest lesson to learn. But we all dream of our moment when we can walk up to the people who doubted us, ignored us or bullied us, show off our new-found fame/money/bone structure and tell them what a huge mistake they made.

2. Know your audience

Image: Giphy.com

We've all let something slip from our lips that would be completely acceptable with our friends but not with our mamaws or overly religious aunts. Even if our moms never taught us any tact, Vivian Ward's opinion of the opera certainly did.

3. Don't believe the hype

Image: Giphy.com

People are cruel. That was never more obvious than in Pretty Woman and knowing people could ever be mean to the oh-so-gorgeous Vivian Ward. Just because they say it, doesn't mean it's true, though.

4. No kissing. It's too personal

Image: Giphy.com

We bet a good majority of you have never listened to Viv's sage advice on intimacy, but we implore you to give it a try. Kissing may seem like the first step to decent hookup, but never forget that schoolyard song: as soon as you sit in a tree and start kissing, you fall in love. Try hooking up without that oh-so-intimate kiss and you could find yourself with a lot fewer broken hearts.

More: Richard Gere slams our favorite film

5. Never sell yourself short

Image: Giphy.com

One of the first lessons we learned in Pretty Woman was to always price yourself high. When Vivian says it'll be $300 for her to stay the night and he tells her he'd have paid more, she knew she'd messed up. Know your value. Never settle for less just for the sake of getting something.

6. How to put on mascara

Damn, girl. Those are some serious lashes.

7. Be yourself

Image: Giphy.com

Even if yourself happens to like Prince. The right man will think your sickening falsetto is absolutely adorable.

8. Your true love will go to great lengths to win your heart

Image: Giphy.com

Forget fancy clothes, huge bathtubs and polo matches. You'll know it's real love when he climbs your fire escape to share his feelings.

Basically, Vivian Ward taught us everything we need to know... except how to work a pair of thigh-high boots. Thanks for all the wisdom, Pretty Woman.

More: Uhhh... Julia Roberts' smile is worth how much?

Who dropped their ice cream all over this pretty cake, anyway? That's what I want to know. No worries, because this messy melted ice cream cone is a good thing, and no napkins are required.

You know why I like making this cake? Because I didn't make the cake; I bought it premade. All I did was make the messy melted ice cream cone, which is the best part, and it takes only 15 minutes to make. It just has to sit in the fridge for an hour or less to set. Then all that's left to make this cake is to set the dropped ice cream cone on top, drizzle some chocolate and lick your fingers. Yum.

I also bought some mini cupcakes so I didn't have to bake them. You need only 1 for the messy melted ice cream cone, which means extra for the cook to snack on.

Same for the frosting — I bought it premade. And for this recipe, just a small amount is needed, but the extra frosting might come in handy for making other desserts, like adding frosting to cookies or on a quick sheet cake made with premade cake mix.

Give the ice cream cone a dip in chocolate to start the messiness.

The messier the melted chocolate, the better. I like using dark chocolate because it contrasts nicely when drizzled on top of a lightly colored frosted cake.

And to top it off, add candy sprinkles. The chocolate sets pretty fast, so the sprinkles need to be added quickly so they'll stick. Once the chocolate on the "scoop of ice cream" sets, all that's left is to add it to the top of a cake along with drizzled chocolate. Just like that, you're done. Super quick and easy.

Melting ice cream cone cake recipe

A quick way to make a premade cake turn into something fun by topping it with a decoration made to look like a dropped ice cream cone that is melting all over the cake. The messier, the better, because the melted ice cream is really made out of delicious chocolate.

Serves 20

Prep time: 15 minutes | Inactive time: 1 hour | Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 premade, 6-inch, double-layer, round cake, frosted with a light color (or a cake of your choice)
• 1 premade mini cupcake (with or without frosting)
• 1 sugar ice cream cone
• 1 (12 ounce) package dark chocolate melting wafers
• 1/3 cup chocolate frosting
• Candy sprinkles

Directions:

1. To a small- to medium-size microwave-safe bowl, add 1/2 the chocolate wafers.
2. On the low or defrost microwave setting, heat the chocolate wafers for 15 seconds.
3. Stir the chocolate, and if needed, heat the chocolate wafers again for 15 seconds, and stir.
4. Once the chocolate melts, use a small spoon to "line" the inside of the sugar cone, starting from the open side and down into the cone about 3 inches. Then right away, before the chocolate in the cone sets or dries, insert the cupcake top side first into the cone so that the melted chocolate will adhere to the cupcake.
5. Carefully spread the frosting on top of the "upside-down" cupcake so that it resembles a scoop of ice cream. If the bottom of the cupcake is too soft or moist, let it sit out in the air for a bit to harden up so it's easier to frost. After frosting, set it aside for a moment.
6. Heat the chocolate in the bowl briefly so that it's in a liquid form.
7. Set a piece of waxed paper on a plate. Dip just the "scoop of ice cream" into the chocolate so all sides are coated.
8. Set the cone on the waxed paper scoop side down at a slight angle, and prop the tip of the cone with a small cup to hold it up while the chocolate sets.
9. Before the chocolate sets, spoon some more chocolate around the scoop, and spread it out just a little bit to look like it's "messy." Quickly top with the candy sprinkles before the chocolate sets.
10. Let sit in the fridge for about 1 hour to set.
11. Once the chocolate-dipped ice cream cone is set, carefully peel the waxed paper off the bottom of the chocolate. Set aside for a moment.
12. Add the remaining chocolate wafers to the chocolate that's left in the bowl, and melt the chocolate in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring in between.
13. Drizzle some of the melted chocolate on top of the cake, and set the dropped ice cream cone on it.
14. Then drizzle some chocolate over the outside edges of the "messy" melted chocolate ice cream scoop area, just enough so the edges of the "melted ice cream scoop" blend in with the chocolate that's drizzled on top of the cake.
15. Drizzle the remaining chocolate on top and over the sides of the cake. Quickly add more candy sprinkles just around the "messy" part of the melted ice cream cone scoop before the chocolate sets.
16. Serve when the chocolate on top of the cake sets (about 30 minutes).

For tons of great recipes, like our I <3 Comfort Food page on Facebook.

More fun ice cream cone treats

Ice cream cone cupcakes
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More: Anna Duggar's comments on a Muslim holiday create an uproar

During a recent family trip to Texas, the two sisters posed for a picture outside a rather dingy-looking men's public bathroom, and they seemed pretty upset with having to use it. Their horrified faces actually make this photo pretty adorable, and Jana's expression is hilarious — which is probably why the family posted the picture on their official Facebook account.

But here's the problem: In August, Michelle Duggar made a controversial robocall phone message campaigning against an anti-discrimination bill in Arkansas that would allow transgender men and women to use their preferred public bathroom.

It is no secret that the family has very conservative views and during the recorded phone conversation, Michelle vehemently protested against the bill. She can be heard saying, "I doubt that Fayetteville parents would stand for a law that would endanger their daughters or allow them to be traumatized by a man joining them in their private space."

"We should never place the preference of an adult over the safety and innocence of a child," she added.

More: AWKWARD! Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar teach daughter how to kiss (VIDEO)

So, what makes it OK for Michelle's own girls to use the men's bathroom then? Michelle's seeming hypocrisy is coming under fire because if her children can choose which public bathroom they want (or need) to use, why can't transgender men and women be afforded the same rights?

Tell us what you think of the bathroom picture in the comments below.

1. Make the bed

Or at least tidy it up a bit. Research states that making your bed every day can lead to better productivity and improved sleep.

2. Put your clothes in the hamper

Since this task will only take you about 30 seconds, you can go ahead and hang your wet towels, too. Picking up today will only help keep your bathroom less messy throughout the week, as you are more likely to feel motivated to do it again tomorrow.

4. Load your morning dishes in the dishwasher

Load just the cups or silverware to save time later in the day.

5. Prep dinner

Take your meat out of the freezer and place in a sink full of cold water.

6. Wipe the counter

If you made breakfast, it's likely you've got morning crumbs. Put away the toaster, the bread and wipe the counter. Coming home to a clean kitchen will help you feel more at ease when you walk through the door.

7. Do yoga

OK, so you don't have time for a full routine, but two minutes of downward dog is sure to give you some peace of mind before you start your day. And if you're not a yoga fan, try a few jumping jacks or running in place.

8. Drink a glass of water

Taking an extra two minutes to drink a glass of water in the morning has quite a few health benefits. New Health Guide notes that gulping down a good 8 ounces will get your metabolism flowing, resulting in glowing skin and overall physical improvement.

9. Create a to-do list

Want to feel more productive today? Create a to-do list! Knowing what you need to do will help you prioritize your day and help you feel more accomplished once you see what you were able to complete in 12 hours.

10. Respond to an email

If you're like the rest of the world, your inbox is probably a mile long. Choose one email that you know will take you only two minutes to respond to and get it done. Doing something that you can get done with a few spare minutes will help motivate you to do things that will take much longer.

11. Write a love note

Compose a quick love note for your kids or spouse to receive when they arrive home. If you're single, send a quick text or email to a friend or loved one to let him or her know that you care. That extra two minutes can go a very long way.

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Asia Ford has been working hard to change her life. She has lost a total of 217 pounds — so far — and recently ran her first 10K. When Lt. Aubrey Gregory of the Louisville Metro Police grabbed her hand to help her across the finish line, a camera was there to catch the beautiful moment on film, and I'm so glad it was.

Ford has been struggling with her weight for years and finally decided to make drastic changes a couple of years ago. She says that every time she went to the doctor's office, she was told her life was essentially in danger, and one day, she decided to do something about it.

After radically changing her lifestyle, she's well on the way to success, having lost over 200 pounds. She cites her three children as her inspiration for becoming healthier, and she recently became determined to run — and finish — her first 10K.

However, as the run went on, she found it became more and more difficult. As with any race, EMS was on site, and they made sure to check on her, as they do anyone who appears to be struggling. However, even though she was having a difficult time, she told them she had no intention of stopping. That was when Gregory stepped in. "And I said, I'm not going to let her stop," he told WILX. "We're going to do this together. I got out. She grabbed my hand. I grabbed her hand." With the officer on her left and her son clutching her hand on the right, they advanced toward the finish line.

The moment she crossed the line was captured with a camera, and it speaks volumes — the triumphant relief of Ford, the steady arm of Gregory, the ambulance in the background. It brings tears to my eyes. She is an inspiration not only to those who have seen the photos (as of this writing, it has 1.4 million "likes" on Facebook), but most important, to her kids. They have an amazing role model to look up to.

More about your health

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1. Baking soda

Honestly, what can't you do with baking soda? Not only does it make a better shampoo than my shampoo, but if you add a 1/2 cup to your bath water and let it dissolve, you'll end up with the silkiest of smoothiest skin. Crazy, right? (The baking soda thing, not my habit of making up words.) 

2. Apple cider vinegar

This is something I didn't believe until I tried it myself: If you've got a nasty sunburn and are in desperate need of relief, all you have to do is add a cup of apple cider vinegar to your bath water. Bam.

More: 10 Apple cider vinegar beauty benefits you're missing

3. Green tea

Not only does green tea offer oodles of health benefits when consumed, it also makes for a fabulous addition to your beauty routine. Adding eight to 10 teabags to your next bath may help detox your skin from pollutants, not to mention act as an astringent for oily skin. You won't care how weird it seems when your skin's looking all amazing.

4. Sea salt

If you experience post-workout muscle cramps and soreness, add a handful of sea salt to your bath water and give yourself a soak. Word is the salt releases minerals and nutrients that break down the buildup of lactic acid (which is what causes muscle pain).

5. Red wine

I know what you're thinking: Leftover wine? What's that? But hey, maybe your bestie left some behind that your taste buds don't enjoy. Instead of letting it go to waste, pour a glass or more into your next bath. The polyphenols in red wine are stellar antioxidants for your skin, while the tartaric acid helps reduce pesky discoloration. Soak for 20 minutes or so, and enjoy what it must feel like to release a rap single.

6. Honey

Cleopatra totally knew what she was doing: Honey not only moisturizes your skin, but helps it retain moisture. It's also perfect for sensitive skin, thanks to it being an anti-irritant. Make sure to use 100 percent pure honey, which is best for skin, and add 1/4 to 1/2 cup to your bath water.

7. Coconut oil

Whether it's coconut, olive or baby oil, adding a splash of it to your next bath will basically guarantee super-soft skin is in your future. Melt 1/4 cup of coconut oil in the microwave and add to your bath water.

More skin care tips

11 Causes of dry skin that prove you're your own worst enemy
11 Things that happen when you go makeup free in public
Adult acne: What to do when your skin still thinks you're a teen

From all my years of early-20s dating, I have at least a dozen bad first date stories filed away. But after reading this Reddit thread with close to 10,000 comments on very bad dates (earning it a coveted spot on Reddit's front page), I feel much better about my spotty dating history. You will too.

These stories are so outrageous that you should probably sit down for this. Does your worst date compare to any of these nightmares?

1. Check, please

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What's the worst thing that could happen on a date with a really cool bike-racing dude? Answer: "[He] told me he wanted to kill his ex-roommates." Gulp.

2. Classic Napoleon complex

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After being set up by her roommate, one Redditor recounts how their first date was doomed from the start, "He was vocally irritated that I wore heels because it made him less tall than me. Note: He was still taller than me by a few inches, but just less tall."

3. From bad to worse

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First, Jerry Seinfeld makes out during Schindler's List, and now this? "Long time ago, my girlfriend decided at the last minute she wanted to do dinner and a movie after weeks of her saying she didn't want to do anything for Valentine's Day. All restaurants were full/busy, so we ended up at Burger King. The movie she was dying to go see? Schindler's List. She sobbed through most of the first half and pleaded that we leave at the intermission. Nope. I paid for it, and she wanted to see it so damned bad — we were staying."

4. How I met your mother

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It's guys like this that give online dating a bad name, "He knowingly used pictures that didn't accurately reflect the way he looked and kept saying, 'You look just like your pics!' in shock. He then told me I reminded him of his mother... Like it was a good thing."

5. Just your typical first date with Satan

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There's no telling how you would react in a WTF situation like this. One honest Redditor explains, "The girl started lighting matches — would put them out with her fingers, then eat the burnt matchstick head."

6. No wonder this was a blind date

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Please suppress your gag reflex as you read Sarin77's first date tale of woe: "Went on a blind date with a lady who wouldn't stop picking at her scabs. Just made a pile out of them on the restaurant table. I excused myself to use the washroom, and when I came back my soup was there, but the pile of scabs wasn't. No, I didn't eat the soup."

7. Saying goodbye is always the hardest part

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Matchotamium describes a creepy and unexpected end to an already bad date, "Wasn't necessarily the date, which was bad on its own, but the fact that she hung out in my parking lot for two hours after she dropped me off 'in case I changed my mind about doing something after dinner.'"

8. This can't be happening

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Talk about starting a date off with a bang: "About 10 minutes from picking a girl up, she asked me to pull to the side of the road to take a s*** and then proceeds to s*** in front of my car."

9. The starter date

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There are truly no words for this kind of first date behavior: "We spent most of the date going shopping for clothes for another date she had later that week."

10. TMI, dude

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For one lady Redditor, her date was going just fine, until: "I showed him a picture of my dog on my phone; he took out his phone and showed me a picture of his penis." Dog sounds like "dong," my mistake.

11. The two-fer

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Now this is the kind of awkward date you will never forget because it makes no damn sense, "She asks, 'Can my best friend come too?' I say, of course! (Trying to be nice, was also assuming it was going to be a girl.) [She] shows up with her friend, who is indeed a guy. This is when I find out that it's her one and only ex, but they remained best friends, and nothing is happening between them."

12. The word "prostitution" comes to mind

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Everything about this poor Redditor's date is wrong, sleazy and wrong, "I went out for dinner and a movie with a guy. I tried to chip in money at both, but he insisted that he cover it all. At the end of the night, we're sitting in his car in the parking lot of the restaurant we had just eaten at, and he asks for a BJ, saying, 'I mean, I bought you dinner and took you to a movie. It's the least you can do.'"

More on dating

8 Dating tips from an ex-crazy single girl
20 Real Tinder texts that are creepy, scary and just plain weird
15 Horrifying and real OKCupid messages

My 4-year-old? All about it. My 6-year-old? Not so much.

She just didn't feel comfortable dressing up in public anymore and while I felt extraordinarily sad for her and wished she could just have some fun like I know she secretly wanted to, it never even occurred to me to be as cool as one tattooed uncle from Detroit, Michigan.

Jesse Nagy, a 25-year-old actor, was visiting his 4-year-old niece in Alabama when he decided to go watch the new Cinderella movie with his leading lady. But when Izzy suddenly got cold feet (not to be confused with glass feet) about donning her princess gear out in public for her public, Nagy went total Prince Charming on her — and dressed up in his own princess dress to support her.

"She's like my mini-me," he told ABC News. "I really wanted to spend time with her, so I said 'let's go have a princess day." And when the little apple of his eye suggested that he could be a princess too, Nagy didn't even hesitate. "We made the trade-off," he explained. "I said, 'OK, we can both be princesses,' but she had to have the crown. I thought 'fair enough!'"

"Sometimes you just have to be a princess. Going to see Cinderella !! Uncle of the year," Nagy captioned his picture on Facebook.

I think we would all have to agree. And I can't help but wonder if anyone else even watched the movie? Something tells me these two may have stolen the show.

More on news

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Pretty Woman: 17 Things you didn't know about the film
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I picked my therapist because she identified as feminist. She had experience dealing with anxiety. She was less than a 20-minute drive from my house. It took a week of waiting after that to finally get to see her.

I’m not sure what I expected from that first visit, but I figured it would be awkward. I searched Google for "what to expect from your first therapy visit." I called friends who I knew saw therapists regularly.

I filled out a form and then I talked at her for an hour. At her. I told her my mom had died the month prior. I told her my 17-year-old brother had moved in with my husband and me. We adopted my mom's dog. That I could barely remember a moment of my mother before she got sick with stomach cancer. That I had been filling my life up with lists for months, if not years, and I was good at them, too good at them... that I was afraid I would look back in 60 years and think, "Well, at least I got a lot of errands done."

"What I really think I need," I told her, "is to figure out how to put up boundaries and actually make time for myself. I need to stop taking responsibility for everyone else's life. I feel like most everything else will come from that."

"Uh huh," she said.

She really didn't say much, I noticed. She would offer anecdotes about her life, and sometimes agree with me. She would nod her head empathetically. She would ask me situational questions — how's your marriage? How's your brother adjusting? How's work?

She never asked me: Why? Why do you think that is? Why do you feel that way?

She told me to read a book. She told me to do yoga. But, it felt good to talk to someone — to have a guaranteed place to go and let it all out in a way that would have overburdened my friends and family.

At my second appointment, I talked at her again. She told me she was busy for the next two weekends, but could schedule me in after that.

When I went back the third time, I didn't have much to talk about. The weeks between appointments had been good. I'd set aside the majority of my after-work hours to spend time writing, reading, drawing. I was beginning to feel like myself again, that I'd started arranging my life in a way that allowed me to breathe. I told her as much.

"I'm proud of you. It sounds like you're doing well," she said. I thought it was really early to say she was proud of me.

"I don't think you need me anymore," she told me.

Oh.

Sort of baffled, I pushed to schedule an appointment a month away — just in case, to see where I was at. When I got in my car, I realized I didn't want to see her again. If she didn't think she could help me, she probably couldn't. A few days later, I emailed and cancelled the appointment.

So, here I am. I still feel like I could benefit from someone urging me to think through my own thinking. I imagine that finding time for myself will only go so far. I imagine that I will overtax my friends' empathies when I just can't shut up, because I can’t, because there is too much to talk through.

I am also afraid to try someone new, to start the process again, to find that they only want to help through the brunt of things — the who's and how's and what's — and never ask me why. How do you research and find a person who understands we are always going through something, even when you have figured out how to breathe again?

I feel lucky that I am not in a dire mental health crisis where my options would be to suffer for weeks while actively seeking help or checking myself into a hospital. I feel lucky that I was able to afford the three sessions I went to.

And I feel scared for the people who are less proactive, to-do-list focused and extroverted, who really need someone to pick up on the nuances of their situation. There isn’t really a Yelp for therapists. And as much as we like to say, "You should really talk to somebody," the truth is that therapy is expensive. It is not covered by health insurance. There are few and far between sliding scale options. And on top of that, not every therapist is a good person to talk to. Who do we talk to then?

More articles on mental health

It's #TimetoTalk — and the topic is mental health
'Get the Picture' aims to change how we view people living with mental illness
What it's really like parenting with constant anxiety

Today, in an editorial for the New York Times, Angelina reveals that she has had yet another surgery. This time, she has had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. It's no small thing. And it's incredibly bold, especially for a person who has yet to be diagnosed. But as those of us with a family history know, waiting too long will be too late.

Jolie's BRCA1 mutation meant that over her lifetime, she had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer. She lost her mother, grandmother and aunt to cancer.

Jolie says in her editorial:

It is not easy to make these decisions. But it is possible to take control and tackle head-on any health issue. You can seek advice, learn about the options and make choices that are right for you. Knowledge is power.

Exactly. The surgery is no small thing. Jolie will now be in menopause, which means all the symptoms that come along with that even though she's only in her late 30's. And, of course, it means no more children. But for those of us who have a high risk of these diseases, it seems small compared to what they can do. We have seen it firsthand.

I lost my own mother to breast cancer when she was only 45. She went from trekking in the Andes to being unable to climb the stairs in a matter of months. Her decline was rapid and horrible, bringing with it blindness in one eye, near-constant pain in her bones, and the inability to eat anything due to the chemo-induced mouth sores.

She died when I was 16 and my sister was seven. She missed our high school graduations, my wedding, the birth of all three of my children, and countless other milestones and events in our lives as well as in her own. She should have been there.

So when I think of the trade-offs, I'd gladly give my breasts and ovaries away to be promised longevity and the chance to cuddle my grandchildren. Sadly, I won't get that chance. Three years ago, I tested negative for the BRCA. Even though my grandmother, mother, and maternal aunt have all had breast cancer. Testing negative may seem like a good thing (and it is), but it could (and probably does) mean that my family has some other kind of genetic mutation. A kind that has yet to be identified. I wish I could be proactive. For now, I do the best I can. I started early mammograms. I visit my doctor twice a year. I do rigorous self-exams. But it's always there in the back of my head. I know it could happen. And I know what it could do.

Those of us in this horrible club understand just how brave Jolie is to shine a light here. No one would say what she has done is easy. It's not. The surgeries are grueling and painful and not small at all. But if she makes a few women who are high risk take a deep breath and ask their doctors about testing, then she could very well be saving their lives.

We don't have any guarantees in life. I could walk out of my house and get hit by a bus tomorrow. But I owe it to my kids to minimize every risk and give them every shot of having a mother long into their adult years. I know exactly why Jolie has done this. I applaud her. I thank her. And I hope that her editorial and courage in sharing her story encourages others to do the same.

Let's all be brave like Jolie.

More in health

Angelina Jolie admits to having a double mastectomy
Woman throws wild good-bye party for her breasts (VIDEO)
New study says alcohol increases breast cancer risk

Animal lovers are quick to cluck their tongues at people who give up their family pets, but all too often life circumstances change and keeping a pet becomes impossible, which is why more than 7.6 million pets end up in shelters every year in the United States.

Here are just a few heartbreaking reasons people are forced to give up their beloved pets every day.

1. A new baby

A new baby creates all sorts of chaos, and the family pet is a common casualty. Some animals can become aggressive with children, which is dangerous and another matter altogether.

But sometimes a new baby makes caring for a family pet overwhelming. Take Claire Zulkey, who wrote a full confession about how caring for her once beloved Greyhound became a major hassle after having a baby. It’s common for couples to treat pets as if they were children but find that once they have actual children, there isn’t the time to sleep and groom, much less walk and care for a pet.

One mother, Jenny, has a 2-year-old and is expecting her second baby any day and experiencing the same anxiety about caring for her dog Finzi, which is acting out. Although she’s not yet ready to give him up, she’s fed up with harnesses and dealing with his increasing anxious behavior. Recently, Finzi attacked a neighbor dog, which has left her contemplating how long she’ll be able to keep him.

“If there’s another instance like the other week, he’s gonna cross the rainbow bridge,” she said at her wits end and nine months pregnant.

Does being aggressive with other dogs warrant a death sentence or a trip to the shelter? Would it be fair to give Finzi to another family who would likely find themselves dealing with the same aggressive behavior toward other dogs?

2. Having to move

One bride was devastated weeks before her wedding when she was faced with giving up her dog because her financé’s landlord didn’t allow pets.

"I feel like I’m giving my child up for adoption," one woman posted on the Wedding Bee message board. "It’s 5 weeks until the wedding, and I’m going to have to take him back to his breeders 2 weeks before my wedding."

After reading about the bride-to-be’s sad decision, so many people, as they do on the internet, commented how terrible and selfish she was to give up her dog.

"Don't give him up!," one commenter wrote. "You never know where he will end up: (that's so awful…) There has to be an appt for rent that allows your dog. Please look harder."

But is that fair? The ASPCA suggests that when you’re looking for pet-friendly housing, you should make up a "pet resume," complete with a photo and a brief description about the pet to try and make landlords feel more comfortable with your pet. But is that a realistic expectation?

3. Military deployment

When Holly, a specialist in the Army National Guard, was deployed, she was terrified about what would happen to her beloved dog Jasper. She and so many of our service men and women have to cope with the reality that leaving for war also means leaving their pets. Luckily, there are volunteer organizations like Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet, which has a nationwide network of foster families ready to take in pets of deployed military families for up to a year.

"Jasper was with an amazing foster family," Holly wrote in her thanks to the organization. "His foster mom not only treated him like her own, but she gave me the peace of mind so I could focus on the task at hand."

Holly says Jasper’s foster mom also made a Facebook page so Holly could check up on how he was doing while she was away.

There are many organizations in place to help military families find foster placements for their pets, and yet it's simpler for many to just either take their pets into shelters or just set them free, which will almost certainly kill the dog eventually.

One Australian soldier gave up his dog Prinny for adoption after being deployed to Iraq. Prinny was eventually adopted by a loving family who even wrote an open letter to the soldier to let him know his dog was safe with the Rescued With Love organization.

"I don’t know where you are, or how to find you to tell you Prinny is safe," Kae Norman from Rescued With Love wrote. "Maybe this will find you. All I know is my throat ached when I read your writing on that form when you handed her over — and I could not try to let you know she is safe, and very happy. Stay safe soldier."

No matter the reason people choose to give up their pets, one thing is certain, it always invites judgment. So what do you think?

More in pet adoption

Top 5 reasons to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group
Why bonded pairs matter when considering dogs for adoption
How to foster animals without becoming a hoarder

Cupboard under the stairs

Although this nook under the stairs isn't anywhere near as dark and depressing as Harry Potter's first bedroom was, it would be so much fun to have a little sleeping or reading space tucked beneath a flight of stairs in your own home.

The Prefects' Bathroom

This impressively cavernous bathroom will remind you of the scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire when Harry visits the Prefects' Bathroom and plops his golden egg within the waters of the gigantic bathtub.

Wizard's chess yard

Although not quite to the scale of the pieces Harry, Ron and Hermione encounter in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, this backyard chess set is more life-sized than most.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Does this gorgeous staircase channel the interior of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry or what? I love the deep detail that would bring the stories to life.

Modern bedroom

This super sweet bedroom brings together many aspects of Harry Potter.

Gryffindor dormitory

Although the details of the decor here are not super Harry Potter-ish, this comfy multiple-kid bedroom could be easily customized to reflect the dormitories that Harry Potter and his friends lived in during his time at Hogwarts.

Book on the wall

If you'd love some literary art, consider the Spineless Classics version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Amazon, $37).

Hall of portraits

While these portraits won't move like they are apt to do in the world of Harry Potter, the pictures in this cozy hallway certainly look like they might at any moment.

The grand staircase

These stairs probably won't move (or will they?), they bear a strong resemblance to the staircases in the Harry Potter movies.

The Weasley kitchen

This incredible kitchen looks completely cozy — and like you might see Molly Weasley step into view at any moment.

12 Grimmauld Place

If this dining room was considerably darker, it would look remarkably similar to the one at the Black family residence — 12 Grimmauld Place.

More amazing home decor ideas

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